Raising Our Posture – Carrying the Precious Burden of Our Higher Self
Do you ever get the feeling that you are not alone, the feeling that you are being watched and guided? I love that feeling! I just read a book on Spirit Guides, which said that we all have guides who connect with us throughout the day, whispering to us, making suggestions, nudging us. After reading the book, I felt compelled to connect with my guide. I took out my Osho Zen Tarot deck, shuffled it well, closed my eyes, asked, “Please talk to me,” and randomly chose the card titled “Guidance.” It read: “The angelic figure with rainbow-colored wings on this card represents the guidance that each of us carries within… By following the inner guidance, you will feel more whole, more integrated. If you follow it, this ray of light the light will take you exactly where you need to go.”
I smiled, feeling calm… I’m not alone. Whatever you choose to call it: higher self, angels, guides, God, I know that there is a higher energy that travels with us throughout life; We carry precious cargo. When I am aware of this precious cargo, I hold myself differently: my posture is higher, reaching upwards, but at the same time grounded, like a flower. When I am not aware of this higher energy, my posture tends to lean forward, as if I am bending over.
I first became aware of my stooped posture in the 1966 film, The Group. He was sixteen years old at the time it was filmed, and was an extra playing a student on the Vassar College campus in the opening scenes of the film. Principal Sidney Lumet motioned for me and another girl to walk to opposite sides of the camera from behind, coming together in front of the camera and receding into the distance, merging with other students on campus. When I saw the movie I was surprised to see that this shot was the first scene of the movie. I was also surprised to see myself, with a blond braid down the back and a long green skirt appropriate for the 1933 setting, hunching over like an upright turtle. It seemed as if he was poking his head slightly forward and down. If posture could speak, mine would have said, “I’m not sure I want to be here in this body, on this movie, on this planet.”
Over the years, I have made a commitment to being in my body and following the instructions of my higher self. I have been instructed to do yoga, get Rolfed and get numerous chiropractic adjustments. However, my body, like memory foam, still tends to fall back into its comfortable and familiar sinking posture, and the beliefs and attitudes that accompany that posture. It is a continuous learning process, which reveals to me that when I change my posture, my attitude changes, and when I change my attitude, my posture changes. My body and my guides are my learning partners, letting me know when I have fallen into old unconscious attitudes and holding patterns.
I have witnessed that, in addition to rushing inward, my body sometimes has a tendency to rush forward, in an urgent rush to get somewhere other than Here. One day a few years ago, I was walking in a parking lot, with many things on my mind, when BAM, I tripped and hit the ground at high speed, my fall somewhat interrupted by my head slamming into the bumper of a parked car. because on the way down. I sat on the floor in a daze, little birds and stars spinning around in my battered head. I asked myself, “How did that happen?” I realized that I had not been present in my body, I was not on my feet, I was in my head and my head was in front of me: I was not grounded and the universe kindly grounded me! I was asleep and the fall woke me up!
I have a deep desire to Awaken, to be present, to remember who I really am and why I am really here. When I forget, they remind me, at first in whispers; But when I don’t hear the whispers, they turn to screams. That fall was a cry that said, “GET IN YOUR BODY! COMMIT TO BE HERE! TASTE THIS MOMENT! TREASURE WHO YOU ARE! HONOR YOUR DEEPEST DREAMS! WAKE UP!”
Now I’m wide awake! My feet are kissing the ground with every step. Every time I realize I’m moving like a turtle or launching, I commit to being fully here in my body and do micro movements, lifting my head and ribcage, lowering my shoulders, creating a posture and attitude. which says: “I have a precious cargo”. stating, “I choose to be here, in this body, in this life, in my movie called Awakening.”
I went for a walk the other day, and on the walk I imagined that my guide was appreciating me, showering me with love and appreciation for my commitment to be in my body, to be in touch with higher energy, to honor my body and soul by exercising and eating healthy foods that help me be clear and able to hear the voice of my higher self. As I tune in to that voice, I realize that what he most wants me to know is that I am not only carrying precious cargo, I AM precious cargo, like all of us.
If your posture could speak, what would it say? What are the things your guide loves and appreciates about you? What does your guide tell you to do? He listens to the whispers. We are not alone; we are being watched, guided and loved unconditionally. What feeling!
©Copyright 2009 by Janet Jacobsen