Managing Climate Anxiety

Welcome. In this meditation, we're going to be going deep, exploring the emotions of climate change and asking the question, how does it feel? I invite you to recognize that whatever you're feeling; fear, grief, or overwhelm due to climate anxiety, these are natural, healthy responses. They're a sign of the compassion, connection and deep groundedness that you have to the earth and all its glorious beings. This practice will help you identify when you notice some difficult emotions arising, and offer some simple steps that may help you find clarity and ease. During this practice, honor your reactions and move, stand up or stop the meditation if any emotions feel overwhelming. Let's begin with some gentle stretches from the crown of the head to your feet. Relax at your own pace while you notice your surroundings, the time of day, the lighting, the season, and then settle into your meditation posture and invite in a softening of the muscles through the face and shoulders. The upper part of the back. Release through the arms. Relax through the hands and fingers. Gently constrict through the chest, and then let it go. As you notice the uplift of the soft belly as your breath begins to deepen. Let go a layer of tension through the hips, glutes and thighs. On an exhalation, feel a sense of weightedness through your legs and feet. And notice the earth beneath you. As you bring to mind some beautiful place outdoors where you feel safe, protected and grounded. Soften your inner gaze and visualize what you might see in this natural setting. What sounds would you notice? How would the sunshine feel on your face and eyelids? As you inhale, what fragrances would you welcome in on the breeze? Let this image be the backdrop, your nature sanctuary throughout this meditation. Embracing this visualization in your heart and mind as we begin to walk through what might bring up some difficult emotions. Remember that you are the ultimate guide during this, to honor your own sense of safety. Know that you can shift back to your breath, the release of tension or the nature sanctuary image whenever you feel the need. So take a full inhalation. And as you exhale, begin to reflect on climate change and your awareness of the issues. Bring to mind those who are and will be impacted and how. Visualize humans and non-humans alike. Reflect on forests and prairies and neighborhoods. Imagine the effect of climate change on rivers, wetlands and oceans. If any images feel unsettling, shift back to the safety of your nature sanctuary for as long as you like. Notice how your body bonds to emotions that arise as you sit with the reality of climate change. What happens to your breath? Do you feel any tightness through your forehead, your jaw, your chest, or your gut? Remember that these emotional and physical reactions are natural compassionate responses to some difficult truths. So let's begin to release...