SEEING WITH THE SOUL

Step Eleven invites us to explore all the many paths of spiritual connection. Freedom to explore has served me well over the years, and integrating the practices I have found into my life has brought a fascinating, creative, and fun aspect to how I live.

Through clearing my energy centers — the chakras and beyond — there is a free flow of divine inspiration. When Bill W. says, "Having opened our channel", that is what I am referring to. The Twelve Steps, yoga (asana), breathwork (pranayama), therapy, coaching, tapping, meditation, and more all contribute to this clarity.

Here are three key ways I drop in to be ready to SEE WITH THE SOUL:

1. Energy Movement - Before I can drop in, I need to shift my energy. That can include yoga, dancing, shaking my body out, tapping, or other somatic practices. This movement helps to eliminate excess energy that can cause an antsy, distracted experience.

2. Breathwork - Knowing whether my energy is high or low will then determine the type of breathwork I do to take me deeper.

3. Prayer - Now that my energy is centered and focused, I can, as Bill says, "ask for those right things of which we and others are in the greatest need." When I end my prayers with "If it be thy will," it helps me find acceptance in what is and, ultimately, trust in the process.

Once I have spent time on the "drop in", I am ready to get still. Trust me when I tell you this has been a practice developed over many years. As a newcomer, stillness and quiet made my skin crawl. So if you are new, take baby steps, but keep moving forward so you don't miss the magic! It takes time.

Today I can find stillness sitting up on my cushion or blanket, or lying down if I am not too tired. What's most important is to be in a physical position that allows you to relax and be present. Noticing or witnessing the mind's chatter is a huge part of this practice. Can I see and allow the thoughts not to take root? Can I let them drift? I keep coming back to awareness of the breath or a mantra, or just being. The stronger this part of the practice is, the deeper you go.

Some days this is harder than others. It is fluid. A practice needs consistent nourishment to develop, and we return to the recovery principle: "progress, not perfection."

My message here is to keep coming back to your Step Eleven practice. Over and over. When the bounty appears, share it with others—the bounty of peace, experience, and deep connection with the Higher Power of your understanding. That is the GIFT.