Do you sometimes feel all wound up? I do. At such times the body is tight, the breath is shallow. And you feel stressed and troubled.
Do you sometimes feel that everything seems to conspire against you? Maybe you try something at work and you just can’t get it right, even though you try so hard.
The upshot is a sense of frustration and self-blame.
The body expresses such frustration with mounting tension. It’s an unpleasant feeling. Some people live with this kind of unhealthy tension each and every day.
We beat ourselves up – even though we maybe tried hard to overcome barriers and challenges. Others may also blame us. Sometimes this load of frustration and blame drags us down and we become despondent. But there is some good news:
There is a way to escape this negative spiral of emotions.
The simple action I’ll describe in a moment is the physical expression of loving-kindness meditation. This is a kind of meditation where we turn loving and kind thoughts towards ourselves. When we are wound-up and blame ourselves for not performing well enough, we need to break this negative cycle of emotions through being kind to ourselves.
A simple touch can return us to serenity
What I’m going to show you is a powerful technique. It means touching the heart with the hand of love. You will notice a change when you do it. But it’s not going to make you serene for ever, just by trying it once! The tension in your mind and body is apt to reoccur. However, if you use this loving touch regularly, you will be able to prevent a build-up of stress in the future.
Touch the heart with the hand of love
Here is a beautiful and very simple way to find serenity.
- Step #1 Take one deep breath and notice it flowing in and out.
- Step #2 Take your right hand and place it gently– in slow motion and with warm awareness – on your heart area.
- Step #3 Leave it resting there lightly for a couple of complete breaths and notice then changes in your body and mind
What your hand is saying to you is, “It’s all right. I love you all the same.”
When your hand comes to rest, you may notice that you spontaneously take a deep breath. Leave your hand on your chest for a while and notice your breathing deepen, your shoulders relax, and your face soften.
Repeat this magic action as often as possible
We cannot get too much of loving-kindness. All of us are in need of it. And we ourselves are often the ones who are our harshest critics and withhold our self love. When you touch the heart with the hand of love, your soul unfolds and your whole being lightens up.
Please let me know in the comments what you think of this simple action.
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Enjoy this related article: Save the World – One Breath at a Time
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Good technique! Thanks!
I believe it can also help us to reconnect with ourselves and our feelings.
Often needed…
Sylvain OBEGI´s last blog ..Freedom lies in responsibility
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During my Reiki training, my partner, who was my girlfriend at the time, would do an exercise with me that was similar to what you’re suggesting.
Using Reiki philosophy, we would stand in front of each other and place our right hands on the other’s heart area. We then took our left hands and covered our own heart area by placing it on top of the other’s hand already there.
We would breate and let the tension flow away. Man, did we feel light-headed and at ease when we finished!
Pete | The Tango Notebook´s last blog ..When Will You Finally Embrace Tango as Alternative Medicine?
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@Syvain
That’s an interesting observation. I think you’re right, this exercise also helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
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@Pete
Wow! That’s a wonderful way to do this exercise together. I must try it.
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I love the beautiful simplicity of this. Thank you, Mary.
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Mary, this is a truly beautiful practice. I love the gentle kindness of your description, too.
In my healing work, I frequently had clients put both hands over their hearts, connect, and speak slowly from that awareness.
Holding one hand on the heart and the other on the belly can also lead to profound serenity, especially for people (such as myself) who are not as grounded as we could be. Lying down with one hand on the heart and the other on the belly can lead to spontaneously balancing the breath, as well as good sleep if that is what’s needed. For people with Reiki training, this can be a lovely self-treatment. But it seems to work wonders for others as well.
Mahala Mazerov´s last blog ..Skillful Answers to Disgraceful Questions, Part 2
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This is such a sweet way to quickly reorient, no matter how chaotic the situation around you. Thanks so much for sharing it in such a simple, clear way, Mary!
Meri Walker´s last blog ..Scared to Get Started Using a Free Virtual Meeting Tool? No Worries…
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Love this post. I’m actually very stressed right now so this was a great post for me to read. Thank you!!
Positively Present´s last blog ..slippery slopes are not reserved for negativity
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Such a simple action but so soothing. I notice the warmth of my hand immediately radiates through my chest and I feel a bit more grounded. I’d like to remember this more often. Thank you Mary.
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Great technique Mary. I love the simplicity of it. I’ll give it a shot. Thank you.
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Friday Question – Life’s Burdens
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The post is simply beautiful Mary. Often time when i am stressed, i try to clear my mind or forget about it. But it wasn’t always that convenient. I should try your technique. I know this will work. Btw, i do have a secret technique of my own
I’ll be writing a post about it sometime later. Talk to you soon Mary. Thanks for the wonderful post again.
Karlil´s last blog ..The 22 Mistakes You Should Avoid Making With Your Goals
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Mary, what a wonderful article and what a wonderful calming, soothing exercise. I know of a similar exercise which might be complementary for it.
Beside touching your heart region with the right hand, you also touch your hara region (below the naval) with your left hand. This position is intuitively used by lots of pregnant women and it connects 2 of the most powerful energy regions. I use this several times and it is one of my most used spontaneous posture while lying down for relaxation.
Also try to switch hands – and notice the difference.
Patrick´s last blog ..No Fu – The Warriors Way to Say No
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That’s a wonderful technique Mary. I have tried it right after I read your post and it worked. Immediately I felt much calmer and relaxed. I am sure that i will be using this technique very often now because it is a wonderful way to balance emotions and stress.
Thanks you for this wonderful tip.
Anastasiya´s last blog ..A Simple Guide to Frugal Organic Eating
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What a simple and beautiful expression of love.
Thank you Mary
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Beautiful post – I have one question though: what if you’re left handed? The left hand (the feminine) is the true hand of love.
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Thank you for this lovely tip. I sent a copy to my daughter, who actually became tearful on her first attempt. I found it very relaxing and will keep it in my daily routine. Sandra
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What a beautiful exercise! I have already tried it and am amazed at the “permission” I gave myself to show myself some kindness.
Linda Smith´s last blog ..Meet Susan Gunelius, CEO KeySplash Creative Inc., author and writer
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Great technique, Mary. Thanks for sharing.
What I really like is how simple this is and how one can do it anywhere.
It is funny how the simplest things are often the most effective.
I just tried this in the coffee shop where I am working from and I did get a few funny looks from some people. Probably wondering if I am having a heart attack or something with this deep breathing and then holding my chest:-)
Arvind Devalia´s last blog ..Why it is Okay to Blow your own Trumpet!
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@Arvind
Ha,ha – I had a good laugh imagining those looks, Arvind!
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Hi Mary, What a powerful technique. I typically use a mantram to center awareness in the body and bring myself back to a calm state. But the most powerful mantram of all of course is our breath, so looking forward to trying your technique!
Cheers,
Krishna
Krishna´s last blog ..A common sense reason to try meditation
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I wonder What I really like is how simple this is!
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I just tried this in the coffee shop where I am working from and I did get a few funny looks from some people.
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Thanks for inspiring post and image! My stress is in my overwhelming debt but I hope to better times!
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