Cultivating an Inner Resource

By Dr Lauren Tober

In iRest meditation we cultivate what we call an Inner Resource; a memory or a visualisation that supports us to tap into our innate sense of being and ok-ness.

I often feel this deep sense of being-ness and ok-ness when I walk on this beach.

When I look at this photo I took the other morning on my beach walk, or I take a moment to close my eyes and take myself back there, that feeling of being-ness and ok-ness returns.

This is my Inner Resource.  And quite frankly it feels like a miracle.

Want to try it?

Cultivating Your Inner Resource

Remember a time when you felt a sense of being or well being.

Maybe it was when you were at the beach too. Or on a holiday. Or cuddled on your grandma’s lap when you were a kid. Or curled up in bed with a good book and some organic chocolate (ok, maybe that’s just me).

It could also be something completely from your imagination, like imagining yourself surrounded by white light. Or floating on a cloud. Or sitting under a big old tree at the top of a mountain looking out over a beautiful, untouched forest.  Or it could be visualising your deity of choice. Or simply noticing your breath entering and leaving your body.

It doesn’t matter what it is, the idea is simply to choose something that brings you a sense of peace, security, well being or ease.

Whatever it is, close your eyes and conjure it up in your mind.

Explore it using all of your senses…. What does it look like? Taste like? Smell like? Sound like? What does it feel like on your skin?

What emotions are there?

How does it feel in your body?

Take your time. Rest there for awhile.

Congratulations, you’ve just cultivated your Inner Resource!

Now that you’ve found it, you can return to your Inner Resource any time you like. It’s always there waiting for you. It’s free and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Pretty cool huh?

Inner Resource and iRest Meditation

In iRest Meditation, we thread the Inner Resource throughout practice, at the beginning and the end of each meditation, and touch into it throughout the meditation at various times. This supports the Inner Resource to be a deeply embodied experience, and not just an intellectual exercise.

Doing this means that we experience it more deeply (we can feel it in our bones) and that it’s easier to call on when life feels a little shaky and we need to connect in with security, well being and ease.

Inner Resource in Daily Life

Once you’ve become really well acquainted with your Inner Resource, when you can feel it deep in your body, you can call on it whenever you need to.

If you’re lying awake in an anxious, ruminative state at 3am. Call up your Inner Resource.

If you’re feeling nervous before a job interview. Call up your Inner Resource.

If you’re lying in the dentist chair, with your head back, mouth open and the dentist hovering above you with the drill.  Call up your Inner Resource.

If you can feel the early tingles of a panic attack coming on.  Call up your Inner Resource.

It’s there to support you.

Words by Dr Lauren Tober