Robert J Strock, Author at Awareness that Heals

Containment: Feeling as Fully as Possible in a Safe Way & Accessing our Needs – Episode 65

Join Robert and Dave as they take a deep dive into the process of containment. Many misunderstand the word. Containment is not suppression. It is feeling as fully as possible in a safe place where it does not hurt anyone, including ourselves. It helps us not to become paralyzed in withdrawal or lost in a wide realm of expressing feelings that have fight as an element inside them. Containment requires us to have the self-control to pause in the midst of uncomfortable feelings. Listen to this episode . . .

Increase Your Quality of Life One Awareness at a Time – Episode 64

In this episode, Robert and Dave wrap up their focus on the key practices. They continue to illuminate the link between our most challenging feelings, the situations we face each day, and how to identify the needs to guide us toward healing and wellbeing. It is important not to get this path confused with being a seeker of perfection. That seeker is really a form of rejection, rather than genuinely making our best efforts in a natural way. We are looking to hold two ideas at the same time. Listen to this episode . . .

Extraordinary Lessons from 4 American TV Shows

As someone who has had a difficult time finding meaningful television shows or movies, Over the last several years I’ve watched four truly remarkable exceptions that display life lessons that give us deep insights beyond the ordinary ways we are raised. Read More . . .

We Are Not Limited to Dominantly Identifying with Our Feelings – Episode 63

This week Robert focuses on a different set of needs called chronic needs or chronic feelings. These situations can be identified as when you are compromised due to serious things like your health or your partner’s health, hormones, trauma, or chemistry. Other examples of these chronic needs can show up in serious gaps in communication with people that are important to you, or in dealing with yourself when you are in your worst mood. Listen to this episode . . .

By Facing Difficult Feelings, It Gives Us the Best Chance to Find Peace – Episode 62

By Facing Difficult Feelings, It Gives Us the Best Chance to Feel Good - Episode 62

We are constantly managing and doing our best to hold opposing emotions and conditioning at the same time. On the one hand, we have feelings that are the least desirable. Alternatively, we have the most desirable qualities of trust, love, and compassion. It is not only important to see these as opposites but to recognize that we are taught to work hard, be disciplined, be successful, be attractive, and have financial means. As we process and wrestle with our conditioning as well as our emotional extremes the paradox emerges. Listen to this episode . . .

The Vital Link Between Feelings and Needs – Episode 61

This week Robert focuses on the second to last chapter of his book. This step entails moving from feelings to needs. There are many foundational steps required to get to this point. Robert takes some time to review. From these precursor steps, we can make a distinct connection between identifying our most challenging feelings and what needs could be supported that would most help us in any given situation. Each situation is always unique. Listen to this episode . . .

You Can’t Always Get What You Want, but if You Try, Sometimes, You Get What You Need – Episode 60

You Can't Always Get What You Want - Episode 60

This week Robert continues to delve deeply into using life’s challenges as a springboard to living a more authentic and joyful life. It is a normal human reaction to blame others or wish they were different, but wishing someone was different can only get you so far. If we suppress our most difficult feelings or act them out, we are in a kind of compulsive repeating of wounded history. Listen to this episode . . .

The Starting Point is Always Awareness – Episode 59

The Awareness that Heals is a never-ending cycle of self-inquiry. Even as you may feel you have reached development of several levels in one area of your life, you may begin to recognize that you, and all of us. are rookies in another. Identifying yet unseen aspects of your life with awareness need to be met with compassion and a sense of appreciation. It takes great humility and courage to look at what areas aren’t yet developed. You are opening vulnerable areas that many of us avoid! Yet, we are being guided to meet these challenges with a compassionate inquiry with a tone of support. Listen to this episode . . .

Hearing needs as demands — the healing potential of this realization

One of the cornerstone distortions in love relationships, friendships and all other kinds of relationships is inaccurately seeing “the other’s” expression of a need as a demand. When we exaggerate the genuine expression of a need and instead experience it as a demand, it sets up the unfortunate and inevitable likelihood of misunderstandings. It can also compromise your own ability or desire to be responsive in a kind and cooperative way. Read More . . .

Happiness & Fulfillment: Balancing our Life Equations – Episode 58

Most people are part of the program. The equation is: success + sex + power + moving toward wealth + being popular + having a family = Fulfillment. This is the dominant western narrative of how to arrive at happiness. In this week’s episode, Robert challenges this assumption. He suggests we ask essential questions of ourselves, listen carefully to our guidance, then follow through with new thoughts and actions. Listen to this episode . . .