Learning through contrast
When big things are happening in the world..the things that are hard, horrific, seemingly out of my hands, and beyond my understanding, I can get really stuck in the density of it all, find myself feeling anxious, dysregulated, become increasingly controlling towards my family or parter, then/or reaching for un-healthier vices all as means to somehow alleviate stress.
Getting swept into a fury of rapid research + discovery, suddenly consuming vast amounts of information, on what are usually very nuanced topics, and very soon I begin to feel overwhelmed and agitated.. mentally exhausting myself, and then going into a state of collapse. Can you relate?
This type of behaviour, connects us directly in to our fight or flight response in the body, and if not given awareness becomes perhaps a real danger to our mental health, and therefore impacts our ability to take conscious action, and we avoid collective responsibility.
In this digital age, where an endless stream of information is readily available, it has become the norm to be engulfed in a whirlwind of data consumption before we are hit yet again, with another traumatising headline.
The inability to really sit with, digest and integrate the information we consume, inevitably leads to a kind of mental disembodiment. We become like hyper-vigilant information hoarders, carrying an accumulation of unprocessed data without knowing how, when or if we can take time to feel, make sense of, let alone the ability to engage in meaningful conversations, muse to innovate, and inspire real action or change...
In order to assimilate anything, a need to orient to the sensations and frequency within the body/mind/field and cultivate the opposite of this kind of frenetic behaviour.. slow down, adopt a less is more mentality in terms of consumption, and intake. Quality > Quantity and sourcing the quality of the energy you wish to experience is essential in creating a change within and without.
Begin to check in: If it feels intense, or like it’s stimulating more than what you may have capacity for, what is the opposite energy to that?? Create space/time for that frequency
Polarisation + Projection
Alot of what I see, in comment-sections online, written on posts created by folks bold enough to speak up for their cause and create something, is: Polarisation ~ not necessarily a bad thing, as we need contrast to learn, but thereby resides alot of opinions vs. opinions, alot time/energy/focus offered by strangers on the internet from mis/un/alternatively-educated individuals - who are also triggered, dysregulated and looking to place their pain outide them (projection)
Anyway, it’s sobering, it’s exhausting, and it’s become what to expect when sourcing information/insight or anything of educational substance or inquiry on Social Media. Social media is that which was the National Inquirer in the 90’s, however everyone mainlines it like it’s “The News”.. *and in Canada, it may be even more so the case since we can’t access *real news"* on Social Media at all; Bill C-11 passed this year, and won’t allow Canadian’s to see local or international News on their social media feed whatsoever…
Living Research
I have personally been engaged and working with an non-profit project called Soul Seed Gathering for the past 3 years, and one of the methodologies we practice has to do with being a “living researcher”
To live the research is to allow ourselves to be changed by what we’re learning and to remain conscious and aware of that process.
This means rest + digest. Slowing down. Observe your breathing. It means taking difficult emotions, unprocessed grief, collective suffering, to ceremony, to circle, to community. It may mean intentionally retreating to the mundane tendings of real-life needs (safety, nourishment/hydration,shelter + kindness) to give room to feel.
What does it feel like to consciously receive information?
We are being bombarded, over-saturated ~ often times in a non-consensual manner ie: we have gotten *pretty good* as a collective, to use *trigger warnings* on content, but not everyone does, and not everyone slows down enough to read/notice a trigger warning… and so, by very nature of being on social media, you can and will be exposed to catastrophic, explicit, or traumatic acts violence without actually choosing it as content you want to see or engage in, and so can/does our kids…
Slowing Down
Slowing down, and focusing on the simple things that allow me to slow me down, bring me joy, create opportunity to me to contemplate, orient my emotions, actually have embodied conversations, or simply take time to journal my thoughts, ideas, visions and sorrows down in a safe + meaningful way, has become very important to me - it’s this cultivation of the opposite that instigates an inner shift.
The inner creates the outer…
In a society built on consumption, productivity, being an expert, having being the loudest voice etc, it is a radical act to pause. We have all been learning this the last couple years, collectively, but in feeling the overwhelm of this last week - I wonder how many of us are actually practicing…
Personal Inquiry | Community Presence
It is essential to our humanity to have spaces to feel, grieve, and express in community. I’m passionate about this, and hold this container at my weekly class at Casa Copal on Sundays at 10 AM - and in the collaborations I offer every month to create opportunities to breathe, listen, be seen, feel and heal.
Sharing in experiences to consciously work with our energy, our emotions etc, expands our capacity to feel empathy and compassion for others, (the more of this the better) it is in these spaces you cultivate tools for self-regulation through awareness, breath, movement, sound/toning, etc.
It’s essential we practice really listening, sensitising, and being present in the body as we continue to experience global challenges, navigate our triggers and traumatic events shared via the the internet..
What is it that I’m sensing in my body?
Practice a body scan and get familiar with where you notice tension, sensation, warm/cold etc.
What is to witness and hold emotions in your body as they arise rather than self-abandon?
How do I know when I’m activated, and how do I self soothe?
What kind of support do I need outside of what I can give myself?
How do I advocate for my own needs?
Lastly, does how I’m reacting or what I’m feeling need to be expressed on the internet? Only you can answer this, but I do feel the need to share the reminder that somethings are sacred, somethings are private, somethings require consent, sometimes you can just observe or listen… it doesn’t always mean you have to chime in.
You can journal about it. You can invite someone to sit with you and share a bowl of tea in silence. You can process with trusted council, or in an appropriate community space (like my class or Moon Temple etc)
But discernment is key, and only comes when we can regulate ourselves emotionally and connect to what is true and real for us individually through the process of assimilation, rest + digest.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT | Session Series
This Saturday Oct 21 from 6-1130 PM
Breathwork Journey, Soundbath , Community Connection, art + deep listening.
I’m collaborating with Mishka Ma,Damian Kai Norman, and Chris Noble to co-create this seasonal evening that is both an experience + a celebration!
An opportunity to come together with like-minded community, connect + share an experience.
Our intention is for you to leave the evening feeling elevated, empowered, full of bliss, + with some new friends!
* Sabia Healing will be at the event with free microdose samples for anyone interested in adding a microdose to their experience *completely optional
In addition to this evenings beautifully guided breathwork + soundbath experiences, there will be a grazing table with healthy high vibrational foods, and I will be delivering a DJ set for movement integration in a beautiful space to connect with community, nourish yourself, dance or continue to relax in your post-journey bliss.
Would love to have you join us!
💕 As a member of my community, receive a discounted ticked for this event by using the promo code COMMUNITY15 at checkout.
Get your ticket HERE
May you continue to source your unique needs + receive the support that is most nourishing for you at the time. As always, I’m here to offer my service or direct you to any resources I may have that may serve you.
with love,
SJ
So profoundly perfect for these times. Thank you thank you.