Befriending the Soul of Who You Are

Ever found yourself so swept up in the pressures of everyday living that you lost touch with your own inner world? Like most people in our increasingly complex outer world of multiple roles, information overload and the responsibilities of work, family and financial obligations, you’ve probably learned to override your deeper needs and put yourself last. Though you may sense it’s a good idea to slow down on occasion to reflect on life and attend to the soul of yourself, you may also feel there’s little opportunity in your busy already filled life to take that time. The fast paced rhythm of modern life keeps grabbing your attention away from the subtler, quieter voice of your inner world.

This blog is dedicated to the Soul of who you are that longs for the freedom to enjoy your life. It’s also dedicated to the conscientious one that you are who strives to meet the demands and responsibilities of life — who wishes there were more time to do it all, and who — given the encouragement, opportunity and guidance — is interested in attending to and drawing from the rich inner resources of who you are.

Simple, Everyday Practices for Befriending the Soul of Who You Are

1. Inner Slowing Down with Focused Attention: The pace of the outer world in today's society is fast and frenzied. The natural tendency for most people is to match that rhythm both outwardly and inwardly without noticing. Before you know it you’re speeding along with everyone else, feeling stressed, pressured and revved up. But did you know it’s possible to slow down on the inside and still keep an effective pace with the outside? Great athletes are good at this. A downhill skier, snowboarder or speed skater can move with incredible speed while maintaining an inner calm along with steady, focused attention.

Try this: while commuting on the freeway or working on a project or attending a high powered meeting — take a long slow breath and imagine a soothing balm spreading through you. Keep a soft, focused attention on your task at hand as you consciously slow yourself down on the inside. This will actually improve your productivity, others will perceive you as present and attentive — and you will feel less stressed and more calm inside.

2. Noticing the Beauty of Nature: No spare time in your already packed schedule? Not a problem — this practice takes very little time and often none at all. Since nature is all around, all you need to do is practice the art of noticing.

Try this: Walking from your car on your way to a meeting, pick something out in your natural surroundings and pay attention to it — a tree or branch of a tree, the sweeping lines of its particular design; the ground under your feet; even on the pavement there can be pebbles, leaves, grass growing through the cracks, a tiny flower; look up at the sky; notice the shapes of clouds; feel the air, breezes, fragrances, temperature. Breathe in the nourishment, take note of the beauty, feel the vitality of being alive.

3. Conscious Eating: Do you sometimes skip meals? Eat on the run, at your desk or in your car? If and when you do sit down for a meal, do you add in another activity — reading, going over a report, watching TV, or discussing business with an associate?

Try this: have a meal, sitting down in silence without any other added activity. You can do this alone or with willing others. It’s an ideal way to practice “inner slowing down.” Take a long slow breath before beginning. Reflect with gratitude on all that went into the preparation of the meal. Then savor each bite, noticing textures, flavors, the sensation of swallowing, feeling the nourishment, the calming and the energizing effects of the food. Believe it or not, this can be done in a very short time. Like the other practices, it’s a matter of shifting the focus of your attention and cultivating awareness of your inner world.