"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change": W Dyer.
Although not specifically connected to the water element, I thought i’d expand upon the skill of visualisation. I guess visualisation will be perceived by people in different ways. I frequently ask in the classes I run, ‘to bring your minds eye to a particular area of the body or to imagine a particular image or sensation.’
Some people will throw their hands up in horror, saying ‘I am no good at visualisation’, and of course we all have some things we are better at than others. However, I would argue that it’s a skill like any other, and practised with the right support it can be improved.
A good example of this would be my ability to meditate. When I started I would despair on a daily basis, saying, “I can’t do this!” That in itself is not necessarily the issue. Its the stream of thoughts that follow on from that statement. ‘Look at everyone else in the room, they seem to be managing fine, you are just useless, what’s the point in meditating anyway. I cant be bothered with this, and this is the absolute classic… “I havent got the time”…. mmmmmmmm ( red flag). Our mind ( ego) is absolutely brilliant at weaving a personal ‘rational’ narative that enables us to back down from certain challenges, without losing face. I fall for it hook line and sinker every time, well, now that I meditate daily, that’s not strickly true. So some of the time!
Anyway I digress, the point is you can be better at visualisation if you choose to be. i.e if your mind/ ego doesnt hijack your good intentions.
Ok so stop what you are doing and give yourselves 10 seconds to look around where you are sat. Notice all the things around you. Make a mental list or even write them down…
Message from mind/ego : “whats the point in writing them down, no actually what’s the point in doing this at all….”
Message back to mind/ego “ would you mind awefully shutting up old bean, thank you.”
Ok job done? Excellent!
Now then. Was space one of the “things” that you noted down. I suspect not. Maybe chair, window, curtains , tv …etc… but not space. Yet space is the biggest “thing” in the room. Our brains/minds are finely tuned to grasp onto solid/concrete things. That does not only count for “things” on the ‘outside world’, but our ‘internal world’ also. Many of our thoughts and beliefs can be seen as set in stone. There is no space or wiggle room , they are the truth as we perceive it. When our thoughts/beliefs are challenged we constrict around them and hold on even more tightly to what we see as our reality.
Those of us who are parents, or dare I say it partners ….will all have come across this, all too often. When the above have bumped into one of their lifes’ challenges, we in our perceived wisdom can clearly see which path is needed to be taken. We offer this insight on numerous ocaisions and low and behold, they veer off in the exact opposite direction, and not with a smile on their face either! I am beginning to learn.
“ If you keep doing the same things, you'll end up getting the same results”
Space is perhaps one of the major ingredients that is required, to encourage insight and moving forwards. Meditation, breathwork and visualisation have been the three tools that I have found, that create space for wiggle room and greater insight.
In the weeks to come we are going to be visualising drawing our breath in through a point in our ankle upto our upper ribs at the front, and then breathing out through that space. Although we perceive ourselves as solid in fact we are largely made up of empty space. The human body is made up of almost entirely empty space. This is because atoms, which make up the body, are mostly empty space. Just like the room you are in.
Space gives us room to navigate, to explore and play. A bit like being a child again.
Back in the summer I worked with someone who rides at motorcycle trials. Prior to the competition he will walk the course and plan in his mind which pathway he needs to take and how he will negotiate various obstacles and challenges. So he needs to see space. Before he starts he has a map in his mind as to how he will navigate the course. When we came to setting up a treatment programme, he was really incredible in terms of his visualisation skills. Without instruction he was able to create space, connect different areas of the body, let go of tension and constriction, and needless to say, did very well in managing his pain.
When I work, I have taught myself to see space, light and connectivity, as well as density, constriction and darkness. Perhaps human nature and medical culture has drawn me towards what is wrong with people. Maybe we should be shedding more light on what is right with people. I guess this is where there is a connection in the classes we are currently undertaking.
I am inviting you to trust, to have faith in your inner resources and strengths. I have previously asked you to think back to a time when you felt tip top, really well, energised and ready to face what comes your way. Invariably those times were when you were in awe of nature, its space and magnitude. The ‘I’ of our being was not centre stage but merely a small part of the larger whole. We did not feel alone or isolated but part of something bigger, much much bigger than ourselves.
When we visualise we will bump into dark heavy dense constricted areas. These areas are usually characterised by physical tension and lack of mobility. Perhaps the old way of working might have been to stretch the living daylights out those tissues.
But take a moment to think back to those loved ones who we offered our perceived insight to. Upon receiving our perceived wisdom, they may not have softened and opened, but perhaps more likely hardened , constricted and dug in, becoming even more entrenched in their self held views and beliefs.
So instead of trying to beat our bodies into submission, offer them space and openess, in an accepting way, and wait to see what unfolds. Feed those areas of the body with kindness, courage, joy and perhaps above all, love and hope.
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change": W Dyer.
The attitudes and words we bring to visualisation can make a big difference. The beliefs of my old self would have and did have trouble getting to grips with this. How can the words we use and the attitude that deliver those words have any affect? Afterall, we all remember this saying from the playground
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’
Well in fact, research has proven this to be a myth.
Words can have a positve and negative effect on our physiology and state of mind. Of course the person we hear most from is ourselves, with our often negative internal dialogue and narative, that we so often take as the truth and our reality.
I know that some will be rolling their eyes at this , but just a short little experiement to finish off with. If you are up for it.
So politely ask you mind/ego to be quiet for the next few minutes. Put your computer/tablet/phone down for a minute or so and simply relax in the chair you are sitting in, and just follow the rise and fall of your breath, and when you feel calm, relaxed and curious come back to the text.
So welcome back. You will see two familiar words below.
Cover the ‘yes’ word up so all you can see is the ‘no’ word then spend 30 plus seconds reciting the word, and start to notice how your body changes. Then switch over to covering the ‘no’ word up so all you can see is the ‘Yes’ word and recite and repeat this word for 30 seconds plus and see how this feels internally.
See you on Friday
Sending love
Stuart xxx
NO YES
Comments