Sometimes the work is not doing the work

Sometimes the work is not doing the work.

What does this mean?

Taking breaks from the inner work is important. This allows us to integrate and just be. Notice what we are noticing. Slowly and gently. Our psyches need time in between spiritual practices and healing modalities and the body needs space to regulate the nervous system and ground the work we have done. See how we are different, how we are feeling, what the body needs and who we are now. To make meaning of what we have discovered about ourselves. To love ourselves where we are at.

It can be a trap to constantly be doing more. More therapy, more courses, more self help books, more plant medicine, more fasting, more retreats, more analysing. It can be addictive to constantly seek more. I've been there. I am still learning to listen deeply and discern when I need to take breaks and when it is time to do more. Healing is a lifelong journey.

My teacher Vicki always talks about the importance of being what she calls 'the ordinary idiot'. When I trained with her we would do really deep processes, often moving through trauma and grief and being totally immersed and present in the work holding space for each other and then at the end of the day sit around the fire eating chocolate and laughing about life, being silly and talking about funny ridiculous things. The balance. It helps with the integration. It helps to remember to not take ourselves so seriously.

Remembering that we are human and joy is also a portal for healing. Creating and enjoying simple pleasures and doing things because they are fun and interesting without an outcome to 'become better'. Not avoiding the work but knowing the wisdom of when the work is not doing the work.