We’re in post-election week here in the US. Some of our country is thrilled by the presidential outcome, and many are saddened. My entire work day in-office on Monday this last week was spent consoling, uplifting and listening to many of my clients who are processing their feelings.
What I’m feeling within myself, and I think that most people feel, is that, regardless of who we wanted for our next leader, there is quite a bit of fear, anger, and apathy about what this outcome means. I wish I had a crystal ball to look into our future to see what it brings for all of us. Because I don’t (yet) have one of those available to me, I, instead, go deep into my meditation practice (closest thing to a crystal ball for me) to find some understanding about what it is that our country is going through right now.
The best that I can see is that this is ALL of our time to be extra kind, extra loving and extra compassionate toward one another. Many people have been afraid, feel unheard, and feel like their needs are not being met. Whether one is choosing one side or another, my feeling is that most people are experiencing these feelings, no matter what their viewpoint is. To this end, I feel that the best that we can all do, for ourselves and the planet is to work, once again, on ourselves. Remember that you are a reflection of the Universe and whatever you think, feel and say is projected out into the world and reflected back to you. We only have power over ourselves and our own environments.
You have a choice in every moment about what you would like to see your reality become. You can choose, right now, if you want to stop the fear and anger. You can choose love and peace. Through your choice, you change your viewpoint. I’ve been playing around with this for the past few weeks, and bringing myself back to love and peace feels way more powerful than feeling angry and fearful. When I choose love and peace, my breathing slows down, my pulse rate relaxes,and my thoughts transform into those of compassion. I prefer living like this because I know that when I’m in this state, I can stay in a place of power for myself and those around me.
Believe me, I go through places of fear for my family, my friends and people of color and different religions. I don’t like feeling like this. I feel dis-empowered, which leads to more fear, anger and frustration. I’m practicing transforming that fear into love: to my leaders, my community, and the world at-large.
I know this might be asking a lot from you right now.. there’s quite a bit to digest from news, social media and our discussions that we have. However, I’d like to invite you to consider, when you’re in a place of fear or anger, acknowledge those feelings. Allow yourself to feel them and notice what they are doing to your mind and body. When you acknowledge feelings, this allows you to let your mind go through what it needs to go through to process, rather than resisting those thoughts and feelings.
- Take a break from social media for 48 hours. I find that taking a break allows me to have my own process and to connect with ‘The Bigger Picture’ rather than constantly being pulled into other people’s emotions and negativity.
- I invite you to use your breath. Long, deep breathing helps to calm your nervous system, relax your muscles and slow your thoughts. I’ve found this to be the most powerful tool for transforming stress.
Breathe long and deep using this mantra: ‘Sat Nam’. It’s pronounced ‘Sat’, rhymes with ‘but’ and ‘Nam’, sounds like the ‘o’ in ‘mom’. This mantra translates to ‘Truth is my Identity’.
Come sitting with a straight spine with your eyes closed and your eyes focused up at the point between your eyebrows. Relax your hands into your lap or with your thumb and index finger gently touching on your knees. Begin with a long, deep inhalation from the the base of your spine, mentally chanting the word ‘Sat’. Bring the breath all the way up into the top of your head. Hold the breath for 10 seconds. Exhale slowly, mentally chanting the word ‘Nam’. Hold the breath out for 10 seconds. Remember to breathe from your abdomen, rather than your chest… this will give you more lung capacity. Try to make the inhale and exhale about 10 seconds each to make sure you are going at a slow pace. Continue for 1-11 minutes.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal.
Remaining in a place of gratitude helps you remember all that you have, rather than focusing on what you don’t have. Graciousness says ‘thank you’ to the Universe for all that you experience in life. When you think about it, there is always something to be grateful for: breath, health, family, warm homes, blankets, food, love… the list goes on.
I find that when I focus on all of the amazing people and all of the good things in the world, it pushes out the sad things. It becomes a prayer for all beings to be able to experience the same joy, love, prosperity, and feelings of security.
My Challenge to You:
This week, I invite you to try this:
- Sit in a quiet space where you can have an uninterrupted 3-11 minutes
- Close your eyes and begin to breathe long and deep.
- Notice any emotions that you experience and write them down.
- Feel them, acknowledge them, and thank them for being in your awareness.
- Take out your Gratitude Journal and begin writing about your emotions… both the seemingly positive and negative ones.
- Take another moment to close your eyes, breathing long and deep. Bring your breath into any areas that you feel stress. On the inhale, bring your breath to that place of stress or tightness and allow the breath to circulate there. On the exhale, release the stress and breath out. Practice this for 1-11 minutes.
- Return to you Gratitude Journal and write down 10 things that you are grateful for.
Practice daily.
My you feel fulfilled with light, love and healing.
As always, sending you and the planet healing prayers,
Dr. Arjan
