Benefits of the Undefended Heart

Benefits of the Undefended Heart

Knowing Love in an Undefended Heart

How many people feel comfortable living deeply embedded in the love of their own hearts?  I am not talking about the intense passionate feeling we have for a partner.  Instead I am talking about an embodied sense of being True to Yourself.  Caring about yourself, and opening up to your Essential Self.

It takes courage to push away those layers of protection surrounding your heart. But aren’t you curious what is underneath everything you have been taught and believed?  Peeling away the onion is an honesty and acknowledgment check.  But it’s worth your while to self-realize love.  Feeling love deep inside spreading through everything you are is the best!

There are many ways to discover the love living inside you.  The easiest way is by building your confidence back up.  How do you do this?  By being real with yourself.  This is a two fold process.  One is by noticing and writing down the beliefs you hold that make you believe you are “less than” or “bad” . Any negative belief.  Question those beliefs and the validity of them.  Second is to Choose Love and physically move toward your heart.  Is it a smooth ride?  or are there obstacles in the way?  Bring mindfulness in and question.

You can take this journey yourself, or you can enlist friends or see a therapist.  Relationships though are key to opening up the love in your heart.  We are meant to work and play through life with others.  This include the easy and the hard times.

How an Undefended Heart can Benefit You:

1.  You feel better inside your body. Dopamine, oxytocin and seratonin take you into a state of pleasure.

2.  You feel more appreciation for life.

3.  It’s easier to be clear about your goals and how to accomplish them on a soul level.

4.  Life is easier to navigate when other things are difficult when you are centered in your heart.

5.  Developing meaningful friendships are easier when you feel kindness and love for yourself.  People are happier when they are helping each other with care.

6.  Love reduces stress and anxiety.  It brings in a sense of calm.

7.  Love promotes healing.

Love is the evolutionary tool available to all of humanity. It’s free, and available for each of us.  Take the leap… Move towards Love and see what it can bring you the deeper you go!

Sharon Hartnett CST-d

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

 

 

 

7 Things to Know about Highly Sensitive People

7 Things to Know about Highly Sensitive People

Recognizing the Gifts of Being with Highly Sensitive People

Understanding Sensitive People takes effort. Yet it’s definitely worth your while.  About 20% of people are sensitive.  Basically, what this means is that we (I am including myself) react more to life’s stimulation. At times, it’s not as easy for us sensitive people to screen out certain stimuli.  Things can become overwhelming for us if we aren’t mindful to our comfort zones.

Anyway, in the recent past, I was talking to my Craniosacral Therapist about my sensitivities in group relationships, and she recommended the book, “The Highly Sensitive Person“, by Elaine N. Aron.  As I began to take the test in the beginning of the book, I checked off almost every single characteristic of a Highly Sensensive Person (HSP).  Wow, this woman understood my life without even meeting me!

Honestly, I can’t tell you how alone I have felt (on a certain personality level) for a long time being highly sensitive.  Most of the world either masks it or is less sensitized.  I have processed things and been in the healing and therapist field for close to 30 years.  I have worked on boundaries and so many things.  Yet, still-when I walk into a room, I feel the mood of the people, and all the nuances in human relationship.  I hardly miss a thing, especially emotionally.  This even extends to plants, trees, and watching a bird fly.  It’s as if I feel ever flap of the wings. My heart resonates.  Yet I also feel very vulnerable.

At the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, we learned to develop what Barbara called “HSP” Higher Sense Perception.  Same acronym.  This is a fine tuning of seeing, feeling, tasting, sensing etc at a very subtle level.  This helps people who work with energy or relationships to become astute and skillful in meeting people in connection,  the auric field and other dimensions. This has benefited my clients in that I can deeply sense stress, pain, and dysfunction simply by tuning in.  When I do this, I can use my sensitivity skills to help ignite the healing response within.

For me, being aligned with my sensitive nature is tremendously helpful in my work.  I can sense things and support where others may not. On a fine level, I gather so much information through listening and melding.  I know how to meet the “Other” in a gentle manner with touch which can encourage wonderful openings.  At the same time, I often have to take some alone time afterwards to settle and digest life experiences.  Being senstive doesn’t necessarily make me an introvert, but I do need to rest and integrate often. Self care is crucial.

Aron, writes in her book that our mind/body experiences are different and unique.  Some of our positive traits that she mentions are:

1. We are better at spotting errors and avoiding making errors.

2. Highly conscientious.

3. Able to concentrate deeply on things where we are drawn.

4. Especially good at tasks requiring vigilance, accuracy, speed and detection of minor differences

5. Good at being able to process materials at deeper levels.

6. Deeply affected by other people’s moods, which help us to understand and be more present.

7.  Able to learn without being aware we have learned.

There is so much great material in this book.  What I like best about it is that I don’t feel so alone in that I feel different than so many others.  Also, It helped me to refocus on the gifts of this personality I have lived with.  I feel so aware of the interconnection of all of life.  I feel it deeply.  Sometimes, life hurts as the casing around the heart breaks wide open, but I am also able to have such profound life experiences.  I have become emotionally stronger in my vulnerablity and can hold that for others in “Presence”

I am sharing today about being sensitive, and I hope this helps someone else recognize that there are many other of us around. We need to learn to accept ourselve and find the seeds of truth and kindness inside to make this life of sensitivy so worthwhile. We do this through self nourishment and awakening to our authentic selves.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

Moving Into the Light: How to Lift the Shadows

Moving Into the Light: How to Lift the Shadows

Your Sacred Light Opportunity

We are all mixtures of light and dark.  Sometimes others will try and fool you.  They present themselves as holy, as illuminated and high and mighty.  That’s ego.

The Truth is that we are all made from the same Source, the Creator. The story of origin lives and dies everywhere all the time.  We are all ordinary in our sameness.  We are all extraordinary light creations in our unique experiences. We are all small. We are all great. Every soul possibility that lives with me, lives within you. That is the substance of God.  It is the love of God that sustains us whether we remember or don’t.

I used to wonder when I was younger, why am I alive?  What is my purpose here?  How did I get here?  By my 30’s, I felt such a deep dark hole near my heart.  I missed something in this lifetime, and yet I didn’t know what it was.  By now, in this stage of my life, I know it was the Light within.  But I have to decide to take the path of truth and love many times over to wake up.  We are all interconnected.  We all do better when we unite.

Anyway, for me, this hole has been my teacher. The spirit which lives within me has chosen to be a  spiritual seeker. I move toward the “whole “open heartedly.  I am an opener of doors. Yet I also  know that to constantly seek can present its own stuck dilemma loop.  Therefore, I aslo love to choose gratitude as well. I tend to rejoice more in the moment.

Personally, I am a Pisces, so I am overly sensitive, creative and very emotional.  This thing called life has been so easy in some ways, but internally not so much.  I live inner struggles all the time by trying to understand how to fit into humanity and its polarities, and to feel, and understand how limiting my beliefs and others can be.

I recognize that in our own way, each of us suffers.  We all feel pain.  Nobody wins the prize for who has it worst.  However, what we decide to do with all that we have been given-that’s what matters.  That’s what give meaning to our lifes.  That’s where we get to join into the school of human evolution.

We have two choices in life really.  A “Yes” or a “No” to what life has to offer us.  Being human, we identify as being individuals.  These are the rules we live by.  I am me.  You are you.  We are taught from and early age, our names, and some type of social order to which we belong.  Our tribe so to speak.  Yet, at some point, do we want to step out?  What does he take to move away from the familiar?

Each tribe has its own resonance.  It’s own ways of doing things.  We belong until we don’t anymore.  It is inherent in all of us that we will  have opportunities to grow. Awareness is moving in and out as waves of new consciousness , intending to wake us up to something bigger than our individual selves. Alas though, we can resist change too.

These tiny brains that we are given soak up everything which is being mirrored to us.  Our identify is formed by all the outer influences and how we dance with them based on our soul configuration and personality. Because we each live different lives we each end up experiencing, accepting and also confronting expriences which are Light Opportunities for us to grow and shift into the Greater Whole.

The 3 Main Core Challenges:

1.  Choose Love or Move Away From It

2.  Take Responsiblity for our Choices and Actions or Deny Life as It IS.  Also included here is to Blame in order to avoid oneself.

3.  Choosing to live authentically or to pretend to be what others want and tell you to be.

For us humans, it’s not so easy to love all the time. Conflict is inherent in indivualism at this point of our evolution.  Some times we are just plain mean spirited.  Often we can see ourselves and others trying to hurt each other. Underneath all of us are woundings that have never been fully met nor understood.  So we repeatedly act out our lower selves. We are living in an illusion of our own making.  Our social media imposes fake reality all the time. With AI emerging, even more so in the future.  Still, we can choose love and light at moment.  It’s available.

Often, it seems so hard to take responsibility for our hurtful and cruel choices.  At a young age, most of of learn to slip the blame somewhere else.  It gives us an instanteous relief.  However, in our youth and until we learn, we don’t realize that the lies we tell ourselves hurts our health, wellbeing and our soul self.  Pointing a finger creates nasty karma when we don’t sense and feel into the consequences of our own negative actions.  Choice point moments are to accept Yourself as you are. You are Light.

One of the most painful things is to live by the standards of others. Although we train for this starting at a young age. We all do.  Eventually though, as we mature, we are intended to break out and find God in our own individuality. I truly believe that is why we are all here. We have these Light Opportunities to transform and transcend beyond what we ever imageined we are capable of. Change can be found in the smallest acts or grandiose.  However evolution enters into your life, you get to choose to hold onto a past that is over.  Or- you can choose to be in your truth and express the true authentic you.  No matter what the cost.  There is profound beauty in being yourself.

This world is a low dark place on many spots.  At the same time, the Brightest, Most Beautiful Compassionate Light is EVERYWHERE.  Sometimes it will be more apparent. Sometimes we have to listen through our senses intently to catch sight.  The best place to begin to look is Within.  Learn to Trust Yourself and to be kind.

In conclusion, God is not “Out There”.  God is in everything.  That includes you too.  Perhaps people have labeled you as “bad”, “not worthy”, or “not wanted.”  But that was them.  Live in your own lane, and follow your heart.  Your reason will align with compassion, kindness and generosity to Self and others that way.

I’ll give you a little hint.  What I have discovered is that the path is going to continue your whole life.  We are not all awakened all at once. No matter what color skin, which religion, or type of job we take. We come here to journey in these skins together.  So take the opporunities one at a time. Learn from your mistakes and glory in the gifts of nature. Everything is here for your taking and understanding.  And when it’s enough, you’ll remember that you are embodied, whole and complete. The seeking stops.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

 

How to Love Your Body No matter How it Looks

Love Your Body, Mind and Spirit

Here are some tips for Shifting your Mindset about your body.  It takes time to Learn to Love Your Body.

  • Every morning before you get out of bed, bring mindfulness to your body and sense into it.  Forget any preconceived ideas that you have believed. Living in these bodies are pretty miraculous. The good news is that we have plenty of fresh new starts. 
  • When you get out of bed, feel into the Ok-ishness of your body.  This is the beginning of practicing self-acceptance.  Any perfection thoughts need to be put on the shelf!
  • Be mindful about how you speak about your body. You can change the patterning of your thinking.  Drive in a new lane.  The Love Your Body Lane. Eventually your belief system changes when you drop the old thoughts.
  • Every person deserves to feel love.  And we are all different and unique in how we are configured.  Realize that norms are group beliefs. It really says nothing about you.  The more you move inward, you self-realized your essence.  Imagine what it would be like if we all could appreciate the different skins in which we live.
  • Question your thoughts.  Byron Kate,has great free worksheet for this in the website The Work 
  • Receiving bodywork can bring a whole new awareness to you body.In our society, so much emphasis is placed on what is going on inside of our heads.  However, we are whole people, body, mind and spirit. For example, Craniosacral Therapy is great for helping you to embody.
  • Meditation is a great way to open your mind about your body.  It gives you a sense of understanding through neutral listening and understanding.  It also opens up the path to compassion.
  • Exercise.  Find movement that is comfortable and fun. Even basic walking can make you feel better.
  • Choose foods that are healthy.  Maybe start a garden for herbs or fruits and vegetables.  We feel good when we partake in the organic processes which sustanin us.

When you are alone, take off the clothes and get comfortable in your skin.  Turn off your computers/phones/ and TVs.  Relax and Breathe.  Know Yourself!

Our culture makes it hard sometimes for people to accept and love your body.  Yet, we have many choice points to make up our own minds about how we related internally.  You are the Captain of Your Own Ship.  Sail the seas of Self-Love.  Learn to be Ok with who you are- body, feelings, thoughts and all.   

It’s not always each, but choosing change is a great intention.

With gratitude-

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

7 Ideas How to Discover Your Inner Light

7 Ideas How to Discover Your Inner Light

It’s time to shine Your Inner Light

There are Inner Light  moments in every person’s life that bring an “Ah ha” experience.  Personal Transformation is a gift that is brought to each of us whether we feel ready or not.  Inner Light is always present, waiting until we can accept our True Selves.

When these new awarenesses come to us, we have a choice.  Do we like the familiarity of where we are now in our lives, or are we ready to expand and grow in wisdom and in heart?  If you feel ready to embark into fulfilling your real potential, read on.  These are 7 ideas which can help you navigate your journey:

  • The Hero’s Journey is not for the feint of heart.  Yet it is available for you by committing to know your Authentic Self, and your purpose to be here.  Usually something spurs you into change.  It is often a deep life challenge. In any case, it will take courage and an intention to be self-aware and self-accountable for what you believe, how you feel, and how you act.  Acknowledging this is the beginning.
  • Fear may be waiting at your door.  The sooner that you realize that fear is not the enemy, the doubts will melt away. Fear is a physiological experience in the body.  It is set for survival.  When you start down this path, you will be breaking through old boundaries to move deeper and farther. Allow your fear to guide you into trusting your Higher Self.
  • Teachers will appear.  A teacher can be anything really. It can be a person, a tree, your dog, or even spiritual beings.  Life is full of teachers.  However, there will be guidance that will light the path ahead if you pay attention.
  • Where I went to school and eventually taught, at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing  the next step which was taught was dropping down into the belly of the beast.  What this meant to me was discovering my shadows and my deepest fears and regrets.  Often it is a serious event in your life that feels difficult.  For people, this is natural time to build strength and spiritual context to help us navigate in life and live through positive intention. You and all human beings must face things that we don’t want to face in order to grow.  Can you see this as an opportunity?
  • When you connect to your Core Essence, everything you need will appear.  This doesn’t mean to make life easier, but it does give you the internal resources to transform and become more deeply enlightened.
  • Next, the wave of integration comes and enlivens your cells and your sense of Being.  Your Inner Light shines brighter.
  • Finally you will feel full and connected in ways you never imagined.  Life will become more easy to navigate as you feel more embodied and anchored into your Being.

Right now the earth and all human beings are being called to raise to the next level of enlightenment.  Each of us is unique, but the journey is similar in its construction.  I write this so that you realize that you are not alone when the mystery knocks on your door.  I want to remind your journey is your own, yet will make a huge impact on the rest of us as you strengthen the lines of interconnection of life.

Prayers to all of us and those who who do not choose to move toward the Inner Light. But what a great opportunity for us as people to experience life with transformation and transcendence.  Peace be with you.

Book Recommendation for your journey:  Hands of Light

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High St. #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

How to Sense Your Body with Somatic Gentle Touch

How to Sense Your Body with Somatic Gentle Touch

What is Somatic Bodywork?

It is a form of body centered therapy that focuses on the living experience of embodiment.  The term, “somatic” comes from the greek word “body”.

There are different schools that teach various approaches to Somatic Bodywork.  Some of them are:  The Hakomi Institute,  The Upledger Institute, The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, and Peter Levines’  the Trauma Healing School.

In my past experience of studying Hakomi, SER Therapy, and Trauma Therapy at SPI, I have learned Somatic techniques with both psychotherapists and also bodyworkers.  The boundaries are a bit tricky from both ends due to licensing in each state around touch and therapy. Generally, manual Bodyworkers use somatic-emotional type of therapy to support any type of emotional or spiritual arising that occurs while working with the body primarily within a session.  On the other hand,  psychotherapists focus on the mind body relationship more from a distance.  Yet each state has different laws that must be checked to keep within the license of practice.

Hakomi uses mindfulness as its key to developmental issues and to “heal attachment wounds”.  At SPI, my training was more directed toward supporting any type of trauma that shows up on the table in a session.  While I have not studied the SE Work, my understanding is that is similar to SPI’s focus on trauma.

Basically, what we are working with  is an emotional response to distressing events.  Some call this cellular memory. It is usually something that has not processed all the way through,

All of these modalities, help to release stress, tension and sometimes trauma from the body.  I tend to focus most of my work on the table with gentle Craniosacral Somato-Emotional presence. When something deep or painful arises while I am melded with the person’s body, I may delve into my other techniques to help my clients come to their own deeper inner resources for completion.  Often the healing response comes from sensing within.  Working from a bottom of approach can help to integrate things that are not as available as in only talk therapy.

Remember, that if you are looking for a therapist to help you to heal deeply,  that most programs and schools teach us to create a safe and trusting environment first and foremost.  Still,  it is important to interview and ask your therapist about their experience and backgrounds.  Find the person who fits your needs best.  All therapist have unique approaches.

Somatic Therapy is very helpful because it integrates the mind and body beautifully.

If you have any questions, contact me, and I offer free 10 minute phone sessions.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

6797 N. High #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085

 

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