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Mar 28
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Meditation and Connection in a Time of Isolation

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

by Gayle Van Gils

I have been feeling more than a bit ungrounded and lonely…..  Being forced to stay home and away from other people seems so wrong.  Yet, here we are – in this together – feeling our way towards a “new normal.”

What I can share is that connection is the key to surviving and thriving in these time.  Here are 5 simple steps you might want to apply this week and see how they work for you.  I am doing all of these, and they are helping!  Sending love and health to all who are reading this.

1.  Slow Down and Stay Centered

When you focus on simple activities you are performing on a regular basis, such as washing your hands, you can link that activity to being a reminder to breathe and feel.  Now each time you perform this important and now mandatory activity you are practicing mindfulness and grounding yourself in the present moment.

2.  Connect with Yourself.

Sit down in a comfortable and uplifting spot, and take some deep breaths. Relax and allow yourself to appreciate being alive. Feel the ground beneath you, and the space around you.  Pretend you are breathing from your heart area, and calm yourself with each breath.

3.  Connect with Others.

Create some WhatsApp groups. Some group ideas are family members; close friends; or people who share your passions and interests.  Exchange ideas and caring concern via this interactive format.

4.  Challenge Yourself.

At least once a day, set aside time to do something creative.  Write a poem or practice a musical instrument.  Find joy in new found creativity.

5. Have fun together

Share life via Zoom chats. Get creative – meet for morning coffee or afternoon relaxation. Bring a favorite beverage, share your concerns and share solutions.  Together we can have some fun…  You can even watch a movie together this way!


Join with Gayle online at bit.ly/2JdVsD6 to find free live meditation sessions and opportunities to connect.

Gayle Van Gils is the author of Happier at Work: The Power of Love to Transform the Workplace, a practical guide for developing the powers of attention, stress reduction, communication and collaboration . Gayle is a senior meditation teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and is a certified instructor of Search Inside Yourself – the mindfulness and emotional intelligence training developed and proven at Google. She is the founder of the consulting, training and coaching company Transform Your Culture, a popular mindfulness teacher on the app Simple Habit, and a Goleman EI “meta-coach,” helping leaders and other coaches to deepen their Emotional Intelligence. Through her teachings both in person and through online courses, Gayle has helped thousands of people to find more peace, energy, inspiration, joy and success in their lives and businesses.

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1 response to “ Meditation and Connection in a Time of Isolation ”
  1. Chris Montone
    Apr 3, 2020
    Reply

    Very nice and helpful article, Gayle. I’ve been finding myself engaging in most of these activities the last few weeks and it’s been wonderful. There are positive outcomes to be had from all of this, if we look for them.


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