I realize how melodramatic my roommate is and that the worrying that I engage in is so depleting to my spiritual energy. It is ironic that as I am engaged in worrying about some problem or situation (presumably in an effort to make sense of and fix the problem), the fact that I am missing the moment tends to create more problems for me. A small, concrete example could be that I become careless while washing the dishes because I'm focused on something else and a dish breaks. Another reason to release and let go instead of worrying, God can be found in the present moment and by allowing my energy to get consumed by worry I am missing that connection with God. So staying present or aware in the moment of where my consciousness has gone and then releasing that which wants to suck up my energy, is a much more powerful and efficient way to live.
I like Michael's example on pages 65 and 66 of someone taking your pencil at work. The meoldramatic mind might say something like "Its a pencil today and if I let go they'll step all over me..." (T.U.S., p. 66)
Decide to let it go instead of feeling bothered or worried.
"Just decide that NO MATTER WHAT THE MIND SAYS YOU AREN'T GETTING INVOLVED." (T.U.S., p. 66).
So we must constantly be on guard for what the mind is saying and when we are getting drawn into the energy. We do not need to struggle or fight off this tendency, instead we accept the feelings in the moment and then take a breath and release. This takes practice. The good news is that we have plenty of opportunity to practice because "the tendency to get drawn in is constant, (and therefore) the willingness to let go and fall behind has to be constant." (T.U.S., p. 66)
Practice with the little things today. Notice the mind. Notice the feelings. Notice the pull on your energy. Notice how easy it is to get off center.
Then RELAX AND RELEASE WITH A DEEP BREATH. Even if you can't release a feeling, you can always relax your shoulders and your chest with the breath.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Willpower
After my open-hearted experience last weekend, I have had a very challenging week... more stuff to let go of, more blocks to unblock. It has been a challenge to stay centered.
Michael says when life hits our stuff, we do not have to go with any of the thoughts or feelings. Stay relaxed and watch how thoughts and feelings about a situation want to pull your energy away from being centered. Michael suggests using "your willpower to not go with it, and just remain seated within." (T.U.S., p. 64) You are not the thought nor the feeling. You are the consciousness behind it.
If you allow a thought or feeling to consume you (thus leaving the awareness that you are the one having the thought or the feeling), then all of your awareness is focused on the thought or feeling and "this power feeds them. Consciousness is a tremendously powerful force. When you concentrate on these thoughts and emotions, they become charged with energy and power." (T.U.S., p. 65)
So the disturbing thoughts and/or feelings grow the more you focus on them.
Better to say seated within, watch, relax and let go.
"Letting go means falling behind the energy instead of going into it. It just takes a moment of conscious effort to decide that you're not going there. You just let go...When you're free from the hold the energy has on you, you will be free to experience the joy and expansiveness that exists within you." (T.U.S., p. 65)
What I am taking from this is the following: to stay aware (almost like being on guard for the next shift in energy) and no matter how upsetting or emotionally charged the event is, use my willpower to not go with it. No matter what, to set the intention within myself to stay centered behind it and let go. I find it helpful to say to myself "I am the awareness of this. I allow this situation to flow through me. I let it go."
Notice situations this week where it would be helpful to use your willpower to stay centered.
Michael says when life hits our stuff, we do not have to go with any of the thoughts or feelings. Stay relaxed and watch how thoughts and feelings about a situation want to pull your energy away from being centered. Michael suggests using "your willpower to not go with it, and just remain seated within." (T.U.S., p. 64) You are not the thought nor the feeling. You are the consciousness behind it.
If you allow a thought or feeling to consume you (thus leaving the awareness that you are the one having the thought or the feeling), then all of your awareness is focused on the thought or feeling and "this power feeds them. Consciousness is a tremendously powerful force. When you concentrate on these thoughts and emotions, they become charged with energy and power." (T.U.S., p. 65)
So the disturbing thoughts and/or feelings grow the more you focus on them.
Better to say seated within, watch, relax and let go.
"Letting go means falling behind the energy instead of going into it. It just takes a moment of conscious effort to decide that you're not going there. You just let go...When you're free from the hold the energy has on you, you will be free to experience the joy and expansiveness that exists within you." (T.U.S., p. 65)
What I am taking from this is the following: to stay aware (almost like being on guard for the next shift in energy) and no matter how upsetting or emotionally charged the event is, use my willpower to not go with it. No matter what, to set the intention within myself to stay centered behind it and let go. I find it helpful to say to myself "I am the awareness of this. I allow this situation to flow through me. I let it go."
Notice situations this week where it would be helpful to use your willpower to stay centered.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Witnessing your way to the heart!
I have always been most strongly drawn to the path of the heart. As I have been practicing witnessing and releasing I am finding that my heart is opening more and more.
To begin with, I so clearly see how often I close my heart throughout the day, with the little things usually.
Here are just a few examples: "I should have said hello to that person at Church," or "I should have said blah, blah, blah" to so and so, or I feel bad because I burned dinner, or I am frustrated because I am running late and there is traffic, or I am annoyed because my toaster just broke, or I am worried about whether or not I got my credit card bill in the mail on time, or I regret that I didn't handle a situation with one of my kids differently...
It seems that these relatively minor situations touch a Samskara (or blocked energy from the past) and that is why I resist them.
If I am not centered I tend to overlook these situations instead of taking the time to notice how they affect my energy, and then shifting my awareness to the Observer and letting go.
It has been a beautiful experience to stay centered in each moment, witness and release. Michael says (and I am paraphrasing) that as we witness and release, life is touches us at a very deep level and helps us to grow. This can not happen if we are avoiding or ignoring when life hits our stuff. If we do, than everything will stay as is...which is of course what we do not want.
As I have been working with The Untethered Soul, I have also been drawn to another book (The Naked Now by Richard Rohr) and a line in that book really moved me: "what I let God see and accept in me also becomes what I can then see and accept in myself. And even more, it becomes that whereby I see everything." (p. 141). Of course I know that God is omniscient and sees everything about me, but still this thought of bringing it all (the insecurities, the "shoulds," the anger...) to God who already accepts me, helps me to be more honest with myself. And once I can see what is really there I can let it go.
As a result of practicing this, I feel like my heart is being opened. More than ever before I am feeling the desire and ability to love others. My walls are coming down. I am realizing that we are only here to love and that nothing else really matters.
As I let go of the voice of the roommate/ego and know myself as the Observer I am being changed. And so it is. Amen.
To begin with, I so clearly see how often I close my heart throughout the day, with the little things usually.
Here are just a few examples: "I should have said hello to that person at Church," or "I should have said blah, blah, blah" to so and so, or I feel bad because I burned dinner, or I am frustrated because I am running late and there is traffic, or I am annoyed because my toaster just broke, or I am worried about whether or not I got my credit card bill in the mail on time, or I regret that I didn't handle a situation with one of my kids differently...
It seems that these relatively minor situations touch a Samskara (or blocked energy from the past) and that is why I resist them.
If I am not centered I tend to overlook these situations instead of taking the time to notice how they affect my energy, and then shifting my awareness to the Observer and letting go.
It has been a beautiful experience to stay centered in each moment, witness and release. Michael says (and I am paraphrasing) that as we witness and release, life is touches us at a very deep level and helps us to grow. This can not happen if we are avoiding or ignoring when life hits our stuff. If we do, than everything will stay as is...which is of course what we do not want.
As I have been working with The Untethered Soul, I have also been drawn to another book (The Naked Now by Richard Rohr) and a line in that book really moved me: "what I let God see and accept in me also becomes what I can then see and accept in myself. And even more, it becomes that whereby I see everything." (p. 141). Of course I know that God is omniscient and sees everything about me, but still this thought of bringing it all (the insecurities, the "shoulds," the anger...) to God who already accepts me, helps me to be more honest with myself. And once I can see what is really there I can let it go.
As a result of practicing this, I feel like my heart is being opened. More than ever before I am feeling the desire and ability to love others. My walls are coming down. I am realizing that we are only here to love and that nothing else really matters.
As I let go of the voice of the roommate/ego and know myself as the Observer I am being changed. And so it is. Amen.
Friday, January 21, 2011
When life hits your stuff
Since I wrote the last post I have been very focused on noticing 'when life hits my stuff' and shifting my awareness to the observer. I have become particularly aware of how often the brief, minor, negative thoughts and feelings throughout the day capture my conscious awareness. A little guilt or self-criticism, irritation at the person tailgating me, a quick judgment of another, an anxious thought about health or finances, worrying about my kids... I do not always process (witness and release) these little disturbances like I do the bigger issues, yet they still block my energy.
Michael says "The minute you see the energy start getting strange, you stop (and let go)...When you let go, you are falling behind the energy that is trying to pull you into it...Consciousness has the tendency to focus on disturbance...These disturbed energies will draw your consciousness to them. But you do not have to let this happen. YOU REALLY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISENGAGE AND FALL BACK BEHIND THEM." (T.U.S., p. 63).
Michael uses the example of a car driving by that you like and you are suddenly upset because you would like that car, and you start worrying about how you are going to get a better job so you can have enough money for a new car. You do not have to let your consciousness be drawn to this disturbed energy. You can stay centered within and let go.
Practice disengaging and falling back behind the energy shifts. Let your awareness go to the observer and allow life to show up in ways that will allow your blocked energy to be released.
Michael says "The minute you see the energy start getting strange, you stop (and let go)...When you let go, you are falling behind the energy that is trying to pull you into it...Consciousness has the tendency to focus on disturbance...These disturbed energies will draw your consciousness to them. But you do not have to let this happen. YOU REALLY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISENGAGE AND FALL BACK BEHIND THEM." (T.U.S., p. 63).
Michael uses the example of a car driving by that you like and you are suddenly upset because you would like that car, and you start worrying about how you are going to get a better job so you can have enough money for a new car. You do not have to let your consciousness be drawn to this disturbed energy. You can stay centered within and let go.
Practice disengaging and falling back behind the energy shifts. Let your awareness go to the observer and allow life to show up in ways that will allow your blocked energy to be released.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Do you want to be free?
Michael suggests that in order to be free all aspects of the psyche need to be brought into your awareness and released. "Begin by seeing the tendency to protect and defend yourself...Once you close, you have to make sure that what you protected doesn't get disturbed. You then carry this task for the rest of your life." (T.U.S., p. 62)
Or you can decide to observe the part of you that wants to protect itself, and let that part go. You are getting rid of the part that wants to close instead of protecting the part of you that wants to close.
"You start by watching life and noticing the constant flow of people and situations that hit your stuff every day." (T.U.S., p. 62)
Life is only hitting your stuff because you have stuff to hit. It just makes more sense to let the stuff go so that you can be free. This will be painful, but the pain will pass. As you become more and more centered as the observer, you will just need to touch the pain not dwell on it.
The 3rd paragraph on page 62 describes the prize for your efforts: the LIBERATION that comes from no longer protecting your psyche. How lovely it would be to be present in each moment...enjoying the beauty, the joy, the love, the magical moments that life presents to us, instead of pouring energy into defending our psychological sensitivities.
"Once you've made the commitment to free yourself of that scared person inside, you will notice that there is a clear decision point at which your growth takes place. Spiritual growth is about the point at which you start to feel your energy change." (T.U.S., p. 62). E.g., somebody says or does something to you that is disturbing to you. Michael describes this as the point where you either decide to protect yourself (hold onto the scared person) or grow (let it go).
What will you do???
Or you can decide to observe the part of you that wants to protect itself, and let that part go. You are getting rid of the part that wants to close instead of protecting the part of you that wants to close.
"You start by watching life and noticing the constant flow of people and situations that hit your stuff every day." (T.U.S., p. 62)
Life is only hitting your stuff because you have stuff to hit. It just makes more sense to let the stuff go so that you can be free. This will be painful, but the pain will pass. As you become more and more centered as the observer, you will just need to touch the pain not dwell on it.
The 3rd paragraph on page 62 describes the prize for your efforts: the LIBERATION that comes from no longer protecting your psyche. How lovely it would be to be present in each moment...enjoying the beauty, the joy, the love, the magical moments that life presents to us, instead of pouring energy into defending our psychological sensitivities.
"Once you've made the commitment to free yourself of that scared person inside, you will notice that there is a clear decision point at which your growth takes place. Spiritual growth is about the point at which you start to feel your energy change." (T.U.S., p. 62). E.g., somebody says or does something to you that is disturbing to you. Michael describes this as the point where you either decide to protect yourself (hold onto the scared person) or grow (let it go).
What will you do???
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Let the energy flow through you
Obviously it is much easier to keep your heart open when things are going your way. It is much harder to do this when you feel uncomfortable, insecure, irritated, misunderstood, rejected... Michael talks about how protecting our over-sensitive psyches keeps our problems (i.e., the oversensitive psyche) locked inside. "If you close and protect yourself, you are locking this scared, insecure person within your heart. You will never be free that way... Most people go from day to day protecting themselves and making sure nothing goes too wrong." (T.U.S., p. 61)
If you truly want to follow this path you will need to give up the part of you that wants to keep everything okay, the part of you that wants to be in control. You will need to become aware of every little part of your psyche, the good, the bad and the ugly, and then release it all. Michael talks about how some of what needs to be acknowledged and released are subconscious fears and anxieties. You can bring these to the surface by taking a breath and relaxing into each moment.
Remember, that none of these thougths or feelings are you. "There is simply pure energy pouring inside of you that creates ripples of thoughts and emotions, and there is the consciousness that's aware of it." (T.U.S., p. 61) There is You watching the psyche.
When you happen to notice a negative thought or emotion, try viewing it as simply 'energy that is passing through you.' Do not attach to it (by giving it meaning) or hold onto it. Relax your chest with a breath and let the energy go.
If you truly want to follow this path you will need to give up the part of you that wants to keep everything okay, the part of you that wants to be in control. You will need to become aware of every little part of your psyche, the good, the bad and the ugly, and then release it all. Michael talks about how some of what needs to be acknowledged and released are subconscious fears and anxieties. You can bring these to the surface by taking a breath and relaxing into each moment.
Remember, that none of these thougths or feelings are you. "There is simply pure energy pouring inside of you that creates ripples of thoughts and emotions, and there is the consciousness that's aware of it." (T.U.S., p. 61) There is You watching the psyche.
When you happen to notice a negative thought or emotion, try viewing it as simply 'energy that is passing through you.' Do not attach to it (by giving it meaning) or hold onto it. Relax your chest with a breath and let the energy go.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Living with an Open Heart
The "secret" that Michael is referring to in Chapter 6 ("The Secrets of the Spiritual Heart") is the unlimited energy that is available to you through your heart. This "beautiful experience of energy...is meant to be going on inside you at all times. The highest state you have ever experienced is simply the result of how open you were." (T.U.S., p. 57)
In Chapter 7 Michael talks about how we tend to close the heart as a way to protect ourselves, to protect our egos from feeling hurt. The little things throughout the day that throw you off balance emotionally (such as someone saying something hurtful, giving an opinion that you do not like, ignoring you, or getting angry at you) cause you to close your heart.
Michael points out that we are "so sensitive that the slightest little thing causes it (the part of us that gets disturbed) to overreact." (T.U.S., p. 60). I would imagine that for most of us this closing of the heart happens often throughout each day.
What I have found to be very helpful is to check in frequently with my heart to see if it is open or closed. And, when I am interacting with another person I remind myself to keep my heart open. When I remember to do this I am more present with the other person and I find that I respond to them in a way that allows us to connect better.
The next time you are in a conversation, instead of thinking about what you are going to say next, ask yourself "Is my heart open?" and see how it goes for you.
In Chapter 7 Michael talks about how we tend to close the heart as a way to protect ourselves, to protect our egos from feeling hurt. The little things throughout the day that throw you off balance emotionally (such as someone saying something hurtful, giving an opinion that you do not like, ignoring you, or getting angry at you) cause you to close your heart.
Michael points out that we are "so sensitive that the slightest little thing causes it (the part of us that gets disturbed) to overreact." (T.U.S., p. 60). I would imagine that for most of us this closing of the heart happens often throughout each day.
What I have found to be very helpful is to check in frequently with my heart to see if it is open or closed. And, when I am interacting with another person I remind myself to keep my heart open. When I remember to do this I am more present with the other person and I find that I respond to them in a way that allows us to connect better.
The next time you are in a conversation, instead of thinking about what you are going to say next, ask yourself "Is my heart open?" and see how it goes for you.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
It works if you work it!
As I continue on this journey within, I am experiencing how powerful it is to witness or observe. There is definitely something to be said for being authentically in touch with one's feelings, and, there is a lot more to be said for noticing and releasing these feelings from the 'awareness of oneself as the witness.' Someone asked, "I know what my feelings are, I know that I am not my feelings, now what?" The key for me in applying this technique is to practice experiencing myself as the witness in the midst of life experiences...to actually BE the awareness while also feeling the feelings and then letting them go.
I had a recent, minor example that I would like to share. I love Christmas and I found myself feeling sad when it was over. I noticed the sadness every time I was reminded that Christmas was over. The feelings were so fleeting and minor that normally I might have overlooked them but I decided to 'be the awareness of the sadness' and release it instead of just feeling it. As I did this most of the sadness left immediately. Afterwards, each time I recognized a little more sadness I witnessed and released it and that too disappeared. I felt much freer being able to see a Christmas decoration without having the sadness.
Deeper emotions do not always disappear right away. Even so, keep witnessing and releasing because you are still unblocking the energy and eventually it will fully release.
Just like meditation is a practice, witnessing is too. Practice today being the witness. As they say in 12-Step programs, 'It works if you work it!'
And if you are so inclined let me know how you are doing with these techniques (send me an email or post a comment). I'd love to hear from you.
I had a recent, minor example that I would like to share. I love Christmas and I found myself feeling sad when it was over. I noticed the sadness every time I was reminded that Christmas was over. The feelings were so fleeting and minor that normally I might have overlooked them but I decided to 'be the awareness of the sadness' and release it instead of just feeling it. As I did this most of the sadness left immediately. Afterwards, each time I recognized a little more sadness I witnessed and released it and that too disappeared. I felt much freer being able to see a Christmas decoration without having the sadness.
Deeper emotions do not always disappear right away. Even so, keep witnessing and releasing because you are still unblocking the energy and eventually it will fully release.
Just like meditation is a practice, witnessing is too. Practice today being the witness. As they say in 12-Step programs, 'It works if you work it!'
And if you are so inclined let me know how you are doing with these techniques (send me an email or post a comment). I'd love to hear from you.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Releasing Samskaras
Michael Singer says that it is possible that both negative and extremely positive experiences will not make it through. We cling to the positive experiences and these energies stay blocked just like negative experiences. This stored energy is activated by current situations, and thus our lives are affected.
"The alternative is to enjoy life instead of clinging to it or pushing it away...If you are willing to experience the gift of life instead of fighting with it, you will be moved to the depth of your being...you will begin to see the secrets of the heart." (T.U.S., p. 56)
He goes on to talk about how we receive energy through the heart, energy that strengthens, inspires and sustains us. "The highest state you have ever experienced is simply the result of how open you were." (T.U.S., p. 57)
Take a look at the paragraph that starts on the bottom of page 56 through page 57. Michael describes a process of purification that simply involves allowing your Samskaras to be activated, felt, and released. It is simple, but not easy to do. However, the alternative is to fix the world so that it doesn't touch your Samskaras...an impossible task. Isn't that what we are doing when we try to get other people to behave the way we want them to, when we worry about finances, our health, the weather...
It takes courage to meet life the way that it is showing up and to face our feelings. It takes great strength of will to live with an open heart. Yet, is there any better way to live?
"Learn to be centered enough to just watch this stuff come up. Once you sit deeply enough inside to stop fighting the stored energy patterns they'll come up constantly passing right through you....Don't process them one by one; that's too slow. Stay centered behind them and let go." (T.U.S., p. 57)
Practice staying centered as the Observer. Every moment is an opportunity to practice being centered. Every moment that you are "aware that you are the awareness" is a step closer to freedom. So notice when a Samskara gets hit, move your awareness to the Observer (you are the awareness of the pain, you are not the pain, the pain is a passing experience), touch the pain, take a breath and let it go.
Today, practice noticing and releasing Samskaras. Let it be the sport of the day. Practice, practice, practice.
"The alternative is to enjoy life instead of clinging to it or pushing it away...If you are willing to experience the gift of life instead of fighting with it, you will be moved to the depth of your being...you will begin to see the secrets of the heart." (T.U.S., p. 56)
He goes on to talk about how we receive energy through the heart, energy that strengthens, inspires and sustains us. "The highest state you have ever experienced is simply the result of how open you were." (T.U.S., p. 57)
Take a look at the paragraph that starts on the bottom of page 56 through page 57. Michael describes a process of purification that simply involves allowing your Samskaras to be activated, felt, and released. It is simple, but not easy to do. However, the alternative is to fix the world so that it doesn't touch your Samskaras...an impossible task. Isn't that what we are doing when we try to get other people to behave the way we want them to, when we worry about finances, our health, the weather...
It takes courage to meet life the way that it is showing up and to face our feelings. It takes great strength of will to live with an open heart. Yet, is there any better way to live?
"Learn to be centered enough to just watch this stuff come up. Once you sit deeply enough inside to stop fighting the stored energy patterns they'll come up constantly passing right through you....Don't process them one by one; that's too slow. Stay centered behind them and let go." (T.U.S., p. 57)
Practice staying centered as the Observer. Every moment is an opportunity to practice being centered. Every moment that you are "aware that you are the awareness" is a step closer to freedom. So notice when a Samskara gets hit, move your awareness to the Observer (you are the awareness of the pain, you are not the pain, the pain is a passing experience), touch the pain, take a breath and let it go.
Today, practice noticing and releasing Samskaras. Let it be the sport of the day. Practice, practice, practice.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Samskaras
The blocked energy from past events will stay stuck inside of you and "Life must now compete with this blocked event for your attention." (T.U.S., p. 52).
Whenever some event does not make it through you will have to spend time processing it in order to try to make sense of it. Eventually the energies that are blocked will be "pushed out of the forefront of your mind until you are prepared to release them." (T.U.S., p. 53). First these energies try to release through the mind and then through the heart. The blocked energy stays stored in the heart and it is called a Samskara. "A Samskara is a cycle of stored past energy patterns in a state of relative equilibrium. It is your resistance to experiencing these patterns that causes the energy to keep cycling around itself." (T.U.S., p. 54).
Michael gives the example of seeing a car that looks like your girl friends car and the people in the front seat are hugging. If you do not allow yourself to experience and then release the feelings of jealousy or hurt, at some time in the future you may see a similiar car with two people in the front seat hugging and this might stir up the unwanted feelings.
There are many events that have happened in our lives that leave Samskaras. As you know if you have read further on in the book, these events are stored with pain and they will need to be released by feeling the pain. However, it is not necessary to sit with this pain for long periods of time. It is a matter of feeling the pain and moving one's awareness to the witness and with a deep breath letting it go (or letting it be).
I find it interesting that psychologists have come to the same conclusion that wise spiritual beings have known all along...that we do not have to spend long periods of time venting or re-experiencing painful, past experiences. It is just a matter of touching them and releasing them.
With some feelings I am able to feel them and release them relatively easily and quickly. Other feelings, however, are harder to release. In these situations, I notice the feeling, move my awareness to the Observer, take a breath and I let the feeling be. Acceptance of what is without needing to make it go away.
Notice today when a Samskara is being touched. Can you allow the feelings to surface? Can you move your awareness to the Observer and relax into the feeling, knowing that it is a passing energy?
Whenever some event does not make it through you will have to spend time processing it in order to try to make sense of it. Eventually the energies that are blocked will be "pushed out of the forefront of your mind until you are prepared to release them." (T.U.S., p. 53). First these energies try to release through the mind and then through the heart. The blocked energy stays stored in the heart and it is called a Samskara. "A Samskara is a cycle of stored past energy patterns in a state of relative equilibrium. It is your resistance to experiencing these patterns that causes the energy to keep cycling around itself." (T.U.S., p. 54).
Michael gives the example of seeing a car that looks like your girl friends car and the people in the front seat are hugging. If you do not allow yourself to experience and then release the feelings of jealousy or hurt, at some time in the future you may see a similiar car with two people in the front seat hugging and this might stir up the unwanted feelings.
There are many events that have happened in our lives that leave Samskaras. As you know if you have read further on in the book, these events are stored with pain and they will need to be released by feeling the pain. However, it is not necessary to sit with this pain for long periods of time. It is a matter of feeling the pain and moving one's awareness to the witness and with a deep breath letting it go (or letting it be).
I find it interesting that psychologists have come to the same conclusion that wise spiritual beings have known all along...that we do not have to spend long periods of time venting or re-experiencing painful, past experiences. It is just a matter of touching them and releasing them.
With some feelings I am able to feel them and release them relatively easily and quickly. Other feelings, however, are harder to release. In these situations, I notice the feeling, move my awareness to the Observer, take a breath and I let the feeling be. Acceptance of what is without needing to make it go away.
Notice today when a Samskara is being touched. Can you allow the feelings to surface? Can you move your awareness to the Observer and relax into the feeling, knowing that it is a passing energy?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
"What it means to live life is to experience the moment that is passing through you, and then experience the next moment, and then the next. Many different experiences will come in and pass through you... Imagine if you were so fully present during each experience of life that it was touching you to the depth of your being. Every moment would be a stimulating, moving experience because you would be completely open, and life would be flowing right through you." (T.U.S., p. 51-52).
Letting yourself experience your life the way that it is showing up would allow you to live in freedom.
To me this is an art.
I find myself so often trying to figure out how I would like my life to be, instead of focusing on how it actually is.
What I am talking about here is the fact that I am not always aware that I am affected by the energies and experiences that have not made it through. In chapter 6 Michael gives the example of driving down the road. Many things do make it through (do not leave an impression) including the trees, buildings etc. but when you pass a car that reminds you of the car that your ex-boyfriend (who cheated on you) drove suddenly your internal energy changes. That experience does not make it through.
If we want to create a life of Love, Joy, and Peace than we need to free up these blocked energies.
This happens by being aware of what we are experiencing in each moment (the experience of the roommate if you like) and then observing and releasing. Another technique when you notice negative or blocked energy is to ask yourself 'Who am I?' repeatedly.
Consider making 2011 the year that you accept life as it shows up and allow any blockages to be released.
Sweet blessings to you during the New Year!
Letting yourself experience your life the way that it is showing up would allow you to live in freedom.
To me this is an art.
I find myself so often trying to figure out how I would like my life to be, instead of focusing on how it actually is.
What I am talking about here is the fact that I am not always aware that I am affected by the energies and experiences that have not made it through. In chapter 6 Michael gives the example of driving down the road. Many things do make it through (do not leave an impression) including the trees, buildings etc. but when you pass a car that reminds you of the car that your ex-boyfriend (who cheated on you) drove suddenly your internal energy changes. That experience does not make it through.
If we want to create a life of Love, Joy, and Peace than we need to free up these blocked energies.
This happens by being aware of what we are experiencing in each moment (the experience of the roommate if you like) and then observing and releasing. Another technique when you notice negative or blocked energy is to ask yourself 'Who am I?' repeatedly.
Consider making 2011 the year that you accept life as it shows up and allow any blockages to be released.
Sweet blessings to you during the New Year!
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