News Drop offers principles and practices for living in alignment with nature. For living osteopathically, in flow.

When we align with the forces of the natural world there is no limit to the sanity, ease and grace we can experience regardless of what is happening.

I can’t think of a more relevant conversation. Ready to dive in?

Have you ever noticed that once a theme becomes apparent, you begin to become aware of it repeatedly?

A few weeks ago I participated in a prayer circle with a VERY powerful healer. In the depths of our meditation, she felt like pure love. I felt that I had received a priceless gift and that no one should miss knowing her there.

A short time later, when the same woman began managing people, meals, and projects, a much harder, less vulnerable version of her surfaced. A personality emerged along with residues of unconscious conditioning that come out of all of us when we’re stressed.

A treasured insight came through witnessing these closely timed and vastly contrasting aspects of this woman. I was in awe of how effortless it was to interact with her without reacting, as the stress energy felt so wholly irrelevant compared to the extraordinary woman I knew her to be. All of this had me understand viscerally that we are not our personalities.

Not long after, this theme showed up again when I was exploring Bach Flower Remedies with a master dowser. The remedy that surfaced for me was Clover. Dr. Bach lists the positive qualities of Clover as selfless love given freely, respecting the freedom and individuality of others, and emotional containment. I am happy to own those qualities.

By contrast, the qualities listed in association with imbalance are manipulation disguised as love, demanding, and self-centered. I am less thrilled to own those, yet I know growth will come through curiosity, compassion, and honest self-reflection.

Gratefully, the time I had just spent in the prayer circle had grown my capacity for all of these things. I cherish the deeper, embodied sense that imbalance can bring out all manner of not-self traits, and, that we are not our personalities. The gift in all of this is that I am also more clear about the self I want to embody.

Imbalance can bring out all manner of not-self traits, and, we are not our personalities.

Fast forward one week. My commitment was put to the test when I gave a lecture on tongue function and full body breathing to a local group of doctors. Knowing that I am my best self when well rested and nourished by nature, I scheduled the talk for the week after I returned from my whirlwind travels. But my travels had lasted longer than expected, and when the morning of the talk arrived, I was not even close to collected.

The experience was deeply revealing. I had intended to guide a short drop-in meditation with everyone, but forgot to do it. It was fascinating to listen to the recording after the fact. I noticed I had slipped into all manner of patterns and didn’t quite find my flow. My least favorite were the moments of pushy, hard, know-it-all energy. There were also moments when, through awareness, I slowed and softened back into myself. Pretty fascinating reconnaissance!

To sweeten the pot, another coevality had entered the mix. One of the parents at the prayer circle had a 4-year-old boy who was having trouble forming words. His birth had been difficult, and his parents hadn’t had the resources to have the boy evaluated. I treated him osteopathically, and having just collected some very inspiring visuals for the talk, I was able to share them.

I continued guide to guide them on how to support him themselves, part of which was through sharing the recording of the doctor lecture from last week. It feels not random that the ongoing exploration of tongue function is beautiful, perhaps divinely ordered guidance to support all of us as we continue to become more present in our bodies in our most resourced selves.

On the subject of essence, personality, and the selves we are capable of embodying under various conditions and circumstances, the book Your Symphony of Selves by James Fadiman, PhD, shows that “each of us consists of distinct, autonomous and inherently valuable selves — and that honoring each of these selves is a key to improved living, loving and working.” Diving deeply and excavating the layers that separate us from our bodies and ourselves is a very osteopathic pastime!

Honoring each of these selves is a key to improved living, loving, and working.

Consider moving forward from this moment with expanded curiosity and unconditional acceptance of your many beautiful selves you find yourself embodying. You might imagine you’re casting roles in a play. Notice what arises in your body and emotions, and share them if you’d like by simply replying to this email.

Feeling inspired to dive deeper or receive support in your exploration? Consider joining my Flow is Medicine study group for patients and providers where we discuss and delight in all things embodiment.

Each week we on Zoom for a guided group healing experience and speak to what arises. This is a powerful way to learn, heal, and embody the principles of osteopathic medicine and flow. Our doors are always open.

Thank you for being here, for being open, and for doing your best on behalf of your amazing body and blessed life.

In celebration of your emerging flow,
Dr. Michelle Veneziano
& the Flow is Medicine community