Rock, Strength & Gentleness

I was talking to a friend this morning and we were discussing the idea that we can be our own 'rock'. We can be there for ourselves when we need to, when there isn't anyone else to do it for us. We can be strong for ourselves.  When we do this, when we have learned how to be strong for ourself then we can really relax into our gentleness and stay there!

A great analofy of this is the Mountain Pose in yoga.  When I stand in Mountain Pose I can't be pushed over, I can't be pushed around, I am strong and stable. I feel fully present.  I am my own rock!  I can feel it in my body.  What is extraordinary is thst only when I am fully in Mountain Pose does my body fully relax.  It realises that it doesn't have to hold tight to keep me upright. When I am my own rock I can relax and be gentle in my body.

My strength comes when I can hold myself and yet be gentle. The Yin and Yang! The true balance in life comes when we are neither one nor the other, when we are both at the same time.

The same is true for our emotional body. When I can be there for myself, support myself and be strong for myself, I can relax and be vulnerable. I don't have to be on guard.


How do we achieve emotional strength you might ask.

Practice! Just as you would at a gym if you were wanting physical strength you would work hard to achieve great results.  You would learn to set boundaries and you would practice them. You would learn to assert yourself  and you would practice the skill and techniques that would give you the results you wanted. You would learn how and when to trust yourself. You would initially practise with people who were safe and then you would move out to people who are more challenging.

Once you build your emotional strength you can relax and enjoy life, You will be your own rock: strong and gentle at the same time!