Tiredness is very interesting.
It can be physiological, often from lack of sleep. It can have a significant mind component. And perhaps quite commonly, there is some of each.
In inquiry sessions – both as client and facilitator – I notice that an almost overwhelming tiredness can set in, often when the client is looking at something with a lot of velcro and seemingly threatening. When tiredness is brought consciously into the session, the experience of it can shift, and it also tends to mysteriously vanish after the apparently threatening images, words, and sensations have been more closely looked at. It may be that this tiredness is a form of protection.
In life, it may be similar. I wonder if not a part of chronic fatigue is the same impulse to protect. The tiredness is a form of protection, and if so comes from innocence, deep caring, and worried love. Tiredness protects me from being out there in the world, with all its apparent dangers, risks, disappointments, and more. (And that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a very real physiological component to chronic fatigue, and perhaps even in the cause of chronic fatigue.)
Some ways to explore tiredness:
Living Inquiries.
Rest with the tiredness. Notice. Allow.
Feel the sensations. See how it is to be curious about them. Feel the sensations as sensations. (As much as possible. This may be much easier after doing the following inquiry.)
Inquire into the sensations, and any associated images and words. Is it a threat? Is it tiredness? Is it someone who is tired?
Kindness.
I love you.
I am sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. (Ho’oponopono.)
Holding satsang with.
You are welcome here.
Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for your love for me.
What would satisfy you forever?
What are you really?
Dialogue/mining.
How does X relate to you? What advice do you have for him/her?
What does it mean? What would is say if it could speak?
What does it need from you?
In my experience, the kindness can be very helpful in reorienting and relate to it differently, and the dialog can do the same. What really helps is resting with what’s here, and especially feeling the sensations of tiredness, and looking at the associated images and words. When the velcro is loosened, it’s much easier to feel the sensations as sensations, and the associated images and words are recognized as images and words.
The sense of tiredness may get thinner or lifts. Or there is still a more physiological tiredness here (from lack of sleep usually) and it’s OK, it doesn’t seem like a problem, and it doesn’t have as many overlays of images and words.
This is similar to how physical pain can be explored.
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Initial notes…..
– in life + in sessions
– tiredness, interesting/helpful to explore
– in sessions – sometimes comes up when look at something uncomfortable, can be very strong, makes it almost impossible to continue (it seems), then clears up, especially if looked at/felt
– in life too, tiredness can be a protection, a way to keep me safe
– meet with kindness, love, see it comes from caring, worried love
– notice/feel the sensations, look at the images/words
– see more what’s really there
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