A Solstice for Surrender
As we welcome the darkest day of the year in quite possibly the darkest year to date, it is important to foster and nurture connection to the light. Winter Solstice is a time for deep turning as this hibernal solstice and darkest night of the year grants us a subtle shift towards the light. Just as the leaves surrender and decompose into the earth to prepare the land for the fertile spring. As the evergreens stand still and strong holding the beautiful blanket of winter snow, and or as the sun surrenders into stillness each night allowing the moon to radiate in all her glory, we too can lean into the season’s support, surrender, and restoration.
It is an understatement to say we have suffered immensely this year. I say this with deep respect, empathy, and compassion for each and every one of us. Twenty-twenty has tested us all and in many unprecedented ways. Suffering, varying in shape, size, and form, has knocked on almost everyone of our doors this past year. Whether it be (simply to name a few) financial loss, the loss of a job or business, the loss of human connection and community as we knew it, and or the unfortunate and heartbreaking loss of a loved one. It is sadly valid to say that we all have suffered tremendously.
I share this blog post today to assure you that I too can relate. No matter age, gender, health status, lifestyle, and profession, we have all experienced some kind of trauma this past year. My husband and I personally experienced an early pregnancy loss this past October. The array of emotions entangled in a first pregnancy, first trimester miscarriage is something no one can prepare for, nor something I wish upon any female or couple trying to conceive. I will openly admit that the past two months have held some of the darkest shadows of my adult life. I am forever grateful for my husband, the small community of family members, friends and professionals who have helped to support me through this difficult time. And I recognize that I stand here stronger on behalf of this hardship. The darkness required me to renew the connection with my inner light, strength, and resiliency.
It is true that abundance can be found in darkness, as darkness simply asks us to explore a new level of consciousness, self-awareness, and connection with the light. For it is in times of darkness (not in times of light) that we birth depth, beauty, strength, and resilience. Each breath we take in challenging times we are granted an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Thus, as winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) approaches and the dark, cumbersome shadows form newfound lengths, may we remain committed to our journey in nurturing the light within. May we be still, strong, and deeply nourished in body and heart trusting in our higher purpose and the unknown path our journey here on earth unfolds. For life is not about avoiding darkness, it is about navigating the dark with our own inner light - nurturing our deep devotion, our dignity, our perseverance, our unwavering trust, hope, and compassionate surrender.
Surrendering has several implications one of which requires a sense of softening into a state where more stillness lives.
Some of us have been resistant to surrender, others of us reserved, and possibly a rare few of us have softened into surrender or awakening. Nevertheless, this upcoming seasons stillness offer us an opportunity for renewed consciousness and surrender. The cool earth is simply waiting to wrap us in rest and restore. And all that we need to do is nurture surrender - a gentle softening into the support of this magical season.
Like the nightingale spirit, in the very darkness of night, may we continue to be still, singing our songs of peace, hope, and abundant love.
Below are a few tips on how to practice the art of surrender so you can soften into your higher consciousness (authentic self / spiritual self) this season. Remember, your resilience is waiting, willing, and ready to be nurtured. Your light too is ready to shine!
Practice Patience and Acceptance
Befriend the Situation - Try your hardest to make friends with uncomfortable circumstances or situations. Instead of running from the threat, fear, or discomfort, offer patience just as you would when nurturing a new friendship. Make friends (could just be acquaintances) with the circumstance, regardless of outcome, as this will help you widen your window of tolerance and unveil the matter with loving acceptance.
Respond vs. React - Pause, breathe, and allow your initial reaction to pass. Reacting is emotional, responding is emotional intelligence.
Honor Curiosity- Have awareness. Learn to ask the right questions and try hard to remain in curiosity. Is there a silver lining, lesson, or life skill to be learned?
Seek Stillness and Self-Care
Establish a Daily Routine- Trauma disrupts routine. Routine fosters resiliency. Establishing a daily routine helps to regulate and balance our minds, bodies, and spirits. Our dinacharya practices (Ayurvedic daily routines) play an integral role in our long term health. If you are needing help establishing a personalized daily routine practice, I can help you. Consider my Virtual Ayurvedic Consultation and Individualized Lifestyle Plan service option.
Try a Meditation Practice- Meditation helps to center and ground our energy. It may be uncomfortable and harder to commit to meditation during times of distress, but if you are willing to be still and surrender, your mind and body can and will too. Check out my Winter Rest practice within my Winter Rest, Release, and Restore program series.
Practice Yoga- Yoga has been vastly studied for it’s role in healing the mind and body following a trauma. Even a non-trauma informed yoga practice daily can offer immeasurable tools for self-regulation, adaptability, and can help to nurture resilience in the mind and body. If you haven’t already, or perhaps if your studio closed recently and has left you without an organized practice, it is time to commit to finding a way to get yourself back on your mat. Join me for my special seasonal program series: Winter Rest, Release, and Restore. Three nourishing practices that you can enjoy all winter long!
Breathe and be mindful
Practice Pranayama- Breath is essential to life and deep breathing is medicine for life. The mind, body, and breath are intimately connected and can influence one another. Essentially your breathing is influenced by your thoughts, and your thoughts and physiology can be influenced by your breathing. This is why learning to breath consciously and with awareness is an invaluable tool that helps to restore balance in our minds and bodies. A pranayama (breathwork) practice can simply influence every aspect of our lives. Thus, reconnecting with the subtlest yet supreme support, strength, and force within and around us (prana, breath, life-force) can be a wonderful way to soften, surrender, and expand this season. To learn more about prana and the winds within check out my Autumn blog on the air element within.
Try Mantra Meditation- Mantras are sounds or vibrations that foster a desired effect such as self-awareness, healing, and transformation. There are mantras that have meanings or intentions associated with them intended to create or support something on the active level of physiology and or life. And there are mantras which have no particular meaning or specific intention as they are vehicles for shifting ones awareness from activity to the inner realms of infinite stillness, silence, and possibility. Simply stated, we can think about mantras as tools to help us release our minds. The practice of mantra helps us attune to the healing vibrations and stillness that ultimately resides within.
Nurture Sankalpa- Sankalpa means an intention formed by the heart and mind. A heartfelt desire or a statement, in the present tense, that reflects your true nature. In practical terms a Sankalpa means a one-pointed resolve to focus both psychologically and philosophically. A sankalpa is a tool meant to refine the will. A Sankalpa helps us focus and harmonize the mind shifting us from dualistic thinking to non-dual awareness. This is why meditation is the most fertile ground for a sankalpa practice. Begin today by planting the seed in your next Yoga Nidra / meditation practice. Check out my Winter Rest practice in my newly released winter program series, Winter Rest, Release & Restore and nurture your own Sankalpa today.
Nourish and Build Ojas
Recommit to Nourishment- The state of one’s Agni (Gut health) and mental resilience are inextricably linked. Nourishment referring to food as well as nourishment through the senses (taste, touch, hearing, sight and smell). When we chose to nourish with foods that are pacifying for the season and foods that assist in balancing our the current mental state, we can mindfully support Sattva (harmony/balance) in mind, body, spirit. Recommitting also refers to playing an active role in the culinary process. When we participate in this process, whether it be growing, preparing, and or cooking our own foods, we are positively engaging our senses, offering respect and nourishment for our bodies and minds. To learn more about best nutritional practices for your current state, consider my Virtual Ayurvedic Consultation and Lifestyle Plan. This curated and customized plan will help outline lifestyle and nutritional recommendations specific for bringing you back into a balanced state.
Spend Time Outdoors- This year, being the year of extra dog walks in my household, has hopefully encouraged you too to spend more time outside. Even if you do not have a pet, hopefully you have embraced extra time outdoors (when safe to do so). Prana (air) increases prana (life-force). Spending time in nature has been linked to boosting physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. And although the winter season may deter you from spending time outside, we must find a way to prioritize it. Time outdoors daily can help reduce stress, regulate circadian rhythms, boost immunity, and offer significant improvements in sleep quality. So grab your favorite sweater, hat, and mittens - it’s time to spend time outdoors!
Establish New Rituals- Rituals can help transition, transform, and or heal lifestyle changes and or challenges. They can help us better adapt to a routine with things, events, or milestones that are meaningful to us. For example, moon rituals. The phases of the moon are said to influence the growth and decline of plants, animals, and human life. Moon rituals are an ancient and sacred practice that originated in Egypt, Babylonia, India, and China where moon worshiping has always been a part of the indigenous culture. Basking in the moonlight was seen as a sacred and necessary part of every life cycle. Today, moon rituals carry just as much sacredness and beauty. They bring this primal practice into present day life with rituals like bathing, smudging, and fire ceremonies. These rituals ask us to plant seeds of intention and be one with the energy of our environment. Other rituals like rights of passage rituals can include ceremonies (public or private) that help us as humans celebrate, mourn, or simply cultivate more loving awareness and appreciation around change and transformation. Maybe your ritual is as simple as tending to an alter. Whatever may be significant and healing for you, establish its importance, and put it into practice.
honor Professional support
Get Professional Assistance - Even professionals need professional assistance when healing personal trauma. Human nature has an instinctual need to be held and supported. This does not mean you are failing in your healing journey. This means you are surrendering into a softening that is beyond the ego. Recognizing and putting into action the things that you can do to help yourself assists in building a strong foundation for resilience. Further, having the awareness and permitting the utilization of needed skill sets beyond yourself can foster “whole-listic” healing and sustainable nourishment. For example other modalities include but are not limited to Ayurveda, Bodywork, Energy Work, Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Professional Counseling.