I’m in a strip-mining phase of the awakening journey. This shows up through intense emotional triggers, and old trauma nervous system responses. I’m being called to resolve trauma in the system in real time. Fortunately I’ve got the practices, tools, techniques and skills todo this. Most importantly, my Beloved is able to hold the space …
Childhood Trauma and the Spiritual Path
Last night I watched Dr. Gabor Maté’s documentary The Wisdom of Trauma. It comes at a time when I’m realising the extent to which childhood trauma responses have controlled – and derailed – my life, and impacted my spiritual path. Three weeks ago, my son and I moved in with my Beloved and his children, …
Why Your New Moon Ritual Probably Won’t Work
Last night was New Moon, and the start of a three month Incubator I’m running called Envision Execute Enjoy. That programme focuses on the creation of heart’s desire. I choose the New Moon for the beginning of the Incubator deliberately, and recorded a New Moon Ritual designed to kickstart the process of stepping into the …
How to Unhook from an Emotionally Unavailable Partner
Once upon a time, many years ago, I met a man. He appeared interested in me but I didn’t know if I was interested in him. We hung out. We talked. We shared stories. There was something there but I didn’t know what it was and I was having a difficult time reading what this …
An example of Śāmbhava Upāya in action
According to Abhinavagupta, a master of the Tantrik lineages, there are three skilful means to liberation, or Upāya, of which one is śāmbhava upāya. He first outlined this framework in Tantrāloka around 10 centuries ago. The first is the Embodied Means (ānava upāya), which focuses on practices that use the body, breath and imagination, focusing …
A Tale of Mat Resistance, and Practicing Anyway
Mat resistance. Happens to the best of us, no matter how long we’ve been practicing. Here’s a glimpse into a moment of mat resistance in my life, back in 2013. Notice how I respond to it, notice the process, notice life isn’t all peaches and cream because I’m practicing yoga everyday. ***** It’s been a …