Last week I held my great-niece Nneora (Nora) for the first time. What a precious experience. As her body relaxed fully into my arms, my body softened, and my mind was still. I was completely mesmerized by her beauty and presence.
Nneora’s presence opened my heart to something deeper within my soul.
This is how we came into the world, like Nneora; present, aware, not striving or forcing.
Then over time our ability to relax, be present and trust was encumbered by our conditioning.
Beliefs that we have to force things, work hard to get ahead, and make things happen (including our spiritual path) are common amongst the collective consciousness.
This makes it difficult to connect to a deeper sense of self when we are always putting in a lot of effort or applying pressure. It creates tension in our mind and body leaving little room for presence.
What’s required is space to breathe, to be, to feel, to inquire and to experience the moment fully.
We may have been conditioned a certain way, but as adults we get to question whether these beliefs or behaviours serve our highest good.
We can change our programming. We can delete the outdated software (beliefs) in our computer (mind).
So, what would happen if you relaxed into your life more?
I recently attended a Diamond Approach retreat where we explored how relaxing into our life, and our experience is the key to connecting to our True Nature.
While this might sound very appealing to one part of us, to the ego it’s not so appealing.
Our Inner Critic might say something like, “Relaxing into life? What do you mean by that? We don’t have time to relax into our life. That’s being lazy!”
The ego-self doesn’t like it when we create more space in our life. It feels threatened. It likes to be full of distractions, stuff, busyness.
The journey to our True Nature is delving into the space, having the courage to be, to relax into our body and our life, to feel, to inquire, to explore with curiousity.
We are going back to that place of innocence and simply being, where Nneora is now.
We aren’t exploring security we are cultivating trust, no matter what.
In the Diamond Approach they call it basic trust. This is when you don’t know what’s going to happen, but you know it’s going to be ok.
Ego is built from distrust. It has conditions. Basic trust has no conditions. It is the quality of presence that brings ease to the nervous system.
Every time we make a choice to support ourselves, we strengthen our basic trust.
It can only happen in this moment – not the past of the future.
When we relax into our life, we are creating space for presence. We are connecting to the natural rhythm and flow of life. We invite in more love and trust.
Just like nature shows us how to relax and go with the flow, we are given an opportunity in each moment to be with our experience and connect to the deeper meaning of our existence.
Like anything this takes practice. One moment at a time.
Where we can start?
By slowing down.
Someone might say ‘My life is too busy to slow down.’ What if slowing down actually creates more space and time in our life.
Sounds impossible? Try it for yourself.
How does it feel to walk slower, eat slower, take notice of your breath, be present as you go about your daily tasks?
Our body tells the story. Pay attention. Feel. Be present.
How does your body feel?
Is it filled with tension? Is it tight? Are you reactive?
When do you feel more relaxed, present, and spacious in your body?
Take notice of:
Your surroundings.
How you move in your body.
How are you feeling in this moment?
We are getting to know ourselves by paying attention in this moment and letting go of an agenda.
It is grace to have the passion and desire to know oneself, and when we can combine that passion with the willingness to let go of striving and forcing, it creates an opening to the depth of our soul.
If I can support you in releasing stress, anxiety, and fear and help you to relax into your life please contact me about my private coaching. I’d love to work together.
Sending love and light,
Diane