just a moment

Impermanence. 

At once a comfort or a sense of loss may be felt by this word. Known in Pali language as Anicca. (A-neat-cha) it embodies a sense of what is, will no longer be, or what once was, is no longer here. 

Depending on the current conditions, we may have a sense of longing or loss, or a sense of comfort or renewed hope. 

When the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020, Kevin Diakiw, Founder of Still Here, was inspired to offer what he could to those that were suffering. 

Mindfulness. 

The practice of which can bring a sense of peace and ease so needed in the face of a radically changed world. 

Kevin rallied together a number of his mindfulness cohorts whom he had trained with around the world, asking if they would participate in a mindful morning meditation offering 7 days a week. His initial thought was that it would be offered temporarily, perhaps 3 months or so, depending on need. 

At first, there were coaches from Bahrain, Ireland, Singapore, the US and Canada. We had a group of about 40+ practitioners for many weeks. 

Over time, many of the meditators and coaches moved on, but a core group of between 10-20 meditators remained, many of whom referred others to the group and claimed it as the one solid anchor in their daily routine. 

Since we began in March 2020, we had meditators joining us from their time zone in Bahrain and Ireland, as well as a group of meditators from a recovery home in Ontario. 

The level of gratitude and support from this group blossomed and grew into something much more significant than Kevin first imagined. 

I am so grateful to have been personally impacted by this group, as it has allowed me to fully appreciate and lean into a fledgling practice, as well as develop into leading mindfulness sessions myself. I had never led a practice before, but as other international coaches moved on to pursue their own projects, there were gaps in the schedule to be filled. Encouraged by Kevin, I began leading meditations once a week, and grew to lead 3-4 times a week. This has opened up a whole new perspective and fullness to my practice that wasn’t available before. Kevin has been instrumental to my development in this area, gently guiding and encouraging me. 

And now, after 31 months, or 944 days, our little group, our sañgha, our warm community of wonderful humans, has mostly dispersed, leaving memories of shared moments of breathing and inner awareness, life experiences, transitions and exploration. 

Circling back to where this piece began, we consider again the implications of impermanence. That there may be a sense of loss and longing for what was, but also a sense of letting go, an acceptance of what is, and a turning towards the future. 

We want to thank the mindfulness leaders and meditators, who contributed their time, their hearts and their minds over the past two and a half years or so. We’re ever grateful and as we think of you with loving kindness, we wish you every good thing.