- Prayer/Meditation
The single most common dominator found on this pathway to self is prayer or meditation. Going into the silence of your heart and soul, reaching out to the power of
the divine within and without. By prayer it is not meant recited or scripted text or even reading religious works, but going to that place of quiet and peace within yourself. Finding methods such as centering prayer, meditation or yoga and spending time there with a mind and soul quiet and emptied of self and thought as much as possible. This is opening to the power and gifts of the universe and the divine spirit within.
This practice should be done daily with time set aside specifically for quiet, deep reflection and mediation. The more you tap into this great force the more you will find the answers of purpose and meaning in your life and the more empowered, peaceful and happy you will become.
As Matthew Kelly (2004) states,
When you take a few moments each day to step into the classroom of silence and reconnect with yourself and with your God…the gentle voice within grows stronger and you develop a deeper sense of peace, purpose and direction. You’re healthier, you’re happier, and you have a richer experience of life…. Prayer is essential. Prayer cuts through and clarifies…it awakens our awareness to our legitimate needs…it is the great mediator that introduces us to God, it points out who we are and who we are capable of being, it reveals the deepest desires of our hearts and points out the path that was ordained for us from the beginning of time. (pg. 187)
II. Areas of Focus – Coaching Practices
It is essential as a coach that you work with your client to examine and work to heal areas of conflict and confusion. We must explore areas where they may have hit roadblocks along the path of self-discovery and fulfillment. We must help them stop the negative self-talk and bring them to a place of strength and potential where self-actualization and empowerment may begin to develop and unfold.
Areas for coaching exploration:
- Forgiveness – Forgiveness of self and others. Really looking back over your life, examining all that you have experienced and all that has been “done to you or by you” realizing that to grow and move forward we have to forgive and let it go, own it but not be owned by it.
- Gratitude – When we live in a state of gratitude we see through the eyes of thankfulness, we appreciate all that is in our lives and we realize that, for better or worse, it has made us who we are. We can embrace life in its’ fullness with love and appreciation.
- Self-Acceptance and Love – When we come to realize that we are all “Made in His image” and
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good (Genesis 1:31, Saint Joseph Edition, New American Bible)
we can release judgment about others, and ourselves. We become empowered and more joyfully alive. We are all perfect in our own individuality, in our strengths and our weaknesses. Coming to accept and love ourselves for who we are and embracing those aspects of our innate being as gifts from our maker we can transform our lives and those around us.
CONCLUSION
Through self-acceptance, self love and aligning heart, mind, and soul and working from that place of power we align with our consciousness and the God within. By knowing ones’ self and embracing our full potential we can choose how we show up to life. We can choose how we will be and how we will respond in every situation. We can choose to be happy, joyful and loving each day and we become empowered to transform ourselves and influence others as well.
REFERENCES
Henry David Thoreau. BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012, from
BrainyQuote.com Web site:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid132662.html
Fides et Ratio. (2012, May 18). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:15, July 14, 2012, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fides_et_Ratio&oldid=493260031
Self-actualization. (2012, July 12). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:13, July 14, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-actualization&oldid=501812800
Kurt Goldstein. (2012, June 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:04, July 14, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kurt_Goldstein&oldid=500062569
Abraham Maslow. (2012, July 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:07, July 14, 2012 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abraham_Maslow&oldid=502215674
McLeod, S.A. (2007). Maslow | Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary (2012) found at http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Books:
Kelly, M. (2004). The Rhythm of Life, Living every day with passion and purpose. New York: Simon & Shuster.
Seale, A. (2011). Create a World That Works, Tools for Personal and Global Transformation. Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC