Have you ever heard the Buddhist story of The Second Arrow? It’s a powerful metaphor. It teaches us a lot about how to deal with pain and suffering in our lives.
The story goes like this: Imagine you’re out walking in the forest, and suddenly, you get struck by an arrow. Ouch! That hurts.
That first arrow represents the inevitable pain and difficulties we all face in life: physical pain, emotional heartbreak, loss, struggle and so on. […]
Challenges
The DARVO Tactic
The DARVO Tactic is one of the most disorienting manipulation tactics out there, and once you know what it is, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.
What does the term stand for?
DENY
ATTACK and
REVERSE VICTIM and
OFFENDER
It’s a way to shift blame away from the abuser and make you seem like the one at fault. […]
Walking on Eggshells
What does it Feel like Walking on Eggshells?
In a safe relationship you thrive. You feel safe to be who you are. Emotions are disclosed and talked about.
In our early childhood, some of us were conditioned to mind read, walk on egg shells, and be responsible for people’s emotions. We were hyper vigilant because we had to be, but not any more.
Walking on eggshells around someone can be one of the most mentally and emotionally draining experiences. […]
The High Cost of Avoiding Self-Work
I know it can be super tempting to just sweep things under the rug and avoid dealing with the tough stuff, but trust me, that avoidance ends up costing you big time down the road.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again – people who just keep putting off that self-work, whether it’s addressing unhealthy patterns in their relationships, getting their finances in order, or taking care of their physical and mental health.
And you know what happens? […]
Spiritual Bypassing
What is Spiritual Bypassing?
Spiritual Bypassing or Spiritual Materialism, has become rampant lately in both religious and non-religious circles. But what is Spiritual Bypassing?
According to author Teal Swan, it is the practice of using spiritual beliefs to avoid facing or healing one’s painful feelings, unresolved wounds and unmet needs. It is a state of avoidance and therefore it is a state of RESISTANCE. […]
Simple Was Satisfying
The cultivation of mindfulness is key to waking up and fully experiencing simple pleasures. Simple pleasures are small things that don’t cost much, if anything at all.
Some examples (among my personal favorites) are:
* going to bed with freshly clean sheets,
* taking a bubble bath,
* listening to your favorite music,
* looking up at the moon and stars,
* feeling the shade of a tree canopy on a hot day,
* sipping a cup of tea in front of a crackling fire on a cold day, […]
Four Steps to Overcoming Suffering
In his profound work, “A New Earth,” Eckhart Tolle illuminates the path to liberation from suffering through a four-step process.
At the core of his teachings, lies the recognition that resistance is the root cause of our affliction, while acceptance paves the way to freedom.
The first step on this transformative journey is to become aware of the present moment. Tolle emphasizes the importance of cultivating a heightened state of consciousness, […]
The Experience of High Functioning Anxiety
High-functioning anxiety is the quiet storm beneath a calm surface.
It’s when you’re crushing it—work, goals, life—but inside, your mind’s racing, overthinking every move, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
You look ‘fine,’ even thriving, yet you’re battling constant worry, perfectionism, rumination or that nagging need to stay busy.
It’s a hidden struggle where success masks the chaos—proof you can be high-achieving and still need a breather. You’re not alone in this; even the strongest carry silent weights. […]
The Greatest Burden
“The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of the parents.”
It’s a heavy truth. When parents don’t chase their dreams or heal their wounds, the weight of their unresolved issues often falls on their kids.
When parents have unresolved issues, unfulfilled hopes, unspoken regrets, or suppressed passions, they often unconsciously project them on to their children.
This can create a lot of pressure for the son or daughter to fulfill what his/her parent could not. […]
Challenges & Personal Growth
Challenges are the fuel for growth, progress, and learning. When we are in the midst of a challenge, we usually feel overwhelmed & discouraged.
We fear that things will never change, that we do not have the resources to navigate the difficulties.
Remembering that things do not happen to us, that they happen FOR us, helps us to take a different perspective.
It may look horrible right now; you may feel that this “winter” in your life will never go by. […]
