As spiritual and human beings, we're magnetic and we absorb energy from the world around us all day long. If we don't have a way to release that unwanted energy, anxiousness, trauma or stress from the body, it can manifest in different ways, causing sickness, disease, overwhelm or burnout. This was the case for me personally and it took a long time to heal. So, today’s episode is all about emptying out.
Since everything is energy, it's so important that we create sacred time and space for ourselves daily to be alone.
Your aura can be felt 3 to 6 feet away from the body, so whenever you enter someone else's auric field, you're taking in their energy and they’re doing the same with yours.
If you’re highly sensitive or an empath, know that you don’t need to identify with whatever you’ve picked up, or the emotions that arise as a result of that. They don't affect your worth in any way and you can just let them go.
But regardless of how much you feel the world, we all need time alone to empty out.
As you probably know by now, I love to ground these spiritual principles into our daily live with practical tips and tools, otherwise they're worthless.
So, you can empty out during sleep (to flush out, recharge, heal and clear the slate to wake up to the fresh energy of a new day ), or it could be a salt bath, a walk in nature or simply a space where you can just be with yourself.
As much as you think you’re relaxing watching Netflix after work or scrolling through Instagram, your mind is still being stimulated and taking things in.
This is the quality of Tamas in yoga, which is expressed as inertia, inactivity, dullness or lethargy and while it feels like we're unplugging from the world, we're actually disconnecting from our Inner Light . But yoga teaches us that there's a different type of relaxation where we're still connected to our Light. It's called Sattva which is a calm and peaceful state which clears the path to our highest self.
This is the place we want to get to when we empty out.
Sometimes, you might need to move your body to get yourself there. Holding on to energy is not a good thing and movement is a way to shift anything that feels stuck. For me, I love spinning or a slow and soulful yoga flow (to classical music lately) to get me feeling free and fluid again.
If you can, build time into your schedule and spend at least 20 minutes a day alone (or however much you can give yourself - even if it’s just 5 minutes to start). You’ll feel so much better and more connected to yourself.
Emptying out could also be journalling or busying your body with something like cleaning, baking, cooking or gardening. With all the collective stress and anxiety over the last year, I've found these are things that really help my mind switch off and my heart feel free. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I recently became a plant parent and something as simple as misting their leaves on a daily basis has been a really great way to decompress. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, either as a result of your energy magnetism, or your busy to-do list, bring that mindset shift to your chores because they become easier too when you believe they're serving your higher self.
You could also use a passive meditation or practice like restorative yoga to empty out. It’s really anything that helps you feel your spirit, without conditioning you to feel a certain way.
I'm going to take you through a guided meditation now that you can use to empty out every single day. Use this time to feel yourself, feel your heart and get back in touch with who you really are.
If it's safe to do so, find a cosy, comfy seat on the floor, in a chair, or you can even lie down.
Close your eyes and feel your energy and attention shifting a little bit deeper inwards, tuning out the rest of the world. Take a deep breath in and let that be an invitation to land softly in your body. And as you breathe out, feel your spirit settling here. Relax into the cosiest and most comforting parts of yourself as you continue to breathe. Slow down each breath so there's the slightest pause, at the top of the inhale and the bottom of the exhale. Use your breath as the anchor in your body, allowing apana, energy aligned with gravity, to flow down and out of your body, emptying out and carrying with it any emotions or vibrations that you no longer want to hold on to.
Now start to touch your body in a loving way... gently and softly. Your breaths are effortless but blissfully deep. Use your hands to feel your arms, your legs, your belly, your heart and your head. You might even wrap your arms around your shoulders and give yourself a hug.
Now, place your hands back over your heart, feel it beating in your chest and take a breath. Let the warmth of your hands calm any anxiety or overwhelm.
Connect with the beating of your heart which physically plays an important role in our lives, as well as spiritually and emotionally. As you tune in to that space, see your heart as an invitation, as a portal to go deeper within.
Now just be here with yourself and breathe.
Breathe and connect to that inextinguishable source of love, compassion and energy within. Feel that connection. Breathe and receive, alone with yourself and everything you need. Filling up and emptying out.
Continue to breathe in this way for a few more moments and then, take one last inhale and exhale completely. And when you’re ready, open your eyes to the room.
Thanks so much for listening! If you’re ready to go deeper, I have a free mini yoga retreat waiting for you over at pranapatchouli.com/retreat. It’ll help you find emotional ease, fill up your cup and follow the whispers of your soul.
All you have to do is head over there now and enter your name and email for instant access.
I’ll be back next week with a brand new episode, so until then, from my heart to yours, Namaste.
