 Sometimes we forget. Of course we do! We forget we are human.
What? Yes. And we forget that we are also filled with spirit. It's not either or, it's both. And? Well, sometimes this navigating "both" makes the journey hard! Why? Because as a human, we crave form, the seen/known and we have physical needs. As human our tendency is to move toward that which we believe will make us happy; we move away from that which we believe will make us unhappy. This of course is an illusion. As spirit, we crave essence, the formless, the unseen/unknown. There's a deeper knowing that transcends what we believe will make us happy or unhappy. Meaning, our spirit knows happiness comes and goes. Sounds like a paradox navigating both. It is! And that is how we grow. Life is a paradox Why does re-membering this matter? For starters, let's recall that buddha taught us how to deal with suffering. Buddha did not teach about how to be enlightened. In my experience, re-membering (get it?) helps me navigate suffering with more ease. With ease comes greater awareness that inner peace comes from my ability to balance my human needs and my spiritual needs. With this awareness and balance a sense of freedom (from suffering) returns. The truth is, freedom is always available to us because it's a mindset. Yes, freedom is even available when we are not feeling rooted/stable/balanced (which for is a a form of suffering). How is freedom available? By changing mindset to see the instability as teaching us how to let go... When we are attached, we are not free. Period. Re-membering I am human and spirit helps me exhale when things are challenging. When I re-member, I am able to have compassion for my humanity/physicality/doing-ness and also reverence for my divinity/spirituality/being-ness. A magical paradoxical dance otherwise known as the art of awakening. As with art, sometimes it's highly emotional and provocative. It's chaotic, crazy, beautiful and messy all at once. Take a moment and absorb this. Allow the wisdom which comes to inform your doing, your being...YOU. It's all one energy. We got this. Namaste, Stephanie  Did you know?
We have a full range of relaxing & therapeutic massage from Swedish, CBD and Hot Stone to Deep Tissue and Lymphatic. As always, we are here to customize your massage to your needs. Need a little deep tissue and Swedish? Our BWS Signature Massage is designed exactly for those who need a combination. >>>Book Now  Life isn't here to make you happy; it's here to help you awaken." -Eckhart Tolle
I haven't written to you in a few weeks. On July 28th my 85 year old mother fell in her kitchen, landed on her back, and did some damage to her spine. Miracle it wasn't worse. In one moment she went from independent and able to care for herself, to fully dependent on others. I am still in a bit of shock, sadness, anger, and overall overwhelm. Some of you know what I am talking about. I am sharing this because my practices (meditation, energy clearing, prayer, movement, writing, allowing emotions, speaking my voice, etc.) have been the foundation beneath my feet during this time. I have been able to navigate emotions, people, and a tremendous amount of logistics like insurance, aides, doctors, and a very inefficient and cumbersome "health care" system. Without my practices I would not have been able to do it. I wouldn't want to do it. Truth. In 2004 when my father passed unexpectedly, it was another moment that changed everything just like that. The difference? Back then I didn't have these tools in place except for a beginning meditation practice. As a result of not having the tools in place, my life did spin out of control as I share in my book, Reclaiming Joy. What amazes me now is that once again, this experience is helping me awaken in a deeper way, at this phase of my life. Why does suffering often lead to awakening and re-awakening? >>>Continue Reading |
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