Those Quiet Hums Of The Heart, May Just Be The Spark That Changes This Loud World
Finding Your Own Personal Seed Mantra And Some Soothing Sounds To Help Usher In The Winter Season
Greetings Dear Readers!
How are we feeling right here, right now? Let’s just take a sec. Deep breath in…open mouth…just let it all out. Do that two more times and see if you feel any difference.
There we are.
So something I’ve been pondering is ‘how do we help ourselves heal from a broken heart…especially during the holiday season?’
I am honestly asking this question, of my myself. So, why not write about it as I work it out. The best way I can see myself through hard moments, as I’ve learned so far is by giving gratitude, where gratitude is due. But also by learning the art of reframing. A good ‘reframe’ is the best way I have found to help me take back my agency.
This brokenhearted business can really do a number on any of us at the holidays. I think it’s the mirroring of joy to grief. We can tangibly see such goodness, abundance and hope around us. Which can magnify the lack and crank up our own inner sadness and grief. Queue the Ebenezer Scrooge effect.
Our human brains like resolution. Placing blame on ourselves or others, as the reason for what ever it is that’s happening, will just perpetuate the cycle and reinforce those feelings of heaviness.
“Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but a lie.”
-St. Vincent De Paul
I think what is real and true are feeling these emotions and knowing that we have the power to organize these emotions. Ultimately, choosing to let go. (Even though that can be extremely hard to do and it doesn’t just happen overnight.) We can choose to piece our hearts back together like a puzzle, at the rate at which we want to do it. Very slowly or in a more accelerated way, with support. Allowing our own humility to rise to the surface. We may find parts of ourselves, along the way, that fit next to other parts. Having no idea that these parts would fit and click together so well. Maybe even opening up our own hearts to some gratitude.
Renewing our mindsets everyday is a way to release the prideful feelings. ‘Those inner dialogue stories that we tell ourselves… ‘we should know better, we should know how to pull ourselves out from where ever we are at better, we should just be better on our own. We should, we should, we should…’
We need to understand it’s ok, not to be ok. But, we can find ways to comfort ourselves, on our own terms, especially, during very triggering moments.
Lately, I’ve been exploring the idea of a personal mantra thanks to the lovely book I’m currently reading called The Mantram Handbook by Eknath Easwaran. It’s been very consoling and helpful to my own healing process. In this book, Eknath, talks about choosing something familiar. Perhaps, leaning into a prayer or word that comes from a tradition you were raised in. Even if you haven’t thought about these words in years. But, perhaps knew them well, as a child. He outlines different mantrams from different traditions for the reader to explore. For me, using this method, as we head into the holiday season has been like a healing balm. It’s given my mind a way to focus during moments of trial. A seed that I can water, nurture and watch grow. To fall in love again.
Instead of going to places that will heighten my anxiety. I have been able to fix my gaze on these comforting words, rising within, just as the sun comes up to shine each new day, so does my renewed spirit.
I will hold my own personal mantra close to my heart. But, I will share another ‘go-to’ that is completely appropriate for this season of gratitude and hope. You can borrow it if you want.
“Amen, Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Amen.”
Choose some words of comfort for yourself. Pick out your own seeds to plant. Maybe give it a try next time you feel hijacked by anxiety. Have it ready to go in your tool kit. As we joyfully gather with family and friends, we know, the stress of the season tends to, also, moves in. Let this be a tool or technique to turn to instead of perseverating on a thought that may not feel very good.
If you’ve been here for a while, since the beginning of the year, we have been working our way through a series we call our “Slow Chakra Crawl.” We have made it to the Third-Eye Chakra. Our energy has been rising, ever so slowly, in a beautifully controlled kind of way. Coming from our roots, passing through our navels, charging up into higher centers of consciousness, transforming energy into elevated arrangements. Energy cannot be destroyed, only changed into a different form. This has been the meaning behind understanding these chakras moving along our central channel upwards throughout this year. This chakra is also known as the Anja Chakra1 or ‘the seat of the soul.’ The meaning behind this chakra is quite beautiful.
The color that is associated with this chakra is purplish-blueish. Or white-blueish. This chakra is symbolized by an upside down triangle or a lotus flower. This center is located at the brow point, in the center, just above where the skull meets the bridge of the nose. It is associated with the understanding of transcending beyond the personal “I” into “we” and our connection with everything else in this world. Moving beyond duality into oneness with all that is.
The physical parts of the body that it is said to have an effect on is the pineal gland, which regulates our biorhythms, like our circadian rhythms. The pituitary gland, in the third ventricle of the brain, also known as the mystical “third-eye,” which helps to regulates our growth, metabolism, and reproduction. As well as, the optic nerve, and how we perceive light. 2
Sitting in a comfortable position, chin slightly tucked, so your posture is nice and straight. This allows the energy to flow easily along your central channel. Bring your gaze to your brow point, with eyes close. Concentrate with love and just go gently. Breathe long slow breaths. Stay quiet or speak your personal mantra on repeat. Let the bliss flow in.
Another way to soothe the soul is by listening to sounds that calm. This may help you as you meditate. Please enjoy this playlist…
Something else sweet and calming to listen to that was just released is the new album by Jahnavi Harrison called Into The Forest. So beautiful! Enjoy!
There we are my sweet friends! Wishing you a blessed break, whatever you maybe doing or whoever you maybe sharing time and space with!!
What words, prayer or mantra will you choose for yourself this season? What will be the seed you are choosing to plant and nurture? What sacred sound will be just for you this Winter season? Enjoy exploring what feels good to you!
chakras.info
chakras.info
Hi Mary Beth, I made myself a mantra that kept me going through the darkest caregiving days. Part positive affirmations, part meditation, part motivator. So this post resonates.
Thank you so much for your wise and soothing words, Mary Beth. I started out my morning listening to your Winter Sounds playlist and it was such a lovely way to move into the day.