Owning Your Own Experience

Listen to Jim and Jori Manske share how we are conditioned to disconnect from our own feelings and how we can unlearn this habit to experience more full and rich inner lives. nvctraining.com Listen to Jim and Jori Manske share how we are conditioned to disconnect from our own feelings and how we can unlearn this habit to experience more full and rich inner lives. Practices for owning your own experience1. Set aside about 10 minutes per day to journal, using this template, in order to support “owning your own emotional experience.”Begin with an intention to be gentle with yourself in a process of self-connection. Remember a time today when you felt a sense of constriction. Write a brief description of what happened. (the Observation) Explore your emotional experience. First, notice your physical sensation and emotions. Lean into the experience with curiosity. Then, tune into what you are telling yourself. Let the “jackal” fly, uncensored for about 1 or 2 minutes. As you consider the signals from your emotional experience, gently inquire, “what is important to me, what do I value, what do I need?” Savor the needs you identify. 2. Contemplate this poem by Rumi. Be with your present experience as you read the poem. Try reading it aloud or asking someone else to read it to you. If you would enjoy more journaling or self-reflection, feel free to write about what comes up for you. The Guest HouseThis being human is a guest house.Every morning a new arrival.A joy, a depression, a meanness,some momentary awareness comesas an unexpected visitor.Welcome and entertain them all!Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,who violently sweep your houseempty of its furniture,still, treat each guest honorably.He may be clearing you outfor some new delight.The dark thought, the shame, the malice,meet them at the door laughing,and invite them in.Be grateful for whoever comes,because each has been sentas a guide from beyond. —Rumi (The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)http://www.panhala.net/Archive/The_Guest_House.html© 2010 peaceworks, Jim and Jori Manske Downloadable Recordings with Jim and Jori Manske