Bija Living: Meditation, Mindfulness & Manifestation

03/28/2024

It's come to my attention that I'm a Facebook flake—surprise🙈Here's my attempt to redeem myself from disappearing, but mostly to say I think about you all every day and live in a space of incredible gratitude. Here goes...

Toward the end of '21, California pandemic restrictions were lifted. I fostered and adopted Stanley Xavier Bovine. The county shelter picked him and his sister up off the street, both wounded and emaciated, with severe signs of trauma, abuse, and neglect. I dedicated all of my time and resources to his rehabilitation.

Working with him was the hardest thing I've ever done—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I had no idea what I was doing. A team of trainers and veterinary behaviorist worked with us and taught me how to train and help him decompress using force-free, positive reinforcement methods. He became remarkably well-trained.

On May 1, 2023, he was behaviorally euthanized, which I will eventually speak about in the future. His life was short but big. We shared more outings together and covered more ground than some may in a lifetime. I'm endlessly proud of him for his commitment and resilience. He's absolutely my kid.

Our relationship was extraordinary. The few who met him know how special he is. He is my greatest teacher and has forever changed my life. The lessons are endless. His legacy lives on. I'm very fortunate to spend most of my time—days and nights—caring for pups, many of whom struggle with similar issues of fear, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, and separation distress.

Along the way, I was super happy to keep private coaching clients. I teach and guide meditation and Ayurveda virtually and infrequently in retreat settings. My meditation practice got me through incredibly hard, dark, isolating, and scary times. It continues to heal my body, mind, and soul. My body got neglected and worked, but Jennifer Ellis, the most brilliant yoga teacher, has given me a safe, healing space to slowly unravel injuries and physical toxicity.

I'm confident my personal meditation, mindfulness, and manifestation practices will intersect with my passion and advocacy for dogs. I'm unsure what it will look like, but I'm open-hearted and curious about what the universe has in store.

Thank you for you. I have felt loved and supported. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for being ever so patient. I know we've all been on wild journeys. I hope this is the season for more magic and your dreams to come true.

You can take a peek at the ridiculously amazing fur kids I have the privilege of caring for on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/speakfluentdog/

Most importantly, I'm packaging up a boatload of love and expansive energy to send off to the ethers today to be delivered to you. Please keep a watch out. Delivery times may vary. I hope you're able to pause and feel my love and immense gratitude.
xoxoxo

10/07/2021

Make a fist—squeeze tight—for five... four... three... two... one... Then, release.

WHY?

Clenching for your fist tightly for 5 to 10 seconds is ____________.

(Select the best answer to fill in the blank.)

A. A tip for your next street fight
B. An instant stress release and relaxation technique
C. A good way to start the "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" counting-out rhyme

If you answered B, you'd be correct.

It may seem counterintuitive that making a tightly clenched fist could actually help you relax, but progressive muscle relaxation might be your new go-to stress release tool.

You've probably heard of it. Progressive muscle relaxation is an exercise you can do anywhere, anytime to reduce stress and anxiety. It's simple. You start by slowly tensing certain areas of the body and then quickly relaxing them.

In this video, I walk you through three quick and effective (PMR) techniques for high stress situations. Then, I'll walk you through a short anchoring technique (aka contingency plan) technique to remember to use the stress release tools you've got in your toolkit.

YouTube video: https://lnkd.in/g_5WbFER

This guided muscle tension and relaxation technique reduces stress, releases anger, frustration, and negative emotions from getting stuck in the body. It's e...

09/28/2021

If you're struggling with hot, fast, negative emotions or high-stress situations that elicit strong emotions, there's a technique researchers and clinical psychologists call, "Name it to tame it."

According to research experiments, naming (or labeling) a negative emotion can prevent it from escalating and gaining momentum.

Here's the idea. If you can name, or label, a difficult emotion you put space between the thought and the next action. It's a little like magic and has the effect of slowing down time.

It may take a little practice to get the hang of it. If you want to try it in a non-charged space, here's a short guided practice:

https://youtu.be/jlHVW3LiN5

09/21/2021

Have you struggled with negative self-talk, feelings of fear, frustration, a spike of anger, or the overwhelm of uncertainty? This video will help you address difficult emotions and negativity with expansive awareness and loving kindness.

https://lnkd.in/gxs8tnw6

Benefits of this meditation:
- Release stuck energy
- Release negative toxic emotions
- Increase self awareness
- Increase self-compassion
- Feel more connected
- Improve relationships
- Surrender to challenging emotions and let them guide you toward positive change

If you're struggling with anger, negative self-talk, feelings of fear, frustration, or the overwhelm of uncertainty, this guided meditation will help you add...

09/14/2021

If you've struggled with anger, frustration, or overwhelm—or if you've recently been feeling like you're losing patience, getting annoyed at little things, over-reacting, having uncontrolled outbursts or a really short fuse—this meditation will help guide you to move through anger in a gentle and safe way. It will help you see what's beneath the surface of anger and frustration.

https://youtu.be/ZZyhmiLS6qI

The full range of human emotions are 100% normal, but it takes time, courage, and self-compassion to process and fully move through difficult emotions. Some people tend to push the negative emotions away, but keeping feelings bottled up never works.

Instead of denying or pushing away these negative emotions, allow yourself time to explore and process them. Emotions carry powerful messages that are trying to get your attention. When you understand what's beneath any emotions, you can use the information to help get your needs met, cultivate gratitude, and live a more fulfilling life.

https://youtu.be/ZZyhmiLS6qI

If you're struggling with anger, frustration, or overwhelm—or if you're finding that you're losing your patience, becoming highly annoyed at little things, o...

09/08/2021

Attention ❣️ Remote + "work from homers"

Here's a new end of day guided visualization for work-life balance: https://lnkd.in/gEx-6rm7

It's so super-duper valuable to close out the productive, busy part of your day and make a conscious choice to enjoy nighttime leisure and family time.

Here's a meditation to help you create space for 💖

This 10 minute meditation will help you establish an end of day routine, especially if you are struggling with from work from home (WFH) burnout. Start vide...

08/27/2021

Seva is a Sanskrit word that means selfless service or actions performed without the expectation of any reward. We use common phrases such as random acts of kindness, community service, unpaid volunteer work, helping others with no strings attached. These are all considered Seva.

Seva can be for a person, group of people, or society in general. Your meditation practice can be a form of Seva, if your intention is not only to expand your own consciousness but to also raise the collective consciousness of the world. Ultimately selflessly serving others becomes a devotional practice of serving the divinity within everyone.

Chopra brought their employees together for a day of Seva, but it doesn't always have to be planned. You can do Seva spontaneously by sharing, showing compassion, listening, caring for the planet, or helping someone in need. Seva opportunities are limitless.

I encourage you to put aside devices. Look around you. Smile and be ready to offer in any situation.

I hope this short video inspires you to serve your community. And by leading Seva, others will follow. Selfless service gives us the power, strength, courage, and inspiration to awaken the sleeping humanity deep within each of us.

https://lnkd.in/gWY76NmT

Seva is a Sanskrit word that means selfless service or actions performed without the expectation of any reward. We use common phrases such as random acts of ...

08/20/2021

I know I'm not alone trying to find balance in this work from home thing. I've been walking myself through a practice to balance work, health, happiness, and home life.

If you're trying to strike the right work-life balance, this guided visualization is a starting point. I'm hoping it will be a source of hope and inspiration to:

- Applaud yourself for setting up boundaries
- Increase focus and work productivity during working hours
- Enjoy deeper rest, relaxation, and personal time outside of work
- Show up in your work and home life with greater presence
- Feel more rested and clear minded with a greater sense of freedom
- Feel more fulfilled in what you do at work and for fun
- Deliver creative work and explore your inner creative impulse you've been wanting to tap into
- Prioritize self-care and healthy work-life habits

Let self-compassion lead your heart and your schedule.

This 10 minute meditation is ideal to help you create boundaries and establish routine in your work from home life. If you're working too many hours, low on ...

07/01/2021

I know it's really difficult to step away from a fast moving day—or life for that matter. But if you can nudge yourself to take a few minutes to be still, you'll change your outlook, your energy levels, and the entire course of your day.

This meditation is for you. Settle into stillness.

Before you rush off to the next activity or email, make time to be still. This short meditation helps you access inner calm, activate healing, and reconnect ...

04/21/2021

What do you do for Earth Day?

Living in harmony with nature can—literally—help you become happier, healthier and more balanced. Make a little space this week to connect with the healing power of nature.

Pause the barrage of technology, zoom calls, and multitasking. Take off your shoes. Put your bare feet on the ground. Any patch of dirt, sand, grass, or rocks will do.

Now, take a deep breath and let's meditate together: https://youtu.be/0oL3oF91QX8

Celebrate Earth Day 2021 🙌 This guided visualization cultivates gratitude and reconnects you with the energy of the earth and the healing power of nature. P...

09/21/2020

"Brilliant things happen in calm minds. Be calm. You're brilliant." — Headspace

But how do you stay calm in a chaotic world?

Notice where your mind is at.

Is it here?

Or skipping ahead?

Or going back in time?

Check in.

Keep checking in.

Ask your mind to check in on the quality of your breath.

When your attention is on the breath, you're here. You're calm. You're brilliant.

Be brilliant.

5 minutes of calm: https://lnkd.in/gCRkPzt

Breathe deeply. Love all.

This 5 minute Primordial Sound Meditation is a short meditation for the new Chopra PSM mediator to start a twice daily habit. Or if you are experienced, use ...

09/11/2020

It's not always easy to make time for meditation after a busy workday: https://youtu.be/RrJBIKApho8

Let nature be your guide. As the sun sets, let it be a reminder to shift from activity to rest.

Pause the go-go-go.

This guided meditation will help you transition from day to night.

Benefits:

- Release tension from the day
- Increase gratitude
- Amplify joy and activities you love
- Improve relationships
- Decrease stress and reactivity
- Gain clarity on what's important

This 10 minute evening meditation helps you unwind and transition after a long work day. Put the stressors of day behind you. Shift into a relaxed state. Hav...