Building resilience

Resilience

Have you ever thought about how the most difficult experiences in your life have shaped you? Were they catalysts for a change in direction?  Did you decide to “toughen up “and get on with it? Did you make a decision that you would set up your life so that it would never happen to you again? Did the situation leave a bitter taste in your mouth?  Perhaps you didn’t deal with it at all? Or maybe you went to the roots of your pain and began to see yourself and the world in a whole new light.

The ability to master life is not so much about seeking happiness through external experiences but rather cultivating the inner resources that support resilience and inner joy.

Many see resilience based on its original definition:  the ability to ‘bounce back ‘ to our original state after a period of extreme stress or adversity.  For me, it’s about how we can grow through and from the experience.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of perceiving resilience as merely a  ‘coping mechanism’. Often , when we are under pressure, survival mode kicks in, we become goal oriented and action focused and we feed on adrenalized energy. Whilst this is a helpful built in mechanism and strategy in the short term, the danger is that no space and time is created for recovery. The other common pattern is that we attach certain thoughts and behaviours to the situation, and fall into the trap of blaming others, or taking on more responsibility for the situation than is necessary.

Peak performance and the ability to thrive in a business environment requires the cultivation and development of the quality of resilience.

10 qualities of resilient people:

1.

Feeling of safety and belonging in the environment

2.

A solid support structure within the organisation and the ability to access sources of support on a professional and personal level.

3.

Emotional intelligence which requires a strong sense of self.

4.

The ability to feel and channel emotion appropriately, which translates into the ability to respond rather than react to situations.

5.

The ability to harness and manage energy  through rest and recovery , physical health and conscious lifestyle.  

6.

Adaptability and open mindedness

7.

Cultivating belief systems and perceptions that facilitate using challenges as opportunities to grow.

8.

The skill of shifting areas of focus appropriate to the situation.

9.

Self awareness and mindfulness

10.

A sense of meaning and purpose.

Resilience  is about cultivating equanimity, the skill of resting in the eye of the storm knowing that “this too shall pass”.

But how does one get there?  It begins with awareness that we already have all the inner resources at our disposal. We simply have to be reminded how to tap into them.

Mindfulness and Conscious Breathing are simple keys.

A daily breathwork and mindfulness practice just  15 minutes a day will build up your resilience muscle, will assist you to ride the waves of change and light up new pathways in your body, mind and heart.

Simple mindfulness practice :

Set the timer on your phone for 15 minutes, making sure that you won’t be disturbed.

Sit  or lie in a comfortable position and become aware of the physical sensations in your body and breath.

As soon as you become aware of the thought, simply watch it and return to your breath.

The key is not to create an empty mind, but rather to create a distance between you ( the “watcher “)  and the  reactive mind .

Dr Ela Manga

Integrated Medical Practitioner

www.drelamanga.com

' HOW TO BREATHE ' AND 3 WAYS TO CORRECT DYSFUNCTIONAL BREATHING PATTERNS

' HOW TO BREATHE' AND 3 WAYS TO CORRECT DYSFUNCTIONAL BREATHING

In my practice, I often hear people saying that they don't ' breathe properly'. Either the breath feels restricted and shallow or there's a sense that they are hardly breathing at all!
Is there actually a ' proper ' or ' correct' way to breathe?
Confusion seems to creeps in when talking about the ' right ' way to breathe and how to practice deep breathing techniques.

Should we be breathing through the nostrils only or in through the nose and out through the mouth? Should be using our belly more? How should our chest be moving ? Should we be sitting up straight or lying down?
A yogi might have a different perspective from a martial art specialist . A pilates instructor might disagree completely with a doula or birth companion.

The human body has been exquisitely designed to maintain perfect equilibrium despite the constant changes that occur physiologically and in the external environment. The autonomic nervous system has a sophisticated surveillance system that immediately picks up the slightest change in body temperature, oxygen saturation or if there's life threatening situation. Signals fire up along the neurological pathways within milliseconds to the appropriate organ and endocrine systems. Actions are immediately executed to keep the physiological systems in balance.
Breathing is one the functions that is regulated through this system. The breathing rate adapts and changes according to physical activity, temperature changes and pH.

If we were living more in tune with our natural rhythms, our breathing patterns would would be unrestricted and flowing at rest . Our breathing would adapt according to our physical, emotional and mental state and according to the body's needs. The body's self regulating mechanisms would be intact and untainted by poor posture, stress and emotional baggage.

Amazingly, the breathing is the only autonomic nervous system function that we are consciously able to override. Through conscious breathing we are able to regulate and channel the breath to change our state and manage our natural energy. There  are thousands of breathing techniques that have been used and can be created to improve physical health, support emotional wellbeing and achieve certain spiritual states.

When it comes to breathing at rest , there are a 3 points of awareness that will assist in re- patterning the breath back to its natural state.

1. It's right under your nose.
The nose has perfect architecture to facilitate the delivery of prepared air to the delicate tissues of the lungs.  It's aerodynamic design spirals and slows down  the inhaled air so that it has enough time to
be filtered warmed and humidified by the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. Habitual / unconscious mouth breathing at rest is a dysfunctional pattern as this whole mechanism of nasal breathing  is bypassed and one becomes susceptible to respiratory infections. However, there are times when using mouth breathing is necessary . Think of the natural reflexes like yawning, sighing, and when a large amount of air is needed quickly ( after being under water for a long time). And notice that powerful emotions naturally demand mouth breathing ( laughing, crying etc) .

2. Low and slow
A maximum healthy respiratory rate  is between 10-14 breaths per  minute at rest.
If the breathing is faster, it could mean that you are chronically hyperventilating. In that case, too much CO2 gets blown off ,  creating a state of acidity --  a breeding ground for chronic illness. Work on breathing techniques where you are consciously slowing the breaths down , breathing from and sending the breaths deep into the pelvis.

3. Fire up the parachute
The diaphragm is a large dome shape muscle separating the chest from the abdomen. At rest it has the shape of a parachute, nestled up under the rib cage. As you fire up a deep natural inhalation, the lungs inflate and the diaphragm flattens, displacing the organs in the abdomen, causing the belly to pop out. As the lungs deflate with the exhalation , the diaphragm moves back up to its relaxed dome shape. This responsive movement of the diaphragm is vital for health.
Practice working the diaphragm by lying on your back, placing your hands on your belly and breathing into your hands on the inhale. On the exhale feel your belly button moving towards your spine.

All three of these tips have one important thing in common. They assume and require that you become more mindful of your breathing in general , at different times and in different situations.
Conscious breathing means just that- it means being more conscious of how you breathe. Bringing awareness to your breathing, especially when you are anxious ,  upset or under stress can brief immediate and long term benefits.

" Breath awareness" this a key to clearing your head, settling your stomach and calming your nerves!

Irritable Bowel Syndrome- A Natural approach

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.....A MORE NATURAL APPROACH

We recently did a really interesting exercise of sifting through our consultation forms to identify what our clients were telling us about themselves.

This is what we discovered....

Irritable bowel syndrome seems to be the most prevalent condition in our practice. While manysimply self medicate as the symptoms arise, others find temporary relief from a cocktail of chronic prescription medication. However, if IBS is managed from a holistic perspective, permanent relief be found and a solid foundation of optimum health will be created.

IBS may present with symptoms ranging from vague abdominal discomfort to unbearable cramps, bloating, heartburn, flatulence and intermittent diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms may occur erratically, in cycles or may be chronic. They are of often debilitating and can severely impact quality of life. Added to this may be great frustration that after a whole series of investigations, nothing tangible is discovered, the doctor puts it down to stress and the patient walks out with a prescription for medication that may or may not offer a temporary relief.

This was exactly the experience of one of my patients. She initially consulted with me as she was experiencing night sweats, heart palpitations and insomnia for a few weeks prior to consulting with me.  

Routine blood test revealed nothing unusual and it was clear that her symptoms were related to a chronic anxiety, the source of which came to light during our conversation. We worked with some breathing techniques to help her to deal with the symptoms of anxiety and she was given a herbal formulation to take orally.

It is hardly surprising that just as she began to create and awareness of the source of her anxiety, her symptoms began to shift and she began to experience abdominal cramps for which she consulted her regular GP. He sent her home with a PPI (acid suppressive medication commonly used to treat ulcers), an antispasmodic and an antidepressant...She may have experienced some temporary respite, however there was nothing in that prescription that addressed the root cause of her symptoms. In fact, it was just creating even more of an imbalance.

IBS can be a tricky condition to treat. There is no pathology that is visible under the microscope or that can be excised in surgery.  Strictly speaking, it is a functional condition of the bowel meaning that there is a disruption to the rhythmical and wavelike contractions that move the contents of bowl along towards the rectum. This can be caused by the erratic firing of the nerves that supply the bowel, resulting in the symptoms of diarrhoea, constipation or both.

However, in many cases IBS is a diagnosis that’s thrown around loosely for any vague abdominal symptom of the bowel without really understanding the imbalance from a broader perspective and without having an awareness of the patient’ s unique diet, personality, lifestyle and stressors.

Any digestive symptom is an indication that the  is not occurring optimally is often the first sign that the body is out of sync – It’s our early warning system!

So much more goes on in the gastrointestinal tract than simply the digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients and elimination of waste. It is a vital part of the immune system and it not surprising that the gut is called the second brain. It is home to 500 million neurons, produces 50% of all dopamine and  95% of serotonin, the feel good hormones!  Every day more and more discoveries are being made about the vast and complex nature of the gastrointestinal system, deepening our understanding of the intimate connection between our gut and brain and why a healthy gut is fundamental to the optimum functioning of all our other physiological systems.

If we can take heed of the subtle signals that our digestive system sends us, we can take early action to prevent infection, cancer and chronic illness in general.  Good health begins in the bowel.

The Ayurvedic system acknowledges this and places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of having a strong digestive fire. “Digestive Fire” refers to the digestive juices , acids and enzymes produced by the liver, pancreas and stomach secreted in the perfect dose to ensure that the meal can be completely digested and all the nutrients are assimilated and absorbed to support all the bodiestissue, functions and systems. The dance of the digestive fire is also perfectly in tune with nature and the sun. Digestive fire is strongest when the sun is highest in the sky at noon.

When this system is functioning well and we are living and eating in accordance with this rhythm, we feel satisfied yet light after a meal, there is no bloating or heartburn. Bowel movements are soft ,regular and energy levels are high.

This is rarely what occurs in modern life. Our digestive fire cannot keep up with what are feeding itand what gets pushed into the bowel is partially digested food that is seen as a foreign invader. The immune system within the bowel goes into full alert to mount an chronic inflammatory responsewhich manifests as allergies, sinusitis and skin rashes.

Stress also has a huge role to play. Many of us are unconsciously  locked in the “ fight- flight “ mode- all the body’s energy and resources are directed to the muscles and senses to maintain our hyper vigilant and reactive state, and away from the digestive system.

So here are 5 simple tips that you can try to deal with your digestive complaints:

1.Eliminate Wheat.

I truly believe that wheat is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to digestive disorders.  Mass produced bread from over processed wheat is poison to the bowel. Wheat is a relatively new grain to humans and our body’s haven’t adapted to producing the necessary enzymes to digest wheat.

Try eliminating all wheat from your diet for just 2 weeks and see the difference it makes to your bowel function and energy levels.

2. Answers from Ayurveda

-  try eating your main meal at lunch time when the digestive fire is strongest.  Lunch time is also the perfect time to be eating raw food and salads.s

- Dinner should be light and should be eaten as far from bedtime as possible. A short walk after dinner always helps.

- Avoid eating fruit as dessert as this will cause bloating.  Fruit should be eaten on it’s own or as a snack

- Slow down your eating and chew your food properly.

- Avoid drinking too much water with your meals as this will dilute your digestive fire.

-  avoid drinking cold water as this will have the same effect.

- Begin your morning with a big glass of hot water infused with fresh ginger and a slice of honey. This will clear toxins that have accumulated at night and will stimulate your bowel for elimination.

3.  Supplements guide

- Probiotics.  It is imperative to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in the bowel .Taking a good probiotic supplement will repopulate the bowel. However ensure that you are taking high enough potency.

- Omega 3/ Fish  oil  to help heal the lining of the gut. It also acts as an ant inflammatory.

- Digestive enzymes taken with meals will assist the stomach to break down meals and will assist with bloating and constipation

-  Glutamine also assists in healing the lining of the bowel.

-  A supplement or formula containing peppermint oil has been shown to be effective in treating the spasm associated with IBS. I personally prescribe a great product called  Iberogast.

4. Breathing

Many of us have breathing patterns are dysfunctional. Shallow fast breathing activates the fight flight response and vice versa. Deep slow conscious breathing can break this pattern and activate the parasympathetic nervous system which will assist better digestive function.

When we breathe deeply, the movement of the diaphragm works assists to massage and nourish the digestive organs with every breath.

Try this technique: Breath in for a count of 5, hold for a count of 5 then exhale slowly for a count of 10. Repeat 10 times.

5. Solar Plexus

It is always helpful to address emotional and psychological aspects when treating IBS. Mind Body medicine recognises that the digestive system is linked to the “ Solar Plexus energy centre” which is connected to self esteem, self worth, personal power and boundary setting. It is also often linked to the need for control and perfection.

In conclusion....

Remember that these tips are general and that each individual is unique with a different body type, lifestyle and emotional factors. What works for one person might not work for another. It is often a longer and more challenging path to the root cause but so worth the effort. Find a doctor or a healthcare professional who takes the time to listen to your story and who will assist you to create a healthcare regime that is most supportive of your unique body and soul.

Good luck!

Transforming anxiety

Anxiety 

How readily would you admit that you experience anxiety on a daily basis? 

Probably not that easily.  Anxiety is perceived as a weakness, a buckling in to pressure, a lack of coping.  Yet most of us carry anxiety with us constantly whether it be consciously and unconsciously and whether it shows up as a mind ' that just doesn't stop' , a gnawing sense of unease ,  insomnia or full blown panic attacks. We are anxious about traffic jams, whether we might have cancer, what our bonus will be, work deadlines and  where to go on holiday. We are anxious about what to eat for dinner, whether we have good enough security systems and if whether we should be looking for another job.  Anxiety can become big toxic mess taking us away from who we authentically are. 

And yet it is a normal natural state that is an important( and often useful)  part of the human experience.  A great deal of energy is depleted in the unconscious attempt to judge, deny, supress and distract ourselves from anxiety, losing the opportunity to channel and transform it into a growth opportunity. 

Robert Gerzon in his book ' Finding Serenity in the Age of Anxiety'  describes 3 faces of anxiety that I have found to be really helpful in make sensing of and working with anxiety in our current times. 

Natural anxiety: this is the feeling that we experience from the day to day stressors of life. It is relevant to the circumstance and when it is seen for what it is, can be channelled as a force for taking action and making changes. 

The anxiety usually dissipates  once the appropriate action has been taken. 

However, if these feelings are judged, suppressed or denied, the energy of the emotion gets driven deeper into the body and the subconscious mind, feeding toxic anxiety.

Toxic anxiety has no purpose. It is like an energy vampire, draining us of life force energy. It is fed by negative belief systems and feeds destructive behavior patterns and addictions. It creates a breeding ground for chronic illness  and appears as a blaming critic in relationships. It is the lens  through which the world is seen as a dangerous and threatening place. Toxic anxiety if left unchecked, may also manifest along the the spectrum of anxiety disorders. 

Sacred anxiety is a more subtle form of anxiety that may be difficult to recognize. It takes the form of an existential enquiry or dark night of soul, offering the gift of deeper insight and search for greater meaning and purpose. 

Dr Ela's Top Ten Tips to deal with anxiety : 

1. Cultivate the skill of self awareness so you can begin to identify what kind of anxiety you are dealing with and can take appropriate action.  A coach can help with this.

2. Develop the tools  of self calming in time of acute anxiety. Try this breathing technique : Breathe in for a count of 4. Hold the breath( without tensing the body) for a count of 4. Exhale slowly for a count of 4 and hold the breath before taking the next inhale for another count of 4.

This is also called ' tactical breathing' . 

3. Have your thyroid , glucose levels and blood pressure checked. Your anxiety may be related to a medical condition that needs to be addressed. 

4. Don't skip meals. A dip in glucose levels triggers and exacerbates anxiety.

5.  Cut the caffeine. It has been shown that caffeine fuels anxiety.

Limit yourself to 2 cups a day before lunch time. 

6. Try to get at 6 hours of solid sleep. Good sleep is the best antidote for rattiness. 

7. Avoid unnecessary exposure to news channels. When driving rather listen to your favourite music instead of the radio. Constant traffic reports and radio news is a great fodder for anxiety. 

8. Soak in a bath with lavender oil  at the end of the day. 

9.  Take the appropriate supplements that support your health and lifestyle. 

Your natural health practitioner can guide you with this. 

10. Release tension. Find an outlet to let go of tension. Exercise is a great way to channel and release the toxicity of anxiety. 

The Neti Pot

The Humble Neti Pot 

Do you suffer with post nasal drip, allergies and sinusitis? 

The solution may be far simpler than you think.... 

Neti nasal washing has to be one of the favourite and most used item in my medicine cabinet. In fact, it can replace antihistamines , nasal sprays and over the counter sinus medication. 

I ' prescribe' the neti pot to almost all my patients  and most people, once they are over their initial squirm, they  admit that it's effects are almost  miraculous. 

The Neti pot has to be one of Ayurvedas greatest contributions to modern medicine.  Even switched on ENT surgeons are recommending it to their patients. 

So what is it and how does it work? 

Neti pots come in all forms and sizes from a ceramic ' genie ' like pot to simpler plastic version. 

Basically it's designed to get a solution of salt water to flow through one nostril and out the other and in the process it flushes out allergens , irritants 

and viruses that trigger inflammation and mucous buildup in the nasal cavity. 

It also assists in draining the sinuses by creating negative pressure. 

How: 

Make a solution of salt water - 1 teaspoon of salt to half a liter of lukewarm water. 

Fill into neti pot 

With your head over a basin,   And tilting the head forward and down, place spout in one nostril and pour solution in that it pours out of the other side.

If its pouring down the back of the throat, change the angle. 

Repeat on the other side. Blow your nose and breathe! 

In an acute situation, this can be done twice or three times a day. 

The Role of Breathwork in the Corporate Setting

THE ROLE OF BREATHWORK IN THE CORPORATE SETTING

The ability to navigate the challenges that the corporate setting presents requires a ongoing commitment to the cultivation of greater self awareness, life mastery and conscious leadership.

Conscious breathing is a tangible and easily accessible skill that can be applied to manage energy levels, cultivate more emotional intelligence, enhance communication skills, sharpen focus and improve productivity.

It is a simple and effective tool that should form part of the culture of every conscious company and institution.

This article serves as a basic guide to applying breathwork in situations that are encountered in a typical day of a corporate executive/leader.

Situation 1:

Sitting at the desk dealing with emails, designing strategies, planning and executing of tasks, reading documents.

What is required:

A clear focused mind, creativity, lateral thinking processes, logic,concentration.

This can only occur if blood flow to brain is optimized and energy is flowing freely from the lungs and heart to the brain. However, often what occurs is that even though the mind is engaged (narrow external focus) there's a disconnection to the tension that the body might be holding.

The back of the neck, jaw and shoulders are the common areas where unconscious tension becomes locked. Backache is also a common phenomenon due to lack of awareness of the appropriate posture, and as a result the breathing is shallow or erratic.

This is not a high demand, charged experience, and the body and breath should support a state of calm focus.

Breaths to use:

1. Conscious breathing

The neck should be soft and the breaths open and flowing. When the breathing is re-patterned back to its natural state, oxygenation to the tissues is optimized, facilitating maintenance of natural energy levels.

Conscious breathing allows more awareness of posture; the back softensup and the diaphragm moves with less effort. Energy  flows through meridians more easily, supporting and nourishing all the organ and endocrine systems better.

Open flowing breaths reminds the body that 'adrenalized' energy is not required and non essential functions such as digestive processes and immune support can occur according to natural rhythms and cycles.

2. Regular deep sighs - " softening sighs "

Take in a long deep slow breath in through the nose or mouth and sigh it out through the mouth. Let the exhale go quickly, softly and completely.

Practice doing this in between paragraphs/emails. Use the sigh as a way to release tension that may be building up at the back of the neck, the jaw and shoulders and eyes as you look away from the screen. Use the breaths to become more mindful of your posture.

In the one or two seconds that you sigh, you can do all of these activities simultaneously, giving yourself a 'mini break' and sending signals to the brain to get out of 'fight flight mode'.

Situation 2:

Heated exchange with a colleague / Dealing with a difficult client

What is required:

-  The ability to listen to the essence of what is being communicated.

- The ability to respond rather than react.

-  A way to manage anger, frustration, expectation, and taking things personally.

Breaths to use:

In this context, the breath is used as a tool to create a pause before reacting. It can also be used as a "blow off tool" to release frustration.

1. It is helpful to practice the soft sigh as the pause and as a way to find your center.

2. To gain a sense of equilibrium after a heated exchange, take a long deep slow breath in through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth through pursed lips. This a technique is appropriate when it is necessary to gain a sense of control (when you are feeling out of control).

3.  Whereas the above two techniques can be applied in the 'acute' situation,' this technique can be practiced when you have more time and space for yourself. The 'square breath' can be practiced by breathing in and out through the nose: breathing in for a count of 4, holding the breath for a count of 4, exhaling for another count of 4 and holding for a count of 4before the next inhale for a count of 4.

Situation 3

Presentation at a meeting/conference/workshop/seminar/interview

What is required :

To project energy, presence and confidence through posture and eye contact. The ability to project the voice clearly.

Breaths to use:

Often in situations like this, there is a surge of adrenaline and cortisol as the brain perceives and gets primed for a 'high demand situation.'

Use this energy and harness it with the breath.

Bring the awareness to where you are holding tension in the body.

Do a few 'sighs' to relax the shoulders.

Take the shoulders back and down and expand the chest.

Now bring the awareness of your breath to the belly (solar plexus).

This is also your seat of confidence - your power center.

Take in a long deep slow breath filling up all 3 breathing spaces (pelvis, belly and upper chest).

Contract your abdominal muscles as you exhale forcefully through the nose, pumping the exhales.

Situation 4

Sitting in long meetings

What is required:

- Keeping the focus on what is being discussed without getting distracted.

- The ability to see the big picture, to make contributions that are inspired, clear and logical, and to communicate them in a way that is clear and concise.

- It's also important here to be aware of how to use the breath as a listening tool.

Breaths to use:

In this context, simply become aware of how you are breathing as you are listening. Once again, use the conscious open longer breaths as an opportunity to pause, reflect on, and integrate new information, and before presenting your point.

Other opportunities to practice conscious breathing:

Begin to use the “in-between moments” in your day to practice conscious breathing and mindfulness.

For example: when walking between meetings, or when walking to the toilet. (Even peeing is a great opportunity to practice breath awareness!)

As you begin to wake up to the power of conscious breathing and cultivate more mindfulness in your working day, you will notice an improvement in concentration, energy, productivity, communication skills and overall wellbeing.

The ( Unconciously Competant )Constant Gardener

As a student of life, I am constantly examining the wonderful and mysterious phenomenon of the human experience, trying to make sense of the common patterns and threads in an attempt to unravel the mystery. I guess that’s what fuels the passion for my work. Each day I get to witness the stories of so many people seeking a solution, a cure,a method through the futility and in the process, I find my own.

So here’s a universal phenomenon -an experience of feeling of pain angst or dissatisfaction whether it triggered by a major life event or  a more frustrating feeling of being in a “ dark place” that has no identifiable cause.  Somehow we have an overwhelming sense that something needs to change - something has to be different- and we seek ways out of the uncomfortable place whether it is through finding the cure, the fix or the easy way out!

Take this analogy – life is a journey towards “Destination Happiness”   we are all taking our own version of the highway- it’s quick ,fast, and is meant to get us  there in the shortest possible time. Our ownunique version of the highway is created over time- shaped by our beliefs and perceptions and life experiences.

Many of us are simply cruising along on this highway, completely unconscious and unaware that something more exists. We are  UNCONSCIOUSLY INCOMPETENT to the possibility of living an authentic life.

No thought is needed; no effort is required to travel this road.  It is familiar and deeply grooved through years of unconscious walking

Neuro-biologically, this path actually exists as a neural pathway.  An addictive pattern of thought, ideas and behaviours created over time ishardwired into the brain,

Inevitably we arrive at a crossroads, a juncture, a life event or internal experience.  This juncture 

looks different for each of us – for some it may be a serious illness, for others a loss, financial crisis or feeling of a “dark night”.  If we choose to pause at the crossroad and lookcarefully, we will notice a little signboard. 

The arrow points straight ahead- “This way to futility”   Only now do we realise that we’ve been travelling towards a futile destination disguised as “happiness” .

Now finally we have become CONSCIOUSLY INCOMPETENT!

The sign that indicates a turn, a change of direction. The sign promises another place- a peaceful relaxing garden ...a life ofequanimity, joy and wisdom.

The only thing is – the path doesn’t exist yet!  It needs to be created!

So we arrive at a place where a choice is required. Do we carry on walking the same path knowing where it leads to do we choose something different?

We feel an inner trembling ....

The idea of carving a new path is terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

Who knows what dangerous creatures might be lurking? Who knows what else is hiding?  We choose the new path anyway... the path less travelled.

We gather all our resources- guiding lights of like minded souls.Perhaps a bulldozer is required in the form of a physical detoxpocess.  Perhaps it may be as simple as learning to breathe more effectively!   As we gather our equipment and tools, we prepare for a major cleanup!

In real life, this process is sparking up new neural pathways in the brain- literally!

Finally, we begin to journey along the newly created pathway-. It is still fresh and unfamiliar and 

therefore still requires focus, concentration and constant awareness. 

We have now become CONSCIOUSLY COMPETENT at living an authentic life!

The old highway is still there even though the grass has grown over it, and if we lose awareness, we will find ourselves back there again – on the old familiar path to futility.

However, the longer we walk along the path towards the garden, the more we start to enjoy the journey until we realise that the path IS thegarden!  And that in the process of finding the garden, we have been creating it!  

Now we can relax in the present, knowing and understanding that we are constantly is the process of creation and enjoyment of our creations. And that we can enjoy each other’s creations.

This natural relaxed state of being is when we have mastered the art of an authentic life – we have become UNCONSCIOSLY COMPETENT CONSTANT GARDENERS!