What if we can relieve our distress rather than working so hard to cope?
Embracing a paradigm shift from working so hard to cope with our stressors to learning how to relieve distress is powerful. We live our life and events happen. We react with a wide range of emotion, depending on the nature of the event. Distress is a combination of emotions, sensations and thoughts that result in a feeling of discomfort. We may notice that we get stuck in habitual reactive patterns as a result of this distress. The symptoms can manifest in all aspects of health – body, mind and spirit.
Key to distress is that we ‘feel’ discomfort. If we look to relieve the undesired feeling, it is beneficial to think about our approach:
- Feelings are energetic so it is beneficial to look for the triggers to our distress in the realm of ‘spirit’ or ‘energy’.
- We can recognize these triggers in the form of mental imagery or sensory perceptions.
- From ancient times, we recognize that words have power to shift energy.
- Through a guided process, we can learn to use this power of words to neutralize the energy stuck in these perceptions that trigger distress.
- The result is that we don’t have to learn to cope with the distress because we no longer feel it.
The paradigm shift: We don’t need to simply focus on coping with distress but we can learn to identify and resolve the underlying stress triggers in the form of mental imagery.
What if one model works on various types of distress?
We have many life experiences which form many sensory perceptions in our personal space. These sensory perceptions trigger our distress and reactions, often below our level of awareness. Some of our past experiences trigger very powerful responses. Our distress is exhibited as emotions, body sensations and cognitive thoughts. It can be exhibited through symptoms of physical or mental illness. Sometimes we don’t even recognize our distress. Why? Because our beliefs inform us that it is not us who has to change but rather that we need to fix others.
Feeling the need to ‘fix’ others is a reactive pattern and stress response. It is beneficial to relieve this feeling so you can focus our energy on creative solutions rather than reactive behaviour. Regardless of the symptom, you can apply Logosynthesis® to shift the energy, the feeling of distress shifts. On approach used across a spectrum from healing trauma to building competency and unlocking potential.
The paradigm shift: By working at the level of spirit, we can identify, isolate and neutralize the trigger to our distress rather than focusing on coping with the physical and mental symptoms of distress.
What if we don’t have to understand the process for it to work?
I have witnessed and experienced many very intriguing examples of this work. I continue to be amazed at how fast people experience relief when they trust the process. By pausing to recognize my reaction, I am able to identify the underlying stress trigger and resolve it. In this work, people often shift from a high level of distress before the work to little or no distress at the end of the sentences. At times, the sentences may expose another layer to process but that’s ok. The technique can be repeated until there is a sense of peace and calm.
The paradigm shift: It really is ok to not understand the process but trust that it works. By repeating the method, through self-coaching or a practitioner, you will notice a shift in how you feel regardless of your understanding of how it happens.
What if leaders buy in to create space for change?
In my conversations, the most significant barrier to people embracing new learning is the influence that leaders hold over others. This could be a disdainful look from a boss, a reprimand from a parent or a dismissal from a doctor. It is common to look to persons of authority for validation of our thinking. Leadership has an opportunity to create space to discover new solutions. For leaders, doing our own personal work first creates space for others to succeed.
The paradigm shift? Although leaders often do not perceive the need to relieve personal distress and work hard to fix situations for others, we all benefit as leaders neutralize the energy in their reactions, beliefs and attitudes to create a healthier, productive environment.
What if there is a beautifully compassionate philosophy to support one simple technique?
Logosynthesis® offers a fascinating philosophy and a simple technique to support the work. Often when people do the work, they struggle to understand how it can be so simple. The effects are easy to discount because the shifting of energy is subtle. However, it is important to note that this one simple technique is based in a beautiful, compassionate philosophy. The work recognizes our spiritual nature in a manner that can support any religious or cultural background. The work allows us to feel a shift and as we incorporate the technique into regular practice, our feelings of wellbeing are enhanced. Although we often rely on metaphors to connect with our spiritual Essence, this work effectively and efficiently shifts our energy to increase our sense of connection.
As Willem goes deep with the work after years of study, experimenting and training, we all have the opportunity to begin from where we are and enjoy the journey. He has sparked my curiosity to learn more about the philosophy and to share the work. As we look for comparisons to other methods to support health, wellness and productivity, this work is transformational.
The paradigm shift: Rather than needing to teach the philosophy before individuals can benefit, we can learn a simple technique to relieve distress and create space to broaden appreciation for the philosophy.
What if we can embrace a paradigm shift?
Think of the possibility if we can approach issues from the level of spiritual health so that we don’t need to dwell in the distress of mental and physical health issues. We will continue to rely on physical and mental health approaches to support health and wellbeing. However, in addition, we can all benefit from approaching our distress through a spiritual lens. I recognize that even the words ‘spiritual health’ triggers a reaction in some of us. That may be a good place to start our work so that we can create an environment that embraces our whole being. As we learn to approach our distress as a reaction which provides information that supports our growth, we can begin to peel away the layers of our discomfort and more fully appreciate the world in which we live.
The paradigm shift: We need to be curious, open to new ideas and eager to embrace change so that we can expand our perspectives rather than narrow our scope when things get uncomfortable.
Give it a try to notice what can shift.
Check out these resources to get you started. You can also watch the guided video below to experience what can shift. Firstly, grab a glass of water and find a quiet, uninterrupted place. Allow at least 30 minutes so that you are not rushed. And then, simply follow my guidance on the video. Energy shifts can feel subtle or intense, so take some time to notice what shifts over the next few days and weeks. Enjoy!