Noticing the Flags of Trance

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. In my last newsletter I shared the struggle I was having with my “monkey mind” that wouldn’t settle down. This is often a symptom of what is called “living in a trance”. 

Living in trance means that we are not fully present in our lives and we each individually develop our own “strategies” for living in a trance.  Perhaps we feel numb, not able to fully experience joy… like we are just going through the motions. Or, the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. Or we ate a half a bag of chips (or peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joes :)) without realizing it. These happen to be some of my personal symptoms of living in trance; otherwise known as the FLAGS OF TRANCE.

The powerful thing about these flags is that is exactly what they are.. FLAGS. They can get our attention. They are waving for us to see. Our job is to notice them and once we do we can “come out of our trance” and live more fully in both the joys and sorrows of the present moment. But how? How do we go FROM NOTICING TO EXITING the TRANCE?

When we notice the trance moment, what we do next is critical to being able to move out of it. Do we get frustrated, judgmental, yell at ourselves or can we offer ourselves compassion, comfort and tell ourselves whatever it is, “it’s ok”. Two simple words… “it’s ok” begins to help us move from a place of trance to a place of presence. It works! Give it a try. Whether with your monkey mind in meditation or when you walk into a room and then can’t remember why you came in there… upon seeing the flag just repeat the mantra “it’s ok” to yourself. You are welcoming yourself back to the present moment with compassion.