The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/jr_innerlandscape.html
The Inner Landscape
by Judith Richardson,
MA, B.Ed, BA, MEC
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At times people speak of “having a little talk with myself” in order to make a decision and mentally list the pros and cons of the alternatives, or to work up the courage for something very difficult. You hear people say – I tried to convince myself there was nothing to worry about. It is as if one part of us argues for one side, while a second part comes up with the arguments for the other. Whether we consider that there are really two of us inside our minds, or two functions of one mind, at least it seems for the moment that two separate minds exist. At that time the function of the mind is dual and not single – and often feels like we are running in circles. We read that Freud and others in psychology speak of the three parts of the mind – id, ego, superego. The wisdom traditions I am privileged to work with also speak of more than one part of the mind – or our intelligence – the conscious, the unconscious, and that part that connects to broader perspective, collective unconscious, whatever we choose to call that which is greater than ourselves. |
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The following practices are to assist us in co-operating with our own agenda. We have to-do lists that don’t get done, we take on too much, and we have forgotten the self-respect in saying no now and again. We decide to get in shape, quit smoking, be more appreciative and it all falls off. The practices outlined here are to pay attention to the “committee” inside and invite them to work together for our own good! Using the Effortless Plan for your change/choice statement of the day encourages you to engage the three selves.
Many of our clients find themselves working what we call low-level frenzy – and leaders manage to pass that on in organizations. The voices that say there is never enough time, never enough resources, I can never get it right, there is always something to do. This low-level frenzy is often felt in the stomach or shoulders – wherever you store your stress and is on constant, vigilant duty. When we work and live our lives with intention, in alignment, we enhance mental and creative abilities, we reduce resistance and overwhelm – the ideal is to be a complete person, with all parts united.
This practice is one of discipline and is not meant to live our lives with rose-colored glasses disconnected from the world. We being to see that negative emotions and contrast (anything that doesn’t turn out like we wanted it to) are actually valuable signposts. When I discover how important my own wellbeing is and nurture it, I give to others with joy and love.
Every time I have a doubt, resentment, I pinch off the flow. This doesn’t mean I don’t still experience doubt and resentment – I give me attention to what it is teaching me – what is it this contrast is telling me about what I want, how I want to be?
What holds bad things in your life is always your attention to the bad things, always.
If, indeed, energy flows where attention goes, we invite you to beat the drum of what you do want. Many of us can spend most of our days beating the drum of what we don’t want and teaching others our problems.
Don’t teach each other our complaints. Are our meetings problem focussed or solution focussed? There are profoundly simple processes to work with resistance and overwhelm and bring in more creativity and innovation -- providing space to give birth to new forms from a place of courage, wonder and anticipation.
Shifting from negative to positive emotion effects the chemistry of the body, which impacts the physiology of the body, and seems to trigger evolutionary changes that allow new brain structures to grow – inviting working for something greater than ourselves and solution orientation. The sense I get as I become more intrigued with this type of connection, broader perspective has more room to manoeuvre me into exactly where I most want to be
We are often good at creating value; when we begin to claim value intentionally our conversations and agreements with ourselves lead to conscious, sustainable, meaningful change. When you are connected to your own wellbeing – you are fully available to yourself and others.
What are your practices to connect to your own wellbeing – to nurture yourself?
Intention is lining up our energy of thoughts and feelings. Quantum physicists and biologists know that our thoughts and feelings form a vibrational frequency about us that others can sense even if they are not consciously aware of it. This frequency attracts other frequencies like it. If I’m putting out joy, I attract joy. If I’m putting out resentment, well you know how it goes! So, I set my intention, to change the radio station, so to speak, so that I get the kind of music I like.
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