Awareness that Heals

Awareness That Heals Podcast

The Awareness That Heals Podcast brings you meaningful discussions that provide guidance and insights into the way we care for ourselves during life's emotional, situational, and existential challenges. They can be faced and embraced by using the tools presented in the Awareness That Heals book and podcast.

Awareness That Heals offers you a variety of practices to support greater awareness of what may be troubling you, while simultaneously finding a place to actively care for yourself.

Being Aware of Inadequacy Feelings and Caring For Them, Episode 127

Episode 127 - The episode explores feelings of inadequacy, a common but often suppressed experience. By acknowledging these feelings with neutral awareness—free from judgment—we create space for self-compassion. Read More . . .  Read More . . .
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Being Aware of Awareness, Episode 126

Episode 126 - In this episode of Awareness That Heals, we begin an insightful series exploring the often overwhelming emotion of inadequacy. Read More . . .
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Unlock Your Inner Resilience for Anxiety Relief, Episode 125

Episode 125 - In the 6th and final episode of Caring for Anxiety, Robert Strock guides you through a powerful meditation designed to transform anxiety into resilience and wisdom. By focusing on self-compassion and awareness, Robert helps you develop the capacity to welcome and care for your anxiety, turning it into a source of strength. Read More . . .
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Transform Anxiety into Strength with Self-Compassion, Episode 124

Episode 124 - In episode 5 of the Caring for Anxiety Series, Robert Strock invites you to explore guided meditations designed to help you manage anxiety with self-compassion and awareness. Learn to observe and respond to your anxiety, developing the capacity to care for yourself in the midst of challenging emotions. Read More . . .
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How Sensitivity and Honesty Can Help You Through Anxiety

How Sensitivity and Honesty Can Help You Through Anxiety, Episode 123

Episode 123 - This episode offers practical steps to recognize and welcome anxiety, transforming it into a source of strength and growth. Tune in to learn how to cultivate a caring relationship with your anxiety and enhance your emotional well-being. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast, and explore our Introspective Guides available on our website.  Read More . . .
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The Benefits of Welcoming Anxiety - Episode 122

The Benefits of Welcoming Anxiety

Episode 122 - In part three of caring for anxiety, we continue to emphasize being aware of our anxiety, recognizing its presence, and responding with compassion. This practice is a subtle but vital skill that supports us as we care for ourselves. By being mindful of our thoughts, especially in the context of anxiety, we can observe whether these thoughts are supportive or critical, allowing us to shift toward more caring and welcoming thoughts.  Read More . . .
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Finding Our Intention to Care For Ourselves While We’re Anxious - Episode 121

Finding Our Intention to Care

Episode 121 - In this second part of our series of six guided meditations on caring for our anxiety, we take the next step. After we are aware of our anxiety, we are shown how to guide ourselves to develop the capacity to find our intention to care for ourselves while we are anxious. We often ignore anxiety or treat it like it’s the only problem, judging or even suppressing it. This may sound simple as you think about it, but we see how transformational it becomes when we can practice it in our own lives. Read More . . .
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Bringing Softness to the Awareness of Your Anxiety - Episode 120

Bringing Softness to the Awareness of Your Anxiety

Episode 120 - Being gently aware of your anxiety is a powerful starting point. Inquire into your heart, seeking a place in your thoughts that nurtures self-care; it's truly invaluable. Amidst the anxiety, seek out thoughts that affirm, "Of course, I want to care for myself. Of course, I want to treat myself kindly." Bringing awareness to your anxiety while nurturing a desire to care for yourself is truly magical.  Read More . . .
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Finding a Place in Your Heart to Move Toward Acceptance - Episode 119

Finding a Place in Your Heart to Move Toward Acceptance

Episode 119 - The journey of focusing on emerging challenging emotions begins with the realization that you are the observer, which helps to bring immense freedom. Instead of being consumed by anxiety, you can observe it—an experience that helps lead to a deep recognition of the need to care for yourself. This transformative process opens the door to qualities, actions, and thoughts that enhance the quality of your life.  Read More . . .
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Discovering Trust and Support When You're Anxious - Episode 118

Discovering Trust and Support When You’re Anxious

Episode 118 - As we continue to discover ways to support ourselves during periods of anxiety, it is essential to remember the simple but elusive step of being aware of where you are, coupled with the desire to care for yourself, is a core foundation for self-compassion. The next level in the elevator metaphor is nurturing tolerance and kindness toward our anxiety. Whether or not we reach a bearable level of tolerance, maintaining the aspiration to evolve is essential for continual growth.  Read More . . .
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Helpful Guidance to Manage Anxiety - Episode 117

Helpful Guidance to Manage Anxiety

Episode 117 - When you are anxious, it's essential to be aware that you are both anxious and the observer of your anxiety. There is no need to compare yourself to anyone else. Simply start where you are—recognizing that awareness, or being the observer, can give you the capacity to mitigate your anxiety. Notice it clearly and give yourself the opportunity for self-care. Shifting your inner tone of voice during a period of anxiety can have a profound effect. The most underrated capacity in our lives is recognizing that we are the observer and the one who wants to care for ourselves. Understand your aspiration to tolerate and accept anxiety and develop the capacity to take care of yourself, guide yourself, and ultimately welcome yourself.  Read More . . .
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Embrace Your Journey Toward Self-Compassion - Episode 116

Embrace Your Journey Toward Self-Compassion

Episode 116 - In the two prior episodes, we've explored practical tools to help address anxiety. The initial steps helped you become aware of your anxiety and care for it, while the subsequent step has you move into developing tolerance, kindness, and a welcoming attitude toward anxiety itself. While this may seem counterintuitive, the aim is to view anxiety as having the potential to awaken self-compassion. If you can apply this to your life, you will begin to free yourself from being dominated by anxiety and move up one more floor on the elevator metaphor.  Read More . . .
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Acceptance Is an Important Aid in Managing Anxiety - Episode 115

Acceptance Is an Important Aid in Managing Anxiety

Episode 115 - In this second guided meditation focused on managing anxiety, we continue using the elevator metaphor. As we proceed to the next "floor," we reach a place where you will learn to care for yourself and develop self-compassion. You can gently say to your anxiety that you wish to recognize and continue to increase your capacity to bring heart and wisdom into your life. It will be helpful to recall the moments when you've been anxious in the past and remember how tolerance and kindness have been absent during most of those moments. The key theme of this elevator floor is to remember to be more tolerant and kinder to yourself when you are anxious.  Read More . . .
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Become an Observer to Care for and Accept Your Anxiety - Episode 114

Become an Observer to Care for and Accept Your Anxiety

Episode 114 - Welcome to season three of the Awareness That Heals podcast, dedicated to exploring and healing specific challenging emotions. In this episode, host Robert Strock focuses on anxiety. He offers a series of guided meditations to cultivate self-compassion and improve your ability to navigate anxious moments effectively. Using the metaphor of an elevator, Robert illustrates the progression from an unconscious state of anxiety on the first floor to acquiring tools for self-support and healing on subsequent levels..  Read More . . .
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Six Steps to Find Relief from Resistant Emotions - Episode 113

Six Steps to Find Relief from Resistant Emotions

Episode 113 - It can be a lifelong journey to alleviate suffering that stems from anger and aggression. This transformative process can guide you from discontent toward your deepest passions and provides an approach to managing emotions that lead to suffering. The accompanying guided meditation encourages a pause to foster awareness of anger and its resistant emotions, which helps prevent you from succumbing to reactive aggression. Read More . . .
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How to Work through Anger Without Creating Harm - Episode 112

How to Work through Anger without Creating Harm

Episode 112 - There are many unique ways that we experience or express tightness due to anger, impatience, irritation, intolerance—or holding onto anger. It's a mini-miracle whenever we can shift from being against what we don't like to being supportive and passionate about what we need. We generally haven’t as a society found ways both in the outer world and the inner world to find a way to contain or slow down our resistant emotions like anger, frustration, accusations, and judgments, which has led to war, alienation, distrust, and an inability to communicate.  Read More . . .
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Awareness of Aggressive Feelings Can Lead to Inner Peace - Episode 111

Awareness of Aggressive Feelings Can Lead to Inner Peace

Episode 111 - We explore how to become aware of aggressive feelings while finding alternative paths toward a more fulfilling and inspiring life. You will find aids to express yourself without causing unnecessary harm while encouraging you to see the unmet needs that made you angry in the first place. The journey begins with awareness of your aggression, encompassing emotions like frustration, impatience, irritability, and contraction—any form of uptightness.  Read More . . .
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How to Use Challenging Feelings to Discover Core Needs - Episode 110

How to Use Challenging Feelings to Discover Core Needs

Episode 110 - You’ll discover how to identify your core feelings and use them as a key to access your deepest needs. Simultaneously, it’s crucial to develop the capacity for self-care and self-awareness, guiding you toward your heart and intuitive wisdom, learning how to stay connected with yourself, and gaining a sense of the direction you need to pursue. Comprehending your feelings and needs marks the initial stage; the subsequent step entails engaging your mind and heart, employing both actions and contemplation.  Read More . . .
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How to Access Courage and Safety through Fear - Episode 109

How to Access Courage and Safety through Fear – Episode 109

It's an introspective journey, learning how to recognize and accept fear while accessing courage and safety through qualities such as tenderness, kindness, acceptance, and tolerance. Pay close attention to your tone of voice as you acknowledge fear and connect it with your yearning for courage in your mind and heart. Guide yourself toward a compassionate tone that acknowledges fear as perfectly natural.  Read More . . .
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The Vital Connection between Feelings and Needs - Episode 108

The Vital Connection between Feelings and Needs – Episode 108

When we understand the vital connection between feelings and needs, we develop a  deep understanding that can enable us to take loving care of our hearts and those around us. This approach is one of the fundamental and most profound methods we can give to ourselves. The more deeply you experience your feelings, the closer you will be shown how to discover clues to what you need. Allow yourself to investigate deeply, realizing that challenging feelings are not permanently in control; you will learn how to make it the starting point and a catalyst for you to recognize how to take care of your needs. It's an act of self-love. Read More . . .
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Connect Challenging Emotions with Core Needs to Build Self-Worth - Episode 107

Connect Challenging Emotions with Core Needs – Episode 107

This episode delves into the significance of embracing and understanding feelings of inadequacy. A fundamental aspect of being human is that virtually all of us experience moments of inadequacy, whether we recognize them or not. You will be encouraged to identify and explore your feelings of inadequacy and learn how to connect them with your underlying needs.  Read More . . .
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Listening to Frustration to Discover and Care for Your Needs - Episode 106

Listening to Frustration to Discover and Care for Your Needs – Episode 106

This episode offers valuable insights into how to deal with challenging emotions, with particular emphasis on frustration, and the importance of self-care and self-awareness. Since this is about your challenges you can substitute your own emotion, discover your needs, and also see how being sensitive with your tone of voice will assist you to fulfill your needs. When you are caught up in frustration, simply acknowledge it.  Read More . . .
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Change Your Quality of Life With Tone of Voice Awareness - Episode 105

Change Your Quality of Life With Tone of Voice Awareness – Episode 105

In this guided meditation, we explore the challenging emotions of condescension and arrogance. While these emotions may not necessarily pertain to your current state, they are used as examples to help you become more attuned to your own difficult emotions,  your responses to them, and how you can best discover and tend to your emotional needs. The central focus lies in cultivating awareness of these challenging emotions, developing tolerance, and acceptance, and uncovering pathways toward greater ease, resolution, and self-care. Read More
How to Use Tone of Voice to Enhance Your Well-being - Episode 104

How to Use Tone of Voice to Enhance Your Well-being – Episode 104

In this guided meditation, we will use specific emotions to directly witness your tone of voice. In doing so, you can begin to guide yourself to the best parts of yourself as well as those of others. We will explore the emotions of intolerance, impatience, and annoyance. So, if your emotions are different, simply substitute your own emotions. Recognize your tone of voice and whether it is annoyance or irritation, timidity or insecurity.  Read More . . .
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Embrace Your Challenging Emotions through Keen Inquiry - Episode 103

Embrace Your Challenging Emotions through Keen Inquiry – Episode 103

In this episode, we learn to use inquiry to ask questions designed to nurture one’s heart. These questions may include: “How can I care for myself?” “How can I support myself when I’m feeling intense emotions?” When you thoroughly explore the question, you can access your capacity to observe it transparently, without negativity, simply witnessing it as a challenging emotion. Learning how to support yourself when you’re in such a difficult emotion is both subtle and powerful. Read More . . .
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How to Embrace Your Insecurities - Episode 102

How to Embrace Your Insecurities – Episode 102

This guided meditation encourages self-awareness and self-compassion by acknowledging and exploring challenging emotions without judgment. Becoming aware of the nonjudgmental observer within us can help us better understand the underlying needs behind our insecurities and challenging emotions, which allows us to work with them in a way that honors ourselves and those in our life.  Read More . . .
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How to Discover Your Healing Wisdom - Episode 101

How to Discover Your Healing Wisdom – Episode 101

Today's guided meditation is centered around discovering your innate wisdom and offering invaluable support during periods of deep suffering. Many of us were not taught that being aware of our challenges could lead us to access our essential nature. Embracing awareness is a precious gift and marks the beginning of a journey toward self-care. Within you exists an inner companion yearning to care for you—a true best friend.  Read More . . .
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Self-Reflection Will Help You Develop Self-Awareness_Episode-100

Self-Reflection Will Help You Develop Self-Awareness – Episode 100

When you experience challenging feelings of any kind, inquiring or asking questions that are specifically aimed to discover what the feeling is will help you develop the self-awareness necessary to know what your pain, loss, or suffering is. After you discover the precise kind of challenge you’re facing, this podcast will help you remember to ask yourself to find the place within you that desires to move toward a state of well-being, peace, or relief—it’s a practice that can help you to look within for the guidance that you long to find.  Read More . . .
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The Paradox of Opening to Challenging Feelings - Episode 99

The Paradox of Opening to Challenging Feelings – Episode 99

Asking yourself to discover what feelings are most difficult to unlock and access the wisdom that helps you the most may seem like a gloomy task. However, inquiring inwardly to pinpoint where you feel stuck, buried, or like you're in quicksand allows you to see where you have an unmet need. Letting the exposure to these challenging emotions motivate you to deal with an area where part of you is struggling can naturally lead you to your dearest needs.  Read More . . .
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The Benefits of Heart-Centered Inquiry - Episode 98

The Benefits of Heart-Centered Inquiry – Episode 98

This episode offers a detailed look into the benefits of asking questions from the heart. The benefits of heart-centered inquiry, and honest contemplation supported by guided meditation, can offer a pathway that deepens the understanding of what is most difficult for you. No matter what feelings are present, this awareness provides you with an opportunity to evolve toward healing using the power of your innate wisdom.  Read More . . .
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How to Respond to Self-Rejection in a Healing Manner - Episode 97

How to Respond to Self-Rejection in a Healing Manner – Episode 97

The focus of this episode is on the importance of recognizing challenging emotions and responding to them in a healing manner. Robert encourages listeners to value and care for themselves during these times and offers strategies such as self-acceptance, informal prayer, and identifying supportive thoughts. Guided meditation is also recommended as a helpful tool for effectively responding to personal challenges. Read More . . .
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Episode 96 - How to Discover and Overcome Self-Rejection

How to Discover and Overcome Self-Rejection – Episode 96

Today, we are going to discover an easy way to see self-rejection. Normally, the most subtle and often unconscious reactions can become layered within other challenging feelings. Think for a moment, of all your difficult feelings. Which one do you like the least? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to learn how to discover and overcome self-rejection and to be guided to care for yourself during the times these feelings arise?  Read More . . .
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Expand Your Ability to Care for Yourself through Self-Compassion - Episode 95

Expand Your Ability to Care for Yourself through Self-Compassion – Episode 95

On this week's episode of Awareness that Heals, we will look at how to best deal with the challenging emotions that show up most frequently and also investigate our attitude toward those feelings. The goal is for you to expand your ability to care for yourself through self-compassion. There are two key aspects to be aware of. The first is becoming aware of the hard feeling or challenge that you experience most. The second is the self-judgment that arises in the form of feeling inadequate.  Read More . . .
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How to Follow Your Own Wisdom - Episode 94

How to Follow Your Own Wisdom – Episode 94

During times of intense emotions, it is frequently not easy to change our feelings, but with dedication, we can learn to identify them and respond with empathy and wisdom. By acknowledging and clearly seeing our emotions—without allowing them to take control—we can develop greater self-compassion. Our feelings are just one part of ourselves, and there is another inner voice that is often referred to as inner guidance, friendly mind, or wisdom. We can realize our potential when we access this inner voice during emotional challenges, rather than reacting with a sense of dread, failure, or fear. Read More . . .
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How to Trust Wise Thoughts When You’re Suffering - Episode 93

How to Trust Wise Thoughts When You’re Suffering – Episode 93

In this episode, Robert and Dave discuss how to trust wise thoughts when you’re suffering. They emphasize the importance of not distancing or judging our feelings but rather accessing our inner wisdom to guide us. This involves being able to operate at two levels simultaneously: respecting our challenging feelings while finding a place inside of us that wants to care. By doing this, we can stay open to our feelings and allow them to guide us toward our most supportive thoughts. Read More . . .
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Self-Compassion_The Missing Ingredient to Lasting Change - Episode 92

Self-Compassion: The Missing Ingredient to Lasting Change – Episode 92 (video)

In continuation of our guided meditation series, Robert offers a practice on self-compassion, which is the missing ingredient to lasting change. This guided meditation also includes a discussion surrounding its purpose and how it can be directly helpful to you, no matter what challenge you might be facing right now.  Read More . . .
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Guided Meditation That Provides Tools to Deal With Challenging Emotions - Episode 91

Guided Meditation That Provides Tools to Deal With Challenging Emotions – Episode 91 (video)

Robert continues with the second installment of the Guided Meditation series where he emphasizes the importance of becoming aware of difficult emotions. This episode takes this awareness and clarifies how to integrate it with our heart and self-caring. Robert and Dave invite listeners to focus on practice. Read More . . .
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Guided Meditation to Reveal Your Most Challenging Emotions - Episode 90

Guided Meditation to Reveal Your Most Challenging Emotions – Episode 90 (video)

A warm welcome to season two of the Awareness That Heals podcast. During this season, Robert will offer a series of Guided Meditations that will work in conjunction with his book, Awareness That Heals. These short meditations are both personal and accessible in order to allow the listener to focus on themselves in a more intuitive way. Robert and Dave cultivate a safe space to feel and observe, without judgment, what is most challenging.  Read More . . .
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Why We Need to Heal Childhood Patterns - Episode 89

Why We Need to Heal Childhood Patterns – Episode 89

Robert welcomes back Susan Hough, counselor, philanthropist, and life partner, to explore how each of us carries on the central feelings we had with our original family. These repeated behaviors are usually outside of our awareness and show up most strongly in our intimate relationships. Robert and Susan discuss their past relationships as well as their current one to mirror for the audience a real and honest way in which this plays out. Read More . . .
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The Impact Childhood Relationships Have on Us Today - Episode 88

Relating To The Unconscious Identity We Carry With Us Into Adulthood – Episode 88

This week Robert discusses core childhood relationships and how they can unconsciously affect us in our adult lives. He is joined by his life partner and fellow counselor, and philanthropist, Susan Hough. We are guided on how to use awareness of our feelings and needs by using the Introspective Guides, which can be found at AwarenessThatHeals.org, Robert talks through identifying each of your strongest childhood relationships and the feelings associated with them.  Read More . . .
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Neurotic Responsibility: Creating more mutuality in your relationships - Episode 87

Neurotic Responsibility: Creating More Mutuality In Your Relationships – Episode 87

Using the Introspective Guides, Robert and Dave pick up where they left off last week on the topic of Neurotic Responsibility. This imbalance in relationships is part of our conditioning and can be hard to recognize. It occurs when one person in the relationship feels the problems around them are much more their responsibility than they rationally are. It feels good to give and can last for a lifetime. Read More . . .
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Identifying Neurotic Responsibility - Episode 86

Identifying Neurotic Responsibility – Episode 86

Robert and Dave dive right into this week's episode with something Robert likes to call, Neurotic Responsibility. This term refers to someone who takes on the problems around them more than is rationally warranted. It occurs when your partner is upset and you focus mostly on what you might have done to cause it, even though you already have likely admitted it outwardly and inwardly feel guilty, inadequate, and critical of yourself. Read More . . .
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Introspective Guides: Am I Looking to be Aware of Where I Am Not? - Episode 85

Introspective Guides: Am I Looking to be Aware of Where I am Not? – Episode 85

Robert kicks off the episode with a guided meditation. Relax into his words as he grounds into the moment and melts defenses that may be blocking you from accessing your inner wisdom and heart space. Using the Introspective Guides, Robert delves into how we can face our challenging emotions with curiosity. Recognizing that part of us wants to care instead of rationalizing or blocking challenging emotions is a courageous step. Robert will talk you through the tools necessary to develop from the first step of awareness, an intention to care, and a growing self-acceptance toward bringing that heart guidance into the world. Listen to this episode . . .
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Moving Past the Overwhelm of a Globe in Crisis - Episode 84

Moving Past the Overwhelm of a Globe in Crisis – Episode 84

Pretty much everyone you talk to these days has some emotions related to the country, gun control, global warming, or the war in Ukraine with an awareness of being overwhelmed. What isn't reliably there is the question, Do I want to care for this emotion and How can I navigate in the world with some positivity? Robert and Dave will continue their focus from last week with specific challenges unique to the anxiety, fear, anger, and terror many of us are experiencing in response to the dire problems facing the planet and the increased authoritarianism in the world today.  Read More . . .
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Introspective Guides: Relating to the Dangers in Our World Today - Episode 83

Introspective Guides: Relating to the Dangers in Our World Today – Episode 83

Here we are, listening to the news and hearing about elections, global warming, the dangers of nuclear war, the invasion of Ukraine, and we are feeling freaked out. Wherever you are on the political spectrum you are bound to be dealing with some level of anxiety connected to the direction our world and country are going. Robert and Dave assure us this is perfectly normal, and in fact, a good sign you want to be engaged and paying attention. Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: How Anger Can Serve Us - Episode 82

Introspective Guides: How Anger Can Serve Us – Episode 82

Most of us view anger and resistant emotions as something that we want to avoid. The idea of being with our anger and having a relationship with it is not something we have normally been taught. Robert presents an alternative for caring for ourselves while we are challenged in this way. These steps are a guide to setting up the ideal conditions for us to be fulfilled in our individual lives and to contribute to the world by living in a proactive constructive way, rather than be weakened by being reactive.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Caring for Ourselves in Crucial Times - Episode 81

Caring for Ourselves in Crucial Times – Episode 81

This week Robert concludes the telling of his journey through the hardest 10 years of his life as he navigated finding balance both emotionally and chemically after his kidney transplant. For many years he could not feel the joys of life. He had to dig deep to further develop his capacity to use inquiry, will, and focus on the intention to find what thoughts would be possible and helpful. Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing a Healthy Duality - Episode 80

Developing a Healthy Duality – Episode 80

Robert continues with his story from last week about facing the biggest challenge of his life. He spent 10 years experimenting with medicine to find equilibrium after a kidney transplant. Join him and Dave as he shares the stories and the lessons he has learned with the hope that his journey will help you, the listener, navigate from your challenges into being a true ally for yourself and not compound the suffering with self-rejection. These difficulties are universal, whether they are recognized or not.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing a Wise Friendly Mind When It Matters Most - Episode 79

Developing a Wise Friendly Mind When It Matters Most – Episode 79

Robert shares his journey, with Dave by his side, as he learned to coexist with the deep discomfort, pain, and imbalance of his kidney transplant medication. Feeling good was inaccessible for 10 years. Through this path, he developed a deepening of his practice inquiry by asking questions of what was truly possible given his state of exhaustion from sleep deprivation, which was due to an unusual reaction to the transplant medication. Following the inquiry, he received guidance that led him to focus on what was truly possible.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: Focusing on the Possible - Episode 78

Introspective Guides: Focusing on the Possible – Episode 78

This week Robert and Dave continue to look at how we can care for ourselves at crucial times and how we can practically utilize new tools for us to be resourceful in our lives when it matters the most. Robert and Dave will be using the Introspective Guides, which can be found at AwarenessThat Heals.org as a simple way to start on the path toward integrating what is challenging.  Listen to this episode . . .
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The Golden Keys to Fear and Anxiety - Episode 77

Introspective Guides: The Golden Keys to Transform Fear & Anxiety – Episode 77

Robert has never seen a time when fear and anxiety were more prevalent in the world. How we deal with our fear and anxiety is not only important in our relationship with ourselves, our love life, friendships, and family members that have opposite politics, but also in our relationship to our very survival, the survival of our planet, and democracy.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Accessing Guidance in Times of Need - Episode 76

Introspective Guides: Accessing Guidance In Times of Need- Episode 76

At times it is difficult to barely tolerate our experience when we are in situations or emotions that are challenging, which can trigger us to go into fight or flight mode. Join Robert and Dave as they explore common real-life situations that can be difficult and how to take better care of ourselves in the moment or close to it. Money or personal insecurity, anxiety about the state of the world, or health issues are all topics covered in the podcast.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: Reeling Back After Being Triggered by Insecurity - Episode 75

Introspective Guides: Learning How To Make Insecurity Your Friend – Episode 75

Insecurity is a trigger that signals our defenses to take action. It causes one to veer into criticism, withdraw, and beyond. Then, for most of us, a judgment comes either against ourselves or is deflected outward. Using the Introspective Guides, Robert provides grounding for us to stay with these feelings, give them their due, breathe into them and begin to understand them. This space gives us a key to how to deal with these challenging emotions and be supportive of them.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: Dealing with Vulnerable Feelings & Our Defenses Against Them - Episode 74

Introspective Guides: Dealing with Vulnerable Feelings & Our Defenses Against Them – Episode 74

Today, Dave shares his shyness and vulnerability around being uncomfortable with how tall he was growing up. His defense around this sprouted in the form of the excessive need to please, often at the expense of himself. This action robs one of being mutual. This episode exposes the need and importance of being able to share our insecurity and humanness. Then have others take care of you as much as you take care of them. Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: Creating a Positive Relationship to Insecurity - Episode 73

Introspective Guides: Creating a Positive Relationship to Insecurity – Episode 73

We all have conditioning, whether we recognize it or not. Layers upon layers of influence from our parents, friends, and culture. We are generally led in the direction where the biggest variable is personal achievement, financial security and family loyalty, and rarely has us focus on some kind of greater interconnectedness to the world. It is so important that our identities grow beyond our immediate circles and recognize that we all need to be responsible because our planet is in jeopardy.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Contemplating a New Normal to Achieve Greater Fulfillment & Interconnectedness - Episode 72

Contemplating a New Normal to Achieve Greater Fulfillment & Interconnectedness – Episode 72

The baseline of the majority of people throughout history, barring many of the indigenous peoples of the world, has not significantly prioritized how to live a connected life to both our planet and those less fortunate than us. This baseline definition of normal has meant serving society's main values and standards such as success, wealth, taking care of family, being popular and having some fun. It has not prioritized taking care of the ground on which we live as a whole or supporting the most disadvantaged.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides: When Anxiety Arises - Episode 71

Introspective Guides: When Anxiety Arises – Episode 71

n this episode, Robert and Dave discuss the experience of anxiety that is prominent for so many and highlight what to do when you are experiencing it. Many people's initial reaction is to distract and run in the other direction, but suppressing anxiety will only make it grow. When anxiety arises, take some time without trying to change it. Let anxiety breathe so you can increase your acceptance and awareness. It is important to dignify the human experience. Listen to this episode . . .
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Introspective Guides 101 - Episode 70

Introspective Guides 101 – Episode 70

Welcome to the start of a new series of The Awareness that Heals that will be working directly with The Introspective Guides for “Challenging Feelings & Emotions," as well as “Essential Needs & Qualities." Both can be downloaded for free on our website awarenessthatheals.org. These guides will help identify a list of the most common needs that we all have, are often unaware of, or unable to articulate. They will also assist you in becoming more aware of challenging emotions, which can then become a lucid guide to your core needs by learning to ask what is missing or most needed.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Identifying Your Ways of Being With Resistant Emotions & Responding from Wisdom - Episode 69

Identifying Your Ways of Being With Resistant Emotions & Responding from Wisdom – Episode 69

It is a pleasure to have you join us for this final part of the series centered around Robert's book, Awareness that Heals. Here we will continue to develop a greater capacity to have a more healing response to emotions rather than becoming trapped in conditioned reactions that each of us has. Most of us get confused and think we are the imprint of our conditioning from the way our parents raised us, our siblings, our society, our movies, and our sports. If we can find our awareness beyond this, we have the potential to be free.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Moving from Being Angry Toward What You Really Need - Episode 68

Moving from Being Angry Toward What You Really Need – Episode 68

Robert continues his guidance in developing our capacity to move outside our conditioning and reactive emotions. Most of us behave based on how we were seen or unseen by our parents or by others in our society that we model. We often identify with the heroes that are athletes or actors in TV shows. Amplifying these skills to inquire who we aspire to be independent of our conditioning will allow us to question ourselves, listen to what the answers are, and find ways to respond.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Pausing in Anger to Move Toward a State of Well-Being - Episode 67

Pausing in Anger to Move Toward a State of Well-Being – Episode 67

This week Robert and Dave go more deeply into the seven steps to transform anger. The podcast coincides with the final chapter of Robert’s book, Awareness that Heals. We all have loads of hypnosis or conditioning from our parents, our culture, our movies, and our friends that lead us in directions that make anger a divisive force, rather than one that can be directed in a way that serves everyone. This show is zeroing in on how to find a spaciousness inside us that can choose to guide us in our anger and resistant emotional reactions. Listen to this episode . . .
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Transforming Anger & Resisting Emotions into Intimacy & Strength - Episode 66

Transforming Anger & Resisting Emotions into Intimacy & Strength – Episode 66

In the last episode, Robert and Dave focused primarily on containment. This week’s episode is focusing on giving some personal examples of containment and penetrating even further into transforming anger and resisting emotions into intimacy and strength. For most of us, feelings are central. Here, we are being guided and given options to how beneficial responses to our feelings can be vital to long-term happiness.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Containment: Feeling as Fully as Possible in a Safe Way & Accessing our Needs - Episode 65

Containment: Feeling as Fully as Possible in a Safe Way & Accessing our Needs – Episode 65

Join Robert and Dave as they take a deep dive into the process of containment. Many misunderstand the word. Containment is not suppression. It is feeling as fully as possible in a safe place where it does not hurt anyone, including ourselves. It helps us not to become paralyzed in withdrawal or lost in a wide realm of expressing feelings that have fight as an element inside them. Containment requires us to have the self-control to pause in the midst of uncomfortable feelings. Listen to this episode . . .
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Increase Your Quality of Life One Awareness at a Time - Episode 64

Increase Your Quality of Life One Awareness at a Time – Episode 64

In this episode, Robert and Dave wrap up their focus on the key practices. They continue to illuminate the link between our most challenging feelings, the situations we face each day, and how to identify the needs to guide us toward healing and wellbeing. It is important not to get this path confused with being a seeker of perfection. That seeker is really a form of rejection, rather than genuinely making our best efforts in a natural way. We are looking to hold two ideas at the same time.  Listen to this episode . . .
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We Are Not Limited to Dominantly Identifying with Our Feelings - Episode 63

We Are Not Limited to Dominantly Identifying with Our Feelings – Episode 63

This week Robert focuses on a different set of needs called chronic needs or chronic feelings. These situations can be identified as when you are compromised due to serious things like your health or your partner's health, hormones, trauma, or chemistry. Other examples of these chronic needs can show up in serious gaps in communication with people that are important to you, or in dealing with yourself when you are in your worst mood. Listen to this episode . . .
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By Facing Difficult Feelings, It Gives Us the Best Chance to Feel Good - Episode 62

By Facing Difficult Feelings, It Gives Us the Best Chance to Find Peace – Episode 62

We are constantly managing and doing our best to hold opposing emotions and conditioning at the same time. On the one hand, we have feelings that are the least desirable. Alternatively, we have the most desirable qualities of trust, love, and compassion. It is not only important to see these as opposites but to recognize that we are taught to work hard, be disciplined, be successful, be attractive, and have financial means. As we process and wrestle with our conditioning as well as our emotional extremes the paradox emerges. Listen to this episode . . .
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The Vital Link Between Feelings and Needs - Episode 61

The Vital Link Between Feelings and Needs – Episode 61

This week Robert focuses on the second to last chapter of his book. This step entails moving from feelings to needs. There are many foundational steps required to get to this point. Robert takes some time to review. From these precursor steps, we can make a distinct connection between identifying our most challenging feelings and what needs could be supported that would most help us in any given situation. Each situation is always unique. Listen to this episode . . .
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You Can't Always Get What You Want - Episode 60

You Can’t Always Get What You Want, but if You Try, Sometimes, You Get What You Need – Episode 60

This week Robert continues to delve deeply into using life’s challenges as a springboard to living a more authentic and joyful life. It is a normal human reaction to blame others or wish they were different, but wishing someone was different can only get you so far. If we suppress our most difficult feelings or act them out, we are in a kind of compulsive repeating of wounded history.  Listen to this episode . . .
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The Starting Point is Always Awareness - Episode 59

The Starting Point is Always Awareness – Episode 59

The Awareness that Heals is a never-ending cycle of self-inquiry. Even as you may feel you have reached  development of several levels in one area of your life, you may begin to recognize that you, and all of us. are rookies in another. Identifying yet unseen aspects of your life with awareness need to be met with compassion and a sense of appreciation. It takes great humility and courage to look at what areas aren’t yet developed. You are opening vulnerable areas that many of us avoid! Yet, we are being guided to meet these challenges with a compassionate inquiry with a tone of support.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Happiness & Fulfillment: Balancing our Life Equations - Episode 58

Happiness & Fulfillment: Balancing our Life Equations – Episode 58

Most people are part of the program. The equation is: success + sex + power + moving toward wealth + being popular + having a family = Fulfillment. This is the dominant western narrative of how to arrive at happiness. In this week’s episode, Robert challenges this assumption. He suggests we ask essential questions of ourselves, listen carefully to our guidance, then follow through with new thoughts and actions.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Recognizing Tendencies: Do I Stew or Surpress - Episode 57

Recognizing Tendencies: Do I Stew or Suppress? – Episode 57

Recognizing a style of how we deal with our challenges can be a great way to begin learning how to best take care of ourselves. At one level it may appear paradoxical because most of us have been raised to believe we want to feel good. That we want to appear to feel good to others and ourselves. We haven’t understood the price of suppressing feelings. This episode highlights the importance of taking some time to drop into life’s most difficult experiences. Listen to this episode . . .
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Greeting Difficult Emotions with Support and Wisdom - Episode 56

How to Greet Difficult Emotions with Support and Wisdom – Episode 56

Accepting our emotions with an astute mind can be a key component to being kinder to ourselves.  Rather than rejecting our feelings and internally shaming ourselves for having them, we can make an important pivot to welcome them with courage and curiosity. They have something to teach us. Emotions can be muddled and hard to unpack, but within them sits the possibility of accessing our deepest wisdom. This intelligence will lead us to qualities that we can embrace to care for ourselves.  Listen to this episode . . .
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When Desires go Awry: Redefining Success to be Inclusive - Episode 55

When Desires go Awry: Redefining Success to be Inclusive – Episode 55

The importance of this podcast is to put attention on yourself, so you may touch on the most universal needs that are going to benefit your life when challenges arise. When you are able to do this, even some of the time, you will begin to be able to benefit the world as well. It is a common misunderstanding that when we focus on ourselves, this is narcissistic. However, by discovering and accessing our essential needs, it is actually the most generous thing we can do. Listen to this episode . . .
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Distinguishing Unrealistic Desires from Essential Needs - Episode 54

Distinguishing Unrealistic Desires from Essential Needs – Episode 54

Desire can take many forms.  There are frivolous desires that can be fun. We all have these, and in fact, are quite a natural part of the human experience. The focus of the podcast this week is not those desires,  but those that are not realistic at all or in some cases destructive, and therefore can warp our feelings. These desires will leave us with deep challenges. Robert discusses that healing here almost always comes through the recognition that the desire is unrealistic or harmful and then being able to make the deep distinction between what results in simple enjoyment and what will create harm to ourselves or others.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Moving from our challanges toward a state of wellbeing - Episode 53

Moving from our Challenges toward a State of Wellbeing – Episode 53

How much do we like or care for ourselves when we are being challenged? In this week’s episode, Robert invites us to begin moving from self-rejection toward self-caring and compassion. Are you being anxious on purpose? Are you being depressed on purpose? Do you get the joke?  Of course not. When we see that we aren’t, we can sense our innocence and let more compassion in. Robert offers simple and proven practices for creating awareness that heals. These tools can be applied again and again. Listen to this episode . . .
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How can we find dignity and peace in challenging feelings and situations - Episode 52

How can we find dignity and peace in challenging feelings and situations? – Episode 52

In this episode of Awareness that Heals, Robert continues to explore the importance of recognizing, accepting and communicating our challenging feelings. It takes significant motivation on our part to recognize that our feelings are important as a starting point. It's how we get to be honest with ourselves without running away from what's difficult. Facing your feelings head-on can be challenging, but continue by asking heartfelt questions especially when things are difficult, and then responding to the caring suggestions we receive.  Listen to this episode . . .
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How can understanding our feelings and needs can help us take care of ourselves - Episode 51

How understanding our feelings and needs can help us take care of ourselves – Episode 51

If someone were to ask you, which is your most challenging emotion, would you be able to name it? Maybe you require some prompting and help from your friends or loved ones. Throughout the Awareness That Heals podcast, Robert makes an empathetic request for listeners to become aware of and recognize their most frequent challenging emotions. But why is it essential to put a name to your feeling? Listen to this episode . . .
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How a healthy amount of self-doubt can help you build a better relationship with yourself - Episode 50

How a healthy amount of self-doubt can help you build a better relationship with yourself – Episode 50

One of the first steps to move toward healing is awareness. In this episode, Robert explores how awareness and working towards a deeper understanding of our tone of voice can positively impact our relationships with others and ourselves. Think back to the last time you were in a challenging situation. What were your internal thoughts? What did your tone of voice toward yourself sound like? Listen to this episode . . .
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How can tone of voice help us expand our quality of life - Episode 49

How can tone of voice help us expand our quality of life? – Episode 49

Over the last few episodes of Awareness That Heals, Robert has been sharing how our tone of voice can really impact us internally as well as our relationships with others. Often, we use our tone of voice to indicate how we’re feeling about something. Angry about a missed appointment? Sadness about not being understood? Joy at achieving something? Our emotions and feelings come through in our tone. It also indicates how we view others. Listen to this episode . . .
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What does intention to heal or to care have to do with our tone of voice - Episode 48

What does intention to heal or to care have to do with our tone of voice? – Episode 48

We’re taught to focus on our strengths and continue to hone them from a young age. Any weaknesses or issues are usually sidelined or kept private, a problem to deal with later. Then, as we grow into adulthood, we all too frequently continue to ignore those challenges, even though they need to be resolved for our wellbeing.  Listen to this episode . . .
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How tone of voice can help you convey what you mean - Episode 47

How tone of voice can help you convey what you mean – Episode 47

“Either say something nice or don’t say anything at all.” We’ve all heard versions of this statement growing up, as our caregivers taught us to be friendly and kind to others. While the intention is good, it can come at the cost of teaching us to suppress our authentic feelings and emotions. This is by no means an approval to be mean or unkind towards others, but in trying only to say nice things, we can often be dishonest about our real feelings and needs. Listen to this episode . . .
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Moving from impulsiveness to conductors of our tone of voice - Episode 46

Moving from impulsiveness to conductors of our tone of voice – Episode 46

Who among us hasn't been in a disagreement or argument in our lives? In those moments, we could find ourselves speaking cuttingly or with an injurious tone of voice. Sometimes, we may not even realize our tone of voice expresses such harsh emotions. Your tone of voice is immensely impactful, but it is not something most of us are usually aware of. It can be an indicator of how we're feeling inside — anxious, happy, stressed or angry. More often than we realize, our tone of voice may give away our internal feelings and emotions, whether or not we realize it.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Why is Tone of Voice so important - Episode 45

Why is Tone of Voice so important? – Episode 45

Have you ever seen someone disciplining a kid? Or maybe you've had to talk to a kid about something? You might have noticed that the moment your tone changes, they're almost always aware of what will follow — treats, rewards, scolding, or even punishment. Kids are incredibly good at picking up on your tone of voice, far better than adults. But let's go back for a second. What is your tone of voice? Simply put, it's the way you say something. Listen to this episode . . .
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How We Respond to our Feelings is More Important than What We Feel - Episode 44

How We Respond to our Feelings is More Important than What We Feel – Episode 44

Over the last few episodes of Awareness that Heals, Robert and Dave have explored how developing new practices can help us take care of ourselves through both life's biggest challenges and daily moments. These practices are being defined and refined clearly, as it is so important to understand the meaning behind each of them. Listen to this episode . . .
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Why it's important to use supportive wisdom when expressing your boundaries - Episode 43

Why it’s important to use supportive wisdom when expressing your boundaries – Episode 43

We all need to set a boundary or two at various points in our lives. But, how do you go about it? Do you communicate your needs and feelings clearly? Or do you throw unsuccessful hints, hoping that the other person quietly picks up on your discomfort and unease? While knowing your boundaries is powerful, setting and then enforcing them clearly and with consideration is a whole different equation.  Listen to this episode . . .
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How can you find and use Wisdom to navigate difficult feelings? - Episode 42

How can you find and use Wisdom to navigate difficult feelings? – Episode 42

One of the main aspects of Inquiry, or the act of asking beneficial questions to take care of yourself, is to do it without judgment. Asking precise guiding questions is how you can take care of yourself, despite your feelings. In this episode of Awareness that Heals, Robert Strock takes us through a few moments of his life. He shares how his own Inquiry and the subsequent guidance he continues to develop has helped him empathize more strongly with people around him, including his podcast co-host and partner at the Global Bridge Foundation, Dave, through some recent emotional events. . Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing Inquiry and Following the Wisdom It Reveals - Episode 41

Developing Inquiry and Following the Wisdom It Reveals – Episode 41

Every year, most of us make new resolutions and set new goals to achieve. We're constantly encouraged to strive for external success markers and status symbols. All things that can significantly impact how we live. But what about maximizing your quality of life? From previous episodes, we know the answer to this is—learning how to ask beneficial questions—inquiry. Inquiry is when you begin asking yourself questions such as, "How can I take care of myself today?" Listen to this episode . . .
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The relationship between inquiry and wisdom guidance - Episode 40

The relationship between inquiry and wisdom guidance – Episode 40

When you first start engaging with sincere questioning, it can be challenging to remember what it's all for and find the motivation to keep going. After all, as Robert and Dave discuss in this episode, being aware of your feelings, thoughts, and emotions and actively engaging with them to become better is not something we're taught. In fact, it's almost counter-cultural. So then, why is it vital that we cultivate the art of asking questions?  Listen to this episode . . .
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How to expand your quality of life? Ask questions. - Episode 39

How to expand your quality of life? Ask questions. – Episode 39

It’s always a great idea to ask how to help. Whether the person you’re asking is yourself or a loved one, asking shows your awareness that there’s a need. The art of asking questions can improve and expand our quality of life — inquiry is one of the best and clearest ways to find and shape your best self. Today, as you listen to this episode, take a moment to ask yourself— What is the challenging emotion that’s most frequent in my life?” Listen to this episode . . .
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How can I take care of myself today? - Episode 38

How can I take care of myself today? – Episode 38

Sometimes, moments of strife can feel like you're drowning underwater. Unable to call for help, not sure if anyone, including yourself, can hear you. Learning how to ask questions that can help you support yourself is like equipping yourself with an oxygen tank. You're not out of the water yet, but you're able to breathe a little better. The art of sincere questioning is an experience of love. It's being able to take a breather in those difficult moments, pause, and ask yourself — how can I best take care of myself through this?  Listen to this episode . . .
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Hello, it’s your wisdom guidance-can you hear me - Episode 37

Hello, it’s your wisdom guidance—can you hear me? – Episode 37

When it comes to forging your best self, inquiry and wisdom guidance are two key facilitators. Inquiry is sincere questioning that sparks awareness with simple suggestions of support and direction. Wisdom guidance involves giving yourself and others the space to think, act, and develop qualities that are most beneficial without carrying any judgment. It's present inside us all—but can you access your wisdom?  Listen to this episode . . .
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Listening to Our Own Needs and Wisdom - Episode 36

Listening to Our Own Needs and Wisdom – Episode 36

Host Robert Strock begins by acknowledging that many of us reach a point where we realize that life is not as fulfilling, enjoyable, or satisfying as we had hoped or imagined. We all have patterns of behavior and thinking that we were taught early in our lives. Almost all of us have patterns that prevent the peace and happiness we desire. Strock asks listeners to identify a pattern or patterns that may be reversed to develop a deeper sense of wellbeing. Listen to this episode . . .
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Becoming Aware of Our Essential Needs - Episode 35

Becoming Aware of Our Essential Needs – Episode 35

Host Robert Strock discusses and uses examples of how developing our self-inquiry can help move us beyond the conditioning of our past. Many of us get caught in the emotions and the experience of our challenges. We may try to give it our best efforts but often aren’t aware of our essential needs, actions, or qualities that are necessary to guide us. It is very helpful to download the free The Introspective Guides at AwarenessThatHeals.org to more clearly see what is needed to develop. Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing our Own Wisdom from Inner Inquiry - Episode 34

Developing our Own Wisdom from Inner Inquiry – Episode 34

Robert Strock explores the continuing path to our own wisdom, a path that does not come cheap and leads us to become our ever-changing best selves. There’s a need for sincerity as we learn how to access our inner wisdom without imposition. We access our wisdom by leaving behind moral pressure established from previous relationships or societal expectations and revering our own genuine state of asking for guidance. Listen to this episode . . .
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Identifying our Repeating Challenging Emotion - Episode 33

Identifying Our Repeating Challenging Emotion – Episode 33

Host Robert Strock moves deeper into the practice of self-inquiry and how it leads us to examine our quality of life. We return to the question of what is our repeating challenging emotion? As we move through the process of inquiry, we can start looking at whether or not our decisions help take care of everyone at the proverbial table or only a small group of people. It’s a process of looking at our answers without judgment. Listen to this episode . . .
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The Art of Asking Questions - Episode 32

The Art of Asking Questions – Episode 32

Self-inquiry and guiding questions lead us toward our unique and deeper truths. We learn more and more who we truly aspire to be, and not dominated by our conditioning. We can start with questions like, “What do I need to do for my quality of life? What do I need to let go of to open the door to a greater experience of purpose, a priority for me?” Through a pattern of questioning, we can readjust our behavior and thinking to develop our best selves. We can use inquiry in all aspects of our lives. Listen to this episode . . .
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The Question That Matters Most - Episode 31

The Question That Matters Most – Episode 31

Host Robert Strock leads listeners through the process of using friendly mind and our inner knowing to address difficult relationships in our lives. If we can approach them from a standpoint of causing the least damage and most understanding for both parties, we can have crucial conversations to support ourselves with challenging feelings and relationships. Listen to this episode . . .
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Inner Knowing As Part Of Friendly Mind - Episode-30

Inner Knowing as Part of Friendly Mind – Episode 30

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Listen to this episode . . .
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Facing Truths in Our Lives through Inquiry and Awareness - Episode 29

Facing Truths in Our Lives Through Awareness and Inquiry – Episode 29

Host Robert Strock teaches about learning to face the truths in our lives. Self-inquiry can teach us to see, prioritize, and let go of patterns that aren’t beneficial to our personal progress. The process of building awareness of our thought and behavioral patterns can help us steer our rudder in the right direction, rather than beating ourselves up or withdrawing because of our perceived weaknesses and mistakes. Listen to this episode . . .
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The Importance of Listening to Our Own Wisdom - Episode 28

The Importance of Listening to Our Own Wisdom – Episode 28

Host Robert Strock discusses the importance of identifying and listening to our own wisdom. We can learn to value paying attention to whatever our challenging emotions are at any moment. This is a major victory. It’s a part of identifying what are our essential needs so we can guide ourselves toward the best version of who we are. We can ask ourselves “What is it that we most need?” and refer to the Introspective Guides on AwarenessThatHeals.org for specific help. Listen to this episode . . .
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Inquiring from the Heart to Access Wisdom - Episode 27`

Inquiring from the Heart to Access Wisdom – Episode 27

Host Robert Strock teaches the process of moving from self-criticism to pivoting and accessing our own wisdom through self-inquiry. The process starts when we face challenging emotions. In these moments, we ask ourselves questions, searching for the best of who we are. What is our best self, our best actions, best communication, and best attitudes? These questions will guide us toward the thoughts we will derive benefit to think rather than self-criticizing ones. Listen to this episode . . .
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Confusion, Self-Compassion, and Introspective Questioning - Episode 26

Confusion, Self-Compassion, Introspective Questioning – Episode 26

Host Robert Strock explores how a growing awareness around our own confusion affects self-rejection during serious health or medical changes. It’s inevitable to feel loss, emptiness, or fear during drastic life changes. We need to learn to acknowledge our feelings around these challenges. Otherwise, we will increase feelings of depression or agitation rather than deepening acceptance, understanding, and forgiving ourselves. There’s a process of learning to see our own expectations and realizing that they’re so often unreasonable. Listen to this episode . . .
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Disempowering Self-Rejection - Episode 25

Disempowering Self-Rejection – Episode 25

Host Robert Strock and guest Dave discuss the process of finding the wise part of ourselves that has the ability to speak with an understanding, compassionate inner voice. With this voice, we can identify self-rejection and see it as an emotion and not feed it with continuous thoughts. We also need to be careful not to succumb to premature transcending, where we think we’re beyond our challenging feelings when we’ve really let them sink deeper into our subconscious. Listen to this episode . . .
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Changing Responses to Difficult Emotions - Episode 24

Changing Responses to Difficult Emotions – Episode 24

Host Robert Strock discusses the long-term process of identifying our challenging emotions and how we can work through them. We are individuals with differing experiences and upbringings. Those experiences affect how we respond to difficult emotions and eventually can turn into self-rejection. We have to look deep within ourselves to identify the actions and thoughts that can lead us away from rejection toward self-acceptance. We can start by asking and identifying our most difficult, challenging emotion. Listen to this episode . . .
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Cultivating Self-Acceptance and Balance - Episode 23

Cultivating Self-Acceptance and Balance – Episode 23

Host Robert Strock digs deeper into developing self-acceptance and balance as we continue on a journey through challenging feelings. Misconceptions about self-acceptance can lead to causing undue harm to others, especially when dealing with anger. However, true self-acceptance comes when we express ourselves with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and honesty. Part of self-acceptance means saying yes to negative emotions, embracing them, and tolerating them without hurting others. Listen to this episode . . .
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Continual Progression and Personal Evolution - Episode 22

Continual Progression and Personal Evolution – Episode 22

Host Robert Strock discusses the value of learning to identify our own challenging feelings, questioning them, and continuing to grow and develop as a person. Each of us must learn that outside standards don’t have to define us. It takes time to develop the autonomous self that can name, question, and grow. Self-rejection keeps us from realizing the autonomous self because we get caught in a reactive mode where we identify with what we’ve been taught.  Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing-Self Compassion with Patience - Episode-21

Developing Self-Compassion with Patience – Episode 21

Host Robert Strock discusses the continuing process of developing self-compassion. Difficult emotions elicit many predictable “normal” forms of self-rejection, such as withdrawing, anger, or fixing. However, normal doesn’t mean healthy. We can learn to accept challenging feelings as part of our human experience while learning to stop patterns of self-rejection. Listen to this episode . . .
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Develop Self-Compassion and Activate Healing Intention - Episode 20

Develop Self-Compassion and Activate Healing Intention – Episode 20

Host Robert Strock discusses how to continually develop self-compassion by identifying the healing intentions that lie at the heart of who we are. All too frequently when we have challenging feelings, we react in negative emotional l ways, which is an expression of (usually unconscious) self-rejection. That’s when it’s time to remind ourselves that our feelings aren’t the most important part of who we are. Feelings are feelings, and in many cases, they’re perpetually involuntary. Listen to this episode . . .
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Acceptance and Self-Compassion Illuminate Self-Rejection - Episode 19

Acceptance and Self-Compassion Illuminate Self-Rejection – Episode 19

Robert Strock continues a discussion of the third level of awareness, exploring deeper levels of moving toward self-compassion. The process of developing self-compassion is not a one-time experience. It’s a repeated course of thought and action where we continually identify difficult feelings and our response to them. Listen to this episode . . .
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See What's Challenging From A Nonjudgmental Place

See What’s Challenging From A Nonjudgmental Place – Episode 18

Robert Strock and guest David Knapp discuss the third level of awareness. This level of awareness requires that we become aware of and identify our most challenging feelings. To address these feelings, we must reach the first level of awareness, which is to be humble enough to be aware that in many areas we are unaware. Listen to this episode . . .
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Moving From Self-Rejection Toward Self-Compassion

Moving From Self-Rejection Toward Self-Compassion – Episode 17

Host Robert Strock discusses the process of moving from self-rejection toward self-compassion. Emotions like anger or anxiety often carry a double layer of self-rejection. There’s the initial emotion but also the way we feel about that emotion. Listen to this episode . . .
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Focusing on the Present and Near Future – Episode 16

Focusing on the Present and Near Future – Episode 16

The sixth and last principle of Friendly Mind is to focus on what is possible in the present or near future. When we pay attention to our true capabilities, we see more clearly the importance of staying in the present, and at most, the next few moments. Focusing on the present usually comes with great relief. It gives us the ability to see what we are truly able to do or how we can respond in the present or as soon as possible. Once we have that guidance, we can more easily be our best selves. Listen to this episode . . .
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Never Try to Solve the Impossible - Episode-15

Never Try to Solve the Impossible – Episode 15

Never try to solve the impossible—that’s the fifth principle of Friendly Mind. Most of us wish to let our mind get the best of us where we feel secure in a future that we cannot realistically control or desire to be more than we are capable of. When Friendly Mind sees this, it reminds us with the neutral question, “Are you trying to create something that isn’t within your capacity?” When we understand and learn to successfully implement this principle, it usually creates a smile because we recognize how many times we have given ourselves a hard time. For many, it’s often a humorous relief and release of what was always outside of our control. Listen to this episode . . .
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The Power of Realistic Best Efforts - Episode-14

The Power of Realistic Best Efforts – Episode 14

The fourth principle of Friendly Mind is making realistic best efforts toward ourselves and others. The word realistic is vital because of the danger of becoming perfectionistic and thinking our best efforts are not good enough. When we listen carefully and ask our Friendly Mind to guide us, we deserve genuine honoring. On the other hand, we need to take action and do what we are fully capable of as Friendly Mind is not blind ego validation. It needs to be earned and practiced to reach its potency. Listen to this episode . . .
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Empathic Thoughts Can Guide Us when Were in Hell - Episode 13

Empathic Thoughts Can Guide Us when We’re in Hell – Episode 13

The third principle of Friendly Mind is a subtle understanding that Friendly Mind doesn’t require us to feel friendly, even toward ourselves. This principle supports us when we are in any kind of severe distress, including but not limited to exhaustion, or anxiety, which limits the availability of friendly feelings. Friendly Mind contains the wisdom to steer ourselves in a beneficial way without the pressure to feel friendly or caring. At these times, we often feel neutral, which, once we get the knack of this principle, is a great relief. Listen to this episode . . .
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Developing Empathic Wisdom Thoughts - Episode 12

Developing Empathic Wisdom Thoughts – Episode 12

In this episode, we explore the second principle of Friendly Mind—thinking empathically when we are in any kind of pain or suffering. We learn to develop the capacity to think and follow friendly, realistic, grounded thoughts that care for us no matter our feelings or circumstances. Friendly Mind acknowledges and faces feelings without suppression. It oftentimes guides us to relate to both our feelings and the situation in a way that supports both Listen to this episode . . .
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Appereciating the Awareness of Challenges - Episode 11

Appreciating the Awareness of Challenges – Episode 11

We enter the first core principle of Friendly Mind—an awareness of life’s most challenging feelings and situations. Friendly Mind subtlety grounds and benefits us by looking at this awareness in a neutral or positive light. This episode explores this principle, which is the underbelly of all the other Friendly Mind principles. If we don’t stay grounded with clarity of the specific challenges we face in our daily lives, we limit our capacity for fulfillment, inspiration, and personal evolution. Listen to this episode . . .
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Why You Can't Just Think Positive to Feel Better - Episode 10

Why You Can’t Just “Think Positive” to Feel Better – Episode 10

This important episode highlights and contrasts Friendly Mind with other methods, identifying similarities yet making the valuable differences clear. Friendly Mind clarifies how affirmations, positive thinking, ‘fixing’ feelings, self-judgment, and the more conventional expression of “I’m fine” all fall short of true healing. They miss the critical element of responding as simultaneously as possible with awareness of life’s challenges and the value of guiding ourselves toward well-being and healing. These distinctions help us understand the subtlety of Friendly Mind. Listen to this episode . . .
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Transforming Emotional and Spiritual Standards - Episode 9

Transforming Emotional and Spiritual Standards – Episode 9

We continue to explore impossible standards that impale our progress toward healing. Friendly Mind guides us to do and be all that is realistically possible while helping us to not be slaves to these pressures. With personal examples, we closely explore the myriad of ways we guilt and pressure ourselves to be different from who we are and can be in our own bodies. We push ourselves to get rid of our anxiety, depression, and fear or religion, spirituality, non-spiritual beliefs, or intelligence. However, Friendly Mind teaches us to come back again and again, doing and honoring our best efforts. Listen to this episode . . .
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Overcoming Family Conditioning - Episode 8

Overcoming Family Conditioning – Episode 8

Childhood experiences and culture teach many of us to strive for impossible, unrealistic, or unreachable standards. This episode explores the trap created by these standards and introduces how to free ourselves. Friendly Mind creates a realistic, present focus on supportive and realistic thoughts. We look closely at standards and expectations relating to family, friendship, work, love, sex, youthfulness, and success. This is the first episode to deal with unreachable standards by identifying a grounded, balanced focus on what is possible. Listen to this episode . . .
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Friendly Mind: More Central than Feelings - Episode 7

Friendly Mind: More Central than Feelings – Episode 7

With practice, Friendly Mind helps us identify with who we are becoming rather than with our feelings in a given moment or situation. Friendly Mind steers our focus and understanding toward our own wisdom, with it becoming clearer and clearer that Friendly Mind’s guidance and response is more important than what we feel. This Friendly Mind could be called wisdom, God’s guidance, or intuition. However, listening to and finding the best guidance, no matter what we call it, to deal with our greatest challenges is the most important step. Listen to this episode . . .
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ResponsivebWisdom - Episode-6

Responsive Wisdom – Episode 6

In the Friendly Mind, we learn the value and benefit to ourselves and others of focusing on our responses to challenging emotions and situations rather than trying to change the feelings themselves. Accepting these emotions feels counterintuitive at first. However, with encouragement and practiced dedication, we learn the importance of thoughts, especially those that help us accept our situations and feelings. Acceptance begins a process of learning to independently act from emotions without denial. Listen to this episode . . .
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Friendly Mind - Episode 1

Healing Awareness – Episode 5

This fourth level of awareness is where the vast majority of healing takes place.  This is awareness that heals. We are not only aware of our present challenging feelings and situations, but also we experience a genuine motivation to move toward healing and well-being.  We see the challenging state(s) we are in and at the same time we care for ourselves enough to respond toward healing and well-being.  This creates a sense of purpose and inspiration to be our best selves. Listen to this episode . . .
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Awareness with Intention to Heal - Part 1

Life’s Challenges with Intention to Heal – Episode 4

The vast majority of healing takes place in the fourth level of awareness. This is awareness that heals. At this level, we are aware of our challenging feelings in the present, but we also experience a genuine motivation to move toward healing. We see and acknowledge our challenging state(s) while at the same time, we care for ourselves enough to respond with actions that take us toward healing and better well-being. This creates a sense of purpose and inspiration to be our best selves. Listen to this episode . . .
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Stable Intellectual Awareness – Episode 3

This episode explores one of the most dangerous traps of what is often misconceived as awareness. It occurs when we can see and identify what we feel but believe that this alone will allow us to address and overcome the challenges associated with those feelings. Often, we hear in the psychological world, I am aware of my anger, jealousy, grief, and a wide array of other emotions, but true healing takes more than acknowledgement and recognition. Listen to this episode . . .
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Fleeting Awareness

Fleeting Awareness – Episode 2

In Episode 2, we discuss accessing “Fleeting Awareness,” which allows us to glimpse into both our greatest challenges and our wisdom. As we work toward stabilizing this awareness, we have the chance to both face difficult challenges and access our own flashes of insight. This gives us the opportunity to bring a new consciousness to our responses and actions, opening us to greater healing, fulfillment, and inspiration. We invite you to tune into our ongoing series. Listen to this episode . . .
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Being Aware of Being Unaware

Being Aware of Being Unaware – Episode 1

In Episode 1 of Awareness That Heals, we explore the first of four levels of awareness: “Being Aware of Being Unaware.” It is a challenging revelation when we recognize that we are often unaware of our own reactions. This is especially true at times when we are stirred up within and impacted by difficult feelings like fear, anger, anxiety, or pain. By facing our human limitations, we begin to set the stage to genuinely live more humbly and connected with ourselves and others, rather than overly confident. Listen to this episode . . .
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