Responding to challenging times

Thank you, Lani!

Dear Esther, Thank you so much for your acknowledgement of our very real, world wide political fears and concerns. It is sobering to think that the human rights people have struggled for ages to bring into being are still not a "given"...that they are apt to be challenged whenever the wind shifts. At best, I see this time as a call for us to wake up, pay attention and take nothing for granted. I heard you when you asked why we don't stand up for ourselves...that perhaps we fear that we won't be loved, or that there is something to lose, or questioning who we are to take up space. I see that egoistic behavior in myself, and it is time to let it go. When we feel powerless to do something, we can start right on our yoga mats with the intention of making ourselves strong, like Warriors for peace, and ready to do whatever we need to do...call our government representatives; sign a petition, or start one; keep informed about what's happening and stay vigilant; join a march, support organizations who share our planetary ideals, mentor a student. There are many grassroots things that we can do, and we can do them with a fierce love for justice, for humanity and for our incredible planet. I think actions like these will help us feel connected to each other, and give us hope. There is so much work for us to do, and when I feel despondent or overwhelmed, I like to remember Barrack Obama's campaign slogan: "Yes, We Can!". Indeed we did! And we can, and must, do it again, and again, and again....because our commitment to ourselves and to each other is what it's going to take! Thanks again for offering this forum, Esther.

Thank you, Esther. This was so helpful. I have been reeling since the election, and it's brought up so much personal stuff for me. This talk and the visualisation really made me think of longstanding struggles I have with my family of origin, stuff that's been on my mind a lot in the last few weeks. I felt a deep fear when asked to imagine speaking up for myself, and I felt a hint of grief as well, for not being able to be seen, or be myself, or be understood or respected by my family. It's given me something to think about -- what do I want with them (not from, but with)? And this, I think, is related to what I want to do politically and socially. I'd love a workshop or a series on how to figure out what you want and how to turn that creative energy into concrete action!

Esther, thank you! This is exactly what I needed. Politics and the outcome of the recent election have caused a lot of discomfort and fear for me personally; so much so that it empowered me to speak up to my parents who have been bully's in many ways to me for years. I was scared to finally stand up for myself, but I did and I feel stronger because of it. They (my parents) do not allow us (their children) to express our feelings/opinions/views unless they are in agreement with their own, so this was a big step for me. And it feels great. It is empowering to speak up to a bully. Your meditation was exactly what I needed today; to remind me that I am not alone and that it is okay to have independent thoughts/opinions/feelings. As always, thank you so much. I always look forward to your videos.

Thank you Esther, this was so valuable for me! You were spot on with the observation of fear of losing love when standing up for yourself.. thank you thank you <3

Thank you for this: I have a work situation to deal with today, and I just love how whenever I turn to Ekhart Yoga and to you as my teacher, I find something that is just right. I wasn't even looking for this consciously - just stumbled upon when I needed it this morning ahead of my somewhat difficult day ahead. : ) Very helpful, thank you

Hi, Esther, really great discussion and meditation. I agree with Sara on the "how to stand up to a bully" theme. When I visualized, I immediately thought of the bullies in my life and how easy it is for them to put me down. I feel vulnerable, angry, fearful, which usually paralyzes me and I get into a downward spiral of frustration and damaged self esteem. Reflecting, finding out what I really want to happen, standing out for my values instead of dwelling on all the negative feelings, that is a great insight. Creative vs. reactive, adding value instead of spreading negativity is very powerful and I will use it in my life. Curiously enough, I detected it in the public discourse lately but I never thought of how to apply it to my person. Thank you so much!

Thank you Esther! This was very helpful after a long month of uncertainty in my country political situation which led me to be “too worried” on a daily basis, affecting my mood and even my relationship with other people. You made me feel calmer and less worried. Whatever happens it will be ok, my family will be ok and I will be ok. Thanks. Love, Greta.

Hi Just tried this again I am so wound up and upset by the Brexit vote; personally because as a UK citizen I live in Greece, but more a dominant ideology of xenophobia and racism and lack of freedom and transparency. These are indeed very challenging times and when I did the meditation again I felt myself trying to speak up but I kept just bashing into a brick wall I am aware at the moment of so much psychobabble that gives easy answers that is about escape and cover up not necessarily growth so I do really appreciate yours and Davids contributions to enter into a dialogue that can integrate the spiritual and the political; we need both, well I do and if I start to smell a cover up in Yoga or mindfulness or it starts to be like a religion that holds the answer within itself and hides behind itself then I start to back away, so thanks for your reply and I will try not to back away from meditation and Yoga.. thanks Katrina interesting will keep working on this Katrina

Hi Esther I have returned to this video, after reading so many interesting comments. What a deep and meaningful discussion your offering has created. I think it has brought up so many things that we are all dealing with but did not know...as we can feel so isolated and think everyone else who is practicing yoga and meditation is loving and happy and peaceful..its just us struggling with anger and how to be powerful in a creative way in troubling and challenging times where there does seem to be a conscious collective - or is it unconscious? - of bullying..but there is another conscious collective ..the victims who do not want to be victims just because they don't want to be cruel...the victims sourced and grounded in love and peace but not surrendering and melting away in a disingenuous fluffy love..Truly loving is a hard thing right now, to love our world and values we believe in we have to speak up and it may be, will be unpleasant; or at least messy, creativity is dirty, raw and difficult. I cant stop thinking of the quote " first they came for the Jews, then the trade unionists...............then the communists.....and I did not speak out, then there was no one left to speak out for me it is up about us yes, it is about personal anger and how to deal with that and speak out strongly and creatively for ourselves but this is about speaking out for what we believe in and what we know to be wrong and speaking out for others too; so finding what we want is about values. then the bullying will change because there is a collective anger against collective bullying...how do we work together to respond to these challenging times so that we are not lone voices? Thank you so much for being brave enough to create this meditation, it is so pertinent at the moment and I hope, like others, you will continue this theme and work with us in further meditations and workshops. love Katrina

Esther thank you for this, great to address an issue that I think many of us are concerned with. I was thinking this morning about refugees from Syria, how would Yoga and meditation help them. I am often put off practice as I feel it is taking me away from truth and action into avoidance and my political self screams and fights against the luxury of Yoga as I way out..so this meditation/talk came at a very apt time for me and what a refreshing clear and honest approach to meditation...still difficult to balance and not use Yoga to run away..

This visualization made me cry. I feel sad. What can little me do to fight "rich" people who want to get richer off the expense of other people. I want to do something but I feel helpless.

The title of this meditation for me was 'how to stand up to a bully'. When I shut my eyes, I felt fear, vulnerability and then the welcome arrival of waves of anger, or more specifically, indignation - defined as 'the feeling of shock and anger which you have when you think that something is unjust or unfair' So many things here resonated powerfully with me- especially the contrast between 'Reactive' and 'Creative'. Both have a forward momentum of energy: but one being based in fear, the other being based in love. And I had to smile when you reflected on the thoughtless reactionary blurting out that certain politicians seem to engage in; and it made me think that this whole thing is perhaps the offshoot of social media, reality tv...places where there is so much blurting out that it can drive you to despair. It reminds me of a theory proposed by the feminist journalist Caitlin Moran- "Social media is like a baby screaming and throwing tantrums … which is then soothed by a picture of a cat....It’s very important that we don’t retreat from it....I want to be there and help it grow up. Social media will become a toddler, then it will learn to walk and then it will grow up."

Thank you for this. I am a yoga instructor in Nashville, Tennessee (USA) and a long time student of yours, Esther. After the election, I was shocked, stunned, and hurt. My students were experiencing the same feelings. I found myself giving little speeches to my students about how everything happens the way it is supposed to, but "supposed to" is dictated by our involvement in what's going on. By our participation in life. I think that harmonizes with what you are saying here. Thank you for allowing me to be on the receiving end of this true and powerful information. It is nice to be on the receiving end of the lesson. :)

Hello Esther, Thank you very much, this helped me a lot. That is my biggest problem, it is very hard to stand up for myself. I am a mother of three children, I am a very experienced critical care nurse ( since 20 years) and Still scared to stand up for myself. Just came home from work, very upset and looked for a meditation. Than I came across what you had to say and I had a feeling you know exactly how I feel. Thank you so much. I try to bring this into my life. I practise a lot of yoga (started with this wonderful website) . Can you recommend any yoga or meditation for this subject? Have a wonderful day Karin

Thank you for some clarity on this issue which has left me feeling quite lost this year, Esther.

hi, this really is something I have struggled with throughout my journey, how do I cultivate acceptance whilst keeping motivation to make positive change? Whether it is politics or persoanl growth and development...I have always found the two difficult to reconcile...for instance, if I truly accept how things are why would I change anything so how will I develop? great to look at this, any mo re suggestions along this line?

Thank you so much for this Esther. This year has been TOUGH and for the most part I just can't wait for it to be over. But of course I know that we are not going to wake up on January 1st and find the world restored. Pandora's box is open and we all have to face whatever arises. Thank you for your guidance in getting to truth of what we want and need, instead of self-righteous knee jerk reactions that only hurt others. I will try to use this in my personal and political interactions. Thank you.

Thank you, Esther. You have quickly become one of my most loved teachers. I am so impressed by your gentle power. Your meditations and talks have really given me so much healing. It's beautiful to see someone teach with such love and humility. You are truly encouraging and empowering. Please know that your work has had a profound effect on my life and healing journey. Namaste <3

Thank you Esther, I found this very helpful.

Awesome reflexion. Thank you!

Hello Esther I have experienced over the past year, since the Paris attacks and Brexit, Trump etc.. a lot of people 'picking' on me for no reason, often from 'liberal' people. Forinstance recently I've encountered odd behaviour, like being told off in class forbeing too apologetic and 'English' (!) by a University lecturer, and being barred by security guards from entering my University even though I go there every day and have ID, being stopped for shop lifting at my local shop where I have been going for over 20 years, when of course I had not stolen anything, and also within my family being excluded from a big family gathering with no explannation, and all sorts of weird bullying behaviour. Also my son and his wife have to live on the other side of the world due to new imigration laws and it's HARD! I really think bullying behaviour is part of the difficult times we are in, but I find it exhausting and upsetting, and sometimes I feel very angry. So I watched your video with interest, but as soon as I had to imagine the situation you described, I fell into a very deep sleep which is what I needed. I have always been a pacifist and open-minded and generally nice to everyone, but it's exhausting to deal with all these conflicting emotions, and if you are nice to some people sometimes they bully you more. I have had to write to two people last week to be assertive in a polite way about their behaviour when they were teaching me and their bahavior was abusive emotionally or physically, but it upset me so much to stand up to them, even in a measured polite way. I was very traumatic and exhausting for me because I just like to get on with everyone. I will have to watch your video again. This time I fell asleep because it was so soothing, and I am so exhausted, but I hope to watch it several times and to get more from it each time. Thank you so much. Sorry my comments are long but they come from the heart. x

Hi Esther I can relate to this, unfortunately. These feelings off not wanting to fit in but being expected to and so on, can become really big. A little like puberty-residu, not willing to accept. Not wanting to pull the attention to make a punt of your own hurt and giving them reason to see me like the angry girl or something. Not only they can become big, also it s a dead end road. Then getting stuck, in not liking anyone and not able to be happy with myself. My sollution is make the best out off being alone and not to waste to much time on those hard times. Enjoying yoga, nature and be happy alone and hoping that one day we do stand up for ourselves without feeling negative. Just happy that we do. Yes very helpfull a medition on challenging times and create the believe we can face these times fearless. Thank you (again) Carlie

Thanks for this talk. I am Italian, therefore I don't share exactly the same involvement as US citizens in this matter (but as you might imagine we have experienced very similar feelings with Berlusconi). What I'd like to say is that it was the very first time for me to experiece a visualization through a video and I have to say that I found you very communicative, empathic and welcoming in the way you led your talk. This is also the power of this new technology we have and it can have pleasant results! When I registered to this website I felt really suspicious about this "virtual" yoga classes and I have to say that I am enjoying having the possibility of connecting to people I don't know and cannot meet in person and yet find them interesting. Thanks and hope to find more talks from you!

You are awesome, Esther! I could watch you and listen to your soothing voice all day long.

Esther, Thank you for this, I'm one of the Americans coping with a serious assault on our democracy and keep needing to revisit this. Its been helpful.

I feel so much gratitude for this discussion/meditation, Esther. USA elections are nearly here and it was good to go through the feeling exercise on the levels of national and personal challenges, too. Thank you deeply.

This is excellent! Thank you!!! 🙌🏽💖✊🏽