By Sherry Asuncion Between battling an autoimmune thyroid disease since 2013 and maneuvering my way through a traumatic divorce in 2017, these difficult life transitions guided me on a spiritual journey, which began last year. Before I even considered “meditation”, I actually reached for every other healing path else I could think of first; Because, […]
Recipe for Spirit 3 Tips for Developing Mindfulness Brittany Maynard’s death this past weekend stirred some very deep emotions in me and ignited reflections on how I am presently appreciating (or not) my life. For those unfamiliar with this beautiful and courageous woman, Brittany chose to end her life rather than rapidly deteriorate from […]
The sole purpose of human existence is
to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.
– Carl Gustav Jung
This year I am rereading Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. If you are not familiar with this amazing book, it is a book of 366 short daily essays that guide you to encountering your authentic self through the principles of simplicity, joy, abundance and gratitude. Using meaningful quotes from extraordinary authors and inspirational teachers and sharing her own journey via a fully engaging writing style, I’m sure that Breathnach has positively influenced many lives.
On this go-around (the first time I read this was back in ’96) I got an idea for a technique that I could add to my daily meditation from a quote by Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way — another book that had a huge impact!) about “spiritual electricity”; How it’s always there for the asking — but we have to ask. Spiritual Electricity is described as “more energy and inspiration, amazing and delightful coincidences, and the ability to accomplish goals with grace.”
Yes, I’d like a nice big serving of that!
Recipe for SpiritSometime in your life you will go on a journey.
It will be the longest journey you have ever taken.
It is the journey to find yourself.
-Katherine Sharp
I’ve been blessed with a lot of travel in my life. During one travel-intensive period, training therapists internationally for the American Board of Hypnotherapy I think my frequent flyer account topped one million miles. I used to joke that my “morning commute” was from LAX to Tokyo. I’d often go on from there to Singapore, or Thailand or Hong Kong — endless hours in flights, which over time, took their toll to the point that traveling lost its shine, especially post 9/11.
Yet the longest journey I’ve ever made has been from my head to my heart. This one has taken a lifetime.
From an early age I was fascinated by eastern philosophies and tried practicing meditation — tried being the key word; With a mind that seemingly would never shut up for an instant, it has always been a challenge for me to sustain a consistent meditative practice.
Westerners generally find it challenging to stick to meditation. We tend to be much more head-centered than heart. I described myself once as being a “talking head” because until my early 40’s I barely conceived of having a body to go along with my ever-pondering mind!
As I have made more of a connection between mind and body, especially in these last 5 years of committing to a Raw Fusion lifestye, I have come to appreciate how important it is to get out of my head and learn to spend some time in the timeless heart center, ground zero for joy, inspiration and healing. Singer KT Tunstall ( Black Horse and the Cherry Tree) says it best: Well, my heart knows me better than I know myself, so I’m gonna let it do all the talking.