One of my Craniosacral teachers used to say, “If you want to go deep, BE deep.”
At its foundation, Craniosacral Work is deep work. Not as in deep tissue, which is often associated with bodywork and massage, but deep because we are accessing the Breath of Life. Breath of Life is the term that William Sutherland, the Grandfather Spirit of this profound modality he named Cranial Osteopathy. We now refer to it as Craniosacral Therapy (or Work). The Breath of Life is Primary Respiration. Without which there would be no life. I sometimes refer to it as the Anima Mundi – that which animates the world. It is life force energy. Within Primary Respiration lives the blueprint of optimal Health. It is inherent in our organism - it is never lost (overwhelmed at times, perhaps – but never lost).
Those of you who are CS practitioners have learned to sense Primary Respiration in your hands – expansion/receding, inhalation/exhalation, flexion/extension, external rotation/internal rotation, or variations of this. I am constantly in awe of this primal movement and honored to connect so deeply in with another Human Being (or critter or tree). And after 38 years of practice, I continue to discover new aspects of this profound work.
Sometimes due to various life arisings – injury, illness, trauma, stressors, core beliefs, personality constructs – Primary Respiration may not be able to express itself optimally.
For example:
If I believe (due to life circumstances, trauma, etc.) that I must close my heart in order to be safe, my rib cage will get stiff and unyielding, my breath will be diminished, my diaphragm will not undulate. I will feel guarded. Energetically, the heart might feel like it is suffocating – unable to dance its inherent spiral dance.
If this is me as a practitioner, it might be challenging to listen deeply into my client and sense this precious heart that feels like it is suffocating and its need for space and true Breath.
There is a profound difference between sensing a stiff ribcage (which does take skillful palpation) and sensing a suffocating heart.
It requires me as a practitioner to be willing to meet, see, hear, sense, feel the ache of the heart – in a place of unwavering presence – to whatever level I am capable of at this time.
When a suffocating heart feels seen and tended to, it takes a different kind of breath – a hopeful breath – a hope for freedom breath.
If as a practitioner, I have tended to my own frightened heart by listening to her fears and stories and creating safety for her and am healing the wounds of the past, then when I meet another heart, I sense/see/hear this heart from a deeper, more compassionate, more understanding place. True empathy. This is a profound place from which to work. This is deep work.
For me, as a practitioner and teacher, this process has been a slow unfolding journey. Having grown up in a rigid Irish Catholic household, emotions and open heartedness were not welcomed. It has been a long and fruitful exploration with heart.
One of the mantras that keeps me going is a quote from one of my teachers, Adya. He says “If your heart is going to break, let it break open.”
So, why let your heart break open? Within your beautiful heart lives joy, compassion, vitality. It is a doorway to your authentic self. A portal to presence.
Not always an easy path but rather rich and rewarding.
It is also helpful for me to remember these quotes “If you want to go deep, BE deep.” And … you can only go as deep with your client as you have with yourself.
And the journey continues, and I welcome the deepening and expanding.
At times I want to give up and close my heart right back up. Have you noticed what is happening in our world?! It is heartbreaking!
And… disclaimer… I am not suggesting here that you walk through the world with your heart wide open at all times. It is important to discern how and where to open.
As you travel this heart opening road you will discover your Spiritual Heart. This is Big Love Heart – unwavering, present, compassionate, wise. Your human heart is not designed to handle all of the heart ache that life brings. The Spiritual Heart contains the more fragile human heart.
When my human heart closes, I tend to her by pouring compassion into her and expanding into
the Big Love Spiritual Heart. This is a key remedy. Perhaps the remedy of all remedies.
And then I might look for something inspiring that will soften and encourage my heart to open.
I will share with you my recent heart softeners (or break openers)…
I am fortunate to have a Sangha of fellow travelers on my Spiritual Path. They are good listeners, and it is great to be able to openly share my process and receive support.
Do you have a trusted friend or group to support you on your path?
*I might read or listen to poetry.
My recent favorite poet is Andrea Gibson. They were appointed as Colorado’s Poet Laureate. They have written quite a few books. I have been listening to “You Better be Lightening” on Audible. I like to listen to books and this is read by Andrea which is impactful.
Here is an audio excerpt from her newsletter and a favorite of mine. Give a listen.
(#14 might be my favorite.)
*I also like tending to the energetics of the heart. I have recently learned about Marma points for the heart. I do this routine before sleep every evening and finish it up with a gentle unwinding of my heart.
Here is a video from Banyon Botanicals: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/blogs/wellness/marma-massage-for-the-heart
*I am always in search of more effective ways of communicating. Communication and self -expression are lifelong places for growth for me (remember my Irish catholic background?)
My partner, Randy, and I are reading “Authentic Relating – a Guide to Rich, Nourishing, Meaningful Relationships” by Ryel Kestano. I have been finding the principles valuable in helping me stay soft in times of challenge.
*I have been finding certain mantras or chants helpful when I encounter a life challenge. “Om Mani Padme Hum”. It translates as “Hail the jewel in the lotus”. (no mud. no lotus)
Here is a chant by Deva Premal that I will play to uplift me.
*Another book that is moving me is called “The Small and Mighty- Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement”. Written by Sharon McMahon. The Audible book is read by Sharon herself.
It is an inspiring read about vision, purpose and inner will through hardship. Very moving.
What helps your heart to soften and open?
Your children? Your pet? Your favorite tree or vista? A deep sharing with a friend? Time alone? A cup o’ tea and a good book? Watching a documentary about an inspirational person or subject? Metta meditation?
I will encourage you to join me in this immersion of the heart.
We so need our soft hearts right now.
How would it be right now to take a deep breath into your heart and invite a gentle opening and softening? Even just a wee bit. Remember to be gentle and inviting, not forceful. Start where you are. Feel the sweet relief. And watch how this shifts your moment, your day, your encounters with your fellow humans.
Blessings to you!
May I be free from suffering and the root of suffering.”
May you be free from suffering and the root of suffering.”
May all beings be free from suffering and the root of suffering.”
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