The Slump

There are many types of ‘slumps’. I’m writing about a kind of intense negative overwhelm, which descends like a rain cloud, swamps you & renders you a sobbing, snotty mess for anything from a few hours to a couple of days.  This place feels lonely, depressed & dark:  as though you’re never going to experience happiness or light again.  Generally it feels pretty uncontrollable too.  It’s not that you really want to be there, but escaping the mood seems as impossible as lifting a house from your slumped body. 


Dr Seuss wrote “un-slumping yourself is not easily done” and i’m inclined to agree.  But, it is possible!  The ‘un-slump’ is inevitable!  i want to share some suggestions to assist in the slump process: what to do in times of emotional overwhelm. 

mount kaialsh, tibet, 2007

Talking with friends, i discovered that the slump is a common experience: gone through by many normal, lovely, fully-functional, happy people!  Although something rarely discussed, at least not openly & at ease.  Many want to give the impression that they’re happy all of the time.  Believing they will be judged, if admitting to occasional deviations from that general state of happiness.  (This seems especially true for us so-called ‘healers’.  We believe friends/clients/strangers will see us as weak or unqualified to work with.  Although by being honest, transparent & vulnerable in our healing process, is it possible we can inspire others that they’re in a familiar place & they too can overcome their slump?)

~♥~

As i was searching for un-slumping methods, one friend advised something which initially surprised me:

“Let the energy [emotion] reach the bottom - it's where it wants to go.  Just let it go down.  Eventually it will hit bottom & you will naturally begin to come up again.”  

This seems to go beyond just 'accepting'.  

Many of us relish the concept of ‘going with the flow’ & we feel good when we’re flowing with life.  Perhaps sometimes the flow takes us DOWN: it’s still ‘the flow’, but rather than floating on the river’s surface, we’re pulled under.  Fighting to stay afloat is akin to struggling upstream, against the river’s natural direction.  What if we can just surrender and, as my friend suggests, allow the energy to go down, until it naturally begins to flow back up?  Also, when we reach the bottom of a body of water, we can kick ourselves up from the bottom & propel ourselves more quickly to the surface.

~♥~

After realising all this, i was discouraged to share any techniques about un-slumping, as i don’t wish to deprive anyone from the experience life is gifting them.  Pondering this a while, i realised that these techniques should be shared, & you can decide for yourself which direction is best for you.  As a friend put it ‘sometimes you just need a breather’, may these suggestions bring breath & space to your being.

with love, 
jennifer
EFTHarmony.com


UPDATE 2015: More than anything that's noted here.  i would recommend checking out www.worldtappingcircle.com which is the BEST resource for when you're feeling down.

~♥~

WISDOM & APPROACHES – things to remember

~ Remember it will pass.  The I Ching says that no emotional state will persist for more than 3 days.


~ Make peace with the torment & then let it go.

~ Pay attention to the ways you’re feeding your mind & emotional body (e.g. the people around you, the media you’re absorbing).

~ Practice time-travelling!  Imagine fast-forwarding in time to when you feel better & you’re telling someone about the 'slump' experience.

~ Go to the present moment & appreciate it as fully as you possibly can.

~ Remember the answer is LOVE & stay focused on LOVE as the solution (rather than focusing on the issue).

~ Try laughing kindly at yourself, or hearing your guides/angels/helpers in the unseen gently, lovingly laughing at/with you. Or try this funny video: “STOP IT!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw&feature=share

~ Forgive yourself for feeling however it is that you feel.  Remember it’s a part of your evolution.  Perhaps you feel you’re going in the wrong direction, but you’re not.

~ Buddhist nun once asked me “why do you take your life so personally?”  Fantastic question…why am i taking this mood so personally?

~ Remember this is a normal experience, albeit an unpleasant one.  This is not something experienced by you alone, it is something which many, many people go through.  So there’s nothing wrong with you for having such feelings.  Here’s a funny illustrated blog about one girl’s experience:
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html

~ Know that you are strong enough to handle anything that happens in your life.  We are NEVER put in a situation which we are unable to deal with. (This is probably from Eckhart Tolle.)

~ Be wary of analysing how you’re feeling & trying to look into it too much. That’s all very mind orientated & it can be a messy place to navigate when the thoughts are negative, attacking & depressed.  Occasionally it’s a good time to go into it, when it’s all triggered & prominent, but often it’s not the best time & self-investigation will lead to further entanglement.  Try to get clear on whether it’s the right moment for analysing (which may involve postponing some of your healing practices like EFT, tarot, astrology etc. until you’re feeling more balanced).

~ Remember the experience you’re having allows you to empathise with others when they are suffering.  Rather than judging those who always seem to see the negative, we are able to empathize with them, as we relate to how they feel.   If we were born ‘ready enlightened’, it would be nigh on impossible to connect with anyone & support their journey.   So especially for those of us committed to raising the love-level & human-consciousness-level on the planet, seems like we need to remain ‘slump-aware’.


~ Learn E.F.T.  This is an incredible healing technique, which is self-administered & can even be learnt for free on the Internet.  i’ve written guidelines about how to practice (www.eftharmony.com) & there’s loads of info online (www.eftuniverse.com).  It’s used globally by millions of people & is akin to a magic wand!

~♥~

PRE-EMPTIVE PHYSICAL ACTIONS - ideas for before you're 'in it'

~ Look at your overall health: diet, nutrition & exercise routines.  During the winter (or just generally in Scotland!) make sure you are absorbing as much sun as possible, jumping into it whenever it shines.

~ Feel-Good-Book!  Keep a notebook full of things that make you feel really, really good.  Only the most positive, pure, loving, beautiful, divine things go inside.  Some ideas for contents:

• compliments people have said to you,
• memories which fill you with joy (Robert G Smith recommends 22 powerful positive memories: where they happened, how they made you feel)
• moments you’ve felt ecstatic,
• quotes which lift your spirit (check out Rumi & Hafiz),
• inspiring, feel-good pictures,
• photos of loved ones: gurus, friends, masters, family, pets
• pressed flowers, leaves from happy places,
• things that make you laugh,
• a list of things for which you’re grateful.

~ Imbue a crystal/gemstone with all the energy you need to make it through a slump.  Keep this stone separate, in a pouch & use her only when you’re in a tough place. (But don’t forget about her for months: remember to love her by cleaning & charging her!) Great wee video about crystals here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSpiritScience?feature=watch#p/u/15/xoUOn4Vbrz0

Tibetan Monk/Dancer: Ladakh, 2011

PHYSICAL ACTIONS (when you’re ‘in it’)

I’ve tried to divide into mind/body/spirit, but of course they’re entwined:

For the Body

~ Eat well – healthy, fresh food.  Avoid sugar, caffeine & wheat.  Drink a LOT of water (best is warm, body temperature).  Drink ginger, lemon & honey (Phoenix Potion!).  Eat bananas, cashews, quinoa, amaranth & other foods which allow your body to produce serotonin.


~ If there’s sun…bathe in it, soak it in.  Ask it to light up every cell in your body.

~ Ask a friend for a hug.  Sometimes this will be a big challenge, making such a request, but gentle physical connection can lighten things.

~ Dance – to music or silence…let your body express itself however it feels.  Choose the music to suit your current state (a dose of Matisyahu’s ‘Warrior’ & ‘King Without a Crown’ from Live at Stubbs?).

~ Yoga and/or stretching.  Moving the body encourages the emotions and energy to shift.  The 5 Tibetan Rites (http://vimeo.com/34391036) or chi kung are also great.


~ Shake!  Stand with your feet shoulder width apart & shake your whole body.  Allow the shaking to arise from within & spread through your being.  Throw everything out!  Remember to breathe!

~ Go for a walk in nature.  If the negative thinking continues, put all your focus on your feet…how are you walking?  Where does the weight shift as you move?  You could try walking yourself until you’re so exhausted all you can do is sleep.

~ Find an animal (preferably a big furry one, like a cat or dog) and give it some lovin’.  Animals never judge us & love us unconditionally.  Bury your face in the soft fur.  It’s that ‘connection without words’ thing.

~♥~

For the Mind & Emotions

~ If you made a ‘feel-good-book’: read it! (see above for details)


~ Know when to ask for support.  If you’re stuck & none of your tools are working, reach out to friends (by phone, skype, email, psychically whatever works & connects you to your lightweb).

~ If you need a session, take one.  There are so many gifted healers, have a session with someone!  If you’d run a race & had sore muscles it would feel okay to take a massage…same goes here! (psssst...i give EFT session over skype: EFTHarmony.com)

~ Tell the people around you that you’re having a hard time.  If you can’t do this verbally, write them a note or an email.  This will prevent them from taking it personally.

~ Imagine all your closest loved ones around you.  Holding your hands, giving you a hug, sitting in a circle with you.  Feel their love for you.

~ Do something simple for someone else.  This takes the focus away from our own crap for a moment & allows us to connect with another.  

~ Osho’s Gibberish meditation (for 15 minutes talk in another language of which you don’t know a single word, fully expressing yourself). Osho Dynamic meditation is also amazing if you don’t have neighbours (although there are variations of it you can do)!  Also Osho's Nada Bramah & Kundalini meditations are also superb.  (for more info: google is your friend!)

~ Use mantras (aloud or in your head) like “this is just my pain body” (to disassociate) or "i welcome this thought" (for more acceptance).  there's a wealth of sanskrit & pali mantras: 'aum tara tu tare ture sawaha' (goddess of compassion) or 'aum mani padme hum' (for connection the mind with the heart).

~ Imagine what you’re experiencing is something happening to your best friend.  What would you say to them?  What would you advise them?  How would you act with them?  This should allow at least fractions of compassion to creep in.

After the earthquake, Pakistan 2005

~ Read Eckhart Tolle (power of now, new earth), watch his videos, listen to mp3s of his books or talks.  Or any other masters who remind you of your true essence (Osho, Amma, Rumi).  Randomly open their texts/websites & ask for ‘what you need to hear’ to be there.

~ Write a letter to yourself from future-you.  What does your inner-grandmother want slumped-you to know?

~ Meditate:  Put all your attention, focus, concentration, awareness on your breathing.  Or use guided meditations.

~ If there’s a lot of disturbing noise where you are, plug yourself into some relaxing music on your player. 

~ Watch a beloved movie or cartoon from your childhood (mine would be The Labyrinth with David Bowie).  Or watch films & cartoons which have a really HIGH feel-good factor.

~ Use cards (like tarot, angel, wisdom, inspiration, animal medicine).  If you’re really in a slump perhaps don’t get too into the analysing of what’s going on.  Rather, ask ‘what do i need to know to help me love and accept myself as i am right now’.  Be aware that the slumped part of you will attack & see the negative in any card.  i find it useful to write down my interpretation of the cards when i’m doing a reading for myself.  And i generally insist upon making at least one positive interpretation of each card.

~ Paint or draw.  Not necessarily anything in particular, or something beautiful.  Just allow everything you’re feeling to flow out onto the paper.

~ Take Bach Rescue Remedy (or other flower essences which help soothe & calm you – there’s a great spray from Findhorn called ‘sacred spaces’).

~ Write it all down.  Try to stay away from analysing, but just write it all out.  You could do this journal style, giving yourself permission to write whatever you feel like saying.  You don’t have to show this writing to anyone - afterwards you can always burn it.  

~ Write a letter to the trigger (generally a person!), expressing exactly how you feel.  Generally these are best burnt afterwards.

~ Note impartial observations of what’s going on, as though the slump is an experiment in a lab.  e.g. "triggered by X, i experienced a pit in my stomach (bodily sensations), and frustration & anger (emotional reactions).  i then went for a walk (physical action) and my thoughts were generally about…what triggered me & anger towards myself & others.  Then i was hungry & craved sugar (what did your body want?)." Etc etc.  This way, you may get clear on your slump pattern & possibly what actions/thoughts lead you up or drag you down.  (This may be best done once you're out of the slump, once you're more impartial!)

Cow by monsoon Ganga, Rishikesh 2005

For the Spirit

~ If you made a crystal with intentions to help you through it, use it (see above for details)!


~ Ask for help from your angels & guides.  Ask for a deep healing & be specific in what you request (i.e. rather than saying ‘i don’t want to feel like this’ make it ‘give me the ability to reconnect to the light within’ or ‘help me to accept the way i currently feel’).

~ Give yourself reiki (or receive a session). Don’t know reiki?  Try this: “If you become aware you feel unsettled or unhappy, sit in a chair or on the floor, place a hand on your stomach and one on your heart, and simply breathe through the emotions until they clear and release. Tell yourself that all is well, and trust that your body and your heart can deal with the size of what you are feeling, and that you can guide this process for yourself.” ~Lee Harris, from February Energy Forecast-Resolutions and Solar Balance http://www.leeharrisenergy.com

~ Shield your aura. There’s a super quick exercise here: http://www.devinemiracles.com/quickshielding.html

When you ‘come out’ of it & unslump yourself.  Please remember to give yourself a lot of gratitude for surviving it.  And gratitude for *being you*!  Remember that you’re going through these experiences to heal ourselves, so you can evolve into the best version of who you truly are.


Other un-slumping ideas are welcome in the comments below!

~♥~

Vinod, Rishikesh 2005

Quotes

“i wish i could show you

when you are lonely or afraid,

the astonishing light

of your own being.”

~ Hafiz

“Bring the pure wine of

love and freedom.

But sir, a tornado is coming.

More wine, we'll teach this storm

A thing or two about whirling.”

~ Rumi

“Sadness to me is the happiest time,

When a shining city rises from the ruins of my drunken mind.

Those times when I'm silent and still as the earth,

The thunder of my roar is heard across the universe.”

~ Rumi

“Birds make great sky circles of their freedom.

But how do they learn it?

They fall.

And falling,

They’re given wings.”

~ Rumi

“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.  If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark & negative in yourself.  Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” ~ Lao Tzu


"No mud, no lotus."  Thich Nhat Hanh

“Fear is love trying to keep you from pain & hurt.  Fear is the messenger.  So don't kill the messenger because it is wanting to free you as well as protect you.  Embrace the messenger, release the message of pain. 

Love is fear's purpose which is to protect us from the lies of pain.”

~ The Bible?  (from a Robert Smith video)

"The eyes of the future are looking back at us, praying that we can see beyond our own time."
~ Terry Tempest Williams


“Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.  And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?  And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

here’s Osho talking on what i call slumps & he calls loneliness & darkness:

http://oshotimes.blog.osho.com/2012/02/loneliness/#more-161

~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~

a H U G E  heart-felt hug to my dear friends who answered my email asking for ideas of what to do in a slump & provided more than just ideas…you gave the inspiration i needed to share this post.  i love you all! 

Ardh Mela, Allahabad 2007

~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~
All photographs (c) Jennifer