At the recent Befriending Yourself: Spring Meditation Retreat (pictures here), I shared with participants that to me the characteristic sensation of the spring element in Chinese medicine is discomfort.

It’s not the discomfort of hurt exactly. Nor that of an ache per se. It’s more the discomfort of having outgrown where you’ve been without quite being ready for what’s next. Not yet.

Many of us are experiencing such discomfort right now. The temperature goes up, then down. The winter coat comes on, then off. When is spring coming? Have we outgrown winter yet? When can I go out and play? This is so uncomfortable!!!

Perhaps when the decision has to do with whether or not to grab that winter coat, the stakes are fairly low. But when you’re pondering leaving your job, going back to school, having another child, taking on some new role, starting a relationship, moving to a new home, making a career leap… well, the gains and losses feel quite significant then.

How do we know when is the right time to make a move? To grow in a new direction? To leave what we have come to know and spring into the next… unknown… uncharted… big big step?

When discomfort arises, I like to remind myself that it's natural. It's natural to feel agitated, restless, and uncomfortable. This is a feeling tone that pulsates with a desire for change, for growth, to blossom!

So next time you notice discomfort, sit with it for a moment if you can. Tell the feeling you wish to know what it’s about. Ask it, “What vision would you like to share with me? What decision do you wish for me to make? What action are you pointing me to?” Listen intently and together you may find exactly when and how you grow. 

• To further this inquiry, please enjoy a FREE MEDITATION on vision @ shiraozsinai.com/blog/whats-your-vision.

 

• The spring element in Chinese medicine is all about movement. When this energy is challenged in us not only do we feel agitated but also lots of body tension, aches in our joints and ligaments, as well as difficulty making decisions and an overall feeling of being stuck in life. Acupressure alleviates physical symptoms, eases mental processes, and balances emotions, so consider scheduling your springtime renewal today @ schedulicity.com/scheduling/SORJJM/services!

May discomfort reveal to you the unfolding of your greatness,
-- Shira Oz-Sinai

Last week's email about how we replenish ended with this: "As we care for the water element in us, as we rest and repair on all layers of our being, we nourish the next element in the cycle--wood." In addition to giving our brains a chance to recuperate and our bodies a chance to destress, rest fundamentally nourishes our life force.

This is the vitality you feel after a good night's sleep. The pulsating sense of aliveness after a deep breath. The spring in your step after seeing a beautiful flower. It's also the renewed desire to grow, to express who you are to the fullest, and THRIVE!

As we make the transition from winter to spring, we still need plenty of rest and we may feel quite raw and vulnerable. At the very same time, that urgency to grow is beginning to thrum in our cells. What does your own power feel like? How are you wishing to grow? What do you need in order to stand fully in who you are and unabashedly proclaim to the world "I am ME!"? This is our springtime meditation, and here are two perfect places to explore these questions and more:

• Befriending Yourself: Spring Meditation Retreat, Mar 23-25, Annapolis, MD. With only 4 weekends to go and just a few slots left, I invite you to sign up now with a friend for a shared room and get $125 off each! Included are 6 retreat sessions full of Chinese medicine wisdom and mindfulness exercises, 5 plant-based, whole-food style meals, 3 Yoga Nidra healing meditations, 2 nights’ stay at a charming B&B, and 1 Chakra Tai Chi practice. Details @ shiraozsinai.com/spring-meditation-retreat.  

 

• Meditative Card Night, Thu, Mar 29, 6:30-8:30pm, Silver Spring, MD. The Spring Equinox on Mar 20 marks the astronomical first day of spring. Just as the trees and flowers start budding, we humans too are supported by nature to explore new ventures and renew our direction in life. So how about an evening of magic, play, and inspiration using oracle cards to call on the wisdom within? Register @ shiraozsinai.com/spring-meditative-card-night.

May rest transform your wildest dreams into reality,
-- Shira Oz-Sinai

If I tell you that I think the world is coming to an end or that I think people have a built-in ability to fly, would you believe me? It’s funny how when we hear someone else’s thoughts, we often consider whether to believe them or not. But when it comes to our own thoughts, we tend to automatically believe them, without even giving it—as the saying goes—a second thought.

Along with unquestionably trusting our own thoughts, we seem to attach great importance to them, as if they convey something more than mere ideas, as if the thoughts themselves reflect who we are. I don’t really think the world is coming to an end or that people can fly, but what if the thought passes through my mind? Am I responsible for it? Do I have to defend it? Am I what I think?

What if, for example, a thought passes through your mind about harming someone? Perhaps someone who has been annoying you at work or the person who just cut you off on the road. The thought pops in your head: “I hope that person gets a ticket” or “I wish that person dies.” This is not a thought-out, meticulous plan of how you'll harm someone but a random, out-of-nowhere thought.

While we would hate to admit that such a thought even crosses our mind, the truth is that this and others—perhaps more benign ones—do occur. The question is, are you a murderer for thinking this thought? Does the thought itself make you an awful person?

Despite the trending “Think Positive” slogan, which has led many of us to erroneously believe we can decide which thoughts to think (i.e. thinking only so-called positive thoughts), we can’t actually control our thoughts. If we could, wouldn’t we all just choose happy, pleasant thoughts all the time?

No, contrary to popular belief, thoughts apparently just happen. And, it’s not what you think that makes you who you are or determines your path in life, it’s what you do with the thoughts that show up. My recommendation? Make it a practice to notice your thoughts. Decide for yourself which ones to believe and which ones to leave. Don’t try to stop your thoughts; it’s a futile waste of time. Instead, intentionally develop the thoughts, ideas, and plans that are useful to you, those that align with who you truly are.

May you always experience the freedom of knowing your own thoughts,  
-- Shira Oz-Sinai

P.S. Not sure what I mean? Need support with learning how to notice your thoughts or dealing with challenging ones? Contact me for a free consultation, schedule a private session, or leave a comment below. 

I was happily scrolling through Facebook the other day, catching up with family and friends. Within a nanosecond however, I went from “I wonder what's up with Judy” to “I want what Judy has!”. Like waves rushing to shore, envy was soon followed by shame (“I’m bad for wanting that”), then guilt (“I shouldn’t want what others have”), and finally anger (“Why can’t I have what she has?”). In a matter of about 3 seconds, I was consumed by jealousy and downright miserable.

You know the feeling, right? One moment you’re going along just fine, maybe driving home through the neighborhood or watching a movie. The next thing you know, a tidal wave of envy washes over you.

All of the sudden, you want that beautiful house you just passed, that front lawn, and those deck chairs. You want that vacation you just saw on TV, that loving relationship, and that successful career. Darn it, you want those jeans, too! (And maybe those arms, those legs, that face, etc.’).

Green with envy, anyone?

Though most of us have been taught that jealousy is bad and that we ought to be ashamed of ourselves for experiencing it, I've realized over the years that the feeling of jealousy itself is quite harmless. When used appropriately, jealousy can re-invigorate us and support our wildest dreams into reality. (Wanna know how? Click to continue reading).

Last week I told you about a time in my life when I was overworked, sleep-deprived, constantly anxious, and in pain (read last week's entry @ ShiraOzSinai.com/blog). 

Probably the worst part about that time was not being able to sleep at night. See, nighttime sleep is meant to automatically recalibrate our system and recharge us for another day. But accumulated stress and tension had kept that deep and nourishing part of sleep well beyond my reach for a very long and stressful time. 

As I've shared before, Yoga Nidra changed all of that for me. Within just a few practices, I was able to sleep better at night, feel more at easeduring the day, and release more and more stress from my mind, body, and heart. But honestly, it wasn't all from attending classes.

Live sessions and workshops were crucial for deepening my practice, but listening to Yoga Nidra recordings at home just about saved my life. This was, and continues to be, my number one go-to tool when I have a hard time falling asleep or when I find myself wide awake in the middle of the night.

Do you experience interrupted sleep? Are you feeling restless during the day and finding it a challenge to fall asleep at night? Do you wake up after a full night of sleep with little energy to get through the day? Try Unwinding, an iRest Yoga Nidra meditation for releasing excess tension from the body, heart, and mind. 

This recording is for sale again online as a downloadable mp3 file. It's great for when the mind's incessant chatter won't stop, and you wish for the accompanying restlessness in the body to just give you a rest. Buy it now @ shiraozsinai.com/store/c1/Featured_Products and prepare yourself for a lifetime of ease! 

Coping with restlessness and change is the guiding theme throughout April's offerings, as this is a signature mark of spring. I invite you to join me this month in (re)discovering ease and supporting the blossoming of your true nature.

May restlessness always point you back to the peacefulness of your true heart,
-- Shira Oz-Sinai