5) Using Imagery to Soothe & Connect and to Steady & Ground
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- Category: Connect
- Published: Tuesday, 02 March 2021 14:12
- Written by Cherry
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In 'The Practical Guide to Compassionate Living', Erik van den Brink and Frits Koster' state:
'Allowing a soothing breathing rhythm increases the vagal tone and a healthy heart rate variability, calming our emotional brains, making a kind gesture by putting a hand on the heart area can, in the right circumstances. support the release of oxytocin and feelings of warmth, openness and connection. By nourishing the soothing system, we empower the 'low road' to compassion, bringing our old brains and bodies in line to receive and give kindness and care' (p 18).
But we can also use 'the high road' of compassionate imagery to activate our soothing systems. This is powerful - the brain responds to both internal and external triggers in the same way - so by developing our own internal soothing imagery we can create our own helpful internal triggers, to use when we need to connect and soothe.
A useful exercise - and one that can be stored and come back to whenever we feel a need to resource and replenish ourselves - is the idea of creating our own safe place. This will help connect with our soothing systems, encouraging feelings of safety, calm, contentment and peace.
See the 'Safe Place' practice below as a guide to developing one's own safe place/space.
The Mountain image is used as a metaphor for strength and stability. It is frequently used as a meditation practice to help build strength and stability and to foster insight into an understanding of endurance in the face of change and impermanence.
See the 'Strong and Steady as a Mountain' practice below as a guide to using this form of imagery in meditation.
Strong and Steady as a Mountain (audio)
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