Basics of non-violent communication

I never thought I was a violent person by nature, until all the problems started back at work because of different cultures and misunderstandings and different communications styles. I went to my new workplace (a new position with a more multicultural taste,) with the assumption that Europeans will always discriminate against those from the "Global South." It was indeed a self-fulfilling prophecy because I misinterpreted any word or action from a white person into an act of discrimination, and was on guard most of the time. This made me act aggressively a lot of times where- even if there was a mistake from the other side- I could have acted more civilized and compassionately. Hate breeds hate and it's truly a vicious cycle that leaves me depleted. Some key learning lessons for me:

- Love wins. Even if someone treats you bad, you could get your point across without sounding hateful or harsh. That way you'll be perceived as more mature and peaceful, yet firm.

- Don't gossip! Badmouthing doesn't solve problems, it only makes them worse. And words soon turn into action. Be really slow in anger and let it simmer before you take action.

- Build bridges. Do an effort to put yourself in others shoes and understand where they are coming from and how they are thinking and what makes them behave the way they do. It'll make a big difference to do so.

- And last but not least, focus! focus on what's important, the mission at hand. And when people share the same mission, they forget about the disagreements they once had. 

One week of minding my energy

It's been a week now since receiving my Reiki achievements. I'm going through a spiritual, mental, and physical shift. I started noticing the clutter in my life (whether in emotions, or words coming out of my mouth, or thoughts) and how much I'm in need for a series decluttering. This might mean that I need to speak less, focus, do more meditation, and watch my food consumption.

But I feel so equipped as well to do so. Those hands vibrating with lively energy are becoming my best therapist. The first thing I do when I wake up is to pour energy to my chakras which feels so good like working out in the morning and feeling the blood rushing all over your body. I'm starting to have a more positive and vibrant outlook at life, becoming more sensitive to the subtle changes in my body and around me.

Talking about and giving Reiki to others make me more aware of my connection to all beings around me. It also made me realize how afraid people are to ask for help, even when they needed. Since giving reiki entails coming closer-- physically and emotionally-- it takes courage from both the giver and the taker to cross those boundaries, and for their energies to unite. A very powerful experience.

Reiki is offering me to do some major decluttering as I said before, something I know won't be comfortable but will bring in more peace and mindfulness in my life. I'll post the progress here. 

That thing called Universal Energy

I've had few experiences in my life that I can call transformative. It's the kind of experiences that open your eyes to a new perspective in life you weren't aware of before. One of these experiences was getting introduced to the ancient Eastern belief system that we are all connected to a limitless field of Universal Energy. It resonated with my deep christian belief system that all beings come from one source of life (the breath of God as we call it in Christianity.) That we aren't separate beings as we think we are.

How did that change my life? Well, when I started learning about the Dhammakaya meditation back in 2015 in a buddhist temple in Thailand, I felt as if my body was unlocked to that immense flow of pure energy of love, compassion and connection with all beings. It made me see God in a different light, feeling more connected to that superior being, that I'm not just a lump of flesh. Those who practice meditation know how it feels to suddenly have that energy flowing into the once locked and drained energy channels and zones (or chakras) in your bodies. It's like a failing lung suddenly recovering and drawing in its first breath of oxygen, or a gush of blood in a once blocked artery.

Now, a few days ago, I finally took the Reiki class I've been wanting to attend for so many years. I was first introduced to Reiki through a friend who I went to whenever I had a migraine and it helped me a lot to ease up the body (you get this feeling of immense peace as if coated with an unseen layer of energy.) After taking the class, I'm not sure if I can describe the experience (without sounding too new agey!) but it was heavenly. Our Reiki master, Steve Gooch, attuned our body to a higher frequency of energy, which you can suddenly feel in your body (yet it has a soft presence, not an overwhelming one.) And that feeling of energy flow you wait to reach after 30 minutes or so of meditation you reach in an instant through placing the palms of your hands (which now emanates higher frequency of energy) on your seven energy spots (crown, third eye, throat, heart, naval, sacral, and root) to stimulate the flow of energy.

Unlike the acupuncture, which stimulates the flow of energy only internally from one part to another in the body, the Reiki system draws energy from the abundant Universal Energy field that is always accessible. It's like an ocean of pure water, and the hands in that case acts as a pipeline connecting the ocean to the energy spots.

The only thing I can say for now that it's an amazing ancient knowledge of wisdom. It has its roots in all religions (for those who open their eyes and see beyond the written and the heard.) and it took my life to a whole new level.

I am grateful! :) 

Protect yourself from negative energy

I wrote in the previous post about feeling trapped in the cycle of negativity- 24/7 complaining and bitching about life; no one is good enough; nothing is satisfying. And the more you talk it, the more it manifests yourself into your life, and the more your eyes are trained to see only the bad.

Until I hit the pit and realized that I've become the most negative pessimistic version of myself-- nothing is ever good for me. At that moment I stopped and started thinking where things got wrong. It wasn't about the conditions of life, because I was in worse conditions before, yet I used to be more passionate and optimistic. It was truly about my mindset and the new "nothing is good enough" attitude that I've adopted.

One piece of advice I would give is: pay very close attention to your surroundings. Being in an environment where people talk negatively all the time can have its toll on you. Try to protect yourself, filtering what goes through to your mind and heart.

And above all, love always wins. Love everyone and be merciful to everyone, even those who are different, or less smarter, or less cooler than you are. Accept them, and help them to meet their better version. Remember that someone once helped you, and it's time to pay back.

And live, live the fullness of life. It is a decision to adopt a positive mindset in life, even when everything is going wrong.

Namaste! :) 

Guard your mindset

I've noticed lately that I was losing my joy in life, my ability to be satisfied and grateful. Although life has been treating me good lately, giving me everything I've been dreaming of, I wasn't able to enjoy that, to actually feel gratitude. I got stuck in this vicious circle of complaining-- complaining about life, the country, the stupidity of people around me, the futility of it all. As if nothing is enough, nothing is incomplete.

And yesterday, I felt I've had enough and decided to reflect on this. I noticed that my brain was rewired to repeat what everyone around me is saying every single day: life is crap. people are crap. This wave of darkness and hopeless worldview took strong hold of me and influenced my attitude towards life, those around me, and myself.

And now, I decided to rewire my brain back to my more natural worldview. The one that God gave me a long time ago-- one that believed in the beauty of life and creatures, in the inherent goodness of people despite the evil, in our strength as God's light in the world, that actions speak stronger than words.

I'll be more watchful of my mindset from now on.