If I seem to have this whole dealing with a pandemic thing figured out, let me be honest… I don’t. But I am figuring out new ways to stand on the shoulders of giants. I’ve been expanding and deepening my daily practices… practices derived from studying the works of spiritual teachers as well as coaching and therapeutic tools. I’m learning as much as possible about meditation, yoga, breathing, calming techniques, thought work, allowing & managing fears, and even trauma treatments such as EMDR, tapping in, and somatic therapy.
As a coach, trainer, speaker, mother, spouse, friend, daughter, and seeker, I embrace anything that could help us all stay emotionally healthy and continue to go after our goals. I’ll even admit that I’ve found ASMR helpful. If you don’t know what ASMR is, here’s a little intro video.
I don’t do all these things because I am naturally calm and centered. I do them because I am not. Many of my most beloved teachers (and I) have suffered a great deal, and continue to do so even as we strive for deeper levels of mindfulness and calm. Still, we aim to lessen our own suffering to experience more peace and be of greater service in the world.
I share this intimate information in the hope that my vulnerability will encourage you to seek wellness and resilience strategies that work for you.
This I know to be true for all of us: feeling our feelings – the good and the bad – rather than numbing or resisting them, is critically important. It can’t all be positive. At the same time, we can work to clearly define the line between healthy allowing/processing of negative emotion and giving in to despair/hopelessness.
If you are a fellow seeker who is inspired by those who dedicate their lives to this study, please enjoy the beautiful messages below, from a few of my favorite teachers. I carefully selected each to share with you, to highlight some of the key lessons that have helped me feel a bit more serene in these turbulent times. Each title is also a link that will take you to more inspiring quotes from the book.
“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it.”
― Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”
― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
“There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.”
― Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
“I am a lover of what is, not because I’m a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality.”
― Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
“Attachment is blinding; it lends an imaginary halo of attractiveness to the object of desire.”
― Autobiography of a Yogi
“The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you are able to give.”
― What I Know for Sure
“Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead.”
― The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage
“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
― The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
“It is our compulsive reaction to the situations in which we are placed that causes stress.”
― Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
“I know that within you there is an energy of forgiveness that forgives me and sets me free. My words and actions have no power over you. You are free and I am free. All is well between our spirits. Peace is the order of the day.”
― Michael Bernard Beckwith, Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential
“Although you may not always be able to avoid difficult situations, you can modify the extent to which you can suffer by how you choose to respond to the situation.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness
“Hatred never ceases by hatred; it only ceases by love.”
― Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening
“Every challenge presents an opportunity for spiritual growth, whether it’s a small irritation or when everything as you’ve known it falls apart.”
― Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World
“On the occasion of every accident (event) that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use.”
― Epictetus, Enchiridion: Filibooks Classics
“Sometimes just showing up for someone else is good enough.”
― It Was Always Meant to Happen That Way