Hi Reader!
Two days after my Wellness Retreat and Book Launch Party, I am still buzzing with joy! Nonetheless, today, I am reflecting not on my happiest days but on my darkest days. Despite the good feelings that abound, I am aware that others are in the midst of difficult days—some may even be facing their worst fears. I am aware, too, that although goodness also abounds, our world is also facing some tough challenges.
So, today, I am going there—to the heart of darkness. Why? Awareness practice can offer the tiniest light and clarity even in our darkest moments. In fact, in many ways, it is why we practice—because our practice can sustain us when we cannot otherwise imagine how to cope.
I rediscovered this recently when Juney was born. As many of you might know, Juney’s birth was traumatic. She was born not breathing, and there was only a 50/50 chance she would survive the night. Her doctor calls her a “miracle baby.”
Her birth was during Covid, so we were not allowed to be at the hospital. So, we waited near the phone at home. Alex called us at some point, declaring the birth was imminent. And then we waited and waited for hours. We knew that was not good.
Close to midnight, my cell phone rang. It was Sanni. My heart soared at hearing her voice because I did not know if something had happened to her. Then, Sanni stammered, saying that she was okay, that she had had a c-section, but that something happened to the baby. She said she had not even seen her baby–that they had whisked her away and put her on ice as she had been without oxygen for too long.
At that moment, I suddenly realized that all my years of practice came to this one.
In startling clarity, I saw that the only place I wanted to be was right there in that exact moment, not looking forward even an iota. How could I know if Juney would be at that next moment? All I had was right then, and I didn’t want to miss a single breath.
You might have thought I would pray, but it didn’t feel like praying to me. It felt like presence—like pure unconditional love—-like Juney was there. It felt like radical acceptance tinged with the potential for anything to be possible. I saw that worry was not an energy I had time or space for—only a loving presence. I watched each breath and felt a great stillness in the air.
This simplest of awareness practices, which only required me to be intimate with the moment as I found it, was profound.
Many people get this feeling from their faith or a deep belief in God. For me, my practice of noticing the stillness at the heart of every moment—of relaxing back into it—instead of striving forward for a “better” moment—my practice of directing attention away from rampant thoughts (What else is here?)—fulfilled me in a counterintuitive way. I felt bonded with Juney, and that bond was not tied to a specific outcome.
In Naked in the Now, I discuss the idea that “when we are restless, feeling unsettled, and stuck in an active mind, what we actually need to do is expend less effort, not more.” Rather than struggling against our difficulties, we can slightly relax, employ self-compassion, and harness vulnerability as a path to inner peace. This mindset shift requires some practice.
One of the reasons I wrote Naked in the Now was to help people create a sustainable awareness practice that could quickly become part of their busy lives. I wanted to develop the drive to shift our attitude about seeking internal peace from “I should meditate…” to “I can’t wait to explore naked being itself!”
I wanted to help people end their suffering, whether it felt like anguish or persistent dissatisfaction. I figured people might respond to the idea that getting present can be less like work and more like being seduced by a lover—a profoundly intimate experience. And the experience I just talked about on that darkest night was deeply intimate—with life, Juney, and the moment.
Cultivating a sustainable awareness practice can be a profound source of personal resilience, even during the most challenging times. But, awareness practice extends beyond personal well-being; it also has significant implications for environmental sustainability.
I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Nancy Pearlman, Environmental Pioneer, Broadcaster, and Media Consultant. Since 1977, Nancy has hosted and produced the country’s longest-running environmental radio show, Environmental Directions. She contacted me because she was interested in discussing the intersection between mindfulness and ecological responsibility. We discussed how being present, attuned to our surroundings, and connected to ourselves can foster a deeper care and respect for the planet. We discussed how letting go of social conditioning, material attachments, and superficial identities can lead to more sustainable, eco-conscious choices. I also talk about some of the good work others do, including my kids.
She challenges me at one point and asks whether pursuing inner peace and self-acceptance will make individuals more engaged in environmental activism. I tell her that I don’t know that I can make the claim directly but offer this: “when you become at peace with yourself…you have a clarity about what actions make sense…and one of the pieces of clarity is that it is our honor and job to be good stewards of this planet.” You can find our episode of Environmental Directions on my website here. (Soon, this will also be on YouTube.)
Radical acceptance mirrors the unconditional embrace we must extend to our environment, cherishing its beauty while acknowledging its fragility.
So, this week, I invite you to explore the practices with Naked in the Now to navigate any personal challenges with grace while deepening your connection to the world around you. If you haven’t gotten a copy yet, order your copy here now.
I envision you cultivating a sustainable awareness practice that brings you solace, resilience, and a renewed commitment to treading lightly on this wondrous planet we call home.
Smiles,
https://marijkemccandless.com
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Wellness Retreat and Book Launch Party! |
P.S. The greatest way you can help me spread the awareness practices of Naked in the Now is to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads! Just a few words or only a rating is fine! If you don’t have a copy yet, the second print run is out. It’s a great time to order one! Thank you for all your love, support and encouragement!
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