Building Bridges through Grief

Grief is one of the most complex emotions I have experienced as a queer person and has shown up in many ways in the LGBTQ spaces I find myself in and hear about. I've learned the only constant in this world is change, and with that change, loss is no stranger to this very powerful and sacred community, whether it's loss of friends or family due to unacceptance, having our queer community members taken from us due to ongoing violence, or even loss of what may have been such a familiar existence as we're thrusted onto a new path of being. There are so many shapes that these emotions can take in our lives. We are a transformational people by nature, unbound by the rigidity of certain societal norms, and I believe there's alchemy in the release of grief. During this practice, I invite motion in how we mourn our loved ones, strangers in our communities, aspects of ourselves or others that are no longer in hopes to create a bridge through any stagnancy that may be blocking our potential to celebrate our transformations and the flowers on the other side of our sorrow, no matter how big or small. This is a grounding practice with the intention to shift any uncomfortable emotional states you may be in. I invite you to get into a comfortable resting position. Start by taking a few deep breaths, breathing in and breathing out at your own pace. If you are in a space where you can release your next exhale on a sigh, I invite you to do so. Releasing your breath with sound, breathing in and sighing out. Allowing each breath to expand your lungs a little deeper than before. Finding your own rhythm and acknowledging what your body needs in this moment You can let your hands be still or gently place them on your chest over your heart, lightly rubbing in a soothing motion, as you continue to breathe in and out in your own time. Focus your awareness on gravity. Recognizing the weight of your body and how it's resting on the Earth. With each breath, wherever there are muscles that are activated that you can release, please do so. The muscles in your face, releasing tension in your forehead, releasing your jaw, creating space between your teeth, allowing the weight of your shoulders to drop gently, giving gravity permission to let your body sink a little more and to being held up by the Earth underneath you. In this moment, you are supported by the Earth, the land you are on, and the foundation on which you are resting. Taking a few deep breaths in this space, breathing in and releasing out. Now, I invite you to identify a source of discomfort for you. Emotions of grief, sorrow, anger, or some other state that you may be contemplating at the moment. Our brains tend to replay experiences like memories and when these experiences are particularly violent or painful,...