Have you ever just sat with yourself? Eyes closed and without judgment?
It isn’t something most people can do or even think about doing.
I’m not talking about meditation, no. Meditation you have a focus point or a visualization aspect to it. That isn’t what I’m talking about.
What I’m talking about is just sitting with yourself in silence. Closing your eyes and simply noticing.
Noticing what your body is saying. Noticing what your mind brings forth. Noticing what you see in the darkness behind your closed eyes.
Doing all of this without judging or attachment. Not forcing anything and simply allowing what comes up to have space.
To simply acknowledge it, say OK, and then remain detached from it.
To not hold onto the things that come up.
To not force them to remain where they are.
To not force them away either.
But to acknowledge what is being said or shown.
In some traditions it is best to start with the breathe and forcing it to go a certain way. What about instead noticing where the breathe goes?
Is it into the stomach or is it into the chest?
Is it shallow or deep?
Does noticing this help in someway?
Whether you try to deepen it or not is your choice, just simply notice it.
This noticing is where sitting with yourself begins.
It is not about force or trying to sit a certain way or follow specific guidelines.
You can do this whenever, where ever as long as you feel safe and comfortable enough to.
Practice it sitting, standing, laying down it does not matter.
Try it in the five to ten minutes before falling asleep.
Try is for two minutes, five minutes or longer, whichever is comfortable and works for you.
The point of sitting with yourself, is simply that.
To take the time and remember that you are also here.
We as humans have a tendency to forget ourselves in the noise of everyday life.
We forget that we are the observer of our lives as well as the architect.
Simply sitting and noticing the smallest details that come to you without judgment when you close yourself to the world by closing your eyes is only the first step.
It is the first step to remembering. It is the first step to healing and it is the first step to facing the shadows within.
Because contrary to popular belief, the shadows and darkness that you see are not bad. Yes, they may be scary and that is OK.
But that darkness is where you find the answers to who you truly are and remember that you are more that what is seen by the world.
So I dare you to simply sit with yourself. Without noise and without judgment even if just for a minute. See what happens.