Bear's Blog

Resilience is seen as an essential skill to be healthy in many ways. A body that is cared for has resources to come back from illness or accidents. Spiritually it comes down to perseverance, and faith in the ultimate meaning and beneficence of life. A mind that has the knowledge and skills can respond positively to life’s setbacks. Cultivating resilience under stress is a complicated challenge, and our ability to manage in different circumstances and times can vary. Perspective is key.

We all have certain energetic patterns that kick in when we meet difficult times.They are part of your Energy Signature! We can support our strengths and work on communication and boundary issues - but our reactive mode feels more personal. It brings up a sense of embarrassment or remorse; we know we can do better. Everyone has a go-to defense which can sabotage their ability to be resilient.

I’ve been feeling a sense of hopelessness at times, even despair over what I see happening in our country (and it affects the whole world too.) I’ve noticed my pattern of dealing (or not) with these uncomfortable feelings directly relate to the two major types in my Energy Signature - Priest and Warrior.

My Priest is really at home in the energetic and spiritual realms; this earthly life, even the body, can feel unsafe. The main impulse is to escape to those comforting arenas and avoid being overwhelmed or fearful. In the process I “check out” energetically or physically isolate. That doesn’t help to deal; it’s hard to avoid the rapid-fire escalation of troubling events. Procrastination is another escape, a kind of inertia.

Practices that help the Priest stay present are the most important. Any and all grounding techniques that work are essential. For me this includes the Fountain exercises (both directions, standing in grass) and the Soul Hara several times a day. Taking a breath and exhaling it out through my feet (and keeping them on the floor when inside.) Initiating small daily interactions and making eye contact with neighbors and strangers in passing. Taking one action, however small, toward addressing the situation at hand.

My Warrior wants to DO SOMETHING about it all, now! “Tackling” the situation with aggressive action is a way to feel in control. Taking the lead is the comfort zone of a Warrior. Shouldering excessive responsibility for everything is the drive behind this behaviour - even when it’s not possible or necessary. Vulnerability is to be avoided at all costs, and it’s difficult to ask for help.

The way out of this impossible task is to practice surrender. Collaborate; take concrete action and trust in the competence of others. When I feel that urgent impulse to go start something, I imagine dropping energy down from my upper body into the lower limbs while exhaling. I listen more, and allow wisdom to emerge from deeper sources. The impulse is still there, but I channel it into considering creative approaches to the issues at hand.

Some of our patterns are obvious, although still maddening and resistant to change. Others are unconscious or hard to acknowledge. None of them exhibit our best selves, but need to be addressed to liberate our true nature! What your Energy Signature can do is explain the what, why and how behind those patterns - providing insight and practices to help get out of those unproductive loops.

These built-in defensive mechanisms were created to protect us early in life. Having compassion for ourselves, and a willingness to practice, will build resilience - the ability to respond appropriately in any situation.

What’s YOUR Energy Signature? Find out here - Your Energy Signature Quiz

Peace, love and healing -

Bear