I was Jodie Foster!!!

 There are three parts of the energetic anatomy that make up my Inner Constellation work:

1)  Mind
2)  Heart
3)  Nervous System

I had an experience this week that provided insight into the 'Mind' aspect of the Energetic Anatomy and thought to share. I watched the movie, "Silence of the Lambs" last evening. I still cringe even as I type the title! If you haven't seen it---Spoiler Alert!!!!!!!! You might be familiar with the scene when the main character (played by Jodie Foster) is down in the murder's basement when the whack-job kills the lights and begins tracking her with night goggles. As I watched this scene, my heart physically went into overdrive and began beating against the walls of my chest--no kidding. I was there, I was Jodie Foster! After watching the movie, my mind kept returning to a variety of disturbing scenes, and I had increased appreciation for a concept I've labeled, "Point of Focus." When working with the mind, I will often ask, "Where are my thoughts?" and "What am I believing?" In other words, what's my Point of Focus, for whatever I give attention to increases. One sign for me that my thoughts are not healthy is when I begin ruminating or my thoughts become cyclic, a sure sign that my energy is stuck in a loop. Whenever I wish to shift my Point of Focus into something that feels better I practice two things:

1) Gratitude - what are the gifts in spite of what appears to be tragedy, stress or a grievance? Using my silly example of the movie last night, the gifts were plentiful: cuddle time with my beloved husband and sweet kitty, I could stay up late since I didn't have work in the morning, the movie clarified that suspenseful murder mysteries are not for me, the light-hearted (!), I gained insight into the workings of my mind, the plot and story-line were exceptional, I could go on and on. Gratitude for the gifts shifts my Point of Focus from a heart-pounding experience to a healthier experience.

2) EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique and other Meridian Therapies are masterful at literally accessing points on the body to interrupt negative thought patterns. Tapping acupressure points has also proven to lower stress hormones such as Cortisol, released by the body when a threat is perceived, either real or as a result of thinking. The mind is incredibly powerful and is a central component to feeling good. EFT accesses the intricate chain of reaction elicited by the mind to develop healthier Points of Focus.

These are my top two techniques to shift my Point of Focus and calm the wild, chasing mind--you know, the one being stalked by a serial killer! Yikes.

9-11 Commemoration

I've had a very reflective weekend after being hit with a wave of sad news. It started Tuesday on my way to work when I drove by the IHOP shooting thirty minutes after it had happened. Then, I heard of the death of a friend's young family member from a heroine overdose. Believe it or not, it didn't stop there--another friend's 18 year old daughter has been given two years to live if a new liver is not found and my co-worker's 16 year old daughter was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Why am I telling you this? It's not to be a kill-joy but to share with you an insight I had during this weekend of remembrance. I was sitting in my garden yesterday and saying prayers for all those touched by the circumstances of the week, when I noticed a bee diving into the funnel of a fox glove blossom. I marveled at this as fox glove's flowers, seeds, sap, roots and leaves are all highly poisonous but apparently not to bee as this one extracted nectar again and again. As I watched, a question surfaced:

Is it possible to transmute poisons in our lives and turn them into nectar? 

The word "transmute" is perfect, for it means, "to change in form or energy." Often it's a term used in alchemy, such as transmuting lead to gold. I asked myself how I could possibly transmute the IHOP massacre? An answer popped up readily: I could go to the memorial outside the restaurant on Monday and leave my business card along with a flyer, offering free EFT sessions to anyone impacted by the event. And what about my friend's family member who died from the overdose? My husband had already covered that one by going fishing with our friend and planning more river time (he always figures things out way before I do:). What of the 18 year old and 16 year old battling for their lives? I called Chevy's restaurant and began planning community fund-raisers for both of them.

Next time "poison" presents itself, how might we respond like bee and transmute the experience? I think this is a wonderful question to consider on the 10th anniversary of 9-11 and maybe even more importantly, for all personal tragedies from the past and in the future. I look so forward to hearing your thoughts and pray comfort to each of you on this weekend of remembrance.

Musings

After writing Part 1 and Part 2 of "My God, My Tourniquet," I came across a poem I wrote a few months back and thought it was a nice summary of the two articles. Enjoy....

Legal Interpreter
©2011 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Changing one language, English, into another’s source language, sign language,
back and forth: faithfully, accurately, to the best of the interpreter’s ability.
Interpreting requires tremendous equanimity,
not entertaining one’s innate, internal filter
but rather translating precisely
while leaving judgment to someone else.

Today’s offense was domestic violence—a baby and toddler were involved.
Signs that one should never see, shot off hands
as  interpreter analyzed the many layers of language:
lexical, phrasal, sentential, and discourse.

Interpreter’s mind worked overtime,
while inside the apparent translating machine,
unbeknownst to those who watched,
she experienced a liberating call:
her long-ago-silenced-inner-voice spoke one arresting word—“suffering.”
Heart, typically not invited to court proceedings,
opened to receive the news.
Communication steadily flowed
as mind and heart engaged,

beyond limits of language, another Source bore witness---infinite compassion.
Court room interpreter was,
for the first time in her translation,
entirely free.

"My God, My Tourniquet" Part 2

The post prior, debated if Heart-Centered Breathing is enough when presented with a difficult situation. What if the difficulty is sustained, like in the example of my friend in Part 1? For me, Heart-Centered Breathing is a first step, but if a charge remains over a situation I proceed with meridian tapping, or a technique more commonly called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Meridian tapping is a simple, self-applied technique that accesses the body's acupressure points to release any charge that our bodies hold over situations (showing up as thoughts, emotional upset, body symptoms, etc). If you go to my website you can watch an informative video (blue icon) about how EFT works and cruise around for more information on meridian tapping. 

Here's the basic premise, when physical or emotional trauma of any sort is experienced, the body usually chooses one of three responses: fight, flight or freeze. Most people are familiar with fight and flight but give little attention to the freeze response—our body’s miraculous way of freezing pain until we can process it later when it’s safe to do so. Think of all the times you experienced an emotional or physical jolt; was it appropriate or even possible to fight the source of your discomfort or run from it? Our bodies often hold the distress until it can be dealt with. Fight, flight or freeze are the conventional reactions to trauma; In my Inner Constellation work, I utilize a fourth response—flow. Emotions, including pain, are meant to pass through the body, not remain stuck. Meridian tapping loosens the areas in the body where pain may be frozen, waiting for appropriate release. This mind-body practice also accesses your deep, inner resource, which provides personalized insight and is a storehouse of solutions beyond what any outside source can provide to you. Unfortunately, in western culture we’re rarely taught to honor the inner part of ourselves that meridian tapping acknowledges. In fact, we’re usually encouraged to seek answers outside ourselves in the form of experts, books or substances that provide temporary relief. Through meridian tapping, obstacles are recognized, physically discharged out of the body, and healthier suggestions or “keys” are imbedded in the subconscious mind. These “keys” are always client-generated, for we are most susceptible to our own suggestions. Meridian tapping is used on the body between sessions as a self-awareness tool to access the deep inner mind and provide further healing to the whole system.

So, Heart-Centered Breathing, as discussed in Part 1 is a compassionate response to difficult situations and can provide a temporary "tourniquet" so to speak, but if any charge remains, consider pulling out the big gun--meridian tapping or EFT. Remember, ya'll, I provide no-charge consultation if you wish to contact me, and would love to hear from you if you're interested in literally tapping into the incredible resource of your Inner Constellation!

"My God, My Tourniquet"

One of the hats I wear is that of a legal interpreter. As I stood in the court room today next to the judge's bench prepared to interpret, I practiced a technique that enables me to navigate the many tragic scenarios relayed in court. I call my practice, "Heart-Centered Breathing." I don't know if this happens to you, but sometimes when I experience something difficult, my breathing catches, almost like I'm holding my breath. The "walling-off," as I've learned to recognize it, seems like a subconscious contraction, as if I'm resisting the experience. Consciously breathing from my center where I notice the restriction helps me recognize my reaction while providing a gentle and effective remedy. Here's the practice: simply breathe in from the heart and breathe out through the heart.

Recently, equipment has measured the heart's electrical frequency 18 feet from the body. My theory is that our energetic influence is even more expansive, but as of yet we don't have equipment sensitive enough to pick up beyond 18 feet. The brain's electrical frequency is measurable about 2 inches from the skull. Our bodies electrical impulses have been proven to affect the electrical impulses of others, and most people's heart and brain rhthyms will come into synchronization within a few moments of being in each other's sphere of influence.

The day I was preparing this article for post, I saw a friend of mine who I hadn't seen in a few years. When I asked her what was new, she told of a horrible car accident that had left her in constant pain and unable to do her trade. I looked at her young, sweet face and was reminded to breathe. My brain with its judgment and problem-solving (and puney 2 inch influence!) disengaged and my heart opened to the moment. We had a nice talk and she instantly reached out for a gentle hug (heart-to-heart, I might add...hmmm.) Is it enough to just breathe? I find it's a first step, almost like a tourniquet that stops the wound from getting worse. But sometimes one can't "just breathe" for the pain is sustained, like in the instance of my above mentioned friend; "just breathe, just leave the tourniquet on," isn't realistic. What then? This question has inspired part II of "My God, My Tourniquet." Please stay tuned.

Haloed Tree

I woke at 5:20am this morning to work a very early assignment. Afterwards, I went to a local mountain view and the muse hit me....bam! I love when that happens. I hope your day starts and ends as beautifully as mine did:

Haloed Tree

©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

You are why I rise so early,

crawl from beneath warm covers

to stand in still-dark morning

and wait with arbor patience

for first rays 

to set ablaze

my outstretched limbs.

Fly on the Wall

I’m home from San Francisco. One specific story stands out as a must-tell and strangely bizarre reflection of my visit. If you live near San Francisco, you might have heard of an infamous character named, "The Bush Man." Before I departed, a friend warned of a homeless man who was hiding behind fake bushes and attempting to scare the bejesus out of San Francisco tourists. I expressed hoping to see him so I could observe people’s reactions. My wish was granted. I got to see The Bush Man up close and personal at Fisherman’s Wharf, his location given away by a blood-curdling female scream. As soon as I heard the commotion, I thought, “Bushman!” and turned to see a scrawny, black scarecrow-of-a-man shaking leafy tree limbs while doing a little dance of joy for a group of bewildered tourists.  It’s important you know about this coyote-character, for it sets the stage for my story. After watching The Bush Man exchange, my family and I crossed the street and went into the Boudin Bakery, each exiting with a fresh mini loaf of butter-crusted bread. We walked down the sidewalk, ripping off chunks of warm bread and savoring our bagged loafs. Up ahead an old man hung over the rail while gazing out to sea. Perhaps enticed by the smell of fresh bread, he revived and turned to us while holding out his hand and mumbling something incoherently. We gave the man a wide girth as we passed, and he despondently swung back around to his perch. I immediately felt like a greedy cuss and walked back to the man, offering my loaf as a sort of peace offering. He startled and then smiled a straight-toothed smile and said clear as a bell, “I’m fine, keep your bread!” He looked at me with eyes no longer glazed in ‘drunken stupor’ and asked, “Where are you from?” in a tone implying I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. I gave the name of my small mountain town (I’m pretty sure I blushed.)  He smiled still broader, “Don’t fall for that ‘I’m hungry’ crap!” In all honesty, I’m ashamed to admit my first reaction was annoyance at having been tricked. In the next breath however, my bruised ego registered that this old man was not homeless, drunk, desperate or hungry (so I suspected from his obvious transformation). I smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re satisfied. You know how to pick ‘em don’t you?” He laughed and repeated his advice before turning back to the sea, “Don’t fall for it!” 

Compassion is one of my North Stars, and I got hoodwinked by a pretend homeless man, how ironic is that! What the heck was the point? Here’s the lesson I took away from the fako-drunk-homeless dude:  compassion has no limits and if genuine, desires no suffering even for an ego boost or sicko-fly-on-the-wall thrill. My San Francisco insight is a bit polly-anna-ish but helps me see my personal limitations to practicing radical, uncompromising compassion without exception. Thank you, Old-Man-Fly-on-the-Wall, for bringing the Mountain Bumpkin under the microscope and into a position of observation.