By C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, LCSW, DCSW
Co-Executive Editor
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One of the most common challenges for all ages in our culture is to find time and even the desire to be alone with oneself. By that I mean without the computer, TV, radio and other ordinary distractions. Some of the restlessness many of us experience comes from disconnection from our Soul. Our distractions disconnect us from ourselves. Even if we consciously know this to be so, many of us have a recurring loop that prevents us from taking the time to figure this out!
The focus of this column is to offer practical suggestions for us to tap into the resource of our own Soul. Each of us has an essence of ourselves that is not touchable by our five senses. We may think of this part of us as a Wisdom Self or our Wise Child/Woman/Man Self. It is the part of ourselves that exists within us, surrounds us and is beyond time and space. From this place of inner wisdom we can discover and express who we are and how we are evolving in creative ways.
One simple way to begin or deepen this connection to your own Soul is to ask for an image for the day from that same source. When you first wake up and are still in that between sleep and awake state, ask for an image from your Soul to guide you for the day. This image may be in the form of a memory. It might be a favorite childhood tree where you felt uniquely in harmony, a family vacation place where you were deeply touched with awe by something beyond your understanding, a favorite geographic area of the country or world where you felt at home--maybe for the first time. It could be an image of the face of a person who seemed to “get” who you really are and encouraged you to trust yourself. Or it could be a scene by the ocean with the fog lifting inviting the sun to break through and inviting you to explore your own inner mystery. Perhaps it will be a symbol that is more complex which calls for further reflection. If you choose to try this, you will discover your own personal image which can open up a new experience of who you are becoming.
We live in an image oriented culture. Some of us however, may perceive this “image” as a feeling, an auditory message, or a knowing. As we honor our own way of perceiving, we are tapping into the part of ourselves that knows who we have come to be in this lifetime--that is, our Soul. Our Soul longs to communicate with our personality. For that to happen, we need to keep adding to our repertoire of how we ask for our Soul’s guidance. Otherwise, our personality continues to run the show without the conscious wisdom of our deepest self!
What makes this different from just getting a memory? The answer is simple. It is the power of intention. When we set our intention to request an image from our Soul it hears our request and is delighted to respond. In fact, it has been waiting for us to ask. We then take this gift and we invite our feelings, imagination and memories to elaborate, interpret and intensify it. Or we may simply want to accept the gift--as it is.
Throughout your day ask for this soul gift to center you, to support new perspectives, to affirm your worth, to offer guidance and or to celebrate who you are! -Allie
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