Finding My Breath: Poem & Meditation with Justine Egan-Kunicki
Justine Egan-Kunicki
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We’re doing something different on The Burn this week. Instead of our usual format, where we discuss pieces published in Wildfire Magazine, we’re spotlighting a piece from one of our social media writers.
Today’s guest is Justine Egan-Kunicki, a breast cancer advocate, social psychologist, professor, and yoga teacher. Diagnosed with stage 1b breast cancer at the age of 23, Justine has since navigated a transformative journey involving both physical and emotional healing. At 33, after living with implants for a decade, she chose to undergo explant surgery, opting for an aesthetic flat closure. Now, she shares her journey through weekly meditation classes and aims to help others connect with their bodies and breath post-cancer.
In this special episode, Justine shares a heartfelt poem titled "From Enemy to Friend" and guides us through a meditation called "Observing Your Breath with Loving Kindness." Both pieces provide profound insights into the healing process and the importance of reconnecting with one’s breath after cancer.
From Enemy to Friend: A Poem of Breath and Healing
Justine’s poem, “From Enemy to Friend,” captures the essence of her healing process with a powerful narrative about rediscovering breath and self-compassion. Here’s a glimpse into her evocative words:
"I move my body into new shapes,
struggling in my changed body,
but listening to my ragged breath with intention,
finding compassion for it, slowing down for it,
being with it for the first time in years."
The poem chronicles Justine’s emotional and physical journey post-explantation, celebrating the joy of breathing deeply for the first time in nearly a decade.
Meditation: Observing Your Breath with Loving Kindness
Justine’s meditation practice, "Observing Your Breath with Loving Kindness," is a gentle guide to reconnecting with oneself through breath awareness and self-compassion. In this meditation, she encourages us to:
Find Comfort: Begin by settling into a comfortable position, whether sitting or lying down.
Observe Your Breath: Notice the quality of your breath without trying to change it. Is it fast or slow? How does it feel?
Cultivate Kindness: Use positive affirmations like "May I be attentive to my breath," and extend this kindness to others, including the larger community.
Justine’s approach emphasizes the importance of being present with one’s breath and embracing the imperfections of the practice. It’s a reminder that meditation is about the journey, not perfection.
A Conversation with Justine
Our conversation with Justine delved into her personal experiences with explant surgery and her evolving relationship with her body and breath. Justine shared that her decision to explant was influenced by the physical discomfort of her implants and a deeper realization of how they impacted her ability to breathe fully.
Her journey with breath and meditation, she explained, evolved significantly after her breast cancer diagnosis. While she practiced yoga before, it was through her cancer survivorship that she deepened her connection to her breath as a vital component of healing. Justine’s practice now integrates physical movement with mindful breathing, creating a holistic approach to wellness.
For those new to meditation or struggling with the practice, Justine offers practical advice: engage in physical movement first, explore different types of meditation, and embrace the idea that meditation is a practice of patience and self-compassion.
Embracing the Journey
Justine’s story underscores the dynamic nature of healing and the continuous evolution of self-care practices. Her journey illustrates that healing is not a static process but one that can transform over time, adapting to our changing needs and understandings.
Thank you for joining us on The Burn. We hope Justine’s words and meditation offer you inspiration and a deeper connection to your own healing journey. Until next time, breathe deeply and take care.
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