Melanie helps overworked and exhausted professionals navigate through draining life changes. She helps them find mental clarity, physical strength and emotional balance.
Along our journey towards deep inner peacefulness, we’ll explore how to build resilience based on the 5-element theory* which helps to understand the qualities that create life. These elements are Earth Water Fire Air Ether.
The element of AIR will be used to help guide us through the interaction between vibration, emotions, the mind, and the nervous system whilst remaining steadfast, focussed and alert at the same time. A useful skill when re-entering a dynamic, chaotic world after recuperating from symptoms of chronic stress.
We’ll assume that the groundwork of self-nurturing and building energy have been completed (¹, ²) and the ability to manage the heat from active energy (³) has been mastered. For our purposes, energy was defined as “the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity (⁴)
With this we can safely transcend the limitations which contain us and adventure with passion and purpose within the world of possibilities.
Let's embark on this journey, building resilience and find freedom to walk along the Pathway to Peacefulness.
Foundation for opening mind-body connection
Within the body, the energy of air is associate with the ‘Heart Centre’ found in the middle of the chest (as opposed to the physical heart which is slightly to the left of the chest).
With a calm mind and a strong body to acknowledge new sensations within the heart space, we can explore thought and felt impressions as either useful or not useful. These sensations also become a guide to navigate the safety of the new space of realising our purpose of achieving deep inner peace.
Without this, it can be easy to be carried away and enter a state of anxiety or even become disassociated from the environment we are in; or to feel heavy and submerged from the feeling of overwhelm.
Neither a good place to explore the space of possibility. Both experiences can also be exhausting!
So, the foundation to open avenues of communication between the outer-world and inner world requires the ability to (i) remain steadfast whilst in the middle of a challenging environment and (ii) track sensations triggered in the mind so appropriate decisions can be made.
Open your channels could improve your game to transcend mental & physical exhaustion
Thoughts create energy. Channelling thoughts and their impact on the mind and body is similar to a game of blow football. In this game we blow through a straw to guide a ping pong ball across a playing field into the goal. Blow to hard and the ‘ping pong ball’ is out of control. Blow too softly and the ping pong ball hardly moves. However, with the right focus and awareness, the appropriate amount of force can be sent through the straw to manoeuvre the ping pall ball whichever direction is needed according to the intention to score a goal. Plus, it helps if there are subtle alleys carved into the playing field to guide the ping pong ball more efficiently.
In this metaphor:
the ping pong ball is the thought
the force required to move the ping pong ball is the breath
the direction of movement is determined by the mind
·the desire to achieve the goal is the passion
the subtle alleys carved into the playing field are the energy lines
the playing field of course is the body
Exploring the element of air is like navigating thought though the energy lines using the appropriate breath, focus of the mind driven by passion. The task is to minimise any turbulence along the journey with the goal of achieving deep, inner peacefulness.
Within our mind-body-spirt commination channels, the energy lines are also known as Meridian Lines or Sen Lines of which there are around 72 thousand. However, only between 3 and 12 are important.
Their validity was hinted at by Sir Thomas Lewis when he wrote a paper describing an additional nervous system in the British Medical Journal in 1936. This additional nervous system is believed to carry energy termed Prana or Chi.
Emotional reactions to certain thoughts could create sensations – or a vibration that travel along the sen lines until they find their counterpart resulting in an agitation which interrupts the ability to sustain energy. Agitation could be anxiety, or physical aches and pain or other stress-related symptoms.
When there is no agitation the energy line is clear suggesting that resilience has improved.
Understanding emotional impact then becomes paramount if we are to transcend mental and physical exhaustion and become open to possibilities and hope.
The power of emotions is your allie
Emotions therefore are more than just feelings; they are the bridge that links our physical existence to our mental and spiritual self. They carry messages from our body to our mind, helping us understand our needs, desires, and fears. This connection is vital, as it influences how we perceive and interact with the world. All too often this interaction is about finding the balance between opposing forces which requires sensitivity with physical, mental, emotional steadiness.
Opposing forces could be the sun and moon, one flowing into the other; or yin and yang where the two distinct parts fit perfectly well together. Within the primordial forces of life, the energy of masculine and feminine meaning an active dynamic force that provides the energy needed for creation.
Thus, understanding the force of our emotions along the spectrum of extreme polarities helps us to manage our reaction to thoughts and the subtle reaction of the body which could improve our journey in the realm of possibilities.
Develop the sensitivity to read our environment
Within the element of air, attuned emotions to the sense of touch helps to develop understanding to the external world. Through a mindful approach to creative arts which focuses on the sense of touch. Eg, pottery, woodwork, jewellery making, gardening, painting – we csn see the result of our creation. What happens when applying too much or two little force? Are we are happy with the result? How do I apply the right amount of force to create the result I was looking for?
And the same learning can then be taken to help manage our emotions by being attuned how our emotions triggered in the dynamic world could affect our personal health and as those around us.
The skin absorbs the waves of vibrations for the emotions to read. Is it safe? Is it is threatening? Is it exciting? How do I choose to react?
The sense of touch thus links very well to help the emotions explore the polarities of vibrations captured by the skin.
Improve resilience by managing whirlpools of energy
It is believed that when recovering from chronic stress we can often become more sensitive to the world around us. And there are many stress recovery strategies that can support people on the road to coping well when re-introduced into an active, dynamic world.
This means understanding how different vibration affects our emotions whilst being able to withstand ensuing turbulence and difficulties to ensure success in reaching one's personal goal.
As the body absorbs vibrational energy – from the outer world the inner body guides the vibration via the central nervous system to the brain then back to the body, where the journey tends to end at the location of a plethora of nerve endings.
And at the same time, as the vibrational energy from the environment connects with the brain, it may trigger emotional, unconscious reaction that creates a similar turbulence sending that vibration along the alleys of the energy lines to also rest within the body. The area which holds a density of nerves relate to the organs of the body. When working with the element of air the area of the body is the cardio plexus which is associated with the heart space. So here we have nervous energy and emotional energy interacting creating turbulence which is easy to imagine as a whirlpool of energetic activity... heavy or light which could manifest as depression, stiffness in the joints to anxiety and the inability to sit still or hold silence.
By engaging with appropriate stress recovery practices – particularly those energetically linked to the cardio plexus – we can build stability in the mind-body-soul and consciousness, so the nerves and whirlpools of energy become less reactive to the vibrations of the external environment,
If, during the practice one experiences agitation in either the body, breathing patterns or thoughts then the practice needs to be repeated until there is no agitation.
When there is no agitation then the alleys of energy are clear. At this point, the practice could develop to widen the avenues so more thoughts – or ping pong balls – can be guided along that same path without causing disturbances.
Thus, our resilience has improved, we absorb more sensations, and impressions within the active, dynamic world and can venture into the subtle world of possibilities with passion and purpose whilst living with a deep sense of inner peace.
Common stress-related strategies to stabilise turbulence along our energic pathways
Listed below are 18 common yet effective Stress Related Strategies (5) which have been categorised according to the 6 layers of threads in our Pathway to Peacefulness.
(i) Deep Breathing & (ii) Evaluate Priorities
Ie, continue to Position the state of mind using breathing practices to expand and open the heart centre by regulating the ratio of the inhale and exhale.This enables us to hold focus, withstand pressure and clear the mind so priorities can be explored objectively.
(iii)Guided Imagery**, (iv)Hugs, (v)Aromatherapy, (vi)Creativity
This can power up the sense of touch to improve our ability to read the world by recognising different sensations and their meaning - so we can thrive living with Passion. **My caveat here is creative practices relating to the sense of touch would create a better energic connection than guided imagery according to the 5-element theory*.
(Vii) Meditation, (viii) Positive self-talk, (ix)Gratitude
These practices relate to the subtle vibration of Psalm which can help balance the whirlpools of energy. Actively adding Psalm can increase the band width of vibrations so we can understand our emotions on a deeper level.
(x) Progressive muscle relaxation, (xi) ‘going for a walk, Aromatherapy, (xii) Healthy Diet, (xii) Stress relief Supplements (xiv)Yoga, (xv) Exercise
Choose appropriate movements to energetically support the muscular and skeletal frame of our Physicality whilst also toning the areas of high density of nerves. Within the element of air, chest opening movements would be most appropriate. This opens the gateway of energy lines across the chest as well as expand the intercostal muscles to allow space to optimise the function of the heart and lungs.
V. Positive Self-Talk, (xvi) Eliminating Stressors, Evaluating Priorities
All of course affect our Psychology. And understanding where we are on our life’s path can help to choose the appropriate sentiments. The range of practices within Pathway to Peacefulness are designed to eliminate stressors.
(Xvii) Leisure activities and (xviii) Social support
Naturally occur as you join a community of like-minded people to practice with.
For leaders and entrepreneurs such Practices – created from a fusion of many – can clear channels and stabilise turbulence within the whirlpools of energy, so we remain calmer, with improved resilience.
This means you can be true to you values and ethics. Your ability to think clearly and make decisions quickly becomes more attuned. And if triggered you will be able to return to your innate sense of self.
Living with purpose, possibilities and passion
Developing practices to help improve resilience can help us transcend mental & physical exhaustion to enter the realm of possibilities with purpose and passion.
The practices along the Pathway to Peacefulness model are personalised and a fusion of many, so you have one practice that helps:
Position the mind;
improve Physicality
attune the senses to reignite Passion & Purpose
considers personal Psychology
develops awareness of vibrational energy with Psalm.
The link that binds them together is the 5-elements found in nature as it helps us understand how we are part of the natural world which also lives within us.
The element of air can help develop the sensitivity to fly and explore the realm of possibilities of a new life adventure fuelled with passion and purpose and where there is no map. The everyday world then becomes a preparation to learn how to navigate the subtle world of possibilities.
Melanie Ashley, Optimising Your Inner Well-being
Melanie helps overworked and exhausted professionals navigate through draining life changes. She helps them find mental clarity, physical strength and emotional balance by them to reconnect with their personal truths, purpose and motivations. Melanie does this by uncovering hidden gifts, building energetic practices and opening the realm of possibilities to create a unique practice for each person.
References:
How to Recover from Burnout (Brainz article)
Maintain Stability whilst Navigating Recovery Orientated (brainz article)
Transcend Chronic Stress (Brainz article)
Oxford dictionary
18 Effective Stress Related Strategy: https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-reduce-stress-3145195 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/top-ways-to-reduce-daily-stress
