A Rise In Resilience

There has been a shift. Perspective must be in the shape of a wheel as it seems to be an ever-moving vehicle…

I feel much energy lately reassuring me to stay on my track. Even pain, discomfort, annoyance, frustration appear to have more depth and purpose. I am reminded to let the learning continue to strengthen and clarify so that the path ahead becomes more free and open to the realms of possibility!

Last week some ongoing discomfort in my right hip flexor, knee and ankle had encouraged me to reach out to an amazing remedial therapist friend to book a session. Given the wellness industry I work in, the years of physio for bulging disc injury and even more years of counselling therapy, I still find it is not easy to ask for help. My friend who I regard as a body mechanical expert could read the misalignment throughout my body. She has the most perfect balance between firmness of pressure, nurturing touch and that other thing * that is almost impossible to put into words. Could you call it intuition, or the ability to hold space for others, or simply having more depth? As we were finishing the session she said to me to just lie there, on my good side. I felt like talking, I felt so much gratitude to her, I felt like I had to practice everything she had done to me, immediately. The masculine side has such a strong part to play even as we try to relax! I had to laugh at myself for the resistance in my body that I often witness in others. As I lay there I was allowing the body’s story begin to unfold and I felt a dragon in my hip. I often envision images, colours, or other symbols as the vibrations are alerted. They seem to ask fprto connect to other parts of the body. What does this dragon want to bring my awareness towards?

Then I recall an intuitive massage therapist saying she felt what seemed like an alligator crawling through my spine many months previously.

She wrote to me:

The Alligator as symbol of rebirth

Alligators are known for their unique ability to shed their skin and grow a new one, which is why they have become associated with the concept of rebirth and renewal.

This process called molting, happens multiple times a year and is necessary for the alligator’s growth and survival. When an alligator sheds its skin, it leaves behind the old and worn-out and emerges with a fresh, new layer.

For those who connect with the alligator spirit animal. this symbolism of shedding the old and embracing the new can be particularly powerful. It may indicate that they are going through a period of personal growth and transformation, leaving behind old habits, beliefs, and patterns that no longer serve them. By shedding the old skin and embracing the new, they are able to start fresh and grow into a stronger, better version of themselves.

John Singer Sargent -

I began thinking of Irish dragons and other types of creatures. What makes them myths? How much truth is in these stories and how much is symbolic of something perhaps much more potent? My attention is brought to current day legends.

Last night I had the privilege of going to Gabor Mate’s talk in ICC in Sydney. He walks on stage with a rock stars swagger and though he has a petite frame and an almost sombre tone to his voice he has an incredible sense of presence that filled the 80,000 capacity event room. The low tones are soothing and though there is a touch of the lugubrious, this just adds to the audiences’ captivation to every word. He shares about trauma, the nuances and layers and even though the topics are heavy he often has us laughing. At 81 years of age his vitality comes through as he shares his insights into compassionate enquiry, about neuroplasticity and about his book, The Myth of Normal.

He begins by referencing the Australian writer Geoffrey Blainey who describes the Tyranny of Distance with regards to Australia itself. As a physician, he tells us, he is trained with a keen sense of observation and agrees that regarding Australia there is much distance from the rest of the western world. He makes us laugh. I love the balance he constantly creates by drawing us in towards harsh topics or statements and then acutely reminding us of the perspective we can take on the matter.

Gabor Mate praises the aboriginal cultures time and again. He mentioned a rare concept of how, for example, wealth can be measured by a specific tribe by the quantity that is given away…(what a beautiful point of view). His references to native cultures all around the world are filled with admiration. He mentions the sweat lodges in which he has participated in ceremony with the tribes people in Canada. The hot stones that are brought to heat the lodge are loaded with awe and authority. ‘Here is Grandmother, here is Grandfather’ he shares this deep respect of the earth. And reflects how some Elders of the indigenous groups here in the Eora nation of NSW have an intuitive understanding of rocks also. ‘Stones have babies…’ he recalls. (I am reminded of Bruce Chatwin’s book, Songlines, that details the origin stories of different clans to different species of the natural world in its fascinating depiction.) He mentions the Medicine Wheel (which I have had some training here in Sydney) and how the seasons and a range of many symbols point us towards our spiritual navigation. Thus allowing us belong to something greater and seeing the unity of everything…

Though he is a self-confessed workaholic and recognised as an expert in a number of fields he seems shocked by how today’s medical students (no judgement on them) are still being taught in ways that do not bring enough focus to emotions, to stress and to the person as a whole.

Mr Mate shares his interest in the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine system referencing how certain ailments/conditions are a result of unprocessed emotions eg, grief and stress leading to MS and shame manifesting as a form of Lupus. I felt a stark discomfort in my own body when he referenced how negative self-talk disrupts the immune system. He mentions how the ability to socialise and share even some of the emotional load helps to mitigate symptoms within the body. He also notes the importance of these emotions as they help to keep out what is dangerous and allow in the nourishing and healthy ones.

We are not consciously aware of our denial or delusion. We know when we are in pain and sometimes we know when we feel disconnected. What if it is by being more aware of these emotions that we are guided towards our True Self. If auto is self then authenticity must hold the key.

Gabor Mate recalls a story about a woman who suffered abuse when young and still feels the shame of being frozen at the time, not fighting back. The way he simply notes how the wisdom of the organism to freeze and disconnect, in that moment, was the best option for survival. No judgment, no advice, just recognition of suffering.

This woman in the audience gave consent for this compassionate inquiry to take place and willingly shared her story openly and bravely.

I was captivated by this dynamic and vulnerable exchange. I am grateful to her for being a symbol for all those willing to step into their authenticity.

Gabor talks about his fondness for reading obituaries. He believes that often the positive attributes that people are best remembered for may have been the very thing that contributed to their death!

So what emotions are we carrying today that are repressed, unrecognised, not allowed to be acknowledged and released?

I wonder if my ‘dragon’ could be a form of anger, something judgmental, a flavour of shame, guilt, grief?

He asks us to listen, with heart, gut and mind.

He talks about courage. He talks about truth, He talks about play.