In this guided intervention meditation, Shalini Barr explores our interdependence as a path to better understanding, compassion and cooperation, especially when conflict feels overwhelming.
summary
Through the practice of intermethic meditation, we explore our inherent connections to the whole world. Interbeing is a word of our fundamental interconnectivity and interdependence as an organism. Considering both our own needs and the needs of others, we can be more understanding and kind, even in difficult interactions.
If you’re facing a challenging or polarizing conversation these days, you know how difficult it can be to connect and collaborate with the people on the other side of that interaction.
In today’s Guided Interbeing Meditation, Dr. Shalinibar invites us to explore innate interconnectedness by recognizing our needs and the needs of others.
Interventional meditation for connection and understanding
Read and practice the guided meditation script below and pause after each paragraph. Or listen to audio practice.
Welcome to Interbeing, a guided practice for connection and understanding. Zen Master and Peace Activist Thich Nhat Hanh coined the term interbeing, describing fundamental interconnectivity and interdependence as organisms. This practice invites you to explore this interconnectedness, especially when you are facing challenging conversations or polarising situations. Recognizing our needs and the needs of others can encourage deeper understanding. This caring consciousness allows us to work together in new and creative ways that benefit everyone involved. First, come in a comfortable sitting position and be vigilant and relaxed. Close your eyes gently or simply soften your gaze. Relax your awareness of breath, which enters and exits naturally and comfortably. Invite your heart to be here with your breath and body. Exhale and feel the breadth of your chest with each breath. Now imagine a vast open sky filled with white fluffy clouds. Watch these clouds gather together and grow bigger and heavier as life-giving rain falls. Feel the cool fall falling as it sinks deep into the earth below. You can feel the trees drinking deeply, their roots reaching deeper into the earth, and the branches lift up towards the sky. Think of these trees well nourished by rainwater. Just as this rain nourishes the earth and the trees, we are nourishing it by this net of life around us. Each breath we inhale connects us to trees, rain, the earth, and all living creatures. You’ll spend a little time connecting with this adoration and wonder what you think is the most authentic to you. Feel this life, all being and this interconnectedness. With this spirit of interbeing, it reminds you of those who interact with you in your home, at work, or at your community, for those you want to feel caring. This may be someone you want to connect with more deeply as someone you are at odds. Once you have this interaction with a person in mind, you will return to the present moment. Experience breathing in and out of your body. If your mind feels particularly active today, place one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach, and feel the gentle touch of your hands as you feel the body rising and falling. Every time your mind wanders, it will be, bring kindness to the breath coming and going to your body. Once your mind is stable, listen to it within your needs in this interaction. Please quietly ask yourself, what is my need for this interaction? Stay kindly here without forcing the answer. Listen with patience. What do you want to gain from this interaction? What are your needs? What is your intention? What do you want to happen? Do not make the first response. hang on. listen. Beware of all kinds of rushed judgments and fears. Make space for it about what you might discover. Look at yourself and feel whatever your experience is. Pause this recording and journal, or feel free to stop if you need a little more time. When you’re ready, quietly ask yourself: What are the needs of others? Again, there’s no need to search for the answer. Create space in your heart and in your heart to listen inside. What’s coming for you when you create space for other people’s perspectives? Their living experience? What is going on for others and what are their needs? If possible, look at that person, the whole person who has surpassed the situation. How they care about what you care about too. The way they suffer as you have in your life too. You are not assuming you know everything. You just trust yourself to know what you need to know. All we do is create a room with the intention of looking at this other person. If you are overly distracted or in thought mode, you will return to breath. Your breath is an anchor to your body, yourself, and your natural place of connection with others. Open your mind to listen to the needs of others from this place of connection. Again, if necessary, you can pause this recording and journal it. Even the subtle shift in your perspective can have a big impact on how you show up. Based on your reflections today, how can you show up for yourself and others? Take your time to create an intention that manifests itself in understanding and kindness. And before you begin to interact with that person, don’t forget to return to your contemplation that trusts you, your crossover, your intentions, and your natural goodness. May this interventional meditation help you navigate rewarding interactions with grace, compassion and wisdom. May our practices come together to benefit us and all beings.
