Flush my needs and feelings down the pipe

Whether it’s journaling, meditation, reflecting, talking, exercising, reading, whatever, the purpose is initiating physical, mental or spiritual movement.

Whatever causes you to discover thoughts or feelings that were previously hidden or unconscious.

For some, that might mean focusing their attention on a particular object or work, so that they create space for their thoughts and emotions to surface. For others, that might mean creating environment that allows your mind to wander and explore its needs and desires more freely.

Even if that means temporarily distracting yourself from external pressures, expectations, or influences to explore without interference.

As long as the mind enters a state where it can connect the dots, generate ideas, and reveal underlying necessities more easily, then that’s a win. Action reveals need.

When I first began my yoga practice in my late twenties, our instructor taught us how to perform what’s called diagnostic postures. These poses help you see how your spine, neck, shoulders, hips and wrist are doing that day. From bow pose to tree pose to half moon pose, they’re useful for identifying anatomical inconsistencies or anomalies.

My favorite diagnostic is the back bending pose. What’s wonderful about this type of pose is, it comes early in the series. You gauge where your practice is at in the moment. You listen to what kind of body you have today. That action reveals need. Opportunities for improvement announce themselves, and you get clarity on what conditions are necessary for you to thrive.

What’s your diagnostic pose each day? Is there some movement you can initiate explore your feelings and needs more freely?

Please note, this tool to achieve greater understanding of oneself uses what’s called the indirect approach. Rather than forcing critical data to the surface, you’re taking action to allow it to reveal itself to you.

This might seem passive, but oftentimes, it’s more efficient than just sitting in bed trying to figure out what you need and how you feel. Or going to therapy and letting someone ask me what you need.

I’ve tired those more direct approaches many times, and they’re far less useful for the way my brain is wired. In my experience, my body, mind and spirit will gain more from springing into action and letting life speak to me, rather than trying to ruminating insight into submission.

This comparison is not about what’s right or wrong, good or bad, better or worse, it’s simply what works to help me reconnect with my current conditions and desired outcome.

Action reveals need. Indirectly approaching myself in this manner flushes my needs and feelings down the pipe so they slip out the side door.

If you want to seize opportunities for improvement, initiate some kind of physical, mental or spiritual movement. Start walking and the path will illuminate itself.

What wisdom already resides within you, waiting to be discovered through the simple act of starting?