The Therapeutic Soul

What does your soul tell you of happiness? What does it need, ask for and require to be a soul fully actualized? What language does it speak and how can you learn to hear its words even if it’s a language you do not yet recognize? 

The first step is to stop ...stepping. We are a society in motion, seemingly ever-increasing in speed. As that motion increases, attention span declines, the desire for greater distraction grows and we speed up that much more. Stillness is the first step of the soul. Sitting in quiet allows you to create space for thoughts that draw you toward stark, bare presence; your surroundings as they are uniquely in this specific moment; and yourself, to your true living experience.

Different from meditation, you are not closing your eyes, or if you keep your eyes open during meditation, not focusing your attention on a specific point for an extended period of time. As you allow yourself to sit still and notice your external and internal reality, you begin to cultivate room for living, breathing soul emergence. Perhaps, you sit for a minute and notice your bedroom: the pattern of your sheets, the light as it enters through the window and details that are unique to your own space. It is the noticing that brings you a little closer to soul. Perhaps, you allow yourself one minute of stillness on the hour or during meals and upon waking and going to sleep. Perhaps, you allow yourself stillness when sitting with family members or friends as you both individually and together experience greater openness to soul consciousness. The goal is presence to self, the canvas of soul emergence.

You may notice a memory arise or a person’s face emerge during these moments of stillness. You may experience emotions that you’re not used to sitting with. This is part of the journey. Know that no matter the image, memory or thought, that you are in control of the length of time you sit with stillness. One minute is plenty. Five minutes is enough. It is your choice and that choice is already in communication with your soul’s needs and potentiality. Know that you are also providing a safe and warm space for your internal world to exist just a little closer to the surface than usually. 

Another element that allows the soul entry is accessing your unique experience of creative force. Perhaps you love music, dancing, drawing, doodling, sounds of nature or wildlife. Perhaps, you like watching the sun rise or set, the moon shine or move through the sky. Perhaps, you enjoy flowers, mountains, the ocean. Consider hobbies you once had or still do, classes you took that allowed you to use your hands from knitting to wood working. Any of these activities provide opportunity for soul emergence. You can likely add to this list as you consider activities that resonate for you, which really means offer you a doorway to invite the soul in.

In support of its presence, we must release the judging mind. The goal is not to paint a beautiful landscape or knit a perfectly fitted sweater. We are not creating a song to be performed or a poem to be recited for others. We are creating so that the soul can experience the calm of the body and the bond between the physiological and mental; to feel safe enough for the soul to rise to the surface of consciousness and guide your movements. In this way, the soul serves as therapist, teaching you in real time the act of calm, embodied living. If you experience this for a minute, it will be easier to experience it for two minutes the next time you give yourself the gift of soul.

Begin today. Choose a moment and sit. Choose a creative act and create. Notice the thoughts that keep soul access away, such as judgment, comparison, impatience, uncertainty and allow yourself to see these thoughts while continuing to sit still or engage in creation. In this way, you allow the therapeutic soul entry into your everyday life. 

Irene (Irah) Belaga, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Psychology, Meditation and Yogic Centering for Emotional Health

Mindholistic.com

800-232-5037