GH – Solitary Refinement
Welcome to Guided Harmonies, a podcast where I put words to my therapeutic music. Today’s episode, Solitary Refinement, is once again in response to the current pandemic as we are being encouraged to living increasingly solitary lives. Maybe there is a way we can reframe the isolation that is happening.
Let’s get started. Find a quiet place, sit back & close your eyes. Lie down if you are able. From there let the music and words do their thing.
What is it for you to be alone?
On a global scale our current generations have never experienced such a solitary time. We are solitary in our need to steer clear of others. We may feel solitary in a house filled with people, as we try to find our own comfort or privacy. We are also solitary in our personal challenges, which are unique to each person who is navigating their way through this pandemic with their loved ones.
Take a moment and check in with your breathing. Do not change anything, just notice. How deep or shallow is your breathing? Be curious and open as you tune into your body. What other sensations may you feel? Is there any tightness in your belly, chest or throat?
Stay connected to these sensations of tightness in your body as I ask again: what is it for you to be alone? Now ever so gently, see if you can breathe into the tightness, like mist lingering languidly as it moves through a landscape.
Sometimes being solitary can be deflating, defeating and sad – creating a feeling a deep loneliness. Few of us choose to be alone. We often have to learn to live with it or make do. Some of us feel alone no matter how many people we are surrounded by.
Check in with your chest and heart, if there is a constriction then this can be connected to a yearning for more love and support than you get.
Check in with your breathing again. Can you invite your breath to gently move deeper into your torso? 3:46 See if you can maintain a sense of curiosity as you try.
Picture those in your world who have loved you. Take a sweep through the span of your life & imagine who those people are. It doesn’t matter is they are still here nor does it matter whether or not they have disappointed you. Simply think of the love.
As you breathe, imagine your list of loved ones gathering in a circle around you. It doesn’t matter the size of this circle. Allow them to surround you. These are your people. And what they share is love.
There is no need to focus on how capable they are of showing their love or support. Because underneath their efforts lies love. And this is all that matters. And you know this deeply as you are the same. You love as best as you can as well.
And as long as you feel your circle of loved ones holding you, you will never be alone.
Take some time before venturing back into your reality. Allow your breathing to intensify and wait until you are ready to open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me today.