I couldn’t get those feelings and words away from my mind. They were on a loop and I could see myself slip into such a gloomy world. Nothing was like before. All the happiness felt sucked away from me, my surrounding, my body, my life, my work. All the things that gave me joy, suddenly seemed meaningless and I wanted to disappear from my life.
I knew what I was feeling and I was really shocked too because I was mindful, I was consistent with work and my well-being and I had no idea what triggered this dimension of gloom that I was just sucked into. Especially given that my life was going well, no obstacles or distractions. I needed answers and I wanted this feeling to leave me.
Can you relate?
Is it just me or have you also felt this at some point in your life?
I had several tools at my disposal and I was using all of them. They seemed to work but I could still feel that stench of unhappiness on me. I’d started to be so hard on myself in trying to get rid of it that I didn’t realize when and how I’d started to be harsh on everyone around me.
Soon enough, I found myself meditating on my problem but naturally couldn’t! So, I tried a small little visualization technique that I use with my clients.
It also happens to be one of my favourite visualization techniques.
But before I tell you about his technique, I’d like to tell you why I decided to do it.
Sometimes, in our search for a well-balanced life, especially when we live in a society full of people with different thought patterns and ideas and beliefs, we tend to get influenced by our environment. That influence can sometimes trigger the stressors within us. It’s extremely common. Sometimes it’s the influence from our past that still lurks around and sometimes that fear or worry of future that causes so much discomfort.
Usually it’s wise to know what causes the discomfort, understand the root cause and work on it, but sometimes all you need is a good cleanse! The kind of cleanse that will leave you rejuvenated and recharged and calm.
The need for cleanse is best when you don’t want to or need to delve into the problem but distance yourself from it. The focus is not on the situation but the what you feel – your emotions and thoughts.
If you ever face (read: Facing) a time when you don’t really want to feel balanced and calmer this technique can be extremely beneficial. It’s simple and easy to apply.
You Ready?
On a journal page, write how you currently feel before getting started. You can even rate your distress and feeling on a scale of 1-10 (10 being most heavy). Write what do you wish to accomplish from this visualization.
Let’s get Started.
“Sit on a chair/couch or the edge of your bed with your feet placed firmly on the ground. Try to keep your back straight but not so much that it hurts (if you have back pain, lean back and take support, while keeping your feet firmly on the ground). Close your eyes gently and take 3 deep breaths very slowly and gently. Ease your shoulders, your neck, eyes and forehead. Return to normal breathing while keeping your eyes closed. Be sure to go slow and gently throughout the process. As your start to feel comfortable with the breath work, imagine a waterfall or the rain. Listen to the drops of waters falling on the ground, try to imagine the smell of water.
Try to see the image as clearly as you can. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It can be a place you’ve been to before or totally made up or even from an image.
Imagine the water droplets on your feet. Stay with that feeling for a second. Imagine standing below the waterfall or the rain. Imagine and feel the water falling on your head, your shoulders, your neck and back. As the water runs down your thighs and calves to your feet and on the ground imagine your gloomy being showered away and grounded in the earth from your feet. Imagine all the heat, the heaviness, the gloominess not just from your body but also your mind and soul being washed away. Repeat this cycle of cleanse 3-4 times. Each time as slowly and gently. As you feel lighter move your awareness back to your breath. Close this visualization with 3 deep breaths. Slowly open your eyes.”
For a minute or two sit and write how you feel post this visualisation. You can re-rate your feelings and thoughts, like you did before you started the session.
Don’t worry about getting it right or wrong. Don’t worry about the thoughts that come by. Don’t worry about not being able to visualize properly. Just go with the flow. The first time might be tricky but the more you practice the better it’ll get.
This session should take you around 5-8 minutes based on how fast or slow you are. It’s totally normal if it goes beyond 8 minutes as well.
Remember to be very gentle about it. If your head feels dizzy or heavy go slow and focus on your breathing.
This cleansing session is one of my favourites. I usually alternate it with rain, sometimes with fragrant smoke, sometimes with waterfall, sometimes sunlight or white light. I love the way it allows me to pause and spare a minute for myself.
Post this session I’ve sometimes cried and this is the same feeling sometimes my clients have felt as well.
The reason I highly recommend this is because there are some thoughts and emotions from certain incidents, our past, our failures, our trauma that refuse to leave our mind. Each time I’ve practiced this visualization its been like a healing balm.
I hope this practice helps you in some way. I hope you feel light and fill your mind, body and soul with lots of joy, peace and love.
If you’d like me to guide you in a one-on-one session book a 60-minute session with me.
If you’d like to add an affirmation or so with this session, you’ll love this e-book of affirmation that I’ve created. Get it today and get started.
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