Monday Meditation: The antidote the FEAR

You may be familiar with the popular acronym FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. I think I first came across it in Return to Love by @mariannewilliamson

(It’s unclear who created it - please share below if you know!)

Yesterday I was experiencing a lot of fear, and I was reminded of a different acronym that came to me while on retreat with my coach @amberkrzys a couple of weeks ago.

STOP: Stillness Together Opens Path.

Let’s look at each word closely.

STILLNESS refers to slowing down. Taking a walk or a bath. Meditating. Praying. Journaling. Getting out in Nature. Turning off your electronic devices. It can also be taking yourself out of daily life and retreating.

TOGETHER refers to getting out of your thinking mind and joining with something larger than you. That may be a group, your family, or your partner. It could also be your True Self, or capital “S” Self, as Internal Family Systems calls it. Others may relate to it as their Soul. “Together” can also refer to you and the Divine, whether that’s Love, God, Goddess, or something/someone else.

OPENS refers to the new possibilities or perspectives that arise when we get still together.

PATH refers to the whisperings of your Inner Knowing, Soul or the Divine, revealing what is wanted or needed. The unfolding of the next steps.

For me, this practice usually looks like journaling to God - similar to the practice of writing letters from Love that @elizabeth_gilbert_writer speaks about.

It’s easy. Simply write:

“Dear God/Love,

What would you have me know today (or about this situation)?”

And then get still. Listen. Write what you hear as you attune to the voice of God or Love. The rest will unfold.

So, if FEAR is visiting, STOP.

Wishing you a beautiful week!

With Love,

Gillian