A Note from Louisa
 
I recently had one of those difficult experiences during which, while comforting a friend, I felt absolutely helpless. The story she recounted had that epic quality, and her despair and loss were great. As I listened to her, I decided that the only thing I could really offer her was my presence, hoping that she would feel seen, heard, and loved.
 
While listening, I also became aware of her tremendous compassion and her capacity to see the narrative as an evolving part of her life story, pointing her toward new challenges and growth. I could sense my admiration for her deepening and wondered if I would have met a similar moment in my own life with such awareness and resolve.
 
As we parted, she hugged me and thanked me, saying that she felt better. The strange thing was that as I listened to her unpack her story, share her reactions, and decide on a course of action, I also felt better. I felt emboldened by her courage and fortitude, and a little less fearful that events of such magnitude are simply insurmountable.
 
This month, Kara writes of “vicarious resilience”, the positive effect on those that witness the healing and growth of others. Therapists have long been aware of the joy of watching the transformation of others. For me, it reinforces the communal nature of the human experience, and the ingenious way our mirror neurons allow us to share the pain and triumph of being human, dispelling our isolation, and allowing us to be one another’s most valuable resource. When we are “in it together”, we truly all benefit.
 
Blessings on your journey,
Louisa
COVID UPDATE:
Please note that CML will be reassessing opening to in-person sitting groups, classes, workshops and retreats this fall. We’ll keep you posted on any changes to the schedule!
Daily Silent Meditation             
8:15 - 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning
Meeting ID: 899 6440 8784
Passcode: 818114
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Guided Meditation
1:15 - 1:45 pm          
Tuesday Afternoon
Meeting ID: 826 1223 4516
Passcode: 058471
The Art of Self-Compassion: Seeing Through the Eyes of the Beloved
An Eight Week Online Course in Befriending Yourself
Facilitated by Dr. Louisa Foster
Wednesday Evenings, September 8th to November 3rd
(no class on October 6th)
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm CST
 
Strengthening the most fundamental relationship that we have – the one with ourselves – is a crucial step in developing resilience and emotional wellness. This eight-week course is an invitation to see and know ourselves through different eyes. Letting go of limiting beliefs we have developed about who we are allows us the space to be surprised and delighted by the true self we have obscured with criticism and self-judgement.
 
This experiential online course is appropriate for those new to self-compassion, as well as for graduates of the Mindful Self-Compassion training. Together, we will learn about the gifts of community, create inner resources to help us through challenging times, and use our own innate creativity (yes, you do have it!) in service of learning to accept and love ourselves. We’ll emerge with a more realistic view of who we are and who we can become.
 
Supportive $375.00 (I’d like to help someone attend)
Standard  $325.00 (I’d like to attend)
Supported $225.00 (I’d like some help attending)
 
TWO WAYS TO SAVE: Save $25.00 when you register by September 1stand an additional $50 for both you and a friend when you register together using the discount code Friends50.
 
For more information, contact Louisa at Louisa@thecenterformindfullivingomaha.com

Or register here.
Mindfulness Study Group
Facilitated Online by Laura Crosby
*First and Third Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6pm

We are currently reading two books!

  • Real Change, Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World by Sharon Salzburg
  • The Dharma of Poetry, How Poems can Deepen Your Spiritual Practice and Open You to Joy by John Brehm
 
The Dharma of Poetry is a rich and deep exploration of poetry as teacher. The author complements this exploration with a collection of poetry-inspired meditations. The poetry, the teachings, and the practices are quite moving. 

Real Change is a relevant and accessible offering of sage wisdom and mindfulness techniques for our time. As Jack Kornfield puts it, “Inspiring, loving, and empowering. The perfect medicine for these difficult times.” 
 
Our sessions are freely offered, drop-ins are welcome, and there's no registration necessary. We read together - so no homework! - and discuss each chapter. Books are available from lcrosby@me.com.

Meeting ID: 843 4464 0572
Passcode: 570798

*Summer Schedule – Select Sundays 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
July 18th
August 15
August 29

No Session: July 4th (Independence Day) or August 1 (Laura on Family Vacation)
CML Third Space will suspend its gatherings over the summer months. Please check back this fall for further updates.
A Reflection on Vicarious Resilience
By Kara Cavel, PhD, LCSW
 
As a clinician, I am familiar with the term 'vicarious trauma', or the impact clinicians experience working with individuals or groups of people who have experienced trauma. Recently, I read about vicarious resilience, the opposing force to vicarious trauma, and considered how this term might apply to me, to us right now. 
 
Vicarious resilience is the “process of observing and even being a part of a survivor’s healing process and their personal transformation from surviving to thriving” (Tenty as cited in Morgaine & Capous-Desyllas, 2014, p. 231). 
 
Is it possible to consider how we might serve as empathic listeners to those who share their stories of survival, especially among communities, families, and individuals who have experienced the death and devastating harm imposed by the worst public health and economic crisis experienced in generations? 
 
How does the act of listening to understand rather than listening to respond create the conditions that can move us from surviving to thriving? 
 
How does holding the truth of others teach us to hold our own truths? 
 
If you have the capacity to bear witness to stories of survival, could this help to facilitate conditions for healing for others? 
 
Conversely, if you can name and locate someone who can respond to your truth with understanding and empathy, is it possible to feel a shift toward healing?
 
Together, can we work toward finding a place to foster the conditions needed to pass along the truths of our experiences?
 
Together, let’s foster the experience of vicarious resilience.  
  
References
 
Morgaine, K. & Capous-Desyllas, M. (2014). Anti-Oppressive social work practice: Putting theory into action. Cognella Academic Publishing.