This past weekend, on the Vernal Equinox, the group with whom I meet monthly did some deep consciousness work on something I wanted to share with you. We asked ourselves this question: “What are the preparatory practices to be grounded in Source, awake, and connected, regardless of BIG change in our lives, or traumatic events?”
We had been noticing how many big changes there are — with the Earth, with cultures, with lives. And how sometimes we can be challenged to stay present; to be really effective in responding; to take good care of ourselves and our family even though it looks like things are falling apart. Because sometimes, they are!
Our group does deep consciousness work, based on what we notice in our own lives and around the planet. Then we tie all of this into a “theme” for discussion and meditation, and, well, consciousness work.
This month we happened to meet during the Vernal Equinox. It was wonderful to do this, as it doesn’t always coincide. It felt like we got some of the Equinox energy in our work. And that’s what I wanted to share with you.
What we all “got” (which is how we put it to one another) is that we can work with the breath as one of the principal aids in these times. Our breath keeps us connected with Source, and with the consciousness of the planet and all the living beings here. So that was an important element.
My own observations included the awareness that it takes a healthy self-regard, really good self-esteem, to be able to stand calmly and know to one’s core what you stand for, and where TO stand — or when to take a stand. This matters. Because until you know this, you are at the mercy of whoever is shouting the loudest. There seems to be a lot of that going around. (But then, there probably always has been, too. . . ) I have to be able to take that stand, know what I stand for, and be able to stand firmly no matter what’s going on. That matters.
Another awareness is that we can identify with the “me”-ness of God or Source, rather than the “them”-ness of God or Source. In other words, we can feel that others are suffering — or celebrating — or angry — but that’s them. We are different from them. I am my own self, having an awareness about “them” and what they are experiencing. Or what I imagine they might be feeling. But I’m not there. And I’m not them. I am the particular spark of Source that is wholly and perfectly “me”. That is important to remember.
And finally, there is the breath. Always. As long as I live, I will breathe in, and I will breathe out. Life has cycles. Just like breathing.
One of our group offered a simple way to be in these times. I’ll share it with you.
- Stop.
- Notice something is happening.
- Breathe 3 times.
- Set your intention for what you need to know.
- Proceed from your connection with Source
Sounds like a solid formula to me.
You might like to try it, if you find yourself in a crisis situation any time soon. Which I hope you don’t. But someone may.
Happy Vernal Equinox and Happy Spring!
Spring Leaves - Photo by ooyoo