From the core of my being, I have believed that connection with self and others is the key to health and happiness. I have spent my medical career focusing on those that are disconnected. Widows, widowers, seniors, isolated individuals because of medical illness or their own choice have always been on my radar screen. Why? I am not sure -- I just have always felt a sensitivity for these people.
As I do my work and build my practice, I believe I am getting closer to making headway with these folks. Speaking their language and being comfortable in the dialogue are essential. "The way in is through" applies to this situation as openness and frankness seems far more helpful than skirting the issue.
In truth, I believe, we all have the tendency to isolate and "wall ourselves off" when we do not feel physically or emotionally well. The fact is that we ARE separate individuals in separate bodies despite the truth that "we are all one". The beginning of healing, to me, is re-connection. All sorts of paths appear when one rejoins the herd and allows his or her heart to open and be touched.
Yesterday in my senior group in Del Mar, we began a conversation about connection and breaking down the barriers to meeting that goal. People spoke openly and honestly about the pain they feel and have felt. There was no chit-chat or superficiality -- it was real. There weren't quick-fix solutions or easy answers -- there was only open, vulnerable people being themselves.
We meditated at the start of the group -- slowing down our minds and getting in touch with our hearts. We sat in a circle and went around the circle sharing our thoughts and feelings on the subject of connection. Some focused on how they get and feel connected while others expressed what has caused them to feel disconnected. At the end, we joined hands and allowed physical and emotional connection to come into us.
The feeling afterward was one of gratitude and peace. I appreciated the group for being so open, honest and real. They seemed genuinely closer than they were before. There is much more communication and learning to be done and pain to be shared but we went through a door that I believe in my heart leads to all good things.
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