Mindfulness Practice 21,
Acknowledging the Impact of an Unfair System.
Get comfortable in a seated position.
Breathe.
With your eyes closed or gaze down,
Focus on your inhales and exhales.
Let go of any distractions that come into your awareness.
Begin by finding your anchor,
Something or someone in your life that makes you feel happy,
Light,
Grounded,
Anything that reminds you that you are whole.
Stay with the feelings that come up as long as you like.
Continue to breathe in those feelings.
They give you strength.
When you are ready,
Consider for a moment any of the social identities you have that carry privileged status in society,
Being male or white or heterosexual,
Mentally or physically able,
Among others.
You may not feel the privilege associated with these identities because we have been systematically taught not to.
Remember that ignoring our privilege ensures that the system as it was created will be maintained.
Try to tap into where in your body you feel the weight of privilege.
This might take some time and some practice.
Your conditioned self might even be screaming that you don't have any privilege or that it is not your fault or why should you feel bad for having any privilege.
The goal is not to feel badly or guilty for being given any of your unearned advantages,
For you did not create the system that benefits some at the expense of others.
It is important to connect and connect deeply with the emotions that we are taught to stifle around these issues so that healing can occur.
Whether or not you are new to this idea that we all have some form of social privilege,
What are the impact it has on your life?
What does it mean you are able to do on a daily basis that others might not?
What emotions arise from simply knowing this is so?
Again,
The goal is not guilt,
But rather to feel the heaviness that is caused by an unfair system.
What emotions emerge from focusing on the unfair system in which we live?
Frustration,
Perhaps,
Anger,
Sadness,
Guilt,
Other emotions?
Where do you feel those emotions in your body?
In your chest,
In your gut,
Somewhere else?
As you breathe,
Offer some compassion to those spaces in your body that feel or hold that heaviness.
You did not cause this system to be as it is.
Feel whatever comes up for you and see if you can stay open to the idea that you can in fact be an agent of change and alleviate your own and others' suffering.
The unfair systems are made up of people.
Sit with the question of,
How can I make a difference?
Sit with this question as long as you like and know that you have the power to make a difference.
When you are ready,
Take another deep breath and flutter your eyes open.
Stretch your body and take a moment to transition your focus back into the room.
Welcome back.
Feel free to journal now about your experience or about any idea or insights that arose for you.
