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Look at strong emotions as a kind of storm. If we know weatherproofing techniques, we can come out of it intact. A storm may last an hour, several hours, or a day. If we master the ways of calming and steadying our mind, we can pass through the storms of emotion with relative ease." -Thich Nhat Hahn None of us are immune to the storms of life that often bring with it intense emotion and incessant thought. In fact, most of us are addicted to the thoughts period. This is why whenever I am asked the question, "what is the #1 thing you suggest to manage stress/experience peace/improve well-being"... my reply ... meditation. Cultivating a consistent practice of meditation practice will help you create an inner sanctuary for the mind. And yes, it is possible for anyone, if it happened for me. Take it from Georgette as she explains her experience here. Namaste, Stephanie
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Mental Peace by Stephanie
One of the ways I experience mental peace is by helping others do the same. Recently I had the pleasure of leading Georgette on a meditative journey she described as a "haven in the mind". She describes her experience so beautifully here. May all of us experience the peace that arises when our mind is given a "sanctuary" to rest. Sometimes we forget. Of course we do! We forget we are human.
What? Yes. And we forget that we are also filled with spirit. And? Well, sometimes this makes the journey hard. Why? Because as a human, we crave form, the seen/known and we have physical needs. And because as spirit, we crave essence, the formless, the unseen/unknown. Sounds like a paradox. It is! And that is how we grow. So, 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. So, 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. Namaste, Stephanie Do we have a choice as to how we engage with our mind? Yes!
And I choose ally. Why? I choose peace. How is that possible? Meditation...daily, consistent, whether I like it or not. Through meditation I have accepted this as true: we learn so much more from our struggles than from our successes. And yet, some of us will continue to stay in struggle...and endure suffering without ever learning the lesson and applying it to make our life more peaceful, loving, joyful. I call learning and applying the lesson as the process of burning our pain and using it as fuel for the journey. Why do we resist seeing lessons in struggles? Lots of reasons. Conditioning. Fear. Laziness. Doubt. And it takes courage to create peace...both inner and outer peace. And yes effort to. Anything worthwhile requires effort. When we refuse to make sense of/give meaning to/learn from our struggles/bunr the pain for fuel, we end up in the same "classroom" again and again. The people may look different, yet the subject matter is the same. We will stay in that classroom until we have had enough. When we have had enough we surrender...befriend our mind...choose our mind as our ally...change our perspective... learn... apply the wisdom... and move on. Or not. If not, we stay in that classroom for our entire life and end up feeling dead even though we are still alive. I get it. I did that for many years as I share in my book, Reclaiming Joy. I still do it and happily much much much less. Why? Lots of practice and I have decided my mind must be my ally rather than my adversary. What do I mean? Quite simply, how we experience life is a result of how we see, (also known as our perspective) what is happening. When I am in struggle, my suffering is reduced, and passes much more quickly, when I treat the struggle as a lesson. How am I able to treat the struggle as a lesson and not get "stuck"? Practice and refinement over the years :) And more importantly, my willingness to change my perspective -- to choose to see the struggle as a lesson and my mind as my ally. I must make my mind my ally. Through daily meditation I retrain my brain to witness the struggle, get the lesson and then focus all of my energy only on that which I want to create. After all, if I want to create something, the "assumption" is that what I am creating will be what brings me peace, love, joy. Having said this, if I am "creating" unconsciously, I may be my own adversary (think self sabotage). In other words, when we get far enough along the path of mindfulness and healing, we realize we are own ally and we have to be if we wish to experience peace, love, joy...ease. And our mind? Our mind becomes a tool we consciously use to support us as an ally. As may of you have heard, what we focus our thoughts on will grow. Where our attention goes, our energy flows. Thoughts are things. Pay attention. Choose yourself as an ally and choose your mind as your ally in support of yourself. Namaste friends, Stephanie  Experience Healing What: Our best services at 25% OFF! Each service is 45 minutes for $65. When: Monday, April 23th - Sunday, April 29th, 2018 Why?: We want to give you, your family & your friends the opportunity to enjoy services you haven't tried at a special price -- and -- enjoy more of what you love. Instead of booking one service, book two or even three! Services Available:
How: Spots go fast. Call to Book: 914.337.9356 & Mention Sanctuary Week Special. What Others Are Saying: "I had a great hot stone massage with Sarah yesterday at Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary. I am new to the area and was looking for somewhere to get a massage and based on the great reviews, decided to give Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary a try. So glad I did! It was a relaxing and soothing massage that eased tension in my back and shoulders, which was exactly what I was looking for. I felt great afterwards. I’ll be back for sure!" -Elizabeth E. on 3/27/2018 "Jackie provided a very nice facial treatment. She was very professional. The receptionist who took care of me when I entered and left was also pleasant and helpful. Always a nice experience at the Sanctuary." -Dawn C. on 3/29/2018 Note: due to weather, this will now take place Friday, 3/9/18 at 7pm.  Nourishment For Body Mind Spirit
We've heard it said we teach/offer/share what we most need to learn. It's no coincidence that here at the Sanctuary Our Purpose is to guide and support one another further along on their personal journey. Our Mission is to provide the space for all beings to thrive. Why? Because all of us on Team BWS need it too. By serving others, we help ourselves in the process. Magical blessing. The services, workshops, writing, recipes...opportunities we offer are to help you nourish - and in the process connect with- body mind spirit. Body offerings include: massage, facials, energy healing and the occasional yummy recipe from Steph's kitchen like this protein smoothie here. Mind offerings include meditation and yes, yoga therapy. Spirit offerings include all of the above...plus events like the Love Meditation happening next week. What will you choose? Whatever you decide, choose YOU.
Valentine's Day is 2 weeks away. It's one of our favorite occasions here at the Sanctuary.
Why? We love to love & Valentine's Day is a reminder of why we are here. More than ever, we believe taking care of ourselves is an act of self-love that keeps on giving. From our own self-love, all other love grows. In fact, the ability to nourish ourselves first enables us to effectively (aka without resentment) nourish others. And as Stephanie writes, you must Save Yourself First. Here are 4 Ways to Plug into our LOVE: 1. Treat Yourself to a Sanctuary Service. Enjoy the familiar and try something new...Book Now. 2. Give Sanctuary Love with a Gift Certificate. Favorites: Be Well Package, Restore & Renew, Couples Massage...or simply gift a dollar amount & let your loved one decide. 3. Attend Stephanie's Manifesting Love Event Next Tuesday, Feb 6th, 6:30pm @BWS Embark on a Meditative Journey through the Chakras to Release what gets in the way of Manifesting the Love you want. Learn More & RSVP. 4. Register for Reclaiming Joy Retreat Information Session via Phone Next Wednesday, Feb 7th, 12pm-1pm EST Looking for more information about Stephanie's Retreat? If so, join Stephanie and Jeannie for an informational & inspiring phone call. Learn about what to expect, what others are saying, and why now. RSVP Here.
Perfect for anyone who needs a dose a wellness... And who doesn't?
Sanctuary Gift Certificates can be purchased in person or online for dollar amounts - allowing your recipient to choose how to spend it - or for specific Sanctuary Services: Gift Massage for Relaxation... Gift Meditation for Stress Relief... Gift Reiki for Energy Balancing... Gift Facials for Pampering Not sure? Gift one of our Discounted Packages & let your loved ones sample the best of what we offer - for less! (Bonus: they can always use the amount towards another package or service!) Here are some favorites... Restore and Renew, $220 ($20 savings) 75 Minute Massage with Reflexology 45 Minute Facial Be Well, $170 ($15 savings) 45 Minute Massage 45 Minute Facial Perfect Gentleman, $210 ($20 savings) 60 Minute Massage 60 Minute Gentleman's Facial Stop in to purchase a Sanctuary Gift Certificate & we'll gladly package it for you. Don't want to leave the house? Purchase instant on-line gift certificates here to print/email. Want to know one of the fastest and most effective ways to relax? Slow down your breathing. When we slow down our breath, we slow down our heart rate and our mind rate. Try taking a 2 minute breathing break and notice how you feel. Remember: our inner world is reflected out. When we look to the outside world to make us feel a certain way, often it does the opposite. Stillness...calm...relaxation-- it all begins from within. To deepen your relaxation, gift yourself sanctuary with a massage, facial, energy healing...meditation. Looking to share the relaxation with a loved one? Gift them Sanctuary with an Instant Gift Certificate here.  |
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