January 2009
Centering: The Heart of Self Care
Centering: the practice of living from our inner being with an open heart.
Why? It opens self to Divine Self providing for rich self discovery, wholeness, meaning and guidance.
Here are two techniques that I incorporate into my healing practice with my clients and do daily for my own self care.
The first technique begins by making sure that you can feel your whole body. To do this breath in slowly and deeply, allowing your breath to permeate your whole body. As you breathe out allow your body to settle into the moment without judgement of how things may seem to be – simply relax. Take as many breaths as you need to feel your body – at least 3. Maintaining the connection with your body, imagine that you have your own personal space around you that extends a distance that is most comfortable for you. The space can be very close to your body and up to arms length away. Use your breath again to help make this space real to you. Set your intention that this space is your space, it provides protection and peace for you -whatever you set your intention for.
When you are ready, maintain your awareness of your body and the space around you and bring your awareness into your heart. You may use your breath again to deepen your sense of your heart space. As you breathe into your heart and your heart begins to open allow the sensation to permeate your whole body and space around you. Rest in this awareness. As you practice it will become easier. You can call on this practice when you need to throughout the day to help you come back to Self and for a quick pick up.
During times when I am particularly stressed I use this technique in the following fashion. I think of my little 9 pound, brown poodle that I love so dearly. To help me connect and open my heart I think about and begin to feel the unconditional love that I feel for him. I notice my heart sensations by just bringing my awareness there. I can feel the softening. I then allow this sensation of love and softness to fill my body and energy field. It is lovely to rest in the space that this has created. Now by just thinking of my little dog and taking a few deep breaths I can quickly come back into this centered heart space. It takes practice to remember to do this during busy or stressful times but when I do remember – it sure helps.
The following alignment technique can be done on its own or after doing the above technique. It incorporates connecting to the mother earth, father sky and divine heart. A natural flow of energy develops that connects you to your ground and sky connection as well as the universal heart – oneness. Some of you may recognize it as similar to Drunvelo Melchizedek’s work.
Connect with a place in nature that you love.
Bring it to the present time and place.
Connect to the earth through the root and grounding channels.
Send love to the mother and receive her love back.
Without loosing this connection, connect to father sky, send love and receive his love back.
Sit in your heart space in this connection to earth-sky.
Once your awareness is somewhat stable in the heart space, then find the place where the individual heart connects and merges with the universal heart. You can simply experience it as the divine if you want to put a word to it and remain in that place free of distraction- allowing thoughts to dissolve as they arise.
Both of these techniques are very useful meditation techniques. They can be done together or separately and incorporated into stillness practice and walking meditation practice. After a while it becomes easier to come in to any time of day.
As you practice more, you will notice increasing benefits.
I would love to hear from you and of your experiences with this practice.
I would like to acknowledge my mentors – Claudette Bouchard and Brian Finnie. Without them, I would not be writing the above information.
Catherine
