Inrageous/Outrageous Self-Care Enchantments for August 7, 2008

Inrageous/Outrageous Self-Care Enchantments for This Week

Building on the discussions about summer energy, poetry and living in alignment with nature and her cycles, this month we will weave in some of the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.

Being brought up in a Western family spiritually grounded in Christianity, I wasn’t exposed to the Tao until my 30’s while on a spiritual quest following a family crisis.  Do you find that crises often lead to spiritual growth?  It was after reading “The Life of Pi” by Yann Martel that I decided to go deeper with the learning about the Tao.  This may be a funny way to deepen learning, ie from a very enjoyable novel, however it worked for me!  Since that time, the books that have helped my western mind understand the Tao have been “The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu” translated by Brian Browne Walker, “Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life: Living The Wisdom of the Tao” by Wayne Dyer and “A Thousand Names For Joy: Living in Harmony With The Way Things Are” by Byron Katie.

Byron Katie’s book I found to be particularly powerful.

 As a life and business coach, the women I work with are often challenged to find a balance or equilibrium between making conscious and strategic changes on the one hand and allowing the gentle flow of life on the other hand.  Another way to describe this dynamic is seeing the balance between striving towards change and being drawn towards your future.  The Tao seems to be very helpful for the second part of this equation.  The Tao reminds us that life is like water, it resides in the low places, over time it carves out deep valleys and can move mountains, and it is hard to grasp.  I have found that the more I try to figure the Tao out, the more complex it becomes and if I allow my entire self to be open to it, I “get” it more easily.  So, the self care enchantments for this week are about honouring the Tao of life and the Tao of you.

Self Care Enchantments for the week:

1.  Read something about the Tao Te Ching, you can pick one of the books above or simply do a quick search on the internet.

2.  Ask yourself how your life is or isn’t like the Tao?

3.  One of the dominant themes of the Tao is about flow and water, so this week, spend lots of time in the water!

Share your thoughts with us on the pow blog!

“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in beauty and joy each day.”

– Native American Proverb

namaste,

Zoey

Zoey Ryan

coach . catalyst . shakti sage

life & business coach for women

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

www.positivelyoutrageouswomen.com

www.entrepreneurialsuperstars.com  

604-323-3700