I spent the past couple of days in self-reflection, trying to identify the unhealthy patterns in my life, so that I may address and remedy them. For this, I utilized the following exercise from Starhawk's The Earth Path. I highly recommend this book, not only as an aid to better understand the inner workings of oneself, but also to assist in reconnecting with nature, during a time in which we have distanced ourselves so much from it. Happy soul searching!
Inner Pattern Observation
Starhawk: The Earth Path
The magic circle of the elements can help us look for our
own internal patterns. You can work with
the questions below in several different ways.
Alone, you can meditate on them, write in your journal about them, or
take each for a period of days or a week to reflect upon and keep notes on.
With a friend, partner, or in a healing or mentoring
relationship, you could share with each other your reflections and give each
other feedback and insights.
In a group or circle with a high degree of intimacy or
trust, you could go around the circle, giving each person time to respond to
each question without being interrupted or challenged. At the end, you could discuss what is similar
or different about your conclusions. In
group work, I would suggest taking one element each session, and devoting five
or six sessions to this work.
Air
Are there patterns you can identify in your thoughts? Particular phrases or words you say to
yourself again and again, or snatches of inner dialogue that repeat? Names you call yourself? Images you hold? Fantasies?
How do these affect your perception of yourself? Others?
How do they impact your energy?
Emotions? Body? Spirit?
The choices you make? The
possibilities you see around you? How do
these patterns restrict or harm you? How
do they serve you? What do they do?
Fire
Are there patterns you can identify around your energy level
and how you use your energies? Cycles or
repeating ebbs and flows? Ways you
dissipate or squander energy? Patterns
of eating or drinking or sleeping?
Repetitive ways you build up energy or stoke your fires?
How do these affect your perception of yourself? Others?
How do they impact your energy?
Emotions? Body? Spirit?
The choices you make? The
possibilities you see around you? How do
these patterns restrict or harm you? How
do they serve you? What do they do?
Water
Are there emotional patterns that you can identify? Cycles of feeling? Patterns in love, patterns in
relationships? Patterns in the way you
respond to fear? Hope? Anger?
Attack? Loss?
How do these affect your perception of yourself? Others?
How do they impact your energy?
Emotions? Body? Spirit?
The choices you make? The
possibilities you see around you? How do
these patterns restrict or harm you? How
do they serve you? What do they do?
Earth
Are there physical patterns you can identify? Patterns in your health, fitness, muscle
tone, and flexibility? Do you get sick
in response to other patterns?
Cyclically?
Are there patterns you follow around money or other material
resources? Around providing for yourself
and others? Around shopping or spending?
Do you notice patterns around your ability to set
boundaries, or your encounters with others’ boundaries?
How do these affect your perception of yourself? Others?
How do they impact your energy?
Emotions? Body? Spirit?
The choices you make? The
possibilities you see around you? How do
these patterns restrict or harm you? How
do they serve you? What do they do?
Spirit
Are there spiritual patterns that you can identify? Patterns around consciousness-change,
intoxication? Addictions? Patterns in communication and connection with
others?
How do these affect your perception of yourself? Others?
How do they impact your energy?
Emotions? Body? Spirit?
The choices you make? The
possibilities you see around you? How do
these patterns restrict or harm you? How
do they serve you? What do they do?
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