S.M.A.R.T. Cafe has been successfully running at Gallery Bistro for 4 weeks now and there are still 2 more weeks to go!  Drop in for a morning of engaging and inspiring conversations at 2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody.  View the latest community review of S.M.A.R.T. Cafe on TheV3H.com.  See you there!

Healing is a natural bi-product of mindfulness.  When we open ourselves to the moment and meet it for what it truly is, we stop resisting the flow of life and embrace life’s lessons.  It is only in the moment where conscious choices are born and the process of healing can take place.

Healing may require coming to terms with pain and sorrows in life.  Sorrow comes in all shapes and sizes, from loss of job and relationships, to loss of physical abilities, loved ones and unmet dreams.  Honouring our path is vital to healing.  It is true.  What we resist, persists and adding to that, what we suppress, does not serve us best. Acceptance is key.  Accept the truth that each moment brings and choose love over all.  Love will lead you to the path of healing, one mindful breath at a time.

Mindfulness is the gateway to healing.  Whether you are coping with a physical injury or illness, emotional loss, or psychological stressor, mindfulness reveals the path back to wholeness.  This radical shift from hurt to healing is a process that alters your perspectives and changes your approach to living in profound ways.

Embracing the truth of our wholeness in any given moment, we open ourselves to the gift of possibilities.  This is the turning point where change begins.  Old patterns of thinking and automatic reactions give way to inner stillness, confidence and hope.

For example, if you typically experience anxiety and frustration in heavy traffic, you can remind yourself of true wholeness in the moment and take a few deep cleansing breaths, then say to yourself “This is manageable”, “I can overcome this” and “I have choices”.  Choosing what serves you best in the moment is the beauty of mindfulness in action.  Healing awaits with every breath of mindfulness you take.

The concept of wholeness can be found in the definitions of both health and healing.  Our body is whole with a miraculous system that allows us to experience life daily and our mind is whole with two hemispheres that allow big picture thinking.  Once we come to realize how our thoughts and perceptions influence realities, we free ourselves to be all that we were meant to be.

Einstein once said “The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and sense in which he has attained liberation from self”.  See yourself as much much more than what you already know.  Open yourself to wholeness and potential through the path of mindfulness!

Patterns of thinking and perceptions create images.  When meeting someone for the first or hundredth time, the mind automatically looks for patterns to fit into models that already exists in your mind.  For example, someone may remind you of a past supervisor who was demanding and critical.  By making this subconscious connection, you may automatically adopt a negative filter and when difficulty arises, you fall back to old negative assumptions and preconceived ideas about the person.

Mindfulness helps you to see these automatic filters and choose a different path.  Mindfulness holds space for an open and curious mindset.  When we embrace an open mind, we become more able to see wholeness in others.

Do you enjoy great conversations in a relaxing atmosphere?

S.M.A.R.T. Cafe has arrived in Port Moody, with professionally led small group discussions on the topic of optimal wellness.  These one hour sessions offers valuable insights for managing stress, aging well, enhancing vitality and maintaining balance in life!

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym, highlighting:  Stimulating conversations embracing a Mindful approach, Authentic connections and Realistic strategies for Transformative results!

Drop-In Wednesday mornings, from Feb 18 – March 25 inclusive, for a morning of fun, inspiration and real-time connection!  Meet you at 11:00 am at the Gallery Bistro, 2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody, B.C. (next to Jolly Ole Bookstore).  Registration is not required!  These sessions run until 12:15, allowing 15 minutes to purchase a beverage and settle in. For a limited time only, these sessions are specially priced at only $10/person or by donation.

Wholeness is achieved through non-judgemental acceptance.  Everyone has mental filters that automatically sort incoming information into familiar ‘files’ in the mind.  When you become aware of this automatic filtering, you can focus on redirecting automatic assumptions to mindful contact.

Embrace an open, neutral mindset and choose to focus on understanding and accepting others.  With practice, you can strengthen your capacity to avert automatic assumptions, override old habits and perceptions of others.  The benefits of doing this allows you to be fully open to the relationship in the present moment and see others more clearly for who they truly are.

Wholeness is a process.  Continuing from the scenario described in the last post with the example of anger arising within, healing may also include a conversation with the person who triggered the hurt.  When the time is right and you feel ready to address the situation, you may decide to say something like: “When we last spoke, I found your tone and choice of words condescending.  I feel hurt and rejected.  Would you be willing to try to be more tactful in future conversations?”  By giving yourself a voice and honoring your truth, you free yourself to step out from the shadow of hurt and move into healing light.

If speaking directly to the other person is not an option for whatever reason, then you may choose to write a letter without sending it, or journal your experience through stream of conscious writing.  In both cases, it may be necessary to ensure these papers are properly disposed of without risking future harm.  These are powerful tools for safely expressing yourself in an open and honest way while releasing pent-up emotions.  When you honour your truths, you step onto the path to wholeness.

The path to wholeness is a journey of reconnection.  We must reconnect with disowned and suppressed parts of ourselves, including our shadow self.  These are parts that have been hurt and hold painful emotions.  We must allow the pain to surface, hear its message and respond to it in a healthy way.

For instance if anger arises when another person speaks to you in a condescending tone, recognize your hurt and honour the pain triggered within you.  See this as an opportunity to consciously free yourself.  In this moment of mindful awareness, you may choose to remove yourself to process your hurt.  You may decide to focus on your breath and calm yourself before doing anything else.  As your thoughts and body sensations settle, you may be drawn to emotional release through crying, reaching out to a support person, taking time for self-care.  This is essential for releasing pain stored within and freeing yourself on the path to wholeness.

Mindfulness is key to achieving wholeness.  The path to wholeness involves loving and accepting all parts of ourselves, including those we may have disowned or suppressed.  Many of us have disowned parts of ourselves due to early conditioning.  Parents, teachers and culture shaped us in profound ways, altering our image of our true selves.

For instance, if you were taught to always be strong and never show your vulnerability, you may feel inadequate and frequently experience self-doubt.  In reality, there is nothing wrong with you.  Mindfulness shines the light on discrepancies such as this and reveals truths about your whole authentic self.