The Awareness That Heals blog posts present curated articles that offer effective pointers and practices to help support yourself during times when challenging emotions and difficult feelings arise. Based on the principles in the book Awareness That Heals, these articles offer practical methods to help us move toward a state of greater emotional well-being—especially during problematic times. The good news is that these are challenges that can be faced and embraced, thereby giving us a unique opportunity for effective self-care and self-healing.
How to move from exaggerated feelings into true intimacy
Every day, we make decisions based on what we feel in our “heart.” That deep, gut-level instinct often guides us in moments of uncertainty. We believe it’s coming from the best part of ourselves—rooted in love, care, and compassion. But what if that “heart” we rely on, which guides so many of our decisions, isn’t quite what we think it is? Read More . . .
Heart and Soul: A Call for Discernment in Troubling Times
Every day, we make decisions based on what we feel in our “heart.” That deep, gut-level instinct often guides us in moments of uncertainty. We believe it’s coming from the best part of ourselves—rooted in love, care, and compassion. But what if that “heart” we rely on, which guides so many of our decisions, isn’t quite what we think it is? Read More . . .
Awakening to True Equality: Going Beyond What We Think We Know
All people are created equal and deserve equal opportunities to live fulfilling lives, free from impediments imposed by others. This principle has been championed throughout human history by our greatest thinkers & leaders to ensure balance and fulfillment. However, this has largely remained unfulfilled, particularly among the world’s most powerful nations. Read More . . .
Embrace Fear to Unlock Courage: Your Key to Resilience
In the aftermath of the recent election, I found myself grappling with a profound sense of fear and anxiety. It was as though the very fabric of our country was unraveling, and I couldn’t shake the nagging fear that we might be veering dangerously close to a dictatorship. As I sat with these emotions, I realized something equally powerful was rising within me—a deep well of courage. Read More . . .
The Election, Empathy, and the Elephant in the Room
Psychologist Robert Strock examines how our relationship with wealth and power shapes political dynamics and influences societal division ahead of the US Elections. While it is true that both sides in the US election currently lack some key elements in psychology, economics, and general world concerns, it’s also important to note that this election could have catastrophic outcomes if Trump is re-elected to office. Read More . . .
Developing Humility and Awareness to Recognize Your Greatest Challenges
When you accept what you’re feeling and learn to identify your feelings (rather than rejecting or ignoring them), they can actually become guideposts to show you what you need. Today, let’s talk more about how developing a sense of humility and an awareness of your negative feelings can help you expand your quality of life. Look closely at your inner life, primarily focusing on where you have repeated suffering. Is it easy or hard for you to identify your emotional state? Do your best to identify it without judgment. Read More . . .
How to Develop Self-Caring & Wisdom When Dealing With Fear
“Would you try to feel worse than you already do?” I ask this (seemingly) absurd question whenever a friend, a client, or even I am experiencing and feeling deep suffering. I ask them this question to help them understand their current attitude about their suffering — and that there’s potential for them to learn and emphasize a friendlier, more self-compassionate dialogue with their negative feelings. Read More . . .
When Our Greatest Strength is Also Our Greatest Weakness
Most of us have an area of our life that we give a dominant part of our energy where we might be most gifted. We could dominantly like to interact with people, devote ourselves to our work, or do something centering on the arts, nature, academics, family, pleasure, success, fitness, beauty, or being likable and unique. But sharing so much energy with this part of our life can lead to an imbalance.” Read More . . .
How to Gracefully Ask For Help in Times of Need
Almost half the people I’ve met in my life, whether as a therapist, family, or friend, have great difficulty asking for help. You might be similar to them when it comes to seeking help, or you may be good at asking for help when you need it. Still, I would venture that there are certain areas in your life where it’s harder for you to recognize that you need help and ask for it. Fear of rejection, distrust, a false self-image of self-sufficiency, and inadequacy are some reasons we shy away from asking for help. Read More . . .
How Facing Mortality Can Be A Source of Inspiration
It seems like an incredible opportunity lost to not include education about death and mortality from our early childhood. It is clear that curiosity about this naturally arises for most of us when we’re between the ages of 4-8. Innocent questions about death from kids at that age can be met initially in many ways — in addition to the standard pat religious answers we often offer. Yes, we could say that in death, people go to heaven or to God or whatever we believe. Read More . . .