Finding Light in January

 Did January feel a little… blah? A bit heavy, like you’re forcing yourself out of hibernation each morning? The holidays have faded, the days remain short and cold, and many of us are still trying to find our rhythm for the year ahead.

As a meditation teacher, I’ve learned to see this season as an opportunity—not to push through or resist the heaviness, but to pause, reflect, and embrace practices that restore balance in winter’s stillness.

Meditation with a Knitting Group: Finding Meaning in Suffering

Earlier this month, I was approached by a knitting group—some of the most mindful and intelligent people I’ve met, predominantly women. Their leader reached out because the group was feeling unsettled. The weight of the news—political shifts, devastating fires in Los Angeles, and the ongoing crisis in Israel—had left them feeling powerless.

I knew immediately which practice to share with them: Tonglen, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation I learned from Pema Chödrön. Tonglen is a practice of breathing in suffering—our own and the world’s—and breathing out light, goodness, and healing. When we feel stuck, when we don’t know how to help, this practice allows us to transmute suffering into action, even if that action is simply shifting our energy toward compassion.

As we sat together, knitting needles still in hand, the group found solace in this practice. There was a collective exhale, a softening. In that moment, we were not helpless—we were offering something real to the world. And that, in itself, felt like a powerful change.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, [link to practice].

The Power of Storytelling: A Training at Snapchat

Later this month, I found myself at Snapchat—not for social media, but for something far more ancient: the practice of Council. I’ve been training in Council for two years and have integrated it into all of my retreats. It’s a simple yet profound practice of mindful storytelling and deep listening, allowing people to connect beyond words, beyond differences, beyond assumptions.

At Snapchat, I stepped into a small, beautifully decorated room filled with plants, where a group of ten New Yorkers—each from completely different backgrounds—gathered to practice Council together. We shared, we listened, and we saw the world through each other’s eyes.

It was a reminder that no matter how divided things may seem, at our core, we are all in this together. It’s no wonder Council has been such a hit at my retreats—this practice dissolves barriers and leaves people feeling seen, heard, and deeply connected. As I left that space, I felt hopeful. These moments remind me that despite everything, humanity still holds so much goodness.

Finding Light in the Darkness

January can feel heavy—a time of uncertainty, longing, and deep winter stillness that sometimes feels more isolating than restful. But through these practices—whether it's Tonglen, Council, or simply taking a mindful pause—I’ve felt more buoyant, more connected, and more at peace than in any other January I can remember, even with all the heartbreaking news.

If you’re feeling weighed down by the world, I invite you to try a simple Tonglen practice today:

1. Find a quiet place to sit. Close your eyes.
2. Breathe in deeply, imagining yourself taking in suffering—your own or the world’s.
3. As you exhale, visualize sending out warmth, healing, and light.
4. Repeat for a few minutes, allowing yourself to soften into the rhythm of giving and receiving.

Or, if you prefer, listen to my guided recording above ⬆️

We may not always be able to change the circumstances around us, but we can shift our response to them. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

Stay present, stay compassionate, and may this month bring you moments of peace.