It’s that time of year when the winds of change are swirling fast and are deeply felt—literally and figuratively—for a lot of people. My yogi tells us that Eastern Ayervedic traditions explain this sensation via the notion of “Vata Energy.” Vata is very cold, dry, quick, and moving energy. Think swirling leaves and brisk, whipping winds. If you’re noticing an uptick in the number of changes you’re experiencing and the rapidity with which they are occurring in your life as of late, know that you’re not alone. We’re all experiencing it. It’s the Vata at work: the energy of autumn and the whirl of change. It’s the natural cycle at work, our one last burst of energy before the quiet and reflective qualities of winter set in.
A lot of us can be overwhelmed by vata energy and its presence in our lives. And for many more, it puts is into a deep, downward spiral of overwhelm. So what do you do when you notice overwhelm creeping in and starting to undo you? Ask yourself these five questions, and listen closely for the answers. Don’t overthink it. Just go with the one or two words that pop into your head after you pose the question to yourself. Sit quietly for a moment or two, hear the answer, and write down your thought. I bet you’ll be surprised at what you hear and write.
- What my hearts wants most is __________.
- I would be delighted by ___________.
- I’m willing to allow __________ in my life.
- I’d like to allow _________.
- When all four of these are realized, I feel __________.
Whenever I do this exercise with my clients, there is an instant feeling of lightness, of being at peace. Give it a try yourself. See what you come up with. Notice how you feel after you do this exercise. Please feel free to share your results with me in the comments section below. I’d love to hear what new learning you’re experiencing from doing this profoundly simple yet deep and moving activity for “beating the overwhelm.”
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