I get you. Not going to ramble on but I tried something recently which actually helped.
The idea came from Michael Singer - 'The Untethered Soul'
I watched a talk in which he outlined a way of being :
You know that conversation you are constantly having with yourself? The one that's making you sick. Well, there is a part of you which is listening to the conversation - that is where you need to live - that is where you drop your anchor - so go behind the mess and chaos and language and intellect and terror.
I have been experimenting with this and each time I manage to understand what he is getting at I feel a shift; I glimpse some peace and ease and possibility.
Steve, I spent another sleepless night meditating on that Singer quote. I've read the book, but can't recall that bit. I'm still trying to understand it!
Sarah Wilson, I love your writing and everything you stand for. ✨ From a fellow nomad in Iraq (heading back to Berlin soon, broken-hearted and full of love at the same time), keep going, keep going. ❤️
This was very timely for me. I have some health things that my mind constantly worries about and turns into a bigger problem than it actually is. But I don’t want to hide away, or withdraw from life. I want to engage. To grow. To experience. To allow life.
Wow. I loved all of this, thank you for sharing and reminding us we are in this together.🌹 When I experienced deep physical pain last year I would do my best to open to it more and more to discover if I could possibly find Bliss within the suffering, if I went fully into it, no resistance. I did. ✨
I woke up this morning in a lot of physical pain and probably spiritual at that. Sleep is difficult and got out of bed as I find that less painful. I can then "be productive" so I dont feel the pain as much when out of bed. As you say Sarah someone out there may need to here what you say. I do today. I dont think I can totally let it happen . My inclination is to control it. To find away around it, not through it. Its a big shift in mindset for me. Its like I want to be something else and cant accept my encroaching ageing as well is mutliple health issues. Thank you for being totally raw again today. I have a sense of your pain and honour again your willingness to go through it. I think I would want to be rescued. More work to do!!!
When you’re giving birth, in the moments before the baby is born you go through “transition”. During transition you feel literally like you can’t go on, like you’re going to die, like it’s more then you can handle, you want it to stop, you can’t handle this amount of pain, you want to run...the list goes on. You get to breaking point. And only when you surrender to that, the baby will be born.
I often experience periods in life that I compare to transition. I always consider the hardest parts of life as moments before something new and beautiful will come through. I always imagine it as birthing a new version of me, or a new chapter in my life. The struggle is indicative that something incredible may be just around the corner. I often find these times to be huge growth periods for me. I don’t usually enjoy them. But I try to remember that you can’t get through transition without literally breaking in two. And new life is emerging on the other side.
This was a beautiful and timely read. So deep, so real and so human. I have been experiencing high anxiety and stress on and off since Friday when I found out my 4 year old granddaughter that was diagnosed last year with atrial septal defect of the heart also has dilated cardiomyopathy. The path ahead for her, her young parents (my son) and all close to them is a journey. Our life's journey is always unknown as much as we like to sometimes think we're in control. We've got this. The reality is we cannot solve it all. It's about leaning into the sharp uncomfortable bits and not running away. It will follow us anyway. Thank you Sarah. That was really needed. Spacious and from the heart.
Thank you Cleo. It’s difficult for our family but more so for the parents. They are young and it’s going to be hard. Your love is wonderful and having amazing people here with Sarah is the best. 💞
I love the work that Seek Discomfort YouTubers have been creating… speaks to this.
As someone who has lived with chronic pain for years, I’ve recently had a huge breakthrough, coming to the understanding that there will always be pain, uncertainty and hard work (alongside beauty, love and magic) in life and that if I stop fighting these things, everything is so much easier! I’ve spent so much time trying to get to a pain free, knowing, cruisey place… it doesn’t exist!! So liberating… now I can just get on with enjoying the beauty in between the pain. Much love and fortitude to you sister. Xx
Thank you 🙏. Your post grabbed me and helped me shake off some lingering ennui. I love the way you can work through empathy to not only clearly see others journey but also to use that quiet power to see yourself too.
I hear your pain. I have felt your pain. Thank you for sharing. For writing. For feeling. For expressing in words what so many of have and do feel who cannot articulate quite so well. I’m visualizing a warm patch of grass in the mid morning sun. I hope the sun’s warmth washes over you and you feel peace. Or even just a yawn. Oh how I welcome a single yawn of relief when in the midst of panic. Sending hugs. 💫☀️
Thanks for sharing Sarah.. I find you have a way of wrapping words around difficult intangible slippery feelings and states that make them easier to get purchase on and look in the face. I also find you very courageous and enjoy viewing life through your edge, it’s inspiring. I feel the pain of finding a home for the night.. I always need to know where I’ll be resting my head. 🤍
And everything you have written and quoted is so perfect to how we all are and what we strive to do.
Let it happen, letting go. Let love in...Letting.
It's a struggle because we need to give up trying to be in control.
We're all born with pre-programmed conditions through our unique DNA and genetics from nature.
Then the nurture side with manual programming from parents, childhood, trauma, joy etc.
Nobody goes through life unscathed. With more maturity comes more reflection. Passing that reflection onto others is the gift
Thankyou for that gift today.
When we're at the bottom of a valley in life, we really need somebody to say they support and love us. It's what makes some hugs so powerful. Connection. Safety.
You have all of us here projecting that to you right now.
Stand in the sun, open your arms, take a big breathe in and feel that warmth of love please.😊
❤️ “And he said he has an abhorrence (within himself) of comfort. When he gets comfortable he moves and shakes things up. It’s extreme enough for his shrink to advise he back off from it a little.”
I had a boyfriend like this, tho possibly less extreme. Mountaineer, adventurer etc. His disdain of comfort severely affected his ability to empathise and led him to dismiss his own needs and the needs of those around him. Spoiler alert: it was *not* a good relationship and it made me highly suspicious of those who make broad statements disavowing comfort.
Paris can be a tough gig, but also you meet some absolute gems of people. This wee bistro was a favourite stop http://www.lepetitpontoise.fr/.
Consider jumping on the TGV to Bordeaux and heading to Les Landes & the Cote d’Argent. Might help clear your head. Sending a virtual hug from a stranger xxx
Thank you for sharing, in this community you have created in which you can lean in. You will find a way through, and when you do, will look back and see that the pain was there for a reason, and that it brought you to a place of even greater beauty. X
I get you. Not going to ramble on but I tried something recently which actually helped.
The idea came from Michael Singer - 'The Untethered Soul'
I watched a talk in which he outlined a way of being :
You know that conversation you are constantly having with yourself? The one that's making you sick. Well, there is a part of you which is listening to the conversation - that is where you need to live - that is where you drop your anchor - so go behind the mess and chaos and language and intellect and terror.
I have been experimenting with this and each time I manage to understand what he is getting at I feel a shift; I glimpse some peace and ease and possibility.
All the best to you.
Just noticed you said it was from a talk!
Steve, I spent another sleepless night meditating on that Singer quote. I've read the book, but can't recall that bit. I'm still trying to understand it!
Is this similar to the mindfulness technique that Eckhart Tolle promotes, about observing your thoughts as an impassive outsider?
I see it more like a back door where it is possible to step outside of overt thinking and rest with not knowing 'who' is thinking at all.
Sarah Wilson, I love your writing and everything you stand for. ✨ From a fellow nomad in Iraq (heading back to Berlin soon, broken-hearted and full of love at the same time), keep going, keep going. ❤️
broken-hearted...that's a true pain!
but it's so often accompanied by an eerie, expansive love, right?
travel well xx
This was very timely for me. I have some health things that my mind constantly worries about and turns into a bigger problem than it actually is. But I don’t want to hide away, or withdraw from life. I want to engage. To grow. To experience. To allow life.
Yes, engage! I choose, too. It's a choice we have to make, I think.
I hope you heal in your way x
Wow. I loved all of this, thank you for sharing and reminding us we are in this together.🌹 When I experienced deep physical pain last year I would do my best to open to it more and more to discover if I could possibly find Bliss within the suffering, if I went fully into it, no resistance. I did. ✨
I woke up this morning in a lot of physical pain and probably spiritual at that. Sleep is difficult and got out of bed as I find that less painful. I can then "be productive" so I dont feel the pain as much when out of bed. As you say Sarah someone out there may need to here what you say. I do today. I dont think I can totally let it happen . My inclination is to control it. To find away around it, not through it. Its a big shift in mindset for me. Its like I want to be something else and cant accept my encroaching ageing as well is mutliple health issues. Thank you for being totally raw again today. I have a sense of your pain and honour again your willingness to go through it. I think I would want to be rescued. More work to do!!!
In times of struggle I often think of this...
When you’re giving birth, in the moments before the baby is born you go through “transition”. During transition you feel literally like you can’t go on, like you’re going to die, like it’s more then you can handle, you want it to stop, you can’t handle this amount of pain, you want to run...the list goes on. You get to breaking point. And only when you surrender to that, the baby will be born.
I often experience periods in life that I compare to transition. I always consider the hardest parts of life as moments before something new and beautiful will come through. I always imagine it as birthing a new version of me, or a new chapter in my life. The struggle is indicative that something incredible may be just around the corner. I often find these times to be huge growth periods for me. I don’t usually enjoy them. But I try to remember that you can’t get through transition without literally breaking in two. And new life is emerging on the other side.
This may be of absolutely no help.
In all other cases, chocolate!
Sophie X
Beautiful
So true ❤️
This was a beautiful and timely read. So deep, so real and so human. I have been experiencing high anxiety and stress on and off since Friday when I found out my 4 year old granddaughter that was diagnosed last year with atrial septal defect of the heart also has dilated cardiomyopathy. The path ahead for her, her young parents (my son) and all close to them is a journey. Our life's journey is always unknown as much as we like to sometimes think we're in control. We've got this. The reality is we cannot solve it all. It's about leaning into the sharp uncomfortable bits and not running away. It will follow us anyway. Thank you Sarah. That was really needed. Spacious and from the heart.
We don’t know each other but I am sending love via the atmosphere to your family in what sounds like a very sad struggle. 💕
Thank you Cleo. It’s difficult for our family but more so for the parents. They are young and it’s going to be hard. Your love is wonderful and having amazing people here with Sarah is the best. 💞
Yes!!
I love the work that Seek Discomfort YouTubers have been creating… speaks to this.
As someone who has lived with chronic pain for years, I’ve recently had a huge breakthrough, coming to the understanding that there will always be pain, uncertainty and hard work (alongside beauty, love and magic) in life and that if I stop fighting these things, everything is so much easier! I’ve spent so much time trying to get to a pain free, knowing, cruisey place… it doesn’t exist!! So liberating… now I can just get on with enjoying the beauty in between the pain. Much love and fortitude to you sister. Xx
Keep talking to us Sarah, keep on searching. Your insights are affecting. Please know that the love is flowing xx
Thank you 🙏. Your post grabbed me and helped me shake off some lingering ennui. I love the way you can work through empathy to not only clearly see others journey but also to use that quiet power to see yourself too.
I hear your pain. I have felt your pain. Thank you for sharing. For writing. For feeling. For expressing in words what so many of have and do feel who cannot articulate quite so well. I’m visualizing a warm patch of grass in the mid morning sun. I hope the sun’s warmth washes over you and you feel peace. Or even just a yawn. Oh how I welcome a single yawn of relief when in the midst of panic. Sending hugs. 💫☀️
Thanks for sharing Sarah.. I find you have a way of wrapping words around difficult intangible slippery feelings and states that make them easier to get purchase on and look in the face. I also find you very courageous and enjoy viewing life through your edge, it’s inspiring. I feel the pain of finding a home for the night.. I always need to know where I’ll be resting my head. 🤍
"This is the art of life. It’s also maturity".
I love this, and say very similar.
And everything you have written and quoted is so perfect to how we all are and what we strive to do.
Let it happen, letting go. Let love in...Letting.
It's a struggle because we need to give up trying to be in control.
We're all born with pre-programmed conditions through our unique DNA and genetics from nature.
Then the nurture side with manual programming from parents, childhood, trauma, joy etc.
Nobody goes through life unscathed. With more maturity comes more reflection. Passing that reflection onto others is the gift
Thankyou for that gift today.
When we're at the bottom of a valley in life, we really need somebody to say they support and love us. It's what makes some hugs so powerful. Connection. Safety.
You have all of us here projecting that to you right now.
Stand in the sun, open your arms, take a big breathe in and feel that warmth of love please.😊
❤️ “And he said he has an abhorrence (within himself) of comfort. When he gets comfortable he moves and shakes things up. It’s extreme enough for his shrink to advise he back off from it a little.”
I had a boyfriend like this, tho possibly less extreme. Mountaineer, adventurer etc. His disdain of comfort severely affected his ability to empathise and led him to dismiss his own needs and the needs of those around him. Spoiler alert: it was *not* a good relationship and it made me highly suspicious of those who make broad statements disavowing comfort.
Paris can be a tough gig, but also you meet some absolute gems of people. This wee bistro was a favourite stop http://www.lepetitpontoise.fr/.
Consider jumping on the TGV to Bordeaux and heading to Les Landes & the Cote d’Argent. Might help clear your head. Sending a virtual hug from a stranger xxx
Thank you for sharing, in this community you have created in which you can lean in. You will find a way through, and when you do, will look back and see that the pain was there for a reason, and that it brought you to a place of even greater beauty. X
Its comforting to know someone else is living through this lesson now as well x