In and Out

When people are interested, focused and involved we say they are really ‘into it’. When they are disconnected, confused and unaware we say they are ‘out of it’. These slang phrases describe the movement of the human being into and out of their hold on the body. We say ‘get a grip’ when a person doesn’t seem to be centered in themselves and we describe them as ‘grounded’ or ‘down to earth’ when they are.

When we invite the conscious breath within our bodies, we also invite our divine selves to reside within us, in our core. The more we do this, the more our divine self becomes anchored in the body and becomes a part of our lives, but there are many times when we project ourselves out of the body, consciously or unconsciously.

When we think about events in the past or things in the future, we actually project a part of our soul selves to that point in time (yes we are time travellers) but this causes a separation between our physical and divine selves. Only when we are in the ‘now’ moment can we be centred in our core and connect with our soul. Engaging in drama, fear, worry, intense mental activity, or not loving our selves, all pull us out of our centre and create a separation between the physical and the divine, even talking to another person can make you project your energy out of the body as you ‘reach out’ to connect with the other person.  It doesn’t mean we can’t connect with others but the trick is to radiate your energy from your core instead of projecting it from the mind. Your core, or your belly, is where compassion resides and the mind is the home of fear and judgement. By connecting with compassion for others you connect through your core and you keep your energy grounded in the body.

Young children are particularly susceptible to separating or ‘popping out’ of their bodies. It can take up to 20 years for the soul to fully incarnate into the physical body and in the first few years of life, the soul is not very grounded into the physical. When children are over stimulated and tired, they can become uncommunicative, uncoordinated, uncooperative, and have wildly fluctuating emotions, which are all symptoms of no longer being present in the body.

Another more drastic example of separation is the taking of drugs and alcohol which forcibly separates the soul from the body and gives the typical euphoric, disoriented and uncoordinated feelings, as the soul is no longer grounded by the physical body, and is similar to what the children experience.

The more we practice being in our core and fully centred and grounded in the body, the more this becomes a natural state of being. It also gives our aspects less scope for playing their games. For as the saying goes: ‘when the cat’s away, the mice come out to play’ and so too with your aspects. When you are fully ‘home’ in the body, your aspects have much less scope to play their games and control your life. Some things that help to foster and ground this connection with your soul are: conscious breathing, being in the now moment, spending time in nature, unconditional love for self, and love and compassion for all that is around us. I invite you to take some time to notice what the things are that pull you out of your centre.

By Natacha Anthoni