If you struggling with something today and / or your mind is running in circles, please take a moment to do this.
You’re probably not breathing deeply either, so let’s fix that first.
Close your eyes and slowly inhale until your lungs are full. Then slowly release it.
Repeat this a few times until you feel calmer.
Feeling a little better?
Now, take a moment to do this:
Focus on sensations, not on thoughts*.
Take note of every sensation arising and coming into awareness in the body.
Not in the mind or in thoughts, just focus on sensations like curled toes, clenched teeth, dry mouth, pain in the back…
Continue to breathe gently and deeply.Allow the sensations to prevail without labelling or calling them anything (‘it’s my ulcer’)
This is important.
Ignore mental pictures, inner dialogue and all thoughts that arise. This may take a few attempts.
Welcome the sensation(s) without resisting. Do this by breathing into the sensations - just let go trying to stop them, or make them go away.
If you’re do this right (see #3 and #4), you will realize that the sensations are slipping away. Almost becoming more diffused. The ball of energy behind each one is dissipating.
If not - gently go back to #1. The key is resistance - the thoughts, imagery, labelling that is trying to push away the feeling of discomfort.
Take a moment to ask for help.
Don’t believe in ‘God’? That’s okay. How about a higher power of our understanding?
Could you conceive of a Power greater than ourselves? Just the way you understand it.
If yes - direct this prayer to your Higher Power.
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
What’s the purpose of repeating this Serenity prayer, you ask? No reason I can offer other than that it works. It just does :)
I do hope it helped you.
*This is a technique described in Letting Go, one of my favourite books by Dr. David R. Hawkins. Some of you might know it as the Sedona releasing method. It’s easy, free, devoid of any religious or sectarian woowoo.
After Doc, I like to repeat:
Gloria in Exelcis Dio.
That means, all glory (and credit) be to God.