Meditation and Grief
In my Bio, I mentioned that I became a Davidji Certified Meditation Teacher about three years ago. It truly was out of my comfort zone, but so glad I had the courage to go through with it. Davidji is a wonderful and patient teacher, he's absolutely amazing. Everyone was amazing!
I was really into meditation and it has definitely helped me with stress and anxiety. For a while, after my nephew died in 2023, I was not able to meditate, because meditating brings you into your body and with that, you feel all your emotions. I didn't want to feel my emotions. But I kept trying and I kept using my mantras, even if I couldn't sit in stillness for very long.
But knowing I had those mantras and all the lessons I learned in class and throughout all the books I have read, meditation never left ME! That stillness was still inside me. The mantras still resonated on a deep level. It all sat there waiting for me. And when I was ready, the stillness and mantras filled my soul and reminded me of my inner being that will never die.
My nephew may not be here in the physical body, but his soul is here. Sometimes I can feel him. Sometimes when I laugh, I can hear him laugh. Sometimes I can hear his voice. I see his smile. I remember that he's never really gone. That is my true belief.
I also believe that past experiences of meditation helped me through my grief. I remembered to breathe deeply, calming my nervous system. The 16 second meditation davidji taught me helped to take those micro moments to myself and stop from going down the rabbit hole of grief. I'm not saying you can't grieve, but sometimes it is so profound, you have to do something to keep yourself from spiraling out of control. My nephew wouldn't want me to lose myself. He would want me to find the beauty in life again. It hasn't been easy, but meditation has helped. It helped that I meditated for years before all this happened. It helped me to learn how to not go off the deep end.
My nephew may not be here, but he's around. I feel his love and guidance.
Meditation never left me, not even during the times of profound grief.
Above picture of me and my nephew, Devin, about 30 years ago.
Grief Support Formula
I wanted to share a blend I made for my family and myself after my nephew passed away. I actually don't like to use "passed away", he died. He didn't gently pass away. He died from an embolism in his brain after two and a half months being in the hospital from an overdose that led to sepsis.
His death was traumatic for everyone.
I made this blend for two reasons. Spending time with my herbs and making "medicine" gives me comfort. The other reason is because I really needed something to help with the anxiety that comes with grief and to help heal my heart and deal with a major loss in my life. Of course, sharing with my family what I make is always a blessing.
I don't measure when I make blends for myself, I go by intuition. These herbs have many other uses than what I mention. I basically gave a brief description of why I chose these herbs, though there is more to the process when selecting herbs. I believe intuition does guide us and there are other reasons why we choose the herbs we choose. Though, they probably choose us!
A Heart and Grief Support Formula:
Motherwort and Lemon Balm for anxiety, heart palpitations and depression.
Hawthorn Leaf & flower and Rose for the heart. Helps support the heart with antioxidants and spiritually uplifting. Hawthorn is well known for normalizing blood pressure, high or low.
Hibiscus is another antioxidant that is a cooling heart tonic, as well as a flavorful addition to make a nice tasting tea!
Silk Tree Bark is a relaxing nervine for the heart and mind.
Linden relieves tension and is calming to the mind. Supportive in stressful and anxious conditions. Another wonderful heart tonic.
Spearmint is a flavorful, calming tonic for the nervous system.
Holy Basil is another wonderful heart tonic with an affinity for the heart. A powerful adaptogen to help the body adapt to stress.
