Hello Friends,
In this mornings newsletter I would like to talk about the present unprecedented situation we and the world have somehow found ourselves in. How do we cope with such radical change ? The main question being how best to navigate these uncharted waters on a daily basis? So that we create the building blocks that support and sustain our best psychological balance and spiritual peace.
When Crisis Hits…What kind of human being you are becomes the most valuable thing.
It goes without saying that fear becomes a powerful agent in times such as we are experiencing now. Coping one day to feeling stressed out the next. This seems to be the norm for many of us right now. Uncertainty can trigger our deepest fears. Learning to adjust to a new way of living, being in continued close surrounds with family and other unexpected situations may give rise to ignite nervous agitation among other things. So here’s a clear fact. While we cannot control what happens, we can control how we respond. Does it take diligence with deliberate self awareness? Yes.
Self Regulation Practice. Is A Must…..
It goes without saying our ability to support our immune, respiratory and nervous systems responses is not only relevant but hugely important to our overall health. A high percentage of our attention is quite naturally absorbed with the various situations we deal with on a daily basis. We can easily loose sight of our innate ability to influence our interior systems. Taking responsibility for how our psychological, physiological, emotional and spiritual responses to the challenges we face is equally in our hands. The good news. For many of us we have more time than we would ever have dreamed of on our hands . Lets use our time wisely.
A Question That Can Help Change Your Biology!
I ask myself many times during the day this simple question. Am I Aware ? I consciously (sometimes forcing) myself to return to the task at hand. Making the bed, washing the dishes, having a bowl of soup the list is endless. As often as possible Interrupting the thoughts and habits that will insist on what’s ‘next’. My desire to be released from the ‘prison’ of autopilot is my gift to myself. Is it worthwhile? Without a shadow of a doubt. Have I perfected it yet? no. I just love the challenge of bringing ‘Satchitananda’ meaning peace and a knowing of our own being into my life. Being able to share this aspect of presence with others is simply a joy.
Incorporating small amounts of self aware practices as we move through our day is food for the soul! as well as our biology. And unless we bring some effort towards self regulating practice. We may stay imprisoned rarely getting to see the vastness of the sky beyond the clouds which represent our incessant thinking mind.
How does it feel to know that the health of your psychological, immune and other systems depends on our ability to pay attention to the here and now? The good, bad and even terrible? is a question I would like you to pause on right now as you read these words?
Seeking Opportunity in the Chaos
Sure we are going to feel scared, anxious, fearful, the list is endless…. But before you jump out of your skin so to speak take a breath. Go right back into your body with your attention. Be it a long sigh, a pause, a slower in and out breath. That’s your starting point. Isn’t it great its so close at hand? Look at what we have just mentioned above… you are being let out of prison. Taking action by being conscious of your breath with a good dollop of self awareness over your breathing system to start with is a smart move
Investigating the character of yourself ( a bit like Sherlock Holmes) especially when feeling anxious. Learn to take deliberate conscious slow breaths whenever feeling anxious. Meditation is not just sitting with eyes closed. Make a date with some conscious breaths throughout the day. Sitting with your cup of coffee…slow in breath count to four. Pause. Deliberate slow longer out breath count to six….go investigate its the only way you will ever know!
Did you know this?
On reaching out to others. Did you know that every nervous system has the capacity to potentially to co-regulate another persons nervous system. The fields between our two systems create coherent stability. By sharing conversation that can empty out be without the need to fix, dramatize or give intellectual advice. Has a real ability to hear compassionately. What a gift we have stored right inside and so prevalent today don’t you think? Seriously its not about getting it right, it starts with just noticing if you can listen.
A quote from Marcus Aurelius. A man who truly attempted to live his philosophy. Through his thoughts reflections and stoic beliefs. I recently read his short book on ‘meditations’
“Be good to each other” was his prevailing though. “A disease like the plague can only threaten your life” he said in meditations. But” evil, selfishness, pride, hypocrisy, fear, these things attack our humanity”
Please feel free to forward any comments you might have.
Warmly
Rita
