I had a recent session with a client who shared a powerful experience he had at a retreat. The facilitator of the retreat handed out 40 pound bags of rocks symbolizing the baggage we carry (guilt, shame, anger, hurt, resentment etc). Each person attending the retreat was required to carry this extra weight in a backpack for the entire duration of the experience. At the end of the retreat, the attendants gathered in a circle and “dropped off” the burden of the rocks they were carrying. My client expressed the deepest relief of finally being free of the things that were holding him back. He had spent an entire weekend carrying these rocks through rough terrain in the mountains.
It got me thinking…what extra weight am I carrying? And, what do I need to do to release this excess baggage to feel the relief, like the rocks?
My friend, we go through so many experiences in life. Some of them bring us great joy and lighten our burden. But, we all have seasons of unrest and stress. When these seasons happen, we can pick up the weight of things that don’t serve us. Things that can weigh us down and make the journey of life much more challenging. Often times, we don’t even realize how heavy these burdens can be. Our “backpack” can slowly accumulate more rocks without us even recognizing the weight has increased. It can slow us down and make day to day life feel heavy or virtually impossible to navigate. This weight can have an impact on our self love, relationships, and career path.
But is there an easier way?
YES!
The first thing we have to cultivate is the self awareness to recognize these burdens. Taking inventory of how we are feeling is a key step in dropping off the “rocks”. Without awareness, we cannot change. The next thing we need to do is become aware of the support system we have around us. Who are the people you can turn to when you need a sounding board? Reach out to those you trust and allow them to point out some of the things you may not see.
Finally, we need to cultivate daily habits that allow us the time to be introspective. Daily practices, like journaling and meditation allow us the quiet space to process those things that may not be serving us. Through these practices, we can set ourselves free of anything we need to release and allow us to move forward with a sense of calmness and peace.
Ironically, I have a powerful meditation I use for clients about the backpack that ive been using for years. Though it doesn’t have the power of the experience my client shared, it has the power to bring you into a space of release through the visualization process. I have my clients having huge epiphanies after this meditation.
Not all of us have the opportunity to trek through the mountains and experience the power of a 40 pound bag of rocks. But, we all have the chance to release the things that are weighing us down.
What is in your backpack? How can you begin the process to free yourself?
Sending love and light
Stacey
