Dearest yogi & yogini,

 
You cannot discover new horizons unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore - William Faulkner

I recently taught a mindfulness retreat where the topic was “Releasing Negative Self beliefs”.  A heavy and loaded topic bound to bring up uncomfortable and unwanted feelings, emotions and thoughts.

As always, I was in awe of the courage that each participant displayed by simply signing up & showing up to look deeply into themselves, be willing to acknowledge parts of themselves holding them back from being truly free and most importantly challenge these aspects of themselves so that they could evolve further into their life paths.

All growth requires that we take risks into unchartered territories of our minds and beliefs,  about ourselves, others and the world. To challenge and investigate our beliefs takes inner strength, fortitude and bundles of courage. And of course, facing our fear that comes along the way hand in hand with self judgement, blame and shame , all become part of the journey. The journey to be free of self negating beliefs, those that talk about our self deficiency and lack of worth.

On the road to examine and challenge these beliefs , kindness & compassion towards ourself becomes our indispensable  friend. That is where we must come to rest and nurture - with a hand on our heart, phrases that convey metta (lovingkindness) to self, the image of someone or something invoking love or visualizing giving this burden  to light - each of us needs to find our own way to nurture and replenish our inner resources. Small little bites and small little steps of courage wrapped in self compassion.

Inhale courage , exhale fear. Inhale courage, exhale shame. Inhale courage , exhale self judgement.

Inhale courage, exhale self negativity.

Inhale courage, exhale resistance to change.

Inhale courage , exhale fear.

Inhale self love, exhale fear. Inhale self kindness, exhale shame.

Inhale self love, exhale self judgement.

Inhale self kindness, exhale self negativity.

Inhale self love, exhale resistance to change.

Inhale self kindness, exhale fear.

All Love,