Nervous System Reset: Day 5

Continuing with our exploration with the senses, Bhanu Joy Harrison joins us in the practice of Sensory Orientation. Day 4 was all about touch. Day 5 is about sight and sound. Admittedly, this is something I prefer over touch but not something that I actively practice as a way of grounding myself. I like sitting in silence most of the time. Occasionally I have a very low background noise, like Insight Timer’s “Enchanting” which sounds like a bunch of monks chanting. At first I didn’t really enjoy it but once I lowered the volume I found that the vibration of the singing was actually incredibly soothing.

Bhanu Joy says that by letting your gaze scan the room and your ears take in the sounds, without stories, analyzing, or naming, you allow yourself to be curious about your surroundings. Consequently, once your senses have determined that the space is safe, your body can come back to center. To the here-and-now rather than wallowing in the past or worrying about the future.

First, we let our eyes wander in every direction. We notice shapes and colors. We simply take in what we see. No explanations. Just notice. (Unfortunately for me I also noticed how cluttered my space was and it instantly set my teeth on edge. Can you say “sensory overload”?!?!) Then we move on to sounds. There wasn’t much going on in the room. Nothing going on outside either. I sat very quietly for a few moments and noticed the gentle whirring noise of my essential oil diffuser. My eyes focused on it, noticing the mist as it billowed over the sides and dispersed across the surface of the shelf. Swirling. Falling over the edge. Dissipating. My eyes then drifted to the constantly changing colors of the diffuser as it danced through the tree limbs etched all around it. Green morphing to yellow. Orange deepening to red then brightening through lavender to purple. Dark blue transforming into sky blue followed by aqua, then returning to green. And so the cycle continued again . . . and again . . . whirring . . . dancing . . .

Next thing I knew, Bhanu Joy was wishing me well. The meditation was over.

I hadn’t expected to have this profound a reaction to the exercise. I was pleasantly surprised. I was also a bit perplexed – I had to backtrack to listen to what I’d missed which, thankfully, wasn’t really that much. She asked us to pay attention to how our bodies felt after our practice and I have to say that I was pretty cozy. I switched to the timer and meditated for another 15 minutes or so, mesmerized by the dancing lights, the soothing sounds of the tiny motor, and the delightful aroma of lavender. The experience lulled me into a state of deep relaxation and contentment. It reminds me of evenings spent around a campfire, sitting quietly, listening to the crickets and the crackle of the fire, watching the flames dance and play on the logs.

Did you enjoy the lesson? What sensory experiences have you had that invite deep meditation or relaxation? What’s your go-to sense for meditation? I’d love to know your thoughts.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Love and light . . .

P.S. If you can’t see the “movie” at the top, view it on the website . . .

#nervoussystemresetchallenge

#sensoryorientation

The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is, in no way, a substitute for professional medical advice. The events, practices, and opinions discussed here are those of the author and should be treated as such. ALWAYS talk with your doctor about conditions, medications, and concerns you have about your health and work together to determine the best course of action for you.