Grief is a natural response that we feel when we experience the loss of a loved one, a marriage breakup, or a tragic event in our lives. The loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming and intense when we realise that they are no longer in our lives.
Through meditation, we can move through and heal the emotional and physical pain that we carry while grieving, as it allows us to feel and resolve the grief in the time needed and uniquely to each person.
What does grief look like?
Take comfort in knowing that grief is a shared expression of the human condition as we all experience it at some point throughout our lives. We may go through shock and disbelief when we experience a loss. We may also feel emotional distress, such as constantly replaying memories and images of the person we have lost, feeling overwhelmed and unable to respond to everyday life, and crying when triggered by certain smells, sights, or songs that remind us of that person.
Sleeping problems can occur because our minds are constantly filled with thoughts and unwanted feelings of pain. Some people may shut down emotionally or feel angry, consumed by the idea that the loss shouldn’t have happened.
However, amidst all of this, there may also be moments of calm and acceptance. It is important to be understanding of all the different emotions and states that we may experience and to not put pressure on ourselves to feel any differently.
Therefore, it is necessary to give ourselves the space to respond to our real needs, to feel and embrace a time of just being still, and to allow and move through it all, in healing grief.
Benefits of meditation for grief
Natural meditation provides a grounded and real way to resolve grief. It allows us to acknowledge and embrace whatever we are feeling in our bodies, whether it is pain, tension in different areas, or calmness in other areas. This is of much greater significance to appreciate than the thoughts that arise from past memories, the disbelief, the feeling that life is unfair, or the reminiscing about the happy times with the person who is no longer in our lives.
As your body processes the pain of grief and loss, these thoughts will naturally come and go. Meditating helps you ground yourself in your body, allowing you to process your feelings without getting lost in your thoughts. It provides a sense of stability and allows you to embrace the feelings as they are, without wishing for them to be different. Healing our grief happens naturally.
Meditation for grief or loss
We might feel like the grief and sadness of our loss is never going to end. It can be difficult to get to feel the real place that needs our attention – our body.
When our thoughts are playing over and over, we feel trapped in the emotional stress and memories of the person or event. So, to sit still and meditate can feel challenging at first.
This is where guided meditations can be a great support in helping us to go deeper and connect with the areas of the body where the grief and sadness can get stuck. For example, being in touch with the sensations in the lungs, throat, or heart, which can hold significant tension or pain, is necessary in processing grief.
Guided meditations gently guide us to sit still and connect with all that we feel, so that we don’t get too distracted by the thoughts that come and go.
You will also begin to feel the stability of meditating, either with a guiding gentle voice when you need assistance or by going with your own meditations.
I strongly recommend setting aside some time each day to meditate, as this will keep you supported and moving in the grieving process.
Undo App gives you the understanding and confidence to meditate in this way, uniquely bringing attention and reconnection for true healing to occur in the body and mind. It is a powerful tool for all areas of your life, but here, we are highlighting the benefits of using it in the grieving process.
Dealing with overwhelming feelings
At times, it will seem difficult and overwhelming, trying to control the grief and sadness you feel with this life-changing loss of a loved one. These overwhelming feelings can sometimes cause you to shut down, so being in a supportive environment with caring people who can just allow you the space and openness to be can uplift you.
It can be rejuvenating to breathe fresh air and be grounded in nature, so take yourself into natural settings, look at a beautiful sunset, or go for a walk along the beach.
A vigorous walk through the bush for releasing pent-up energy or soaking in a warm bath with essential oils or candles is nurturing. These are just some activities that help bring you back into the physicalness of being you. Then, it’s not difficult to sit still to meditate in quiet allowing the resistance to drop away and deeply connect to your body, to resolve whatever needs to.
Working towards acceptance
Living such ‘doing’ oriented lives today, constant distractions are an accepted part of living. Therefore, accepting and healing grief can feel daunting because of the pace we might be living.
Giving yourself the time and space to feel with daily sitting in natural meditation, will form a stable foundation and a real support in allowing yourself to move through the changes that occur naturally in healing grief.
When you experience this body-based meditation consistently, real felt benefits occur, and a deeper understanding of your true nature happens.
