I love to chant. When all else fails, it’s one of the few spiritual practices that doesn’t ever let me down.
I’ve been meaning to write a post about it, just so you all know I haven’t fallen off the wagon completely… 
But then Fabeku beat me to it. Brilliantly.
Of course, our histories are different. And each of us has our preferences, and brings to it what we do. But all the reasons Fabeku speaks about as to why he chants… how it rejuvenates him, how it cleans him out and fills him up… he could’ve been channeling me, there.
Why it matters
So I chant. Fabeku chants. Big whoop, right? Well, as I’ve been a fan of saying for some time now, when it comes to spiritual practices,
It doesn’t matter so much what you do… but it matters a ton why you do it.
I stopped working as a healer a over year ago now. I was talking about this with my wife the other night, and I told her that one of the big reasons why was because I felt dry. I didn’t feel I had anything left to give… I just couldn’t be there for my clients the way I could before. And to be honest, I was never completely satisfied with my answer as to why that was.
I chalked it up to the thought that I had been doing it for too long. Or that I was having doubts about my spiritual path, and that was the reason. Or that I had this, or that, or whatever. But now I see pretty clearly that the reason I burned out was because I wasn’t replenishing my reserves. I was running on fumes, and didn’t have anything left in the tank to give, because I had lost my connection to the divine flow that all my juice was coming from.
But, I know my story. What’s yours? And will you know before you burn out?
The point is this: You had better have a way to tap into whatever gives you juice, long before you give it all away. No matter what your line of work is, you expend energy when you do it. When you give to others, it’s gotta be coming from somewhere. I’m not saying that the work itself can’t be partially rejuvenating; it often is (I hope it is, otherwise you probably aren’t having much fun doing it…). And I’m not taking a “scarcity mindset” here, either, and saying that you’re automatically in trouble. There’s more than enough for everyone to drink, all the time.
What I am saying is that everyone who gives is tapped into a source, whether it’s conscious or not.
My advice is to get to know what fills up your tank. Really well. Really consciously. And not just what you do to take a break—taking a break isn’t filling you up, it’s just slowing down the rate at which you’re emptying the tank.
Chant seems to do it for me. What does it for you?
Image by metal-armz
Adam-
What you said about not replenishing the reserves hits home for me. I’ve found myself in that place more times than I can count. And it’s hard – like deep-down-to-the-bones hard. And, for me, and I imagine for most of us, it virtually guarantees burn out.
That’s one of the things I dig about chanting. It’s like an instant fill up. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but it provides the kind of nourishment that leaves me feeling able to go and go and go. That’s made it so much easier for me to fill up on a regular basis.
And, like you, chant has never let me down.
But what struck the strongest chord for me was the wise advice to figure out what fills you up and do it. A lot. As much as possible. I consider that absolutely critical advice no matter what kind of work someone does.
I also love what you said about taking a break. I spent a lot of time thinking that taking a break and filling up were the same thing. When my gauge hit empty, I realized I might have been mistaken.
Awesome post. Thanks for sharing it. And thanks for the nod to my post. I appreciate both.
Hi Adam, (with a bow — I’m Japanese, so I’m allowed to do this)
I just found your blog and I like what you have to say. Replenishing our own well is critical for all lightworkers.
I just wish there was a mp3 audio with your chanting…
Akemi
Hi Adam. I admire you for taking notice and re-evaluating your space. “It doesn’t matter so much what you do… but it matters a ton why you do it.” This is important and makes all the difference in the world. I find what gives me juice fluctuates, depending on how “attached” I am to it. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a walk, writing a poem, relaxing with a good cup of coffee or reminding myself that I am where I am supposed to be and to stop trying so hard.
Hi all, thanks for coming by – I’m honored.
Fabeku, glad you liked my little add-ons…
To be honest, I find it actually kind of amazing how little I’ve seen this talked about—the rejuvenating part, that is—especially since it’s such a vital part of being alive, y’know? Think of how many times we’ve heard stories of people who go on vacation, have a great time, but don’t necessarily come back refreshed in the way you’d expect. I think it’s the going-to-the-well part that wasn’t addressed, somehow.
When I was working actively as a healer, and especially when I was a business consultant, I talked with so many people who had adrenal fatigue from years of working like mad fools, and they had no solution. I was able to help them by ramping up their spiritual connection… but I suppose I saw enough benefit from those first few steps that I didn’t ever have the chance to probe deeper. (Until I went through my own burnout, that is!)
For some, it could be movement that does the trick; for others, chanting, or creating something with their hands, or qi gong, or something I’ve never thought of. But whatever it is, I believe it’s crucial we find it.
Akemi, welcome – and thanks. Oh, and just because I chant doesn’t mean I’m all that good at it yet!
I’d definitely recommend trying out Krishna Das, though, if you’re looking for some good music. I just got “Heart Full of Soul”, and it’s great. I’m also a huge fan of his “Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga” album – fantastic.
And, should I ever get good enough to be heard outside my own office, I’ll let you know!
Davina – so true; sometimes what gives us “juice” changes, depending on where we’re at in any given moment. Experimentation is a beautiful thing. Good to see you again.
Ah. Yes. This is my recurring theme these days, so of course, my friend Adam kindly writes a nice post about it.
It is oddly reassuring to hear that the advanced woowoo-heads go through this as well. I mean, maybe it should not be, b/c if all y’all can’t be all “om” all the time, what hope is there for the rest of us.
But I love that this is a significant area of overlap. And that you’re finding a way out of it.
Maybe I will, too.
Thanks, Coconut Boy.
Hola lovely Adam!
I found your website through Mark Silver’s place… and here you are, talking about one of my favourite interwebs people – the lovely Fabeku.
This is such a beautiful post.
Thank you so much for reminding me about filling up again.
Earlier this year I didn’t fill up as I gave a whole bundle of energy during a spiritual course I was running. I burned out – big time. It’s like the simplest of energy mathematics, and yet we forget: subtract energy, and don’t plus it back up… and before long, you end up in the negatives.
I’m so much more conscious now of how much energy I’m expending, what I can actually do happily and healthily… and how to fill my energy back up.
What helps for me:
Regular connection time with my sweetness.
Outside time on mama earth.
Cuddling with my puppies.
Swimming at the pool & spa with my women friends.
Home cooked gatherings of goddesses.
Eight hours of sleep at least.
Simple pleasures, but as necessary for me as air.
Gentleness & gladness to you ~
Goddess Leonie
Heya C – ah yes. Us woo-woo-heads are irrevocably, unflinchingly, and thankfully human. “If we burn a candle at both ends, do we not burnout?” (gotta have the accent right for that one.)
Something that springs to mind as I read your comment (and Leonie’s, too) is that burnout can look a lot of different ways, depending on the person.
The classic, “oh, I just don’t have any energy anymore” is the one you hear the most about, but it’s not the only manifestation of dryness. It could show up as a lack of interest, judgment, a little-too-liberal use of sarcasm, etc. Being able to watch ourselves for signs of the burnout gremlin is a pretty high-order level of self-awareness, I’d say.
And Leonie – glad you came by; welcome! It sounds like you’ve got quite a list going there… my hunch is that each one addresses a certain aspect of “filling up”, and affects you differently. I like how you’ve got a whole bunch of possibilities, and can get a well-rounded fill-up from them all. Thanks for sharing – hopefully other folks can get better ideas for themselves from your list.
Hi Adam,
Love this post. I have a few Krishna Das cd’s and also Deva Primal – her voice is beautiful.
I regularly chant the sounds of the Chakras and I’ve taken a workshop at The Omega Institute with Manorama of SanskritStudies.com.
Chanting definitely leaves me with such an exhilarating feeling- like you said ‘fills you up’.
I love all the sound/vibrational healing stuff. I am an Acutonics Provider (tuning forks) and use them in my reflexology sessions that I do. People always comment about how amazingly calm they make them feel. I use them on myself as well and they amaze me every time.
I also love to practice yoga and working with my Aromatherapy products fills me up as well. There’s nothing like creating an amazing essential oil blend that entices the senses.
And I love what you said about it’s not about what we do, but why we do it – so true. We’re all different and different things float are boat – would be so boring if we all loved the same things-plus I’d run out of new things to learn and try out.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Gina