Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Emotional Processing Toolkit!


Often I work with people seeking to improve their intimacy and connection in their relationships.  One of the most crucial aspects of supporting that deepening, is learning communication tools that support each of us as individuals, as well as nurturing the 3rd entity of the "us-ness" in relationship.  One such tool is working with our Emotional Body.

When we are triggered into anger, frustration, jealousy, fear, etc it is crucial to acknowledge and FEEL it in the moment, let it move safely.  Emotions that aren’t honored and are instead stuffed away, get stuck in the body and eventually manifest as tightness, pain, disease, even cancer.  Don’t allow them to fester, process them as they arise.  And acknowledge that there are likely many old ones stuck right now, the very trigger moment that arises has very little to do with what just happened, and a lot to do with what you’ve stored away over time.  So as you begin this practice, there may be a lot more to process than you expect.  Allow yourself to follow it, and you will find the old stuff will release, de-fuse and the triggered places happen less and less, and in smaller ways.  Here are some steps to processing in the moment:

1.    Recognize the emotion in the moment
a.    You may suddenly feel disconnected, paralyzed, out of body 
b.    Sensations in your solar plexus center (3rd chakra)
2.    Say it out loud
a.    Own it as mine, takes partner out of the picture
b.    Allows partner to become witness
c.    Hard for Ego!
3.    Tell your partner “I need some time for myself to move some energy and I will return soon”
a.    No drama/games
b.    Release old “subconscious contracts” that drain energy (you know the ones…like “You get angry, I get frustrated, you get sad, I feel guilty” notice if you have a particular pattern, this helps you step outside of it to break the pattern)
4.    Be active!  Move the energy
a.    Bulk Energy releasing tools (Emotional Release) – Rules: do not hurt yourself, or anyone or anything.  For example, do NOT direct anger at your partner
                                               i.     Pillow Hitting
                                             ii.     Hand scream
                                            iii.     Wailing
                                           iv.     Pelvic thrusts
b.    Cathartic movement
c.    Even if you want to curl into a ball, especially if you want to curl into a ball, MOVE instead

Do NOT make your partner responsible for creating unhappiness in you!

If you must stay in proximity, remain in the “I feel” discussion (not the “blame” or “you did” discussion).

Once you release and move some energy and feel some spaciousness, return and acknowledge your partner and yourself.  If it’s possible to share in the moment do, or create an intentional time/space to do so in the near future.  Journal about what you’ve noticed for yourself.   

Give yourself a breath of gratitude for taking time for your own healing and growth!  Be gentle with yourself, reach out for help and support from a Sacred Sexual Healer & Transformational Guide if you desire additional assistance or feel overwhelmed by the process.  I would be honored to support you on your journey of self-healing and awareness, please email or call!  My contact information is at my website:  www.MysterySchooloftheTempleArts.com

(portions of this post were inspired by “Tantric Orgasm for Women” by Diana Richardson)

Monday, August 20, 2012

August 2012 Newsletter Excerpt: Vision Quest inspirations, Temple Gathering this Sunday, New Apprenticeship and more

As I sit here on a glorious, sunny afternoon, I am filled with gratitude and love for so much in my life. I have been midwifing myself back into 3D reality having recently returned from a rebirth experience of a Vision Quest on the land in western New York, with my amazing teacher and a sacred circle of new friends.

I am very grateful to have had some amazing spiritual journeys in my life, and this one marks the threshold of a new phase of my own growth and learning. For the first time, I allowed someone very close to me to support me deeply in my journey. My Love, Dixon, chose to support me and the group in a very special way, tending the sacred fire and holding a safe space 24 hours a day for 3 days, including a night of intense thunderstorms! Thanks to Dixon and the other amazing fire tenders, the fire that held our center blazed on! I and the other questers journeyed solo into the land and into our hearts. For those 3 days, I fasted on nothing but water. I met my basic shelter needs with a simple mosquito net and shade structure for rain protection, opting out of using a tent this time. I had warm clothes, sleeping bag, water and my sacred, ceremonial objects and journal. Nothing else, no distractions, just me... the raw, vulnerable me... and the animals, insects, Earth, Sky and Spirit.

What unfolded was perhaps the most powerful awareness opening experience of my life. I tapped into the visionary realms of Spirit and dreamtime in a way that was so visceral and real. I faced some very real fears, as well as joys. I carry with me now the understanding that I can indeed stand with one foot in the 3D world and one in the Spirit realm. That in fact, I MUST do so...to continue to grow and learn myself and that in my teachings I am here to be that bridge, shine the Light of possibility and help others see that infinite power within themselves as well. I am incorporating now, more than ever, ...weaving the vast teachings and facing the dark shadows that are crucial to the path of Sacred Sexuality. I AM a Sacred Sexual Shaman, a Lightworker, supporting others to find and share their gift with the world. A healing path in which I support each person where they are, empowering choice and shedding light on the power we each have to heal our own bodies, learn and grow. I do not take this lightly, I am humbled, honored and grateful. I feel more aligned and on path than ever.

I have such gratitude to Spirit, and the animal world for their guidance and protection. I plan to share more and more of this story as time goes on, for now I will share this one piece:

  • On the way home, as I was blessed to not have to drive during the 10 hour return (gratitude once again to my Love!) I got to gaze out the side window at one point and saw a bald eagle!!!...soaring, flying, right along with us, over the water we were crossing.  I felt the freedom, the guidance, the love...yes, "follow your path...fly!!" he encouraged!  

And so the journey continues!!


Which leads me to being excited to share an important announcement of the next phase that was also guided during the quest.  I am pleased to offer a new Sacred Sexuality Shamanic Apprenticeship!  If you have been seeking a way to deepen your own practice, learn more about connecting with and sharing your own authentic gift with the world, and/or teach in the realm of Sacred Sexuality, this apprenticeship is for you!  I am honored to be sharing some powerful teachings, many for the first time.  This will be an integrative program consisting of group training held once a week over a series of 4 months (about 4 each month, for a total of 16 evening sessions), guidance for integration and home practice between sessions, along with a day long connection with the land.  Running from October 2012- February 2013, with the specific dates and details to be announced shortly.  Open to all, men and women of any sexual and gender identity, that feel called to this path!  Group size will be limited, if this apprenticeship is calling you please contact me to receive full details as soon as they are available.

And if you aren't quite feeling called to the commitment of the Apprenticeship program, here are dates for the new set of Fall Sacred Sexuality classes:
  • "Tantric Energy Touch": Sunday Sep 9, 2012, 5-7pm
  • "One Love: Sacred Sexual Healing Workshop": Saturday Oct 6, 2012, 10am-1pm
  • New!! "Polyamory & Alternative Relationships": Saturday Oct 6, 2012, 2:30-4:30pm
Check the Offerings page for details and click here to register!

Reminder, please join us Sunday Aug 26th to continue to explore at the next Temple Community Gathering at Mystery School of the Temple Arts in Michigan! And listen in from anywhere in the world to the next "Sacred Sexuality with Leslie Blackburn" Radio Show on Tuesday August 21st.  And don't forget I offer Private Sessions as well, so if you'd like to explore this work but the idea of coming to a group class doesn't resonate for you, consider a private setting (Individuals, Couples, Multiple Partners).  Please do check out the FAQ's at my website and reach out, I would love to hear from you!


Love and light to you all!  
Namaste,
Leslie 
 Light Bearer

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