Yogis,
I have written about worry many times. However
it keeps coming back to me as something that can use consistent awareness since it seems to hold so many in its grip. It is
a powerful energy and while it’s easy to say “I’m not going to worry” it’s not
as easy to do.
Recently I have had some people close to me going through
health challenges. Illnesses, surgeries
and hospital stays. So over these last couple of weeks I have had
some new insights on both worry and its counterpart – compassion.
First let’s start with worry.
·
Worry happens in the mind
·
It’s energy is one of contraction – it narrows
and focuses the topic at hand
·
The more attention it is given the more it ramps
up, spiraling from one point to the next and to the next
·
The rest of the body becomes rigid and breathing
becomes shallow
·
It does not feel good
·
Sometimes it seems that the only way to avoid it
is to stay very busy. Distracted.
·
We often feel it is our duty, our obligation to
those we love to worry about them
Worry is a projection of the future, very rarely with a positive
outcome. It is our way of imagining the myriad of things that could possibly go
wrong. Often it runs in loops projecting
the same images over and over and over. No direction.
No true purpose. Worry never
changes the outcome, yet causes us to lose our sense of peace in the present.
Compassion.
·
Happens in the heart
·
An energy of amazing expansion – boundless and free
·
The more attention it is given the more strength
it gathers causing you to shine brighter
·
The rest of the body becomes light and spacious
and breathing becomes full
·
It feels wonderful
·
Once it is found we want to embrace it and
remain in its company (although it may cause tears as we truly touch others
suffering)
·
We haven’t all been taught the difference to be
able to choose compassion over worry
Compassion is focused in the present. Its direction is clear. It has a pure purpose. Compassion, I believe, can indeed have a
positive effect on the outcome – even if it is merely the other feeling held
and loved by our energy. Compassion
equals connection.
Worry is fear based. Compassion is love based.
So let’s imagine a scenario.
Say I have a cousin named Betty who is going through a major surgery.
Option #1:
I worry. I tell
everyone I am worried. I find friends
who will discuss our combined worry. I google all of the things than can go
wrong. I think through all of the
possibilities – her not making it through; what will happen to the kids; they
will grow up with no mom; Or maybe she will make it through but not have her health. I pace.
I go to bed and wake up in the middle of the night. Here is where worry LOVES to party. The stories get worse. I can’t sleep. I feel nauseous. Now the next day while the surgery is going
on I am exhausted from no sleep. I keep
very busy so I can calm the worry. Only
when I get the call that everything is ok do I take my first full breath and
let my body relax.
Option #2:
That evening I work with imagining Betty at her healthiest
and drawing that feeling of her toward me so we are together. I breathe with her. I smile at her. I begin to notice my heart and with each
inhale I send her love. The heart keeps
opening wider and wider until I feel as if love is rushing out of me directly
into her. I do this one more time
before going to sleep and visualize her leaving the hospital healed. I sleep soundly. In the morning I am fully rested and can hold
her in my presence with love and compassion during her surgery. Breathing fully together. When the phone rings I know that no matter
what I hear, I supported and held her throughout.
And if you were Betty, which one would you want from your
family and friends?
This week begin to notice your worry triggers. Feel the energy of worry and give it
words. Describe it to yourself. Catch yourself at it. Smile at it.
…….and then drop your awareness down into the heart.
Please don’t worry about
me,
SARAH
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