Adventures in Awareness  Issue #5

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” – Fred Rogers, television host, songwriter, and author (20 Mar 1928-2003)

For example, within my clientele over the past several years I’m noticing how much more often their emotions are coming to the forefront in our conversations. This was also evident in my demo coaching session last week during Gail Moore’s ‘Inside the World of Master Coaching’ tele-seminar. During my 18 years as a coach, emotions have always been an integral part of my coaching conversations, which has provided a rich learning ground for me in building my capacity for holding the space in which my clients can explore them. The clients who are drawn to work with me seem to recognize that they are intuitively stepping into a sacred and safe space in which to examine not only their life and work, but also to glimpse more of who they are at their core, their soul or spirit, and oftentimes their emotions are the doorways for that.

Each person I’m talking with is being challenged to learn the ‘language’ of their emotions so that they can access the information contained within those emotions about who they are: this discovery process is in service to their goals to develop closer, more heart-connected relationships at home, at work, within their families and communities and to our world in general. I invite you to view a 10 minute video from one of my favorite authors, Gregg Braden, for his clear illumination of the importance of learning the language of our emotions.

Every day I continue to be profoundly influenced by the concept of ‘natural’ emotions in Neale Donald Walsch’s book, Conversations with God Book 3 [ppg 24-27]. This information is brought forward in a very clear and understandable way, acknowledging that our core emotions contain a range of emotions within each that progress from ‘natural’ to ‘unnatural’ the more often we suppress or deny them.

Another influence is the ancient Essene teaching about the ‘7 Mirrors of Relationship’ that I was made aware of in one of Gregg Braden’s early books [see his video]. The resonance of this information for me was its wisdom about how accessing the emotions that are present when one is ‘looking into each mirror’ expands our understanding of the layers of our emotions and supports deeper connections with one another.

In light of escalating world tensions, I myself have been wondering for quite some time what and how I can contribute to change the many horrific things that we humans are doing to other humans, to our animals and plants, to our waters and to our planet. I’ll bet this is a concern familiar to many of you. This isn’t about wringing my hands and thinking it’s far too great a task, although that thought paralyzed me for a time.

What un-paralyzed me was remembering that individually and as a collective we human beings have shut off our emotions having become numbed to them by the constant violence we experience in our news, our television programs, our movies, our sports, and our computer games. This constant bombardment and its subsequent numbing through repetition is ripping the heart and soul out of our experience of being human and diminishing our ability to be compassionate and empathetic with another, whether it’s another person, another culture, or another viewpoint.

Mr. Rogers’ quote in the sidebar seems to hint that the primary difference between those who ‘see the need and respond’ and those who don’t is probably their capacity to FEEL the impact of what’s in front of them. This capacity to feel the emotions being stirred supports them to access the wisdom contained within the emotions, be guided by the empathy imparted by that wisdom, and then think and act differently in righting a very wrong situation - not from a stance of meeting violence with violence but instead by meeting violence with a compassion and empathy that powerfully calls forth the humanity of others.

Science is proving that human beings receive billions of bits of information every second and can parse only an infinitesimal segment of it through our linear thinking processes. I believe this realm of gleaning information from our emotions is vital for us to bring back ‘online’ within our human operating systems for both individual and global well-being. In Western culture in particular, emotions have been banned from almost all human interactions, especially at work and in family situations. The fears I hear people name most often about looking at an emotion and its messaging is that ‘it’s too scary’, or ‘too unpredictable’, or ‘too dangerous’, or ‘too uncontrollable’.

Since each and every individual human being has the innate power of choice, in any situation or moment we can choose to either feel it or numb ourselves to it. And in that light I wonder, what if a big factor in shifting the horrific acts in our world is by each of us reconnecting with our emotions and remembering to access the wisdom they hold that is not accessible through any other avenue? This thought spurs me to continue expanding my own emotional intelligence capacity and to invite my clients, colleagues and students to do the same. I sincerely hope your own curiosity has been piqued sufficiently to explore your own emotional capacity and begin to shift the choices you make whenever emotions show up.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF

What do I believe about my own emotions?
What is my first thought or reaction to my own or another person’s emotion? How does that thought or reaction affect my response?
I invite you to consider at least one of these questions and, as you do, notice what new awareness emerges from within you. And please remember to have FUN on that awareness adventure into the question, okay?

Happy exploring!
Amoráh

THE ENERGY SOUP REPORT:

Since we’re each inextricably interconnected to each other, our planet, and our universe, [BTW I discovered a new word for this recently: organicism] here is some of the ‘energy soup’ we’re all swimming in right now:

Total Lunar Eclipse & Full Moon - Apr 4th - 5:07 AM PDT / 12:05 PM UT - All eclipses affect our pineal gland, DNA, and cellular structure, catalyzing potentially life-changing insights and events. As the Moon moves through the shadow of the Earth, gravitational and electromagnetic fields shift, altering the fabric of time and space.

Madeline Gerwick, Business Astrologer, Polaris Business Guides –

This Lunar Eclipse follows the Total Solar Eclipse that occurred on March 20th and this is actually rare to have two total eclipses in the same series. In addition, this is the fifth total eclipse of four eclipse series in a row, that we’ve had since November 3, 2013 (2 solar and 3 lunar) and this fall, we will have the fourth Total Lunar Eclipse in a row. Although this obviously does happen, it’s relatively rare. It will occur again (4 total lunar eclipses in a row) in 2032.  The primary meaning for this series is sudden success in group projects or personal relationships — it’s a good eclipse! Those in leadership (political, organizations, office, family, etc.) will be challenged to choose between taking a corrupt path or staying in integrity;  if leaders stay true to their integrity, new and high-growth opportunities will be theirs.

Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology –

The next full moon, which peaks on Saturday, April 4 at 5:05 AM PDT, is also a total lunar eclipse, illuminating what is not in alignment with our soul intentions, and where we are ready for something completely different…this full moon/lunar eclipse brings relationship questions to the fore — Are we receiving as much as we are giving? Where do we need to take a stand? Where do we need to be more truthful with ourselves and others? Be careful to respond rather than react. Yes, things need to change, and the more present, patient, and perceptive we are, the sooner we’ll see the real solutions. Beware of ‘peace at any price’ — giving in always ends up being costly to our heart and soul. We are pioneering a new paradigm, creating with every breath, thought, and step we take, so it is imperative to hold ‘beginner’s mind’ and suspend our preconceptions.

The Power Path -

Those of you in the path of viewing, see it if you can. Honor this event as a marker of huge opportunities for change not only for yourself but also for the planet. This is the second of two eclipses and closes a period of great intensity for most of us and launches us into a new cycle. Regarding the opportunity for change, you do not need to know what is changing. All you need to do is to intend with your heart and your spirit to allow for the most positive change possible and be willing to go through the discomfort of the ups and downs of the unexpected events that may follow.

Cosmic*Intelligence*Agency –

The core theme of this Lunar Eclipse is moving into the future with Balance, Fairness and Consideration. Over the past few months in particular the planetary energies have been very intense. The only planet in Earth was Pluto in Capricorn, whose function continues to be to dismantle the useless structures in our life, rather than to help ground us. With Venus and Mars now in Taurus, grounding in our body and on planet earth is likely to feel easier although we may initially notice some physical symptoms including tiredness. Similarly to running a marathon, crossing the finish line brings the awareness and realization of physical needs that may have been put on hold in order to complete the course. Taking care of these needs is very important right now and includes rest and relaxation, bodily attention such as massages, spa days, healthy eating, hugs, exercise and whatever else can help our body recuperate. We have run the Marathon and now it is time to rest and recuperate as well as congratulating ourselves for having made it, as we prepare for the next stage of our evolutionary journey. We are also invited to be innovative in our thoughts and expression, releasing old ways of thinking that no longer serve us individually and collectively. The next chapter will involve a shift in energies.

April Theme - UP, DOWN, SIDEWAYS: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - The Power Path –

This is truly an eccentric month that will test us at every turn. There will be highs and lows, higher than you have experienced before and lower than you ever thought you would be able to handle. Flexibility will be key to navigating the month as your best-laid plans change and then change again and then change again and then change again…It will be very important to stay out of Martyrdom and to be in acceptance of feeling “in no man’s land” as well as embracing the unknown in a proactive way. This month supports action, and action will be key to staying out of stuck places physically, emotionally and mentally. If you do not have enough to do this month you will definitely be in trouble. This is NOT the month to sit around and wait for something to happen. That is a recipe for disaster.

Natural Time Calendar –

Apr 4-May 1 is the “Planetary Moon [Month] of Manifestation” according to the Mayan Natural Time Calendar - its energies are Perfect-Produce-Manifest: “All that you need to be, to do, and to have, you already are. Only allow your higher mind to manifest through who you are.”

Upcoming Events:

ICF Midwest Conference - Theme: “Getting to the Heart of the Matter” June 18-20, 2015 in Kansas City MO - my educational breakout session is entitled “Mentor Coaching: A Pathway to the Heart & Art of Coaching - Who Knew?!?!”

ICF Competency Brush-Up Program – 18.0 ICF CCEs [in core competencies] - I designed and love leading this program - next offering begins August 26, 2015

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