I am in a phase again where there are occasional strong contractions. My mind contracts into beliefs (complaints, self-pity), my breath gets shallow, I resist the contraction and think I am doing it wrong, and when it goes far enough, I partly forget and partly don’t want to use any tools in my tool box. At this point, time is what seems to help the most.
Here are some reminders to myself of what I can do.
As the contraction starts
- Notice the trigger, the situation and beliefs
- Give mind/body over to the divine, including the contraction and resistance to the contraction
- Drink water (herbal teas, beef broth), take Chulen
- Use the body. Shake, neurogenic tremors / TRE + walk outdoors
- Breathe and stay with the sensations/feelings
- Rest, notice what’s here is already allowed
As it happens
- Walk outdoors
- Notice sensations, and beliefs about what they mean, take to gentle inquiry
- Is it true this sensation means I am doomed?
- Is it true this sensation means something terrible happened? Is it true it means something terrible will happen?
- Do these sensation say anything about what’s real?
- Breathe and stay with the sensations/feelings
When it’s lighter
- Inquiry on triggers and the contraction itself
- Some beliefs: I made a mistake, I lost what’s important to me, my life will be miserable
- Set intention to remember these things when the contraction starts
- Pray for guidance and support
- Training stable attention (attention on the sensations at the nostrils)
- Rest, allow what’s here + notice it’s already allowed
- Bring attention to the heart flame, put mind/body in the flame, put contraction and resistance to it into the flame