Meditation and yoga are spiritual disciplines. Beautiful ones at that.

But when we introverts are in a state of crisis—I mean the exact moment that we need to call upon elevating power—they may not serve us as efficiently as we might like.

Ideally, the concept is that meditation and other spiritual practices will allow us to radiate their centering benefits regardless of the situation that we are in. However, this is not always the case. Particularly for introverts.

The way the mind works—and if you’ve ever experienced hypnotherapy, you already know this—is that when we go into a quiet space, a contemplative space, as we do during meditation or yoga, it very often mirrors a state of introversion.

This is not necessarily going to help you in the outside world dealing with the daily stresses that you encounter. Someone cutting you off in traffic, your website crashing, your kid telling you you’re a bad parent, a surly clerk at the grocery store, etc. We either tend to rise above a situation or we go so deep inside ourselves that we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to deal with what’s happening in a powerful way. Both options are escapism and only serve to shove our true selves down further into the shadow bag. So what do we do?

The best option that we have to call upon in that flash of an instant when we need it, is grounding.

Let’s find your grounding symbol right now.

I invite you to get comfortable in your chair. Close your eyes. Breathe naturally. Really begin to feel your body. Start to allow yourself to begin to dissipate into the air around you. With each breath in and out you’re becoming more connected to the energy around you, not separate from it.

With a deep breath in and out, imagine now that you are floating in space, completely safe and comfortable. In front of you is a screen. On that screen, a sentence is coming into view. It reads: What grounding symbol do I need?

Now watch those words fade away. Coming into view on the screen now is a blurry shape. Allow it to come into focus. This image or symbol is your grounding symbol. Take note of it. Don’t be surprised if it’s not what you thought it would be. Whatever it is, it comes from you, for you, and is right. Study the symbol. Memorize its shape, color. Note any sounds it makes, if it’s moving or still, and if there is any scent to it or taste associated with it.

And when you’re ready take a deep breath in and out, returning to this time and space, bringing with you the image of that grounding symbol. Take a second to write it down. You may also wish to go and find that symbol or draw that symbol or image and keep it by you at your desk, by your bed, or anywhere you will see it often.

Set the intention that any time you feel out of balance, you will recall this symbol of grounding. Because it came from your subconscious image pool, it is the correct one for you. It also represents your inner power. This has been given to you by your Highest Self. The more you practice this exercise, the more fluidly you will be able to ground yourself when stressors hit, no matter how out of the blue they come.

 

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Editor: Travis May

Photo: Pixoto