June 15 2020

If you google, “how do you calm yourself,” you will find many lists of ideas. For me, I default to a spiritual practice created by Mary Mrozowski entitled Welcoming Prayer. This is something I do whenever a thought, sensation, emotion or feeling grabs me – I can practice it all day long if I like. Welcoming Prayer has three steps:

1. Notice and sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations, and commentaries in your body. 
2. Accept the divine indwelling in what you are experiencing by simply saying, “Welcome.” 
3. Adopt an attitude of surrender by inwardly affirming the following intention: “I let go of the desire for security, affection, control. I let go of the desire to change the situation.” (Source: https://www.marymrozowski.com/blank)

If the terminology “divine indwelling” isn’t appropriate for you, perhaps you can welcome love, compassion and/or peace into what you’re noticing. My experience is after going back and forth between steps 1 and 2 above, I eventually feel a little release. I didn’t release the feeling, emotion, thought, sensation or commentary, it released me. I “welcome” your feedback on this practice.