Pathways to Your Inner World
Introspection doesn’t have to be complicated: You can sit and stare at a wall and come up with insights. For those times when you require something more, though, here are some ideas to try.
Meditation. Sitting for one minute noticing your breath qualifies. If you can build to longer, go for it! There are some cool guided meditations on YouTube. Soothing music can also be helpful. Or maybe just sit and color in a coloring book! Gentle, quiet time, that’s the key.
Soul friends. Having even one anam cara who will hear you out without judging or trying to fix you is a beautiful thing. Treasure and nourish the connection. If you can’t get together, call, text, leave voice messages, email, write letters, hold each other in loving light.
Community. Humans need a tribe. Maybe it’s a self-help group, like one based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Maybe there’s a religion that suits. Maybe it’s several pals who like to meet monthly to explore deep themes. Book clubs, too, can be nurture and stimulate. As can library writing groups.
Nature. Oh, the wide open hills of upstate New York! How they fill me up. Maybe for you it’s the beach, your garden, the sunset through the trees behind your neighbor’s house, birdsong in the morning, the sound of the rain on the roof. Soak it up!
Writing. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way series, suggest writing three pages longhand every morning to clear your head and see what’s in there. Feel free to make lists, blather on making no sense, or vent angry thoughts. You may surprise yourself! Then there’s writing out life stories, impressions, opinions, and making stuff up. And poetry! Who cares if it’s any good? This is for you.
Making. Doodle, draw, color, scribble, cartoon, sculpt, blow glass, paint, photograph, collage, sew, knit, crochet — a favorite skill or something new. This work is not about what you produce, it’s about process. The more we are present to ourselves, the deeper we can go.
Prayer. If you think in terms of an inner and/or outer source guiding your life, connect to it, in thought, out loud, or in your writing. I have a friend who writes a “Dear God” letter every morning. I like to dialog with my higher power in writing. Chanting, too, is powerful. Aummmm!
Mentors. For over ten years, I met regularly with a Spiritual Director. She didn’t direct anything, for sure. She did ask wonderful questions, and offer wisdom and perspective. And, oh, could she listen! Therapists are great for introspection, obviously. Or maybe a life coach is your thing.
Literature. There are so many beautiful books and other writings out there — poetry; self-help; workbooks; books of daily meditation; religious works; blogs; memoirs; deep fiction.
Body work. Walking is wonderful for looking within, as are yoga and martial arts. At the very least, exercise creates calm that enhances our inner work. Massage, too, supports our journey, as do other healing modalities like Reiki. And singing, alone or with others. Lastly, stimulating the senses is great — aromatherapy is one of my favorites. Very centering.
Offered with love by Gay Norton Edelman, author of The Hungry Ghost: How I Ditched 100 Pounds and Came Fully Alive and the forthcoming, Raw Hunger: A Seeker’s Guide to Living Fully without Losing Your Mind.Introspection doesn’t have to be complicated: You can sit and stare at a wall and come up with insights. For those times when you require something more, though, here are some ideas to try.
Meditation. Sitting for one minute noticing your breath qualifies. If you can build to longer, go for it! There are some cool guided meditations on YouTube. Soothing music can also be helpful. Or maybe just sit and color in a coloring book! Gentle, quiet time, that’s the key.
Soul friends. Having even one anam cara who will hear you out without judging or trying to fix you is a beautiful thing. Treasure and nourish the connection. If you can’t get together, call, text, leave voice messages, email, write letters, hold each other in loving light.
Community. Humans need a tribe. Maybe it’s a self-help group, like one based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Maybe there’s a religion that suits. Maybe it’s several pals who like to meet monthly to explore deep themes. Book clubs, too, can be nurture and stimulate. As can library writing groups.
Nature. Oh, the wide open hills of upstate New York! How they fill me up. Maybe for you it’s the beach, your garden, the sunset through the trees behind your neighbor’s house, birdsong in the morning, the sound of the rain on the roof. Soak it up!
Writing. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way series, suggest writing three pages longhand every morning to clear your head and see what’s in there. Feel free to make lists, blather on making no sense, or vent angry thoughts. You may surprise yourself! Then there’s writing out life stories, impressions, opinions, and making stuff up. And poetry! Who cares if it’s any good? This is for you.
Making. Doodle, draw, color, scribble, cartoon, sculpt, blow glass, paint, photograph, collage, sew, knit, crochet — a favorite skill or something new. This work is not about what you produce, it’s about process. The more we are present to ourselves, the deeper we can go.
Prayer. If you think in terms of an inner and/or outer source guiding your life, connect to it, in thought, out loud, or in your writing. I have a friend who writes a “Dear God” letter every morning. I like to dialog with my higher power in writing. Chanting, too, is powerful. Aummmm!
Mentors. For over ten years, I met regularly with a Spiritual Director. She didn’t direct anything, for sure. She did ask wonderful questions, and offer wisdom and perspective. And, oh, could she listen! Therapists are great for introspection, obviously. Or maybe a life coach is your thing.
Literature. There are so many beautiful books and other writings out there — poetry; self-help; workbooks; books of daily meditation; religious works; blogs; memoirs; deep fiction.
Body work. Walking is wonderful for looking within, as are yoga and martial arts. At the very least, exercise creates calm that enhances our inner work. Massage, too, supports our journey, as do other healing modalities like Reiki. And singing, alone or with others. Lastly, stimulating the senses is great — aromatherapy is one of my favorites. Very centering.
Offered with love by Gay Norton Edelman, author of The Hungry Ghost: How I Ditched 100 Pounds and Came Fully Alive and the forthcoming, Raw Hunger: A Seeker’s Guide to Living Fully without Losing Your Mind.