Be Porous

As a coach and consultant, I like to help people find their own ways to self-regulate. Where they access their own unique and human nature to reset. And remind themselves of their own resourcefulness.  Often with the help and inspiration of the wider natural world.

One teacher who is particularly generous at sharing her ways of resetting, is the ‘distinct Western Buddhist’ voice of Tara Brach.  She offers many gems. One which really resonates for me, is the invitation to “be porous”.

We live life defending against our vulnerability. Fundamentally aware of our mortality, we constantly brace ourselves for danger around the corner, believing this bracing will protect us. But it can just exhaust us and cut us off from accessing our deeper coping strategies. As well as our joy, creativity and connection.

Body awareness and breathing

We may be composed of atoms but we walk around as a “bundle of tense muscles protecting against our existence”.  If we can become aware of our body in any moment, that can be our opening.  If we can stop and breath into any tension that exists, with gentleness and curiosity, we can reset and resource. Becoming porous, we can literally feel the aliveness and energy move through us. Our options expand.

My coachees in a police force talked about how being introduced to mindfulness has given them a feeling of space.  They may not use these terms, neither may you, but in practising being porous, we are learning to “meet our edges and soften”.  We are more than our rigidness portrays.

An invitation

Here is the nature inspired poetry of Rumi also inviting us to try it out…

Very little grows on jagged rock

Be Ground

Be crumbled, so wildflowers will come up where you are.

You’ve been stony for too many years.

Try something different.

Surrender.