Natural Authenticity

Focus: finding visceral presence; How do you REALLY feel? How much of what you do when meditating is habit, and how much is an authentic response to the sounds and the words? Our logic often makes these decisions before we have a chance to really feel what is happening for us. Why? Because our brains are designed to take the familiar path. This is more efficient for our busy brains. Take a little extra time today to tune into your true feelings. 

Transcript

GH: Natural Authenticity

Welcome to Guided Harmonies, the podcast where I put words to my therapeutic music. These are designed to provide short moments of reconnect – we don’t always have an hour to meditate. These take a few minutes to recentre. The music is key to allowing such depth in a short time. All you need to do is listen. Bring a gentle curiosity. And if you doze it’s not a big deal – your unconscious brain will be processing and when you come back to presence you will find you feel better. 

Today’s episode is about finding your truly authentic reactions to life’s challenges. You will hear the word visceral. Visceral is a word used frequently in feeling modalities. It means to truly feel something in one’s body instead of using one’s logic to decide how one feels. The other day I had a powerful moment when my somatics practitioner suggested that I was not feeling my way to find the most comfortable position, as much as moving by habit. Of course I always want to be the ‘perfect client’. When I sought out the visceral sensation, I discovered that she was absolutely right!

The first song, Natural Serenity, will bring you to a deeper connection to self. It was written for a woman who emigrated to Calgary because of her love and passion for the mountains. The sounds of the breeze & running water was recorded by her on an outing with her kids. The second song, Authentic Balance, was written for a busy woman who spends a lot of time in the public eye. She needs to keep her reactions to things in check while being true to herself and her needs. Not an easy task.  

Let’s get started. Sit back or lie down if you are able and close your eyes. Let these harmonies guide you to a better place: 

Visceral is a word used frequently in feeling modalities. It means to truly feel something in one’s body instead of using one’s logic to decide how one feels. 

As you lie here, listen for the sounds. This song reflects A peaceful moment in nature. You may notice water lapping, you may hear a breeze, . . . Some song birds. Imagine sun. Imagine Serenity. You are in a safe, warm and comfortable place. 

Check in with your breathing without changing anything. Trust that your brain will direct your lungs as needed.  See if you can notice where the air goes when you inhale. Once again, do not change anything. How deep are your breaths? Do they fill your chest cavity? Do your breaths reach your belly? Just notice.  

Bring your attention to your ribcage. Can you find your solar plexus? This is in the centre of your torso where either side of your ribs come together beneath your chest. Do you notice that no matter how deep you breathe, your solar plexus moves when you breathe? Be subtle when you invite your solar plexus to expand just a small bit more. Do this gently and gradually. Perhaps as you do, you will feel the sides of your ribs expanding. Maybe you will feel your belly expanding and contracting as you breathe. 

Find where you ribs meet your shoulders? Now continue to gently direct your breaths to gradually move into that part of your chest, filling out more of your torso. How about your pelvis? Be gentle while you send your breaths so they expand into your entire torso? Luxuriate in this easy breathing that fills your torso gently and easily. 

TRANSITION: Visceral is a word used frequently in feeling modalities. It means to truly feel something in one’s body instead of using one’s logic to decide how one feels. 

As you breathe, check in with your body. As you scan, see Where you feel warmth and heaviness? Try not to decide in your brain where you think you are settled, see if you can really step INTO those parts of your body and viscerally feel where your body is resting heavily. See if you can really sink into the feelings in your body and Scan your feet, legs, buttocks, torso, arms, hands, neck & head. What parts of you truly feel settled? Indulge those parts, sending your breaths to allow even more heaviness and warmth. 

Now do a check in with where you may be less settled. Can you be curious as you find Where there may be holding. Breathe and scan. Do not try to change it. Breathe and scan. Just notice. Do not just go to the places that you have experienced tension in the past, do a truly visceral check in. Breathe and scan. Sometimes there is tension in someone’s feet or ankles. Or the lower back may not always let go. Maybe it’s the shoulders. There can be holding in the hands or fingers. The jaw is a spot that doesn’t always let go. Sometimes it can be in the eyes or the brows. Breathe and scan.  

As you reveal the places there is holding in your body, Can you gently focus your breaths into those areas of tension? Imagine that tightness can simply dissolve from the expansion of your breath. Stay gentle. Just breathe and ‘poof’! Dissolve that tension.  

Notice your breathing one last time. Notice the smoothness. The ease. The depth. Notice the warmth and heaviness of your body. You are in a safe, warm and comfortable place.  

Do not rush to open your eyes, if you plan to. If your breaths have deepened, you can energize them a bit before you let in the light. When you are ready, allow your eyes to crack open and move slowly at first. 

Thank you for joining me today. Do you want me to compose you your own Guided Harmony? Feel free to reach out. Have a wonderful day and know you invested in your own wellness and Onthis will reach all of those around you.