I spent some of the past snow days dreaming on deeper meditations. Many of us are practiced meditators and have developed a strong relationship with our minds. There does not have to be a “what’s next?” … but also, there is one.
I wrote a list of some of what I consider to be intermediate and advanced meditations that I practice.
1. Engaging autonomic functions: toggling on and off our physical senses of hearing, touch and smell; seeing as our eyes naturally perceive before consciousness alters it (upside down and double); making objects disappear from our perception; and increasing the strength of our mind’s eye, even reversing aphantasia.
2. Confronting fears: encounter phobic reactions and work to subdue panic and anxiety reactions in a meditative state. This is similar to exposure therapy but takes place in the mind’s eye.
3. Revulsion practice: similar to confronting fears, but embracing disgust. I believe it is powerful medicine to retrain our disgust reactions as part of decolonizing the brain and resetting our balance with nature.
4. Ancestor reclamation: entering a deep trance state for the purpose of excavating and engaging a deep, generous ancestor as a guide and protector.
5. Physical healing: through breath work, somatic movement, and deep trance, developing positive relationships with chronic pain, addiction, or illness while increasing the body’s immune response.
6. Mental wellbeing: recovery from negative self-talk, intrusive thoughts, fear of death, suicidal ideations, panic attacks or anxiety.
7. Compassion work: develop a relationship with serenity, calmness, and restorative energy through grounding, mantra and reframing personal narratives. This last one of reframing personal narratives can be quite challenging!
When I engage in these next level meditations, I often frame them within a ritual context. This is to create honored containers for what is intense work with the mind-body-soul connection, and is important to attaining deeper trance states. And to gently emerge from the exploration!
Typically, I have done this work alone, but occasionally with others! I will definitely be offering the Ancestor Ritual this year in the spring. I am also thinking of a monthly, 5 class session which explores some of these deeper techniques with a limited group of practiced meditation folks. It is somehow so much more powerful to engage in these practices in a group setting. My intro classes have convinced me of that!
(Join me every Thursday at 9 am for a free intro to meditation class at AIMwell Yoga!)
Why go deeper? First, it’s fun! I love to explore the potential of the mind-body connection. It feels good. Also, I have experienced a tremendous amount of emotional healing through these deeper practices, which has in turn, enhanced my overall mindfulness. But most, I have experienced profound physical healing from these deeper practices. From chronic pain, to a bunion, to my old brain tumor, I have cultivated a resilient body thanks to sitting and breathing intentionally.
Since I’ve been offering free, weekly meditations, I’ve gotten another great gift: a community of folks who sit! It has been the most magical and uplifting to feel how the presence of a group meditation transforms the experience. It is powerful to come together in practice and dedication.
Are you curious about any of these techniques! Let’s chat! nettiezan@gmail.com
this week:
Friday, January 17
Studio Resident Show, “inter-”, at IUAH, featuring artists who work out of the space, 5-8 pm, free! It’s an incredible show, and I’ll be there. You can visit my studio!!!! 8001 Newton OPKS
every week:
Thursdays, 9 am
RECOVERY MEDITATION, at AIMwell Yoga 5506 Troost, free!one hour and introducing a new aspect: journaling
Pre-order my new novella, At the Intersection of Hopelessness and Salvation
Fill out the non-binary questionnaire.
Submit to the Enby Zine Distro!
upcoming:
Thursday, Feb 20:
Poetry House Show featuring J.I.B. mad genius out of Portsmouth, OH. feature plus open mic, 6-9 pm, free
Friday, Feb 21:
Enby Zine Distro debut at HER ART/THEIR ART show 5-8 pm at InterUrban ArtHouse
Saturday, March 8:
10-11: Recreational Meditation at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch, free
3-5: Non-Binary Panel at IUAH, free
Friday, March 14:
Featuring at the Riverfront Reading Series, more info tba
Saturday, March 15:
10-11: Recreational Meditation at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch, free
Friday, March 21:
Closing show for Her Art/Their Art at IUAH
Saturday, March 22:
10-11: Recreational Meditation at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch, free
Saturday, March 29:
10-11: Recreational Meditation at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch, free
Sunday, March 30:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Saturday, April 5:
10-11: Recreational Meditation at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch, free
Sunday, April 27:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Sunday, May 25:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Saturday, May 31:
Featuring poetry in Portsmouth, OH, more info TBA
Sunday, June 29:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Sunday, July 27:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Sunday, August 31:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Sunday, September 28:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
Sunday, October 26:
ArtHouse Open Mic, 6-9 pm, free
opportunities for direct action:
Kansas City Defender: THE news source you must follow in KC
Harvesters: food resources for undernourished locals
KC Indian Center: community resources for native folks and more
KC Tenants: tenants union for renters’ rights
Mattie Rhodes: family services intersecting arts
KKFI: local community radio
Our Spot KC: hub for lgbt+ resources
KC Black Owned: support services for black, local businesses
KC Food not Bombs: providing hot meals weekly
Amethyst Place: supporting women and children in recovery
No Divide: arts education resources
Confluence HR KC: harm reduction in the opioid epidemic
BlaqOut: health services for black, queer +
InterUrban ArtHouse: community arts space
have an organization to add? email me
check out my new website!
this is my dysfunctional blog
oh my youtube channel is full of freakish delights
Books by Nettie for purchase:
at the intersection of hopelessness and salvation: 2025 novella
a shame to point at the moon and see only the finger: 2024 book of persona poems
everything i never told you is all i have to say: 2024 book of epistolary prose poems written from the narrator Bitter Crone
Ozark Love Poems and a Song of Despair: 2023 sonnets and a song. very nice!
Sage: 2017 art book about womanhood, now resides in the Nelson-Atkins local artists collection
