Yesterday, I spoke with a client about the importance of integrating his spirituality with his nervous system. He understands spiritual principles that shape his reality, yet he still experiences feelings of unsafety and fear in his body. He’s not alone in this. I, too, sometimes understand a situation logically from a higher, spiritual perspective, while my body is still triggered into a fight, flight, or freeze response.

Through my work with clients, I’ve come to see that there is an art to guiding someone through mental re-patterning. By using language, we can rewrite stories of fear and victimhood into ones of empowerment and positivity. I’ve learned to focus on what is available, because the human mind naturally leans towards negativity. For example, when I coach men who struggle to connect with their emotions, I gently guide them into connection by focusing on the sensations they can feel with their five senses—the rug beneath their feet, my hands on their legs, the aroma of essential oils, etc.

In these moments, I’ve seen many clients shift from saying, "I’m disconnected from my feelings" to realizing, "I can feel some things!" It’s this shift toward positivity that allows them to reconnect with their emotional landscape and the subtle energies within. This process helps them learn that their sensory experiences are a gateway to their emotions. It’s a practical process they can use in real-life situations.

Another example is a recent conversation with a client who, while recognizing that everything he experiences leads to growth, was questioning the value of investing time and money into coaching. His doubts—"Is it worth it?"—were creating confusion and fear. I was grateful for his transparency and gently reminded him that his journey is leading him to deeper self-realization and relational awareness. He was grateful.

While he understood this spiritually, a deeper part of him—his primal self—felt threatened by the uncertainty of his future. I encouraged him to make space for his spiritual practice, cultivating compassion for the part of himself that feels overwhelmed by not knowing what’s next. That part of him seeks control to avoid pain or rejection. I assured him that he can find more peace by using his breath to regulate his nervous system and embracing the aspect of himself that craves security.

In spirituality and mindset coaching, we often hear phrases like "everything is happening for me, not to me." However, repeating affirmations alone isn’t enough if they don’t bring a genuine sense of peace and calm to the body. The real work lies in bringing spirituality and the nervous system into alignment. Somatic practices for nervous system regulation help create a strong connection between mind and body, grounding these spiritual insights into our lived experience.