Recapitulation
- The Process
The actual process consists of two types of breaths:
the inhalation and the exhalation. They are two entirely
different types of breaths that are practiced separately.
These breaths are designed to remove any emotional charge
or energy you have attached to old, stored memories.
Once you remove the emotional energy from the memories
they become emotional neutral and it is much easier for
you to make different choices in the future.
When a doctor hits you knee with that little hammer
your leg automatically swings. When you hit one of your
emotionally charged memories you automatically take the
same actions. Once you recapitulate a memory or series
of memories you can chose what action you want to attach
to events in your life.
By recapitulating my life I literally created a different
childhood. When I was young I felt constantly judged
by my mother, I felt unloved, alone, and abused. I spent
years doing inner child work and trying to heal my abusive
childhood. Then I recapitulated my past. Once I did that
I could see very clearly that my mother was saying I
love you and I was hearing there is something wrong with
you because of my filters. I could see how even as a
child I was creating my experience of reality with my
filter system. Inside each child’s body is a spirit
that already has beliefs and filters.
Now as I look back on my childhood I can see my mother’s
perplexed face. I remember her saying I am just trying
to help you. She was saying I love you the only way she
knew how and I couldn’t hear it when she said it
that way. I imagine she couldn’t hear I love you
the way I said it either. We came together to learn how
to say I love you and we missed the mark. Recapitulation
can set you free from your filters or at least allow
you to see them more clearly. I hated giving up my mother
as my escape goat but I eventually had to if I wanted
to be happy and free.
The inhalation breath focuses on taking back any energy
you have given to a person or event. In order for us
to be upset by someone or something we have to give it
permission to upset us. In a sense we have to give away
a piece of ourselves. With the inhalation breath we take
back that piece of ourselves we left behind.
The exhalation breath gives back the energy we received
during the exchange. If someone was yelling at us we
give back their anger, shame, or judgment. They gave
us a piece of themselves so we give it back to them.
The Hawaiians believe we leave behind little energy filaments
wherever we go. We leave behind a part of our energy
unless we chose to take it back. The ancient Hawaiians
would periodically cut the filaments so they could regain
their mana or spirit.
When I view life from an energy level it looks like
a vast spider web of luminous filaments. Our emotions
attach us to everything and every one. Those attachments
drain our energy and strip of us of our freedom of choice.
Recapitulation will break those attachments.
It is important to keep the energy aspect of the two
breaths separate. When you are removing energy from the
event don’t give it back with the same breath.
When you sit down to recapitulate I suggest you practice
doing it for at least fifteen minutes at a time.
Depending upon the issue, you either start with exhalation
breaths or inhalation. If you are very upset with the
person I suggest starting with exhalation breaths. It
doesn’t really matter which type of breath you
do first you just do it until you feel like you don’t
have anything to give or take back anymore. Then you
do the other breath until you feel done with that one.
If an issue is particularly emotionally charged it may
take several sessions to clear it. I know I am done with
an event or series of events when I have what I call
a moment of clarity. I see what my filters are and how
they created the events clearly and with no judgment
what so ever. Then I know I am done. It takes as long
as it takes to really release an issue so allow yourself
to repeat the process as often as you need.
Recapitulation can take on many forms. You can practice
it daily so you can release all the stored energy from
the past, you can work on specific issues, or with practice
you can do it in the moment when you are feeling yourself
hooking emotionally.
If you want to recapitulate your entire life you need
to make a series of lists. Often our mind feels so overwhelmed
at the prospect of making these list we never get started
on the process. If you start the lists and add to them
as people and places come up you’ll be surprised
at how fast they get done. You need to make five lists.
You need to make a list of all the places you have ever
lived, of all the people you have ever known, of all
the jobs you’ve had, all of your pets, and all
of your sex partners.
I found that if I started with the places I lived I
could fill in the other lists much more easily. If you
can’t remember a person’s name just write
the store clerk or the jerk who cut me off or Joe’s
friend. As long as you know who you’re referring
to that’s all that matters.
Then design a system for yourself. I find it easier
to start with a house and bring in the events and people
I remember from that time period. Some people chose to
start with themes like relationships or a feeling like
being betrayed. Whatever works for you is what works
for you.
Set aside a time once a day or once a week to recapitulate.
I start out by saying a short prayer and then breathe
for fifteen minutes. I say a prayer of thanks and give
myself a few minutes to write or think about what just
came up. Strong emotions at times are normal, at other
times I’ve felt numb. There is no right or wrong
way of doing this as long as you do it.
Another way to use recapitulation is do events as they
come up. Say you had a fight with a coworker. You sit
down and start breathing. If you really allow yourself
to complete the process you will not only feel better
but you will see your filter system as the cause and
be able to change it. Once you become really proficient
with the recapitulation you can do it in the moment.
While you are talking to someone you can breathe the
situation in and out so you don’t have to react.
If a person is yelling at you rather than take on their
anger you can breathe it out. If you find yourself emotionally
hooked you can take back that part of yourself by breathing
in. It just takes practice and a bit of discipline and
dedication to remain emotional neutral, which can be
hard because we love to be right.
Inhalation
breath
Obviously with each breath you inhale and exhale but
with this breath you focus your attention on the inhalation.
As you inhale you imagine yourself pulling energy in
like you are sucking on a straw. Inhale through your
mouth. It helps if you simultaneously sweep your head.
Start by looking over your left shoulder and slowly inhale
as you move your head to the right. Finish inhaling as
you reach your right shoulder. Then exhale as you mover
your head back toward your left shoulder putting no emphasis
on your exhale. You are merely releasing the air in your
lungs. Inhale through your mouth and exhale through your
nose.
Exhalation
breath
The exhalation breath focuses on releasing any energy
you have attached to a memory. As you exhale imagine
yourself blowing out energy like you would a candle.
Start by looking over your right shoulder exhale pushing
out the energy as you slowly mover your head toward your
left shoulder. Finish exhaling when you reach your left
shoulder and inhale as you move your head toward the
right. When you inhale only fill your lungs with air.
Exhale through your mouth and inhale through your nose.
What
is the difference between domination and dominion?
The are totally different ways of seeing the world.
The following quote from by book will give you a quick
synopsis - but the best way to understand them is to
work with the ideas yourself. Play with them, meditate
on them, and write about them.
The
Concept of Domination
I think you’ll agree that our society is based
on the concept of domination, in which we seem always
to be in opposition to something. Domination requires
that someone is better than you or inferior to you, that
events or actions are right or wrong, and people are
richer or poorer. It is almost impossible to feel safe
or to relax when the world is your opponent. This paradigm
pervades society and contaminates most of our thinking,
leading us to a limited concept of reality.
Whenever you judge yourself or someone else, or you
find yourself comparing yourself with others, or in some
way measuring anything in your life against an external
source, your thinking is based on domination. In domination
we don’t feel safe so we try to control the events
in our lives, other people, or ourselves. Domination
causes us to make our decisions based in fear. The best
result we get when our decisions are based in fear is
to generate more fear.
A society based on domination creates some very limiting
beliefs about conformity and about shame. There is no
room to embrace pain or limitations; you must overcome
them; you must win. The very nature of domination requires
us to struggle.
Living in a world founded on conflict, we feed ourselves
a daily diet of insecurity. If you are honest with yourself,
you’ll admit that you sometimes compare yourself
to others, or even the media version of who and what
you should be. You are better than or less than, you
do not have enough or are not successful enough, you
are too fat or too thin. You feel pressured to conform.
This type of thinking is very narrow and polarized. Domination
can be symbolically represented as a line.
The
Concept of Dominion
If, instead, we shift to a paradigm of dominion, our
vision of life becomes expansive. In dominion, everyone
is part of a greater whole, everyone is an equal and
integral part of the circle of life. We are no longer
residing in an either/or situation; the whole and the
person become one. A person truly living in dominion
cannot make a choice that will harm another. Rather than
being fear-based, dominion is based in love, unconditional
love for the self and all other beings great and small.
Within the context of dominion, the people in our lives
become our assistants instead of opponents. The idea
of competition no longer makes sense nor does it have
any value. It is a totally different way of viewing the
world, one in which peace of mind becomes a way of life.
Viewed from this perspective, life becomes limitless.
We can afford the “luxury” of treating everyone
and everything with compassion, love, and equality. We
are able to embrace everything in our lives because we
no longer need to struggle against anything--we are accepting
of who we are as we are. A person is honored for merely
being alive; no one is ever judged. This kind of thinking
is expansive. Dominion can be symbolically represented
as a sphere.
We aren’t trained to think in terms of dominion,
so the concept seems frightening to many people. How
do you live in a world based on domination and yet get
your needs met if you remain in dominion? Won’t
people just walk all over you? Well, sure, perhaps some
will. However, I believe that for the most part, we receive
what we give. When we are loving and non-judgmental,
we are treated in a loving, non-judgmental way.
Finally, when we perceive our lives as lived in dominion,
the process of our personal transformation takes on a
sense of gentleness and safety. As you work through the
Toltec Masteries you will learn who you really are and
to love that person unconditionally. This will be extremely
difficult if you remain in a judgmental state of domination.
What
is Shamanism and how does it relate to spirituality?
~ T. Snyder
That is a really broad question. Shamanism in a sense is a catch phrase
that encompasses many native practices. The dictionary defines it as
a religion embracing a belief in powerful spirits that can only be
influenced by the shaman. The best definition I have ever come up with
is that shamanism is a method of healing relationships - the relationship
you have with yourself, your world and most importantly your spiritual
essence.
For me that process is all about spirituality. When
I work with someone I concentrate on assisting that person
on developing an active relationship with their spiritual
self. I believe the only way we can be truly happy and
free is by learning how to lead our life from our spiritual
center. Shamanic practices can be wonderful way to develop
a relationship with that energy.
May you walk always in the light,
Susan
I
have been studying for a long time I really want to
find a teacher. Do you know where I can find one? ~ B.Wolfe, SF, CA
I often have to remind myself and others that we have
our own unique path. I never advise people on their path,
I respect their right to do it however they choose. Try
to get quiet and listen to the whisperings of your own
path. Trust your heart and live with joy and laughter
and above all else don't give your freedom or your power
away. Always trust your own inner guidance, that quiet
voice within us all that connects us to God. Trust your
inner guidance and listen to the whispers, not your mind.
You will find your own path if you listen.
We all have a wonderful teacher, our own inner wisdom.
Teachers are a wonderful gift and the saying that when
the student is ready the teacher will appear is so true.
If we relax and follow our own path everything life is
a lot more fun.
Enjoy your process and walk in light,
Susan
What
is the Toltec path and what would be a good book to
read to learn more about it? ~ L. V. Weiland, Sicily
The Toltecs are an ancient people known throughout southern Mexico as
women and men of power and knowledge. The Toltec explored the nature
of our physical reality in terms of its alignment with spirituality.
They were in contact with the knowledge and gifts of a race I have
come to call the ancient ones. The Toltec combined spirituality with
the secular. They consider everything as one because it is all made
of the same stuff, energy which they considered to have consciousness.
They believed that consciousness was one of pure love and that it was
the foundation upon which the universe operates.
The Toltec masters were called Naguals. The Toltec studies focused on
three premises: awareness, the ability to stalk, and intent. The main
purpose of the path is acquiring personal freedom.
Teotihuacán, the ancient city of pyramids outside Mexico City
was a sacred site where they believed that man could become God. Teotihuacán
remains a sacred site and still has a great deal of power and knowledge
for those who know how to access it.
As far as books, mine contain the knowledge I received from my teacher
don Miguel. For a female perspective I would suggest The Sorcerer's
Crossing by Taisha Abellar. A Toltec Path by Ken Eagle Feather also
gives a good over view. And of course any of don Miguel Ruiz's books
are wonderful.
Enjoy your path,
Susan
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