Lament Practice
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The following is a practice for you to try on your own or with a group of people - it has 3 parts.
DISTRESS (and Complaint)
Take time to express your distress and complaint. Here are a few you might want to use:
I am sad. (Be very specific about what is making you sad).
I’m afraid. (Take time to tap into the fear you feel and articulate why you are afraid).
I’m angry and frustrated. (Don't hold back. What is frustrating you and bringing you to anger?)
I am tired. (What is wearing you out? How would you clearly describe your fatigue?)
I’m at the end of my rope. (Take a moment and consider why you feel hopeless, helpless, and powerless).
As you bring your complaint and distress forward, notice the quality of the energy in your body. Is there tightness, or a clenching rising within you? Let it be there.
REQUEST (and Appeal)
Take time to express your requests and appeals. If you are a person of faith, this is an opportunity to direct these needs to God. If not, perhaps you want to consider directing your needs to the source of your life, however you may understand that.
Here are a few you might want to use:
How long will I be here? Help me to get keep my head above water!
What should I do? I need wisdom and patience right now.
How can I keep going? Help me to have the patience and self-control to manage this time.
What’s coming next? I need love to guide me through all the changes to come
How can I keep my cool? Help me to forgive others and myself in them.
As you bring your request and appeals forward, has the quality of the energy in your body changed. How does it feel similar and different from the distress/complaint? Let it be there.
REST (Trust and Surrender)
A Lament practice doesn’t leave us with our distress and requests. We are invited to move into a new posture of surrender and trust.
While I feel all my sadness, may I also stay open to the good and beautiful given to me.
While I feel all my fear may I also stay open to the good and beautiful given to me.
While I feel all my anger, may I also stay open to the good and beautiful given to me.
While I feel all my fatigue, may I also stay open to the good and beautiful given to me.
While I hold the end of my rope, may I also grab onto the good and beautiful given to me.
*As you sit with your heart inclined towards trust and surrender, how has the quality of the energy in your body changed? How does it feel similar and different from the distress/complaint and request/appeal? Let it be there.
All of our emotions belong.
