Hello dear friends!
It's been a long time since I have written last as we were busy with our retreat in Ibiza. Which was just amazing (as you can see in the photo above!:).
Both Maurice and I feel so humbled that we are in a position to co-create spaces that invite people to drop in and unwind in order for their spirit to come out and play. And frankly, time and time again, I see that is really the most important thing in our lives. Making space.
Space for feeling, space for breathing, space for resting, space for releasing, space for connecting, space for replenishing
Space for the Sacred.
So how come that that actually becomes so difficult?
Isn't it something that should just be the most natural, most easy thing to do, to take care of ourselves in that way?
Reflecting on that, …there are so many layers, but I want to address one of them in particular.
So often I see in the healing/personal growth spaces that the focus is still so much on letting go of limiting beliefs. Watching negative mindsets and transforming them with affirmations, visualisations and more compassionate self-talk. That's all well and good. But it's only one small part of the equation. The other one hardly gets mentioned.
That is, that it's not about the content of our minds but the very quality itself.
How we use our mind has a stronger impact on our experience of reality than any affirmations ever could.
To be more precise: your ability to focus, to deeply rest your attention on one object alone, is the single most powerful tool you will ever have.
Why?
Because Concentration equals Serenity.
It means being able to be at ease and at peace with yourself.
Have you ever seen the movie of the guy that slack-lined between the twin towers? He was in a state of utter bliss. And he was in that state because he was fully absorbed in the present moment, as if his life depended upon it (and of course in that moment it really did).
That's the power of concentration and focus.
And that's a power that we are, with increasing speed, losing. Mass social media consumption has done to our brain what no negative belief ever could: it instilled a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction that no amount of wet dreams coming true will ever be able to quench.
This restless mind of ours is the reason why we feel so disembodied, so disconnected, so lost. The energy of a mind in constant multi-tasking and distraction mode, creates very incoherent energy in the body. Incoherent energy that feels so uncomfortable to be with that we need constant distraction and stimulation.
While scrolling down social media, for example, we are looking for something that will scratch that itch, but nothing ever does. Because it can't. That’s just not how it works. What would scratch that itch, is to deeply rest our attention on our bodies. That would start bringing our energy back into coherence. But concentration and focus is a muscle that we have to train. Use it or lose it. So what's our first next step?
In other words we have to make space for the Sacred again.
We need to come into a space of stillness and focus our attention inwards away from the distractions of the outside world.
We need to learn how to deeply concentrate on that which is important to us and not give our precious energy away so easily.
We need to give our being the chance to exhale and to come to a state of rest.
Imagine, what a relief that would be. To just stop for a moment. Ah…..
And of course, it takes practice to be with that initial discomfort of suddenly bringing our attention back to us and feeling all that's misaligned and agitated within us. That's why it's hard to do it. Because it's uncomfortable. Because when we are so full, the momentum of life wants to keep us running in circles. Chasing after that illusory carrot.
And that's why in our crazy world retreats are so necessary. They create space in which we can come back to ourselves, away from distractions, to find that sense of serenity within, and without having to do it all alone.
They help us re-focus our lives.
To reconnect with that which is Sacred to us. And to go out into the world with this deep imprint of knowing that that feeling will always be available to us. It just takes some commitment to make space for it, as a practice on a daily basis. This is really the Sacred Warrior's path.
May you always feel connected to the life force within you.
May all beings be happy and free from suffering.
If you like what you read, you can buy me a coffee! Thank you!
Kasia Patzelt is an Artist, Laughter Yogi, and Embodiment Coach. She helps people to release trauma and learn the art of self-compassion through embodiment practices and creativity.