Behind the Scenes, On the Cushion: 4 Surprising Takeaways from ABG’s First Meditation Series
When we first envisioned the ABG: On The Cushion meditation series, back in September, it was well in advance of the coronavirus wreaking havoc on our industry. Even the titles of the posts, then and now, reflect the changing environment. Back then, it was a meditation series for busy wine professionals. Today, it’s a meditation series for anxious ones.
We’re midway through the series, about to turn the corner for the third of four sessions. I’d like to share a few observations from my seat at each of those sessions, which take place twice on Sundays in order to accommodate the schedules of as many geographically disperse participants as we can.
Other than each of those hours having their own tone, they also have their own personality. Partly it’s due to the time of day, and partly it’s the people who show up and what they bring to the cushion.
Here are four takeaways that have surprised me so far.
ABG’s Own Sangha
I breathe an almost-audible sigh of relief to see people’s faces on the screen as the Zoom call starts up. It has become a highlight of my week. Participants sign on, one by one, and my mouth turns up in a smile with each new face. I am happy to see them. I’m glad they’ve come back. And I’ve realized that these groups, for two different hours on a Sunday, are like ABG’s own sangha, which is a Sanskrit word for community or company.
Evolution of Intent
Even since the series began three weeks ago, there have been identifiable changes to the trajectory of impact that the coronavirus is having on our lives. A month ago, the coronavirus was mostly a concept; today, it’s taken root in our homes as more of us know, personally, someone who’s been diagnosed. That shift is reflected in how people show up to meditate. Maybe they signed up out of friendly curiosity, whereas now meditation might feel more like a tool that’s needed with some urgency.
Mind-Body Matching
One of the content themes these weeks has been around where the emotions we’re sensing – like fear, anticipation, anxiety, connection – show up in our physical bodies. Holding stress in the tight muscles of our hips, for example, or feeling a constriction of worry in our shoulders. As we finely tune in, over a longer period of time, those “matchings” of sensation to physical body may become more expansive or more specific, such as feeling an overall heaviness in our bones from a period of lethargy or else an ease across our forehead when something makes us smile and the furrowed brow relaxes, even for a moment. Get curious about the sensations that you’re experiencing, and where in your body you’re experiencing them.
Element of Grief
Another sensation we haven’t named yet, but that I think is not far off, is grief.
Some changes to our industry will be temporary and beneficial, while others will be permanent and sad. That, in itself, is a loss. We’re watching colleagues and friends go on furlough, or we’re experiencing it ourselves. The life we knew, and maybe even loved, is not and will not be the same. That too is a loss.
Meditation is not going to fix those things.
It can, however, help to process them and name the sensations we’re feeling as a result. If we can name them, perhaps we can manage them.
Does that make sense?
Please let us know. We’d love to hear how you’re doing.
PS I’d like to share a few links that I hope will be useful to you in the days and weeks ahead. The first link is to the audio versions of the previous meditations, which are up on the ABG website.
The second link is to a teaching by Tara Brach called “Facing Pandemic Fears with an Awake Heart.” Obviously it’s directly relevant right now, and it will introduce you to the RAIN practice if you aren’t familiar with it already.
Namaste,
Cathy
What We're Reading:
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic we are adding to the weekly reading and resources. Here's what has piqued our interest this week.
Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure - by Aisha S. Ahmad for SFChronicle.com
"The answer to the question everyone is asking — "When will this be over?" — is simple and obvious, yet terribly hard to accept. The answer is never."
Are You An Emotional Eater? These Tips May Help - Wellbeing.com.au
In light of the current world events, emotional eating can seem like the new norm. Here's how to keep an eye on the old habits.
The State Of New Age Music In The Always-On 'Wellness' Era - NPR.org
The revival of "new age music" is alive and well in the $4.2 trillion wellness industry. A great read on how what some may have considered "hippy tunes" are now merging into mainstream culture.
How Loneliness from Coronavirus Isolation Takes Its Own Toll - The NewYorker.com
"Historically, connections have been essential for survival. During the coronavirus pandemic, the loneliness signal may increase for many—with limited ways of alleviating it. " Julianne Holt-Lunstad.
Meet the Community!
Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Toby Bekkers, Co-owner of Bekkers Wine, McLaren Vale (Australia).
Years In Industry:
My original area of expertise is the vineyard side of the business. I’m still active as a viticulture consultant but spend most of my time these days looking after all aspects of Bekkers Wine with my wife Emmanuelle. That means we’re responsible for everything from strategy and sales to winemaking and pruning. Emmanuelle and I met during the 1995 vintage in McLaren Vale and I had been pruning all through my school and university holidays prior to that. I guess, (somewhat alarmingly!), it adds up to about 30 years in wine.
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
We are privileged to work in an incredible industry. I often reflect on this when I hear people suggesting how tough the wine game is and wonder whether someone working in a windowless office or a factory would sympathise. I suspect not. However, it’s no secret that we’re constantly tempted by the good things in life. A life in wine means the constant lure of great food, wine and socialising, so my greatest challenge to wellness is maintaining some discipline.
Travel can be punishing and I’m in awe of those sales guys and girls who can string together 28 days of wine dinners and after-parties until 3am. I just can’t do it anymore! Setting a reasonable schedule within the limits of one’s capacity would seem to be a challenge worth working on.
Slowing everything down a bit is another challenge. Many of us are spinning too many plates at once. Consciously slowing down and sorting what’s really critical from the insignificant is vital but difficult to maintain at times. The longer I go the more accepting I am that simply being busy doesn’t necessarily translate to being productive.
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
An appreciation for good food and wine means we value high quality, nutritious produce so I think I eat pretty healthily at home. With respect to alcohol we tend to work on the principle of “drink less but drink better”.
I find that our industry and its diverse elements- vineyard, winery, sales; are not conducive strict scheduling. Therefore, historically I’ve done a poor job of maintaining an exercise regime with any sort of consistency other than surfing whenever the waves are good. Over the last few years I’ve been making sure to drop my son at football training a few times a week and take the opportunity to go for a run myself. Making a commitment to someone else seems to be a good way to maintain discipline.
Believe it or not, I love pruning. I look forward to it all year. It demands such focus. It’s like meditation for 9 hours straight day after day. I spend a lot of time outdoors and don’t credit that as exercise but all that vineyard walking adds up to a hell of a lot of kilometres. It’s rare when I spend an entire day cooped up in the office.
Being connected to nature and the rhythm of the seasons is probably a more natural existence than big city living. It’s hard to define but I feel like most farming people have a certain calm, pragmatic view of life that appeals to me.
Finally, I think we’ve built a business model that caters to our personalities. It’s a lot of work to run a direct to consumer business like ours but the rewards are there in the form of lasting, genuine friendships formed with our customers. There’s a great satisfaction in providing pleasure to people and I think that’s at the heart of what draws people to be part our efforts. It’s true of wine and hospitality as a whole.
You can connect with Toby and Emmanuelle Bekkers online at Facebook @Bekkerswine and Instagram @bekkerswine and online at www.bekkerswine.com
