"Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom."

—Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

© 2014 Valerie Rickel

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

Yet, every now and then,
when the world sits just right ~
that gentle breath of heaven
fills my soul with delight,
and I see,

a turning of a leaf
dancing in the autumn’s sun,
and a brilliant shade of crimson
glowing when the day is done…

–Hazelmarie Elliott

Happy Monday! Today is our final day of exploring “Inner Peace,” so I selected this lovely quote for today’s Visual Inspiration, because it blends the theme of autumn with the feelings of inner peace, bliss, and delight so perfectly! It certainly describes how my soul feels when I gaze upon the beautiful pageantry of fall colors in the NorthEast (and in Upstate New York, in particular).

This photo was taken last week, on the first day of autumn, minutes before the official start of autumn this year, at 4:44 pm EDT, September 22nd. It was one of the last photos I got to take that day, as I took it just prior to my unfortunate injury. Hence the title, “Before the Fall.” My friend and I had driven to the lake in Downtown Inlet in the Adirondack Mtns — “Fourth Lake,” in the chain of “Fulton Lakes,” to be exact, to celebrate the beginning of the season with a special meditation on the pier. Inlet is a perfect little mountain town, just a little north of Old Forge, where there is no cell phone signal and a population of just 333. A blissful spot to celebrate autumn… before or after a fall…

I hope you enjoy the Visual Inspiration ♥

If you feel inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below!

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful, tranquil day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“Whenever you deeply accept this moment as it is — no matter what form it takes — you are still, you are at peace.”
—Eckhart Tolle

Happy Friday! I’m very excited to share today’s video with you.

In this brief, yet powerful interview, Oprah Winfrey speaks with Eckhart Tolle, the best-selling author of The Power of Now, about his techniques for silencing the mind.

You’re sure to take away some useful and actionable tips! Enjoy ♥

If you enjoyed the video, you might also enjoy two articles by Eckhart Tolle we have published at SoulfulLiving.com:  You Are Not Your Mind and Stillness Speaks.

And, if you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below!

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence.”
—Norman Vincent Peale

I’m very pleased to share a guest blog with you today by Suzanne Zoglio, PhD, executive coach, speaker, and author of “Recharge in Minutes : The Quick-Lift Way to Less Stress, More Success, and Renewed Energy” and “Create A Life That Tickles Your Soul: Finding Peace, Passion, and Purpose.”

In her article, “Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis,” Suzanne offers us guidance and tips on how to find inner peace and stillness within the stress, chaos and busyness of everyday life. Enjoy!

“Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis”
By Suzanne Zoglio, PhD

When you think of serenity, what image appears? A monk on a mountaintop? A roomful of meditators? Perhaps you see yourself blissfully sitting by a stream in the woods? Whatever the image, it likely depicts a place of silence. We often think of “getting away from it all” to “find” inner peace. But do those two thoughts–getting away and finding–actually increase the likelihood of our living a life of inner peace? I think not.

First, if we believe that serenity is something to be found…only by the lucky ones, rather than the natural state that it is, available to each and every one of us, we will keep looking for it somewhere “out there.” But, in fact, serenity is always “within,” not something we win in some spiritual lottery, but something we experience to greater and lesser degrees depending upon the decisions we make. We can choose to live our days in ways that illuminate and nurture this blissful state or we can follow the well-worn path of turmoil, chaos, and conflict, hoping that we’ll stumble on serenity one day.

Secondly, if we believe that serenity is inextricably linked to “getting away from it all,” we limit our expectations (and therefore our actions) of when and where we can experience inner peace. We relegate it to meditation sessions, Yoga classes, weekend retreats, or perhaps a week at the beach. Such a paradigm makes us victims of daily stress and encourages an ineffective wait-for-vacation method of refueling and rejuvenation.

So, what if we were to shift these two paradigms? What if we were to see serenity as a precious gem that twinkles within us…a treasure that we can unwrap whenever we want to for a quick lift or a luxurious basking in its brilliance? Now, that kind of thinking promotes thoughts and actions that give rise to living in serenity on a daily basis. Just imagine.

When you find your mind in overdrive, instead of accepting it as your “normal” state, you take power breaks that lift you up and let your serenity shine through. You begin each day with clear intent, before the day’s busyness tosses you about like a leaf in the wind. You stop during the day to take focusing breaks. You stop, breathe, and remember what’s important. You don’t wait for more time to plan and prioritize. Instead, you ask what’s important next, today, in this moment. You weed out the day’s “shoulds” and knee-jerk commitments that we all reactively make. You let go of all that is neither rewarding to you nor important to your mission. So, in a series of quick centering moments–perhaps in less time that it takes for a coffee break–serenity envelops you.

When fear, anxiety, or worry seem to creep into your day, instead of carrying the weight as a burden, something that cannot be undone without therapy, time, or divine intervention, you do not wait. Instead you remember that serenity is your natural state, so take appropriate action to remove whatever is blocking that inner peace. Perhaps you stop to say a prayer, repeat an empowering affirmation. Maybe you forgive someone or act with compassion for another. Perhaps you “go to the balcony” as I like to say, and remember the many mountains you have climbed in the past, or you take an objective look at your current state and rate it on a scale of 1-10. Maybe you ask for help or guidance, or simply surrender your worry to the universe…

Click Here to Continue Reading “Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis”

Copyright Suzanne Zoglio, PhD. All Rights Reserved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on today’s Daily Soul Retreat! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful and serene day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“The quieter you become the more you can hear. “
—Ram Dass

Happy Monday! Today, I’m pleased to share a wonderful article with you by SoulfulLiving.com Columnist, Laura V. Grace, called “Be Still.”

Laura is a spiritual counselor and author of “Gifts of the Soul” and “The Intimate Soul.” Her article will help you find inner stillness, inner peace, and inner guidance.

Enjoy ♥

“Be Still”
by Laura Grace

As I write this, I am in the middle of making an important decision regarding an opportunity that has surfaced. The time for finalizing my decision is drawing close, yet at this point in time, I am still unclear as to what the best decision is. I have been trying a myriad of decision-making approaches: letting go of attachment to outcome, discussing it with my partner, journaling about it, and so forth. Yet I know in my heart (and from past experience), that the only true method for making a decision that  supports the greatest good of everyone involved–is to ask for inner guidance. The answer that my soul seeks will not come from anyone or anything outside myself, but from deep within, and that requires becoming still. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross once wisely penned the following words of wisdom, “Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.”

Being still entails quieting the senses enough so that we may hear our soul. The soul speaks quietly, so we must enter our inner sanctuary, close the door, and be still where no one can see us. When we are alone, the guidance may reveal itself, something that will never happen in public. Why? Because when we’re around others our ego is on display, even in the presence of loved ones.  Thus it’s not necessary for us to try and access our deepest truth within, our only focus needs to be on settling into an atmosphere of faith and hope, trusting that the highest answer will surface when we are perfectly still.

The same thing is true for meditation; since Love’s Presence is within us, everywhere, at all times, we need only be willing to still our senses and patiently wait for the contact to occur. We are not trying to reach anything, but to achieve a state of such stillness that the awareness of Love permeates us.  Only in the sacredness of inward silence does the soul truly reveal the answers we long to hear.

For most of us, being still is not an easy thing to achieve. The amount of stimuli in our society is staggering, not to mention all of the noise from our own thoughts! There are so many diversions to becoming still, that it must be a priority for it even to occur. In his book Practicing the Presence, spiritual mystic Joel Goldsmith writes, “It takes constant turning within to tear away the veil of illusion, the middle-wall partition which seems to separate us. How speedily we pierce the veil has no relationship to our human goodness…It has relationship only to the depth of our desire to make contact.” The middle-wall partition represents all of the distractions we experience which prevent us from connecting with our soul. It’s the need to keep busy–so busy, that we never become still. But with persistence and practice, it will occur…

Click to Continue Reading “Be Still”

Copyright Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments about Laura’s article! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m very excited to share my favorite books on the subject of “inner peace” with you today. These are books that have helped me find inner peace over the years, and it is my hope that they will offer the same help and guidance to you.

Enjoy ♥

Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace”
by His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
by  Thich Nhat Hanh

In the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. World-renowned Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. For him a ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves. Dirty dishes, red lights, and traffic jams are spiritual friends on the path to “mindfulness” — the process of keeping our consciousness alive to our present experience and reality. The most profound satisfactions, the deepest feelings of joy and completeness lie as close at hand as our next aware breath and the smile we can form right now.

Lucidly and beautifully written, Peace Is Every Step contains commentaries and meditations, personal anecdotes and stories from Nhat Hanh’s experiences as a peace activist, teacher, and community leader. It begins where the reader already is — in the kitchen, office, driving a car, walking — and shows how deep meditative presence is available now.

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
by Michael A. Singer

What would it be like to free yourself from limitations and soar beyond your boundaries? What can you do each day to discover inner peace and serenity? The Untethered Soul — now a New York Times bestseller — offers simple yet profound answers to these questions. Whether this is your first exploration of inner space, or you’ve devoted your life to the inward journey, this book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness.

By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization.

The Voice of Knowledge: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace
by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Voice of Knowledge is the fourth book in the Toltec Wisdom series by the best-selling author of The Four Agreements. Don Miguel Ruiz explores the concept of “impeccability of the word” as a simple yet potent prescription for countering the judgmental inner “voice of knowledge.” Adhering to “the word” — saying only what you mean, refusing to speak against you — allows anyone to transform those inner tyrannical thoughts into a voice of self-trust and integrity. Knowledge then becomes an ally, and life becomes an expression of the authentic self.

At Home in the Muddy Water: A Guide to Finding Peace Within Everyday Chaos
by Ezra Bayda

“May we exist like a lotus,  At home in the muddy water.  Thus we bow to life as it is”

The above verse is an important reminder, says Ezra Bayda, of what the spiritual life is truly about: the willingness to open ourselves to whatever life presents — no matter how messy or complicated. And through that willingness to be open, we can discover wisdom, compassion, and the genuine life we all want. In At Home in the Muddy Water, Bayda applies this simple Zen teaching to a range of everyday concerns — including relationships, trust, sexuality, and money — showing that everything we need to practice is right here before us, and that peace and fulfillment is available to everyone, right here, right now, no matter what their circumstances.

I hope you enjoy your reading!
Valerie Rickel
Founder and Soul
SoulfulLiving.com

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart….live in the question.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke

I’m pleased to be able to share a guest blog by one of SoulfulLiving.com’s long-time columnists, Rob Ragozzine, Numerologist, radio host, and author of our column, What’s Your Number?

Today, Rob shares a special article on finding inner peace in the stillness and silence of your heart.

Enjoy ♥

“Finding Inner Peace in the Silence of Your Heart”

By Rob Ragozzine

Are you ready to bring more calm, ease and tranquility into your life? Like many people, you’re probably very busy, with little time to share between yourself, your relationships and pure silence. But, silence can foster inner peace. And, with inner peace, you may be able to better manage your life.

Help can come from activities that allow you to step out of the static, busyness and hyper activity that are often thrust upon us in daily life. Simple breathing techniques can be very effective. Or, you can use specific meditative techniques that speak to you.

Sitting in a comfortable chair in silence works for me. I light a candle and may focus lightly on it. Occasionally, I will play music, but most of the time I simply sit quietly and allow myself to be in the moment. Some days I can sit for a long time, while others I only sit for a short span. But, I always feel better after sitting in silence, no matter the duration.

We all struggle with periods of upset, unease or chaos. But, finding inner peace is not impossible. You may find stillness and peace for just moments at first, but this space can gradually grow with time, patience, dedication, and practice.

Meditating, or simply finding time for silence, can facilitate calmness, slowing down and connecting inward. As you connect inward you can begin to pay closer attention to the guidance of your heart. Dismissing its guidance often leads to greater instability, disquiet and unease.

You can create inner chaos when you force yourself to live in a restricted way, rather than allowing yourself to be expansive and open to greater possibilities. This starts with your heart. How can you begin incorporating your heart’s direction  in your life? How can you welcome its compassion?

Spending time in silence and truly listening to the guidance of your heart can add depth and meaning to your life. You can begin by just sitting in silence. It doesn’t have to be complex and the process can help you to connect with the mystery within your life. Just be curious.

Many of us today find it difficult, if not impossible, to find even a moment of stillness. This keeps us struggling with ourselves, and disconnected in our relationships.

Inner peace is found when you can connect inward, forgive yourself, become curious, and begin to look at the burdens — often unnecessary ones — that you needlessly take on. What do you really want? As you recognize your self-made obstacles to freedom and peace, you can begin to release them from your life.  You can begin to forgive yourself and let go of those situations which keep you disconnected and separate from your heart.

One step to take today is to record the yearnings of your heart and begin to find a way to bring those things into your life. Some of the actions will be simple. Other actions will be less so, but they are still vital for you to pursue. Some steps may seem so big that you feel foolish or silly even to imagine undertaking them, but have faith in yourself and your abilities. You can get there. You may have to practice forgiveness and compassion first. You may need to let go of the inner battle. Decide that it’s time to stop fighting yourself, believe that you have purpose, and believe that your voice matters.

Your heart has a message. Are you willing to find the time to listen? If a goal seems insurmountable you can bring an object that symbolizes it into your life. For instance, you might bring in poetry about parenting, if you are single and have a desire to be a parent. Or, you might bring in a book about the life of someone who has taken the steps you wish to take in your life.

Most importantly, have patience, compassion, and belief in your heart and its guidance. Take each day one moment at a time. Allow time for stillness. Honor and listen to your inner wisdom. Make peace with yourself and where you are now. Believe that life is mysterious, magic, expanding, and rich. From this place, your heart can help you open to new possibilities. Life can then become less restrictive and stress focused and more expansive, calm, rewarding, and blissful.

Copyright 2013 Rob Ragozzine.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on Rob’s article! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

Wishing you a peaceful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“When we’re at peace with ourselves, we can see more clearly, act more effectively, bring greater harmony to our relationships and greater peace to our world.”
—Diane Dreher, Ph.D.

Today, I’m very excited to share several wonderful essays with you on the topic of inner peace by author Diane Dreher, Ph.D. These essays are excerpted from her article “Inner Peace: The Path with Heart,” which was previously published at SoulfulLiving.com.

Diane is the author of “The Tao of Inner Peace,” in which she translates the ancient Eastern philosophy of Taoism into a plan for contemporary living. She is also the author of “The Tao of Womanhood: Ten Lessons for Power and Peace.”

Her article offers many meaningful and easy-to-implement methods for integrating the teachings of the Tao into daily living to create more peaceful and balanced lives. I hope you enjoy it ♥

“The Tao of Inner Peace”
by Diane Dreher, Ph.D.

Peace Begins Within

We can begin to transform our world by first transforming ourselves. This cannot be accomplished by merely reading or thinking about peace. Living the Tao is more than an intellectual exercise. It is the path with heart.

The Chinese character x_ n means both mind and heart, the source of all thought, feeling, and motivation. Following the Tao, there is no inner split, no agonizing struggle between head and heart, no discord or division in spirit. For, quite simply, when we are divided within ourselves, we cannot be at peace.

Instead of waiting for the right guru or political leader to bring us the peace we seek, the Tao asks us to take responsibility for our lives, to follow its mindful blend of action and contemplation. Through a shift of attitude, we can begin to experience greater peace right now.

Focus on Your Feelings

As strange as it seems, many of us get so busy, we lose touch with our feelings. Or we try to force ourselves to feel what we “should” feel, our hearts and minds going off in different directions. This builds up tremendous internal tension and undermines our peace.

• Take a moment to ask yourself, “Where am I not at peace?” Focus on this area.
• Whatever situation or feelings come up, acknowledge them. Take another deep breath and focus on what you feel.
• Then breathe in compassion for yourself. Love yourself whatever you’re feeling whether it is pain, frustration, exhaustion, anger, or disappointment. Breathe into your feelings and slowly surround yourself with the warm, healing light of love.
• Say to yourself silently, “I love and accept myself right now.”

After acknowledging where you are not at peace, gently shift your attention to what peace feels like. The simplest way is to breathe out tension and breathe in peace.

Breathe in Peace

• Relax, take a deep breath, and say to yourself as you breathe in, “Breathe in Peace.” Remember the last time you felt a deep sense of peace and oneness. Let that feeling flow through your body.
• Breathe out any fear, confusion, insecurity, or whatever is troubling you.
• When you feel relaxed, affirm, “I choose to live in Peace.”

Your conscious choice opens up new possibilities for a more peaceful life. As you draw upon the infinite source of peace within, new insights will come to you, perhaps now, perhaps later. But know that with these simple steps you have already begun a powerful process of renewal.

The Tao of Self-Acceptance

Many of us are not at peace because at some deep level, we do not accept ourselves. While trying to fit someone else’s expectations, we go against the grain, defying our own nature. The natural wisdom of Tao calls us back to ourselves. In the natural world everything is valuable, everything has its place. Only human beings suffer from low self-esteem. A rose, a daisy, a lark, a squirrel–each manifests its potential differently, yet beautifully. Each form has its own expression, each flower its own fragrance, each bird its own song.

The Tao of Personal Balance

We can bring greater peace to our lives by maintaining our own personal balance. Each day we meet our physical needs: eating and sleeping at regular intervals. People who follow the Tao also make time for spiritual renewal. If we neglect our bodies, they become imbalanced and break down. If we neglect our spiritual needs, we become emotionally imbalanced and our world breaks down in continual conflict.

There are many ways to nurture our spirits from traditional religious practice to regular meditation, devotional reading, or quiet walks in nature. Some people find spiritual renewal weaving tapestries, singing, or working in their gardens. What nourishes you? Remember to nurture your spirit this way on a regular basis.

Most spiritual practice takes us away from the noisy, busy outside world, returning us to the center of peace deep within us. Moments of reflection enable our roots to go deep to the source, drawing upon the infinite power and wisdom of Tao. This month, remember to give yourself the gift of peace by following your favorite spiritual practice, cultivating periods of contemplation, and taking short “inner peace breaks,” to breathe in peace and listen to your heart.

Seeking the Silence

Taking time for contemplation may seem like self-indulgence when we’re caught up in a busy rush of activities. Yet it’s one of the most responsible things we can do. When we’re confused and uncentered, we make foolish choices, over commit ourselves, and project inner conflicts into the world around us. When we’re at peace with ourselves, we can see more clearly, act more effectively, bring greater harmony to our relationships and greater peace to our world.

The early Taoists revered tortoises because they know when to withdraw unto themselves, when to restore their energy. Thus, they live to an advanced age. Believed to have mysterious powers, tortoise shells were used in divination, inspiring the hexagram patterns of the I Ching. We can cultivate inner peace by following the lesson of the tortoise, setting aside brief periods for peace and renewal.

For most of us this means seeking out times of silence. Gandhi kept a day of silence once a week. No matter what happened or who came to visit, he would spend that day quietly, communicating to others only in writing. Most of us are unable to maintain an entire day of silence, but we can establish regular periods of meditation…

Click to Continue Reading “Inner Peace: The Path with Heart”

Copyright Diane Dreher, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful, mindful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh

I’m so pleased to be able to share today’s video with you. In this extraordinary and powerful presentation, Oprah Winfrey interviews Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh, as part of her Super Soul Sunday television program.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s presence, light, inner peace, and joy is sure to delight, inspire, and move you. This beautiful video is a true treasure, and I know you are going to love it.

Enjoy ♥

Thich Nhat Hanh is the author of over 100 books. If you would like to learn more about his teachings, you might enjoy one of these popular titles:

• Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
• Living Buddha, Living Christ 10th Anniversary Edition
• The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
• The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
• True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“I am able to close my eyes and generate the feeling of total peace anywhere and anytime.”
—Mary Maddox

Today, I have a Visual Inspiration for you, featuring a beautiful quote by Mary Maddox. These words inspire me so much.

When I close my eyes and aspire to attain a feeling of peace, I try to visualize a beautiful, serene snapshot of nature in my mind, such as this heavenly autumn scene I captured on a country road in Central New York last year. Aah, peaceful bliss!

I hope today’s Visual Inspiration brings you peace! Enjoy ♥

If you’re feeling inspired, please leave a comment below and share your thoughts with our community ♥

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a very peaceful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…

“Let your soul expand, let your heart reach out to others in loving and generous warmth, and great and lasting will be your joy.”
—James Allen

Happy September! I’m very excited about this month’s Daily Soul Retreat theme — “Inner Peace.”

Autumn is the perfect time to reflect on what is most important in life — peace and harmony for ourselves, our loved ones, and the world. It is an opportunity to look inward and make peace with ourselves… To learn to love and accept ourselves… To heal and nurture ourselves. Once we have cultivated our own inner peace, we can then share our healing love and peace with those most dear, and offer our very best selves to the world.

Today, I’m very pleased to offer you a guest article by author Susan Castle. Her beautiful article, “The Essence of Peace is Within Your Heart,” will help you learn to cultivate a place of peace within yourself by connecting with your peaceful heart.

Enjoy ♥

The Heart is an infinite source of Intelligence. Many people think that the mind is the most powerful source within us. We’ve been led to believe that the mind is responsible for most of our knowledge and wisdom. When in fact, your Heart is much more powerful than your brain, 5,000 times more powerful. The electromagnetic energy of the Heart has been described as a creative, connective energy that seems to hold everything together. The life force that flows through the Heart is the strongest connecting energy in the entire Universe. This life force energy, strong and constant, functions to allow the Heart to pump nutrients to the body and Spiritual energy to nourish the Soul.

There is a magnificent Wisdom within each one of us, an infinite intelligence, that knows just what to do, when to do it and even how to do it. This infinite intelligence takes care of us, guides us and flows through our entire being. You have, deep within you, a place where your inner Wisdom flows in abundance. A Wisdom so true that it will never fail you. A Wisdom that knows how to return your body to its natural state of balance and inner peace in any given moment. This Wisdom is found within your Heart.

In this very moment Wisdom is flowing through you as you read these words. Creative ideas and feelings are moving through you that will bring a richness to your life and a warmth to your Heart… a peacefulness to your soul. It’s all in Divine Order.

So many people ask me “Susan, how can I feel my peaceful Heart, hear it’s Wisdom and learn to trust it?” The answer is by quieting our busy minds. Inner Wisdom is best heard in the stillness of the moment, in the space between our thoughts, when the mind begins to let go and surrenders to the peacefulness within our Hearts.

I invite you to experience the following exercise designed to guide you on an inner journey to the peaceful place within your Heart. You can use this exercise anywhere, anytime to re-connect to your inner place of Wisdom and Peace… Your Heart’s Essence.

The Essence of Inner Peace

1. Find a Comfortable Spot

Begin by finding a comfortable place where you can relax easily with no interruptions… you may want to put on your favorite calming music or climb into your favorite chair…

2. Breathe Deeply

Take a few deep breaths in, full and expansive and as you exhale let go of any tension or stress in your body and allow your mind, your thoughts, to begin to settle into a quiet stillness…

3. Gently Close Your Eyes…

4. Physically Connect with Your Heart

Place your right hand over your Heart and imagine bringing your awareness into your Heart

Hint: Connecting to your Heart means shifting your focus from your head to your Heart. Imagine you are gently moving down into the center of your chest with your energy and your focus.

5. Feel Your Heart Space

Sense the ease and peacefulness within your Heart, expansive and soft…

Gently say to yourself “I am peaceful… I am calm…”

6. Visualize the Color Pink

The color pink resonates a calm and peaceful vibration

Pink also corresponds to the Heart Center and unconditional love

7. Ask Your Heart

“What does my Heart want most for me?”

“What does my Heart long for?

Hint: Allow your Heart to communicate in whatever way is right for you.

You may hear a word or a certain message, see a picture or an image, or you may sense a feeling. Trust whatever form of communication you receive.

8. Return To The Breath

Allowing yourself to dwell here in your peaceful Heart for a few moments…

Knowing that you can return to your peaceful place whenever you wish

This secret that sits in the center of your Heart is your most powerful resource within… it is your Essence

Gently bring yourself back into the present moment by feeling your hands and your feet… returning to your present environment feeling refreshed

You may want to take a few moments to journal your experience. This is a wonderful way to honor your experience, and begin to trust your inner Wisdom… Your Heart’s Essence.

So often we look to the outside world to provide us with a sense of inner balance and peace. We can never find inner peace from any source outside of us. If we seek inner peace from an outside source we will never be fully satisfied. There is always a missing piece; a deeper longing that just doesn’t get fulfilled. I believe there is no substitution for the inner Peace we come to Know when we find it within ourselves. It is a true coming Home…

Continue Reading “The Essence of Peace is Within Your Heart”

Copyright Susan Castle. All Rights Reserved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a very peaceful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com

Share the Inspiration with Your Friends…