Happy Mother's Day

Decades ago when I was young, probably sixty-ish, I was a guest at a senior living facility to visit with a dozen residents, all at least eighty years old, who had specifically requested that I teach them mindfulness meditation. I remember thinking that, apart from speaking more loudly, what I taught was not different from what I taught to younger people. I recall that after we had been sitting quietly for several minutes, focusing on the breath, I added this instruction: For the next minute, each time you exhale, say your favorite word to yourself, silently, in your mind.

After meditating, I asked how the meditation had been for them and they all had positive responses. Then I asked, “What word did you say to yourself?” and their responses included peace and love and shalom.

Then one person said, “I said Mother,” which evoked a delighted group response, “Oh, yes! That’s the word!” 

I was touched. None of those people, including me, had had a mother for a very long time. I had never thought of recommending the word mother as a mantra but I do keep a particular photo of me as a young girl sitting with my mother on the windowsill in front of the chair where I sit to meditate every morning. Maybe that’s the same thing.

Happy Mother’s Day!