My Greatest Teacher ~Sara Kimberlee Scobie~
Whenever I teach meditation, I usually begin by stating that my meditation practice has literally saved my life. I realize that this statement sounds very dramatic and attention grabbing, but the simple fact is that it’s true.
When my daughter Sara died in a car accident 14 years ago, my life crumbled. Everything I thought I knew to be true, was no longer that. The weeks, months and even years, following Sara’s death were a time of overwhelming thoughts and emotions that often left me feeling confused and literally lost in my own thoughts. Meditation helped me to find my way back to my true self and to move forward on my bereavement journey. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, a marriage, a job, or perhaps your life just hasn’t turned out as you expected, meditation can help you to find your way back to your center.
The beauty of meditation is that it’s quite simple. All that is required is for you to shift your attention from whatever is consuming your thoughts, towards your breath. This requires a simple noticing, of your breath entering your body and exiting your body. Initially for as little as 5 minutes, simply guide your attention back to your breath, regardless of how many thoughts are trying to distract you. Do this throughout your day as many times as you need to and over time extend your length of meditation. When your thoughts drift back to your problems, simply and without judgement, direct your attention back to your breath. This is how we gently guide our energy and awareness back to the present moment, rather than dwelling in the past or projecting to the future.
When we’re in the present moment, we are best able to notice our thoughts as they arise. This process trains our mind to acknowledge each thought without labeling it as either good or bad, for it just is. To clarify, this isn’t about having an indifference to our feelings, but rather this is the beginning of acceptance for what is.
It’s imperative that we understand this practice is not about pretending that we aren’t experiencing our pain. Rather it’s about acknowledging what is there without resistance.
With practice, we learn that we can just be with whatever feelings and thoughts we’re experiencing, without them consuming our very being. Once we relax and are at ease with our sadness and pain, we no longer are controlled by it and a very interesting phenomena occurs. We begin to understand our life experience from a truly different perspective.
Once we cease resisting what is, we open channels for our energy to flow through our system with ease, rather than being choked off. This new flow creates a level of deep appreciation and gratitude for our life and inspires us to move forward on our healing journey. This is how Sara lived her life and she is my greatest teacher.
Over the years, I’ve learned to live with immense appreciation for the 24 years we did have with Sara. I truly feel like I’m the luckiest mom on the planet because she was my daughter. I’m so grateful for all her love, her wisdom, and her gentle way of living. Her natural zen way of living with ease inspires me everyday.
Which brings me to today, which is Sara’s 39th birthday. There isn’t a single day in the past 14 years that I haven’t wished for things to be different. I have learned to not get caught up in the whys, and what ifs, but rather choose to celebrate that this was the day I first became someone’s mom, and my life was forever changed for the better.
I’ll spend the day appreciating all that Sara was, and I’ll connect with her essence in the beautiful fall colors outdoors. I know if I quiet my mind, she will send me a sign to remind me that our love is real and not even death will change that.
I know the best way to connect with Sara’s energy is to do so with ease and to simply allow the energy of Sara’s essence to flow with mine, for it’s not something that can be demanded or forced.
Today I will take my meditation practice outside, I’ll walk through the beautiful river valley (as Sara and I did many times together with our little dog Chloe’) and as I walk, I’ll simply notice my breath. I’ll find a quiet place to sit with my feelings and then allow them to flow through me as does my breath. I’ll close my eyes and see her big, beautiful smile. I’ll smile, feel her gentle ease surround me and feel the utmost appreciation and gratitude for my greatest teacher. Happy 39th birthday Sara Kimberlee Scobie!
~Blessings to all~
Loralee Scobie
Owner of The Mindful Spirit - Restorative Energy Healing, Loralee is a retired Registered Social Worker, Certified Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master/Teacher, Meditation Instructor, and Author of A New Normal - A Grieving Mother's Journey From Loss to Healing available for purchase through:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Barnes&Noble | Balboa Press | Indigo.ca
Available for purchase in-house at:
Looking to strengthen your meditation practice?
Loralee draws from both years of studying eastern philosophies and from her own 25 years of practicing and teaching meditation. You can explore her online school or reach out for a custom meditation to support you on your journey.
About Loralee J Scobie
For over 2 decades, Loralee Scobie has been professionally working with energy and helping women (and men) embrace the power of their own being. Loralee started her career as a registered social worker but always knew through her own childhood experiences with spirit that we are all more powerful than we know.
As a Reiki Master/teacher Loralee offers training in Reiki (Japanese healing art) and in meditation. Loralee is a firm believer to be an authentic teacher of Reiki one must work with Reiki daily (either on self or others), for the Reiki energy is the true teacher. In her full-time practice Scobie offers in person and distance (via facetime or zoom) treatments on demand.
Loralee believes that meditation is the foundation to all spiritual practices and should be incorporated into ones’ daily routine. She offers group training online and in person, where she teaches not only how to meditate, but how to create your own meditation practice. Loralee also provides a unique service where she will compose/record a personal meditation just for you, relevant to what you are working on healing in your life.
As a certified hypnotherapist Loralee has helped many clients young and older on how to use hypnotherapy to overcome obstacles in this lifetime. These sessions can be shared either in person or on zoom/facetime.
Loralee is the published author of her first book titled A New Normal-A Grieving Mother’s Journey from Loss to Healing. In this narrative Scobie shares what it took to move her through her grief and to go on to live a life of purpose, following the death of her daughter. She also shares what is and isn’t helpful for grieving parents and how others can best support the bereaved. Loralee can be booked as a guest speaker and welcomes the opportunity to read from her book and sign copies.
Learn more @ loraleescobie.com
