Creating Space
I highly doubt that I will get tired of mindfulness activities. It’s so much we learn about ourselves when we do them. In continuing to read Anxiety Happens: 52 Ways to find Peace of Mind, there was another chapter that stood out to me. Chapter 3 in particular talks about creating space. It mentions that the aim of creating space is not to be open and spread-out all the time, but to give you the skills to create inner space to recognize and make room for experiences we’re having; as often as we need to. Sooo… what exactly does that mean? It means that whenever life wants to throw daggers or our day is put off by something unexpected, we’re quick to close and withdraw. However, it’s important that we learn to open and expand our awareness right where we are at that very moment and time.
Creating space helps us to learn just as I stated, becoming aware right where we are. The point is to not be open and expansive all the time. That’s not even realistic. But, to give you the skills to create an inner space to acknowledge and make room for the experiences we’re having, as often as we need to. This is important because this allows us to show up in our life and LIVE it!
Creating Space Within: *There is no right or wrong way to do this exercise, be intentional with your experience*
1. Allow your eyes to close gently. Take a couple of gentle breaths and out notice the sound and feel of your own breath as you breathe.
2. Now turn your attention to being just where you are. Allow your awareness to drift to the atmosphere around you — what do you notice?
3. Then allow your awareness to drift inside of you. Gently acknowledge any physical sensations in your body. Do the same for any thoughts, and notice how they may change or shift from moment to moment.
4. With each inhale, imagine that you’re creating more and more space for any thoughts or sensations in your body, more space within you for to be you, right where you are.
5. Continue breathing. Continue expanding until you experience a sense of spaciousness within you.
6. When you’re ready, gradually widen your attention to take in the sounds around you, and slowly open your eyes with the intention to bring this centered awareness to the many moments to come in your day.
Don’t fight your experience. Set the intention to be present with whatever is happening at that moment and time. Open up to your experience and don’t be afraid to get curious about you and what’s happening right now. Find a time and place that’s right for you; whether it’s during your bathroom break or lunch break. By practicing this, it will help us to make room for ourselves to show up and do what we care about, even if our mind and body gives us the unpleasant stuff every now and then.