In yoga, there are said to be five types of prana—essentially, energy that moves within and around the various spheres of our Being. Udana is said to be the energy of communication. This energy resides in the throat region and allows us to convey our needs, hopes, boundaries and desires, thereby allowing us to co-create our universe and our role in it.
This new awareness of the energy of communication has been reverberating in my personal life ever since...
Over the past few months, I have been engaged in a fascinating learning process regarding communication with someone very dear to me. I, apparently, am something called a “high communicator.” This does not imply that I communicate better after a little puff puff, but rather that I like to communicate openly (and often) my thoughts and feelings. Talking things out (and honestly, sometimes just hearing myself speak) is my way of working with the issues, events and emotions I am dealing with at any given time.
All of this time, I thought I was crazy because I will often have spoken conversations with people who were not with me in present time. Now I know there’s a term for this condition… “Hi, I’m Dana, and I’m a ‘high-communicator.’” Whew! Consider me cured!
Apparently, some people are more introverted by nature, and some how they go through similar processes on their own, quietly in contemplation and feel just fine. Thus, I am learning that one of the first steps towards good communication is the understanding that not all people communicate equally.
The second thing, that was fairly bluntly pointed out to me, is that not all communication is verbal. In fact, there are often more messages in what is not said than in any string of words and sentences. In the personal sphere, I have been waiting for the words that would clarify where certain people are in my life. However, if I had been listening for what was not being said, I would already have gotten a sense of clarity. Similarly, if I had been paying closer attention to actions rather than the words, I would have gotten a pretty accurate portrayal of where they are, no words necessary.
In Pranassage, listening to the non-verbal communication that is the language of the body is essential. At this point in the training, often we will ask, “How is the pressure?” But as we get more attuned to the subtle signs of the muscles and breath, this question seems to be asked less and less.
It is especially interesting to note that when I am asked this question, I often say it’s fine even when I may prefer it to be more or less than it is. Sometimes I do this because I don’t want to be critical or make the practitioner feel bad (so ridiculous!) and sometimes I do it because I feel like a little pain is “good for me…” (also pretty dumb). But my own tendency to ineffectively communicate my true needs leads me to believe that I am not alone. It is also a good reminder about the necessity to become multi-lingual—adept at communicating and receiving information beyond the verbal sphere.
The third and final lesson for now is that electronic communication should play as little a role in relaying important interpersonal information as possible. We are multi-dimensional beings, capable of relaying and receiving information through all of our senses. We should take advantage of this as often as possible, and let the big stuff be heard, felt, seen and tasted in order to get the full effect.
With that, I’m going to stop blogging for now and go have a solo conversation with my Self in real time.
Con Paz,
D
