by Bill Schwingel, Interior Alignment® Master Teacher
Sanctuary. It brings to mind beauty, serenity, a perfect place of relaxation and calm.
It also feels like a luxury we just can’t afford on any given day. There is so much to be done – get ready for work, get others ready for work or school, feed the pets, attend the meetings, run the errands, pay the bills, attend more meetings, make dinner, find the lost keys or papers or something you can’t even remember you were searching for.
Finding sanctuary among all of the distractions and must dos and should dos just seems like an unachievable ask. So how do you find it? You don’t. It’s not a place.
In Soul Coaching(R), we learn “the soul loves the truth.” This is more than a mantra; it is a universal truth. Undeniable and transformative. It means that no matter what is going on in your world, at the center of it all your soul is yearning for you to remember that you are more – more than the thoughts, the emotions, the beliefs and the material things we crave.
We also learn the importance of asking questions, but not just any questions. For instance, “why” is a question laden with judgment. “How” questions, though, these create breakthroughs of understanding, awareness and action. A simple question of “how are you,” when answered honestly and without self-judgment, can lead to epiphanies.
So back to our question of finding sanctuary. We can create the most beautiful retreat in nature or in our homes, but if our state of being remains chaotic or distressed or ignored, we won’t find the sanctuary we seek.
Instead, ask yourself that simple question: “How am I?” Before you answer the typical “fine” or “good” or even “feeling like crap,” ground yourself. Take a breath, imagine your feet connecting with the earth, allow the sun to warm your skin, whatever you do to connect with your own inner guidance, gut, or soul. Then answer. The truth within that answer will define your sanctuary.
If your answer is “I’m angry,” first feel that anger throughout your whole body. Is there a place in your body that feels like it could be the source? Listen to that part of your body. Ask the question “how do I release the anger?”
If your answer is “I’m sad,” feel it, without judgment, and consider “where does this come from?” It may be seemingly tied to something unrelated to anything you were experiencing in the moment.
If your answer is “I’m content,” go into that feeling, accept where you are; even if it seems you shouldn’t feel that way because of all the things going on in your world. The soul loves the truth.
Once you accept where you are in the moment, you can create your path to sanctuary; your path to a place within that is peaceful, relaxing, even rejuvenating. It may be a release, an understanding or just recognition of what is. And like any skill, it will take practice, but that’s how you find your sanctuary.
Bill Schwingel, Interior Alignment® Master Teacher
Bill Schwingel is a Master Teacher of Interior Alignment(R) providing feng shui and space clearing consultations for the past two decades. Based outside of Chicago, he also offers certifications in Instinctive Feng Shui(TM) and Seven Star Blessing(TM) Space Clearing. Learn more by visiting him at www.fengshui-24.com.
Vast Vistas!
by Denise Linn, Founder of the Linn Academy Greetings and Happy May Day! I’m delighted that you are here. Every month an oracle card is pulled for the month and for this month the card was Vast Vistas. Thinking about Vast Vistas made me want to share a method that I...
Expand Your Horizons with Altars
by Elizabeth Ferrall, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Elemental Space Clearing Practitioner “When you step outside of your comfort zone, you will see vast vistas.” Does the thought of that make you feel a little excited? Does it make you feel a little uncomfortable? ...
My Vast Vista to Myself
by Barbara Amrhein-Krug, Soul Coaching® Practitioner When your soul wants to tell you a deep desire, you need the courage to listen to it and let yourself be guided. My heart's desire came true – a qualification with Denise Linn. I had already tried it once in 2000,...
Exploring a Land of Wonder and Connection
by Kerry Dalzotto, Advanced Soul Coaching(R) Practitioner Have you ever found yourself feeling swallowed by the constant buzz of the go, go, go mentality? The seemingly never-ending emails, phone calls, and ever-growing to-do list? This is often how life is in our...
How Your Home Can Attract a Future Filled with Possibilities
by Dorena Kohrs, Interior Alignment® Practitioner, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Clutter Clearing Practitioner If you want to expand your horizons and look towards your future, then you can use your home to support you. Listen in for 4 tips to ensure your journey...
Passion – Follow Your Bliss!
by Denise Linn, Founder of the Linn Academy When we think of someone who has passion, we think of someone who is confident and who has focused intent, which can be a good thing. But perhaps for many of us, a better strategy is to gently follow your interests. You...
Space Clearing for Passion
by Elizabeth Ferrall, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Elemental Space Clearing Practitioner For eighteen years I was part of a Passions Group. All women, with a nearly twenty year age span, we got together once a month to discuss and support each other in following our...
Press Play on Passion
by Kyla Tustin, Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainer Do you ever feel like your passion has slipped away, leaving you feeling drained and disconnected? I hear these sentiments all too often with new clients and in workshops: "I'm exhausted, I'm too busy, I don't have time...
The Pursuit of Passion
by Kerry Dalzotto, Advanced Soul Coaching(R) PractitionerRemember when you were a child and would lose yourself in an activity, riding your bike with the local neighbourhood kids or getting out your crayons and creating the most imaginative artwork? You were so...