Wakeful, open, tender return

LeLaina: 00:00:00

(singing) Wakeful, open, tender heart Wakeful, open, tender heart Wakeful, open, tender heart Wakeful, open, tender heart.

LeLaina: 00:00:32

Hello, beloved singers and beautiful beings. This is LeLaina Romero from sólo cantar space.

I apologize for the background noise, but that is actually in service of me practicing what I said back in episode zero, the trailer, which I hope you'll go and take a listen to because it introduces me, sólo cantar space, and this podcast more fully. I am-- months after planning to do this podcast weekly-- dropping an episode. And I'm dropping an episode in service of doing the thing that brings you joy and that heals you, even in moments, even in imperfect circumstances. It has been...challenging is a little bit of an understatement...but it's been quite a trying time this year.

And what I said back in episode zero, to put it very briefly, was practice what brings you joy, practice what heals you, practice what grounds you, even if you can only do it for a minute at a time, even if you can't do it the exact way that you want to. And so for me that practice is singing. And I'm glad to say that I think more often than not I have been singing every day.

But my other intention was to bring these healing harmonies and practices for peace to you all weekly. I am practicing self compassion and have forgiven myself for not doing that. It has really not fit into my life, but I'm trying to make that work now.

So have you been going through a challenging time or a challenging season of your life...globally, perhaps? We all have, right?

There is a lot happening that impacts our daily lives, or just the amount of information about what's happening to our companions on this planet. Maybe causing stress, anxiety, fear, rage, grief...

And then also, perhaps you're going through a challenging season in your life, like maybe a challenging season of parenting or caregiving, maybe economic uncertainty. That just feels like such a jargony word right now. Are you broke? Are you having a hard time? Is it hard for you to take care of your daily needs?

There are so many other challenges that you might be facing, and I really hope that as I share more of these healing harmonies and practices for peace, I can be a companion to you on your journey. Today I'm just dropping in really quickly to share an original chant that was at the beginning of this episode.

It was inspired, as I often am, by Buddhist psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach, and I'll link her podcast as well. I get a lot of wisdom and sustenance and just deep comfort from her words and practices. So I'm dropping that chant.

I'll sing it again toward the end of the episode and I'm just telling you a little bit about what's going on and what I'm offering. If you'd like to join me outside of this podcast, one of those offerings is starting next week.

Parenting as a Portal is a five session group held online co facilitated by Jen Kiak, another spiritual director and myself.

nd at: 12:30

I am still available for one on one Spiritual Direction and I'll be sharing a longer episode about what spiritual direction is and how I connect to spirit and there will be waterfalls involved. That's coming soon. I've been doing a lot of recording but not a lot of editing and posting. So you'll be getting some episodes I hope, weekly.

I will also be sharing a fun episode on playlist creation as spiritual practice, so s forward to all of this. So yes, I offer individual spiritual direction. The Parenting as a Portal group. I also am going to be starting some groups.

(I'm walking by a doggie daycare...) queer mystics group and a support vessel for leaders, healers and activists. Look for more about that this summer.

Those will be online groups that will have some online gatherings that are live and then some practices and community and dialogue that will be shared at your convenience asynchronously.

I'm also a licensed psychologist in the state of North Carolina offering telehealth... psychotherapy was my profession, my primary profession for a few years and life shifted that about a decade ago and I'm returning to that work. So more about that soon. And if you have any questions or comments or just want to connect with me, just reach out.

Social media through this podcast. All of my social media information can be found in the show notes. You can also find me on my website sólo cantar dot space.

More and more will be coming to that website soon. In the meantime, I want to leave you again with the chant and then I'll say see you later. It's really good to be back.

It's really good to connect even when things are hard. Or maybe especially when things are hard.

LeLaina: 00:08:21

(singing) Wakeful, open tender heart Wakeful, open tender heart Wakeful, open tender heart Wakeful, open tender heart.

LeLaina: 00:08:54

There's a meditation that Tara Brach posted a while ago that had us reflecting on those qualities of wakefulness, openness and tenderness. And as I say a lot when singing, sometimes we just need to sing. Sing our intention. Even if we're not feeling it.

Even if we're not feeling wakeful, open or tender. Even if we're not feeling hopeful. Even if we're not feeling (singing) peace like a river. We can sing it. And it may be so. Because our intentions are important.

We matter. Our aliveness matters. Our wellness matters. Our presence matters on this planet and to others. And I hope you have a beautiful week. Take good care.

(outro song: "Shine" by LeLaina Romero)