As I write on this early spring evening, it is no surprise that I find myself reflecting upon the importance of staying aligned with our intentions and steady in our practice amongst the myriad of ways our bodies, hearts, and minds are impacted by daily news of the energies of greed, violence, and confusion that are present in these times. I am aware that, for many of us, there may be moments of feeling helpless or ineffective, doubting our capacity to make a difference. It is precisely in these moments that our practice invites us to notice doubting mind (and where we feel it in the body), without buying into the story it tells, and to consciously turn towards awareness of the truth of our capacity for agency here and now.
Neuropsychologist, dharma teacher, and author Dr. Rick Hanson, describes it like this:
“Agency is the sense of being a cause rather than an effect.”
In his book, RESILIENT: How To Grow An Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness (2018) Rick encourages us to counter feelings of ineffectiveness by noticing the everyday choices we make. This might include becoming aware of your sense of agency in: picking out the color of your clothes each morning, taking a sip of water, brushing your teeth, smiling at a stranger, stepping outside to take a deep breath and look up at the stars, caring for your pet, pausing to direct your attention inward and notice “how is it now?”, turning toward compassion and care, connecting with a friend, joining an organization engaged in something you care about, picking up the call or letting it go to voicemail, taking out the garbage, checking in on a neighbor, prioritizing screen breaks and rest.
Your mind may ask, “But what about when I have very little control over my outer circumstances?” In these situations, Rick shares, “When your options are limited, look for the little things you can do, and focus on the feeling of agency regarding them…We may not be able to directly create something we want, but we can still encourage the underlying processes that will bring it into being.” Knowing this, Rick says, can bring a sense of responsibility and also of peace.
In my own practice, this often looks like noticing the sincerity of my intention to do as little harm as possible and to be a part of the healing. It also looks like practicing connecting with my inner knowing, arisen from the data I’ve collected over time through my practice, that the seeds that I plant today will, indeed, flower and bloom in their own time. Said another way, I practice choosing (here is my sense of agency) to notice, once again, that the types of pebbles that I choose (yep! moment of agency!) to drop in the pond will cause ripples. And, I hold the wish each day: May I repair and/or learn from any ripples I create that intentionally or unintentionally cause harm. May the majority of my ripples be helpful in some way, powerfully kind, and clear. May I align with my deepest intentions, feel my connection with family/community and nature, know my inner strength, and walk steady through these stormy times.
What are you practicing with this spring season? How might you remind yourself to notice your sense of agency when feelings of doubt and helplessness arise? What wholesome qualities will you commit to align with again and again? What types of seeds or pebbles will you plant/drop? What will you set in motion? How will you take care and rest? What wholesome wishes will you hold for each day? How will you be a part of the healing?
May we actively plant and tend to seeds of love and care for one another and the earth. May we commit to healing and working together to birth new ways of living and being, step by step.
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