On one November evening many, many, years ago, I went to bed not knowing the outcome of a presidential election. I stayed up far later than I should have in hopes of witnessing the outcome “in real time.” Due to inertia (if you like that kind of word) or laziness, I did end up on the couch, which is not always a key ingredient to a good night's sleep.
Nevertheless, as I woke the next morning,I felt completely relaxed. Furthermore, in my head, or “my mind’s eye,” I saw an image which was crystal clear. I saw a white candle lit. Instantly that lit candle started to multiply, and all of a sudden there were thousands of lit candles. It was so beautiful. It was so vivid, peaceful and hopeful, I almost thought I might be dreaming. But I knew I was completely conscious and wide awake. Without a thought, my entire being felt calm, and then blissful. I got up. Checked who won. Proceeded to walk around with what felt like a rapid river current flowing inside of myself. It felt like love. BIG LOVE. It continued to flow for most of the day.
It feels strange saying this because the outcome of the election was not what I was hoping for, but my entire system felt inspired and ignited, so I trusted this feeling over my thinking. It was, if I can put words to it an “ah-ha moment” – it felt spontaneous and all encompassing. It was so wonderful and clear that it had my full attention all day long. To me, it was a “pay attention” moment, an intuitive hit (if you will): the kind of feeling I just know to trust and not think about it or question. Later on, I found myself inspired to find understanding.
This is where I really feel it, like something is being born. My mind thinks about connection. I know that action is born from intention. It felt then, and it continues to feel now, like a time for action, to stand strong and engage in our truth – the truth of who we are.
From a healing perspective, I know that healing is not linear. The trap that most of us find ourselves in is that we think it is. That is why I call my holistic counseling practice Spiral Healing. I have experienced healing to be like a spiral: we go in, and we go deeper. We feel as though we have healed something, but when it comes up again, we may feel defeated. It may seem like the same old stuff, but maybe, this time, it is familiar but different: it is deeper, seemingly more dark, more painful, and more difficult. When I find myself in a challenging moment, I have learned to ask myself, “What is coming up for me to heal? What in this moment needs my attention?” The author and spiritual teacher Pema Chodron said, “Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.” At first, this can sound harsh, but it’s true. No one consciously chooses experiences that are challenging or painful, but the wisdom that is born of the experience can be transformational.
Like a clogged pipe, it needs to be cleared out before the water can flow again. It is our “daily bread,” maintaining the flow: looking in and clearing out. Change comes in all forms, and not all change is comfortable or even welcome. Change is the only constant in the world.
On a wider realm, It is important to see that all of this stuff, this pain and suffering, has always been there; and now it has just come to a point where it can’t be ignored or not be “seen” anymore. So much is showing up right now, and it is time to look deeply inside.
From a healing perspective, it could be that we are getting closer to the core. It can be really frightening to see other people’s pain as well as our own. Perhaps on a macro level, this is the gift of this modern day “societal and political environment.” I know that I am looking deeper. It beckons me to ask about what I have been missing: what am I not seeing?
I understand the power of fear. More specifically, the lack of love. Love is the most powerful energy on this earth. Many of us know what it feels like to deeply love another being. Imagine your child, your partner, a friend, nature or an animal companion. What does that feel like for you? When you bring that feeling into your being, it is wonderful. Love does wonderful things for everyone, and more specifically for yourself.
We all have light within us; people use many words for this light – being, the self, flow, spirit, or a soul – but the point is that this light is part of our experience of being human on this earth. The Police once sang, “We are spirits in a material world.” It is a practice to go inward, and to bring our attention to that inner light. We naturally hold our attention outward on what is going on outside of ourselves, and the more we do this, the less connection we have to our inner light. In my experience, those who practice going inward know that they have inner strength, and also know that everyone else does too. The winds of the world will continue to blow, but the deep knowing of inner strength, love, will hold us up and make a difference.
For me, I feel called to do more; stand strong as myself. I believe that investing in myself is one way to follow my calling as a therapist/healer; also by doing my own inner healing is an impactfully, positive way to contribute to society. The spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, who knows about present moment awareness asks, “Are you polluting the world or cleaning up the mess?” He goes on to say, "You are responsible for your inner space: nobody else is.”
We all are familiar with the ancient knowledge that transcends space and time: “Know Thyself.” This is the truth that was once, is now and always will be. I would like to help you do the same: inspire you, support you, assist you in your inner healing journey to knowing yourself. The most vital pusit you can undertake in your life is being who you are. The first step is being curious; the world is calling for you to be yourself.
By Kristin Stiles-Hall, LICSW, EMP and Reiki Master
Kristin Stiles-Hall, is a licensed clinical social worker offering an integrative approach to therapy, blending traditional medical models with holistic modalities such as Reiki. Kristin provides evidence-based practices and skills, as well as holistic knowledge grounded in science. With over 25 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is also a seasoned and experienced Energy Therapy and Reiki practitioner, having graduated from the Rhys Thomas Institute of Energy Medicine in Massachusetts. Kristin's undergraduate studies in Physical Therapy give her a keen understanding of mind-body-energy integration.
Contact:
[email protected]
For more information visit:
www.spiralhealing.org
www.facebook.com/KristinSpiralhealing3
Nevertheless, as I woke the next morning,I felt completely relaxed. Furthermore, in my head, or “my mind’s eye,” I saw an image which was crystal clear. I saw a white candle lit. Instantly that lit candle started to multiply, and all of a sudden there were thousands of lit candles. It was so beautiful. It was so vivid, peaceful and hopeful, I almost thought I might be dreaming. But I knew I was completely conscious and wide awake. Without a thought, my entire being felt calm, and then blissful. I got up. Checked who won. Proceeded to walk around with what felt like a rapid river current flowing inside of myself. It felt like love. BIG LOVE. It continued to flow for most of the day.
It feels strange saying this because the outcome of the election was not what I was hoping for, but my entire system felt inspired and ignited, so I trusted this feeling over my thinking. It was, if I can put words to it an “ah-ha moment” – it felt spontaneous and all encompassing. It was so wonderful and clear that it had my full attention all day long. To me, it was a “pay attention” moment, an intuitive hit (if you will): the kind of feeling I just know to trust and not think about it or question. Later on, I found myself inspired to find understanding.
This is where I really feel it, like something is being born. My mind thinks about connection. I know that action is born from intention. It felt then, and it continues to feel now, like a time for action, to stand strong and engage in our truth – the truth of who we are.
From a healing perspective, I know that healing is not linear. The trap that most of us find ourselves in is that we think it is. That is why I call my holistic counseling practice Spiral Healing. I have experienced healing to be like a spiral: we go in, and we go deeper. We feel as though we have healed something, but when it comes up again, we may feel defeated. It may seem like the same old stuff, but maybe, this time, it is familiar but different: it is deeper, seemingly more dark, more painful, and more difficult. When I find myself in a challenging moment, I have learned to ask myself, “What is coming up for me to heal? What in this moment needs my attention?” The author and spiritual teacher Pema Chodron said, “Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.” At first, this can sound harsh, but it’s true. No one consciously chooses experiences that are challenging or painful, but the wisdom that is born of the experience can be transformational.
Like a clogged pipe, it needs to be cleared out before the water can flow again. It is our “daily bread,” maintaining the flow: looking in and clearing out. Change comes in all forms, and not all change is comfortable or even welcome. Change is the only constant in the world.
On a wider realm, It is important to see that all of this stuff, this pain and suffering, has always been there; and now it has just come to a point where it can’t be ignored or not be “seen” anymore. So much is showing up right now, and it is time to look deeply inside.
From a healing perspective, it could be that we are getting closer to the core. It can be really frightening to see other people’s pain as well as our own. Perhaps on a macro level, this is the gift of this modern day “societal and political environment.” I know that I am looking deeper. It beckons me to ask about what I have been missing: what am I not seeing?
I understand the power of fear. More specifically, the lack of love. Love is the most powerful energy on this earth. Many of us know what it feels like to deeply love another being. Imagine your child, your partner, a friend, nature or an animal companion. What does that feel like for you? When you bring that feeling into your being, it is wonderful. Love does wonderful things for everyone, and more specifically for yourself.
We all have light within us; people use many words for this light – being, the self, flow, spirit, or a soul – but the point is that this light is part of our experience of being human on this earth. The Police once sang, “We are spirits in a material world.” It is a practice to go inward, and to bring our attention to that inner light. We naturally hold our attention outward on what is going on outside of ourselves, and the more we do this, the less connection we have to our inner light. In my experience, those who practice going inward know that they have inner strength, and also know that everyone else does too. The winds of the world will continue to blow, but the deep knowing of inner strength, love, will hold us up and make a difference.
For me, I feel called to do more; stand strong as myself. I believe that investing in myself is one way to follow my calling as a therapist/healer; also by doing my own inner healing is an impactfully, positive way to contribute to society. The spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, who knows about present moment awareness asks, “Are you polluting the world or cleaning up the mess?” He goes on to say, "You are responsible for your inner space: nobody else is.”
We all are familiar with the ancient knowledge that transcends space and time: “Know Thyself.” This is the truth that was once, is now and always will be. I would like to help you do the same: inspire you, support you, assist you in your inner healing journey to knowing yourself. The most vital pusit you can undertake in your life is being who you are. The first step is being curious; the world is calling for you to be yourself.
By Kristin Stiles-Hall, LICSW, EMP and Reiki Master
Kristin Stiles-Hall, is a licensed clinical social worker offering an integrative approach to therapy, blending traditional medical models with holistic modalities such as Reiki. Kristin provides evidence-based practices and skills, as well as holistic knowledge grounded in science. With over 25 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is also a seasoned and experienced Energy Therapy and Reiki practitioner, having graduated from the Rhys Thomas Institute of Energy Medicine in Massachusetts. Kristin's undergraduate studies in Physical Therapy give her a keen understanding of mind-body-energy integration.
Contact:
[email protected]
For more information visit:
www.spiralhealing.org
www.facebook.com/KristinSpiralhealing3
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