Category Archives: Embodied Awareness

Responding to the Massive Lay-offs in Calgary Part 2. . .

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In Last week’s blog, I introduced you to Bianca Sinclair who just founded Laid Off Calgary – empowered community support group.  Bianca has recently completed 150 hours of course work in my Embodied Awareness Facilitator Certification program and is now completing her practicum hours by facilitating at Laid Off Calgary – empowered community support groups.

After her second group, she wrote to me:

“Yesterday we explored the grief process and how this might relate to being laid-off/unemployed, coping with loss and moving through the transition.  I had the participants choose randomly keywords from the Kubler-Ross model (denial, anger, acceptance etc.) and invited them to share what that might mean in the context of where they are at, or have been on this current journey.  Then, I had drawn a wavy line on a whiteboard and asked them to suggest where on a timeline their keyword might sit if it were a “model of grief”.  It was an interesting way to explore grief theory from different perspectives, and how different it is for everyone.

By the end of our session in our group yesterday, participants reported feeling:”optimistic”, “normal”, and “satisfied”.

I thought the comment “normal” was very interesting, and we all shared a laugh as that participant playfully patted themselves on the back as if to congratulate their normal-ness.”

Laid Off Calgary – empowered community support groups are for people who are wrestling with the trauma of being laid-off and in sudden career transitions.  Groups are held at a local public library in Calgary Alberta, and are free of charge.

Since last week, Bianca has been interviewed by the local news and the response has been exceptionally positive. Bianca has added a second group.

Please share with anyone who might benefit from a community engagement such as this.          

For more information on Laid Off Calgary, please send an email.

You can also join the community through Bianca’s Facebook group.

empty chairs

A Space Full of Potential

Honoring and Respecting the Polarities

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Being whole is a state in which there is room for all of who you are.

 Self-awareness spans your full human potential and your human frailties. Self-awareness is neither pole; it is  synergy between the two. In order to perceive clearly the nature of reality and our own nature recognize the paradoxical nature of being human.  Honor and respect the polarities within your nature.  It is this synergy that allows you to tap into that ‘non-dual’ transcendent part of your human nature that is called the Self.

Embodied Awareness is the process of becoming conscious of the Self.  This includes the practice of living more and more consciously from a state of Self-awareness.

Embodied awareness is the practice of holding the paradox–of being both a vulnerable, very mortal human and an infinite spiritual being with the unlimited potential takes you to a more transcendent awareness about not only your situation but also the nature of the ‘human condition’.

Practice making room for all of who you are to embody your Self.  How to become whole?

  • look  into the unconscious– into the darkness,
  • recognize your blind spots when they show up
  • use your intuition to seek to understand the origin of your thoughts and feelings
  • explore projections onto others in the form of your criticism, judgments, idealizations, expectations, past conditioning, habits and assumptions

One person, a Child and Youth Counsellor in our Embodied Awareness program shared his embodied awareness practice, which includes exploring these unconscious ‘shadow’ elements by making them more conscious.

“My daily practice is the shadow work. I didn’t have words for it before; but the work with “the guardians” is my practice.  It is great to wake up in the morning– I have my practice–I meditate for a while, then sit and journal and usually say “good morning” to my good friend, who I call ‘Perceiver’. We have a morning coffee together.  

We have a little chat together. Without doubt, the guardians come in too (and that guardian called “doubt” is always in there).  I’m amazed with how early these guys get up in the morning, these guardians!  They always come in. Initially, it was either anger, doubt or insecurity that showed up first. (I give every feeling its name and call each one by their name). We have a discussion.

When I first started this practice I felt attacked and safe.  I was commencing dialogue, and it felt better with them being present.

Now there has been a great transformation–They feel safe to come and converse.  They are present and we share a dialogue. In our conversations their wisdom–because they are not in a reactive state–the guidance is must quicker. They get to have the seat next to me to converse.

I also invite them to come throughout the day, and often they come when I don’t know they are there and so sometimes it’s reactivity and I recognize them and say, “Welcome! There you are!  And right now is not the ideal time for me… maybe we can make an appointment to talk tomorrow?”  This is definitely an evolving practice with me and I am grateful”.

Thank you Deren, for sharing.

Following Inner Guidance to Realization

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Inner guidance is a spiritual sense that takes you in the direction of realization of your true nature.  Those . . . .’ah ha!’ moments that bring a spontaneous break-through beyond ordinary limitations.

When we unify with our spiritual Self, and awareness expands—we emerge into feeling peace, happiness, infinite possibility, creativity  mystical states of ‘oneness’ and freedom– all independent of one’s external circumstances or external conditions. Realization is a glimpse into ‘enlightenment’.   India describes it as a state of spiritual Self-realization, ‘nirvana’, stillness. Japan calls it ‘Satori’ or ‘beginner mind’; and in the West it has been called self-actualization.

Realization implies making it real through embodiment of the experience.  Intuition is integrated through action. Intuition (and all the subtle senses) clarifies a pattern.  Spiritual discernment helps us see the many paths and options ahead of us – to continue the pattern, to walk a new direction, and how to choose which direction to go. Realization organically follows.

The choice is to continue down the path of Self-realization…to continue to check in for guidance, to be guided by an emerging inner sense of freedom, well-being, health and wholeness–free from conditioning, re-activity, prejudice or expectations–and to act from that.

[Radical Self Care, Chapter 5 “The 12 Senses of Embodied Awareness”. Dr. Beth Hedva].

In one of our Embodied Awareness seminars we used a sentence completion exercise to expand intuitive perception and cultivate the inner Observer and therefore inner guidance, by answering a series of questions. We sat in a circle, and each person explored the experience of realization by answering the question:

“What is it like when you courageously follow your guidance…” .     Here are some of the responses:

When I courageously follow my guidance…everything is radiant.

When I courageously follow my guidance…there is Feminine receptivity.

When I courageously follow my guidance…there is light.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I must  dance with my resistance.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I sometimes get in trouble!

When I courageously follow my guidance…I get pretty excited.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I am open to making mistakes.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I am able to embrace the light and the shadow with love & joy.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I move mountains.

When I courageously follow my guidance…there is a tidal wave of joy.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I become acceptable.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I burst at the seams with ideas.

When I courageously follow my guidance…It feels right & good.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I feel unburdened.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I end up where I need to be.

When I courageously follow my guidance…there is wisdom.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I am open and curious and full of joy.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I step around the source of my resistance rather than reacting to it.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I learn to understand my body and deal with my fears.

When I courageously follow my guidance…there is rebirth.

{ Rebirth Oni H. }

{ Rebirth Oni H. }

When I courageously follow my guidance…I surprise myself and enjoy myself.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I am peaceful.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I jump rather than thinking about everything way too much.

When I courageously follow my guidance…I honor the information from all my senses as opposed to doubting it.

It would be great to hear from you.

                                                    What is it like when you courageously follow your guidance?                                                                                                               

Intuitive Perception & Spiritual Discernment

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A unique synthesis of all the subtle sense-signals brings realization, a new vision, and important insights that support a creative evolutionary leap for humankind. Integrative intuitive functions are processed by the neo-cortex and pre-frontal lobes of the brain. This may include intuitive insight that empowers spiritual discernment, prophecy, psychic dreaming, clairvoyance and creative genius that humanity so needs right now in order to respond to the many concerns we face in the world.

Spiritual discernment is a sense of expanded clarity and choice. One senses the right direction to go forward, without judgement or analysis (as is required in rational thinking). What is right is not a moral judgement between making a right or wrong choice. Rather, clarity comes from one’s synergistic perception of the whole truth, which perceives all paths including automatic responses, as well as new possibilities, and options that awaken one’s full human potential as a spiritual being. [Radical Self Care, Chapter 5 “The 12 Senses of Embodied Awareness”. Dr. Beth Hedva].

Spiritual discernment comes in the form of inner knowing, guidance or direction.

We can ask for guidance to awaken spiritual discernment.

The questions we ask ourselves guide our quest.

Do not ask ‘why’. “Why” will take you down the path of rationalization rather than toward inner guidance. Ask an open-ended question that is free of imbedded assumptions. Practice choosing questions that help you go in the direction of ultimate happiness instead of needing to be right or wrong. 

During one of our Embodied Awareness seminars we used a  sentence completion exercise to expand intuitive perception and cultivate the inner Observer and therefore spiritual discernment, by answering a series of questions. As a continuation of the previous blog post, Come To Your Senses, the question “What is my life in service of….” is the next in the series. Here are some of the responses:

My life is in service of…deep connection.

My life is in service of…transformation.

My life is in service of…self actualization.

My life is in service of…transformational guidance.

My life is in service of…self acceptance.

My life is in service of…finding joy from a lost child.

My life is in service of…love and joy.

My life is in service of…developing intuition.

My life is in service of…continually seeking truth and  authenticity.

My life is in service of…the fertility of darkness.

{Artist Unkown}

{Artist Unknown}

My life is in service of…exploration and introspection.

My life is in service of…spiritual pilgrimage.

My life is in service of…personal introspection.

My life is in service of…self observation without judgement.

My life is in service of…love.

My life is in service of…divine light.

My life is in service of passion and joy.

My life is in service of…inviting voices to sing.

My life is in service of vitality.

My life is in service of…being a vessel and a voice.

My life is in service of…happiness.

My life is in service of…truth and community.

My life is in service of…spreading wings through empowering myself and others.

Your invitation:

What is your life in service of?

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Come To Your Senses

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As we  give birth to a new era for humanity and build our global community, it is important to use all your intuitive processing skills. This is especially important during cycles of high stress, accelerated change and rapid transformation.

Come to your senses. Learn to follow the signals and make sense of them. They will guide you to act. We are all being guided by the same, ultimate and universal intelligence that extends through all existence, including human consciousness. This intelligence that resides within you is guiding your (and our) evolution-beyond the stress that comes with fear of death (whether ego death or otherwise), toward both a personal rebirth and collective renewal.

Begin your journey to consciously evolve your brain. Reflect on your experiences. Make sense of your experience by using all your senses. Explore each subtle signal as distinct. Intuitive processing synthesizes the various signals received from your thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions (neocortex, limbic brain and the sensory-motor brain). Self reflection, and making new connections i.e. ‘making sense’ of your experiences (and all the input you receive from various physical and subtle signals) actually builds new integrative neural fibers in your prefrontal lobes. [ Radical Self Care, Chapter 5 “The 12 Senses of Embodied Awareness”. Dr. Beth Hedva.]

Intuition comes from the Latin root word tueri, which translates as “to observe, to guard, to protect.’ By developing our inner Observer or “Witness” we naturally awaken our intuitive capacities. During one of our Embodied Awareness seminars we used a  sentence completion exercise to expand intuitive perception and cultivate the inner Observer, by answering the question “What I am aware of in this moment is. . . ”

We passed a piece of flourite around the circle (along with a hand held recorder). They became our symbolic ‘talking stalk’ Who ever held the object would speak, and when complete, would pass the objects to the next person in the circle. Round and round the circle we went, each person adding one awareness, and through the process awareness expanded and deepened. Here are some examples:

What I am aware of in this moment is…possibilities.

What I am aware of in this moment is…integration.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the power of intuitive connection.

What I am aware of in this moment is…questions.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the power of other’s ability to see the places I don’t want them to.

What I am aware of in this moment is…guidance and unity.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the power of vulnerability.

What I am aware of in this moment is…strength.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the contrast between the medicine and agitation of relentlessness.

What I am aware of in this moment is…potential.

What I am aware of in this moment is…binding of energy.

What I am aware of in this moment is…truth and sincerity.

What I am aware of in this moment is this (microphone) is not nearly as satisfying as the rock (flourite we were using as a talking piece).

What I am aware of in this moment is…unfurling.

What I am aware of in this moment is…gratitude for circle process.

What I am aware of in this moment is…opening to new perspectives.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the power of creativity and how surrender can be side tracked by taking detours.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the aliveness of intuition.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the edges of breakthrough.

What I am aware of in this moment is…acceptance.

What I am aware of in this moment is…emotions.

What I am aware of in this moment is…is this moment.

What I am aware of in this moment is…opportunity for integration.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the energy of creativity.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the intuitive importance of resistance and how it can act as a blind spot.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the power of insight,  peacefulness and creativity.

What I am aware of in this moment is…physical sensations coming up in my body as my intuitive resistance voice is rising.

What I am aware of in this moment is…how sleepy I became in the last minute.

What I am aware of in this moment is…the both the desire to escape and to hold a flash light to discover where all the shadows are.

What I am aware of in this moment is…an art piece being created.

What I am aware of in this moment is…sense of stillness.

Your invitation:

What are you aware of in this moment?

Beyond Spiritual Bypass

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{ Artist: Susan Sedon Boulet }

{ Artist: Susan Sedon Boulet }

Resistance to spiritual growth can take the form of a spiritual by-pass and psychological resistance to our thoughts, feelings, intuitions and deeper spiritual truth.  Embodiment means being whole—experiencing your feelings, thoughts and subtle impressions here and now–in your body, and letting them move you to new insights, awareness, and behaviours.

Spiritual by-pass is a term coined by transpersonal psychologist John Welwood.   In his article Principles of Innerwork, Psychological and Spiritual, Welwood describes three common traps when we begin to open spiritually. . .and all three can act as barriers to intuition by distorting our perception.

1. Mental By-Pass: ‘In your head’—a belief that the spiritual world is ‘better’
2. Spiritual By-Pass: Psuedo-detachment. (This is not the same as ‘non-attachement.  It is a way you avoid doing your personal and emotional work by disociating or pretending to be ‘above’ it.)
3. Emotional By-Pass: Over-processing of emotions. (Getting stuck in, or ‘addicted’ to the intensity of your feelings)

Spiritual by-pass is full of shadows.  AND, it is common to confront the ‘shadow’ when ever we go into unknown territory.  As we find our way through, we are able to mine precious gems and hidden resources found beneath the surface of our ordinary awareness, deep in the ground of being .

Take note:

Which are your favorite forms or resistance?

How do you find your way beyond the resistance?

How do you know when you are on the other side?

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After one of our Embodied Awareness seminars, one participant, a corporate Coach, shared gratitudes with the class as she shared what she had learned about herself and her relationship to resistance:

“I want to convey a real sense of gratitude for the reflections from each of you today. I have had a real movement through my resistance.

I have danced with my resistance gnome for awhile. I really felt like instead of feeling, “Overpower! Overcome! Annihilate!  I feel like I can now live with my resistance–and it’s always going to hang around–but that’s not going to stop me from moving forward. . . .

Kinesthetic impressions have helped me make resistance a partner, rather than battle it – big move today- Oh my Gosh! I can live with this – not like a disease live with it – sort of like you’re going to live in my little back pack for awhile, like a little gremlin. That’s ok!  I can share partnership with my resistance.

It keeps me aware.
It keeps me in the trenches.
It reminds me what others may be up against.

{Artist: Brian Froud}

{Artist: Brian Froud}