Grief Is Like The Ocean

Grief is a journey that ebbs and flows. Like the ocean, it can be unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming, but it can also be a source of peace and healing. “Waves of grief” isn’t just a saying; it’s an energetic reality. The metaphor of grief being like the ocean is a powerful one, as it suggests that grief is a natural and inevitable part of life, much like the ebb and flow of the tides. If you’re already familiar with the grief process and how it shows up in everday life, let’s find a safe space and explore some things together. In honor of this process, it’s time to open up some heartfelt discussions. Today, we peek into the depths of the soul, and lend a helping hand as we raise each other up to new places. As we dive in, we remain mindful that this is a foundation of great sensitivity.

A Multi-Dimensional Experience

The latest research on grief shows that it is a complex and multi-dimensional experience that can affect individuals in various ways. As human beings, the type of grief your experiencing can shed light onto how to do the inner work that can help you the most in everyday life. For example, there are different ways to work with grief manifest from the death of a parent versus forms of childhood grief or the difficult emotions of abandonment. Your unique form of grief is important to understand as we begin shifting waves and head toward healing. Some recent findings include:

It physically affects the body.
- “The body says what words cannot.” – Martha Graham. Primarily, we see it manifest as fatigue, headaches, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. These symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Social support is a crucial factor in coping with grief.
- Those with strong social networks and who receive support from others tend to experience less distress and have better outcomes in the grieving process.
How individuals grieve can vary depending on their culture, religion, and personal beliefs.
- Finding a way of expressing and moving through the waves of emotion that feels authentic and meaningful to you is essential.
Factors, such as trauma, guilt, and unresolved issues with the source of your grief can complicate your process.
- These factors can prolong the grieving process and make coping more challenging.
Grief is a natural part of the human experience
- Some individuals may develop prolonged or complicated grief disorder, which can require professional treatment.

Overall, the latest research underscores the importance of understanding it as a complex and nuanced experience that requires support, self-compassion, and a personalized approach to healing.

The Water Element in Yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy

Fluidity

Water is constantly in motion, flowing and changing with the currents and tides. Similarly, grief is not a static experience, but one that evolves and changes over time.

Emotion

Water is often associated with emotions, as it can be calm and peaceful one moment and turbulent and overwhelming the next. Grief is a deeply emotional experience that can also fluctuate in intensity and duration.

Cleansing

Water is a natural cleanser, washing away dirt and impurities. In the same way, grief can be a cathartic process that helps us release emotional baggage and heal old wounds.

Healing

Water is also associated with healing and rejuvenation, as it can soothe and refresh us. Grieving in a healthy and supportive way can be a transformative process that helps us grow and find inner peace.

While the experience of grief can be difficult, it is a natural, cyclical, and rhythmic part of life. By leaning into the ebb and flow of emotions, finding ways to move with them instead of against them, we navigate the waters of grief with greater ease and grace. Theresa Fraser puts it beautifully, “Grief never truly ends. It changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love.” Her words speak to the idea that grief is a natural and ongoing process that accompanies the experience of loss. She also emphasizes the connection between love and grief. This highlights the depth of emotions that we can experience when we care deeply about someone or something. Overall, the words invite us to accept and honor our grief. To acknowledge that it is an important part of the human experience.

Energetic Transitions

Just as the ocean has different moods and energies, grief can take many forms. It may be quiet and still, like the water’s calm surface, or turbulent and stormy, with waves crashing against the shore. But, regardless of its form, grief can be a powerful force that shapes our lives and profoundly transforms us. At times, the ocean can be a place of refuge and solace. It can provide a sense of calm and tranquility, inviting us to sit with our thoughts and feelings and find a sense of peace within ourselves. Similarly, the grief journey can also offer moments of solace and comfort as we turn inward and connect with our inner strength and resilience.

Other times, the ocean can be a reminder of loss and pain. It can stir up memories and emotions, bringing the deep wounds of our grief to the surface. Similarly, the grieving process can be painful as we confront the reality of our loss and struggle to make sense of our feelings. In the words of the poet Rumi, “Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom.”As we navigate the unpredictable waters of grief, may we find the courage and strength to embrace all it offers. May we allow ourselves to transform through its healing power.

The Physical Manifestations of Grief

Grief can be stored and experienced within the body in various ways. It is a physical thing. While you may be most attuned to the mental and emotional facets, it’s interesting to tune into the body and see what it has to say about what you’re experiencing. Remember, incredibly difficult conversations start within you, to you. You’re body is a must-have resource to fully understand you unique process. This is a meaningful reminder to create some empty space for yourself. To witness your journey, and to lean in to what provides you with the most comfort. If you find that you’ve had lots of loves, and today you bear those loves as lots of scars; I encourage you to try taking that next wave of grief, and working with it a little differently for the first time.

Energetic Changes In the Body

Chest
- The heart chakra is often associated with emotions related to love, loss, and grief. When we experience distress, we may feel a heavy or tight sensation in our chest.
Throat
- Grief can also be felt in the throat chakra, associated with communication and self-expression. When we experience grief, we may feel a lump in our throat or have difficulty speaking.
Stomach
- The solar plexus chakra is associated with personal power and self-worth. When we experience grief, we may feel a pit in our stomach or experience digestive issues.
Muscles
- Grief can also be stored in the body as tension and tightness in our muscles. This can be especially true in the neck, shoulders, and back.
Nervous system
- Grief can trigger our fight-or-flight response, increasing our sympathetic nervous system activity. This can cause physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and sweating.

Despite the challenges of grief, both the ocean and the journey offer us opportunities for growth and transformation. Just as the ocean has the power to shape the land and create new landscapes, grief can also transform us profoundly, teaching us to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life and helping us develop a more profound sense of empathy and compassion for ourselves and others. It’s important to remember that everyone experiences grief differently, and how it is stored and experienced in the body can vary. Taking care of our bodies through yoga, meditation, and self-care can help us process and release our grief. It is my hope that in better understanding your overwhelming pain, you can begin to integrate and re-center your own happiness and contentment with the life that you’re currently living.

Are You Looking for clinical guidance? Mental health professionals are a valuable resource for your journey.

I highly recommend Emerald Coast Healing Center.