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Interruptions: Obstacles or Messages? January 30, 2026 22:40
Recently, I dreamt that I was in a dimly lit room—it reminded me of the St. Simon’s Church basement where my family attended services when I was a kid. Metal folding chairs were arranged in a half circle on a thin orange carpet that smelled of stale coffee. Stacks of cardboard boxes lined up along the far wall of the room, and fluorescent lights flickered overhead in what resembled upside down ice cube trays.
Strangers milled about the room, and someone approached me and told me that it was my turn to lead the meditation class. I reached for a small plastic bucket, one that a child might play with at the beach, and a short PVC pipe that was resting on a shelf. Because there wasn’t a singing bowl in the basement, this would have to do.
The strangers kept milling about, chatting in hushed tones. They came and went in steady waves. I wasn’t able to hold their attention or interest—when I struck the PVC pipe against the bucket, it made flat, dull thuds, and I was not able to lead the meditation class.
***
I woke up feeling scattered and defeated. Dream images often reflect the state of our minds, and my mind was telling me that I was feeling scattered and disorganized—and that I didn’t have what I really needed in order to do what I was asked to accomplish.
I’ve been clearing out physical clutter in my home and office lately, but this dream was nudging me to clear out the mental and emotional clutter, too.
It was time to “go through the boxes,” to sort out the treasure from the trash, to create a space that welcomed visitors, not one that included chasing people around a dank smelling basement and beating on a plastic bucket hoping to gain their attention.
My dream was inviting me to take a seat, to find my own peace, to settle myself in order to invite others to practice.
***
Initially, everything in this dream appeared to be an obstacle to practice, an interruption of one sort or another. Interruptions are unavoidable. Even when I’m awake and reading through a sadhana practice, stray thoughts and images sneak between the lines printed on the page:
· This sweater is itchy.
· I could use a cup of tea.
· Maya is snoring loudly on the couch.
· Don’t forget to call Senators Young and Banks.
· Remember that time when Little Stevie got stuck on the top of the playground slide?
· Did you remember to pay the doctor bill?
· I haven’t seen that gray tabby cat in a while. I hope he’s OK.
These thoughts, memories, and worries come and go. If I don’t attach, they don’t usually persist. Instead, they float by like fish in a stream.
***
Dream images can be interpreted as interruptions, too. However, what at first glance appears to be interruptions, can actually be messages. They are symbolic reflections of what is happening in the outer world.
My outer world has been chaotic, messy, and uncertain lately. I have been grappling with feelings of grief, anger, and fear regarding the invasion of federal agents, the subsequent protests, and fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.
My friend and Tibetan language tutor, Ngawang, lives in the Minneapolis area with her family. I have been very concerned about their safety.
I was horrified and appalled by the aggressive and violent tactics of masked federal agents storm trooping into the city of Minneapolis to harass, intimidate, kidnap, and terrorize residents. The murders of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were unwarranted, preventable, and tragic.
***
My personal practice is an anchor for me; it keeps me steady and calm in the midst of chaos. However, sometimes personal practice isn’t enough.
A few weeks ago, I happened to hear an interview on the NPR program, Kelly Corrigan Wonders. Corrigan was interviewing Canadian writer, Kate Bowler, who is a professor and award-winning podcast host. Bowler said something in the interview that resonated with me: “Action absorbs anxiety.”
Yes—taking time each day to sit on my cushion and meditate IS a meaningful action, and an important part of maintaining my mental and spiritual wellbeing.
However, it doesn’t directly impact the community.
I don’t live in Minneapolis, but people I care about live there, and I support Minnesotans who have braved subzero temperatures to stand up for their neighbors.
I stand in solidarity with those who demand an end to the violence perpetuated by ICE and this current administration. I support those who bravely fight and advocate for the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of our immigrant communities.
I have called, and will continue to call, state legislators and members of Congress about this current situation and other situations that violate our constitutional rights and threaten the wellbeing of those who live in this country.
I take time every day to read or listen to credible, fact-based news sources. Being informed is essential to being a responsible citizen.
I am mindful about supporting local small businesses and companies that reflect my values and that do not contribute to the deception, corruption, and cruelty of this current administration.
We check in with our neighbors.
Even small actions, like leaving a few granola bars on my desk at school for students who may need an afternoon snack to get through the day, can make a positive difference.
These actions absorb anxiety, and they benefit others.
***
Kate Bowler is right—every time I pick up the phone and voice my concerns to senators, I feel a little better, and I feel empowered.
One of my favorite sources of information is Heather Cox Richardson. Her daily letters and her interviews with experts and lawmakers have been a beacon of hope for me (and many others—she has quite a following).
Last year, shortly after the election and inauguration, when the chaos and flood of confusion began, she wrote, “Don’t shut up. Don’t despair.”
I have been repeating that phrase like a mantra ever since—I’ve shared it in comments with friends, and I even had a tee shirt made with this phrase to remind myself and others of the importance of standing up, speaking out, and taking care of others.
***
What actions can you take to benefit others today? How can you be a source of help and support?
If anything, these are the essential questions that this dream is asking of me. The more I do to benefit others, the more peace and clarity I will experience. The more we work together, the more meaningful our progress will be.
I’m choosing to interpret these recent dream images as messages of encouragement, rather than anxious interruptions, and they are nudging me to continue to take meaningful action.
***
What can you do in your little corner of the world that can tend, comfort, and support others? How can we stand together to bring about positive change?
***
Thanks for taking the time to read this month’s offering.
May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you live with ease.
May you be a beacon of hope and encouragement for others.
Meditation Is Great and All...But Meaningful Action Is Required for Meaningful Change May 31, 2022 14:46
If you prefer to listen to this month's blog article, please click HERE for the audio link.
The news has been especially dismal lately. The war in Ukraine is still raging, as are the wild fires in New Mexico. Between the shortage of baby formula due to a recall and supply chain backlog, a hate-filled gunman who murdered ten people in a Buffalo, NY grocery store, and another gunman who murdered nineteen fourth graders and two teachers in a horrific school shooting in Uvalde, TX, it has been one hell of a week!
There's certainly plenty to be sad and angry about--and plenty of my friends are fired up and venting their frustrations on social media.
Some are sharing celebrity tweets and memes. Others are link-dumping news articles. A few, who proudly announce that they don't watch the news, prefer to post vague, judgey commentary about how awful the world is...and how much better off they are by not paying attention to it.
Don't get me wrong--taking in too much negative news stories--or watching the same distressing stories on repeat can be extremely dysregulating and unhealthy. It's too easy to slip into despair and hopelessness while marinating in bad news.
On the other hand, refusing to watch any credible news at all is willful ignorance, which is just as problematic. Ignoring significant world events won't make them go away, and it won't make anyone more spiritual or superior, either. Unfortunately, it can indicate righteous selfishness and privilege on parade.
There has to be a better way... for all of us!!
Last month, I wrote about the benefits of sitting with unpleasant emotions, and I still believe that this is a good first step. However, meditation alone isn't enough to solve big problems like war, systemic racism, poverty, and gun violence.
Big problems like these can be extremely overwhelming and daunting; they can give rise to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and apathy.
Big problems can't be solved quickly, either, and they can't be solved by a single person or even a single group of people. Often, they require time and the persistent, patient focus and effort of many. The good news is, we can all contribute to meaningful progress and positive change.
Small steps matter. Small gestures matter. Every thought and action has consequences and creates a ripple effect. Even small acts of compassion can have a significant impact on others. By doing what we can, when we can, wherever we are, we pave the way for meaningful progress.
For example, I have a friend in Minnesota who spent several hours the other day planting beautiful flowers in her garden. She spent her morning planting lilies, marigolds, and roses. She can't stop the destruction in Ukraine, or the wild fires in New Mexico, but she is tending to what she can, where she is. By doing so, she is fostering beauty and joy in her own back yard, and this doesn't just benefit her and her family; it uplifts her entire neighborhood.
One of the students I have been tutoring this semester volunteers regularly at a local food bank. He can't solve the supply chain backlog or prevent product recalls, but he can stock shelves with donated food and dedicate his time and effort to help local families put food on their tables.
My friend in Ohio can't solve systemic racism on her own, but she recently posted an honest acknowledgment of her own white privilege--how she has benefited from racism, is deeply ashamed of this, but now that she's aware of it, she is committed to using her privilege to bring about positive change in society. She posts book reviews and recommendations of books written by black authors and books that address the issue of racial injustice. She's educating herself and sharing what she's learning with others to foster awareness and promote progress.
I may not be able to solve the gun violence crisis in America--and won't be able to prevent the next horrific school shooting, but I did contact the senators in my state (Indiana) and communicated to them how important common sense gun laws, red flag laws, and stringent background checks are (along with banning assault rifles). After I sent the emails, I felt a little relief afterwards--I did SOMETHING. I didn't give up, and I didn't turn away. I'm also looking into supporting local advocacy groups such as Moms Demand Action.
Recently, I participated in an online Metta vigil led by Sharon Salzberg from the Insight Meditation Society.
She explained that hopelessness is extremely dangerous--and that practicing Metta is meaningful action and a powerful adventure in attention.
Over 900 participants joined her in this online practice. It was an excellent session, and a beautiful meditation.
(I've written about the practice of Metta recently. If you haven't already read or listened to the September blog article: Estrangement and the Power of Metta, it describes this practice in greater detail and includes a short practice as well.)
We don't have to don a superhero's cape to make a difference in this world. Start where you are, and do what you can with what you know. Acts of kindness and generosity don't have to be dramatic, remarkable, or far-reaching to have an impact.
The more we can be of help and be of service to others, the positive ripples of change will continue to expand and benefit more and more beings. Meaningful change begins with simple, heartfelt action as well as having the courage to face and be present with what is. After all, during these challenging times, we cannot afford to give up or to turn away.
Thanks for reading or listening this month. If you haven't visited the Middle Moon Malas online shop in a while, I have added several new designs to the website.
May you be happy; may you be healthy; may you be safe; may you live with ease.
(Photo credit: Ross Findon courtesy of Unsplash)