We are so blessed to have been given this amazing body that allows us to inhabit this life experience. Much of the joy we can get from it depends on our health or lack of it.
For the most part, we can contribute enormously to our physical well-being by being aware of how our body reacts to what we eat. Fortunately, we have so much information now on what is good and what is not good for us. […]
Self-Compassion
How to work with anger
Monica explores how to meet anger with conscious awareness
This article was first published on Lion’s Roar on June 28, 2022.
While I don’t consider myself an angry person, I have always had an open curiosity about anger. As a child, I remember experiencing deep fear in the chaotic moments of my mother’s angry spells. I felt helpless and anxious, but I suppressed these emotions because of my fear of adding more intensity to my mom’s outbursts, […]
Good Enough ~ The Story of the Golden Buddha
The Story of the Golden Buddha is a well-known tale from Thailand, rooted in Buddhist tradition and history.
It serves as a powerful parable about inner worth, often shared in teachings on self-discovery, enlightenment, and the Buddha nature within all beings.
The Story
Centuries ago (likely in the 13th or14th century during the Sukhothai period), artisans created a magnificent statue of the Buddha, cast entirely from solid gold, standing about 3 meters (10 feet) tall and weighing around 5.5 tons. […]
The 6 Types of Resentment
What is Resentment?
Resentment is the perception of being treated unfairly, emphasizing perception because it is tied to our thoughts and beliefs which shape the feeling. It’s often “anger that’s waiting” for acknowledgment, repair, or change.
As we will see in this blog, there are many types of resentment. Some types signal important internal processes, care, or protection rather than pure negativity.
Resentment is a bitter indignation that consumes you from the inside out. […]
What’s the Difference Between Pain & Suffering?
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. […]
How to Process Anxiety & Grief
If fear and anxiety are flowing through your system now. If your heart feels tender and raw for the challenges you are going through. If you are tired of so much suffering. If you find yourself irritated longing for the uncertainty to finally come to an end, know that there are ways to come back to balance.
Do not judge yourself. There is a healthy place for those emotions. […]
Meditation on Connecting to your Inner Child
This meditation is part of the “Connecting to your Inner Child” introduction.
Connecting with your inner child is important because it allows you to heal unresolved emotional wounds from childhood, leading to greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional balance. This part of you holds both the joy and innocence of childhood, as well as unmet needs, fears, and traumas that can influence adult behavior, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, anger or difficulty setting boundaries.
By acknowledging and nurturing your inner child, […]
6 Simple Ways to Bring Yourself Back to Calm
Have you been worrying or thinking too much to the point of creating anxiety, feeling an intermittent anxiety background hum that puts you at the verge of reactivity at the slight trigger?
If you do not interrupt that pattern, your nervous system may get stuck in overdrive.
It is then that you need tools that work quickly and quietly – like turning down the volume without anyone knowing.
Six science-backed ways to bring yourself back to calm
Here are 6 science-backed ways to bring yourself back to calm, […]
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? […]