I Love You. I am Listening.

I'd like to invite you into one of my favorite practices. It takes less than five minutes but has the potential to have a lasting effect.

Take a moment right now to pause.

Place your hand on your heart.

Notice how it feels to simply meet yourself there in that hand to heart connection.

Take a few breaths, allowing the length of the exhale to extend a little more than your inhale. Feel the support of the ground beneath you. Feel the flow of your breath within you.

Then say these words to yourself:

I love you. I am listening.

Now repeat the words again, perhaps even several times until it really feels like an authentic question, rather than simply going through the motions. Then take the time to listen. Really listen. Don’t listen with your mind, listen with your heart. Listen with your body. Listen from deep within you where your wisdom and deep stillness reside. You're not listening for a specific response. There is not a right or wrong when it comes to this practice. It’s simply a willingness to slow down and ask the question.

Our bodies know when they are being listened to, just like our bodies know when they are being ignored. When we ignore our bodies (i.e. powering through instead of resting, overriding pain instead of tending to it, etc.), they speak to us in constriction, "louder" pain, overall discomfort. When we take time to listen to our bodies, they feel heard. They may respond by softening, releasing tears, tension, and stress. Perhaps a voice comes in or just a feeling.

I did this meditation a few weeks ago. It brought tears to my eyes, because I realized it had been a little while since I had checked in in a deeper way. What came to me was simple. It wasn’t even words, to be honest. It was a feeling of simply being held and heard. I think we underestimate the power of what it means to be held and heard by our own selves. Taking this time helps us create a better relationship within ourselves and our mind-body connection.

Give the practice a try. I would love to hear how it goes for you!

Peace and Love,

Amanda