Rest and Reset

Isn’t it amazing what a good night’s restful sleep will do!

I have been waking up at 4 am for about a month now, and actually I notice it happens every time I get too busy, whether from teaching classes, an online training I used to lead, or more recently, preparing for a local event with a wonderful author and teacher: when I get hyped up into overdrive, my nervous system goes out of whack.

SoulCollage® card for Deep rest

This morning, after sleeping alone with my peaceful puppy Lou Lou, in our very quiet sanctuary in the country at Cozy Creek, I woke up at 6 am, amazed that I had slept through the night, even after two glasses of wine with supper. (I’ve been convinced it was low blood sugar waking me up).

The comfy bed certainly helped, but I also think it’s the absolute quiet here, and unplugging from everything, that helped me hear myself. It’s not always possible to run off to get a massage, or pay for monthly osteopathic treatments to get that reset. And I am very curious about resetting the inner rhythm my vagus nerve thrives on, that core vibration behind my breathing. I'm always looking for ways to calm and relax the solar plexus that mostly feels anxious or afraid, or blocked in protective mode, even when there is no apparent outside threat. (There is old trauma here, I know, and therapy also helps).

So this morning I was meditating on what brings me a feeling of release, (after spending an hour practicing peace in the stillness of my darkened bedroom). A few things I love: the sound of rain on the roof, the trilling of insects in summer gardens (the cicadas and crickets are especially loud at night these days); the silence of snow falling; a crackling fire; the spring chorus of morning birds in the trees, the rustling of leaves high in the branches, the wind’s whisper. But most simply, what brings me there is the inner feeling of stillness once I settle down inside and listen to the One sound. The feeling of peace inside myself, when I am centered and calm.

In my search for ways to be calm and reset my nervous system, I notice that while the calm of my silent bedroom is helpful, and I love the treatments from my gentle intuitive osteopath, no one else can be that anchor of calm in the rough seas for me. I need to carry this inner sanctuary with me everywhere, and learn to stick with it more closely. To feel the inner rhythm of life, and find the candle in the dark to light my way.

Attunement to inner harmony is possible, and with practice, I begin to unwind the grip anxiety has on me. It feels yummy to be in presence and drink it in; it calms my hunger. I want to be with this more often, to choose to align with the real, the constant, because the energy that runs the Universe is running me too. And I begin to learn to trust it.

www.premrawat.com

Reading the book Breath by Prem Rawat, I find many metaphors for the power of grounding in the breath. And he reminds me of how important it is.

My humble suggestion, find a teacher who can hold a mirror to your Self, and show you how to allow knowing, and feeling peace, not words alone, to anchor you. Then you can carry it with you, wherever you go.