Over the past few weeks, Lynn has been talking about nurturing the health of our brains. Preet Marwaha has very generously given us of his time to join the conversation and talk about the ways that our food choices impact our brains and the way they function, and even the ways that we think.
Today I’m chiming in, and want to talk about a practice that will help to strengthen and deepen the conscious choices that we’re making about the way we live, and the ways that we want to show up in life.
One of the tools we use in our work (Prime Potential and Success Beyond Beliefs) is a meditation we call, “Stepping In.” In that guided meditation we lead clients in declaring a series of “I AM” statements… I am Whole, Love, Trust, Joy, Creativity, Compassion and Connected. The purpose of this piece is to help people reinforce the true nature of their essence, and groove new neural pathways which will support them in living a fuller, richer more fulfilling life. It really is a “stepping in” to a different way of being.
So, recently I was in a very challenging place where I was deeply in touch with some things that needed to be shifted in my own life, and I turned to exactly this process.
What Is
I began by writing out the things I was struggling with… the things that I wanted to change. I was truly honest with myself about what these things were, and called them by name. I think that when we’re really honest with ourselves we can become very, very clear and see what it is that’s getting in our way. The key here, though, is naming it for what it really is. Don’t dance around the issue, sugarcoat it, or justify it. Name it, and own it for what it is. It’s only then that we can shift it.
What I Choose Instead
Once my list was made, I just sat with it and began asking myself the question, “If this is what I’ve got (and it’s clearly not what I want)… then what is it that I want instead?” For me, as much as anything, the things I wanted to shift were ways of being, rather than specific circumstances. If there’s anything I know, it’s that my experience of life will change based upon how I show up in the world—the way which I see myself, carry myself, interact with others. It’s all about the view that I hold of myself, my value, and ability to make an important contribution in the world. Once I honestly believe the truth of that, and “step into” it, the fruit will begin to show up in my life experience.
Stepping In… Embodying
So, here’s where something new showed up for me.
I’ve been doing meditation and visualization for quite awhile. The routine has become… well, routine. Get comfortable, close my eyes, breathe… relax… and let myself slip into a meditative state. What I began to experience, however, was something much more engaging. Let me see if I can give you an example… be kind, this is me being vulnerable.
One of the statements that I wrote was,
I AM fully capable, expected, anointed and equipped to create exactly the life I desire without the need for further permission or approval from anyone. There is nothing which stands between me and the life of my dreams save faulty thought, which I fully and completely release right here, and right now.
As I was sitting with that statement, I found myself moving into it on every level of my being—emotionally, physically, energetically. I began to physically experience (embody) the depth and truth of this declaration. And since I’m being candid, let me just add that the phrase which has had the greatest impact for me these days is “without the need for further permission or approval from anyone.” You see, in that moment I realized that I was completely unconscious of the fact that I was still seeking permission from so many other people simply to “be me, live my life and pursue my dreams.” In dancing with this new idea (and there have been times where I have literally danced around my apartment—I know this is shocking to some who know me well), I began to sense the profound truth of it begin to inhabit every cell of my body. It was a deep and profound visceral experience, not just some good idea. The first day I experienced this a weight was released from my shoulders, and I felt a degree of freedom I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before.
So what took me to that place? It was knowing I had a choice (and freedom) to “go there,” and then actually going there! Rather than sitting in meditation in a passive way, I began to create and become very directive in where I wanted to go. I used every internal resource available to me to actually step into the very thing that I had chosen. I was one of the most profound and powerful experiences of my life.
It’s Your Turn
So what is it that you want to shift? Become really clear about it, and say it out loud. Here’s where we need to be careful, though… it can’t depend on anyone else, or some external event—we can’t change anyone but ourselves. It has to be about us—a state of being. Once you’ve done that, choose what you want instead. It might simply be the opposite, or it might be some variation. Begin with the words, I AM and build your new statement of being from there. And then… get comfortable, close your eyes, breathe… relax… and summon all of the creative juices you have access to enter into that new reality and experience it with every part of your being. What does it feel like emotionally? What does it feel like in your body (viscerally)? What do you see in this new state of being? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you see yourself doing? How do you see yourself interacting with others? Pour every ounce of energy you can muster into experiencing what you want to create, and allow it to extend to every part of you… and then watch how things begin to shift.
I’ll Help!
Sometimes it’s hard to find words to communicate the things we feel and experience… the telling of it just falls a little flat. So here’s an idea! If you’d like some help “going there,” I’d be happy to help you. Let’s arrange to spend some time together and I’ll support you as you work through this process.
More and more, I’m realizing that this is part of my calling… to do just this kind of work with people; to help folks deepen their experience of themselves, of Spirit, and the Universe which we call home.
Here’s to stepping in to a new reality… mine… and yours!
What a gorgeous process you just described Paul. Thank you for sharing it. And that line about not requiring permission from anyone else jumped right out at me. Thank you for your vulnerability, courage, and especially your power. xoxo
Thanks, Janine… It’s been so powerful for me; really a game changer 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting!
Thanks Paul – beautifully written and thanks for sharing this. “without the need for further permission or approval from anyone” GREAT. I know that I often look for permission from others who either have different values or who I actually know cannot advise me. And then I follow their advice – and resent them because it is wrong for me – duh- and they should have known that.
That I am sure can be identified as me not trusting myself.
One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our loved ones is to trust ourselves so they have someone to trust.
Thanks Linda, I appreciate your comments. I think it’s a blend of both trusting ourselves and having the courage to follow our own dreams regardless of the pack.
Thank you Paul – especially for your vulnerability and openness with this journey. I’ve read and studied so much about living from my authentic self – higher consciousness but reading/studying doesn’t make it happen. The process you used and sharing the details of your experience gave me a clearer map on how to get there – so valuable!!