SELF-CARE

'SELF-CARE' IS A TERM WITH WHICH I HAVE FELT
​LITTLE RELATION UNTIL RECENTLY....
​

My experiments over the years, with a multitude of traditional and alternative practitioners, diets, supplements, exercises and bodywork, meditation, chanting, and so on, were generally based on impulsive interest or immediate need. None until now was done consciously, with an attitude and motive of whole human self care.

The times we are in and the stage of my soul progress converge in my journey, on a plateau of more elevated, effective and comprehensive self-care.

Funnily enough, two unlikely signposts brought self care into sharper focus for me this week. One was a hidden word search puzzle commented with, 'First four words you see here reveal your subconscious mind, go for it!'

Two of mine were 'health' and 'self-care'. Later in the week, upon peeling the plastic film off a new container of Hope Hummus, I read on the underside the adage, 'Self-care ain't selfish!'

Hmmm. What's the message? Where could I improve self-care? Well, what has my body been telling me?

The tension held in my muscles has come gradually to the forefront of my attention, with increasing intensity, for the past years, months and weeks until it became a bit alarming. If I had to start somewhere, it would be in the hard knots in my shoulders and limited range of motion.

The Inner Flame meditation has been an effective means of entering an expanded state of awareness, where the mind is calm and peaceful. During those nine minutes, tension fades and is replaced by relaxed equanimity.

However, back in daily life, to which I must inevitably return, at the first triggers not deftly navigated, the shoulder knots contract and my body mechanics are thrown out of kilter.

Over the day, pieces of the Inner Flame re-applied as breathing visualizations and the powerful invocation/prayer, have been very helpful towards maintaining composure and balance in the midst of many challenges. It is just when the triggers are one after another, generally, that stress gets the upper hand.

Chair massages by a therapist are not found in this semi-rural area, and my next thought went to a massage unit. Light searching brought me to a candidate for testing, a portable unit powered by AC, and made in a country with a heritage of massage, South Korea. This is my first week of using it, and in a combination with other elements, my regimen of self care is showing progress in all the right places.

Other elements of my current regimen include the Inner Flame meditation with a crystal ball as a focal point, more attention given to diet and exercise and just being, self-applied body cream, the massage unit, and most essentially a keener awareness of my progress of the Soul.

Ah, progress of the Soul. It is different for each person, and more a journey than a path. I measure progress in the quality of my actions. That can include many characteristics or attributes of actions.

Am I present, that is, *with* what I am doing?
Are my awareness, and my heart, open to my surroundings and interactions?
Have I extended the boundaries of my awareness beyond old patterns and mental frameworks?
Have I felt my merkaba, the Present Moment Sphere, over the day?
When something 'hits' me, do I respond with equanimity?
Do I stay relaxed through the challenges and triggers of the day?
Have I quickly calmed fears or turbulent emotions, that have arisen in me?
Have I kept my thoughts aligned with being a deliberate creator?
Am I balanced and peaceful within?

Especially with the last, it is helpful to have an honest and discerning partner, who gives a more objective view. Sometimes my inner peace has only been in my head. My progress feels something like how the graph of my crypto investments looks. Lots of ups and downs, with a steady, gradual climb.

The Infinity Breath Meditation, Explanation and HOW TO ( Ascension Tools )​
by Giving Voice to the Wisdom of the Ages on YouTube