Soulful Practices Podcast

Courage to Connect through our Heart

Welcome to Soulful Practices Podcast! Maya Angelow said : “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” Courage is one of those terms like trust, respect, love, and so on that we love to talk about in healing and personal growth circles, yet it is often not defined in a way that is super helpful.  What is courage?  What does it look or feel like?  How do I embody it? These are all questions that we will explore in this episode along with a guided meditation that walks through three different translations and healing invitations with the mystical poem, The Guest House, by Rumi that embodies what courage can look and feel like in motion. Soulful Practice:  This week I set the Intention to meet the Parts of me that are arriving in different moments as “honored guests”.  I ask for Reiki energy to help guide my Attention to the ways that I: * Might try to label my reactions as burdens or something wrong. * Want to resist seeing the potential healing gifts that are present. * Try to close down from connecting with what is happening within and around me due to hidden fears and desires.  In these moments of awareness, I ask for Reiki energy to help me courageously engage with these Parts through my Heart, offering greater love, compassion, and curiosity to help me connect with the joys that they are ambassadors for.  And so it is, peace, peace, peace… Resources The three translations I share during this episode are by:  * Coleman Barks (the most common one available) version of the Guest House, first published in Rumi: Selected Poems, Penguin Books, 2004,  * Reynold Nicholson, in his Mathnawi of Jalalu’ddin Rumi, published by “The Trustees of E.J.W. Gibb Memorial” by Luzac, 1977 * Kabir Helminski is a Western born Sufi Shaikh in the Mevlevi Order. His version of the Guest House, first published in the Rumi Collection, Threshold Books, 1998  **** * Trauma Informed Enlightenment [https://www.amazon.in/Trauma-Informed-Enlightenment-Awakening-Healing-ebook/dp/B0FQFTWHPM#:~:text=Trauma%20Informed%20Enlightenment%20seeks%20to,be%20and%20your%20True%20Self]: Awakening to the Healing Power of the Sacred Witness, Michelle Holling-Brooks, Unbridled Change,  2025  * Pat Ogden [https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/] ▶️ NOTE ON ME 🙂 I am certified as a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Archetypal Consultant through Caroline Myss, Somatic IFS Informed Practitioner and Healer, Healing and Spiritual Coach, and Trauma Informed Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Connect with us! * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unbridled.change/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unbridledchange] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holling-brooks-3213a425/%E2%81%A0] * YouTube Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFQqORvrJAPGu8DK_69cDc5W_k3fl83O] * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-practices-podcast/id1833669084] Ways to Work and Study with Michelle and Unbridled Change * Start here! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/start-here] * Unbridled Change Blog [https://www.unbridledchange.org/blog] * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/connecting-with-joy-podcast-2020] - Online Membership Community: Connecting with Joy! Podcast * Unbridled Soul [https://www.unbridledchange.org/Unbridled-Soul] - Online small cohort mentorship courses in the Healing and Spiritual Arts Our Mission At Unbridled Change, our mission is to support you in discovering healing, engaging soul, and cultivating well-being. Visit our website at Unbridled Change [https://www.unbridledchange.org/] to learn more.

Beyond Healing (Part 2): Discovering Our Collective Purpose of Personal Healing

Welcome to Soulful Practices Podcast! Thich Nhat Hanh, an amazing spiritual teacher and modern day mystic, wrote in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation  “Your purpose is to be yourself. You don't have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are wonderful just as you are.” In episode 47 we are continuing our conversation about one of the core questions that a healing and awakening journey will ultimately connect you with - what is my purpose in this life and why does my own personal healing journey matter. In Part 2 of our journey Beyond healing we explore how our personal journey of healing is absolutely essential for collective awakening, growth, and evolution into a kinder, more compassionate, and truly empowering world that honors all life (human and non-human).  In this episode, I also share the astrology and archetypal patterns and significance of the energies of Chiron and Chariklo (his wife) and how their discovery in 1977 and 1997 symbolically ushered in the collective call and transformation change of healing.  “…the capacity to attend to the suffering of others and ourselves, allowing life fruitfully to continue, regardless of our afflictions.” (Melanie Reinhart, Chiron and the Healing Journey) Let’s dive in! Resources * Thich Nhat Hanh, an amazing spiritual teacher and modern day mystic, wrote in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation [https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books]   * Melanie Reinhart [https://melaniereinhart.com/], Chiron and the Healing Journey * Ken Wilbur [https://kenwilber.com/], thought leader on evolution of human consciousness and the teacher of “clean up, wake up, grow up: * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/cwj] - Our Online Membership Community for fellow Seekers, Dreamers, Healers, and Mystics * New book release: Trauma Informed Enlightenment: Awakening to the Healing Power of the Sacred Witness [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle], author Michelle Holling-Brooks * The Sacred Witness Oracle Suite and Deck [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle] created by Michelle Holling-Brooks * Explore more teachings, meditations, and programs here [https://www.unbridledchange.org/].  ▶️ NOTE ON ME 🙂 I am certified as a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Archetypal Consultant through Caroline Myss, Somatic IFS Informed Practitioner and Healer, Healing and Spiritual Coach, and Trauma Informed Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Connect with us! * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unbridled.change/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unbridledchange] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holling-brooks-3213a425/%E2%81%A0] * YouTube Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFQqORvrJAPGu8DK_69cDc5W_k3fl83O] * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-practices-podcast/id1833669084] Ways to Work and Study with Michelle and Unbridled Change * Start here! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/start-here] * Unbridled Change Blog [https://www.unbridledchange.org/blog] * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/connecting-with-joy-podcast-2020] - Online Membership Community: Connecting with Joy! Podcast * Unbridled Soul [https://www.unbridledchange.org/Unbridled-Soul] - Online small cohort mentorship courses in the Healing and Spiritual Arts Our Mission At Unbridled Change, our mission is to support you in discovering healing, engaging soul, and cultivating well-being. Visit our website at Unbridled Change [https://www.unbridledchange.org/] to learn more.

Beyond Healing (Part 1): Discovering the Purpose Within You

Welcome to Soulful Practices Podcast! Thich Nhat Hanh, an amazing spiritual teacher and modern day mystic, wrote in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation  “Your purpose is to be yourself. You don't have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are wonderful just as you are.” In episode 46 we are diving into one of the core questions that a healing and awakening journey will ultimately connect you with - what is my purpose in this life.  When we first start a healing or awakening journey our main purpose is to feel better, liberate ourselves from all the ways that we feel stuck, and if we are being honest to improve our physical life - more abundance and “happiness”.  AND these are all amazing pursuits and a necessary first stage of healing and awakening to develop a real, tangible, knowing that we have more power then we think we do and that we can change our thoughts and change our reality.  AND there is another stage of healing and awakening that starts to bubble up as we are on this path, a yearning to BE our real self, one that is not often reflected in our outer life, but an inner life. That is what I believe Thich Nhat Hanh is pointing to, our purpose is to be ourselves within and let that shift ripple out into every moment, every choice, every interaction guiding us courageous actions that match our mystical heart, not just our personal heart.  Plus, I share a simple practice you can begin to make your own that explores “Being” Let’s dive in!    Resources * Thich Nhat Hanh, an amazing spiritual teacher and modern day mystic, wrote in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation [https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books⁠] * Ken Wilbur [https://kenwilber.com/⁠], thought leader on evolution of human consciousness and the teacher of clean up, wake up, grow up * Connecting with J [https://www.unbridledchange.org/cwj⁠]oy! - Our Online Membership Community for fellow Seekers, Dreamers, Healers, and Mystics  * New book release: Trauma Informed Enlightenment: Awakening to the Healing Power of the Sacred Witness [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle⁠], author Michelle Holling-Brooks * The Sacred Witness Oracle Suite and Deck [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle⁠ ] created by Michelle Holling-Brooks * Explore more teachings, meditations, and programs by visiting our website [https://www.unbridledchange.org/].  ▶️ NOTE ON ME 🙂 I am certified as a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Archetypal Consultant through Caroline Myss, Somatic IFS Informed Practitioner and Healer, Healing and Spiritual Coach, and Trauma Informed Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Connect with us! * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unbridled.change/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unbridledchange] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holling-brooks-3213a425/%E2%81%A0] * YouTube Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFQqORvrJAPGu8DK_69cDc5W_k3fl83O] * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-practices-podcast/id1833669084] Ways to Work and Study with Michelle and Unbridled Change * Start here! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/start-here] * Unbridled Change Blog [https://www.unbridledchange.org/blog] * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/connecting-with-joy-podcast-2020] - Online Membership Community: Connecting with Joy! Podcast * Unbridled Soul [https://www.unbridledchange.org/Unbridled-Soul] - Online small cohort mentorship courses in the Healing and Spiritual Arts Our Mission At Unbridled Change, our mission is to support you in discovering healing, engaging soul, and cultivating well-being. Visit our website at Unbridled Change [https://www.unbridledchange.org/] to learn more.

Rooted in Hope, Rising in Love

Welcome to Soulful Practices Podcast! In episode 45 of Soulful Practices Podcast, we dive deeper into a question that so many of us have right now:  How can we embrace joy, real happiness, laughter, healing, and the pursuit of our dreams while also making choices that help support the whole too? Thomas Merton, a modern mystic, gave us a possible answer on where to look to help us navigate these types of questions in his book Love and Living.  Merton said, “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.” Join me in an exploration of what does LOVE look like in motion, what does it mean to move from love, and how can this pursuit truly serve us especially when we are facing circumstances both personally and collectively that feel like too much, too big, or too overwhelming. Plus, I share a grounding and presensing practice that I have used for years and teach to clients that helps me find center and a trustworthy life line of love in the face of circumstances that Parts of me would rather avoid, dismiss, or fight against in unhelpful ways. Let’s dive in!    Resources * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/cwj] - Our Online Membership Community for fellow Seekers, Dreamers, Healers, and Mystics  * The Sacred Witness Oracle Suite and Deck [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle] * Explore more teachings, meditations, and programs by visiting our website [https://www.unbridledchange.org/]. ▶️ NOTE ON ME 🙂 I am certified as a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Archetypal Consultant through Caroline Myss, Somatic IFS Informed Practitioner and Healer, Healing and Spiritual Coach, and Trauma Informed Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Connect with us! * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unbridled.change/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unbridledchange] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holling-brooks-3213a425/%E2%81%A0] * YouTube Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFQqORvrJAPGu8DK_69cDc5W_k3fl83O] * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-practices-podcast/id1833669084] Ways to Work and Study with Michelle and Unbridled Change * Start here! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/start-here] * Unbridled Change Blog [https://www.unbridledchange.org/blog] * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/connecting-with-joy-podcast-2020] - Online Membership Community: Connecting with Joy! Podcast * Unbridled Soul [https://www.unbridledchange.org/Unbridled-Soul] - Online small cohort mentorship courses in the Healing and Spiritual Arts Our Mission At Unbridled Change, our mission is to support you in discovering healing, engaging soul, and cultivating well-being. Visit our website at Unbridled Change [https://www.unbridledchange.org/] to learn more.

Cultivating Self-Respect

Welcome to Soulful Practices Podcast! Eleanor Roosevelt is attributed with saying, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  In this episode of Soulful Practice Podcast we explore one of the main areas we trek through on a healing and awakening journey, the concept and cultivation of true self-respect.  Cultivating respect can be a really tricky trek and is one that is vast. To help start us out in this episode we will be focusing on learning how to honor and witness the different parts of ourselves within tipping over into shadow indulgence, pity, and feeling that if someone respects me or another that means having to agree with and/or give them everything they want, matching their personal wants, wishes, and desires if they truly respect them. No, that is a really naive and frankly narcissist point of view on what self-respect is.  In this episode, I share a practice that can help you begin to explore what it looks and feels like to hold healthy self-respect - having regards for our own thoughts, ideas, emotions, and experiences AND also opening to what our Hearts and Soul’s are guiding us to.  When we can find this sweet spot, we change up what we consent to feel inferior to and unlock our ability to courageously connect with our true self rooted in authentic self-respect.  Let’s dive in!    Resources * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/cwj] - Our Online Membership Community for fellow Seekers, Dreamers, Healers, and Mystics  * The Sacred Witness Oracle Suite and Deck [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488732261/sacred-witness-oracle] * Explore more teachings, meditations, and programs by visiting our website [https://www.unbridledchange.org/]. ▶️ NOTE ON ME 🙂 I am certified as a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Archetypal Consultant through Caroline Myss, Somatic IFS Informed Practitioner and Healer, Healing and Spiritual Coach, and Trauma Informed Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Connect with us! * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unbridled.change/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unbridledchange] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holling-brooks-3213a425/%E2%81%A0] * YouTube Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFQqORvrJAPGu8DK_69cDc5W_k3fl83O] * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-practices-podcast/id1833669084] Ways to Work and Study with Michelle and Unbridled Change * Start here! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/start-here] * Unbridled Change Blog [https://www.unbridledchange.org/blog] * Connecting with Joy! [https://www.unbridledchange.org/connecting-with-joy-podcast-2020] - Online Membership Community: Connecting with Joy! Podcast * Unbridled Soul [https://www.unbridledchange.org/Unbridled-Soul] - Online small cohort mentorship courses in the Healing and Spiritual Arts Our Mission At Unbridled Change, our mission is to support you in discovering healing, engaging soul, and cultivating well-being. Visit our website at Unbridled Change [https://www.unbridledchange.org/] to learn more.