In the world of self-development and/or spirituality, we speak of teachers, facilitators, tools, modalities, methodologies, technologies, networks and people (the list is extensive) that are potent in facilitating journeys for individuals and collectives.
The teachers, the facilitators, the tools, the modalities, the methodologies, technologies, networks and people are diverse, colorful and countless.
What we often miss out is that there comes a point where the teachers, the facilitators, the tools, the modalities, the methodologies, technologies, networks and people that have supported us during a specific phase of our life, are to be laid to rest if growth is what we seek.
“That Which” has served, “That Which” has brought support, “That Which” has lighted and enlightened our sense of self-awareness are called to be put to rest one point. This call for “putting to rest” often kicks hard especially when we resist to move with the movements of life.
We are many who have amassed tools, books, teachers, rituals, techniques, methodologies, networks, , people and modalities as an act of support (whether it was intentional or whether it was yet another act of bypassing). 2020 has brought its share of coping for many.
Unless, we free up space, newness will be unable step in. Unless, we choose to intentionally move with the movements of life, we will stagger behind our goals, our purpose, our mission and our vision.
As we near the end of this year, I invite you to pause, review and reflect through an exercise.
You may run it solo or gather with family, your children, your colleagues, your community and/or your close and far ones.
Exercise: Laying to rest “that which” has served
Step 1: What teachers, facilitators, tools, modalities, methodologies, technologies, networks and people have supported me through 2020?
Take your time and reflect on how specifically have the teachers, facilitators, tools, modalities, methodologies, technologies, networks and people support you this year?
We are looking for evidence for how supporting and helpful the items on your list have been.
Remember, unless you have evidence whether it is quality-based and/or quantity-based, chances that you keep amassing and holding up space for newness are high.
Step 2: Once you have walked through Step 1, I invite you to pause and offer your gratitude in a way that resonates with you.
You may choose to hold each physical item close to your heart and say “thank you” and for non-physical item, you may either write it out on a piece of paper or visualize it and bring it close to your heart and offer your gratitude.
Do not shift to the Step 3 until you feel in state of gratitude (however, whatever and whyever you do and be gratitude).
Step 3: What teachers, facilitators, tools, modalities, methodologies, technologies, networks and people have served it’s purpose in my life and I am ready and willing to “set free”?
I invite you to either write it on a piece of paper and use colors, shapes, papers, collages and pick up items from nature that represent each of “That Which” you are ready and willing to “set free”.
Give yourself permission and space to express in ways that you normally hold yourself from.
You may choose to dance, move and even sing as an act of “setting free” “that which” has served it’s purpose for this phase in your life.
Note: This Step may ripple resistance, for somehow, we get used to teachers, facilitators, tools, modalities, methodologies, technologies, networks and people and
Step 4: What are you called to invite as support for the next phase of your life?
I invite you to either write it on a piece of paper and use colors, shapes, papers, collages and pick up items from nature that represent each of “That Which” you are ready and willing to invite in your life.
Give yourself permission and space to express in ways that you normally hold yourself from.
You may choose to dance, move and even sing as an act of inviting “that which” for the next phase of your life.
Step 5: Acknowledging and Honoring
Once you have reached this step, pause and take stock of everything that has showed up for you.
“That Which” shows up is to be acknowledged and honored.
Find a way that aligns with your beliefs and your values to acknowledge and honor “that which” is on the way to be “set-free” and “that which” is being invited in your life.
You may consider placing the expressions and/or symbolisms that emerge from Step 3 and Step 4 on your altar, or in nature under a tree or you may tie them all in a flag and hang them.
Items from Step 3 and Step 4 are to be held separately , acknowledged and honored separately while in the same space.
Keep the items as long as you feel called and when you are ready and willing , I invite you to release them both. You may consider burning the items or planting them as seeds of gratitude and intentions or releasing them in a water flow – river or sea or whatever you feel called to.
I gently suggest that you walk yourself through this exercise before the end of this year.
What have I put to rest?
Part of my bedroom wall has been hosting and holding sketches, symbolism, words, paintings, collages, geometry, that I have intentionally placed since October 2019 as an of support and remembrance. A needed support as I transited through unmet trauma, ancestral healing, an opening heart to love, an aching physical body and a longing to go “home”.
On Friday 18th December 2020, I pulled each item, offering my gratitude and laying to rest each item through a fire ritual on Saturday 19th 2020.
I intentionally invited newnesss in my life. For I can only give if I allow myself to receive.
My deepest wishes, prayers, hope, love, gratitude, kindness and compassion go to you.
May this coming bring down the veils between you and your abundance
May you move closer to yourself
You are remembered
You are held
Love from my heart to yours
Megha Venketasamy
Graphic Works @ NyameDua 2020
Image source: Megha Venketasamy
Post © Megha Venketasamy, 2020. All rights reserved.
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