3 Best Spiritual Life Coach Certifications Online (2024)

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3 Best Spiritual Life Coach Certifications Online

Best Overall

Runner Up

Best on a Budget

Introduction

As I researched online spiritual life coaching certification schools, I quickly came to realize that there aren’t all that many options.

Few schools appear to be extremely high quality.

You’ll be able to compare the most important factors when choosing the right online spiritual life coach Certification school for yourself in a head-to-head comparison.

Compare 3 Of The Best Online Spiritual Life Coach Certification Schools

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Coupon Codes	Coupon Code		Get 80% off through my link, applied at checkout

School	Natural Wellness Academy	Center for Transformational Coaching	Transformation Academy
	Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website
Certifications	Spiritual Wellness Specialist, Meditation & MIndfulness Instructor	Deep Transformational Coach	Master Spiritual Life Coach
Help you stand out from the competition	✔	✔
ICF Accredited		✔
Can Start Anytime	✔		✔
Prerequisite Requirements	None	None	None
Length of Program	9-12 months	5 months	Self-paced
Total Hours	180 (including self-study time)	98+ (including self-study time)	9+ hours of video (not including self-study time)
Hours/week	4+ hrs	5 hrs	Any
1-on-1 Mentoring	✔	✔
Live Coaching Practice	✔	✔
Learn to Incorporate Meditation and/or Spiritual Coaching into Your Practice	✔	✔
Live and/or Recorded Webinars	✔	✔
PDF Downloads For Modules	✔	✔	✔
Video Content For Modules	✔	✔	✔
Lifetime Access To Resources	✔	✔	✔
Learn How To Start Your Own Spiritual Coaching Business Practice	✔	✔
Business Marketing	✔	✔
Private Facebook Group	✔ (forum)	✔ (forum)
Investment (if paid in full)	$2495 (Get 10% with coupon code)	$4099 ($3799 for early-bird)	$497 (Get 80% off through my link, applied at checkout)
Payment Plan	Available upon request	See Review	None
	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review
	Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website

#1 Online Spiritual Life Coach Certification School

School: Natural Wellness Academy

Program: Spiritual Wellness Specialist + Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor

Cost: $2495
Payment Plans: available upon request

Exclusive 10% OFF Coupon Code (paid in full):

SWSKISH10

Visit Natural Wellness Academy

Natural Wellness Academy mentor Juliane Nowe

Overall

pros

70% of graduates take a 2nd certification program with NWA

All online

Payment plans available upon request

Payment plans available

Spiritual Wellness Specialist + Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor

1 on 1 mentoring and coaching

Live coaching practice

Live teleclasses

Business development skills

FREE access to the Webinars

Numerous client handouts (HUGE BONUS)

cons

Website doesn’t answer some common questions we may have such as: how long will the program take to complete? how many hours is the program? are there payment plans available? I had to reach out and get many answers to such questions for you.

Download Syllabus

Certification #1 – Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor Certification

Everything you need is provided right in the dashboard, including study guides, colorful infographics, meditation scripts, recorded guided meditations, music for meditative use, webinars, teleconferences, and downloadable forms for your future business.

Topics that will be covered in this course:

• Tools, tips, and techniques to enhance meditative practice.
• Discover the roots of stress and how it affects the mind and nervous system.
• Mindfulness Exercises
• Voice modulation
• Group Meditation
• How to structure effective meditation scripts
• Understanding how meditation can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders.
• Working with the chakra system
• Creating and designing the ultimate meditation space
• How to work with clients in person or virtually
• Marketing yourself as a Meditation/Mindfulness Instructor

Step 2: Intro to Mind Dynamics

Help your clients combat stress and create positive life-affirming habits and
attitudes. This is a very experiential module, where you will be participating in a
21-day technique for instilling healthy habits and raising your own permission
levels for success, well-being, love, and abundance. You will gain tremendous self-knowledge and confidence as you establish your own series of positive habits in a 3-week experiential journey, using self-hypnosis and mind-focused activities.

Note: For your self-hypnosis experiment, make sure to mark off a 21-day period on your calendar when you can commit to doing a cycle of change selected from the text e-book. This should be a time that you are not traveling or have projects that interfere with your ability to complete the 21 days.

Step 3: Spiritual Wellness Specialist Certification

This course is divided into 6 modules, plus you will have access to the business-building course “Essential Effective Coaching,” once you are almost done with the course materials for SWS.

Module 1: Anatomy of the Spirit

Discover the principles of metaphysical spirituality and the various levels of consciousness, Contains 4 subsections: a) At the Beginning, b) Faces of God, c) anatomy of the Spiritual Body and d) Non-Physical Beings (Angels, Fairies, Devas, Spirit Guides). Discover Spiritual laws of creation, the Hermetic Principles, Religion & Spirituality, The Divine Feminine, Introduction to the Monad (Divine Spark) or Oversoul, Chakras, Auras, and Energy Fields. Learn how to measure and repair chakras with a crystal pendulum, that we will send you as a gift.

Module 2: Awakening

We begin our exploration into the Divinatory Arts, discovering various tools that help you tap into and channel your innate gifts of Intuition and Insight so that you have clarity when working with clients. The divinatory tools are not designed to predict the future, but rather to open yourself to Divine Wisdom through symbolism and hidden messages. You will be introduced (with some depth) into reading the Tarot, Interpreting Natal Astrology Charts, Birthdate Numerology, and Crystals & Energy Balancers (Used for tapping into intuition, and review methods for employing Crystals and Gemstones for meditation, healing work, and higher consciousness). Fairy Oracle Deck provided to you!

Module 3: Afterlife

What happens before we take on a physical form? What happens when we complete a lifetime?

In this module, we will explore multiple theories of what happens when we die, the Bardo state, Soul Contracts, Soulmates, “Life between Life” Reincarnation, Mediumship, Disembodied Spirits, and Astral Planes, Parallel Universes, and the Seven Rays An illuminated understanding of Heaven, Purgatory and Hell — from a spiritual perspective.

Module 4: Alignment

In this module we will also delve into the concept of the “wounded healer” and how — as we work through our own issues and growth — we are better able to hold the vision for our client’s consciousness-raising and spiritual evolution. Understand the meaning of Empath and HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) and how they are particularly challenged in this world.

In this phase you will learn a philosophical paradigm to help your clients understand and identify how childhood programming, collective consciousness and the outer mind interfere in one’s self-image and capacity to realize one’s fullest potential. You will learn the concepts of Multiplicity of Selves, Jungian Depth Psychology, Archetypes, Aspects of Selfhood, Holographic Universe, and working with the I AM Presence.

Module 5: Application

How does one spiritualize their life in a modern world? Here you will begin to apply your newly acquired knowledge to work with your coaching clients. We break down the various stages of emotional and spiritual healing, including Law of Forgiveness, Creating Life Balance, Cultivating Gratitude, Taking Responsibility for Co-creation, and Spiritual Surrender.

We will add more healing tools to your repertoires, such as Visualization, Power of Affirmative Prayer, Law of Attraction (Manifestation) through engaging the Higher Self, Energy Clearing, Self-Protection, and Spiritual Hygiene.

Module 6: Action

In this final SWS module, you will begin to apply your newly acquired knowledge to work with your coaching clients as a Spiritual Wellness Specialist. You are given practical applications to apply all that you have accumulated through the previous modules in working with your clients, including some original healing modalities created by Dr. LJ (Jungian Archetypal Journey, and The Thoracic T®).
You can also download all the forms you may need for your coaching practice, including Coaching Agreement, Disclaimers, Intake forms, Client Contracts, etc.
You will also be assessed for competence and confidence in this final certification step, through recorded demonstrations and role-playing.

Bonus: Building Your Building via Effective Essential Coaching

All students of the Natural Wellness Academy are invited to take our cutting-edge business-building module that will help you define your niche, your avatar (ideal client), business plan, marketing, and how to attract clients. If it is not open yet on your dashboard and you are nearing the end of your Spiritual Wellness Specialist modules, request from the Admin that Essential Effective Coaching be opened for you. You are added to that course.

Essential Effective Coaching is designed to help you launch your coaching practice and will give you practical information about starting your own business, social media marketing, finding your niche/specialization, and how to work with your clients. We provide loads of

Help individuals tap into their inner guidance and intuition, deepen their link with the Divine, and achieve an increased octave of success, joy, and healing.

Objectives:

Understand the principles and application of energy balance and dynamics.
Discover the Anatomy of the Spirit and the concept of the “Wounded Healer”
Supercharge your capacity to help others by understanding Mind Dynamics and Behavioral Modification
Explore a variety of modalities for accessing Intuition and inner guidance.
Practice techniques for setting intentions, meditation and visualization.
Develop strategies for guiding others into a deeper sense of purpose and passion.
Transform into a qualified Meditation & Mindfulness teacher, helping lift the consciousness of the planet, by working with groups or individuals
Learn how to develop an Abundance Mentality with cutting edge Law of Attraction skills

Overview of Topics Covered:

Mind Dynamics – building positive, life-affirming habits
Energy Balancing and Clearing
Anatomy of the Spirit
Creative Visualization
Meditation – Discover a variety of methods and training to work with individuals and groups
Guided Imagery
Developing Intuitive Tools
Overview of astrology, numerology, tarot, pendulum and other Divinatory Tools
Chakras
Crystals
The Power of Rituals for Healing and Transformation
Relationships & Spirituality
Law of Attraction – Deliberate Creation

Teaching Is Your Calling

If one or more of the next pertains to you, our program is geared for you personally.

You work in the wellness field-maybe you’re a yoga teacher or work in the mental health field.
You understand how powerful meditation could be, and you intend to figure out how to teach it, which means you can create more professional opportunities.
You want your clients to sleep more soundly, live with less stress or anxiety, and revel in a deep quality of living that only meditating can offer.
You intend to help friends, family, colleagues, as well as strangers, go on a deeper, more meaningful level.
You intend to help others thrive, living the happiest, most connected, & most fulfilled version of their life and you’re prepared to play an instrumental role to make that happen.

None

Natural Wellness Academy student testimonial - Dana Fabbro

Natural Wellness Academy Student Testimonial - Ally Bono

The NWA’s Spiritual Wellness Specialist course has been a phenomenal highlight in my wellness journey. My personal spiritual growth and development continues to flourish and has allowed me to expand my spiritual perspectives and ideas and share them in digestible ways with family, friends, and through my business. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in the class! RD Indiana

The inner work the course requires you to do is incredible. I love that you are required to do the work that you are learning to teach and then document the results. I have cleared blockages that I didn’t realize I had, and I have gained amazing insight into myself thru this course. TC Florida

I thought I had a pretty wide-ranging knowledge in all matters spiritual… until I took this course. The depth and breadth are far greater than I could have hoped for and am loving the challenge of being guided along a path promising ever greater discoveries!!! JM France

I am forever grateful for this life-changing journey alongside a wonderful and supportive community. KM Thailand

Visit Natural Wellness Academy Academy

#2 Online Spiritual Life Coach Certification School

School: Center For Transformational Coaching

Program: Deep Transformational Coach Certification

Cost: $4649 ($4349 for early-bird)

Payment Plans (regular):
Down Payment: $200
3 Month Plan: $1483
6 Month Plan: $741.50
9 Month Plan: $494.33

Payment Plans (early-bird):
Down Payment: $200
3 Month Plan: $1383
6 Month Plan: $691.50
9 Month Plan: $461

Visit Center For Transformational Coaching

Center For Transformational Coaching Review

Pros and Cons
Curriculum
Accreditation
Review

Overall

Pros

All online

ICF accredited

Accredited

Deep Transformational Coach Certification

Facilitates change from your deepest core

42-hours of interactive tele-classes

Dedicated Online Forum and Learnsite

Peer-to-peer coaching

cons

Can’t start anytime. Only run 3 cohorts per year that start in Jan, May and Sept.
nt to you)

PROGRAM & REGISTRATION OPTIONS

There are three options for you to choose from when registering:

Deep Coaching Intensive (DCI)

The Deep Coaching Intensive encompasses Foundation and Mastery components. Once you complete the DCI you receive certification as a Deep Transformational Coach.

Note: Certification as a Deep Coach from the Center for Transformational Coaching is not the same as receiving a coaching credential from the International Coach Federation, which is a separate application process.

DCI Portfolio Package

For those who desire to attain an ICF coach credential, the DCI Portfolio Package and the DCI Portfolio Mentored Package provide all the coach training hours needed to meet ICF requirements for the ACC application. These packages combine Life Coaching Basics with the

Deep Coaching Intensive for a comprehensive transformational coach training program.

Note 1: To apply for an ICF credential, you need to fulfill a number of requirements. The DCI Portfolio Package fulfills your coach training requirement when you apply via ICF’s ACC Portfolio Path. Visit ICF’s website for details on application requirements for that path.

Note 2: It is not possible to ‘audit’ the DCI Portfolio Package, as ICF requires that for application purposes, 80% of the training must be synchronous learning (SL).

DCI Portfolio Mentoring Package

Another requirement for ICF’s ACC credential application is 10 hours of Mentor Coaching. We offer this service with a qualified Mentor Coach when you register for the DCI Portfolio Mentoring Package. Typically, these hours are used following completion of the DCI as you continue to develop your coaching skills and knowledge in preparation for your ACC credential application.

DEEP COACHING INTENSIVE COURSE STRUCTURE

There are two components to the Deep Coaching Intensive (21 weeks; 42 SL learning hours):

1: Foundation (12 weeks)

The first part of the DCI imparts all concepts and knowledge related to the Deep Coaching approach and integrates it with ICF competencies. Foundation also offers a peer coaching program to encourage practice of the Deep Coaching approach from the beginning of the course.

2: Mastery (9 weeks)

The second part is designed to deepen student’s understanding of Deep Coaching through direct experience. Participants observe and discuss a series of Deep Coaching sessions led by the learning leader which expand their understanding of how the approach works across a range of personalities, situations, and issues. Participants also engage in a number of practice sessions. This is akin to supervised mentor coaching, and through feedback from the learning leader, participants receive the direction and support needed to master Deep Coaching.

To successfully complete Mastery, participants submit two audio recordings to the learning leader for assessment and feedback. These recordings will demonstrate the participant’s capacity and progress with the DC approach. Upon successful completion of all DCI requirements, participants receive certification as a Deep Transformational Coach.

MAIN LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The DCI is designed to create three types of knowledge:

Conceptual knowledge: The key concepts here are understanding what transformational coaching is (as an approach), understanding the dynamics of human transformation, and how to create the conditions within a coaching space which optimize transformative change and enable deep shifts in awareness.

Practical knowledge: Transformative models and Deep Coaching practices are introduced which help participants move beyond transactional coaching methods, dive deeper into a person’s psyche and ‘inner operating system’, and enhance the power of their personal presence.

Self-knowledge: The most important dimension of all great transformational coaches, knowing — Who am I? What does my life and work stand for?

DCI PORTFOLIO PACKAGE STRUCTURE

For those who wish to attain their ICF ACC credential, the DCI Portfolio Package has been designed to meet all ICF requirements for the ACC Portfolio Path application by combining the Deep Coaching Intensive program with the Life Coaching Basics course.

Life Coaching Basics teaches you core coaching competencies and frameworks, including the ICF definition of coaching and Code of Ethics, and prepares you to be a knowledgeable coach who understands the profession’s unique approach to self-development. The DCI then builds on that foundational knowledge through advanced coaching practices.

Life Coaching Basics in the DCI Portfolio Package is a blend of self-study and support integration calls with your course instructor (both 1-1 and group calls). Visit our website for details.

Begin today. The earlier you get started with Life Coaching Basics, however, the more time you have to study and integrate the foundational knowledge before the DCI begins. Enrollment is ongoing, so you can begin at any time.

DCI CURRICULUM OUTLINE

PRE-COURSE:

Approximately two weeks prior to the start of the DCI you will receive the information needed to prepare for the course, including setting up your learnsite account and getting tele-class access information.

PART 1 – FOUNDATION

Below are the core concepts introduced each week during Foundation. Along with conceptual knowledge, each week will have an experiential Peer Coaching assignment so that you are putting the conceptual knowledge into practice.

WEEK 1: ORIENTATION – CONNECTING

Learning leader and participant introductions
Tutorials: how to use the conferencing service and forum features
Peer coaching program: set up and how it works
Course protocols and expectations
Course completion requirements

WEEK 2: THE JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION

The Coaching Continuum: moving from transactional to transformational
Deep Coaching: an introduction to its core principles and tenets
Transformational models: stages and patterns of human transformation
What it means to hold space for transformation
Deep Coaching Practice 1: Slow it all down

WEEK 3: LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT

The Four Levels of Engagement
- Coaching at the level of ‘being’
- Transformative Practice
- The qualities and characteristics of a Deep Coaching space
- Raising the vibrancy of your coaching presence
- Deep Coaching Practice 2: Release your agendas; live your values

WEEK 4: THE SELF-CONCEPT

Our self-concept: what it is and how it is structured
Transformation and the evolution of our self-concept
Core beliefs and limiting core beliefs: how they impact life experience
Coaching approaches to working with the self-concept
How Deep Coaching works to reconfigure or release limiting core beliefs

WEEK 5: TRANSFORMATION AND HEALING

5 key roles of the Deep Coach
Images of healing
The relationship between healing and personal transformation
The role of spirit or spirituality in transformational processes
Deep Coaching Practice 3: Nurture healing spaces

WEEK 6: DYNAMICS OF TRANSFORMATION

The dynamics of transformation
The ‘generative potential’: connecting with what is emerging
Engines of transformation: 6 drivers that accelerate transformative growth
Deep Coaching Practice 4: Working with silence

WEEK 7: DEEP COACHING IN ACTION

Structuring a Deep Coaching session
The Three Intelligences: tapping into multiple sources of information
Accessing the heart’s intelligence
Observe a Deep Coaching session (learning leader as coach)
Deep Coaching Practice 5: Coaching more from the heart, less from the head

WEEK 8: ACCESSING THE DEEPER SELF

The Four Levels of Listening: Shifting the inner place from where we operate
Generative listening: beyond empathetic listening
Deep Coaching practice 6: Attune to the deeper Self and let that lead
Shifting ‘ways of being’: how Deep Coaches enable shifts in consciousness

WEEK 9: WORKING WITH EMOTION AND PAIN

What ‘pain’ is and its relationship to transformational processes
Levels of comfort (and discomfort) with the expression of pain in a session
How Deep Coaches work with emotions and pain
Deep Coaching Practice 7: Expanding your capacity to be with pain

WEEK 10: THE EMERGING POTENTIAL

Presencing: seeing from our deepest source
Attuning to the ‘emerging potential’ within ourselves and others
Listening for the readiness: what is there a readiness for?
Facilitating authentic Self experiences in a coaching session
Deep Coaching Practice 8: Foster the emergence of what wants to happen (inside and out)

WEEK 11: CULTIVATING TRUST

Co-sensing Activity – gathering deep data
Coaching the emerging selfhood: experiencing more of the ‘I Am’ in a session
Committing to your own transformational journey
Deep Coaching Practice 9: Cultivating trust in the mystery and magic of the process
Final assignments for completing Foundation

WEEK 12: CRYSTALIZING

Wrapping up Foundation
Crystalize key learnings
Preparing for Mastery

PART 2 – MASTERY

WEEKS 13-16: DEEP COACHING SESSION OBSERVATION

Each week for the four Session Observation classes, one participant will be coached by the learning leader. These live sessions compliment a series of four audio Deep Coaching sessions which are part of the weekly assignments.
- The purpose of observing these sessions is to provide participants the experience of how Deep Coaching works across a range of situations, issues, and personalities.

During these four weeks, the Peer Coaching program continues. Participants are required to coach at least once per week and make themselves available to receive coaching once per week. Participants are encouraged to continue applying the DC practices and related ICF competencies into their practice sessions to deepen their capacity with the approach.
- Each of the four classes will also introduce an exercise that is related to a key aspect of Deep Coaching. These experiential activities continue to expand awareness of DC beyond the theoretical and into the practical and pragmatic.

WEEK 17-20: DEEP COACHING PRACTICE SESSIONS

Each week for the four Practice Session classes, at least one participant will coach another participant.
- During these four weeks, Peer Coaching continues. Participants are required to coach at least once per week and make themselves available to receive coaching once per week. Participants continue applying the Deep Coaching practices and related ICF competencies into their practice sessions to deepen their capacity with the coaching approach.
- All sessions are observed by the learning leader, who provides support/guidance as needed during the sessions and feedback upon completion. Feedback covers the demonstration of the 9 Deep Coaching practices as well as ICF Coaching Competencies.
- These practice sessions prepare participants for submission of two session recordings required for course completion and certification.

WEEK 21: WRAPPING UP

A final class to wrap up the Deep Coaching Intensive—a time to reflect on and celebrate our learning journey.

DCI TIME COMMITMENT

Total Training Hours:

Classroom Study (Synchronous Learning): 42 hours
Self-Study (Asynchronous Learning): 40+ hours
Peer Coaching: 16+ hours (8 hours as coach; 8 hours as client)

Weekly Breakdown:

Classroom Study (Synchronous Learning): 2 hours
Self-Study (Asynchronous Learning): 2 hours
Peer Coaching: 1 hour

International Coach Federation (ICF) – With 60 CCEUs non-credentialed students are eligible to apply for an ACC credential when they apply via ICF’s ACC Portfolio Path (click to read what ICF’s application requirements are). With 42 CCEUs, credentialed ICF coaches attain all the units needed for credential renewal. ICF requires 40 CCEUs every three years to renew.

Center For Transformational Coaching Review

Coming soon!

Visit Center For Transformational Coaching

Cheapest Online Spiritual Life Coach Certification School

School: Transformation Academy

Program: Master Spiritual Life Coach

Cost: $497 (however, you can get 80% off through my link)

Get 80% off through this link (discount applied at checkout)

Visit Transformation Academy

This program consists of 4 certifications:

Spiritual Life Coach Certification

Spiritual Coach Certification (Accredited)

Shamanic Life Coach Certification

Law of Attraction Life Coach Certification

Yoga Life Coach Certification

Get 80% off through this link (discount applied at checkout)

Visit Transformation Academy

Transformation Academy Review

Pros and Cons
Accreditation
Testimonials
Meet The Instructors
My Review

Overall

7.5

Pros

Reputable – Certified more than 150,000 students worldwide

All online

Start Anytime

Accredited

Master Spiritual Life Coach

4 separate certifications included

Private student community

Videos are fun and engaging

Full lifetime access to online learning material

cons

No ICF accreditation (if that’s important to you)

No live coaching practice with feedback

Continuing Professional Development Standards Agency – World-Leading CPD accreditation, trusted by industry, institutes And Professionals

Meet Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed. of Transformation Academy (2014)

Meet Natalie Rivera of Transformation Academy (2014)

Transformation Academy Review

Coming soon!

Get 80% off through this link (discount applied at checkout)

Visit Transformation Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a certification to be a spiritual coach?

No, you don’t need a certification to be a spiritual coach. There are no governing bodies that make being certified as a spiritual coach a requirement

How do spiritual coaches get clients?

Like other coaching professions, here are some ways spiritual coaches can get clients:

1. Networking, having conversations with people
2. Hosting workshops or seminars
3. Hosting webinars
4. Search Engine Marketing, getting a website ranked high on Google
5. Paid advertising on common platforms: Google, Facebook, Instagram
6. Blogging
7. Public speaking
8. Posting informational videos on YouTube

How long does it take to become a spiritual coach?

It can take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months to complete most spiritual coach programs and become a Certified Spiritual Coach.

Time To Make A Decision

I sincerely hope that I have provided enough information here to assist you in making your decision on choosing 1 of the 3 highest quality Spiritual Life Coaching Certification schools available online.

If you have any questions or feel there are gaps in information, and you would like me to add more information, please let me know in the comment section below, I will gladly try to help you out.

Detailed reviews of other areas of certification:

Online Life Coach Certification

Online Health Coach Certifications

Holistic Nutrition Certifications

Business Coach Certifications

Online Meditation Teacher Certifications

CBD Coach Certification

Have questions regarding any of these online spiritual life coach certification schools?

If you have any questions regarding any of the information I have presented here regarding any of these online spiritual life coach certification schools feel free to contact me 🙂

What is The Eight Fold Path Of Buddhism? Full Definition

The Noble Eightfold Path is the fundamental Buddhist teaching that offers a path towards enlightenment and the end of suffering. The ‘cessation of suffering’ is the Fourth Noble Truth. If you’re not familiar with the Four Noble Truths I highly recommend you read that first and then come back and this will make more sense when you do.

I think it’s interesting to note that the term “noble” refers to the fact that this path is “non-self” and that it is not a form of selfish seeking. I wasn’t aware of that until I touched upon my research for this article.

There are two paths that make up the eightfold path. The first is the path of virtue, which is made up of right speech, right action, and right livelihood. The second is the path of meditation, which consists of right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

What is the main purpose of the Eightfold Path?

Given that the Four Noble Truths are the foundation that Buddhism is based upon, the Eightfold Path can be thought of as the vehicle of the Fourth Noble Truth.

It’s a way or a path that is broken down and taught for anyone to learn, religious or not, to release their suffering, live more compassionately and reach a state of Nirvana, or as some might say ‘enlightenment’ or ‘bliss’.

What are the three main categories of the Noble Eightfold Path?

The Eightfold Path aims to encompass and master the three essentials of Buddhist training and discipline, these three categories are: Ethical Conduct, Mental Discipline, and Wisdom.

1. Ethical Conduct

In Buddhism, ethical conduct is used to describe the actions and attitudes a person takes to live a life that is in accordance with the principles of the Buddha’s teaching. Such ethical conduct includes the avoidance of intoxicating drinks, sexual misconduct, stealing, lying, and killing. It’s about living an honest and good life. It is a way to lead a life with happiness and peace.

In Buddhism, ethics is called Sila. Sila is quite complicated and difficult to translate from Buddhist texts into English. It is a term that has been translated as ‘virtue’, ‘morality’, ‘morals’, ‘moral conduct’, ‘good conduct’, ‘the discipline of the mind’, ‘the training of the mind’, ‘discipline’, ‘guidelines’, ‘models’, ‘codes’, ‘regulations’, and ‘standard’.

There are different kinds of Sila in Buddhism. The Mahayana school of Buddhism is connected to the idea of compassion and altruism. In the Theravada school, it is connected to the idea of renunciation. Sila is the foundation of Buddhism.

Ethical Conduct comprises three of the eight categories within the Eightfold Path: Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood.

2. Mental Discipline

Mental discipline is crucial for progress on the Buddhist path. It is a practice that includes both physical and mental cultivation. Physical disciplines are the things that Buddhists do to keep their body healthy and strong. This includes proper diet and exercise. Mental discipline includes the things Buddhists do to keep their mind healthy and strong. This includes mindfulness, meditation, and the cultivation of concentration.

Mental Discipline also comprises three of the eight categories within the Eightfold Path: Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

3. Wisdom

The wisdom that is explained in Buddhism is a way to gain a sense of peace and clarity in life. It is a way to gain a sense of contentment and happiness in life.

It is about the cultivation of the Buddhist path, which is about overcoming suffering, gaining insight and understanding, and the cultivation of wisdom. When someone has wisdom, they are able to make the best decision for themselves and be at peace with who they are.

To hear wisdom, one must meditate, which is the practice of deep concentration and detachment from thoughts. Wisdom is essential to Buddhist practice and it is the key to understanding the nature of reality.

Wisdom comprises the final two of the eight categories within the Eightfold Path: Right Thought and Right Understanding.

What are the 8 practices of the Eightfold Path?

The eight practices of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism are as follows:

1. Right Understanding

Right Understanding is the understanding that the Buddha has attained. The understanding is that everything is impermanent and subject to decay and change. The understanding of the three marks of existence tells us that our experiences are neither permanent nor stable.

It is the understanding that the body is a mental construct, the understanding of the mind as a storehouse of mental states, and the understanding of the law of cause and effect.

It is the awareness of the illusory nature of the true self. It is the realization that there is no ‘self’ that is unchanging and fixed, but that all phenomena are impermanent and in constant flux.

2. Right Thought

Right Thought is making choices that are aligned with our nature and the world. What is our nature according to Buddhism? We are of love, compassion, and non-self.

Thoughts that don’t align with love and compassion such as violence or sexual misconduct are not considered Right Thought.

3. Right Speech

Right Speech means being truthful, honest, and just in your speech. It means speaking about others in a compassionate and non-hurtful manner. Even though Right Speech is not easy to practice, being able to do it is one of the most important attributes of the Eightfold Path.

There are four basic precepts of Right Speech: abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, and abstaining from idle talk. A person is also supposed to avoid spreading rumors and not use their words to hurt.

4. Right Action

Right Action is defined as “the right thought, word, and deed, with a view to the good of all.” The Buddha said that Right Action is what leads a person to his or her own salvation. Right Action can be broken down into three parts: thoughts, words, and deeds.

It refers to self-regulated action that is motivated by the desire to avoid unwholesome consequences and experience wholesome consequences. It is a moral action, which means that it should be done for the benefit of oneself, others, and society.

5. Right Livelihood

Right Livelihood is broken down into two types. The first type of Right Livelihood is the practice of generosity. The second type of Right Livelihood is the practice of virtue.

Right Livelihood is an important part of the Eightfold Path and means to always take and develop a good understanding of what is going on in the world and to act in the world in a way that promotes the welfare of all beings without creating harm.

Right Livelihood is a Sanskrit word that means ‘livelihood ought to be pleasing to your mind’. This means that your livelihood should be fulfilling and have a purpose. In Buddhism, Right Livelihood is a type of work you are doing that you find fulfilling, has meaning to it, and is not potentially harmful to others. It is not just about money or material goods because that is not the only thing that is important.

6. Right Effort

Right effort is the intentional engagement in wholesome actions with the intention of promoting the long-term welfare of oneself and others.

It is sometimes translated as Right Application.

7. Right Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness is one of the most difficult to understand and practice, but it is also arguably one of the most beneficial.

Right mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment, without judgment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

It is the practice of living in the “here and now” moment with a sense of calm and balance. Right mindfulness is a state where we are fully present in the moment, aware of what is going on and how we are feeling, and we are not trapped by our thoughts, which can lead to suffering.

8. Right Concentration

Right Concentration can be translated as “concentrating the mind to direct it toward the object”.

Right concentration is being able to focus your mind on one thing, without being distracted by other thoughts. To do so, you need to practice Right Mindfulness.

It can be practiced by meditating and focusing your mind on a single, chosen object. It is also meant to be practiced throughout the day by being mindful and concentrating on what is happening and arising in the present moment.

How do you enter the Eightfold Path?

There are many ways to enter the Eightfold Path. It can be through a teacher, a book, or meditation. One way is to have a sponsor or teacher that can introduce you to the path. Another way is to read a book or Buddhist text first. If you are not a spiritual person, it can also be helpful to learn about meditation.

In Buddhism, the main form of meditation taught is mindfulness meditation. It can be helpful to get acquainted with this form of meditation.

If you haven’t heard of it already, there’s a great free meditation app called Insight Timer that you can use to practice. Search for mindfulness meditation, Vipassana meditation, Samatha meditation, or Buddhist meditation.

What Are The Four Noble Truths Of Buddhism? Full Definition

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are foundational aspects of the Buddhist practice. They are at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching.

The Buddha presented the Four Noble Truths in his very first sermon at Isipatana, near Benares, to five of his old colleagues, the ascetics.

Why are the 4 Noble Truths important?

The Four Noble Truths are the first teachings of Gautama Buddha and are considered the foundation of the Buddhist path. They are central to Buddhism because they are the way to end suffering and find peace.

Understanding the Four Noble Truths is imperative for a natural transition into learning The Eightfold Path, which is the way to end suffering.

1. Dukkha – There is Dukkha (suffering)

Dukkha is a Pali word and there’s no direct translation for it in the English language. The word ‘suffering’ has become the chosen and widely accepted translation. However, it’s important to note that Dukkha can also mean pain (physical or mental), sorrow, misery, affliction, dissatisfaction, discomfort, stress, anguish, and frustration.

The pain of illness, the pain of failure, the sorrow of a broken heart, the stress of resisting reality, the discomfort of certain emotions, the frustration of not getting what you want.

I think it’s fair to say we’ve all felt each of these things at one point in time or another in our lives. They’re all part of the vast realm of emotions that make up our human experience. If we weren’t meant to experience them, they wouldn’t exist.

This is exactly what the Buddha was trying to tell us in this first truth by saying ‘there is suffering’. He’s pointing us to the fact that suffering exists and we all experience it to one degree or another.

For some of us, these experiences of suffering are fleeting, and for others, they are more pronounced and prolonged and show up as more chronic ailments such as depression or anxiety.

I think it’s important to note the Buddha acknowledging that suffering is experienced within each of us isn’t meant to be a pessimistic outlook on life or teaching. It’s meant to acknowledge none of us are immune to the darkness that lay within each of us. We all experience it whether it’s acknowledged or not.

It’s meant to bring awareness to a universal truth. A truth that, when acknowledged, can then have light shed upon it. We cannot transform what we do not acknowledge.

2. Samudaya – The Arising Or Origin of Dukkha (Suffering)

The most widely known definition of the 2nd Noble Truth comes from the original text:

‘It is this “thirst” (craving) which produces re-existence and re-becoming, and which finds fresh delight now here and now there., namely, (1) thirst for sense-pleasures (2) thirst existence and becoming and (3) thirst for non-existence (self-annihilation).’

The term ‘thirst’ can be related to our desire for, and attachment to sense pleasures (ex: sex, lust, emotions), wealth or power, ideas and ideals, views, opinions, theories, conceptions, and beliefs. It is from this ‘thirst’ that all human quarrels arise; war, economical injustices, inequality, social and cultural discrimination etc.

Buddhism talks about our attachment to things; people, material possessions, status, success, power etc.

Some examples:

When we feel threatened by another person’s belief because it doesn’t align with our own, it’s because we’re attached to our own belief.

When we won’t let go, or feel the pain we when do let go, of certain material possessions (car, house, clothes, phone, shoes etc), it’s because of our attachment to the material world.

When we try not to let or don’t want someone to go, even when they want to, it’s because of our attachment to them or our idea of them or their relationship to us.

As you can see, the 2nd Noble Truth is very practical and relates to each and every one of us and our pain.

3. Nirodha – The Cessation of Dukkha (Suffering)

To eliminate Dukkha, one has to let go of the ‘thirst’ you learned about from the 2nd Noble Truth. This then leads to liberation from suffering.

This liberation from suffering is also known as Nirvana and sometimes called enlightenment.

Here are some descriptions of Nirvana from the original Pali texts:

‘It is the complete cessation of that very “thirst”, giving it up, renouncing it, emancipation from it, detachment from it.’

‘Calming of all conditioned things, giving up of all defilements, extinction of “thirst”, detachment, cessation, Nirvana.’

‘O bhikkus, what is the absolute? It is O bhikkus, the extinction of desire, the extinction of hatred, the extinction of illusion. This, O bhikkus, is called the absolute.’

‘O R dha, the extinction of “thirst” is Nirvana.’

‘O bhikkus, whatever there may be things conditioned or unconditioned, among them detachment is the highest. That is to say, freedom from conceit, destruction of “thirst”, the uprooting of attachment, the cutting off of continuity, the extinction of “thirst”, detachment, cessation, Nirvana.’

As you can see, the descriptions are quite similar. Commonly siting to Nirvana being the elimination of attachment, desire, and craving (aka “thirst”).

One of the concepts Buddhism teaches is the concept of no-self. The self we think we are can be thought of as the “ego”. And it is the ego that craves and desires in order to feed itself, to inflate itself, and to keep its’ identity.

This is what is meant by ‘the extinction of illusion’. We see that the self we created is an illusion and therefore there is no self to do the craving or have the “thirst”.

4. Magga – The Way Leading To The Cessation of Dukkha (Suffering)

This is also known as the ‘middle path’, because it avoids two extremes: one extreme being the search for happiness through the pleasures of the senses, which is ‘low, common, unprofitable, and the way of the ordinary people’; the other being the search for happiness through self-mortification through different forms of asceticism, which is ‘painful, unworthy, and unprofitable.

Having experimented with both of these paths, the Buddha found neither laid a path to Nirvana. Instead, he discovered through personal experience the Middle Path ‘which gives vision and knowledge, which leads to calm, insight, enlightenment, Nirvana’.

This Middle Path is most commonly referred to as the Noble Eightfold Path, comprised of eight understandings to lead one to the cessation of Dukkha:

Right Understanding
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right LIvelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

These eight understandings are meant to lead one to perfect the three cornerstones of Buddhist training and discipline:

Ethical Conduct
Mental Discipline
Wisdom

Click here if you’d like to learn more about the Noble Eightfold Path.

How To Get Wisdom — Where Does Wisdom Come From?

No matter which path you take, the wisom you seek will always be found within the depths of your own consciousness.
Sydney Banks, The Missing Link

How to get wisdom? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but wisdom is not something you get. You’ll understand what I mean by the end.

First, I think it’s important we both get on the same page about what wisdom is, and what wisdom isn’t.

My perspectives on wisdom from here on out are from my studies of The Three Principles, Buddhism, Toltec, Shamanism, and my own inner contemplation.

Wisdom as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

: knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life
: the natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand
: knowledge of what is proper or reasonable

I’d like to start off by giving my opinion on these three definitions of wisdom.

1.: Knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life

Knowledge and wisdom are not the same. Therefore, knowledge gained through experiences remains as knowledge. This knowledge doesn’t magically convert to wisdom simply because of how it was attained.

The intelligence that is gained is what we know as knowledge. Intelligence that is innate is lesser-known to most and is what we call wisdom.

2.: The natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand

This statement is actually a direct contradiction to the 1st definition of wisdom. It points towards wisdom being an innate ability to understand that doesn’t require past experiences.

Is this wisdom? Possibly. The more I contemplate it the more I tend to see the wisdom in this. This is why children who understand certain things that the average adult does not are said to be ‘wise beyond their years’.

3.: Knowledge of what is proper or reasonable

One can argue that what is proper or reasonable is subjective. One can also argue that love will always point us toward human decency of what is proper or reasonable.

I’m on the side of love. I’ve noticed that when people are in a loving state they tend to breed wise thoughts and wise action. Yet, when they’re in a state of fear (opposite of love), people tend to do unthinkable things.

How To Get Wisdom? My Take

Wisdom isn’t something you get.

It was there before you were born and will be there after you die.

It’s all around us and within us, all the time. It cannot be gained nor lost, it simply is. We have access to it at all times.

Wisdom is the innate intelligence of life that resides within the silent depths of the mind. Not your personal mind, but the Universal mind.

In my studies of The Three Principles, one of the foundations of my work, Universal Mind is the label given to the intelligence behind all life. If you’re religious you may liken this to GOD.

Within the vastness of every seed lay the wisdom of potential. Thus, an Acorn becomes an Oak Tree, this is the Universal Mind at work.

The only thing blocking our access to wisdom at any given time is the noise of our personal minds.

Noise is the barrier to wisdom and silence is the antidote.

Whenever you’re seeking to hear the wisdom within, know that it’s there. It’s always there. Get quiet, turn down that volume of your personal mind, this is not wisdom.

Wisdom is not loud like the chaos we’re used to listening to in our heads. It’s very subtle, a whisper if you will. If you don’t give it space it won’t be heard.

I encourage you to get quiet…

And listen for the whispers of wisdom to come through.

why do We get angry when We drink? Hint: It’s Not The Booze

I ‘ve been right where you are, asking the very same question…WHY do I get angry when I drink?

The night that got me to look in the mirror and say enough is enough!

It was my sister’s Jack and Jill.

It was a weird, roller coaster of a night. Sparing the finer details, something happened midway through the night that would have angered any husband or boyfriend.

It’s now the end of the night, we’re all intoxicated of course. The last bit of the party remaining is helping clean up, maybe 20 of us.

The cleanup is coming to an end so we all start congregating in the kitchen area.

What happens next is inevitable, the incident that happened earlier in the night gets brought up. I completely lose all control, cursing and yelling at my sister and my dad in front of 20 other bystanders.

The screaming match ends with me stomping out of the kitchen with raging violence on my mind. Wondering what I can hit that isn’t my sister or dad.

There is an oversized industrial garbage bag completely stuffed just outside the kitchen door. That looks juicy. So I take a run at it as if I’m trying to kick a 50-yard field goal and the whole thing explodes with garbage flying everywhere.

I don’t remember precisely, but there’s a good chance I kicked it a couple more times for good measure to ensure it was empty before stomping out of the building.

When I woke up the next day, I was utterly embarrassed over my actions. I threw a tantrum in front of 20+ family members, future family members, and close friends.

It’s Not The Drinking, It’s You

I tried changing what I drank. People tried to make correlations with my anger and certain types of liquor. It’s the Rum. It’s the Jaggermeister. It’s the…

After this night, I had an insight and I just knew that none of this was true. It wasn’t the drinking causing my anger, it was me.

Sure, there is some evidence to suggest that alcohol provokes anger. But, this doesn’t happen if there isn’t underlying anger ready to be provoked.

Think of the relationship between alcohol and anger as ‘poking the bear’.

Alcohol has the ability to magnify our current state of being or bring out our suppressed emotions.

The happy person gets smilier than usual.

The sad person cries.

Below we’ll get into what you may be suppressing that’s causing your anger as well as other possibilities.

Why You Get Angry When You Drink

When drinking…

The person suppressing resentment gets angry.

The person protecting their ego gets angry.

Why is this?

Suppressed Resentment

This is the one I resonate with the most.

Something magical happened after I forgave my dad, I no longer became an angry drunk. Although I knew my anger when drinking was an inside job, I never would have thought forgiveness was the solution.

How can you know if holding on to resentment may be a potential fire starter for you?

You’ll likely notice, whether you’re drinking or not, you have a tendency to get angry easier than you’d like. Especially with certain people. These are likely the people you’re holding resentment for.

This resentment has gone unattended to and therefore gets triggered and magnified when you’re drinking.

Letting go of resentment isn’t easy, I know from personal experience. But the reward of doing so is unimaginably freeing.

Want to learn more about forgiveness? Check out these 2 posts below

Insights on Forgiveness

Biggest Misconception About Forgiveness

Protecting Your Ego

I can resonate with this one as well, though not nearly as much as resentment.

What is our ego? It’s our self-concept, who we think we are, how we see ourselves in the mirror.

When we have an over-inflated ego, we feel that it must be protected. We propr ourselves up as someone we are not, trying to make ourselves look important, worthy, successful etc. when inside we feel unimportant, unworthy, and unsuccessful.

It takes a lot to protect this false identity we portray to the world, which often includes offense and defense.

When we drink, this over-inflated ego tends to get pumped with more air.

When someone doesn’t agree with us, we feel the need to defend ourselves.

When someone judges us we take it personally and overreact.

When we feel threatened by a potential alpha male or female we go on offense to try and bring them down a peg.

These are just a few of many examples that could be used.

If this sounds like you, you may be wondering what to do next? Welp, seeing through the illusion of our ego is a journey, typically a spiritual one.

To wake up one day and truly see that you aren’t who you think you are.

The best book I’ve read so far about the ego is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It’s an eye-opener.

The post below can be a simple place to start:

The Simple Equation That Reveals Who You Really Are

Remember, Anger Is An Inside Job

No matter the reason for your anger when drinking, always remember that it’s an inside job. Your anger is not caused by the drinking, it’s caused by you.

Your anger comes from the inside out. Your drinking merely assists in drawing it out.

So the next time you find yourself asking ‘Why do I get angry when I drink?’, start looking within. All your answers can be found there.

7 Simple Ways To Achieve A State Of Flow — Fresh Ideas

Those who are in a state of flow tend to produce more, accomplish more, and feel more satisfied—it’s an amazing experience. Achieving flow has been the key to many success stories. With these seven simple implementations, you can experience flow any time you want. Have fun!

Definition of Flow State – What is Flow?

Flow is that elusive experience of total focus and immersion, where nothing exists outside of the task at hand. In fact, you will be so deep in the zone, you will forget about your surroundings, your existence, and even time itself.

When flow occurs, you have a clear path of ideas and creativity, and you become one with them. To achieve the state of flow, you have to have a clear objective and have a routine that you can follow.

For most, the state of flow doesn’t happen often, but when it does occur it is accompanied by an intense feeling of satisfaction.

8 Characteristics of Flow State

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the pioneer of Flow and author of the international hit book ‘Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience’, uses these 8 characteristics to describe flow:

Complete concentration on the task
Clarity of goals and reward in mind and immediate feedback
Transformation of time (speeding up/slowing down)
The experience is intrinsically rewarding
Effortlessness and ease
There is a balance between challenge and skills
Actions and awareness are merged, losing self-conscious rumination
There is a feeling of control over the task

How to get into a state of Flow

When you think of flow as being in a state of oneness and timelessness, it can make it a little easier to think of ways you’ve brought yourself to that state in the past and how to do it again.

*The points I mention below are based on my own experience and not taken from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book Flow. I’ve actually never read his book!

1. Have a Clear-Cut Goal and Purpose

Having a clear goal and purpose for the task at hand creates intention. This intention allows you to narrow down your focus to not get distracted by wondering what to do next or other forward-thinking. Thus, keeping your mind on the task at hand as opposed to thinking outside of it. This is what creates that mindless experience.

Go into your space with a plan and trust the path it takes you down at the moment.

2. Create A Conductive Environment

What is the ideal environment for you to get into flow?

It’ll likely share many of these characteristics:

Clean and decluttered
Comfortable arrangement
Organized
A plant or two
A room with no emotional attachment
Aromatherapy diffuser
Calm lighting and colours
Light music or binaural beats

The more your space shares these characteristics the better chance you’ll have at finding your flow.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Distractions are the arch-nemesis to finding your flow. You don’t see professional tennis players checking their phone in between sets, do you? Why not? It’s obvious, right?

The tiniest distraction will prevent you from getting into a flow state or snap you out of a flow state if you’re already in it. Do yourself a favour and put your phone on silent or ‘do not disturb’.

If you’re on your computer or laptop, turn off all background notifications for emails and social media. Better yet, block all social media websites from being accessed in your browser settings.

If you’re sharing a house or space with another, kindly ask them not to disturb for the next x amount of time. You can even place a ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign on your door as a reminder.

You get the point.

4. Meditation / Breath Work

To get into a state of flow you must be one with your body and mind. There’s no separation between the two. There’s no “body” doing the work. There’s no “mind” thinking the thoughts.

Practising meditation or breathwork has a proven track record of assisting people into this state of oneness.

5. Have To Be Somewhere? Set An Alarm

Given that the state of flow is also a state of timelessness, constantly worrying about what time it is will prevent you from being in a state of flow. If you have a future time obligation, set your alarm to ensure you snap out of your flow when needed.

6. Get Quality Sleep

It’s no secret that not getting enough quality sleep hinders our cognitive processes. We become more impatient and easily agitated. Our memory becomes distorted. We tend to have more ‘brain farts’ and our ability to think clearly gets lost and foggy.

This is why pro athletes, speakers, musicians, singers, etc. all emphasize the importance of sleep. There’s no hack to make up for a poor night’s sleep, no amount of stimulants will make up for it.

We’re all different and therefore our sleep needs are different. Generally, most people need between 6-8 hrs of quality sleep to perform optimally.

7. Brain Supplements (optional)

Coming soon

Wrapping Up

I hope you enjoyed this article on flow! With the seven simple ideas provided in this post, you’ll be on your way to achieving a state of flow anytime you want. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me in the comments below. Thanks for reading, I hope you found some useful information here that will help you achieve your goals.

Is Anxiety A Mental/Mood Disorder? I Think Not

first, i’d like to say to those with chronic anxiety

you are not your anxiety, nor are you disordered, you are much much more than that

learn to befriend the unknown, after all, it’s where we all came from

–> i’m really not a fan of labels and here’s why

i understand the use for them, but i feel they are being used carelessly, irresponsibly, and sloppily

i believe, teaching one an understanding of what anxiety really is at its’ most fundamental level is safer, more helpful, and more responsible

at the very least, a new identity hasn’t been created surrounding a label

one who has chronic anxiety (fear of the unknown), will also have a lower level of consciousness. all their thoughts look real to them, as if what’s in their head is actually happening or will happen

low levels of consciousness and anxiety also accompany a need to identify one self with labels. due to a fear of the unknown, they seek to identify themselves with a label in order to become known to themselves, thus providing comfort and safety

when we take on an identity, we align the thoughts we choose to believe and act on, with that identity

therefore, when the label ‘anxiety disorder’ is given, it becomes the new identity

our ego will attach itself to the identity and be extremely reluctant to let it go. thus, creating an anxious identity that will be difficult to set free from

seek to understand, not to identify

set yourself free

may you awaken
may you see clearly
may you be love

take care ❤️

Insights on Forgiveness

Learn to forgive through a deeper understanding of forgiveness and its’ relationship to freedom and love.

Forgiveness does not mean we agree with what we are forgiving. It means that we’re no longer going to allow our past to hold power over us via our thoughts. The biggest misconception and roadblock to freedom that I notice people tend to have when it comes to forgiveness is this: That to forgive is to let off the hook, to say that what you, or I did is OK. I used to believe this myself as well. This was until I understood that forgiveness has nothing to do with what I am forgiving and it has everything to do with expressing love for myself. Allowing my past to control me was severely blunting my potential as a human being. It was blocking my ability to express compassion and love fully. Truth be told, I wouldn’t be putting myself out there in front of thousand of eyeballs on Instagram right now if it wasn’t for forgiveness. I wouldn’t have felt that my words are worthy. Now that my past doesn’t control my sense of self-worth, I am being vulnerable and putting my mind out there. I freed myself up to seek a higher potential and new levels of consciousness. Practice forgiveness to not allow your past to hold power over your present and control your future. You are worthy of living your highest potential… You are worthy of freedom from your past… You are worthy of feeling love and expressing love… ALWAYS

Forgiveness isn’t about what or who we are forgiving. It’s all about us, we allow it for ourselves. It’s about replacing our resentment and tension for another, or ourselves, with freedom, understanding, compassion, peace and love within ourselves.

Forgiveness is an act of love toward ourselves and freedom from the unforgiven.

Forgiveness is a gift that allows us to live freely in an otherwise unfair and unjust world. If we hold resentments toward any action that we deem as unfair or unjust, we will continue to remain prisoners of our own minds. Our resentments hold us hostage and influence our every action the same way we would if we were held hostage at gunpoint by some lunatic criminal. This is not freedom my friends. Freedom is being able to make choices that aren’t influenced by resentments, but instead influenced by love.

Forgiveness allows us to see what our resentments were blinding us from. There’s five things our resentments blind us from: understanding, compassion, freedom, peace and love. The stronger our resentments are, the more difficulty we will have in understanding others or ourselves, and in expressing compassion and love toward others or ourselves. I liken holding resentments to a horse wearing blinders. When wearing them, their perception is limited to only what is right in front of them. They aren’t capable of seeing the vast world around them. They are missing out on the big picture and incapable of understanding what is beyond their blinders. To them, what they see is all there is but all there is isn’t what they see.

How do you know you have forgiven someone? You are no longer triggered by the mere thought of them. Instead, you feel a new found sense of understanding and underlying peace. I never understood this until I forgave my dad. I have a new understanding of how his history (childhood) influenced his self-concept, his morals, and his insecurities. I can now see how my history had influenced me up until my point of forgiveness as well, we are both human, we are one in the same. To take it one step further, I released my judgment toward him being wrong in the past because I now understand he was doing the best he could with the understanding he had, leaving me with nothing left to forgive. I am no longer triggered by the thought of him. In fact, I feel compassion and love when I think of him, which I never felt before my point of forgiveness.

2 Ideas That Can Bring a Sense of Ease and Comfort Toward Any Goal

I have a client who has been running for a seat at the table in his region for the better part of a year now.

The vote that would determine his fate passed recently, except, nobody got a chance to vote for him. He resigned from running on the morning of the big day.

His own party made a deal with fellow party members from other areas of the country, all behind his back. Supposedly, they had known about the deal months ago and didn’t say anything.

Suffice to say, he was devastated.

This experience did open other doors that would have been opened previously, and it was a great learning experience.

Here are the 2 ideas we discussed during our conversation.

1. No matter the outcome, you will be OK

In other words, the outcome won’t change who you are beneath all of your thoughts. The essence of who you are will remain unchanged and intact.

This is great news. Why? Because knowing this can guide you toward releasing any attachment to the outcome. Having an understanding that

outcomes don’t define you, thoughts do

means that you can be whoever you want to be regardless of the outcome.

It also points out that

others aren’t defining you by your outcome either, they are defining you by their thoughts about who they judge you to be, based on their severely limited perception of who you are.

2. Trust the process instead of trying to force it

More times than not, the outcome doesn’t happen as we had planned it in our heads. However, we still seem to think that we can force the future to favour our hands.

This is when we find ourselves ruminating over the process, that our thinking will somehow force our desired outcome. This constant rumination creates stress and anxiety within us and leaves no room for your wisdom to come through into expression.

The moment we start trying to force the journey is the very same moment we stop enjoying it.

Part of trusting the process is accepting all that is out of our control. We don’t control what others may say about us or what they may do. Lest worry about that so you can channel that energy toward your own creations and tap into your innate wisdom

Time spent thinking about what may happen, that is out of your control, is time that could have been spent on what you can control. This can also lead to you feeling like you’re losing control because you’ve taken your eye off the ball.

InSights on Helping vs Enabling

Ever wondered whether your actions are helping or enabling another?

My hope is that these insights will allow you to see with more clarity.

There is a fine line between helping and enabling. If your helping isn’t supporting their growth as a person, there’s a good chance you’re enabling a behaviour that hinders it.

Ask yourself: Am I not letting go of my behavior towards them because it makes me feel uncomfortable by doing so or because you think it might make them feel uncomfortable by doing so? If it’s because you are avoiding feeling uncomfortable, there’s a good chance you have made it about you instead of them. Be ready to do what is best for them, despite your discomfort.

Ask yourself: Am I attempting to fill up my cup or theirs? For example, one who doesn’t love them self is enabling the behaviour of another because they associate that behaviour with receiving love in return. Therefore, they feel loved at the expense of inhibiting the growth, learning, joy, health etc. of the person whose behaviour they’re enabling.

Ask yourself: Am I acting out of selfishness or selflessness? A selfless person will do what is best to nurture the other persons’ growth despite their own personal attachments. They will also see that what is best for the other person is also best for them. This is how selfless people are able to let people go that they love dearly, instead of holding on to them for personal gain.

Instead of constantly over-watering the flower out of fear that it’s not getting enough, try stepping back to watch the universe take care of it, witness the rain nurture its’ growth.

We also have a tendency to do this with humans as well, in the form of enabling or smothering. Fearing that without us they won’t grow or function optimally.

Sometimes, others truly do need our help, and at other times we need to trust that their innate wisdom will guide them to flourish and grow, safely.

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