Letting Go Of Shadows: Processing Grief

It is only natural for us to grieve, to ruminate on the past and the people that have left us. We mourn for their loss and everything they represent in our lives. We all have different ways to cope and different timelines to heal.

This is not a prompt for you to hurry to let go if you are not ready, but it is a space for you to sit with your emotions, unravel them with kindness, process what is rising, and eventually find acceptance through gratitude.

Transcript

This is all about letting go of someone and processing our grief.

We have this natural tendency to hold onto things,

To people,

To memories that in some way have shaped who we are as a person today.

And when these gems in life lose their sparkle and turn into ashes,

Whisked away from our grasp and dissolve into the space that we breathe in,

We are left questioning ourselves as we walk into a room searching for an answer to our whys and what ifs.

Our eyes catch a glimpse of familiar shadows,

Leading us to believe that they are still watching over us,

That they are quietly taking a peek of the life they have left.

Which brings us to wonder if they know just how much we long for their presence.

Somehow we can still feel the vibrations of their voice,

Echoing in the places that have a special corner in our hearts.

And so the past looms over our heads,

Like clouds,

Carrying water that is about to burst to the ground,

The soil that hugs their bones in a way that we can no longer hold,

The clouds that weep,

Pouring droplets to fill the sea,

The waves that move our bodies,

To feel,

To remember,

And to wish for another moment,

To speak the words we can only dream to have said,

And to long for the touch that we meant to give,

Just for us to be able to let go in peace.

And so we take this moment to sigh,

To breathe in the air,

To take a moment to realize that we are still alive.

Now my love,

Start to expand with every breath.

Start to mimic the sound of the waves by the sea.

Really take this moment to create that ocean and wave-like sound.

Imagine that this body of water holds our secrets,

Our pain,

And our memories.

Stay with the feeling at least for now,

Even if it feels like we're drowning.

Stay with the feeling at least for now,

But love,

Please come up for air.

We start to crave for the touch,

The smell,

Or anything else that would affirm the unresolved feeling of an empty corner that always made a sound.

The shadows leave in different ways.

Some will have the chance to prepare our hearts,

While some have to let go without having to explain.

And in the darkest of moments,

Most of us will succumb to the void of finding someone to blame.

Repeatedly asking,

Where did I go wrong?

What if I walked with you that night you asked me to?

What if we went to that place you were always talking about?

I should have done this.

I should have paid more attention.

I should have,

I could have,

What if?

The heart grows heavy because it clings to everything they represent in our lives.

Whether it's comfort,

Excitement,

Companionship,

A part of you,

A part of him,

A part of her.

The heart grows weary because it clings to the moments that could have been different.

And yet,

We already know that we are here only for a time that is unknown.

And so,

We continue to love,

To hope,

To dream,

To live,

And to breathe,

Despite the awareness of having to leave someday.

Now take your time to think of a loved one that has bid you farewell and start to create this space for you to say,

Thank you for giving me the chance to know you.

Thank you for spending your time with me.

Thank you,

My love,

For simply stopping by.

Reviews

This brief practice provided a great reflection on facing our mortality and still finding a way to be present in life. I found much of the discussion of grief and losing a loved one helpful as I applied it to processing my own grief from a recent baby loss. The part about how we go down the "what if" spiral and feelings of guilt especially rang true. I appreciated the connection to an overall truth that our time here is unknown. And yet for those of us who are still here, living, death is a reminder that we are still alive. The last part of the practice where we focus on our lost loved one was especially meaningful; I intend to return to that practice as I work through this acute period of grief. Thank you. 🙏🏾

what a treasure this meditation has been- the words are like a poem speaking to my broken heart 🙏🤍

Thank you. This helped me process some very painful emotions 🙏🏾💫❤️

Beautiful. Thank you this allowed my grief to release.