We cannot live in a world that is not our own,
in a world that is interpreted for us by others.
Part of the terror is to take back our own listening,
to use our own voice, to see our own light.
~~ Hildegard de Bingen
Greetings to all my precious people!!!
June has arrived with the promise of Summer not far behind. There is a flurry of activities as the school year winds down and the scent of sunscreen and peonies catches on the breeze. We are also amidst potent astrological conjunctions in this season of Gemini, and the message is clear: be aware of the insights and intentions to make the world a better place by choosing to work together.
The New Moon in Gemini commenced on Thursday June 6 at 8:37 a.m. EDT. New moons mark the beginning of the lunar cycle, offering a fresh start and this new moon in Gemini is a marvelous time to set intentions and manifest. Opportunities will feel limitless because there are more invitations to experiment and switch paths, to embrace a new game plan as we imagine “suppose and what if.” Our minds will be open, allowing us to communicate our innermost sentiments, and talking about what matters out loud will offer us the chance to tend to our wounds and release our trauma.
Tending to our wounds and releasing our trauma! Where is that magic wand?
We all have wounds and trauma of varying degrees. This is part of the human experience. Stephen Levine, American writer, poet, Buddhist teacher and renowned grief counselor, described this collection of Unattended Sorrow accumulated over a lifetime: it is like a low grade fever; it troubles our sleep and drains away our days; it scatters intuition and creates an underlying anxiety; it sours the eye and the ear and leaves a distaste in the mouth; it’s the vague uncertainty that permeates every thought before every action; it’s the heart working as hard as it can.
More often than not, these unattended sorrows are at the root of disharmony and distress in our daily lives. But when we are unable – or unwilling – to slow down, to pay attention to the messages from the body, we suffer from maladies that can only be temporarily soothed by whatever substances we choose to indulge. True healing requires us to be able to sit with our Self and hold compassion and loving-kindness as our beginning points of the journey. But these are skills that have not been taught in school, and not demonstrated in our family of origin, nor in our multiple circles of friends and acquaintances. How can we begin to support our own Self in order to nourish and nurture our vital energy source?
Authentic awareness is the key!!!
Did you know that there is research to support the notion of Authenticity and Brain Health? According to the authors in the paper published in Frontiers in Neurology: Authenticity is a value with direct relevance to brain health. It is defined as the consistency between an entity’s internal values and its external expressions or, simply, being true to oneself. Brain health is “a life-long, multidimensional, dynamic state consisting of cognitive, emotional, and motor domains underpinned by physiological processes”.
The hunger for authenticity guides us throughout our lives. And the definition for “authentic” includes the following: genuine, original, real, actual, true. But what does it really mean to be an authentic person living an authentic life?
Stephen Joseph, PhD, the author of Authentic: How to be Yourself and Why it Matters, has conducted years of study and research on authenticity. According to his findings, authentic people:
- Know themselves
- Are able to listen to their inner voice
- Can understand the complexities of their feelings
- Are able to face up to the truth about themselves, no matter how unpleasant
He says that “in contrast, people who are alienated from themselves fail to go with their intuitions, they get confused about their emotions and make poor decisions for themselves, instead of doing what they think will please others.”
Stephen Joseph has pioneered developments with research into authenticity, gathering the insights and research of psychologists, and case studies from his own and others’ clinical experiences, to demonstrate how authenticity is the foundation of human flourishing. He and his team drew upon the solid science of positive psychology to develop what has become one of the gold-standard tests for assessing authenticity. His and others’ findings reveal that when people are in relationships in which they feel accepted, understood and valued, they drop their defenses. They naturally begin to examine themselves psychologically, accommodate new information and live more authentically. Additionally, the latest studies reveal that it is authenticity that leads to true happiness. For more details, check out this link for Authentic Happiness at the University of Pennsylvania.
The number one way authenticity gets derailed is when one does not trust their own inner knowing and instead relies upon others and the outside world to determine who they should be. To live authentically is to be fully in tune to your inner experience, from intuitive inklings to body responses, to emotions, and to thoughts and creative ideas that come forth from these inner feelings and sensations. It is about getting to the core of your way of being and determining if this way of being is “life-draining” or “life-giving.”
So what are some practical and tactical ways to implement authentic awareness?
Mindfulness and Presence
- Mindfulness: Being fully present and engaged in the current moment without judgment. It involves observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise without trying to alter or suppress them.
- Presence: Maintaining a focused state of awareness in the present moment, rather than being preoccupied with the past or future.
Self-Awareness
- Internal Insight: Recognizing and understanding one’s own thoughts, emotions, motivations, and behaviors. This includes being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Self-Reflection: Regularly examining one’s inner life and experiences to gain deeper insights into oneself.
Authenticity
- True to Oneself: Living in a way that is congruent with one’s values, beliefs, and true nature. It means being genuine and honest with oneself and others.
- Vulnerability: Being open about one’s true feelings and experiences, even when it involves admitting weaknesses or mistakes.
Acceptance
- Non-Judgmental Attitude: Accepting oneself and others without harsh judgment. This involves acknowledging imperfections and embracing them as part of the human experience.
- Compassion: Showing kindness and understanding towards oneself and others, recognizing shared humanity.
Interpersonal Awareness
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others. This involves being attuned to others’ emotions and experiences.
- Authentic Relationships: Building genuine connections based on honesty, trust, and mutual respect.
Practical Applications
- Personal Growth: Using authentic awareness as a tool for self-improvement and personal development.
- Mental Health: Enhancing well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression through mindfulness and acceptance.
- Professional Settings: Fostering authentic leadership, improving communication, and building cohesive teams.
Philosophical and Spiritual Dimensions
- Existential Awareness: Understanding one’s place in the world and grappling with existential questions about meaning and purpose.
- Spiritual Practices: Engaging in practices that promote inner peace and a deeper connection with the universe, such as meditation, yoga, or contemplative prayer.
All of this is meant to spark your curiosity and imagine a new way of looking at the world, your own Self, and how you want to choose to show up and contribute during your Earth journey. Promoting health and wellness by implementing changes that are self-directed offers you the opportunity to participate in your own healing. I will remind you that YOU are the miracle in the equation and if you can choose to engage CURIOSITY – OPTIMISM – AWARENESS as the catalysts for shift – it will be like a compass guiding you through a vast landscape of knowledge and experience.
I believe we have the power to heal on many levels, and we are all capable of tapping into our innate healing abilities. The body is a miraculous interconnected system that can heal itself when given the appropriate support and nourishment – and this goes beyond food and supplements. It is the mind-body-spirit nourishment that offers the practical magic for change, so that all levels are supported.
The answers to health and wellness reside in your heart. I help people learn how to listen to their body’s wisdom and reconnect the unconscious mind to nurture the mind-body connection. Doing this work allows people to realize their full capacity and choose to live a life aligned with their values, nourished by their dreams and desires. Together, we co-create opportunities for healing as the process unfolds.
I offer compassionate, attentive care. I see you. I hear you. I celebrate your journey. As an experienced clinician, I support patients as they come home to themselves, reconnecting the mind, body and spirit. This is my greatest passion: to serve as a facilitator, navigator and coach as you transcend old patterns and come into alignment with your best self. Are you ready to choose your Self and celebrate your gifts? Are you ready to manifest your Authentic Self that is abundant with health and vitality? Commit to being present and living your life with intention. Schedule an appointment today and begin to step into your power of self-directed practical magic.
