Soft Eyes | Eyes Forward

Yep! That’s me . . . bottom right, bright pink, on a temple walk in India

Summer Solstice
The longest day of the year is always one of my favorites! It’s the day we are closest to the sun. And, after winter’s turn inward, and spring’s re-awakening . . . now it’s time to feel fully alive, refreshed, and revitalized as we bathe in light.

I’d love to share part of this day with you! Please join me and Teresa Van Eyk for a special celebration. We’ll gather on Oval Beach and enjoy gentle movement, breath, and meditation. Then, we’ll delight in sound.  
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Wednesday, June 21 | 7 - 8:30 P

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“As we learn to have compassion for ourselves, the circle of compassion for others – what and whom we can work with, and how – becomes wider.”
~ Pema Chödrön

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Internal Investigation
​Motivation for change ​

Hi yogi friends!

Last week I wrote to you about Heart Coherence plus the “Shift & Lift” technique. If you missed it, or got too busy to read the whole thing and want to re-visit, you can click here.

For those of you who are joining me in this effort, I’m super curious: how’s it going?

I’ll be honest. I’m really capable of dropping in when I am on my mat. But, I don’t always remember to utilize this powerful tool while in conversation, or when I am feeling stressed or impatient.  

Today I propose we unite our efforts. Let’s use this heart coherence technique while our eyes are wide open. While we are moving in the world. While we are upset. Or struggling. Or anxious. Or tense.

I’m hoping this practice is like all other things we commit to. Once we turn our heart coherence shift into a habit and experience its benefits, then we will come into this heart space more readily, no matter the surrounding circumstances.

For me? Integration really is the key to lasting transformation. I can’t do something once, or for a week, and expect it to create true change. As we are approaching Summer Solstice, I am giving extra space for the changes, the growth, I desire.

Personally, there’s something in my life right now that I’m really investigating. It’s been lurking underneath the surface for years, but a recent decision I had to make brought it into the foreground.

Truth? The decision brought up grief, anger, and pain. And, that’s serving as my motivation, my inspiration, and my commitment for true, lasting change. I don't really want to be in the position I was in this week, making that kind of decision, ever again.

While the pathway into this change I desire remains unclear, I do hope my commitment to change helps lead me there.
And, I am committed to doing all of this with soft eyes. Yes, you read that correctly. I want my internal investigation, my gaze inward, to be soft  . . . full of compassion.

So, let’s support one another. And our pathways forward, full of light and love.

Once again, here’s how we Shift and Lift . . . let’s DO THIS!

1. Tune in to heart-centered breathing. Breathing in and out from that space in your chest while directing your awareness there. Wherever your awareness goes, your energy flows.
2. Then, come in to feelings of Kindness. Appreciation. Connection. And a deep space of listening. If you have trouble accessing these feelings, think of a specific person, or moment, that you are grateful for and build from there.
3. Then, radiate out that heart-centered energy. That’s right. Let those feelings  of kindness, appreciation, connection, and deep listening expand beyond the walls of your own chest. It is the magnetic energy of the heart that will shift the energy and be felt. It is the heart that is the portal to the highest best self, and it is the heart that is the first to receive and emanate energies. It is the heart that sends signals to the brain, not the other way around.

So grateful for you,
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~ m ♥️