Step Three on the Path of Nourishment: How to Anchor Essence in Your Being
Introduction
Greetings again. Welcome to the third step on the Path of Nourishment. With the initial stages behind us—discovering your unique portals to essence (step one) and feeling the qualities of essence within your nervous system (step two)—lets venture into understanding how to anchor essence in your body and daily routines.
In this step, we are borrowing the powerful technique of “Anchoring” from evidence based somatic modalities, such as “Somatic Experiencing”. This step holds the key to transforming your essence journey into a lasting change. Here are 5 practical steps to anchor Enneagram essence in your life.
Identify the Essence
The first step in this anchoring process is to identify the specific essence you want to work with. Remember your portal (step one) and how to feel this essence in your body (step two).
The essence of each Enneagram type can be viewed as a different form of nourishment—like vitamins to our physical body. You wouldn't only consume vitamin C and ignore the benefits of vitamins A, B, D, E, and so forth, would you? The same principle applies to the essences; you need a balanced diet of all of them for a well-nourished spirit.
It's common to initially focus on the essence of your primary type. Eventually it's valuable to absorb the nourishment from all the types. You can approach this in a structured way, dedicating a phase to each essence and moving progressively around the Enneagram circle.
Alternatively, you could be guided by your intuition and the challenges you face. For instance, if I find myself being overly judgmental, I might turn to the essence of Type 1, Integrity, to help nourish and guide me away from these tendencies.
In my yearlong training programs, we take a journey around the Enneagram circle, spending a month on each essence. We start at the head with Type 7, then move counterclockwise, going through the heart, and finally to the gut, culminating with Type 8.
This journey allows for a deep, holistic, “top-down” engagement with all the essences, enriching our being and opening up new pathways for personal growth.
Choose a Sensory Cue
Now we're going to dip into the realm of somatic experiencing and utilize a technique called "Anchoring." Let's think of an "Anchor Select" as a sensory shorthand, a tangible reminder that beats to the same rhythm as the Essence you've chosen.
This could be a resonant word, a stirring image, or a specific gesture or posture that connects deeply with the quality you're looking to embody. Remember the portals from Step One? Consider your anchor as a symbolic extension of them.
Picture a gesture as simple as touching your forehead, heart, or belly when you summon the essence you're working with. This touch can act like a bridge, strengthening the link between the essence and your physical being.
The more frequently you pair this touch with your essence, the stronger the connection grows, integrating the essence so deeply into your being that summoning it becomes second nature.
And remember, it's not just about gestures - the sensory world is vast and varied! Affirmations are like your personal mantra that help fortify your essence embodiment. Visualizations are your canvas, allowing you to paint vivid mental images of you living and breathing the essence.
And meditation? Well, it's akin to immersing yourself directly into the essence, deeply experiencing and connecting with it. Each of these techniques are tools in your toolkit, helping you unlock the door to each Enneagram essence. Are you ready to dive in?
Establish Association
Next up is creating an association between your essence and anchor. Picture this: you're immersing completely into the nourishing qualities of the essence you’ve chosen, really feeling it in every fiber of your being.
Notice the sensations that come up - the buzz of energy, the warmth, the calm, whatever it may be.
As you're soaking in these sensations, it's time to introduce your chosen anchor. Maybe it's a word. If so, start saying it to yourself, either out loud or in your head. Repeat it like a mantra, while you're in the thick of experiencing those nourishing qualities.
Now, there's a powerful technique to try. It's all about guiding the sensation of your essence through each of your centers—head, heart, and gut. By consciously directing the sensation through these centers, you're creating a full-body experience.
Allow the essence to influence your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. It's like bathing in the essence, really. This practice promotes a deep sense of wholeness and alignment.
Reinforce the Association
You know the phrase, "practice makes perfect"? Well, it rings true here. The key to creating a solid bond between your anchor and those nourishing qualities is consistency and repetition. Think of it like weaving a tapestry - the more threads you add, the stronger and richer it becomes. Try to spot opportunities to anchor essence at any chance you get.
Having a moment where the nourishing qualities are spontaneously bubbling up within you? Fantastic! That's an ideal time to use your anchor.
And those moments when you're really longing to tap into those qualities? Spot on! That's exactly when you should roll out your anchor. Keep in mind, this isn't a one-time exercise; see it as a workout routine for your essence embodiment ‘muscles’, building stronger with each repetition.
Think of it as forming a well-trodden path in your brain. Every time you use your anchor, you're reinforcing that pathway, making it stronger and easier to travel along. It's like when you take a new route to work—it may seem unfamiliar at first, but the more you take it, the more automatic it becomes.
Here's an example. Suppose you've chosen "trust" as your anchor word for embodying type 6. Each time you feel a surge of trust or when you wish to summon it, repeat the word to yourself. As you continue to do this, your brain will start associating the word "trust" with the sensations and emotions you're experiencing. Over time, just saying or thinking the word can help evoke those feelings.
So, remember, consistency is the key here. Keep up with the practice, and over time, you'll find your anchor becomes a potent tool for summoning and embodying the nourishing qualities you desire. Ready to start walking that path?
Access the Essence
So, you've done all the groundwork. You've chosen your essence, picked out your anchor, established and reinforced the connection. Now comes the fun part - actually using your anchor to access the nourishing qualities of your Enneagram essence.
Suppose you're having a tough day or navigating a tricky situation. Or perhaps you're feeling a bit off balance, disconnected from your truest self. That's when your anchor comes into play, like a personalized holistic remedy ready to heal a specific need.
All you need to do is call upon it, and the nourishment is within reach! You're summoning those beneficial qualities you've been working so hard with. It's like having an instant portal to the exact quality you need to reshape your perspective and steer your next steps.
For example, imagine you're facing a stressful meeting. You're nervous and unsure. Remember your anchor? That gesture of touching your heart? Use it now. As you do, you'll start to feel the qualities you've associated with it—value, worth, authenticity— whatever you may need. It's like unlocking a wellspring of resources within you.
See, the anchor isn't merely a tool—it's a conduit to your innate wisdom and resilience, your personal link to the expansive qualities of wholeness that the universe offers. All that's needed is for you to reach out and engage with it. Doesn't that feel empowering?
Conclusion
You've made a significant step here, haven't you? You've delved into the art of identifying your unique Enneagram essence, selecting your sensory cue, and creating and reinforcing the link between the two.
This is an empowering journey, not merely one of self-discovery, but also of wholeness. It's about consciously embodying who you are, not by concentrating on the traits of your type, but by tapping into the profound essence that resides within it.
But remember, while this might seem like a lot to absorb, it's a journey taken in small strides. No need to rush; afford yourself time to practice, to investigate, to feel. You're learning to dance with the essence, a dance that becomes more fluid and intuitive over time.
Also, keep in mind that your anchor is your personal lifeline—a subtle nod to your authentic self and your universal power. So, tread lightly, take it one step at a time, one breath at a time, and before long, you'll find yourself living, breathing, and moving in tune with your essence. What an incredible journey it’s going to be!
Thank you for joining me on this profound path of self-discovery and wholeness. Stay tuned for your next step as we delve deeper into the Path of Nourishment with—Creating Sensory Memories of Essence. Until then, continue practicing, keep investigating, and don't stop growing.
Next Steps
Dive Deeper with Other Blog Posts:
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Make Enneagram Practices Part of Your Daily Life:
Embodying essence is a transformative practice that extends beyond workshops and discussions. Integrate Enneagram principles into daily life, fostering profound changes and a more fulfilling existence. Embrace self-reflection, mindfulness, and intentional application of Enneagram wisdom. Seize the opportunity to make Enneagram practices a foundation for personal growth.
