Sometimes my soul gives me a single word that accompanies me for a while. Maybe this is where my past comes through and all my earlier experiences with ZEN and meditation. Either way, I always like to let this word sink in and experience its depth for a while. And it is beautiful to hear this single word within me again and again. I would like to share my actual word with you at this time.

For about two weeks the word “tenderness” has been accompanying me. As I contemplated this word and observed what it means to allow tenderness in my life, I became aware of how much there is for me to learn. In these times when so much is shifting, changing and nothing is static anymore - neither within nor without - we sometimes find ourselves in difficulty. Maybe we pressure ourselves, believing that everything has to be handled right away and quickly. Sometimes if we are not careful we burden ourselves with too much. Or we just forget to give ourselves the loving attention we need. Below I would like to describe what I found out personally when I was focussing on tenderness.

I noticed that practising tenderness especially helps me in my work. As I am working with energy, for example while channelling, it is a challenge for me when I feel that there is so much that wants to flow. The body is limited in its capacity to let energy flow and the human self tends to be frightened to let it all come in. The more tender I am with myself as I begin my work the more I notice that it helps me to stay open. Tenderness in this case means slowing down, being more centred within and knowing that feeling comfortable with myself is all it’s about.

Let the New flow gently

I also thought about my brief foray into Tai Chi last summer. While the tender and sensitive movements stayed with me, I have forgotten all the “form” that we practised everyday for months. But the soft walking, the pause within each movement remained. More tenderness within each movement. I especially keep this in mind when I am cooking. I can brush the potatoes in freezing cold water until my hands are almost unable to move or I can let the water flow at a lukewarm temperature. I am the tender centre in the middle of so much life.

Tenderness is very helpful in dealing with the less pleasant parts of my life - with emails that are full of anxiety, with occasional drama that finds its way to us. Also to discern what is good for me. Every word I write, every step I take is for myself. Tenderness also helps me to not be pulled away from my centre by my own excitement for the new. More, bigger, faster is not always the best way to move forward. Tenderness helps me to sense where we really are right now and also helps me to honour that.

Growing in tenderness

Even in my relationship with my soul I was inspired by tenderness. In the past I always tried to connect with my soul in a certain way. Today I am more open to the subtle nuances in our relationship. Sometimes I perceive my soul so directly and immediately it is as if we are in a conversation and completely tuned in to one another. From time to time I notice amidst all the chaos that everyday life can bring a deep silence - a smiling behind it all. There are also moments when I feel that my soul is in the background of my life like the rustling of wind in the branches of a tree. My soul touches me like a soft breeze, like the rippling of waves on the surface of water. In a new tender way I sense where we are in each moment and stay open to receiving.

Tenderness in all things.

Translated by Silvia Striebeck

Edited by Eva Smarda Carney

© 2009, Lea Hamann, Königstein im Taunus, Germany
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