Tools and Techniques are the Transportation, Self-Trust and Authenticity is the Destination

Photo Courtesy of Mike Cox via Unsplash

I was speaking with a friend the other day and she recognized how her meditation practice was the transportation, not the destination. She threw out a really nice analogy that helps explain this point. She said, "we can buy a car and take care of the car, making sure it's washed, vacuumed, and in pristine condition, but what is the usefulness if the car stays parked and doesn't transport us anywhere?"

There are so many various tools and techniques that can support our life journey, and the options seem to be endless these days. But, having the right mindset when choosing to experiment with various tools and techniques is critical in seeing what transports you deeper within, supports healing, and encourages growth.

Each one of us is unique, and various methods will speak to us at various times in our lives. In my physical therapy education we were encouraged to have many various tools in our toolbox because we never know when one might become handy. Why do I mention this? Well, it is because we are creatures of habit. We can get stuck on one tool or technique, begin to participate with it passively, and end up going nowhere in the process.

In today's day and age, it is so easy for our minds to hijack us into believing in the quick fix or the magic bullet that will instantaneously transport us to a different destination than the reality we find ourselves in. I have found this to be too consistent of a narrative within the spiritual circles offering a meditation practice that is near and dear to my heart. I have heard this narrative spoken of in wellness circles. It is also the promise of modern pharmaceuticals, right?

Here is the problem. If we are participating in various tools and techniques as a way of bypassing our reality, then we will ultimately remain stuck. The car will never leave the garage. Sometimes, the tool will even pull us off track to where the engine overheats and the car starts the garage on fire.

Have you ever experienced a self-help tool or technique throw you into greater chaos or confusion?

Have you felt deeply disappointed by the failed promises of a quick fix?

Have you experienced different self-help or spiritual circles bypassing your lived human experience through encouraging more participation instead of desiring to deeply listen for what may truly be needed?

I have personally experienced all three of these scenarios and am well aware of how damaging it can be to our progress. This is why I am really hesistant to offer any kind of quick fix guarantee because we are all different, we have varying needs, and our journeys will be at various paces.

At the same time, real human connection is often the most valuable transportation we can utilize to awaken our authenticity and self-trust. Being around those who allow us to be honest as we embark on our journey can be the catalyst for defining our journey on our terms rather than falling into believing we need to follow the crowd or another person's advice.

As I have been processing my own journey, there are a few key components that have helped me experiment with the various tools and techniques I have been introduced to.

Here are a few key points I want to highlight within my own process.

• Take time to understand the reasoning behind using a certain tool or technique

  • Is it meant to calm your nervous system?

  • Is it meant to change your mindset?

  • Is it meant to take you deeper into your emotional world?

  • Is it meant to shine a light on some of your wounds?

• Ask yourself what you need in the moment

• Have tools or techniques you can turn to for various needs that arise

• Recognize the tool or technique is the transportation while keeping your ultimate vision and destination in mind

  • When using this tool, what is your desired outcome?

  • Is it the right tool for this particular circumstance?

• Become curious about how the particular tool or technique makes you feel as you engage with it

  • What emotions arise?

  • What bodiliy sensations are you picking up?

  • Does this resonate or is something feeling off?

• Is this tool supportive of my stepping into authenticity?

This process can help you truly find what resonates with you at any given moment.

I have various tools and techniques in my tool box depending on what the need is. Let me offer a couple of examples:

• When my nervous system is overloaded or my pain has spiked, I tend to turn to solitude, silence, and dark spaces, knowing that it's often an overwhelmed sensory system and I simply need to rest

• When I need to change my mindset, I have particular songs or affirmations that help remind me of my vision and destination

• When I want to go deeper, I have mantras, personal ways of connecting with divinity, journaling, and questions that spark curiosity

• When life plucks one of my wounds open, I turn towards pausing and deeply processing either through free-hand writing or through personally voicing all that must be said while in my safe space where no one else is around

  • I do a voice recording so I can go back to what came through

  • Helps me consciously set boundaries and navigate next steps with clarity

• When life turns to chaos, I turn to movement and dance that helps release the chaotic energy my body has picked up.

When we find what works for us within the various circumstances life throws our way, we naturally build self-trust and are carried towards our personal values and a destination rooted in fulfilling our needs and purpose in life. This is where self-trust and authenticity become the most amazing destination.

And, just like any traveler, the journey requires not only various resources, but also wisdom in understanding what resource is beneficial for particular situations that arise. A trekking stick won't do much good when you need a boat to cross the river. Therefore, building tools in your toolbox and experimenting along the way are critical in allowing these tools to be transportation to greater self-trust and authentic living.

I can't tell you the peace, joy, and wonder that arises when I select a particular tool and feel deep relief from engaging fully and allowing the tool to transport me to where I needed to go. I guess that's another process that is worth mentioning:

How often are we striving to make a tool work the way we want it to work rather than allowing the tool to work its magic on us?

When we step out of performing and step into allowing ourselves to be transformed by the process, we often find that the tools needed will find their way to us. The key factor is recognizing that we desire a new destination and we choose to actively participate in the journey.

Remember, everything we engage is offers us the transportation. It is up to us to move towards a destination rooted in self-trust and authenticity as we meet our ever changing reality with courage and curiosity.