Resourcing
Welcome to our December Newsletter
Happy Holy Days! I hope you are enjoying beautiful times with friends and family.
For most of us, the holidays are often a mixed blessing. As we spend time with family and loved ones, we can often be triggered by challenging behaviors that resurface when we find ourselves in an old pattern or dynamic. And, we can be saddened by the memories of loved ones who we are missing or no longer with us. In addition, the overburdening of more to our already hectic schedules can make the season anything but joyous.
Our systems are beautifully designed to aid us through difficult times. However, not many of us are taught how to tap into the inner “wellness” that is always with and available to us. Anticipating and facing upcoming stress and “difficult” feelings to appropriately prepare for what’s ahead can be helpful. Instead of “bracing oneself”, I recommend, “resourcing oneself.”
“Resourcing” is a visualization technique used in somatic psychotherapies as a tool to help clients get in touch with, create awareness around, and embody the innate potency that is always available in the system. Once brought into awareness, the positive energies that sustain us can be called upon and used as a self-support when life gets hard. They can also be called upon to give us strength in anticipation of difficult times ahead.
WHAT ARE THESE "POSITIVE ENERGIES?"
Positive energies are those energies that youre-call and sense as supportive and calming. They are the energies that let you know you are OK even when things seem their darkest. These are the energies of the aliveness in the body, mind, and Spirit that connect us to ourselves and help us expand towards others. On a Spirit level, they are a connection to Source. On an emotional level, they are memories that evoke feelings of being loved and protected. And, on a physical level, they are memories of a person or animal here or who has passed that made/make us feel “special.” A resource can also include a place where we feel safe and secure, either imaginary or real, as well as a joyful time or event that brought pleasant sensations in our body. Also, a physical object that brings us comfort can be used as a resource, as many a cherished blanket will attest to.
Since memory is stored multi-dimensionally in the body, mind, and psyche, we can tap into these positive thoughts and memories and recruit them as tools to calm our nervous system. This technique can literally block the automatic brain track to upset that hijacks our emotions and sends us spinning. In somatic psychotherapy, resourcing is used as a support when recalling a traumatic event to guard against the system's reaction to shutting down or going into overwhelm.
Practicing "resourcing" has a beneficial cumulative effect on the nervous system. The more we settle our nervous system, the more we become settled and able to cope with life.
So, take a few minutes to treat yourself to this important self-care tool.
Find a quiet place and comfortable seat
Begin by noticing your breathing; inhale for two counts then exhale for two counts
After a few breaths, bring your awareness to a resource (as suggested above.) For example, if it is a person, remember the loving gaze in their eyes, their loving smile or touch. Evoke a memory of a particular time and place you spent time together. If your resource is a place, say the beach, feel the rays of sun on your face and the warm sand on your feet and the gentle breeze on your skin
Invite all your senses; the smells, sounds, and sights of this pleasant memory be present
Feel slowly and gently into the sensations in your body as you recall this memory, regulating your activation state by increasing your awareness slowly so not to overwhelm your system. Even pleasant sensations can be overwhelming if not monitored
Scan your body and check into your energy field. It might be pulsating, tingling and suddenly feel warm. As you scan, there might be a place that feels settled, supported, grounded, connected, satisfied, content, comfortable
This is a place of re-source.
Even if it is just a tiny spot, begin to bring your awareness to this area
Name to yourself what you are feeling. This is to connect the bodily sensations with cognition
What does it feel like? Notice the sensations and impressions that arise. More images may come. Just notice and invite
Are you experiencing: calm, relaxed, resting, restful, peaceful, content, warm, still, light, effervescent, flowing, hopeful, expansive, whole, joyful, wise, colorful, bright, glowing, watery, clear, scintillating, satisfied, civilized, deep, swirling, happy?…..
Stay with these feelings, encouraging them to take up more space in your body until they slowly encompass all of it
Then, slowly expand your awareness outwards into your surroundings until the feeling of wellness not only includes your body but also as far outside of yourself that allows the wellness not dissipate but get stronger
Staying with what feels good to you, settle a few minutes in a place that feels right for your system. Enjoy the potency and connection. This is a resource.
When you are ready slowly come back and orient yourself back in the room
Note that you can do this exercise to access many types of resources. Again, they can include imaginary places, people or beings; places in nature or in the world; moments you remember being deeply safe and peaceful. Remember to invite sensations, feelings, and images of the body, mind and spirit connection.
Our systems gravitate towards wellness. Wellness is always available when you need it, even during a crisis. All you need to do is sit quietly and invite it!
If you are interested in learning more about resourcing and other somatic interventions below are some sources:
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine – book
Healing Trauma by Peter Levine – book and audio CD
Somatic Experiencing article on Wikipedia
I hope you found this newsletter helpful. I welcome any and all feedback.
Many blessings in 2018!
With love and light,
Judy Choix
www.fullgestalt.com