Why Shamanism?

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Many people ask me what shamanism is and why bother? Some people have shared with me recently that they are intrigued and feeling the draw toward it but still a bit nervous to actually take part in any shamanic practices. I totally get that!  I thought I’d share my own reflections at this point from the little bit of experience I have, and the help it has provided me in following my own unique path.

Three years ago I was not yet open to shamanism. It was my mother’s path and seemed a bit ‘way out’. I saw drums and rattles, burning sage and fire-walking, and my lack of understanding allowed for distrust, skepticism and probably fear.

As I advanced along my own path of personal development, I intuitively sought out something to guide me deeper into knowing myself and my potential, releasing my fears and connecting to the world around me, so that I could live with more freedom and purpose.

Spring_has_sprung_and_drumming

I had a first private shamanic counselling session with Martin Duffy in July 2010. It was a deeply moving experience for me. It didn’t look much different to a normal therapy session for the most part, except that as well as talking, it also included a little bit of meditation and an inner ‘journey’, into my imagination if you like, as Martin drummed and journeyed himself.  Ok, so that is massively different!! And it felt very different!

For the first time I felt I was seen and accompanied in my entirety and I was given permission and the sense of safety to open to this. So not just my mind or thoughts or beliefs; not just my body; not just my emotions; not just all of these in my current life, but my whole essence was taken into account. It was as though the memories of every cell in my body and all of those unconscious, hidden, difficult to comprehend senses were being given space, meaning, and recognition. There was a sense of knowing far beyond the rational mind as my body and soul reacted. And as I released, a tiny opening came, like a door just eeking open to hint that there was a way forward and something greater to be experienced.

Ok, that might seem a bit ‘way out’! And it is my personal experience so you may not connect with it directly. But bear with me….

Making it real

What was so important and transformative for me in this first experience was not only Martin’s ability to create, hold and accompany me with great empathy and clarity into that space, but also his guidance in making my new-found awareness and wisdom very real and concrete for my everyday living. What exactly was I going to DO about it?! What action could I take in my situation? At the time I was dealing with my long-held limiting beliefs and fears and my intuitive desire to follow my own yoga / massage / healing path.

And this is what I find really interesting for each of us and our society today.

Shamanism for Today

Shamanism may be the most ancient belief system to exist, practiced by rural peoples and separated cultures all over the world, but it is hugely relevant for our current times, for each of us as individuals and for community at large.

You don’t need to be a long-haired hippy, wearing funny clothes, and into magic! Sure there may be some of them attracted to it. But in fact, accessing deeper levels of intuition and awareness requires a clear and grounded intent in our physical, embodied reality. We are here in theses bodies and in this life and at this time in history for a reason. Many of us, much of the time, confine or limit our reality to the physical and material. Some of us seek to escape it through the spiritual and other-worldly. But it is only when we are truly grounded and fully aware of and present in our bodies that we can access and make use of our real power and tap into a bigger wisdom.

So I have been exploring a little bit the shamanic path since then for myself, including an introductory workshop and the summer solstice workshop at the Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies, drumming circles and the winter solstice with Irène Zumsteg in Mutrux, Switzerland, and experiencing practices like journeying, shapeshifting, drumming, trance dancing, community sharing, fire-walking and sweat lodge. My Mom, Annette Peard, and I also ran a yoga and shamanism retreat together, where many of us were blown away with the awareness that emerged.

Shapeshifting

What benefits?

I have discovered that this is a profoundly natural human path toward living authentically, wholeheartedly, harmoniously and in peace in the NOW. For me, shamanism provides me tools and skills to tap into my inner guidance system

and to connect deeply with nature and the world around me. It encourages me to move beyond the trickery of my rational mind and connect to something bigger than me. This helps me feel confident in following my own unique path and soften into life.

Based on this personal experience, I find there is huge complimentarity between Shamanism and Yoga. Both help us to connect inward, to evolve, to open up to our full potential and purpose in this lifetime, and to recognise that there is no separation, all is One.

As I say all the time in my yoga classes, there is SO much to be discovered in letting go and opening up. What we have learned is so limited compared to the real potential we have when we let go of the rational mind to listen, observe and feel.

I am very much a débutante on this path but I can see that the journey is a beautiful adventure!!

What about  you? I’d love to hear from others about your experiences. Do you feel similarly or is shamanism a very different journey for you?

 

Join me in Ireland for the Summer Solstice!

I’ll be heading back to Ireland again for a shamanic celebration and workshop over the Summer Solstice, 19 – 24 June 2013, at the Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies. If you are interested to join me check out the details here!

From anxiety and perfectionism to Being Me!

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What if it was enough just to be me? What if it was enough just to show up? 

For any perfectionists out there that idea might seem quite foreign or even scary, and you may never have consciously reflected on it before. 

Perfectionism often goes hand in hand with anxiety. They can be mutually supportive strategies. In other words, in my desire to be perfect, I have an underlying anxiety that keeps me always striving to do better, to do more.

But as Brené Brown says, “perfectionism is not about striving for excellence, or a healthy striving, it is a cognitive behavioural process that says if  I look perfect, do it perfect, say it perfect…. i can avoid or minimise shame, blame or judgement.”

Wow! Those are pretty uncomfortable feelings alright, and most of us would do whatever it takes to avoid them. Underneath the surface then, behind the protective armour of the perfectionist, is a deep fear of revealing himself or herself to the world in case that will be judged as not enough, unworthy or even bad. And if that is the case, he or she would presumably not be loved.

Isn’t it crazy how our unconscious mind works ?!

Anxiety combined with perfectionism is an attempt to avoid  failing or not being good enough. Have you noticed though how tiring and restrictive it feels to be constantly trying to achieve perfection ? And do you ever achieve it ?

Here’s a thought. Tiredeness is a result of our efforts to be something that we are not, or to be more than we fear we are.

What is the opposite? Authenticity. Being me. Raw and naked as I come!!!

So I repeat…. What if it was Enough just to Be Me ?

I may not be perfect

Of course it is ! It always is. We may still be shamed, blamed and judged, but that does not actually mean that it is not enough or ok to be me. And it does not mean either that we will actually feel or assume the shame, blame or judgement that is coming at us from others. That’s coming from their own fears. I would say, rather, that ‘being me’ is so much more powerful and empowering than not. Brené Brown of course explains this best !

Being me is a practice of Respect.

What do I mean by this? As I show up, raw and naked, without trying to protect a part of who I might be, or cover up my shame, I am present with you. I am daring to reveal myself to you.  So as I respect, and love and  accept myself, I am naturally led to respect, love and accept you.

Being me is to be Safe.

Without the layers of protection, and commentaries in the mind of how I might be judged or how I might improve, I am radically present. I am connected to my body and my intuition, and I can therefore act and react in ways that are right in that moment, for both my safety and my joy.

Being me is Healing.

As I connect with me I begin to become conscious of what moves me. As I become conscious I can make choices to move toward what brings me joy and well-being in my life.

Similarly, as I connect with me and reveal that to you, I provide you the space to do the same, and I notice that we in fact are the same ! I see what it is that connects us rather than separates us.

Being me is the road to Greatness.

This is a recognition that is changing my life !  In an attempt to be perfect I am missing out on the real opportunity to be Great ! As I let go to reveal myself to the world and become all that I am, I am in fact discovering my innate wisdom, inner power and unique potential.

So I leave you with this thought !

 Don’t be perfect – Be GREAT !

Other related posts in this series: 

Anxiety

Stability or Anxiety? You Choose! 

Stability or Anxiety? – You choose!

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Key to making any change in our lives is becoming aware and taking responsibility for our own happiness.

In my post on Anxiety, I suggested a first step on acknowledging your anxiety. Now here is a simple yet potentially transformational process to reflect further on your habits and patterns in daily life that might increase or decrease anxiety.

Finding balance. Photo: tropicphoto.net

Finding balance. Photo: tropicphoto.net

 1. Anxiety List : Write a list of the activities, people, places or common thoughts, that make you feel nervous or anxious

For instance, spending too much time on facebook, procrastinating, public speaking, not leaving enough time to get to appointments, worrying about the well-being of others, thinking about the future, watching the news, listening to certain colleagues gossip or complain, imagining what others are thinking…..   Can you identify in each of the items on your list, what it is that makes you feel anxious? What thought or feeling do they arouse?

 2. Observe your habits in daily life 

After writing the first draft of your Anxiety List, start to become more aware in your daily life and continue to note down when you are feeling anxious and what might have stimulated it. This way you may start to see some patterns emerge or become aware of habits that are causing anxiety. You may begin to notice a pattern of common thoughts, such as “Am I good enough?” or “What if I fail”. You may notice patterns of self-sabotage, so even though you know watching television doesn’t make you feel good, you do it anyway as a means to avoid your thoughts and numb the mind. Or maybe you don’t like to speak your mind and so your thoughts build up inside you.

 3. Stability List : Now write a list of activities, people, places or common thoughts, that give you a sense of ease and stability.

For example, walks in nature, gardening, driving at the speed limit, eating slowly, spending time with your kids, dance, yoga, meditation, sport, massage, optimistic colleagues, reading inspiring books or watching TED talks, saying “I am perfect just the way I am”…..  Notice how you feel as you reflect on these items and the kind of thoughts that arise.

Stability in Tree Pose. Photo: Tropicphoto.net

Stability in Tree Pose. Photo: Tropicphoto.net

4. Stability or Anxiety? You choose!

Once you become more aware of your anxiety and negative habits or patterns in your life you get to choose. This is where you take responsibility for your own well-being and happiness. Do I want to continue feeling anxious and living in a way that stimulates a sense of worry and fear? Or do I want to live in a way that I feel free, whole and happy?

It takes time and discipline to break or change a habit, as well as commitment, courage and self-compassion. But it is also enjoyable as you make progress and I promise, this is the road to freedom my friends!

a) Drop one item from your Anxiety List 

Choose one point from the Anxiety List that you can reduce, modify or completely stop doing / being / thinking, and practice this for one full month. Then, once this has become a good habit fully integrated into your life, choose another point to work on for one month. Don’t be tempted to take on more than one item at a time and if you slip up one day, commit yourself even more strongly to it the next day. Never let two days slip. Share your goal with friends or family to help keep you motivated, on track and celebrating your success.

 b) Take up one item from your Stability List

Take one point from your Stability List, and practice doing / being / thinking more of that every day for one month. You may find this item can actually fill the space of the item from your Anxiety List. So for instance, instead of checking facebook in the evening you will go for a walk in nature. Or instead of always leaving last minute for appointments, you leave 15 minutes earlier and take your time to get there. Again choose one at a time for each month.

You may go through this process a number of times and each time adjust a little as you learn and progress in managing your anxiety.

Of course, we cannot avoid or remove all things we find challenging in life and in future posts I will suggest techniques to help generally manage and reduce anxiety when it is present, as well as our potential attachment to feeling anxious.

Anxiety

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Being anxious keeps me alert, on the ball and maybe even a couple of steps ahead of the game! It means I pay particular attention to detail, other people’s reactions and am rarely late. In many ways it works ! It is a self-reinforcing strategy.

But on the other hand it is uncomfortable, tiring and restrictive. It is the opposite to freedom. When I am anxious it adversely affects my sleep, my digestive system and creates muscle tension.

I had to giggle when I read wikipedia’s definition of anxiety which includes that “anxiety is paranoia of something out there that seems menacing but may not be menacing and may not even be out there.”

Anxious

But anxiety is not a laughing matter for people who suffer it in their daily lives. And if that is you, you are not alone !! Apparently, anxiety disorders, including General Anxiety Disorder, are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults or 18% of the population[1]. The UN World Health Organization (WHO), reported in 2004[2] already that anxiety disorders were the most common disorders in 13 countries out of 14 they studied (including U.S., Mexico, Columbia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Lebanon, Nigeria, Japan, and People’s Republic of China).

When anxious we spin into the future, preparing to cope with possible negative events. What would happen if….? It is basically praying for what you don’t want.

Anxiety is like kicking for goal while looking at the goalkeeper, or crossing a tight rope looking at the ground!!!

Anxiety is not Healthy

The body responds to anxiety in a similar way as if there is a real threat (even though it is just in the mind). The sympathetic nervous system is fired up and the body releases stress hormones. Blood pressure, heart rate and perspiration are increased and blood flows to the major muscle groups, preparing for a ‘fight or flight’ response. The immune, digestive and reproductive systems are inhibited. 

It takes the body 24 hours, apparently, to break down these impacts of a stressful situation. Imagine so the impact when your anxiety or stress continues over longer periods of time or even for years!! Is it any wonder then that we have chronic muscle tension, weak immune systems, heart problems, burn-out, difficult digestion, problems conceiving, and so on? When the nervous system gets messed up it takes a long time to recover. More than a holiday or a few weeks off work, it is more like years that are needed to recover, and more importantly, a change in attitude and way of being.

Anxiety, whether a diagnosed disorder or something you feel more or less often, is not healthy and not fun. It holds you back from living your full potential and being truly happy.

Overcoming Anxiety

The good news though is that it is totally treatable and you can do a whole lot yourself when you take responsibility to manage and overcome anxiety and live the life of your dreams !

Here is the first step!

Step One: Acknowledge your Anxiety

The first step of change and taking responsibility for your life is acknowledgement, and in this case acknowledgement of when you are feeling a sense of anxiety. This seems silly but in fact only recently did I really stop and reflect on what was happening when I was feeling anxious. At these moments, notice and say to yourself, “I am feeling a sense of anxiety” or “I have an anxious state of mind”. Saying it like this is quite different from saying “I am anxious”. Notice the difference as you say it and notice what is happening in your body. At this stage and in the days to come, just work on this acknowledgement. 

In a series of posts, I am going to explore anxiety a little more and propose some tools that I am finding helpful to better understand and manage it. We are also practicing these tools and sharing experiences each week in my Restorative Yoga classes in case you live nearby and want to join.

I hope you’ll find this series useful.

Related Posts in the Series: (I’ll keep adding links as I post them)

1. Stability or Anxiety? You Choose!! 

2. From anxiety and perfectionism to Being Me!

[1] Source: National Institute of Mental Health. (2009).

[2] Results of WHO study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004

5 Reminders for Realizing your New Year’s Resolutions

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We often start off the year filled with enthusiasm and hope, good intentions and desire for self-fulfillment. By the end of January the body can feel tired, the motivation dwindling and old habits and patterns threatening to take hold again.  Arrrrr!

 

Welcome to being HUMAN!!

 

So how do we stay true to a desire to improve our lives and really bring about the transformations we want? How do we navigate uncontrollable and changing circumstances and our frustratingly deviant minds?

 

Personally I am in constant search for the answers to these questions! I believe it is an ongoing process of exploration, including setbacks and progress. It is above all a learning journey called conscious living.

calvin-hobbes-new-years-resolutions

This topic is of course massive! The tips below are a few reminders that I am working with; each huge areas to explore in life and in a daily mindful practice, such as yoga, meditation, tai chi or the like.

 

1. Know your heart’s desire

What is it that YOU really desire? What is it that your heart yearns for? Why is this important?

 

There’s no point having a whole list of unrealistic things you want to change, improve or have, many of them perhaps changing depending on your mood and what you see or hear, if you don’t understand what these desires are responding to within you.

 

Knowing the ‘why’ is critical before defining the ‘what’ in your resolution(s).

 

To know what we really desire we must do the work within! We must be still and listen and dig deep beneath the superficial layer of ego, attachment, fear and longing. Ways of doing this may include yoga, meditation, various psychosomatic therapies, self-development books or courses, sharing reflections with friends or family, and mindful creative expression.

 

It takes courage to go within and there is no one right path to do it but the reward is substantial!

 

2-minute exercise – Self Check-In

As a very simple exercise to know what you need right now, take 2 minutes to check-in with yourself. We are made up of four selves: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Allow yourself to be still and quiet. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and evenly into your belly for 10-20 breaths. Then bring to your mind each of the four selves, and observe the first thought or sensation that comes to you:

a)    The physical self (the body)

b)   The emotional self

c)    The intellectual self (the mind)

d)   The spiritual self

You may have thoughts or sensations that arise instantly, perhaps surprising you, about how you feel or what you need. Do you have the courage now to consider the best way to act on those for your own well-being?

 

2. Increase your willpower

Ouf, this is a tough one! Have we all got the same amount of willpower? Don’t write yourself off too quickly based on previous experiences. You have the choice and you can make anything happen! Willpower I believe depends a lot on knowing WHY you want something (point 1 above). But it’s not enough just to wish it to happen. You need to really want it and know that you will have it.

 

The more detailed you can be about your intention the better. Develop a very clear sensory image of the result. Can you see yourself? Can you feel what it will be like when you achieve it? Can you imagine how you will act in certain situations? Get it clear either through visualization or by creating a physical picture with cut-out images, drawings and colour.  Remind yourself of this each day, and especially when you feel the willpower fading. Make sure you stay charged up on energy too (see point 5 below).

 

Check out this awesome Pep Talk from Kid President!  and my post on Improving Self-Discipline.

 

Pep Talk from Kid President

Pep Talk from Kid President

3. Be aware of resistance

Resistance comes in different forms; sometimes conscious (procrastination), sometimes unconscious (illness, fear of letting go) and sometimes from uncontrollable external factors (weather, family members, job). The key is to become aware. When you are struggling to fulfill a resolution see if you can catch yourself making excuses and strategies of avoidance. Can you stop and ask yourself, ‘what are these feelings and thoughts?’, ‘what am I really afraid of?’, and ‘what is actually going on here?’. Simply acknowledging them can be the beginning of letting them dissolve.

 

Yoga practitioners might enjoy a great article by Sally Kempton on Freedom from Resistance.

 

4. Offer yourself self-compassion and forgiveness

We are all human. We all slip up at times and have setbacks. Sometimes those setbacks are way out of our control. Sometimes they are simply a loss of willpower. Rather than going ‘what the hell’ and indulging in negative thoughts, self-destructive habits or victimhood, try giving yourself the equivalent of a big hug like you would a child or a close friend who has had a setback.

 

Go back to the 2 minute self check-in exercise and consider what you really need at this moment (other than chocolate for instance!). Maybe it’s a massage, a fun day out with your best friend or a ritual to consciously let go of that which is holding you back (e.g. writing the word on a stone and throwing it into a stream).

 

5. Relax and Recharge

When we are rushed, stressed or tired it’s impossible to focus on what we really want and it’s all too easy to give up. The only cure is to take some time out, relax, connect with your body and recharge. Take a walk in nature, lie down on the floor for 20 minutes, go for a run or soak in a warm bath. After very little time at all, it is amazing how we remember what is important to us and refocus. So don’t wait for weekends and holidays! Find a way to relax every day to stay in touch with what is important to you, keep on track with your good intentions and recharge your willpower.

 

 

You are awesome. Make it happen!!

The Practice of Surrender

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The more I try to plan out my life, the more I find myself worrying and getting stressed. The more I let go, open up and listen, the more I find the right path and resources revealing themselves to me.

It is really nerve-racking, though, learning to trust in life. Giving up on trying to control and manipulate, as Donna Farhi says, “is like being suspended in the air between one trapeze bar and another”. What if…..?

trapeze-artist-photo-isp

But as I let go I feel my body soften. I feel the tension in my head release. I feel my heart open. I actually feel more alive, suspended between those two trapeze bars; more exposed and vulnerable too, but ready to reach out for the next opportunity that reveals itself. In that space I am connected to both my fears and my heart’s desires. I am also connected to a deeper wisdom, an innate intelligence. This allows me to consciously act, react and choose what feels authentic and right to me, rather than be driven by others and forces outside of myself.

This is the practice of ishvarapranidhana – surrendering to a higher force – the last of the ten principles for living happy. It requires going beyond the ‘me’, ‘my’, ‘I’ and all the personal drama, to seeing the bigger picture. It is recognition that there is some stronger universal force, bigger than me, guiding my life in some way. Why? Perhaps so that we can evolve.

As we open to this practice, suddenly, coincidences, accidents, experiences and changing circumstances start to become interesting learning opportunities and life becomes more of an adventure than a struggle!! We start to tap into our intuition and gut instincts and experience greater meaning in daily life.

I find that ishvarapranidhana is a potent antidote to mental agitation, anxiety, stress and feelings of confusion, being stuck or lost. So how can we learn to bring it into our lives? Here’s a few simple ideas.

Pause to notice 

When we stop being completely tied up with our own lives and open our senses to what’s going on around us, we become present. We notice that everything is interconnected, that life is in constant movement and that we don’t actually know or control everything. Our personal drama begins to fade in significance and we start to open up to life. Every day, as often as you can, gift yourself with moments to press  <pause> and notice. Breathe, feel, listen, smell, see, taste and notice what it means to be alive at that moment. What a shame it would be to miss it !

Spend time in nature

Nothing is better at teaching us to see the bigger picture and to surrender than nature. Indeed she reminds us regularly of her power! We quickly pale into insignificance as we stand by the ocean, on a mountain top or facing a storm. In nature there is wisdom. In nature we reconnect to our deeper selves. Take time regularly to be in nature without doing anything; to listen to nature without expecting anything, and to let nature be your teacher.

Practice corpse pose – savasana

One of yoga’s most difficult poses. The more you practice this pose, the more your life will change for the better!! It involves lying on the ground and surrendering completely to the moment. It helps if you are warm and comfortable, supported by some cushions and blankets, and in a quiet, dark space (although with practice you can learn to let go no matter what the noise around you). Let your feet relax outwards and your arms open away from the body. For 9 breaths make your exhale longer than your inhale and repeat to yourself internally “surrender”. Then release the breath and feel your body and mind letting go completely. Surrender all control. Stay here for about 20 minutes.  Enjoy !

Don’t fight it !

Next time you feel that something you are doing is a real struggle, or you feel stressed, indecisive, tired or resistant, try letting go a little rather than forcing through! Step back a while and take a breath. Maybe there is another way? Maybe this isn’t right for you just now? Maybe tomorrow will reveal a new option? Maybe you could reach out for support? You might just be pleasantly surprised by how it feels and what happens next.

With a little bit of experimentation I am discovering that life doesn’t have to be hard work !!

What do you think? What helps you surrender? In what ways has it helped you? Any nice surprises?

Other related posts: Letting go to reveal your happiness

Seeing Clearly Through Self-Study

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We each see and interpret the world through our own eyes and limited personal experiences. Each day we write, act in, direct, produce, watch and critique our own movie of every day life. So how can we know if we are right? And if I am right, does that mean you are wrong? 

Mantra Meditation

Svadhyaya in sanskrit means ‘to see the self clearly’ through the practice of ‘self-study’. It is one of Patanjali’s niyamas and, what I am calling, the ten principles for living happy.
While I accept that overdosing on ‘navel-gazing’ can cause you to miss the bigger picture, I think that a little more self-awareness would go a long way toward more peace and tolerance in the world!!!

Learn from life experiences

I really like the idea that our soul is guided toward that which will illuminate it. In other words, we are given or we seek out, often sub-consciously, opportunities to grow and evolve. Everything happens for a reason!! I like this because it helps me soften into life, open up and find meaning, even through the hard times.
These opportunities come through relationships, intimate or not, professional situations, our health or decisions in life, for instance. We may continue to find ourselves in similar situations and repetitive patterns until they have served their purpose and we have taken the opportunity to grow. These experiences are not necessarily good or bad. Granted, they may be more or less challenging. But it is only us that attach a label of good or bad, fair or unfair, right or wrong. Pain may not be avoided, but suffering is a choice!

Watch out for angels in disguise

A former boss of mine, at one time seemed to be the cause of my suffering. I was on the verge of burn-out, unable to complete a days work, physically and emotionally exhausted, lacking self-worth and unable to see beyond the burden of this relationship, as if he held the key to my happiness. In my desperation something shifted in me. It may have taken a long, hard 18 months to see it but when I finally got the message I recognized that this man was actually a gift and a teacher. He allowed me to become aware of and break a negative pattern that had been a driving force in my life for more than 30 years. From one day to the next our relationship changed, because I had changed. I’m not sure though he really understood me when I told him one day that he was my spiritual teacher!!!

Have the courage to resist nothing

The concept of Svadhyaya encourages us to observe ourselves as we go through everyday life. Rather than ignore our faults, hide our weaknesses behind a mask, or engage in self-loathing, we need a lot of compassion to acknowledge and even welcome them. It takes courage to stand still to receive critique, admit when wrong or face difficult situations. But as we learn to stick to the process and let go of resistance,  we may find that these challenging times provide the greatest opportunity to evolve.

Spread compassion through self-compassion

By offering yourself compassion and understanding in the first place, you are effectively training yourself to offer that same attitude when faced with faults or weaknesses in others. And here, I believe, is the potential for greater harmony and tolerance in society. It all begins within the Self!!

The Serenity Prayer provides a beautiful mantra:

 ”Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Step up to  fulfill your potential

Self-study is not just about self critique!! It is just as much about pushing the boundaries of your self-limitations. In life we may be drawn to fulfill our potential through sport, art, creative writing, cooking, music, science or medicine for example, or as a teacher, leader, volunteer or parent. Every individual has a different, unique way and unique purpose. Not everyone though dares to explore all they can be!

Learn from others

Interestingly, I think we can learn a lot about the Self through interaction with others. The greatest test of personal growth can be spending time with your parents and family!! When a friend makes a sharp personal comment or a neighbor vexes you, right there, in the fire of your reaction, you are faced with an opportunity to become aware and grow. You may choose a habitual and unconscious way to react or you may catch an insight into your fears, complexes and judgements. Mindful sharing, listening, reading, following various therapies and learning with teachers or trainers are also hugely valuable contributions to an ongoing process of self-study and evolution. There is so much to learn from those who have gone before us, as well as those who are experiencing life as newcomers!

Overall, I think an open, mindful and compassionate self-study goes a long way in helping us to see more clearly to find what is important, to see others beyond their facades and to make peace with life’s ups and downs.

Happy studying my friends…