 Dealing with Suffering - Podcast with Stephanie
As we navigate this time of uncertainty and deal with the covid-19 pandemic, many of us are experiencing VERY high levels of stress. Stress leads to suffering. This suffering shows up in our minds-- negative thoughts - and in our emotional body-- as fear and anxiety. We are not use to experiencing this level of suffering on a "collective" scale. We are being impacted on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, financially. We see people dying. We are losing lives, jobs, income, health, security, safety, hope...control. How can we cope? What will support us today and moving forward in staying sane and positive? In this Mind the Gap podcast episode ironically recorded a few months ago, I speak to what is happening right now and how we can deal with the reality of suffering. Please take the time to really listen and apply the wisdom to your current life. Share the episode with others. Discuss it together and support one another. LISTEN HERE. If you want, additional support I am offering virtual sessions so please email me: stephanie@bronxvilleness.com  Photo by Sapan Patel on Unsplash  From, The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie  Upcoming Workshop:
Cultivating Presence In Everyday Life with Stephanie Filardi Saturday, December 7, 2019, 3:00pm-5:00pm Tovami Yoga, Mamaroneck, NY What does it mean to live a life of presence? How can we use the tools we learn on the mat in yoga and meditation and apply them to everyday life to help us navigate challenging times and live according to our values? In this workshop based upon the teachings of Swami Kripalu and Eckhart Tolle, Stephanie will guide you through movement and experiential practices to help you anchor yourself in what it means to live a life of presence. We will have group discussion to connect and share as well as reflective writing exercises so you come away with tools to apply immediately in your life. Cost: $45. Register Here.  Buddha didn’t teach us how to be enlightened.
Buddha taught us how to deal with human suffering. Yes, at one point or another all of us encounter some form of suffering. Why do we suffer? What’s the difference between suffering outside our control and suffering that’s self inflicted? We are human! Suffering is one of our greatest teachers. Much of our suffering comes from living in fear / wanting to control (self-inflicted). More suffering happens as we continue to resist what is. This topic is broad. So, let's consider 2 questions: 1. Is this suffering I am experiencing self made? 2. Is this suffering I am experiencing part of life? How will you know? For question #1, self made suffering is a result of our thoughts and emotions and the inner narrative/story we replay over and over. Thoughts feeds emotion and emotion feeds thought and before we know it, this cycle of suffering becomes a way of life. This inner narrative, often a part of our dysfunctional mental conditioning over years, keeps us regretting the past and worried about the future. The result? We remain stuck in the present, which is in direct opposition to "how life works" and quite frankly why we were born. Life only takes place in the present. Life itself requires us to keep moving. We can choose to move, or life will move us on its own terms. Please note: I am not saying to discard the lessons of the past. Nor am I saying to leave the future open to some woo woo practice of intention setting without action. What I am saying...is what I always say...take responsibility for your life. Your choices. Where you are. Where you want to go. And by all means, take small daily actions to move you along. For question #2, part of life's inevitable suffering is the pain we feel from loss of a loved one, an illness, tragedy, etc. If this writing resonates, perhaps you will listen to this week's Mind the Gap podcast episode on suffering. I speak about the different kinds of suffering and in particular the suffering that’s of our own creation- mental and emotional. Maybe you will also decide to keep a journal and spend a few minutes each day reflecting the 2 questions. Remember: Living life is a practice and can be the most powerful portal for spiritual awakening, growth ...and freedom. I am with you my friends. Namaste, Stephanie  Spiritual Awakening
"Be grateful for the sleepless nights because they help us awaken..." - Stephanie What is spiritual awakening? Why does it hurt so much at times? How can we live our current life while also moving and growing into new ways of being? In this week's Mind the Gap Podcast episode, Stephanie shares how to use life as a spiritual practice, and what is required to build a foundation of support as you begin to "wake up". She shares that sleepless nights point to underlying things that are trying to get our attention... Stress doesn't wake us up. Stress is simply a result of what is out of balance in our life. Stephanie also gives ways to navigate the gap while growing from where you are -- to where you want to be. Let's go! Listen Here. |
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