Years ago, I attended a weekend-long workshop on mindful healing techniques, and for the duration of that weekend, we were banned by the teacher from using the word “still”.
As in, “the tension is still there” or “I’m still feeling anxious”. We just weren’t allowed to express things that way.
Not because we needed to ignore pain or anxiety, but because, as the teacher explained to us, reverting to the word “still” pulled the past into our present. Defaulting to that kind of description means our brain is going looking for what it expects to be there, instead of remaining attuned to what is. Which makes it harder for us to notice what changes are happening, and can stop those changes in their tracks.
And, it’s never actually accurate. We are in a constant state of transformation. One moment to the next, it is impossible for anything to stay 100% the same, so nothing is ever truly “still” the way it was.
So instead, we were encouraged always to be asking ourselves, “what’s new?”
We would rate sensations on a scale of 1-10 before a practice and then repeat after, so we could notice when the tension that we would have been tempted to say was “still” there had actually gone from a 9 to a 7, a precious shift we could build on once we were aware of it.
We would encourage ourselves to notice the way our anxiety had changed shape or texture, the new vantage point we could feel ourselves looking at it from.
Even if that experience is, in fact, “still” present, that is nowhere near the most honest or the most curious way to describe it. There is always movement happening, and it is our job to remain sensitive and responsive to that movement.
Subtle shifts in trajectory can amount to monumental transformation if they are acknowledged and allowed to continue.
So, as we near the end of a week of grounding morning practices, I’d love for you to ask:
What’s new?
What’s here that wasn’t here before?
What has shifted, in your perspective, conversations, or sensations as a result of the moments you’ve spent turning towards yourself this week?
The curiosity you offer yourself lays the foundation for momentum to build, so offer yourself as much as possible!
Day 6!
For all watching the replay, you are invited to make your presence known! Drop a comment, let me know where you’re watching from, share what surprised, confused, or delighted you in this practice. Your participation shapes the experience we all have!
Today we listened to Domenique Dumont’s album People on Sunday.
I’ll be back tomorrow morning (7am central) with new prompts and new music and a new opportunity to discover ourselves.
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