Releasing What No Longer Serves You

Tip: Do you see a “Listen” link above? Yes? Click it. Sit back. Enjoy. Pause playback as needed.

We’ll start our exploration on the art of releasing with an example you may consider to be a bit crass. My example involves two daily bodily functions. How often you need to go depends on how much you consume. Drink lots of liquids? Off to the loo — often — true?

My point? The act of releasing what no longer serves you (digested liquids and solids) happens without much thought. When you sense it’s time to go — you go. If you ever ignore bathroom body signals what happens? A moment quickly arrives when you may no longer ignore — you GOT to GO! LOL

Point two? If something happens that you’re unable to go — then what? Discomfort? Pain? Right?

Have you noticed how the longer you hold onto something (or some one) that you know isn’t the best for you — pain / suffering increases? Has pain and/or suffering become so ingrained in daily life you no longer notice it? The more we adapt to pain or suffering the more difficult the art of releasing becomes.

The goal of the following guided visualization is to help you release what no longer serves you with exponentially less pain, effort or thought.

Backstory? I channeled this visualization decades ago on my journey to life as monk.

With these thoughts in mind, time to get prepared. Do your best to pause distractions. Do you have apps (mail or chat programs) running? Close your apps, programs / silence notifications. Do you need some body care? Bathroom break? Get comfortable, get warmer, get cooler, have a glass of water? Tell people you’re taking a short break?

Let’s take our first steps to discover how to release something (or some one) that no longer serves you. Something might just be attitudes. Is it time to release an attitude about yourself? For example? Years after releasing over one hundred pounds — I had to release an internal image of my formerly fat self. False images hurt us — true?

As you find yourself comfortably seated or lying down we next focus on allowing the chatter going on inside your head — to take a nap. How do you calm inner mind chatter?

• Start with three deep breaths.
• Take slow deep breaths to the count of four seconds.
• Use a full four seconds to breath in.
• Let a full four seconds happen to calmly release your breath.

While taking each slow deep, chest / stomach moving breath, imagine breathing in light. What would it be like breathing in whatever it is that inspires you. (My go-to aroma is the smell of coffee brewing!)

If you sense some sort of pain — breath into that pain. With each breath out — imagine blowing out pain. As you release each breath — relax your muscles,

As you get comfortable be mindful of little voices popping up inside your head wondering “What’s going on?” Let these voices know it’s time to take a nap. Gently tell your inner perfectionist, critic or judge it’s nap time. If you’re lucky, they’ll take a nap for the rest of the day!

Time now to visualize the art of releasing.

Imagine yourself walking through your home.

Look at all your furniture.

Look at all the souvenirs that inspire memories of people, places and events.

Take in your artwork.

As we wander through your kitchen, you look at all your gadgets as you open drawers and cabinets.

Next? For the next few minutes visualize albums, scrapbooks, books, boxes or envelops stuffed with memories (pictures, audio/video media, travel stubs, event programs).

What feelings happen as you take witness of your material world. Allow a few silent moments to pass to reflect on feelings that surface like bubbles rising up from the deep end of a crystal clear pool.

No matter the size of the space you live in — take your time to wander all over the place. [Pause you reading / listening as long as you need.]

Next we go from the external material world, the world of things — things we experience through our five senses — to our internal world. A world that exists in your mind and soul.

If you need to — take time to savor a few more deep breaths.

With each breath know that you are absolutely perfect as you are — no matter what.

As you enter into your internal world begin to feel — more than think. Feelings: joy, happiness, sadness. Alone-ness. Comfort. What feelings come to mind for you? How do you feel right now? As you scan your body — how does it feel? As you scan your mind — what do you feel?

If you find yourself not feeling any particular way — but you want to feel — allow your inner wisdom to spontaneously do whatever is needed to feel. Trust you instinctually know how to release whatever blocks you — from feeling — as you cycle through a few more deep breaths.

Now it’s time to explore what one external, tangible item (issue or person) is at the source of what causes you the most pain or suffering. What seems to be the most unhealthy for you. Maybe you pick a bag of chips? A bottle of alcohol? Something you smoke? Pick something (or someone) you know is basically not the best for your ongoing good health.

On the inside pick an attitude or belief. Do you feel unworthy? You’re not worth good health. You think that being healthy is too expensive. Pick something that blocks or prevents you from being the healthiest you can be given your circumstances. No matter your age. No matter your background or your ability. Explore what prevents you from experiencing life to the fullest. Pick the one attitude or belief that first captures your attention.

As you pick one issue keep in mind, you may use this guided visualization over and over and over again. The more specific, the more powerful this visualization becomes. For example, you pick, “I want to release all that harms me.” I suggest you focus your pick on one popped popcorn kernel versus an overflowing movie-theatre size popcorn box. Try silently saying, “I want to release the guilt I feel between me and — “X” insert that person’s name who inspires feeling of guilt.

Take your time. Pause reading (listening) as long as you need to select ONE something or someone you wish to release what no longer serves your highest and greatest evolutionary growth.

So now that you have in mind what you wish to release imagine placing your selection into a box or a bag. Then visualize your parcel effortlessly floating with you as you walk through an easy, level path in a dazzling beautiful forest.

You feel absolutely safe as you enter your forest. You know that there’s nothing in this forest that’s going to hurt or surprise you. Everything in this forest wants you to experience abundance of all good things. Your forest lives and breathes so that you may evolve and prosper with ease and grace.

As you walk your path in this beautiful forest of majestic trees on either side — you stroll along without fear of falling or tripping.

Way at the end of the path, you see the ocean. And as you continue strolling you notice it’s getting close to sunset. You see the glorious sun just beaming light — a path of golden light upon the ocean’s velvety blue surface.

The sun’s golden, shimmering path streams across the ocean onto the land and up the path you’re walking down. With each step you become more aware to fully take in all the land beauty. Sky-brushing tree tops. Vine-covered boulders. A kaleidoscope of plants, birds, creepy crawlers, and lowers just popping out everywhere — so colorful!

You glance beside you to see your parcel effortlessly glide along with you.

And as you reach the edge of the forest you notice a fine tan sand beach slipping into the ocean. On your first few steps onto a warm granular carpet a slight wind caresses you. You welcome the wind as it cools you. You notice the wind swirl wisps of sand around your floating parcel containing what you wish to release.

This breeze grows in just enough strength to shift your floating parcel into your hands.

As you start to carry your parcel you begin to feel what was just feather light grow boulder heavy. So heavy you can barely carry your parcel one step more.

You begin to realize how much weight what you selected to release has had on your life.

Your instincts guide you to release your parcel into the sea. With your next step you have just enough strength to comfortably slip into the ocean surf.

And as you drift into the surf you begin to notice how the shifting sandy powder beneath you firmly supports you. With each stride into the sea you see a golden path of sunlight wrap itself around you like a warm blanket on a chilly day.

The sunlight envelops your body to welcome you in. Your light is happy you’re here. As you feel yourself begin to float. you feel stronger. Strength unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

Your parcel that was boulder heavy just seconds ago now effortlessly floats in your hands. You see it there. You are carrying it. But it’s as light as the breeze that’s caressing your face. Take time to feel yourself floating peacefully into this sacred moment.

Just as a mother caresses her child the surf slowly washes your feet. Your instincts direct you to sit down with your parcel floating above your hands. Your hands are in your lap. And for one last moment you recall what this item is, what it has done for you in your life. No matter what it is you feel a sense of gratitude growing deep inside you. You feel thankful. Absolutely thankful for all the lessons that this parcel created. You begin to be aware that what you’re about to release . . .

. . . for the rest of your life . . .

. . . has served a purpose. That purpose may escape you. You’re fine. You’re at peace with not knowing.

You’re at peace knowing that one day, if it’s appropriate, its purpose will be made apparent.

As a growing sense of contentment begins to radiate from deep inside your heart you find yourself complete.

Whole.

There are no more emotional, physical, spiritual strings attached to your parcel.

As you sit in the surf where a sunset is happening you sense another wave of feeling. You feel a spirited wave of gratitude for the hard work that you’ve just done to release your parcel.

The tide begins to rise just a teeny, tiny bit. You know you’re completely safe. The water’s perfectly comfortable.

As a semi-circle sun shines clearly before you — you sense dolphins, whales and all the amazing ocean life singing out to you. Songs of gratitude for you being right where you are.

As gentle waves lap upon your knees you continue to feel perfectly safe and comfortable. You don’t care about getting wet. So refreshing.

Each wave starts to feel like someone’s tapping on you. The waves invite you to let your parcel go. Permanently release it.

With the next wave — no matter your parcel size — it floats perfectly in the water before you.

As you release your parcel into the sea — in that sacred moment — the top of the sun dips under the horizon.

In this divine moment of release you feel a surge of energy race down your spine. You feel the last second of sunlight beam directly into your soul — a thank you. Thank you for releasing what you needed to release.

As your parcel floats away you see it growing smaller. And smaller. It continues to diminish in size until you just don’t see it anymore. And in that moment where no longer see your parcel, you feel this beautiful, empty, clear space inside you.

You feel complete with empty space.

Take all the time you wish to FEEL this space!

As twilight colors play out — warm, comfortable, safe waves literally wash you clean. Even your memories of what you released — fade as the beautiful pinks, blues and lavenders, deep rustic colors of dusk entertain you.

As you slowly get up — you stand — you noticed the tide rapid recedes into the glowing horizon line. Still comfortably warm. Still feeling protected.

As you turn around to journey back you begin to feel — so sure of life.

Peace in such strength that you are now more than ever — ready to do whatever it is you feel called to do.

With each step away from the beach back onto your forest path you shift back into this day. This moment. This place in time.

Taking a few more deep breaths in and out you come back — now — to this moment.

With each breath, begin to slowly, gently move your body.

Move your legs.

Crinkle your toes.

Stretch your legs.

Stretch your arms; move your shoulders.

Stick out your fingers.

Slowly pivot your head. Imagine painting circles with your hair on the ceiling above.

As you claim your — now — I invite you to consider seeing everything — new. Why new? You’ve just released something. You don’t even remember what it is you released because it’s so far gone. You’re a new — you!

As you take more deep breaths in and out, remind yourself to repeat this visualization as often as you wish. Embellish your journey any way you’d like.

Use your creativity to release what no longer serves you.

In gratitude I bow to you — for you!

Oh! Yes! Heads-up. Kindly note that Medium has changed how they calculate Partner Program earnings. I participate in Medium’s Partner Program to earn a little extra income to support my calling as a monk to be of service.

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