Receiving Sacred Rest for Enlightened Work
How often do you allow yourself to pause from your work and take sacred rest?
The great French Impressionist painter, Monet, sat in his garden on a warm afternoon. He was napping lightly on his garden bench, with the sunlight dappling gently through the straw hat resting over his face. It was soft and warm on his closed eyelids. He sighs contentedly.
A nosy neighbor poked his head over the fence, keen to know what the brilliant artist was up to now. “Sir, you are resting!” the curious neighbor called out.
“No,” responded Monet, wriggling to get even more comfortable on his reclining garden chair, “I am working.” He relaxed further as the mild breeze tickled the hair on his forearms.
Monet returned to his garden the next day. Consumed by the urge to translate his feelings onto the canvas, he painted with great energy and focus. He was inspired and the paint flowed. Again the nosy neighbor poked his head over the fence. He called, “Sir, you are working!”
“No,” said the artist, barely pausing with his brush, “I am resting.”
This story is taken from the “Receiving” card in one of my favorite Oracle decks, Sacred Rebels by Alana Fairchild. I’ve had this deck for over a year now and have only pulled the Receiving card for myself twice. And both times have been within that past couple of weeks. I’m listening…
In this particular message, the card is referring to receiving love and nourishment from the universe. When I think of nourishment, I think of a loving mother holding her baby and caring for its every need. The child is loved, nourished and provided for. As adults, it’s not so easy to allow this type of love and nourishment into our lives. At least, that’s the case for me.
As a society we’ve been taught to work harder, faster, longer until we are depleted.
Yes, we have weekends and evenings to restore, yet it’s not always enough. Especially these days when a majority of companies are working from home, and those who have children, have had their children at home with them to juggle on top of their full-time jobs. Vacation time is a nice break, but is it enough? Most U.S. companies provide an average of 2 weeks vacation, and through more tenure, your time-off increases. Yet, often there’s no time to even take vacation.
I think of George Constanza on an episode of Seinfeld when he starts taking naps under his desk. He discovers that it’s the one place where he can hide out and rest. When I was working a corporate job, I worked from home. There were days when I’d be so depleted and in need of rest. I would lay down for 20 minutes to recharge, but every time, I’d feel guilty for resting—even though it’s clearly what my body needed.
Now that I’m self-employed, I have a little more flexibility to rest when I’m feeling pulled to do so. Today was one of those days. I’ve been more mentally drained and exhausted as I find a rhythm for the 30-day blog challenge. This morning, I had to pull myself out of bed. I finally got up around 8:30 and jumped right into working. I didn’t take time for my morning meditation.
Meditation is a form of sacred rest.
The rare mornings that I choose not to engage in my morning routine, I find myself more depleted. I thought I’d be better off diving into my day. I made it to 11 am and couldn’t function very well. I went for a short walk around the neighborhood thinking that would revitalize me. As I was walking, I got a clear message that said, “Rest.” I came back inside and did just that. I put on a meditation and was asleep within minutes. I woke up 2 hours later feeling more revived and inspired to write.
In the past, I would’ve beaten myself up for taking time out of my day to rest. But, you know what? Naps are awesome! I often find inspiration through my rest that fuels my writing. When I’m being mindful, I will set an intention for my rest and ask for guidance during my time “off”. Just as Monet was “working” while he was resting, I too receive the same inspiration when I’m resting.
PHOTO TAKEN BY LESLIE BOREN, URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY
I often get many downloads and inspirations in the middle of the night. Something (usually my nephew) will wake me up in the middle of the night. Rather than tossing and turning and fighting being up, I lean into it. I pick up my phone and open my notebook app and write whatever comes to me. I’ve created many courses, retreats, writing topics, etc in the middle of the night. The missing part is bringing those ideas to fruition (which is another topic).
“You become swept up in the momentum of habitual consciousness, and you forget to take a moment to stop, breathe, and Be. In that moment you can receive the love of the universe that is receiving you. It will nourish you with contentment and energy. You have not done this enough, so your soul is becoming parched and is drying out. Energy has been going out of you but there is not enough coming back in. It is time to bring something back in for you. To receive and be received. You are being offered a chance for restoration now, to feel nourished, care for and loved. Accept it. You deserve it!” - Receiving, Sacred Rebels Oracle Message
If you’re reading this message, and you feel like it is speaking to you, take it as an invitation to stop, breathe and Be.
What type of Sacred Rest are you not giving yourself permission to take? This could be rest (as in a nap), movement (yoga, dance, running, walking), writing, or being in nature to name a few. Can you take the time needed for yourself to pause and be nourished and received? Not that you need it, but I’m giving you permission to do whatever it is your soul is calling you to. Take time for yourself. Be. Alter your definition of rest if it’s not in alignment with Sacred Rest, and honor the impulse or nudge for rest when it arises.