Episode 11: Finding Hope and Compassion In The Middle Of A Pandemic - a podcast by Frank Anderson MD MPH and Lisa Barry

Finding Hope and Compassion In The Middle Of A Pandemic

In episode 11 of the Exploring Awareness podcast Lisa Barry and Dr. Frank Anderson introduce compassion for self and others as a natural extension of our exploring awareness. Deciding to become aware of your thoughts and emotions opens a place of stillness that provides a break from all of the things your mind is trying to do.  This simple yet difficult shift represents a great act of self-compassion - as Frank puts it “your wonderful mind that's trying to protect you (takes up a lot of space)-  going to your core results in such a relief.” Of course, it’s not something you can make happen, but you can let it happen. This is an invitation to just try.

One of the metaphors about finding the still place inside yourself is imagining the blue sky (stillness) beyond the dense clouds (thoughts and fears) to better deal with today's struggles. “There's blue sky beyond the grey skies which can be a metaphor for what we're going through right now.”

 Connecting to one's core takes practice, connecting to the place where innate qualities of unconditional love for yourself and for others originate. For some, this place may seem unavailable, but the invitation to exploring mindful awareness provides an opportunity to see if there is something else besides what your brain is telling you.

Taking the first step is the most difficult. Feeling compassion for yourself and compassion for others then comes naturally. The suggestion is that finding that still place inside yourself which can be considered “the real place” -the present moment -place of stillness -that recognizes the struggle going on in you.

The result of all this is? Awareness transforms adversity of the world into something larger -a way we can feel united, connected and a way to get through all that is happening in our world right now.  Our collective “forced presence” allows us to just be present with ourselves and gives us an opportunity to do something different.

Ultimately, no matter what life experiences have done to you, what your history has done to you, what your health may have done to you...place all those things in awareness. Then the part of you that is aware is peaceful and loving, still and joyful place. As unlikely as that may seem, with a little bit of faith knowing the blue skies are behind the clouds, access to a new way of being is possible.

Further episodes of Exploring Awareness

Further podcasts by Frank Anderson MD MPH and Lisa Barry

Website of Frank Anderson MD MPH and Lisa Barry