How do you keep your inner light glowing?
Holding ourselves steady in the storms of today’s world requires on-going mental strength and a great deal of kindness. When we practice staying still with our breath and focus on the light in our heart, we begin to develop the muscle self-compassion. The more often we do this in times of ease – the greater the resource we have to draw from in times of distress.
I lived in the country as a child and there were big winter storms that often brought down the power lines and the electricity would go out for hours. I remember being frightened in the dark with the wind and rain howling outside. Once my mother lit the room with candles, I felt safe in the dark night storm.
This memory reminds me that love is the only thing bigger than fear. When we direct love internally towards ourselves, we have a much greater chance of remembering to listen to our own needs and support ourselves in ways that will replenish us.
As an adult I need to remember to turn my light switch on every day. This helps me consciously redirect my attention towards the light in my heart. We all have pains and suffering – and if we let them they create a curtain blocking off the glow of our internal light.
None of us can take away the darkness we have experienced in our lives, but we can choose to kindle the light.
May’s Self-Care Project – Standing in your Light
The breath is an anchor from our mind to our heart. It is a pathway towards light. This month, take a few moments each day to give yourself space to breathe. Try making the time every day to synchronise 8 conscious breaths with simple arm movements.
With each movement try to stay focused on one complete breath at a time.
Here’s how:
- Stand comfortably – feet slightly apart. If standing isn’t an option for you – sitting is perfect. (use a chair that allows the spine to be straight)
- Allow your arms to hang beside your body
- Ensure that your head is straight and look forward (check that your chin is not aiming towards the roof or the floor)
- Sigh out a couple of times and let the shoulders fall away from your ears
- Close your mouth so that the breath comes in and out through your nose.
When you feel ready to begin:
- Place one hand on top of each other at the centre of your chest – ensure you are comfortable
- Imagine a warm golden light of sunshine glowing under your hands
- Spend a bit of time here visualising this warm glow
- Begin conscious breathing – breath in through your nose and simultaneously open your arms out wide to the side of your body
- As you exhale out your nose – bring your hands back to the centre
- At the end of the exhale visualise sunlight glowing inside you
- Repeat for 7 more breaths
- When you have finished stay here with your hands resting on your chest area for a couple of minutes breathing naturally.
Stopping and being still is harder than it sounds – so go easy on yourself.
Don’t worry if your mind wanders and you get distracted (it most probably will) – just try and bring yourself back to the exercise and focus on another breath.
Remember this is a self-care practice, one to be done with kindness and compassion.
If you have any questions about conscious breathing – or want help to develop a tailor made practice to support your mental wellbeing, please email me – charlotte@sagepractices.co.nz
