Finding Inside, Outside

I have been really encouraged by the number of people who are coming to my blog site and reading about spiritual counselling. I can see that many people are reading my blog from other countries far away. So this year I will be writing a weekly spiritual quest for you to explore some sweet, simple adventures in soul catching. Finding inside, outside.

First, a personal update about myself. I completed the requirements for a Masters of Counselling Psychology last December. I took this degree because many of my clients had extended medical plans which would provide for counselling. These extended medical plans require that the counsellor have a Master’s degree so I endeavoured to take this degree so I could be more accessible to others.

I was trained by a spiritual fellowship called the River and although I found the academic approaches to be interesting in some ways, this reductionist approach feels like kindergarten after being with the River. However, it gave me some new language and new ideas for making spiritual counselling more understandable to more people. This is what I want!

For those people who live in the Duncan area, I will be starting free counselling sessions at Harmony Yoga staring the week of February 18^th as part of my practicum requirements. This will be a good opportunity to meet me and be introduced to my World Metaphoric therapy. This is a technique taught to me by the River which uses mind, body and environment as clues to what is happening at deep spiritual levels. From these influences, we can access inner guidance and fulfillment, make better decisions and lead happier lives.

You can phone me at 250-709-9673 or email at julialstar2003@yahoo.ca for appointments. I will also be leading a six week creative expression group for anxiety and depression starting Feb 11^th, just in time for spring! This group will also be exploring spiritual growth, creativity, mindfulness, dream interpretation and journaling. You can  email me with “creative expression group” in the subject line to julialstar2003@yahoo.ca.  

For those who can’t attend my counselling or groups, I will be providing weekly soul quests starting with this one below.

Joy in the journey!

Weekly Quest: Finding strength

Often our critical mind wants to find fault with ourselves and then by extension, in others-our friends, family, loved ones, society and world. In this time when the earth returns to longer days and the advent of spring, let’s begin this New Year from a position of optimism and strength.

Most human activities require a balance of three elements, two opposites and a third which combines them into something new. We are continually doing a dance between positive and negative poles within our lives-between evaluating and criticising and feeling positive and strong within our life’s path. Both of these are required. However, these are especially challenging times and perhaps it is best to begin and focus on the positive, on the long term, the spiritual view of life. It is best to begin with a focus on the future.

This next week, let’s begin these spiritual quests together as if pouring over a map and becoming excited about all the new and foreign places we will visit. Let’s begin this New Year by a recounting of our strengths and direction-because as the journey continues, we will need to look back at our original purpose, intentions and gifts. These will be the maps, compass and destination of where we are going. During the next week, each time you notice yourself saying something negative or critical, catch those thoughts and change them into something positive. For example you might catch yourself thinking, “OH-there I go again being almost late for this class!” You can change that immediately into something positive such as, “Even though I had to rush I still made it to this class and I’m glad that I’m trying so hard to stay in shape.”

Try this:

1.       Where are you strong? This week notice the things that you do well. You may find you have strengths in the three main areas of your life (See “The River Books: Love Work, Wisdom” by Julia Star- for sale through longboatcounselling.com): Work, production, and activity is one area. Relationships are another and spirituality or a universal approach is the third.

2.       Where in your work are you strong? This doesn’t have to be paid work-it is simply those areas of your life where you support yourself, where you produce something, where you are engaged in activities that promote your survival and wellbeing. This can be a job, house work, the discipline you use for creative expression. How do your know when you are strong and happy in this aspect?

3.       Where in your life are you strong in relationships? These can be within a marriage, community, and friends or with nature or animals. How do you express this strength?

4.       Where in your life are you strong with spirituality? If you don’t call this universal aspect, spirituality, then refer to that aspect where you know being great than your small ego self. Some call this love, or God, or connecting with nature. How do you express this part of yourself? One way is to follow these weekly quests and embody the wisdom that you discover by the journey.

5.       Now-record your musings. This will deepen your realizations. You can journal, dance, draw or talk with a friend about what you are thinking about. What was surprizing? What was reaffirmed? How are you changed and charged by the quest? Post your comments for others to see in this blog.

Photo credits Cecelia Webber. Check out her web site <ceceliawebber.com> for more human body art images.