What is the medicine of these times? Is it Ayahuasca? Is it AI? Is it astrology? Or a secure attachment? We’re all still learning. We’re looking for our own way of responding, finding our truth. Yet…
The medicine of these times is not something we need to acquire, or even do. It’s not outside of ourselves…..it’s deep inside, in our core.
Our core is our deep inner refuge, our seat of clear knowing and unshakable peace, and it’s in our body. Our core is not an abstract idea existing only in the mental realms. Ancient Taoist and Shamanic traditions tell us the core is the deep center of our being located in the lower belly, below the navel. When we cultivate and strengthen our core, we create a powerful center that can remain unshaken no matter what goes on outside.
Finding and staying in our center is the simple and essential medicine of these times.
My first Tai Chi teacher did not pride himself on being able to knock down his opponents. His only goal was to remain so rooted in his core that nothing could throw him. I’m still learning from and practicing that teaching 30 years later.
When we know how to stay in our core, we don’t get triggered or pulled off center by life. Then we can respond, rather than just react. If we wish to truly create meaningful change, we must come from our core.
The core is physical, yes, and it is also part of the subtle energy body, and made of light. The core of light is our eternal nature, within us, that is also the eternal nature of the Universe. Our core of light contains the wisdom of our healed ancestors, not only humans, but the plants, the stars, even the elements themselves, and all that we are. All that we are is the Universe, and it is inside of us. The work now is to awaken and dwell there.
How do we do this?
1. Charge your core with light daily. We can charge the core through breath, intention, sound, and visualization. We can do this by placing the hands over the low belly, breathing in light and exhaling any heavy energy. See below for a free 5 minute meditation to connect with and strengthen the core.
Other tips for going deeper…
2. Find and heal the split off parts of ourselves that are disconnected from our core, that may block us from dwelling there fully. Unresolved trauma creates split off parts in our beings. These parts pull us away from our core in difficult moments- then we are unable to truly respond and can only react from a disempowered place. Residues of traumatic events may live in our bodies and obstruct our access to our core- they need to be cleared. This work is best undertaken with a qualified shamanic practitioner.
3. Ask for the support of the Universe! Remember that when we are in our core, we have access to infinite support and resources. Infinite. The core of our being is pure light and it is one and the same with the center of the Universe. The Universe deeply desires us to support us. But we need to remember to ask!
4. Practice when the stakes are low. Learning to dwell in our core can be like exercising an under-utilized muscle. Our culture over emphasizes the mental and not the physical. At any given moment, we are mostly in our heads and not in our core. Unless we practice. If we wait for a difficult situation to arise, and then try to get in our core without much familiarity with it, success will be difficult. Practice getting in your core when it’s easy- while you’re in line at the grocery store or taking a walk in nature. Give the new pathways a chance to develop.
5. Chose, speak, act from your core. There is great power now in what is chosen, spoken, and acted upon. Our choices now will reverberate throughout the centuries. Choose, speak, act from your core. The more we do this, the more powerful we become and the more we strengthen this new way of being for ourselves.
