āThere is a life-force within your soul, seek that life.
There is a gem in the mountain of your body, seek that mine.
O traveler, if you are in search of That
Don’t look outside, look inside yourself and seek That.ā
~Rumi
If you’re one of those people who is stuck in your mind a lot, then you’re going to love this.
Iām so pleased to introduce you to my friend, Ellen Emmet. Ellen has a beautiful way of creating the space for the separate self to dissolve through guided body awareness. She is an expert in welcoming people into the direct experience of emotions.
I invited Ellen to join in a conversation with me. Weāre both therapists, and we share a passion for meeting each moment with full aliveness.
You can listen to or download the audio or listen on YouTube. I hope you enjoy it.
To learn more about Ellen, please visit her website, EllenEmmet.com. And be sure to listen to her guided explorations available here.
To download, click Download. The audio will open in a new window. Then for Mac’s, control-click, then “Save video as…”. For PC’s, right click.
Here are some of the topics we covered:
5:00 | Body awareness vs. being consumed by thinking |
8:15 | Body awareness and knowing our true nature |
13:05 | Deeply welcoming the experience of the body |
14.45 | Trauma, the story, and the body |
21:10 | Being alive in our lives |
25:30 | Healing and knowing your true nature |
29:00 | Giving yourself over to your life |
34:00 | Attunement to emotions |
35:00 | The welcoming space of therapy |
42:00 | Ā Ellenās offeringsāEllenEmmet.com |
What About You?
Please feel free to leave a comment or question below. If you are reading by email, pleaseĀ click hereĀ to go to GailBrenner.com and comment.
R says
Hi Gail
I have been reading your first book and it is great but I am finding it difficult to understand what being aware entails?
I try and not engage in the stories in my mind and not to let the content of my thoughts bother me but then im not sure what I should focus on instead?
should I just focus on being in the present moment and not think at all or think of nice thoughts and memories instead?
sorry if this is a silly question. im really trying hard not to let an event that happened in the past bother me and not enagage with the negative thoughts, some days I feel good and don’t think about what happened at all but other days I feel consumed with them and as though ill never be able to get over it. I just want to be happy and calm and not feel anxious anymore. sometimes I worry what would I do if it happened again and I feel more anxious! I know we should not worry about what we cannot control but some days my obsessive thinking takes over š
is there any hope for me that one day it wont even bother me at all anymore, I really have tried everything š
thank you!
Gail Brenner says
This is an essential question, Rachel, and I’m sure many other people have it.
Yes, being aware is what you are when you’re not thinking. So it’s not about thinking nice thoughts. So first let go of thoughts and focus on your breathing. Use your attention to track the sensations of the inhales and exhales. This is the gateway to being present.
Now, notice you’re aware of your breathing. There’s not just the breath moving, there’s also your awareness aware of the breath. See if you can shift your attention away from the breathing and right into the experience of being aware. It may be subtle at first or so familiar that you miss it. It’s like a fish in the ocean looking for water. It’s right here and so close. And it’s not an object like a thought or sensation. It’s the underlying life-giving field of awareness that just is.
Shift your attention away from these pesky thoughts as much as you can so you start to untangle your attention from them and break through the conditioned pattern.
R says
Thanks Gail for your response.
I love reading your posts and am enjoying your book too.
Hopefully soon I will get a breakthrough and be free from the negativity and worrying š im trying so hard!
Gail Brenner says
Your fire is so bright, R! Take in these teachings, then relax and let them absorb into you. Enjoy yourself and your life. And notice the small moments of peace.
Sending love…