In the journey of life, we often encounter emotional turbulence that can leave us feeling disconnected from our sense of love and inner peace. Ana Holub, MA, a seasoned forgiveness counselor and peace educator, presents a concise three-step guide to navigate through feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or depression. This transformative process is designed to help you regain your emotional equilibrium and reclaim your heart's power.
Life's journey is replete with trials that test our emotional resilience. From illnesses and accidents to breakups and societal violence, we are sometimes thrust into emotional turmoil. These challenges serve as catalysts, prompting us to forge a new reality grounded in forgiveness, unity, and peace. Yet, amidst these trials, we may find ourselves engulfed in the depths of sadness, fear, and isolation.
It requires considerable inner strength to emerge from these depths. However, with each effort, our mental and emotional fortitude grows, much like muscles that strengthen with exercise. The more we practice resilience, the more adept we become at navigating life's challenges.
Emotions are not just obstacles; they enrich our life's tapestry with depth and complexity. They can either contract us with fear or expand us with love. By learning from our difficult emotions, we can release them and return to a state of love.
Ana Holub offers a three-step process to facilitate this return to love, especially during rough patches. As you practice these steps, you'll find your "inner muscles" becoming more flexible and robust, allowing for a quicker and more graceful return to love.
When you notice tension, anger, or anxiety creeping in, take a moment to breathe out slowly. Place your hands on your heart and belly, or simply on your heart. Engage in deep, relaxing breaths, and observe the thoughts racing through your mind. Learn from these thoughts, accept your feelings, and use this introspection to gather insights about your place in the world. Remain in this state of relaxation until you perceive a shift in your awareness before moving to the next step.
Using your breath as an anchor, reconnect with your inner divinity. As you inhale, affirm to yourself, "I keep my power." Visualize reclaiming any power you've inadvertently surrendered—be it to a person, desire, attachment, or ideal. Imagine this divine power flowing through your spine as you breathe in. Play with this inhalation and affirmation for a few breath cycles until it feels natural.
Then, focus on your exhale. As you breathe out, affirm, "I give my love." Offer love and trust to yourself, your surroundings, and all involved in your current situation. Envision the power of truth circulating through your body with each breath. Connect with your compassionate heart and feel a connection to the heavens above and the earth below.
Experiment with visualizing colors that resonate with your inner state, filling your body with hues that provide support and comfort. Let go of the intricate details of your circumstances and allow divine grace to emanate from you, perhaps visualized as a fountain of color or waves of sensation.
Roses symbolize beauty, resilience, and the Divine Feminine. The Rose Technique involves visualizing roses around your body to harness their healing power. You can imagine a single rose between you and another person, surround yourself with multiple roses, or envision yourself within a vast rose that envelops you.
By visualizing roses, you consciously invite the healing essence of the holy feminine. Affirm to yourself that within this rose lies your space, which you choose to fill with compassion, acceptance, strength, beauty, and divine power. Continue the breath mantra: "I keep my power. I give my love." Recognize the divine within yourself and others involved.
Now, you are prepared to listen with an open heart and receive feedback that may enlighten you. Anticipate the lessons that will emerge from the situation you've created. Embrace the power of peace and express gratitude. Welcome back to love!
This essay was originally published in The Mountain Spirit Chronicles, Mount Shasta, CA.
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