Daily Practices

As an end of life doula, we expect a lot of ourselves sometimes. How often do you get to ‘practice’ the art of being with others as they are dying? How often do you get to ‘practice’ the skills that will make you good at this? Do you expect yourself to just be great at going between the two states of 'being' without practice? That is a lot to ask of anyone.

Here are some ‘practice’ ideas to develop your ‘art of being’ with others (during your normal day). Begin to practice these and they will not only benefit the people you serve, but they will also benefit you. The truth is that the things we must do to be a great doula will also nourish ourselves.

See if you notice any changes after committing to doing at least one exercise per day for 3 weeks. Set your timer for 5 minutes, 3 times per day, and choose one of the following exercises: 

• Focus on becoming a still piece of living art. Sit, breathe, ground, relax. Experience your inner joy. Feel your inner creativity. Get in touch with your vibrancy.
• Close your eyes. Put all your energy into listening to your environment. Listen for the quietest sound.
• Think about something you do not like about yourself, then commit to engaging with it in love. Talk to that part of you lovingly. Pray for it. Love it. Engage with it. What does it say to you?
• Lay down under a tree on a sunny day under the moving leaves. Look through the moving leaves at the glittering sunlight. This is wonderful for an emotional lift.
• Think of someone you know who is suffering. Spend this time loving them kindly, not with pity. Empower them. Know they are capable to handle what they are going through. Think of them as 100% capable.
• As you talk to one person today, be present for them by deeply listening. Do not be thinking of what you will say next. Kindly and lovingly listen and engage through your eyes and body language.

May you expand your practice, your heart, and your loving kindness in awareness to yourself and all you serve.