“If you can’t see what you’re looking for, see what’s there”

Hi, how are you? I’ve heard somewhere someone saying: I’m getting used to answering "I don’t know", it honestly feels more accurate than any other possible answer, doesn’t it? I’m glad to be back here. As you can see, THE BREAK got a new look and I’m actually really excited to announce the new website which now has my name on it: www.mari-orkenyi.com. Let me tell you a bit: I continue to offer a Private Session Program to support and help people get tools they need for self awareness, exploration and integration through Contemplative Practices. I have a Mentorship Program for new teachers that need more support getting out there with their practice and a whole new Corporate Program for companies and their teams. I’m also so happy to offer Group Sessions, where we gather online to learn, connect and practice. So if you are wondering about Contemplative, Mindfulness and Compassion practices or curious about working with me, this is a great chance to learn more. Please visit and share. I really appreciate it! This newsletter is really special to me and over the years has become the primary way I found to connect and hear from you. I hope it will continue to expand.

Ok, now onto this month’s letter: I read this quote from poet Mark Neppo sometime ago and it really stayed with me: “If you can’t see what you’re looking for, see what’s there”. It made me think that in a world where we suddenly had to stop and drop everything, quite literally and shelter in. In a world where even though there’s so much noise in our phones, tvs, computers, ears there’s a subtle feeling of loneliness and isolation being crystallized by all these harsh months of separation we had to move through. 

And, what scares me the most is: we are getting used to it. In a world where it became difficult to appreciate the little things, because the ordinary is all we have. In a world where we feel a sense of deep grief without even knowing exactly how or when it starts and ends. Our bodies feel like a container for a sadness that is not only ours but collective. In a time, where our ways to distract ourselves doesn’t work any longer and we are faced with our raw, vulnerable selves day after day. In a world that has no ground as we know it. I could go on and on… I’ve received so many messages from people feeling in some way, shape or form of what I’ve just described, myself included. As if we are all touching on another level of what it means to be human in an upside down world, stretching our capacity to turn the gaze inwardly. As always, I’m not here to give answers, I’m here just to say: "Go slow, be gentle." If it’s hard to look ahead - is because it really is right now! If the grief, the lack of direction, the sense of loss, the sadness breaks your heart: Let it break and be there for it, see what’s there. If moving forward is heavy and seems impossible, see what’s there right at your feet. When we are constantly trying to escape our very complex circumstances, in a way to protect ourselves, we miss out on something. And, since escaping doesn't seem like an option anymore, let’s not miss the chance of staying and looking at what’s there. Let’s not miss the chance to fully be who we are in the middle of all of this, may we be there for all of it.

With love,
Mari