Shakti Sutriasa
10 Ways to Open and Receive More of What You ...

As we move into the holiday season and a time of gift giving, it’s also the ideal time to explore what it means to receive and how to do this with more intentionality.

With that in mind, I’m going to dive deeply into the concept of receiving and how- especially for those of us (givers) for whom that is difficult- we can allow ourselves to experience even more of it!

If you’re wondering why this is important, let me clarify.

In truth, receiving IS the entire game. What I mean is that God/the universe/universal mind/conscious awareness- or however you think about higher self/spirit is ALWAYS trying to give us more love, goodness, support and help.

10 Ways to Open and Receive More of What You Want
Shakti Sutriasa
The Essential Truth of Why You Need a Spiritual ...

I don’t need to tell you that the world situation is, to quote Tom Robbins, “desperate as usual.”

In truth, it feels even worse than usual as systems and structures collapse all around us.

Not to be morbid…but the rate of change is too fast! None of us can keep up, not with technology, with AI, with the news cycle, none of it.

Our nervous systems are simply unequipped to manage this level of change/ chaos/however you define it.

Part of why the rate of change continues to increase, is because we’re in what mystics are calling a “celestial speedup.”

The Essential Truth of Why You Need a Spiritual Practice Right Now
Shakti Sutriasa
How to Use the Centering Prayer Throughout Your ...

Last blog I shared a meditation/prayer practice with you called the centering prayer. If you missed it, here’s a link to the post.

As a quick review, here’s the basic idea:

1. Choose a word (or phrase) to focus on during your meditation.

2. Ensure that you’re sitting comfortably with your eyes closed.

Begin repeating the word or phrase silently to yourself over and over again slowly. Deepen into the phrase, slowly and intentionally, giving your thought-mind something to focus on. If your phrase is: “I rest in God,” begin by saying that phrase. Eventually it may become “I rest,” or “God” that gets repeated as you slow down and deepen into the words.

How to Use the Centering Prayer Throughout Your Day
Shakti Sutriasa
How to Have a Centering Prayer Practice

Today I have a cool meditation/prayer for you.

It’s called the Centering Prayer.

The Christian contemplative, Cynthia Bourgeault, has written extensively about this practice and teaches this technique around the world! It’s a way of praying that allows us to loosen our minds from thought and enter that transcendental space that can often feel elusive.

She shares that this practice was popularized by Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist priest. He was one of the first people to promote the Centering Prayer which is based on a 14th century Christian mystical text called The Cloud of Unknowing.

How to Have a Centering Prayer Practice
Shakti Sutriasa
Accessing the Deep Levels of Gratitude

Ready for the final installment about using gratitude to live the life you’ve come here to have?

Let’s do a quick review first.

First we covered exploring gratitude as a REACTION. In other words, cultivating gratitude for what you have in your life right now. Are you still doing your list every day?

Second, we dove into the idea of adopting a PHILOSOPHY of gratitude. The invitation being to experience life through the lens of gratitude.

Today we’re going to the deepest level, IDENTITY.

Accessing the Deep Levels of Gratitude

10 Ways to Open and Receive More of What You Want

10 Ways to Open and Receive More of What You Want

As we move into the holiday season and a time of gift giving, it’s also the ideal time to explore what it means to receive and how to do this with more intentionality.

With that in mind, I’m going to dive deeply into the concept of receiving and how- especially for those of us (givers) for whom that is difficult- we can allow ourselves to experience even more of it!

If you’re wondering why this is important, let me clarify.

In truth, receiving IS the entire game. What I mean is that God/the universe/universal mind/conscious awareness- or however you think about higher self/spirit is ALWAYS trying to give us more love, goodness, support and help.

Embodying Well-Being Part IV

Embodying Well-Being Part IV

We are now at the last pillar of well-being which is defined as purpose.

Purpose has had a resurgence of interest in the past few years, and I confess to have done my fair share of contemplation with it!

Most inquiries around purpose seem to focus on action, as in what you do, how you do it and then show up in the world. But underneath that is another layer, isn’t there? It’s the motivation behind the action.

Experiencing Well-Being Part III

Experiencing Well-Being Part III

We’re already at the 3rd pillar of well-being!

As a quick review, the first two are:

  1. Awareness

Meaning, the ability to be more present, tuned into your here and now as well as to your mind chatter.

Cultivating Well-Being Part II

Cultivating Well-Being Part II

How is your practice of awareness coming along?

Another way to think about awareness, is mindfulness. If you google that word alone, you’ll find loads of practices (in addition to the pause one I gave you) to support you in cultivating more awareness.

Today we’re exploring the 2nd pillar of well-being that Dr Richard Davidson identified with his neuroscience research.

Connection

Cultivating Well-Being Part I

Cultivating Well-Being Part I

Have you heard of a neuroscientist named Richard Davidson?

He’s been doing research on the brain specifically related to mindfulness, meditation and well- being for decades. And his research is fascinating!

One of his key findings is around the idea of well-being. Through extensive study, trials and research, he has identified what he calls 4 pillars of well-being.

The really exciting news is that these so-called pillars aren’t inherent qualities, or even simply acquired knowledge. They are qualities that each and every one of us can cultivate and apply every day of our lives!

The Essential Truth of Why You Need a Spiritual Practice Right Now

The Essential Truth of Why You Need a Spiritual Practice Right Now

I don’t need to tell you that the world situation is, to quote Tom Robbins, “desperate as usual.”

In truth, it feels even worse than usual as systems and structures collapse all around us.

Not to be morbid…but the rate of change is too fast! None of us can keep up, not with technology, with AI, with the news cycle, none of it.

Our nervous systems are simply unequipped to manage this level of change/ chaos/however you define it.

Part of why the rate of change continues to increase, is because we’re in what mystics are calling a “celestial speedup.”

How to Use the Centering Prayer Throughout Your Day

How to Use the Centering Prayer Throughout Your Day

Last blog I shared a meditation/prayer practice with you called the centering prayer. If you missed it, here’s a link to the post.

As a quick review, here’s the basic idea:

1. Choose a word (or phrase) to focus on during your meditation.

2. Ensure that you’re sitting comfortably with your eyes closed.

Begin repeating the word or phrase silently to yourself over and over again slowly. Deepen into the phrase, slowly and intentionally, giving your thought-mind something to focus on. If your phrase is: “I rest in God,” begin by saying that phrase. Eventually it may become “I rest,” or “God” that gets repeated as you slow down and deepen into the words.

How to Have a Centering Prayer Practice

How to Have a Centering Prayer Practice

Today I have a cool meditation/prayer for you.

It’s called the Centering Prayer.

The Christian contemplative, Cynthia Bourgeault, has written extensively about this practice and teaches this technique around the world! It’s a way of praying that allows us to loosen our minds from thought and enter that transcendental space that can often feel elusive.

She shares that this practice was popularized by Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist priest. He was one of the first people to promote the Centering Prayer which is based on a 14th century Christian mystical text called The Cloud of Unknowing.

Accessing the Deep Levels of Gratitude

Accessing the Deep Levels of Gratitude

Ready for the final installment about using gratitude to live the life you’ve come here to have?

Let’s do a quick review first.

First we covered exploring gratitude as a REACTION. In other words, cultivating gratitude for what you have in your life right now. Are you still doing your list every day?

Second, we dove into the idea of adopting a PHILOSOPHY of gratitude. The invitation being to experience life through the lens of gratitude.

Today we’re going to the deepest level, IDENTITY.

Deepening into Gratitude

Deepening into Gratitude

Last week we explored the basic definition of gratitude and how to cultivate an attitude of appreciation. Today let’s dive into what life might look like if you adopted a PHILOSOPHY of gratitude.

It isn’t just about a response to what you have in your life right now. It's taking gratitude to the next level and applying it directly to your life!

It’s choosing to be grateful that you are alive.