Self Guided Journey:
Chapter 7— Centre
It is August, and I am home from two months of major expansion training in collective trauma. I hope to include aspects of this work in my new online course — a programme which will explore leadership as a path of awakening. I will launch the course towards the end of the year, so keep a look out!
I was accompanied on my travels by Brook Weatherwell — a dear friend, colleague, and partner at Unity House. Brook’s expertise lies in somatic healing, and working with the intelligence of the body. Learning the wisdom of the body is so helpful. I have discovered, over the years, that if I try and process life purely through my mind, it quickly becomes overloaded — and I become overwhelmed. So, to begin your journey into somatic processes, Brook and I have worked together to create this month’s blog.
A note from Brook
The last two months have been full and enriching. Walking, training, and processing with Louise, I return to New Zealand filled with enthusiasm for life and good work.
Having an informed relationship with my body has been essential during this journey. The practices Louise and I are offering here will support you to increase your body literacy.
They can be used day-to-day in gentle playful ways, and become increasingly helpful in challenging situations.
Inquiry — Your centre
This practice is one of awareness. The body is an amazing source of information. Ask yourself: what does my body do without my being aware of it? We can often automatically move away from our centre without awareness. Depending on the situation or relationship, this might look like:
- Withdrawing — taking flight in subtle or not so subtle ways
- Becoming bigger — overpowering others
- Becoming smaller or freezing
- Opening or moving towards — becoming friendly and helpful.
We can move away from our centre for numerous reasons. And often, these responses of withdrawing, overpowering, shrinking, or opening were developed early in our life as strategies for managing challenges. Ask yourself:
- How do you move away from your centre?
- What is your main habit from the list above in working relationships? In friendships? In your romantic partnerships?
- Do you know how it feels to be centred and grounded?
- Do you have a current method or practice which helps you return to that place?
Action — Returning to your centre
Let’s try increasing the frequency with which we return to our centres. Spend a short time every day strengthening your sense of groundedness, then notice when and why you move away from your centre.
You can re-centre in a multitude of ways — below are some simple practices. Pick one and try using it during meetings, as you walk, or when you are sitting at your computer.
- Close your eyes and take a deep conscious breath. Focus on letting go on the outward breath.
- Look closely at something in nature, becoming present.
- Notice your feet on the ground. See if you can feel the relationship between you and what’s beneath your feet. Try breathing in and out through your feet, drawing energy up through the earth.
Practice — Internal spaciousness
When we are grounded we can meet situations with a degree of spaciousness inside ourselves. This gives us the opportunity to listen to what we are actually feeling, and provides us with greater choice as to the actions/non-action we might like to make.
Try asking yourself:
- Am I acting out of habit in this moment?
- How would I like to respond in this situation?
- How might I respond from my own centre? What it would have me say/do at this moment?
