Over the years, I have often been asked, "What brought you to Reiki?" Though I had multiple motivations to learn Reiki, the truest one was that I was seeking to re-learn from my body again. I had been a people-pleaser for so long- my whole life- that I had lost touch with my inner voice.
Back then, if you had asked me something as simple as if I wanted to go to a certain place for dinner, I would have said "yes," immediately, without any knowledge of my own preferences. I didn't have a good sensor about who around me had my best interest at heart or who might not.
I began learning Reiki as I nearly concurrently began attending 12-step Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families.
After my father's suicide (that’s the short story) in 2011, I jumped onto a path of learning about how to take care of my mental and emotional health in a new and critical way. I tried a lot of modalities and therapies, all of which helped stretch me and grow. To recover my true intuitive knowledge and body’s messages, I found the biggest supporters were Reiki for body and ACA for mind, and both for deep, emotional learning.
I wouldn't say it's been an easy road but I consider it some of the most important work I've done in my life and certainly the most meaningful work toward truly knowing and loving myself.
Many of us, at some point in our lives, find ourselves disconnected from our bodies. This disconnect often stems from years of prioritizing others' needs over our own, whether it's through societal expectations, family obligations, or the simple desire to be liked. Over time, this behavior can silence our inner voice, making it difficult to recognize our own desires, boundaries, and needs. We may have experienced symptoms like chronic fatigue, anxiety, and physical pain as our body tries to signal that something isn't quite right.
We natural "givers" may be challenged for the rest of our lives with differentiating between what others request of us and what we ourselves actually need. It can be confusing, especially in the context of overstimulation. But, don't worry! There's hope. By practicing pausing, taking a breath and asking myself, "What does Marshall need right now?," I can tell you that my self-listening skills are more fluent than ever.
Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor/Unsplash
A Path to Reconnection: A Guided Meditation
Find a quiet, comfortable space to relax. Get settled by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths to center yourself. Allow any thoughts to simply pass through without getting caught up in them.
Root Chakra: Bring your awareness to the base of your spine. Envision a warm, red light glowing in this area. You can place your hands here if it feels natural. Check in with yourself - "What would help me to feel grounded and secure right now?" Notice any sensations, words or images that arise and imagine breathing rejuvenating, red energy into this chakra.
Sacral Chakra: Move your focus to your lower abdomen, picturing a vibrant, orange light. Position your hands on this area if you'd like. Inwardly ask "Which emotions or creative stirrings are asking for my attention right now?" Allow whatever comes up to be there as you send nurturing, orange energy to honor your feelings and creativity.
Solar Plexus: Shift your awareness up to your upper abdomen, seeing a radiant yellow light. Ask yourself "What thoughts or circumstances help me to feel empowered and confident? What seems to be a drain of my energy?" Visualize this yellow light amplifying your inner strength.
Heart Chakra: Bring your attention to your heart center, imagining a soothing green glow. You can place your hands over your heart if it feels comforting. Check in with "What do I need to give and receive love more openly right now?" Send yourself compassionate, green energy.
Throat Chakra: Focus on your throat area, picturing a calm, blue light. You can cup your hands around your throat or if that feels uncomfortable to you, gently rest them on your collarbone. Notice any tension and consciously relax as you ask "What truths do I need to express more clearly?" Visualize blue energy amplifying your voice.
Third Eye: The space between your brows illuminates with an inquisitive, indigo light. Silently ask "What insights or intuitive inklings are emerging to benefit me right now?" Stay open and curious about any imagery or understanding that arises to enhance your inner wisdom.
Crown Chakra: Envision the crown of your head bathing in a pure, white or violet light. Sense into "How am I feeling my connection to the sacred in this moment?" Bask in this light and your divine essence.
Now, take a few deep breaths, slowly bringing your awareness back to your surroundings. When you're ready, begin wiggling your fingers and toes to ground back into your physical body. Take some renewing breaths and gently blink your eyes open. Have a nice big stretch and give yourself gratitude for taking this time to nurture and connect with your energy system.
You may wish to wrap up your meditation by journaling or reflecting on any messages that felt personally meaningful from this meditation, especially about any insights or sensations you experienced.
Embracing Your Inner Wisdom Learning to listen to your body's messages through practices like this meditation can be profoundly transformative. As you become more attuned to your body's signals, you'll find greater clarity and confidence in your decisions. You'll develop a deeper understanding of your needs, boundaries, and desires, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Be mindful that, once you are listening to your body, it may begin to share with you at a higher volume! When I began this process, I noticed a lot more aches and pains than I had before. I invite you to stay curious but don’t panic. This is the process! Well done.
As you pay more attention, you also begin to act in accordance with your and your body’s needs which shifts those discomforts and embodies you more and more.
Re-learning to listen to your body is an ongoing process, one that requires devotion and self-compassion. By taking the time to tune into your body's messages, you can foster a deeper connection with yourself and lead a more authentic and fulfilling life. Remember, your body is always communicating with you; all you need to do is to- in more moments- listen. ♥️
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