Letting it all count
A reflection on what it takes to build self-trust.
Dear Friends,
A few announcements to share before getting into today’s letter.
This month, I will be giving two in-person presentations on acupuncture and stress relief. These talks are in partnership with the Lifelong Learning Institute program at the Ohio State University Lima campus. A portion of each presentation will be allotted to a community acupuncture session open to all participants. If you are local to the area, you can learn more and register through the website.
If you’ve been making space for intentionality more often these days, I’m right there with you. And, if you have, or are looking to start a contemplative practice, I’d love to slow down and practice with you. I am slowly building a collection of practices that you can access at any time, whenever you need. More on this below.
I write to you from the northwestern woodlands of Ohio, amid a deluge of global change. The air here is dry and hot. On average, the temperature reaches into the high 80s during the day. By October, the weather is predicted to shift, decreasing by 5-10 degrees. The season feels warmer to me than in years past, though not the hottest on record. I do appreciate the gradual declination, a slow passing of the baton.
At present, the Sun is moving through Libra, and the fall eclipse season has come to a close. For now, the harvest continues from seeds sown over the last year, and there is time yet to savor the remaining weeks of warmth and daylight that stretch into the early evening.
What are you harvesting?
What, and who, is coming with you this fall season?
Moving into the last quarter of the year, I’ve been slowing down and nurturing both my contemplative and creative practices; purposefully allowing my body to lead the way, and spending time tending to my life offline.
As of today, I have completed 42 consecutive days of contemplative practice. (I am 42, and this milestone feels significant.) When I began this immersion, I was in a difficult space, mentally and emotionally. I started with 3 minutes a day, and allowed myself to experiment with different techniques, methods, teachers, styles, formats, and durations. I gave myself grace by letting it all count. Over time, I was able to release the impulse to pigeonhole myself. I let the process be messy and imperfect, and turned my attention to showing up every day.
The takeaway from this is that self-trust is a creative exercise, a journey into mystery. I often don’t know how things will look or feel. There isn’t an arbitrary end. If I keep going, the possibilities are abundant.
Daily practice has also helped to illuminate what is most alive within me. I’ve been witnessing a pull to revisit two projects, The Praxis Library and the Inner Ecology workshops. For deeper context, if you’re not familiar, I began curating and sharing a collection of breathwork and meditation practices, as well as hosting live groups, in 2022. I had to pause the projects so that I could step into a new leadership position in my local community with an amazing organization that supports survivors. Now that life is more settled, I am feeling the creative pulse to resume the ritual of community practice.
Community and relationships have always been at the center of my work. It’s how my acupuncture practice has been able to survive, through the generosity of word-of-mouth. When I began on this path, first as a massage therapist, I collaborated with organizations such as Project Nia and the Chicago Freedom School. I was immersed in the field of health and wellness through a network of dedicated and brilliant activists and advocates. I am thankful to have the capacity to once again share offerings that center healing justice and spiritual ecology.
As I sit with what is emerging now, the feeling of being held by the deep, quiet hollows and woods where I grew up washes through me. I imagine the moss-covered logs and towering canopy of trees. I see fungi dotting felled logs and flowing water through pebbled streams. These images reveal the aliveness and connection between the projects. In the understory, they slowly reach, threading toward each other as an interwoven offering.
My vision is to share contemplative practices freely, from the heart. In the past, I’ve experimented with different platforms to figure out the best mode of delivery—all of which were helpful in some way. For this endeavor, I will be utilizing the Insight Timer app, and there are several reasons for this. This is the tool that I’ve used for many years to stay consistent and engaged. I have been a teacher through the app for almost 4 years, and I’ve been a student there for a little over 5 years. I considered alternative hosting sites, including Substack, but none felt as suitable. I am trusting that things will adjust or change if and when necessary with ease and flow. For now, I want to focus on creating quality practices that are accessible and imbued with care, and I think Insight Timer is the most aligned space for that to unfold.
What I appreciate most about Insight Timer is its commitment to cultivating a community that is grounded in an ethics of care. You can download the app, browse the robust library, and start practicing without an obligation to pay. I have experience with both the free and paid subscriptions, and each offers tremendous value. You also have the option to donate to teachers if you have the means.
In the future, I plan to host live sessions to connect more intimately with others. I don’t have any dates set yet, but I will make sure to update you as new recordings and gatherings become available.
As mentioned, you can find a small sample of practices ready to enjoy. I also sincerely welcome your feedback, which you can share in the app by rating and leaving a review.
Thank you in advance for practicing with me, and, as always, thank you for being here.
Until the next one,
Christian
p.s.
If you’d like to work together, please visit my website, where you will find more information on my offerings, including acupuncture and astrology. You can learn more about my work and values via interviews I’ve done with homies Sheree Mack, Rose Blakelock, and Lakan Ubaya Nagsalad.
I ♥️ the Insight Timer app and have been using it since it was just a timer. Let me go find you on there.🙏🏾