When you hear the word grace, what comes to mind? For me, it’s at first, the name of a friend’s daughter. But what’s behind the word itself? Simple online definitions share a few options that may be supportive to how me may begin integrating the concept of grace into our mindfulness practices: as a noun – simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous goodwill, and as a verb – to do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence. Also, the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful.
When you hear the word graceful, what comes to mind? A ballerina? The way in which a leaf may bend in the wind on a tree? What is grace to you – how and when do you see it, and what may keep you from seeing it?
We’ll explore what grace and mercy are and what graciousness is to you – what does it mean to be gracious? Does it connote forgiving and magnanimity, or a soft sense of weak surrender? Is it when have we seen someone present with grace in the presence of distress? How is this different from collapse, unworthiness, or not standing up for what you believe – not a tacit approval, but a choice rooted in deep loving intentions and connection?
The words grace and mercy may even connote a certain kind of religious sense for some folks… something to be earned or given. If so, are there thoughts, beliefs, and stories threaded into this?
Questions to ponder may include what does grace look like in our lives, and do we notice it when it’s here? And, how can we live a life filled with greater grace?
Similarly, mercy is a concept that we may want to explore: what does being merciful mean to you? How is mercy not the same as premature forgiveness? When have we experienced mercy from others? When have we witnessed mercy and when have we not? Online, mercy is described as: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Are there traumatic, structural or systemic issues that may make it feel mercy may be challenging to access? Is there something about mercy that connotes power and agency, and who has it and who may not?
In this talk, we will explore:
- The concepts of grace and mercy & the Four Bramiviharas – compassion, lovingkindness, equanimity (balance) and appreciative joy
- How the mindfulness principles of karuna and metta can help support our integration of expanding our capacity to give and receive grace & mercy
- Where you see grace and mercy alive in the world, how you contribute to it, and where you see things out of balance
- How equanimity (upekkha) may help support engaging in grace and mercy
- How appreciative joy (mudita) may help us cultivate a greater field of awareness for where we can exchange – actively give and receive – more grace and mercy in our lives and impact the lives of those around us
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This event will be recorded and emailed to everyone that registers.