Sometimes the right words at the right time can mend the heart, cool the mind and heal the soul. I would love to share some resources that have helped me immensely over this past difficult year.
They were the words that lead me back to myself, which is what I would consider the greatest teaching of all. Perhaps they will be of use to you, and please share your own resources below so we can all come back to these precious teachings in times of sadness.
Adyashanti - (audiobook)Falling into Grace - For anyone wanting to learn more about why we suffer and how to come back to the truth of wholeness in every moment. I’m listening to it for the second time right now…
Michael Meade - (podcast and online courses)Mosaic Voices - I have fallen in love with Michael's artistic way of using story and metaphor to help us return to the heart and soul of who we are. He also happens to sound like Dani Devito (don’t quote me on that :) and his courses are well worth the time. I listen to his podcast while walking in the morning and have taken many of his online courses already.
Bessel Van Der Kolk- (audiobook)The Body Keeps the Score - This book was one of the hardest books to listen to and yet has completely changed my understanding of myself. Everything in this book spoke to me and I subsequently started EMDR therapy which has had a huge impact on my ability to move forward from the past.
Wolfwalkers - (animated movie) Irish film writers, Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart bring to life an old Celtic myth about wolves invading a local town being taken over by the British. I would watch this movie even without kids :) If you are in Jungian psychology and the power Story has on our ability to heal our own story, then this is just heavenly - based on a young girl’s journey into The Wild Woman archetype. Anyone who’s watched it - the final scene? Tears, anyone?!
Joshua Shrei - (podcast)The Emerald - These podcasts have been such an inspiration for my meditations and creative work. They combine metaphor, mythology, and story to give the listener somatic experiences that allow for soul-deep healing (my favorite episode is Animism is Normative Consciousness. Super weird, super inspiring.)
What books/podcasts/movies have brought you home to yourself recently?
Thank you for sharing these Sez. I too have read ‘the body keeps the score’ and found it really helpful. I have also read Gabor Mate books which are similarly insightful. Have you discovered Katherine May’s book ‘Wintering’? It is personal stories of different times in life which bring a ’Wintering’, a time of difficulty or change. She also has a podcast of the same title. Of course I am immensely helped by your work too xx
I love Katherine May's work too! Thanks for this suggestion, Karen - living in Denmark brought me to her work while the winters became quite symbolic for a time of deep healing. I think she also has a space here on Substack for her essays... wonderful to connect with you on that subject and hope you are entering this new season with strength and a whole lot of slow projects ready to be taken on :) Yes, Gabor Mate's work too strikes a chord - I have loved listening to his podcast interviews, they are a good mix of inspiration and information xx
I thought you probably would have come across Katherine’s work. I have read Gabor Mates books book I haven’t listened to his podcasts, I’ll follow that up thank you. Around this time it’s usually very busy with art fairs but I don’t do well with ‘busy’ at this time of year. I am doing a slower Autumn but still selling my work online. Warm wishes from a damp, foggy Yorkshire xx
Anthony De Mello’s work, particularly “Awareness” and “The Way to Love.” De Mello died young in 1987. He was a Jesuit priest who deeply incorporated his eastern mystic traditions from India into spiritually. He has influenced Tolle among others and frankly has provided me a path to finally let go of my western programming and “wake up” to truly live (when all other paths have left me in a grey mist). Although, it is a process and his words can be radical. Listening to him has quieted my frantic search for peace and left me metaphorically naked. I highly recommend his wisdom.
Thank you for sharing these Sez. I too have read ‘the body keeps the score’ and found it really helpful. I have also read Gabor Mate books which are similarly insightful. Have you discovered Katherine May’s book ‘Wintering’? It is personal stories of different times in life which bring a ’Wintering’, a time of difficulty or change. She also has a podcast of the same title. Of course I am immensely helped by your work too xx
I love Katherine May's work too! Thanks for this suggestion, Karen - living in Denmark brought me to her work while the winters became quite symbolic for a time of deep healing. I think she also has a space here on Substack for her essays... wonderful to connect with you on that subject and hope you are entering this new season with strength and a whole lot of slow projects ready to be taken on :) Yes, Gabor Mate's work too strikes a chord - I have loved listening to his podcast interviews, they are a good mix of inspiration and information xx
I thought you probably would have come across Katherine’s work. I have read Gabor Mates books book I haven’t listened to his podcasts, I’ll follow that up thank you. Around this time it’s usually very busy with art fairs but I don’t do well with ‘busy’ at this time of year. I am doing a slower Autumn but still selling my work online. Warm wishes from a damp, foggy Yorkshire xx
The HSP podcast.... For highly sensitive people.
Anthony De Mello’s work, particularly “Awareness” and “The Way to Love.” De Mello died young in 1987. He was a Jesuit priest who deeply incorporated his eastern mystic traditions from India into spiritually. He has influenced Tolle among others and frankly has provided me a path to finally let go of my western programming and “wake up” to truly live (when all other paths have left me in a grey mist). Although, it is a process and his words can be radical. Listening to him has quieted my frantic search for peace and left me metaphorically naked. I highly recommend his wisdom.
I love this nugget of wisdom, thank you so much for sharing Trish - I'm looking up your suggestion right now :) thanks again!