Presence-ing

Holiday season ushers in a time replete with ordering, shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning, visiting, hosting, gifting, dating, skiing, travelling, skating, performing, and so much more. In all its goodness, it can also become a time where we become overwhelmed, and perhaps lose ourselves… or as my tai chi master often said, ‘getting pulled out of your self’. Have you ever chatted with a friend only to realize that he/she did not hear a word you said? When was the last time you asked your pal about their new job and then went home thinking that you do not even remember what position they held? Or what about the Christmas party that you dreaded because you know hardly any people there…how did you manage the three hours? Or the time you offered a toast but could not remember a single line, despite practicing, out of nervousness? Busy-ness, self-consciousness, anxiety, unexpected demands, and the like can easily pull us out of ourselves. I have used a very simple practise over many years to help me stay present in various situations. While not foolproof (the only fool is me), this practice has helped me to stay present firstly to myself, then to others and my surroundings so that I can engage from a place of calm and stay grounded. Let’s try it out:

Presence thru breath and gravity. (a few minutes, and ongoing….)

• Wherever you are: tune into your breathing, really sensing your body expanding on the inhaling, and condensing on the exhaling. As you elongate your inhale, try to soften your muscles so that you can expand even more; as you exhale, feel yourself rest into your support (floor/chair/etc).
• As you continue to breathe, try to deepen your relationship to the earth, yielding into the pull of gravity. Feel how the earth is supporting you by holding you. The more that you relax, the more you will feel the generosity of gravity and its support.
• Breathing and yielding…no one can take that away from you: you nourish yourself thru breath, the earth supports you from below. Continue the practice of breathing and yielding as a background (and as a foreground if needed) to all your interactions and activities.

• Options:
  • As you inhale, silently remind yourself of one of your affirmations (see November blog); as you exhale allow the earth’s support to enhance your posture…not holding, not restricting, but facilitating elegance.
  • Let your specialized senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and movement to enhance your experience of yourself and others and the context in which you find yourself. ENJOY BEING PRESENT!