Welcome to Joy Lab!: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Joy Lab podcast, where we help you uncover and foster your most joyful self. Your hosts, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, bring you the ideal mix of soulful and scientifically sound tools to spark your joy, even when it feels dark. When you're ready to experiment with more joy, combine this podcast with the full Joy Lab program over at JoyLab.coach
Aimee: Hey everyone. It's me, Aimee. And we have a little something different for you in this episode. It is a really nice followup though, to last episode. We wanted to share this practice with you. It's something we do in the Joy Lab program called Dialogue with your Soul. And it is a really powerful way for you to connect with you. Your wise, resilient self. And it's a way for you to see, to connect with inspiration that really is waiting for you to notice it. [00:01:00] So, that is our element this month.
Inspiration. Those of you in the program, the Joy Lab program, this experiment, this Dialogue with your Soul is waiting for you already. So you can head over there to experiment four. And those of you not in the program, this is a wonderful taste of some of what we do. So. All of us, we can grab a journal
if you like to write things down. Let's get in a comfortable place where you can have as little distractions as possible. Maybe locking yourself in your bathroom, if you need to, I've done that. Um, and then just settle in for this practice.
Henry: First, take just a few moments to experience the rhythm of your breathing, to meditate, to do anything else that you find quiets your mind.
Just [00:02:00] inviting yourself to come into this particular moment.
You might notice your breath. You might notice your body. Anything that gets you grouted and at the same time allows your mind to quiet a bit.
Now you are going to invite your imagination to come into play. Try to picture yourself just exactly as you are now at this [00:03:00] particular time in your life. So, seeing that image of yourself, place yourself on a path. As if you're walking along a forest path. Maybe you're heading toward a clearing in the woods or a mountain lake if you prefer.
You create the images that are most appealing to you. As you set off on this path, you are going with a purpose. You're going to meet someone. You're going to spend some time with this authentic part of yourself.
Just continue to see yourself walking along this path, [00:04:00] knowing that when you get to your destination, he or she will be there waiting for you.
Try to see in your mind's eye as many details as you possibly can. You might notice the path. How wide is it? What's the surface like? See what's in front of you. Is it a hill or a mountain or simply are you surrounded by trees? Are there streams?
Are there any sounds? Is there wind rustling through the trees? Or a sound of water cascading gently down the hillside? [00:05:00] Or maybe birds singing. Just let your imagination go.
Likewise, you can notice any smells. Pine needles, an earthiness, wildflowers, anything that helps to bring this more and more to life.
You are getting closer, closer and closer, with each step. Soon you will be there. Just notice what you feel. Is there any sense of anticipation? Any sense of fear? Any feeling of boredom, anything? Just notice and do your best to let it [00:06:00] go.
And now you see yourself arrive. And you greet this other warmly, and you both take a seat. So take another moment now just to settle in. Notice if you can just how natural this feels. So first, see if there are any questions that are just right on the surface for you to ask. If so, work with those. If not, here are some ideas.
What can I do to stay more open to inspiration? [00:07:00] And when it's gone, how can I be confident that it will return?
What is it that I even need inspiration for? What is my work or my creative expression that is ready to be sparked?
What more do I need to do to prepare for that moment of inspiration?
Once ignited, how can I keep the fire burning? How can I keep doing the work when inspiration is [00:08:00] not there?
And how will I know when the work is finished and it's time to just allow the fire to go out?
So whatever question grabs you, just hold it very lightly in your mind. And if you'd like, write it down in your journal. And then sit quietly for a moment, just until some kind of response begins to come up in you. Usually is not a fully formed answer. In fact, it might be just a word or an image or a feeling or simply an urge to begin writing.
As soon as you feel any hint of a response arising, [00:09:00] begin writing. As you do, imagine that it is your wise companion who is creating these words. It's not your usual everyday self. Without even thinking about what you're saying or going to say next, just let the writing flow. Or if you're just imagining this, just let the words flow.
Go with anything that comes to you. You don't need to filter it in any way at all. Do notice that the tone will always be kind, non judging, and affirming.
I'm going to encourage you to just keep writing until you have nothing more to say. And when you are done, pause, close your eyes, and take a moment to see if there's [00:10:00] another question that comes up. And you can do this over and over again until you feel done for now. So, if you'd like, you may want to turn off the audio for a few moments and just come back to it when you feel that you are completely finished with your dialogue.
Okay, take a moment now, just to sit with your wise companion and thank them for spending this time together.
Now picture yourself saying goodbye, knowing that you can return anytime you'd like. So you stand up and you begin [00:11:00] walking, going back down the path that you came on.
Again, noticing any details that help to bring this to life.
Before long, you are back to where you started, back to the here and now. You're back to your body in this moment.
Let your awareness return to the fact that you are sitting. Let yourself feel the support from beneath you. In fact, the support from all around you.
[00:12:00] Put your awareness very lightly on your heart center, just to notice. how you feel at this moment. You might find that you are a little bit more open. And if that's true for you, just enjoy that feeling for a little bit. And if that's not true for you, that is okay too. It really is. Just notice and accept whatever it is that you're experiencing right now.
You can be very confident that you have received exactly what you needed. And again, you can return to this anytime that you feel a need.
Thanks for joining us!: Thank you for listening to the Joy Lab podcast. If you enjoy today's show, visit [00:13:00] JoyLab.coach to learn more about the full Joy Lab program. Be sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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