THE BODYMIND JOURNEY Approach

(Be sure to check out my new companion site and blog:  The Bodymind Journey: Self discovery through everyday living)

Whether you are dealing with a crisis, the ongoing stress of a difficult situation or just want to make some changes in your life, trying to "manage" things with your thoughts, intentions and willpower alone doesn't work in the long run.

There are underlying patterns of belief, emotion and leftover "stuff" from past events, interactions and relationships, that drives behavior and helps create your present life experience. Consider this:

• How many times do we see the same responses, habits and interactions play out in our lives over and over? 
• What is it that keeps us feeling "triggered" by people, situations and events?

• Everyone says "love and accept yourself" but how do you DO that when at the same time you are wanting to change?

Awareness of these patterns a first step, but that alone isn't usually enough to make a change. Trying to control, manage and "will ourselves" to change also doesn't work and certainly doesn't help us feel loving and accepting towards ourselves. 

So what DOES help?

≈ Clearing out "old stuff" ( beliefs, behaviors and emotional "baggage") that doesn't support our wellbeing.

≈ Developing compassion for yourself and genuine self-acceptance

≈ Learning to trust your own inner guidance

≈ Knowing you have access to a power that supports your healing and unfoldment

≈ Using methods like TAT that make all of the above possible in a simple, gentle yet amazingly powerful way!

Core Principles - Balance and Wholism

As much as I love metaphysics and spiritually-centered work, I am also very practical and feel strongly that it's important to have a grounding in the material world and a strong connection and caring relationship with our bodies, other living beings and the planet that is our home.

We are made up of many aspects and elements that weave together creating the bodymind.  There truly is no separation among body, mind, emotions and what we might call spirit or the animating life force of nature. This is a core principle of "wholism" that informs all that I do and offer through Bodymind Journey.

So, no matter the method, these principles form the basis of all Bodymind Journey's offerings:

• we are complex beings, each unique and precious
• there is no separation among body, mind, emotions and spirit; they are interwoven and affect each other
• we are connected with all of life, and what is happening on the inside is often reflected in our outer experience
• we  have an inner drive for wholeness and the bodymind always reaches for healing, even when it's not obvious
• we are each deserving of love, acceptance, respect and a fulfilling life

The Bodymind Journey logo is a reflection of our wholeness and connection to life and the earth.  It came to me through inspiration and it is still unfolding it's message to me, bit, by bit.

Here are some insights so far:

Four Elements of Well-Being ^SM – BMJ’s Logo

Earth - Body Represents energy manifested in physical form: the body, material world, nature Qualities:  groundedness, stability, embodiment, vitality Connecting with the earth element helps bring more awareness to the body and "being home" within ourselves. During times of stress, this is especially important; being in nature, feeling our feet firmly planted on the ground immediately helps us feel more centered. The risk of too much mental activity and mediation that takes us away from physical reality is that we can become "ungrounded" and disconnected from the wisdom of the body. Bringing more attention to the body increases life force and vitality.
Air - Mind  Represents original thought or concepts, intellect, words, contemplation and insight Qualities: clarity, focus, awareness, attention When we allow the element of air into our present experience, we can gain great clarity and insight into what is needed for further growth.  Unlike repetitive thinking, the pure quality of air can bring insight and strengthen our ability to be aware and conscious of our experience. Without awareness, change becomes difficult. Learning to direct attention (air) is a powerful way to spark a transformative process.
Fire - Spirit Represents the transformative power, creative force, evolution, and ultimately the light of Spirit Qualities:  power, passion, creativity, enthusiasm When an idea is "ignited" by fire, it takes off. "He's on fire!" is one way to describe someone who is making great strides or accomplishing a lot.  Fire can be the fuel that carries us forward, powering our desire and visions. As fire continues to burn and become more refined it reveals itself as the source of light or Spirit.
Water - Emotions Represents the energy of emotions, flow, cleansing and purification Qualities: movement, allowing, non-resistance, release Emotions are meant to move and flow and just like water, they can be diverted or "dammed up" causing problems in our bodies and affecting well-being. Allowed to move unimpeded, emotional energy can resolve to an endpoint of release and relaxation (this is not the same as expressing emotions).  Learning to be with emotions in this way can also teach us about being with the flow of life.  Resistance to anything will create blocks and barriers to the natural unfolding of potential for fulfillment and happiness.
In addition to the Elements:
Main Shape – Circle Represents wholeness, integration, healing The circle has been used since ancient time to signify completion (coming full circle), wholeness and being one with life. Even contemplating this shape can bring a sense of balance and inner calm.
Inner shape – The Infinity Sign (figure 8) Represents infinity, immortality, a journey with no beginning and no end. It is also the basic pattern of energy in the body.  Again, an ancient symbol that is seen in many mystical traditions and systems of divination. It is also associated with the Mother Goddess as a nuturer and weaver of our divine fate.

*About the Logo Design
When seeking inner guidance to create a logo for Bodymind Journey that would reflect it’s new direction, I was drawn to a ceramic mask I created more than 25 years ago, called The Spirit of Nature. From there, the inspiration for this logo popped into my mind and I quickly sketched it and sent it to Randie Silverstein, my web designer and gifted artist.  She brought the idea to life in this beautiful drawing.

Thank you Spirit and thank you Randie!