Tending your Vulnerable Heart
Yesterday I reached out to a dear friend and sister and asked for support. And today she showed up for me. We spent an hour together, I shared what was on my heart, asked her to sit at my altar as we opened the space for my inner child, and off we went on a magically healing journey. At the end of that sweet hour, I rested and came back to the room feeling deeply nourished. I feel incredibly moved to share a few ideas with you today, and if your vulnerable heart is needing a gentle touch, my hope is that one or more of these ideas will bring a little light into all of the places that are calling for attention and tending.
In those times when you can feel the gentle quivering of your heart and are needing a tender touch, I invite you to call to mind a friend who can be fully present with you, who can show up in a way that allows you to relax and be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not easy for a lot of us, so be sure to find a friend who you can trust and rely on. Once you have found your trusted person, arrange a date to meet and specify the intention of your meeting. This will help keep you on track and not fall into simply sitting around and having a chat, and therefore avoiding vulnerability.
Tending your Vulnerable Heart
Set up a sacred space--quiet, with flowers, a candle, a bowl of water, and soothing music.
Clear your space and each other with Holy Smoke (Juniper, Mugwort, or Cedar)
If there is a specific part (inner child, teenager, more current self,) of you that is calling out for attention and tending, find a picture of yourself at that age. If you do not have one, choose a piece of Nature and infuse that with the essence of who you were at that age.
Place the photo or Nature piece on your altar, offering Holy Smoke to open the channel of communication.
Begin to lengthen your breath, breathing rhythmically together with your companion.
You will both soften your gaze and drop into a soft eye gazing practice with the photograph or Nature representation of this part of yourself.
Your partner will hold space for you as you allow any feelings to arise, images to come, and you can speak them out loud simply, or not. Do not fall into conversing here. Just sharing words or songs or tears that are longing to come through, to be witnessed and welcomed.
After 15 minutes or so (do what feels right for you, but I recommend a minimum of 15 minutes), thank this part of you for trusting you and for being in the space with you and your trusted friend. You can offer any prayers or words that you may have needed to hear at this age. Trust yourself and allow what is coming through to take up space and to integrate into your present day self.
Your trusted friend can now arrange a place for you to rest.
Lying down, you can have a bundle of fresh aromatic herbs placed on your chest as you ask for touch that would feel nurturing to you.
Allow yourself to receive this loving touch, allowing your breath to be smooth and deep, and allowing all emotions and sensations to come up and move through you.
Once you feel complete, you can rest, allowing your companion to help you to get comfortable, have some water or Rose tea, and to settle in for a rest.
Gently, and without too many words or movements, express your gratitude for your friend and allow yourself to rest deeply and fully.
May this practice Bless your Heart.
With Love,
Glenna