Using Ancient Practices To Clear Negative Patterns
Meditation allows the mind to play out its many stories and memories. By watching the stories instead of identifying with them, the mind is able to process them. The attitude of non-resistance allows emotions to be released. Focuses of meditation such as compassion and impermanence seem to naturally encourage a more positive flow of energy. Over prolonged practice, memories and disempowering beliefs are confronted. It is not understood scientifically why meditation is able to uncover and heal these aspects of ourselves. However, any long-term meditator will tell you that the practice seems to naturally detect the most deeply rooted memories and negative beliefs and encourages their healing.
Yoga and and any form of exercise force the movement of energy through our systems. Since emotions are the feelings we get when our beings filter energy, these practices cause emotions to be stirred up. When we use non-identification with thoughts and mental nonresistance in yoga, we allow the negative emotions to release. In yoga, practices such as breath retention and bandhas (locks) are used. In the practice of a bandha, the energy flow to a particular area of the body is blocked. When the bandha is released, this causes the energy to flood through the body with increased pressure. Stagnant energy that has been trapped in the body is released, and the positive flow of energy causes peace and positivity. It may be that part of the reason electroconvulsive therapy can be effective to treat depression is that it uses the same principles to force energy through the channels of the brain and body. According to Javnbakht et al, yoga has been successfully implemented as a complementary therapy for anxiety (2009).
Practice makes perfect. Every time we practice non-resistance, we are strengthening the neural network/mental pathway for allowing. The more we do it, the better we get at it, and the more naturally we release emotions when they come up.
Real Life Practice:
Lay down in child’s pose (balasana).
Breathing normally with your eyes closed and your forehead to the floor, allow any and all thoughts and emotions to play out. Do not effort in any way. Enjoy this soothing pose for as long as it is comfortable. If it is not comfortable from the beginning, feel free to do the exercise lying on your back with arms outstretched.
What stories and emotions came up during the exercise?
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