ORO Academy – Set up and photo by Maria McGonigal – © Maria McGonigal 2024
by Maria McGonigal, Soul Coaching Advanced® Trainer, and Master Practitioner
The Pueblo Mountain sometimes called Mó-ha-loh or Má-ha-lu, sacred to the Taos Pueblo people who have inhabited the region continuously for over a millennium, stands as a timeless guardian and witness to countless prayers and dreams now etched into its veins.
Bathed in the deep hush of night, seated in stillness before the ancient Pueblo Mountain I enter the most profound and soul-awakening moments.
There is an unspeakable mystery and grace that showers me in the quietness of night. A time when dreams reign supreme and my mind feels clear and opens like a sacred lotus to receive divine insights and inspirations.
As dawn’s first light caresses the horizon, awakening my daily tasks, my thoughts surge like restless waters.
The world stirs in a symphony of noises and distractions that dance like shadows through the same window that once held only peace in the night’s quiet embrace.
Yet, I am blessed beyond measure to sit in my office writing this article, facing the steadfast sacred Pueblo Mountain. A gentle reminder to remain deeply rooted in the stillness at the core of myself and my purpose.
I have long dreamed of dwelling at the foot of a mountain and Nature has always been my refuge, ally and inspiration so I naturally gravitated towards Soul Coaching®. The exquisitely designed official 28 Day Soul Coaching® Program is divided into four one-week periods. Each week is dedicated to one of the Four Sacred Elements: Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Throughout the ages, the four elements have symbolized the harmony that unites all facets of existence. In the wisdom of ancient cultures, these elemental forces served as the threads weaving disparate parts of reality into a seamless, living tapestry of balance and unity. They taught us to dive into Nature to listen and receive the wisdom of the sacred elements.
Drawing from Denise’s Sacred Forest deck, we connect with the element Water in the card “Reflecting Pool – Stillness”!
“As you stand on the soft moss at the edge of the forest pool you can see your own reflection. A soft breeze ripples the surface. Your image wavers and shifts only to return as the air becomes still. In the quietude of this moment you tap into your internal source of power. You watch as your reflected image transforms into the highest form of you. What beauty and grace.”
As we read these powerful words, we are invited to see the exquisite beauty and divine grace residing within.
Many of us find ourselves caught in the shadow of our perceived failures, magnifying our shortcomings and harshly judging ourselves. This inner critic often overshadows the glory of our inner being.
The wisdom of the Fall Season is inviting us to drop the “leaves of our judgements” and have the courage to see ourselves naked. See ourselves in our blueprint of perfection: naked, pure, and untouched by worldly shadows.
Embracing stillness allows us to recognize and accept a gentler, more compassionate view of ourselves and opens the door to healing, growth, and profound self-acceptance. When we pause, we listen; when we pause, we remember our innate wholeness.
How to Embrace Stillness: A Sacred Ritual
Let these simple truths become part of your daily sacred practice. Just ten minutes of quiet may turn ordinary hours into realms of pure delight.
I would love to begin by sharing one of 28 powerful affirmations from the Soul Coaching® Program.
1 ~ Ground your day in the wisdom of a powerful affirmation:
“In the center of my being, there is always stillness and peace.”
2 ~ Connect with the WATER element.
Feel the truth of this affirmation as you sit beside a flowing stream, the gentle song of water guiding you into a meditative trance. Or bring Nature’s gift into your sanctuary. Place a Water Fountain, let its sacred flow serenade your soul throughout the day.
3 ~ DO NOTHING (one of the prompts from the 28 Day Soul Coaching® Program) It takes a certain amount of courage to do nothing. The hectic activities that fill our daily lives, and our constant thoughts, judgments, and evaluations, fill us with noise. Rest. Be. Do nothing. It can be one of the most difficult, courageous, and rewarding things a human being can do.
4 ~ Journal Your Inner Landscape
After your stillness rituals, jot down what you notice: how you feel, any thoughts that bubbled up, or gentle insights. Over time, this will help uncover patterns and truths that may be hidden beneath daily busyness. You might even ask, “What is my soul revealing to me today?”
Last but not least, here is an empowerment action statement, or you can take a silent moment to write your own.
Empowerment Action Statement
Today, I honor the power of stillness. In the silent, sacred pause, I discover the truth of my being and the beauty of my own reflection.
Maria McGonigal, Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainer
Maria McGonigal is praised for her keen intuition and profound wisdom.She focuses on bringing together different yet integrated systems together creating harmony, balance, and profound transformation. Maria assists you in finding missing pieces, energetic or physical, connecting you with your Soul so you can find your own answers.
She is one of only four Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainers worldwide, an Acoustic Sound Healing Practitioner & Trainer, and an Advanced Yoga & Meditation Teacher. In addition, she is an international speaker and author of three international best selling collaborative books.
Maria lives in mystical Prescott, AZ with her husband and Sound mentor, Rian, and their joyful dog Ziggy.
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