LISTENING TO LIFE: THE GENTLE STRENGTH OF RECEPTIVITY
Pause for a moment and ask yourself these questions:
How often do I feel like I’m giving my energy to others, and how much time do I allow myself to receive supportive energy from the world?
Do I feel a sense of inner harmony and balance, or do I feel depleted, exhausted, and overworked?
Notice what arises as you answer these questions.
If I had to answer these questions, I have spent most of my life giving energy out into the world without balancing it with receptivity, where I intentionally set aside time to receive energy from the world. I experience moments of balance and harmony as I become more aware of how often I give away my energy, yet I still spend a lot of time feeling depleted and exhausted.
Maybe you can relate here…
These are all reasons why, over the past couple of years, I have devoted increasing attention to the concept of receptivity. I take moments everyday, whether in formal meditation or a simple mindful minute, to receive.
What do I mean by "receive?”
We can start with the breath and focus on what it feels like to inhale. We can intentionally allow ourselves to receive this life-affirming oxygen from the world. When we actually take a pause and allow this air in, it can feel deeply nourishing, and we can remember that we are supported by the world around us. This feels comforting to me.
Give it a try now…take an intentional breath and focus on the inhale. Notice what it feels like to breathe in and receive the breath with an open chest and relaxed belly. Sometimes it’s helpful to add a mantra or reassuring phrase such as, “I allow myself to receive this nourishing air from the world around me.”
In addition to the breath, there are many other ways we can intentionally receive support in this moment.
Notice visual stimuli coming in through the eyes and allow the light in naturally. Receive light.
Pay attention to sounds and allow the natural ebb and flow of sound to come into awareness without any effort or resistance. Receive sound.
While eating, take a moment to receive the taste and texture of food as it hits the mouth and moves down into the stomach. Intentionally receive the nutrients and energy from each bite of food. Receive nutrients.
Stay open to kind gestures from others, from a smiling passerby to a friend who gives you their fullest attention, notice what it’s like to stay open to and fully receive this kindness that comes spontaneously from the world around. Receive goodness.
Whenever a pleasant experience arises within the body, take a moment to notice it. Receive joy.
Take moments throughout the day to feel the support of the Earth beneath, allowing the body to fully settle and relax down into the Earth and receive this solid ground of support. Receive groundedness.
Experiment with a formal meditation such as this one to intentionally receive healing qualities through each breath. Receive healing.
The Universe Has Been Sending Me a Message of Receptivity
As I have been intentionally turning my attention towards receptivity, I was intrigued by a recent experience. I was speaking with a friend about religion, and she mentioned the practice of Kabbalah. Kabbalah is a form of Judaism that centers on mysticism. I was immediately intrigued by this.
I was baptized Catholic, loosely raised as a Christian, and then fell away from religion in my later teen years. Although I don’t associate with a religion, I feel I am a seeker of Truth and have explored Buddhism and meditative practices for years.
I immediately bought three books on Amazon, Kabbalah for Beginners, Kabbalah: Key to Your Inner Power, and The Way: Using the Wisdom of Kabbalah for Spiritual Transformation and Wisdom. Of course, I had to start with the book for beginners and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Hebrew meaning of Kabbalah is “to receive.” It spoke to me immediately and felt like it reinforced the importance of staying open and receptive.
This spiritual and mystical path entices me to continue reading, and although I’m still in the infancy stage of understanding this practice, I feel encouraged to learn more with an open and receptive mind, allowing the spiritual wisdom to continue to guide my path.
Where in Your Life Can You Practice the Art of Receptivity?
I encourage you to reflect on your life and begin implementing a daily practice of receptivity. You can use the list above to guide you with an idea or discover an area of life where you feel depleted and in need of receiving support from the Universe in some way.
I would love to know if you can relate to this post and where in your life you plan on practicing the beautiful art of receptivity.
Looking for Support on Your Spiritual Path?
Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie, PA-C
Theresa is a functional medicine physician assistant, mindfulness meditation teacher, author, and owner / founder of My Mindful Medicine. Theresa is also an army veteran, military spouse, mother, and former elite & collegiate gymnast.
