After listening to, and experiencing, some incredible shares during the ‘Sunday Morning Special’ class inside “Journey to the Peak“, I felt a call to do a sort of “Back to the Future“.
Let’s start at the beginning. Which is a “very good place to start”. -“Do-Re-Mi”, Sound of Music , but that’s a different movie for another day. 🙂
What I mean by “Back to the Future” is that, the past few weeks have been infused with the idea of pilgrimages and all the self inquiry of what we might take with us, what we’re letting go, and how to always align with our heart throughout the journey.
But, how were we at the start? What were we doing at the beginning? What were the foundations from which we set out on?
“What is the foundation from which you began a journey? What did you know you would need to hold you up for the duration?”
“Doc, You Don’t Just Walk Into A Store And Buy Plutonium!”-Marty, ‘Back to the Future’. And yet, Doc knew they would need it! He wanted to prepare. He wanted to make sure they had what they needed.
Now, I am presupposing that this is a chosen path. And yet, even within the mystery of life that we all experience, and the unknowing of what might happen, we can still use this curiosity to support us even in those moments.
We can still use this curiosity and inquiry to support us in acknowledging the foundations for moments when life shakes things up unexpectedly!
Foundation Examples:
- We might want a passport.
- We will want to know we have friends we can call upon.
- We will need water.
- We will want to have courage.
- We need belief in Oneself.
- Offering forgiveness is key when starting out.
- Letting go of perfection and getting everything “right”, especially the first time.
- Letting go of the expectations before even beginning will serve.
- Starting with love.
- Starting with that one big breath!
- Starting with an intention.
- Faith.
What are some of your foundations that you base your life upon?
How about doubt? Wait, what, you say? Yeah, what about doubt?
In my training tonight, March 29, 2023, Jack Kornfield led hundreds of us in teachings and answering questions. One answer made me stop and cry immediately!
The answer that made me cry:
“Doubt also means you are about to learn.”
-Jack Kornfield
Phew! Wow. Who knew that doubt could ever become a foundation! And yet, it totally makes sense to me from this new view.
Doubt can be a healthy experience from which we are invigorated to continue. Doubt might also carry the name of fear. Doubt can also carry the name of “cold feet” and “wanting to turn back”. Is “fear of the unknown” in your vocabulary? It is in mine!
Who am I to do this?
Who am I to say this?
Who am I, that I think I have anything to offer?
Will it be good enough?
Will I be good enough?
What’s going to happen?
Will I fail?
This could mean you are sacred, but it also means you care! Something in you knows that no matter the outcome, this is meant for you! And you are the only one who knows the way!
“Roads? Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads.”-Doc, ‘Back to the Future’, 1985.
Say these instead:
Who am I NOT to be the one?!
I have so much to offer!
I am enough!
I am worthy!
I am possible!
I am potential!
I am!
Take a posture in your body that exudes these feelings! What do you notice? How do you feel? What is possible right here, right now? Name these foundations! Journal, out them in your walls! See them everyday.
I am going to carry this with me into the next few years:
“-May my self doubt of being able to be a worthy mindfulness teacher to diverse groups of people be dissolved by my passion and courage.
-May it be eased with trust and love.
-May it be a foundational vehicle that I can resource and to remember my bigger ‘why’s’ and why I care.
-May it be my reminder that Source is guiding me, supporting me, and is always in my heart.”
*Say the above blessing to yourself for whatever area of life you are needing it!*
Not feeling the uplifting charge yet? That’s ok. Just noticed that. Perhaps you start with these:
I am here.
I am.
I have all I need already.
I am reminded of Rumi:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn’t make any sense.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.”
Awaken to your unfolding path!
Love always,
Shawna
Breathe and Believe.