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Expansion, such an important time to speak into this. I’ll share from my own experience, while seeking to also know from you, how are YOU doing in these times?
My mind has been one big constant thought lately. Meditation has been challenging and staying consistent with my Breath work has been too. One moment I feel calm and relaxed and the next moment I’m tense and unsure. I have to consciously bring myself back to my Breath throughout the day, everyday right now. I’m finding that I’ve been holding my Breath for extended periods of time (again) which signals to me that I’m stressed and afraid. I did this a lot when I was a kid, so I’m giving myself the freedom to feel the stress and feel the fear so I don’t judge it (OR myself). It’s the only way I know how to release the energy from my body so I don’t hold onto it.
Feel the Fear….and Do It Anyway
We are in unprecedented times met with extreme uncertainty, so I imagine many of us are going through very similar experiences. I’m staying open to the information that wants to come through in my quiet moments and the healing that wants to take place as a result. I can feel that I still have some blocked childhood pain inside my body, the kind that has no words, only trembles. Can you relate? I’m surrendered and choosing to be with it, even though it hurts. That’s what Expansion feels like to me… Feel the fear, feel the pain and do it anyway (kinda like the caterpillar becoming a butterfly).
The Breath And Your Expansion
I know there are beautiful gifts on the other side of our Collective Crisis and that’s what’s giving me the courage to break through my own resistance right now. Taking care of myself contributes to others taking care of themselves. That motivates me, especially on the days I’m feeling blue. I’m simply Breathing and Feeling INTO the answers right now. That’s how I am experiencing, and practicing, Expansion.
I personally believe it’s how we evolve into the best version of ourselves, through conscious, diligent, self-discovery work, even when it sucks. Our Higher Self is always there. All we have to do is Listen. Reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Alanis Morissette called “Out Is Through”.
Here’s the chorus:
“The only way out is through; The faster we’re in the better; The only way out is through ultimately; The only way out is through. The only way we’ll feel better; The only way out is through ultimately”.
Trauma, fear, and uncertainty are up for a lot of us right now and we can’t hide from it anymore. We are in unprecedented times. Life as we know it will never be the same again. It’s quite sobering.
Expand (and come together)
I see all of us coming together collectively to start a new conversation but we gotta start talking to each other again and communicating on the Real. With a Worldwide crisis at our doorstep, this is the wake-up call to put our weapons down, literally and metaphorically, so we can talk to each other again, from the Heart. I feel the first step is getting fiercely honest with ourselves so we can be honest with others. Perhaps we can fill in the gaps through our Breath. I feel that’s where Individual Truth starts.
In a previous article for our VMD that I wrote back in April of 2018, I spoke about the Breath and how it doesn’t lie. Our Breath will always tell us the Truth! How you Breathe is how you live your life….
I’ve proven this to myself once again over these last couple of weeks. It’s confronting, but wonderful to check in with myself mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially. I’m getting answers everyday, sometimes moment-to-moment. I feel it’s what’s keeping me sane, lol!!
I’d like to invite you to embrace your Breath over the coming months. I have a very simple exercise that I pulled from my first column back in March of 2018 that I’d like to share with you again. I feel it’s perfect for what we are going through now, and it’ll support you a lot, I promise.
Expansion Exercise
With a journal (preferably hand written) for a minimum of five to ten minutes per day over the next 30 days, write down what you notice about your breath. Notice if it’s short, hollow, winded, fast, limited, gasping, frustrated, pissy, resentful OR happy, excited, intentional, fluid, slow, creative, purposeful, etc…
Start with your breath and see where it takes you each day. Feel free to bring your voice into it. Allow yourself to create different sounds for the feelings you’re experiencing and give them a voice. Your unique sound has messages to share with you and the more time you spend with this exercise, the more you will uncover AND discover about yourself.
You may surprise yourself and birth a new character or two along the way. That’s a great thing! You’ll also see your own evolution once the 30 days is complete. You’ll even be able to record your own history in written word. How cool is that?
Other Helpful Offerings:
Steve has a wonderful meditation that is available here on the site, accompanied by the music of our dear friend Arielle. https://bvs.madebytribe.com/steve-blum-guided-meditation/
Another wonderful source for mindfulness and breath/voice expression is my Kundalini teacher Sukhdev. You can find her website here: http://www.sukhdevjackson.com/
In Closing
When it comes to your expansion, it’s a journey. Please be kind to you during this time. It’s not a space for judgment.
If you have any questions or want more clarity, please reach out. I’m here!
Sending you love…. Stay safe out there…
May we breathe (and Expand) into our authentic voices together…
Trina
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i definitely need to work on my breath. as a part of a workout routine, I will be implementing Yoga to help me find my breath, slow it down and become more in sync with it! in addition to the exercize you suggested.
Fantastic Heath! How’s your Yoga practice going?
Love this. I have been looking into meditation with what is available with you guys and Steve but until funds permit I can’t but the first chance I get I’d like to explore meditation and see what it feels like to truly breathe and hear myself.
It’s difficult to not be hard on oneself especially during these trying times. It is especially for me, since I’m very afraid to show, well, fear. But I’ve become more comfortable with it and have allowed myself the luxury. After all, with all of this going on, it’s best not to bottle up our emotions.
Saffron, I agree 100%, especially now! Feel the fear and do-it-anyway is my mantra. I have found that there’s always a blessing on the other side of fear. I learn something new about myself every time.
Thank you… I’m glad you enjoyed reading this. Fuber64, do you have Steve’s Meditation that he created with Arielle?