I've been coming across this thought a great deal lately. We find ourselves in a world that is constantly conversating. My younger brother was over at my home earlier this week, and I noticed, with some annoyance, that he could not seem to put down his phone for longer than a few moments. Texting, checking, e-mail, etc. ad nauseum all the while having a "conversation" with me. I will admit that in a counter-play I went over to my computer and started checking my email. Ha--two can play at that game! Touche? Not really--now I wasn't fully present either.
As siblings, he and I are a bit more lax about how we interact; however, this situation is a good example of how most of us are in the world all the time. Plugged in--energetically outsourced as it were. Well, what about sourcing ourselves? How about a bit more space? Some energetic breathing room? As my meditation teacher often talks about in class, spaciousness is where creation begins.
I get that we have to communicate. In fact, sociology tells us that our language is what separates us from other animals. It allows us to connect, deeply--to share our experiences on levels that would not be possible otherwise. It enhances this experience--this human experience; however, when is it too much?
A friend of mine and I were discussing this very thing. I expressed how the need to be connected all the time (e-mail, phone, FB, etc) was in-fact draining me. She encouraged me to set more boundaries around my communication; a practice that has been a struggle for me when I have tried it in the past. Partially because there is a fear that by disconnecting or "un-plugging" I will somehow miss out on something or will be needed and not be there for someone (family, friends, etc.). The fact that resistance shows up so much for me in this arena was a clue that it needed to be addressed. So, I experimented.
For once in probably months, when I got home from work I turned my ringer off, refused to open my computer. I relaxed. I breathed. I sank into some space. I unwound. I flipped through a magazine or two that have been collecting dust. I even watched a little t.v. (Daily Show anyone?). Eventually I did call a friend, and I have to say, it was one of the most healing conversations I have had in a long time. That was a gift.
So, I think, it's not about NOT communicating, but perhaps, about being more selective with our communication, and more importantly opening up space in our life to just "be." I often use the analogy with my Reiki clients about how we are like cups of water. If we are already "full" then how can anything else get in? --like the good stuff we want to call into our lives? A full cup of water, even if you try to pour more water into it, can't hold anymore. It needs some room! So...give yourself some room. Set aside some time to disconnect from everyone else and re-connect with yourself. Allow emptiness. Turn off your phone, turn off the music, turn off the t.v. Just be still. See what can happen.
As siblings, he and I are a bit more lax about how we interact; however, this situation is a good example of how most of us are in the world all the time. Plugged in--energetically outsourced as it were. Well, what about sourcing ourselves? How about a bit more space? Some energetic breathing room? As my meditation teacher often talks about in class, spaciousness is where creation begins.
I get that we have to communicate. In fact, sociology tells us that our language is what separates us from other animals. It allows us to connect, deeply--to share our experiences on levels that would not be possible otherwise. It enhances this experience--this human experience; however, when is it too much?
A friend of mine and I were discussing this very thing. I expressed how the need to be connected all the time (e-mail, phone, FB, etc) was in-fact draining me. She encouraged me to set more boundaries around my communication; a practice that has been a struggle for me when I have tried it in the past. Partially because there is a fear that by disconnecting or "un-plugging" I will somehow miss out on something or will be needed and not be there for someone (family, friends, etc.). The fact that resistance shows up so much for me in this arena was a clue that it needed to be addressed. So, I experimented.
For once in probably months, when I got home from work I turned my ringer off, refused to open my computer. I relaxed. I breathed. I sank into some space. I unwound. I flipped through a magazine or two that have been collecting dust. I even watched a little t.v. (Daily Show anyone?). Eventually I did call a friend, and I have to say, it was one of the most healing conversations I have had in a long time. That was a gift.
So, I think, it's not about NOT communicating, but perhaps, about being more selective with our communication, and more importantly opening up space in our life to just "be." I often use the analogy with my Reiki clients about how we are like cups of water. If we are already "full" then how can anything else get in? --like the good stuff we want to call into our lives? A full cup of water, even if you try to pour more water into it, can't hold anymore. It needs some room! So...give yourself some room. Set aside some time to disconnect from everyone else and re-connect with yourself. Allow emptiness. Turn off your phone, turn off the music, turn off the t.v. Just be still. See what can happen.
"Stop the words now.
Open the window in the center of your chest,
And let the spirits fly in and out." ~Rumi
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