Cultivating the Inner Observer: An Ancient Practice

The Felt Sense: Using Somatic Intelligence to Listen to Our Bodies

Learning to tune into our bodies is a crucial part of the healing journey. When we are able to develop and fine tune the felt sense, we gain access to a world of information and awareness that we may have previously ignored. In this episode we explore what the felt sense is and how to develop it, drawing on the work of Eugene Gendlin and Marion Gilbert. Resources: Focusing, by Eugene Gendlin Waking the Tiger, by Peter Levine Somatic Enneagram: www.mariongilbert.com

Opening the Heart to Healing & Self-Acceptance

In this episode, Najiba speaks about the importance of including heart-based work in our healing journey. This is done by getting in touch with our heart center and contacting our deeper feelings and wounds. Various practices for connecting with our hearts are discussed, including inner child work, nature and sound therapy, and learning how to name and be with our emotions. Resources: Healing the Child Within by Charles Whitfield Inner Bonding by Margaret Paul Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol Truman Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

Transforming Our Relationship with the Inner Critic

In this episode, Najiba and Rehenuma discuss the inner critic and how to work with it to foster self-compassion and a greater sense of ease within ourselves. We discuss the three stages of the nafs described in the Quran, and then take a deep dive into contemporary approaches to working with the inner critic, which serves as the mouthpiece of our ego. We touch on various approaches to name and tame the critic, from Voice Dialogue to Internal Family Systems. This episode also includes a sample dialogue practice that can be done with a partner. References: https://www.isip.foundation/soul-islamic-psychology/ [https://www.isip.foundation/soul-islamic-psychology/] No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model – Richard C. Schwartz (2021) Your Resonant Self: Guided Meditations and Exercises to Engage Your Brain’s Capacity for Healing – Sarah Peyton (2017) Embracing Your Inner Critic: Turning Self-Criticism into a Powerful Ally – Hal Stone & Sidra Stone (1993) Additional Resources: Freedom from Your Inner Critic: A Self-Therapy Approach – Jay Earley & Bonnie Weiss Homecoming: Reclaiming and Healing Your Inner Child – John Bradshaw (1990)

Cultivating the Inner Observer: An Ancient Practice

In this episode, Najiba focuses on how the enneagram offers a gateway to presence by showing us clearly what it's opposite looks like - in other words, the conditioned automatic patterns that we fall into when we are asleep to ourselves. Developing the inner observer to "wake up" to our patterns is a key practice that is needed to work with the Enneagram. She also explores the connection to the Islamic concept of muraqqabah, and how this practice of self-observation has been emphasized in the Islamic tradition for centuries. References: Deep Coaching: Using the Enneagram as a Catalyst for Profound Change by Roxanne Howe-Murphy https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/how-to-be-a-mindful-muslim-an-exercise-in-islamic-meditation

Ramadan Special: Embracing a Season of Change and Renewal

This Ramadan special episode has a different format from our usual conversational approach, with each co-host presenting a brief segment related to the three mini-series topics we will explore throughout season four. Nada reflects on how we can mindfully meet our social needs this month, while balancing that need for connection with the importance of stillness and solitude. Najiba invites listeners to embark on a path toward greater presence this Ramadan, through accepting the natural gifts that come through our type and reflecting on Allah's attributes. Rehenuma reflects on our relationship to the Qur’an, our communities and our Creator, so that we can connect to them meaningfully through our head, body and heart.