Friday, September 11th, 2009
If you are working on the Free to Love release process on your own, here are the instructions for carrying out the physical release ritual discussed in chapter 6 of the book Free to Love, Free to Heal:
The Process
First you will need to find a place in a natural environment near your home where you can be alone and free from distractions. The ideal spot is next to an ocean or on a lake shore. The essential thing is to find an open space where you can be alone with your thoughts and feelings without having to worry about someone observing you.
Sit quietly with your eyes closed for a few minutes. Once you are confident that you have chosen the appropriate space, gather up at least fourteen rocks or stones. These will serve as your releasing vehicles.
Now stand at the edge of the ocean, lake, or meadow with your eyes closed, holding the first rock to your heart. Bring into your awareness the first key word that encapsulates a painful experience. Allow the story to play again in your awareness, while holding the intention to “load” the rock with your painful feelings. This will usually take about ten minutes. The purpose of this step is to separate the emotional charge from the facts of your story.
When you feel the rock is fully “charged,” throw it away from you with all the force you can muster. Scream, shout, or swear at the top of your lungs to support the cathartic release of the emotional toxicity you’ve been carrying.
After you have released the first rock, center yourself in your heart and be present with your emotions. If tears rise to the surface, allow them to flow without resistance. When you feel that you have come back to your center, bring into your awareness the sutra that captures the essence of the second painful experience you have accessed. Hold another rock to your heart and repeat the process, replaying the painful scenario on the screen of your mind while “charging” the rock with your distressing feelings. After about ten minutes of telling yourself the story, heave the rock into the ocean, canyon, or wherever you happen to be, using your body and voice to release.
Continue the ritual until you have processed all seven of your most painful experiences. Most people find that there is diminishing charge as they move down the list. Still, do not short-circuit the process by thinking, Okay, I get it, and then simply tossing away the remaining stones. In order to experience maximum relief, you must perform the whole ritual for each memory, even if it requires stretching beyond your comfort zone. Don’t shortchange yourself! This is your opportunity to claim your emotional freedom.