“There in the deep well of your own psyche you will find what you have always been looking for: protection, purpose, confidence, and clarity.” ~Miles Neale, PsyD

The quote above says it all. We are far better resourced than we imagine ourselves to be and that word “imagine” is key. In practices of applied neuroscience, we explore and acknowledge the images that we associate with our troubling narratives. If we can imagine one set of circumstances, we can imagine another: in other words we can learn!

If we want to learn a musical instrument, practice is required. Our bodymind is an instrument and to learn new habits of body and mind we must be willing to engage practices of awareness, self compassion and insight. Our wish to change our relationship to ourselves or our world, depends upon this commitment.

Real change requires effort.

In the work I do, practices of applied neuroscience include focused self awareness and active imagination. Who we are lives in our imagination; we are creating our self image every moment. Challenges arise when we are so attached to who it is we think we are, that when life demands its inevitable changes, we are unable to respond which feels much like a loss of freedom.

Awareness Heals.

That’s a complete sentence: awareness heals.

How does that happen?

It happens when we understand that the human nervous system is an open system, an interface between what we know as “our self” and the world around us. Because we are engaging with an open system we also have the capacity to direct our awareness and make new choices for ourself. Awareness is our true nature. Knowing how to use that awareness with intention is a powerful tool.

“Some people mistake being loving for being a sap. Quite the contrary, the most loving people are often the most fierce and the most acutely armed for battle… for they care about preserving & protecting those goodly endeavors that cannot be allowed to perish from this earth…”
“The Dangerous Old Woman” by CP Estes

When I put those two words together “fierce compassion” it confuses people. How could we be both fierce & compassionate at the same time? My response is “how could we not be in this day and age?”

At the center of our being, is wholeness. This truth is present across all wisdom traditions. Whatever name you choose to call it, our True Nature, Awakened Heart, Self, Essential Self, etc. This wholeness dwells within us.

It is present and ever-shining.

That “Self” cannot be harmed, stained, erased, injured, or taken away.