Dr.B, Breahte, Belong, Believe_Sample
In this book, I share contemplations on physical, emotional and mental health around the theme of trust.
In this book, I share contemplations on physical, emotional and mental health around the theme of trust.
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Breathe, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong>:<br />
Contemplations on Trust<br />
By Laura Biagi, Ph.D.<br />
www.drlaurabiagi.com<br />
#breathebelongbelieve<br />
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Instagram: biagilaura<br />
© 2018
<strong>Dr</strong>.B, <strong>Breahte</strong>, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong> 2<br />
Dear Reader,<br />
As the title suggests, this book is a compilation of contemplations<br />
on trust, emerging from my curiosity and practice. Spiritual is, for<br />
me, the wholesome understanding of how our bodies, emotions,<br />
and mind are interconnected, and how we, as humans, are<br />
connected with all that is, inside and outside of us. The three verbs<br />
encapsulate many teachings I received on how to heal the body<br />
(breathe), the emotions (belong), and the mind (believe). Together,<br />
they have taught me a few lessons about trust, which is what I wish<br />
to share here.<br />
I have invested my life’s journey to travel the world to learn and<br />
teach about the interplay of energies, and the dance between<br />
willing, surrendering, manifesting and receiving. When I felt lonely<br />
on the journey, various teachings and books supported and inspired<br />
me. I compiled this book to remind you that are not alone, and that<br />
you can tap into a flow of inspiration and creativity that is always<br />
with you.<br />
I carry a notebook with me and, when I feel inspired, I connect with<br />
Spirit and ask to receive a message that I can share with others.<br />
Then, I free-write, allowing the pen to move on the page. I later edit<br />
the entries on my computer. Each passage in this book is a blend of<br />
spiritual messages, intuition, and the result of studies in linguistics,<br />
performance art, Raja Yoga, contemplative pedagogy, sound<br />
healing, alchemy, astrology, and the art of living.<br />
May these words provide you with support and inspiration. Each<br />
contemplation starts on a new page. You are invited to use the<br />
available space to write your own messages, answer the questions,<br />
draw, or, simply, to breathe in the silence.<br />
Be love,<br />
<strong>Dr</strong>.B
<strong>Dr</strong>.B, <strong>Breahte</strong>, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong> 3<br />
What is Contemplation?<br />
In my classes, workshops and retreats, I use the term contemplative.<br />
This adjective comes from the Latin con-templum, which means “in<br />
the space of a temple.” Originally, it described a space in which the<br />
oracle or priestess of a ritual would receive divine inspiration<br />
regarding a question posed by the community or the ruling<br />
class/family. I use contemplative (as in “contemplative pedagogy,”<br />
or “contemplative practices”) to describe an activity that helps<br />
increase awareness of self, others and the environment. Awareness<br />
is the gift of contemplation.<br />
Contemplation is, by necessity, spiritual (spiritual as in<br />
“inspirational,” not necessarily as in “religious”). Why? Spirit, in<br />
Latin, is related to the word spiro, which means “to breathe.” Thus,<br />
inspirational. Contemplation is inspirational. It will always reveal a<br />
truth about your state of being. That said, contemplation is born out<br />
of the simplest and most beautiful activities, such as gardening,<br />
cooking, ironing, driving, listening to music… You don’t need to sit<br />
on a yoga mat to contemplate. In fact, you are truly practicing when<br />
you are mindful and still maintain an engaging life out there in the<br />
world.<br />
What activities gift you with awareness of yourself, others and the<br />
environment?
<strong>Dr</strong>.B, <strong>Breahte</strong>, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong> 4<br />
Trust is Resilient<br />
How do you mange to stay strong in a world that is constantly<br />
changing?<br />
The root of the word trust implies strength. In order to trust, you<br />
need to be strong. The type of strength we are talking about here is<br />
the one that comes from resilience, from being flexible and open to<br />
change. Resilience is built on the ability to accept reality as is, and<br />
not as we would like it to be, and to reframe meaning according to<br />
new circumstances.<br />
Abrupt changes in life are unsettling and it is easy to lose track of<br />
one’s purpose in life. Trust is the strength that comes from a deep<br />
knowing that certain values in life are indestructible. For me, some<br />
of the values that give my life meaning are: freedom to travel and<br />
learn; humor; hope; gratitude; generosity; loyalty; bonds with family<br />
and friends.<br />
What are your values? What are the values of your company or<br />
organization?
<strong>Dr</strong>.B, <strong>Breahte</strong>, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong> 5<br />
Conflicts Arise From Fear<br />
Con-flictus is a Latin verb that implies a “striking together.” In<br />
conflict there is a collision of wants and needs, opinions, desires,<br />
drives and ideologies. When two bodies strike against each other,<br />
there is no common ground except for the moment of collision. This<br />
is conflict: no sharing, no dialogue, no interest in coming closer. In<br />
fact, the energy of the collision separates the bodies even more.<br />
Identities are reinforced, clashing opinions solidified.<br />
Conflict hurts. Why?<br />
Spiritual traditions teach us that suffering and conflict stem from the<br />
workings of the ego, a part of our mind whose task is to categorize<br />
and store experiences according to sensorial perceptions. We all<br />
know that sensorial perceptions are limited, and yet, we let the ego<br />
rule our lives! Don’t worry, humans have been battling with this<br />
dilemma for millennia. You are not alone! The issue with letting the<br />
ego decide for you is that the ego is moved by fear. Its ancient,<br />
animalistic drive is fuelled by a survival instinct because it makes<br />
you believe that you are separate from others, and worst, from your<br />
own self!<br />
It is tempting to see conflict as existing merely outside of us.<br />
Conflict, the striking of opposing forces, starts within you. In the<br />
same way that outer conflict will hurt you, your inner conflict hurts<br />
your environment and society.<br />
Are you willing and able to see the connection between outer and<br />
inner conflict?
<strong>Dr</strong>.B, <strong>Breahte</strong>, <strong>Belong</strong>, <strong>Believe</strong> 6<br />
Resolution of Conflict Starts With the Breath<br />
Conflict means, in its original etymology, “a striking together.”<br />
Resolution, another Latin word, means “to make simple.” When put<br />
together, conflict-resolution means to ease the impact of conflict.<br />
Conflict resolution does not imply that everyone will think the same<br />
or agree all the time, or even come to a miraculous understanding<br />
of diversity. Conflict-resolution means that we agree to connect<br />
and listen to each other without reacting, that we allow the impact<br />
of diverging ideologies or opinions to happen right in front of our<br />
eyes and ears, and that we, together, hold conflict in contemplation<br />
to ease the stress that it causes on all involved.<br />
This is why resolution of conflict starts with the breath. Emotional<br />
and breathing patterns are strictly connected. We all know this and<br />
yet, how easily we forget when faced with conflict. In my<br />
workshops and classes, I ask all participants to breathe together and<br />
resist the urge to react (scream, yell, close off, leave the room) as<br />
soon as conflict arises. Conflict is part of our lives, because it is the<br />
product of our fear-based ego (i.e. identity formations). We need to<br />
embrace it. It’s hard but it’s necessary.<br />
How do you breathe when conflict arises in your life and work? Do<br />
you hold your breath? Clench your teeth? Or do you breathe fast<br />
and in a shallow way? What would happen if you would take a<br />
really deep breathe instead?