Life & Leadership: A Conscious Journey

Thanksgiving Contemplation

November 23, 2020 Dr. Michelle St Jane Season 1 Episode 13
Life & Leadership: A Conscious Journey
Thanksgiving Contemplation
Show Notes Transcript

Welcome to a guided episode focusing on Thanksgiving and contemplation. The aim is to show you how to create a shield from negative thoughts, energies and beings and give you the courage and confidence to live your life purpose with ease, grace, and love.

Bullet Points 

  • Health and wellness are driven by regular exercise, green and clean nutrition, and prayer [Michelle St Jane 1:01]
  • Serenity Prayer [Michelle St Jane 4:42]
  • The Saint Francis of Assisi Prayer of Peace [Michelle St Jane 11:19]

Knowledge Bombs

  • Godlike technology and 2020 highlight the human issues of this decade  [Michelle St Jane 1:24]
  • Self invisibility [Michelle St Jane 1:53]
  • Entelechy coined by philosopher Aristotle [Michelle St Jane 2:11,]

Mentions

  • "Pause harnessing the life changing power of giving yourself a break," Rachel O'Meara [Michelle St Jane 5:42]

About the Show

Podcast Host: Life & Leadership: A Conscious Journey with Michelle St Jane

A podcast for Global and Re-Emerging Leadership creating a circle of influence, transcendency of compassionate leadership in the world and wider universe. A unique destination for learning about Leadership + Conscious Stewardship + Legacy.

Social media accounts:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

SUBSCRIBE to this show on your favorite platform:

Support the show

Michelle St Jane  0:01  

Welcome to Life and Leadership. I believe in creating community and creating space to be curious. This podcast aims to take you on a conscious journey to quality, diverse, innovative content and conversation. My hope is that we create a circle of influence, a transcendency of compassionate leadership in the world, and Universe.

0:32  

I am Michelle St. Jane, your host, and guide for this episode, focusing on Thanksgiving and contemplation. I am inspired by the words of Daphne Rose Kingma "In relations to others, gratitude is good manners. In relation to ourselves it is a habit of the heart and a spiritual discipline, currently, and consistently." 

1:01  

Research reinforces that health and wellness are driven by regular exercise, green and clean nutrition, and prayer. Yes, there is a relationship between prayer and your wellbeing. The oldest strategy and deeply human response to caring for our mind and body is prayer. 

1:24  

Godlike technology and 2020 have glaringly highlighted very human issues, the struggles of being in an endless loop of perfectionism, serving others in a passive, aggressive manner, seeking social approval on social media. Yes, there are lots of selfies out there. But so much more self-invisibility. A less discussed issue.

1:53  

I believe self-invisibility, being invisible to self and society, is a little noticed issue. For me, prayer helps me to make myself visible. I believe our bodies are renewed and our minds become clear. 

2:11  

I do believe in the importance of spiritual awareness in our lives. Finding a way to your essential Higher Self is essential to finding your higher guidance. The philosopher Aristotle called this essence, entelechy.  A vital force that directs you towards self-fulfillment. 

2:33  

Look about you. Look out the window. Look down the road. Take that butterfly, for example. Once a caterpillar, willing to turn into cosmic soup, and reemerge. Thus, transformed from a crawling insect to a flying creature of beauty. That's an organism that connects with its essence or entelechy. 

2:56  

Finding a spiritual life that works for each of us becomes more important as we transition from ego-based living to soul based creating for the world. Untechy speaks to us humans from a higher plane. Often it is our soul translating and transmitting next best steps. 

3:18  

What a noisy world! Create space to become conscious and create an optimal pause. Focus on your fulfillment, evolving wisdom. One avenue your soul speaks to you through is prayer. 

3:35  

I take a spiritual approach to make contact with my higher power, as I understand my higher power to be, through exploring my belief systems and a commitment to connect. 

3:48  

This podcast opens with prayer. Do not listen to this recording while driving or operating machinery. Only listen when you can safely relax and bring your thought awareness to your own complete comfort. 

4:04  

I am your host, Michelle St. Jane, talking with you now. I'd like to warmly welcome you to completely relax and settle in your current space. Wherever you are listening to the Serenity Prayer for happiness and hope. 

4:23  

Let's take a deep breath. And release. Repeat three more times.

 4:40 

 

God grant me the serenity 

To accept the things I cannot change 

To have the courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference


God grant me 

Patience for the changes that take time

Appreciation for all that I have. Tolerance for those with different struggles

And the strength to get up and try again one day at a time


Take another deep breath and release. 

5:20  

Did you experience the tranquil stillness? Did you hear the quietest voice? 

5:27  

If you wish to experience a deep inner freedom, here are some actionable insights. 

  1. Create a frame. 
  2. Draw up a plan for your optimal pause. 

5:42  

"Prayer should be the key to the day and the lock of the night," according to Thomas Fuller. Check out the book: "Pause harnessing the life changing power of giving yourself a break," by Rachel O'Meara. 

5:58  

Take the time to create invaluable moments for reflection. It feeds your soul. 

6:05  

More importantly, it interferes with your conditioned patterns. Take the time to clear these less than useful habits. Invest in creating pockets of inner deep freedom. 

6:20  

Joseph Campbell once said, "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." Another actionable step is making time for growth. When you are called to explore a deeper spiritual path, make the time you will unlock a wellspring of consciousness, creativity, and wisdom. 

6:46  

Take time for re assessment. 

Consider, keep a journal of any thoughts and feelings insights that arise. As Julia Cameron puts it, "We write, to right." Step into the place of possibilities in potential. 

Writing a journal can be very helpful to writing out the issues that you need to put right. 

7:09  

You'll emerge on the other side of your optimal pause feeling really centered, refreshed and ready for Life and Leadership. It's a conscious journey of grace. 

7:21  

Dorothy Bernard said, "courage is fear that said it's prayers." 

Why is this important? 

7:30  

I am motivated and curious about the progress of thought developing and devoted to dialogue around the science of consciousness. There is a diversity of global thinkers, studies and universities exploring the rich qualities of the relationship between our human complexity and consciousness. 

7:53  

Journey and connection to a higher power fascinates me. Take these examples of leading-edge thinkers like Michael Singer who has created a God helmet. Then there are investigations like "Zen and the Brain" by James Austin.  Alex Huxley has coined the term neuro theology, which basically means knowledge of God. 

8:14  

I'd like to warmly welcome you to completely relax and settle in your current space. Wherever you are listening. There seems to be a direct link between self-examination and prayer. 

8:25  

Here are a few of the benefits you can expect from daily practice.  

You will find your thought life will be on a much higher plane. 

What used to be a hunch or occasional inspiration will gradually become a working part of your mind.

Your thinking will become clearer. 

You will find yourself more and more on the plane of intuition and inspiration. 

The type you can truly rely on. Often intuition and inspiration bring us knowledge of God's will for us. 

You will begin to be kinder, gentler and find that love and tolerance of others come more easily. 

9:07  

Self-examination and prayer will help you contact and move into your higher self. Done on a regular basis, self-examination and prayer can bring us to clarity, peace of mind and eventually to the state of bliss that occurs when we become into harmony with the Universe. 

9:26  

Let's use self-examination and prayer to take us to a point of deep mental and physical relaxation and tranquility. Join me for the Saint Francis Prayer. Be an instrument of peace, a conduit of love flowing through the world and beyond. 

9:45  

Do not listen to this recording while driving or operating machinery. Only listen when you can safely relax and bring your full awareness to your own complete comfort. You will notice that there's no music only natural sounds during this quiet period. The reason for this is that this is a peaceful time to listen to the quiet voice. 

10:10  

My guidance is intended to help you relax and to take you to that quiet spot within. Benefiting from this optimal pause asks you only to surrender for the next few minutes. 

10:24  

Allow yourself to move into a deeper part of your being. Once in that meaningful space, surrender to God, as you understand God, and allow this optimal pause to happen within God's will for you. 

10:39  

Before praying Saint Francis Prayer, think honestly of what it is you're about to pray. 

10:48  

It's one thing to read or recite the Saint Francis Prayer and feel its beauty.  But quite another to put it suggested actions to work in your daily life. 

11:00  

Why not consider taking one of its suggestions and practicing it for the next week, perhaps for the rest of the year. As you do? Be aware of the effect of these actions. What happens in your life on the lives of the people you touch? 

11:19  

Let's pray the Saint Francis Prayer. 


Lord make me a channel of thy peace. 

That where there is hatred, I may bring love.  

That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness. 

That where there is discord, I may bring harmony.  

That where there is error, I may bring truth. 

That where there is doubt, I may bring faith.  

That where there is despair, I may bring hope.  

That were there as shadows, I may bring light. 

That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. 


Lord, grant that I may seek 

Rather to comfort than to be comforted.

To understand, then be understood. 

To love than to be loved. 

For it is in self forgetting that one is forgiven.

 It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

12:32  

Pause and move within to a point of gentle mental tranquility and physical relaxation. There is no hurry. So simply relax. Close your eyes. Get comfortable, retain the feeling evoked by our prayer. Taking it with you as you begin listening for God's direction. 

13:01  

Take a few deep yawning breaths.Loosening the muscles in your neck as you commence to let the stress of life go. It is okay. 

13:17  

Sit all lay down in any position that helps you relax. If you feel discomfort, please feel free to correct your body's position. Simply incorporate any sounds you hear, like the rain birds, pets, neighbors or traffic into your peace. They need not be disturbing.

13:44  

It is a good idea to follow your breath. As you are seeking conscious contact with your higher power, you may want to thank God or love on each breath in and God or love on each breath out.  There by you establish a flow of God's love and positive energies. 

14:15  

Stretch the word God or love for the length of your breath.  This can make this even more effective. 

14:27  

Another focusing tool is to place your attention on a spot directly behind your belly button. And as you do notice, you’re thinking slows down immediately. 

14:40  

No matter what method you focus you use. The struggle between focusing and allowing your brain to think random thoughts is actually essential. It is in this struggle that light finds its way into your being. It is a way to enlightenment. It'll train your brain and exercise your ability to focus, thereby increasing your capacity to concentrate. It's like lifting mental weights. 

15:12  

Follow your breath as a focus point. Remember, the struggle to follow your breath and thinking God is as important as stilling your mind. Thoughts may come and go. I suggest that when you find your mind, caught up and thinking, be gentle with yourself. 

15:34  

Simply bring your focus back to your breathing and think God in and love out. 

*Don't be tricked by your mind. If it tells you you're not having a good pause, there is no such thing as a bad pause. God recognizes your willingness to simply by the fact that you are pausing. All we need is willingness and the door will open. Everything that happens is perfect and spiritually useable. God can work miracles in a split second.

16:12  

Know that you're safe here, right now, for you to begin letting all negative thoughts and energy go. You cannot solve your problems in the moment. So why not let go and let God? 

16:30  

Let's do a constructive review of your day. Answer these questions from your heart, not your head. Let the words resonate deep within.  Should you find something that needs a amending simply, ask God what corrective measures you should take. Be careful. Don't drift into worry, remorse or morbid self-reflection. All you need to do in this moment is be willing to take corrective actions. 


Ask yourself:


17:06  

Was I resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid?

17:18  

Do I owe an apology?

17:27  

Have I kept something to myself which should be discussed with another person at once?

17:40  

Have I been kind and loving to all?

17:50  

Was I thinking of myself most of the time? 

Or was I thinking of what I could do for others of what I could pack into the stream of life.

18:08  

If you found something that needs a team thing, take a moment. 

Ask for forgiveness. And then be ready. Let it go. 

Let it go right here right now. 

Remember, you are safe here in this moment. 

18:29  

Bring your attention into your heart. 

Take a few minutes to allow all the statements and regrets to come forward. 

Think of any person or institution you may be holding a grudge or resentment against?

Anyone you may have harmed?

Any regrets you may be clinging to.

Visualize him or her or it in your mind's eye.

19:12  

Resentments and regrets steal your energy. They will steal your very life. 

It takes a great deal of energy to store and maintain regrets and resentments. 

This energy drains continues even when the regret or resentment is not at the surface of your mind. You could be completely unaware. 

You can choose to continue giving your energy to your regrets and resentments. Or you can determine to take a higher path. You can decide to take your power back. 

19:56  

You can choose forgiveness. 

When you choose forgiveness, you choose freedom. 

You will no longer be unknowingly victimized by your own feelings and emotions. 

20:12  

Let's practice forgiveness. 

Recognize that everyone is doing their best from their state of consciousness. Have the intention to forgive others and yourself for any trespass that may have resulted in pain. 

Know that forgiveness is absolutely in your best interest. 

Keep your awareness in your heart while you let go of all regrets and resentments. 

20:44  

Consider the following statement to help you remove toxic emotions from your heart. 

Every decision I make is a choice between positive and negative. 

A choice between love and fear. 

I surrender or grievances, regrets and resentments and choose love.

21:18  

Now experience gratitude in your heart. 

Consider all the things in your life for which you are grateful. 

Think about the people you have loved and the people who have loved you. 

Spend a few minutes appreciating the gifts in your life for which you are thankful.

21:47  

It has been peaceful here. 

This tranquil time has allowed the God of your understanding to come in and work with you. 

There's been quiet communication. You may not feel that communication. 

Some part of your being knows that it's true. 

22:06  

Once we return, be sure to retain your peaceful state of serenity. 

Coming up slowly now. feeling refreshed. 

Gently slowly moving up but feel the positive energy moving in your body. 

The energy you are feeling comes from your connection with God savor you are looking forward to being back fully aware in the present moment. 

22:42  

Continue feeling calm, feeling serene and happy. 

Bring your focus back into the room. 

Pause here for a moment. 

Be aware all negative energy and intentions have left your body.  

23:05  

You may have an intuitive feeling that life has taken on a stronger meaning with more purpose and will progressively get better. 

You are becoming aware that negativity, anxiety, edginess and tenseness are choices you need not make. 

Choose instead to meet the trials of your day, a life with calm serenity. 

Thank you for praying with me, and I wish you well during this Thanksgiving season.

23:44  

As a steward of meaningful leadership in the world, and wider cosmos, I have a passion for service through sharing wisdom, faith and hope. Thank you for the opportunity to foster open conversation, discussions and an exchange of ideas that create understanding and connection among diverse groups. 


Your support is valued. 

Please subscribe, leave a review and a rating. 

More importantly, share with your connections. 

Thank you



Reach out.  I am interested, do you have a topic you'd like to explore? It would be great to have your feedback.

Dr. Michelle St Jane

Podcast Host: Life & Leadership: A Conscious Journey 

Apple https://tinyurl.com/yydu2kqc

Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yy5app42

 Overcast https://tinyurl.com/y26jebz2

Amazon https://tinyurl.com/yxscsa3n

iHeart Radio https://tinyurl.com/y5lw4kca

Podcast Addict  https://tinyurl.com/y52l6zlv

Pocketcast https://tinyurl.com/y2c2buql

Castro https://tinyurl.com/y6xkgx4q

Castbox https://tinyurl.com/y6nhtuo7

Podchaser https://tinyurl.com/y33dqpzg

Deezer https://tinyurl.com/yyceqmja

Listen Notes https://tinyurl.com/yyceqmja

RSS feed https://tinyurl.com/y5lw2q6c

 
Social media accounts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.stjane/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/michellestjanementor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellestjane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleStJane

 

© Michelle St Jane 2020-2021