The Practice of Beholding

I’m talking to friends, family, and students these days, and the theme of rapid change keeps coming up. To some it’s exciting; to others a bit terrifying. Either way, energy is shifting and nervous systems are up! Everyone responds to change differently, and in my podcast these days we’re looking into the many facets of change and some of the typical responses people have to change. Whether change is positive or negative, it can be a pretty big source of stress. 

If, during times of stress and change, you find yourself shifting into fear—worrying about money and resources or experiencing generalized anxiety about safety and security—you may be operating from the shadow energy of the first chakra. Chakra one’s main shadow is fear, which often centers on foundational aspects like money, resources, safety, and family.

So, what do we do when faced with a shadow? We turn on a light.

Just as light counters darkness, we apply the opposite of our experience to create change and shift energy. In Yoga Therapy, this is the practice of pratipaksa bhavanam, or applying the opposite. This technique, akin to cognitive behavioral therapy, was developed thousands of years ago and is written about in the Yoga Sutras.

For the light energy of chakra one, I recommend the practice of beholding — being present to your life.

Yes, it’s that simple and that profound. You likely already know this, but if you’re anything like me, a reminder can be helpful.

I’ve been practicing beholding for a while now, and I’m starting to feel real benefits in my mind and body. I tend to live in my head, often planning for the future, so any moment I can bring myself fully into the present has significantly eased my worry and stress about things that are out of my control, are rapidly changing, or that might change someday.

Here’s what I’ve learned from leading dozens of students through my online course, Chakra Savvy™: Reset Your Life Game Plan: EVERYONE needs more time in muladhara (the root chakra). The act of being present to your life is so radical and transformative that many students want to stay in the chakra one portion of the course for over a month. Even if fear isn’t your primary response, dedicating energy to being present will still benefit you.

In this week’s Chakra Savvy podcast episode 50 Facing Fear With Light: The Practice of Beholding, I take you through a seven minute exercise in beholding. It’s simply taking some breaths, using your senses to hear, see, taste and smell the present moment, visualizing yourself as you are, and then feeling the gaze of yourself on yourself. It sounds a little weird, but it can be so effective. Have you ever felt what it feels like to behold yourself in your life? You might realize things aren’t changing as much as you might think, and things are actually pretty good…

But if change is what you’re yearning for, or accept that it’s inevitable, you can claim your excitement on March 1 with my women’s retreat EMERGE. It’s in the beautiful space between Wimberley and San Marcos, and we’re set up for a day of yoga, intuitive collage, sound bath, restorative yoga, delicious food, and time with like-hearted, fun loving women who will get a day away. This is the only local retreat on the books for 2025, so I hope to see you there! Registration is open and easily found on my Events page. Come enjoy yoga in a new and beautiful space!

This week, I encourage you to practice being present to your life. Observe the objects and people around you with the energy of beholding. Pause periodically to engage your senses. Notice the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures around you. Focus on gazing at yourself and the feeling of being observed. Behold all aspects of your life, and notice how it makes you feel. Then let me know. I’d love to hear. 

Our New Moon Intention this month January 29 at 5pm Central. And it's all about Chakra One. So bring your fears, intentions, readiness for change, and excitement about building a vision for 2025! Register for free at jessgoulding.com/chakrasavvy.

May you behold, be held, love, and be loved in the life you have right now, today and every day.

Much love