This week we are discussing the mental aspect of self, our intellect and capacity to think and reason. It encompasses our thoughts, beliefs and values. Our thoughts or mind chatter is the inner conversation that is continuous and repetitive. It is one of the biggest problems right now as it can feed our fear and anxiety. Finding an inner balance or sense of neutrality can help us to relax and be present in the moment. This will benefit our relationships with family, peers, co-workers and communities. Searching for this inner balance leads us to our mind, which is where we revert to when we feel we “need to think” or figure out a problem.
When we are seeking inner balance, the ego (or what navigates our emotions) often dominates and promotes an emotional response based on our past experiences. This influences our ability to find solace in the present. We tend to remain connected to the ego which makes it difficult to separate ourselves from it, thus hindering our ability to identify when the ego has come into play. It is important to not lessen the necessity of the ego however, as it serves as a compass and steers us in the direction of what is happening to us emotionally.
What are some strategies you can utilize to cultivate inner balance? It is very important to get to know yourself inwardly. You need to stifle the mind chatter at times so that you can truly discover who you are and what you want. Only then can you decide on a course of action. Meditation allows you to explore your inner self. It is not necessary to meditate for very long, you can start out with 10 minutes. Eventually, you can work up to 30 minutes to an hour. It is an excellent way to quiet, for a time, the turbulent thoughts in your mind.
Yoga, hypnosis and massage are also excellent tools as they too quiet the ceaseless chatter. Spending time in nature, a Shamanic ceremony for example, is a fun and calming process. You can think in terms of what do I hear? What do I know in this moment? If this does not work for you, it can be something as simple as walking meditation. As you are walking, you can meditate by focusing on all of the beauty and sounds around you that can only be found in nature.
You may be wondering how and where you can implement these new strategies. It is important to start out slow, especially if you are new to this. Make an appointment with yourself and commit to this for 90 days. Take a trip out to the country or the mountains or a local park once a week or once a month. Eventually, you will develop a new habit that will begin to create the harmony and peace you are seeking.
Thursday, May the 7th, is a Full Moon. Full moon energy is fantastic for seeing what is ready to be birthed and changed. It is a time to release the old so that when the new moon comes, you are able to bring new ideas and creations to life, including reinventing yourself. The full moon is great for cleansing gemstones and anything that needs to bathe in the moonlight. The energy of the moon is feminine and moves with the feminine cycles. Remember, cleansing and clearing.
This Sunday, May the 10th, is Mother’s Day. This can be hard on us mentally, as we are unable to engage in our traditions due to the current situation. There are still many excellent ways however to treat mom this year. A few options are, working in the garden, flower delivery, brunch delivery, distant backyard meetings, an at home day spa or a video call. Happy Mother’s Day!
