Finding my center is an exercise of
being aware in every moment. Gathering and
consolidating energy is much more beneficial then scattering it. Simple things
like riding my bicycle or driving my car are examples as to why it is important
to be mindful and centered.
Centering
requires a focused presence. As I expand this centered awareness it also
welcomes a new level of happiness. Bringing a focus to my physical experience
with a keen awareness on how my body feels in the “now” excels my potential.
When I climb up a ladder I understand why it is important to be aware of each centered
step.
Centering I better observe what is
happening and judge less my present experience. This exercise discovers a
deeper perspective of my greater self. This takes me beyond my emotional stories and
the concepts that imprison me.
Centering is about listening to
oneself at a core level. By becoming more focused I arrive with greater “hereness”
and lessen my mind chatter. Such a simple practice of checking into my body gives
me the opportunity to listen to the beat of my heart. Center what is present at any given second
gives me greater vitality. This exercise allows me to just “be”. Getting me out of my head into my physical
experience lessens distracting thoughts.
Experiment on centering by first
getting yourself in a comfortable sitting posture. Next place your attention to
come into your body. Watch how your lungs fill up with air and then how you
exhale. How does the air touch your nose or mouth? Feel how your bottom
connects with your chair, your feet with the floor. Explore by taking a quick
body-scan. Feel the heat or tingling of your skin. Notice how you can relax
your muscles, mind and bones when you are more sensitive to bodily sensations.
Observe what happens when you pay attention to your physical senses how they
arise and fall away.
As you focus on this bodily quality
become curious about it, yet limit thought to a specific texture, temperature,
and the quality of this body feeling (e.g. tired, restless, energetic, nervous,
pulsating). What is happening now in your body? Now wait several minutes and
see if what is happening is still happening in the same way. Centering always
brings you back to core body sensations. Does it change much or just shift
slightly? Is there a kind of easing or opening, a sense of being firmly
grounded?
The power of centering comes when
you shift from your head to your body. With an interested attention do you
notice what is now going on with your body? Reframe what is
going on by centering your physical self beyond emotions. Invite yourself to
become playful and fully explore all aspects of your body.
Bring a creative quality to this
exercise. Center yourself so to observe your body like a changing weather
system? Does your stomach make noises?
Have you changed your breathing? Can you open, and soften so to release
any tension in your body? Does relaxing help you find a better center?
Like an eye of a hurricane relax find
the stillness in the middle. Let go and relax, just observe you center. Without
resistance come to your core, whether you soften any of your muscles or release
tension in from your feet, ankles, calves, knees, hamstrings, stomach, back, shoulders,
throat, jaw, mouth, eyes or scalp. Simply
bring your attention back to your body. Practice awakening to finding your relaxed
center. Center, be, breath and enjoy!
