Coaching Blogs by Dr. Jeanine

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Dr. Jeanine — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:27:37 GMT

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Conspicuous Consumption: Tipping Over The Sacred Cow of Materialism by Dr. Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:18:48 GMT

Conspicuous Consumption: Tipping Over The Sacred Cow of Materialism by Dr. Jeanine Simply Divine Solutions Personal, Professional and Spiritual Coaching for Women Worldwide simplydivinesolutions.com copyright 2008 ~ July 3, 2008 ~*~Please Share with Friends~*~ Because I am a huge comedy fan and was saddened by the recent passing of George Carlin, I have been watching many of Carlin’s comedy vignettes on television and on the internet. One of his central themes throughout the years was that of materialism. George was never shy to poke fun at our country’s insatiable and gluttonous desire for things. He observed again and again that Americans will work tirelessly for material things, pack their houses to the brim and then find themselves needing to buy a bigger house to accommodate all of those purchases. The jokes about inane spending always got a laugh for George because it invariably rang true for the audience. Other comedians have also had a big tease regarding materialism. I once heard Robin Williams say during a stand up routine to a woman in the front row that her necklace was very beautiful and could coincidently easily feed the entire nation of Thailand. Similarly, in the British comedy television show Absolutely Fabulous, Jennifer Saunders leaves her home for a holiday wearing every conceivable signature piece of England’s Burburry line of high end plaid wear: raincoat, luggage, scarf, handbag, hat and umbrella. The writers are making their own statement of course. Conspicuous consumption is funny, if not somewhat tragic. I recently saw a You Tube interview with musician Seun Kuti discussing the lack of resources in his home country of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa. He talked about the challenges inherent to daily life for his countrymen. His candidness about the suffering in his country stands in stark contrast to the bottomless desire for expendable things we seem afflicted with in the United States. Many people are now coming to appreciate the life philosophy of minimalism. We don’t need to live as monks or ascetics to embrace this simple way of life. We can clear out our belongings and donate them to charity using the criteria “Does this item add real value to my life?” We can choose simple but expressive wardrobes. We can choose to live in homes and drive cars that are the right size for us and no bigger. In the end living a life driven by material desires is no laughing matter. After all, we can’t take it with us. Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal, Professional & Spiritual Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World Website: www.simplydivinesolutions.com E-mail: jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com TV Show: http://www.blogtv.com/People/DrJeanine Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachforWomenWorldwide Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualcoach You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrJeanine Ezine Expert Author http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr._Jeanine_Austin E-course for Men and Women: Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 21 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~consultation A $95.00 value!

Big Ego Identities by Dr Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:55:37 GMT

Big Ego Identities by Dr Jeanine copyright July 17, 2007 ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Email now for a free consultation! jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com “Big ego is lack of trust in your own soul.” ~ Lauren Brownell (Vermont Artist) We all know exactly what people mean when they describe someone as having a big ego. They are describing someone who is very self-referenced and self centered, often with mind-bending hubris, and perhaps someone who thinks we should worship gratefully at their feet. For some of us, a big ego may call to mind the “big ego anthem” You’re so Vain by Carly Simon. (On an ironic note-it was rumored to be written about Warren Beatty who I happened to say hello to last Saturday. He was warm and friendly. No trace of ego!). When we talk about this type of ego, we aren’t using Sigmund Freud’s definition of the ego. In his seminal work, he defined three aspects of the self: the ego (the core self), the superego (the conscience) and the id (the primitive and impulsive self). In our current vernacular, we talk about a big ego in the way that A Course in Miracles describes the ego. In Marianne Williamson’s classic A Return to Love, she writes, “In Course terminology, our entire network of fearful perceptions, all stemming from the first false belief in our separation from God and one another, is called the ego. The word is used differently here than the way in which it is often used in modern psychology. It is being used as the ancient Greeks used it-as the notion of the small, separated self.” When anyone is running around with a big ego, we can be assured that the person is operating from fear. Whenever I think I have found the person who is the exception to this truth, I invariably find out later that in actuality they are fearful. Having an exaggerated ego is the same mistake as thinking you are unworthy or not enough. Both the “too much” and the “not enough” perspectives are generated from fear and the idea that we are separate from God. I was speaking to my brilliant friend Lauren last night and she casually said “Big ego is lack of trust in your own soul.” Wow! In other words, having an exaggerated self identity is a smokescreen. It is really about not trusting (fear) in the Divine. For someone with more of an atheistic or agnostic perspective, this fear might come from lack of trust in love or fear concerning the natural order and the inherent organic patterns of life. The really good news about this big ego awareness is that we can be more forgiving of those who are operating from fear and consequent big ego identity. If we are honest with ourselves, most have us have done at least a little ego posturing. Because we were fearful, we created a façade. Let’s remember to forgive our sisters when they are tempted to use this same defense mechanism. Of course, it can be very challenging to be generous of spirit when we are thoroughly annoyed. However, this challenge may strengthen our spiritual muscle. It may help to put into practice the belief that many of us share; that the personality “layer” is really only part of our outer packaging. The deeper truth about our selves and others is the soul or spirit that lies within. My experience has been that when members of the big ego brigade feel safe enough, which must include not being judged by us, they will soften and step into a much more balanced, relaxed and honest self identity. Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World Website: www.simplydivinesolutions.com E-mail: jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachforWomenWorldwide Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualcoach You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrJeanine Expert Encyclopedia~Selfgrowth.com: http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/dr_jeanine_austin.html E-course for Men and Women: Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 21 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~consultation A $95.00 value!

Awaken Your Consciousness to Invite a Joyful Worldview by Dr. Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:53:11 GMT

Awaken Your Consciousness to Invite a Joyful Worldview By Dr. Jeanine www.simplydivinesolutions.com copyright 2007 December 7, 2007 Many of us have come to believe that our worldly experiences are born from our perceptions. Moreover, many now believe that it is the inner world which is mirrored in the outer world. While some people formerly believed that we create by doing in the world via outwardly motivated strategy and effort, perhaps because of the metaphysical ideology explained in the movies The Secret and What the Bleep Do We Know? , many people desire to shift their attention, awareness and ultimately awaken their consciousness to affect a divinely inspired life. There is a metaphysical principle which states that the highest level of consciousness is surrender. This idea seems to be in conflict with the idea of actively creating our reality. In fact, it was a personal challenge for me to get my mind around this concept. I have enjoyed creating affirmations and having my desires manifest in the world. When I discovered this idea about 24 years ago, I was excited to find out how easily I manifested my desires into being. However, when we align ourselves with God, Source and Divine desire, whatever that might be, we can manifest love-based forms and situations which are often better than what we could have imagined. These outcomes encompass the whole of humanity, not just our individual lives. Of course, we all have personal preferences and desires, and there is nothing inherently wrong with personal desire. We can always intend our desires. But often we forget to “release” them to God. Many who are working on affirming may state their desire and also add earnestly “this or something better”. When we release we are surrendering to the fact that we may not know what is best and may not know what exactly will serve the higher good. The adage “Be careful what you wish for” is addressed by this action. The metaphysical textbook A Course in Miracles has students ask “What would you have me do?” This form of release and surrender creates a powerful flow in our lives. Our mission becomes “How can I serve?” rather than “What can I get?” Inherent in the question “How I can serve?” is the notion that our life here is not just about fulfilling our own desires but to serve humanity. There is nothing wrong with desiring the new job, relationship, car, or the perfect state of health. But beyond these personal desires lay the opportunity to act from compassion. Many spiritual teachers, myself included, believe that compassion is love in action and is the highest form of love. When we act from compassion we are aligned with our inner being, acting from our essential self and our most awakened consciousness. To deliberately act from the awakened or conscious mind we might start by intending it. We can align with a capital “S”ource perspective rather than a small “s”ource perspective. For example, if we wish to buy a home, but the prevailing thought of those around is that this is a bad time to buy, we can remember that this is a little “s” perspective. Our source of information in this case is those around us. They are responding to their reality based on fear or thoughts that “what is” isn’t enough. Aligning with Source, gives us an empowered perspective. Our source is not other people’s ideas, fears or perspectives, but in fact, the abundance which is of God. It is true that the mind cannot serve two masters. We must choose our allegiances. We can choose fear based thoughts or love based thoughts. If we live in duality we may try and choose both and end up confusing and frustrating ourselves and those around us. We may have to be deliberate in order not to buy into the thought patterns or race consciousness of the world. It may be highly important to seek support to stay on the path on love and a belief in Source. Because we live physically in a temporal world, we are often seduced into believing that the world we experience with our five senses is the whole enchilada. However, the more we operate from an expanded and awakened consciousness the more we begin to see clearly that there is more to our experiences than meets the eye. It is also important to recognize that in order to awaken you must be completely committed to a journey that supports your efforts. The commitment we undertake pays huge dividends even if we fall back into old patterns from time to time. If you wish to commit to a life based on these principles, I am here it help you.  Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World Website: www.simplydivinesolutions.com E-mail: jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachforWomenWorldwide Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualcoach You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrJeanine Expert Encyclopedia~Selfgrowth.com: http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/dr_jeanine_austin.html E-course for Men and Women: Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 21 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~consultation A $95.00 value!

Finding the Mystical and Magical in Everyday Life by Dr. Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:51:07 GMT

Finding the Mystical and Magical in Everyday Life by Dr. Jeanine copyright 2007 ~ October 2007 www.SimplyDivineSolutions.com I saw a commercial today that made me laugh aloud. A man was beginning his day while a chorus of exuberant, if not completely over-the-top dancers, sang his day’s praises. The man walked outside, admired his beautiful home and smiled happily at his steaming coffee. Suddenly, a giant tree branch fell on his car and completely crushed it. Many of us have had the feeling of the magical in life and then something happens and we completely lose our mojo. Just like that, the ordinary, mundane and unpleasant has returned to be the focal point of our experience. On the other hand, most of us can also relate to the feeling of the magical; suddenly our ordinary life takes on extra-ordinary qualities. Unfortunately, these experiences are often fleeting. Just the other night I was taking out the trash and looked up at the full moon. I had an overwhelming feeling of connection, hope, and appreciation. It seemed as if something so impossibly beautiful was hung there only to communicate those feelings to me. Not soon after returning inside the house, the feeling of connection to the mystical and magical was gone and forgotten. I was back to clipping children’s toenails, making lunches for the next day, emptying and loading the dishwasher, picking wet towels off the floor and putting Spiderman Band-Aids on boo-boos. Sometimes these experiences of feeling connected to the mystical last slightly longer. Most of us are familiar with the feeling of falling in love. Our lover’s voice and touch transport us to another world where everything is alive, awakened and magical. The limits we once perceived for our lives seem to wash away and we bask in the appreciation of everything about our beloved. All the synchronicities and the shared experiences seem magical and mystical. While this is amazing time in our life, for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to last. For most people the goose pimply early stage of coupling is gone by the second year. Most of us relate certain types of experiences to the mystical and magical while other experiences to the mundane and non-extraordinary. We may feel that a sunny seaside hide-away in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico is magical while a business trip in winter is undesirable. We may think a shopping spree to Dolce and Gabbana is magical while a new outfit purchased from Target is routine. Similarly, basking in a rose filled garden may seem magical but mowing the lawn may seem drudgery. We may think of life without our departing beloved as unbearable. How can we find the mystical and magical when he seems to have taken those possibilities with him? The adage, “Happiness is not a destination, it is the journey” applies to accessing the mystical and magical as well. Mystical and magical experiences don’t happen to us, we choose them. We don’t have to wait until we go somewhere, fall in love, or appreciate something beautiful. At any given moment, the mystical and magical are there for us to appreciate. The book A Course in Miracles discuses miracles as being shifts in perceptions. In keeping with this concept, if we open our hearts and minds, we begin to see our ordinary, temporal experiences, from of a perspective of the divine. We can decide that we will perceive our world as much as possible from this vantage point. People who are enlightened may truly understand what it means to see the entire world as divine. An awakened individual would say that there really is no difference between a trip to Muleshoe and a trip to Tuscany. They describe the magical and mystical as not separate from the ordinary. Some may describe this perspective as a “one taste” experience. In other words, every taste or experience is one with the divine. In order to experience more mystical and magical elements in life we may choose to see our lives as inherently mystical and magical. Those of us who desire more mystical and magical elements in our lives may deliberately decide that whatever our dharma is, we will commit to seeing all of our life’s elements and nuances as divine, beautiful, mystical and magical; even when a tree branch crushes our car. Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World Website: www.simplydivinesolutions.com E-mail: jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachforWomenWorldwide Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualcoach You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrJeanine Expert Encyclopedia~Selfgrowth.com: http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/dr_jeanine_austin.html E-course for Men and Women: Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 21 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~consultation A $95.00 value!

“Be-ing” The Goddess: Embracing the Feminine Principle by Dr. Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:49:50 GMT

“Be-ing” The Goddess: Embracing the Feminine Principle by Dr. Jeanine copyright August 7, 2007 www.simplydivinesolutions.com “A little more matriarchy is what the world needs, and I know it. Period. Paragraph.” ~Dorothy Thompson Before last year’s New Year, many people asked me what my New Year’s resolutions might be. I’ve always liked the idea of starting anew and consciously developing aspects of one’s life in order to live more fully. However, much of the well intended query made me uncomfortable. As soon as I told my friends what I wanted to create, they immediately started in with, “How are you going to make it happen” and “What steps are you going to commit to in doing this”. As I coach, I know as well as anyone that if you want to create something that has eluded you, you do want some kind of action plan. But, the intent of their questions, which felt more like a police interrogation, had a somewhat desperate, intense and frankly unappealing energy about it. In fact, in my life, achieving goals has not been nearly as difficult for me as just “be-ing”, accepting and surrendering. I have been seduced more times than I’d like to admit into “making things happen”. There is nothing inherently wrong with “doing”, however I believe there is something unhealthy about striving desperately and not being able to be truly happy until you achieve that elusive goal. I know the best things I have manifested in my life are the things I let gently come into being, an intuition followed by an action that was obvious and natural. When we just “be” and accept who we are and where we are it can often feel strange or even wrong. The wisdom of the world is mainly masculine in orientation. I am not talking about men~I’m talking about masculine energy. The energy I refer to is assertive “doing” energy. Counterintuitive perhaps to the dominant thought in our world, the “be-ing” or Goddess energy is a very powerful force. Sometimes, I laugh with my clients calling myself the “Anti-coach”. Rather than do do do, sometimes their coaching homework asks them to be gentle, be still, let things unfold, and observe. Many of my clients who like creative expression will design dream posters of the life they wish to manifest. Creative expression is the Goddess at work. Projective art projects allow expression to unfold in a gentle non-linear way. Dance offers us a similar opportunity to express and be. Because we live in a world that appears out of balance to most of us, we may have to be deliberate if we truly want to embrace our inner Goddess. Again, this is gender non-specific, this is about masculine and feminine principles or energies, not the physical body. Paying attention to the world around us may help us to be at choice with what we choose to believe and create for ourselves. We may have to examine closely our world view which has devalued or silenced our Goddess. In what ways might you embrace your inner Goddess? Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World Website: www.simplydivinesolutions.com E-mail: jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachforWomenWorldwide Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualcoach You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrJeanine Expert Encyclopedia~Selfgrowth.com: http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/dr_jeanine_austin.html E-course for Men and Women: Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 21 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~consultation A $95.00 value!

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Dr. Jeanine — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:35:04 GMT

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How to Find Your Soul Mate in 5 Days by Dr. Jeanine

Dr. Jeanine — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:38:43 GMT

How to Find Your Soul Mate in 5 Days by Dr. Jeanine August 2007 copyright 2007 Simply Divine Solutions Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide ww.simplydivinesolutions.com Last night, while contemplating the merits of microdermibrasion versus the photo facial with my Polish friend Justyna, I began to think about how her culture probably isn’t seduced by the quick fix as easily as we are in the United States. The conversation called to mind for me a time when I was attending a parenting class when I was pregnant. During each class, I asked a myriad of questions of my instructor about the efficacy of all the baby accoutrement from the portable bottle warmer (“Why would you need that if you’re breastfeeding?” she asked), to which diaper bag was the most streamlined and spacious and which high tech crib was the most comprehensive and effective. She told the class in response to my crib questions that she and her boyfriend had used a plastic 5 dollar laundry basket as a bassinet and this suited her baby perfectly. Then she looked at me directly and sliced and diced me like a hundred television knives that hold that promise of revolutionizing your world and said, “You like gimmicks, don’t you?” While I adamantly denied this accusation, I knew she was right. I was raised in THE O.C. after all. The impetus to improve myself utilizing the latest and greatest “technology” on a regular basis was part of my Orange County, California heritage. Was it wrong to sink my hopes on the “next best thing”? While I knew it wasn’t inherently wrong, I knew I had wasted a tremendous amount of time and energy on a myriad of things that I had hoped would transform my life in an instant. One of the most humorous had to have been “Secret Hair”, the primitive precursor to human hair extensions. I never actually wore the Secret Hair. In fact, I am not even sure why I didn’t think to just grow my own hair. I guess that had been done before, that was before the advent of Secret Hair. Every time I opened the drawer that contained my precious new locks, I automatically recoiled forgetting that they were hair pieces and not vermin. However, as far as my Southern California friends went, I thought that compared to them I was free from the trappings of gimmicks and consumerism. I had been a vegetarian since age 7 and as a teenager wore only vintage (and ill-fitting) clothing from Hollywood in an effort to separate myself from any markings of conspicuous consumption. In fact, when I told my friends back home that I was having my baby on the Navesink River in New Jersey, some of my friends actually thought I was having my baby on the river. (In fact, I was in a very cushy hospital birthing room on the river. If I squinted my eyes just right, I could make myself believe that Jon Bon Jovi was just outside the window!) Looking back on my formative years, I realized I bought into gimmicks and things just like everyone else, just with my own earthy (and smug) twist. Since starting my own coaching business, I am often given advice by marketing experts about how to attract clients. One of the suggestions was actually “How to Find your Soul Mate in 5 Days”. While this may seem hilariously outrageous to most of us, while cheesy, it is a pretty seductive idea. Certainly, it has much more sex appeal than the title of my last blog: “Compassion 101”. Perhaps paradoxically, in my humble opinion, if you want to have a shot in the world in finding your soul mate in 5 days, you’d better get clear on and be ready to employ compassion. Many people have said to me that I should have my own television show and offered that I might want to come up with an attractive and sensational gimmick. In order to fortify myself against this seduction, I have invited my closest friends to come and drag me off the television set, by my hair if necessary, if I begin to embrace exploiting some cheese-ball coaching concept. I actually have developed a new model to assist my clients in their personal development named “The Alma Answers! 19 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions”. I’ve been excitedly telling people the word “alma” means soul in Spanish. “My Grandma’s name was Alma. It has beautiful Latin origins. Get it… The soul answers,” I say. “It is a play on words.” I know… not flashy. As your coach, and someone who relates to the seduction of the odd quick fix idea, I actually do hold for you the promise of finding your soul mate in not only 5 days but 5 minutes!! Sadly for all of us, our twin flame is probably not Denzel Washington (although my mother is still holding the hope!). Here is one of the few gimmicks which actually is as quick and wonderful as it sounds (like laser hair removal). Find a mirror and look into it. There is your soul mate staring back at you. Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World www.simplydivinesolutions.com jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Dr. Jeanine is the creator of "The Alma Answers! 19 Sacred Soul Steps to Divine Solutions" No matter what the question, the Alma Answers! E-mail now for a FREE~NO OBLIGATION~session

Dr. Jeanine ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coach for Women Worldwide

Dr. Jeanine — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 01:06:50 GMT

Hello and welcome! My name is Dr. Jeanine I help women from all over the world design a simplified, meaningful, purposeful and joyful life based on their own signature strengths, values and priorities. I also coach women towards their ultimate purpose, full of spiritual meaning, connection, compassion and assist them in overcoming any existential suffering. I utilize a strategic and holistic approach in transforming challenges into transcendent integration of joy. I have more than 20 years experience in working in the helping professions. I provide life coaching sessions to women from all over the world via the telephone. I provide both individual and group sessions. Please note that I have also coached coaches into successful coaching practices. The outcome of individual coaching is focused on making positive internal and external shifts in one's life, while being supported and assisted by the life coach. The goal of my affordable coaching groups is to provide a loving community and transformative interpersonal relationships to help women actualize their lives. I have both a bachelor's and master's degree in clinical social work and a doctorate in life coaching-graduating Magna cum Laude. The breadth of my career has incorporated many aspects of clinical work with children and adults in a wide variety of settings. I am no longer practicing psychotherapy as I now coach full time. I look forward to helping you create a life of joy and meaning! Please email me for a free no obligation session. jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com Warmly, Dr. Jeanine

Identities by Dr. Jeanine ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coach for Women Worldwide

Dr. Jeanine — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:49:06 GMT

Identities by Dr. Jeanine July 24th 2007 “The enlightened man is the greatest stranger in the world; he does not seem to belong to anybody. No organization confines him, no community, no society, no nation.” ~Osho As I grow older, I find that my sense of identity is less clearly defined than it used to be. Paradoxically, I feel I know myself better than ever before. In fact, upon reflection this really doesn’t surprise me. If we are growing and developing we often find that external identifications lose their meaning. I find questions such as “What religion are you?” are no longer easy to answer for me. Sometimes I want to answer “I ascribe to the inherent truth of all religions, but I belong to none.” This may sound a bit cheeky to those who are just looking for a monosyllabic answer. And, of, course there is no such box to check on the census form! Not being able to answer the “Where are you from?” type questions easily may be annoying to others at dinner parties. Still, when we can relate to all nations and yet no nations, one ethnicity or race and yet embrace them all, we experience the peace of unity. It seems that while forming identities is a way in which we may cling to some, we create separation from most others. A Course in Miracles teaches us that belief in separation from each other is one of our foundational belief errors. Many spiritual perspectives share this belief. My coaching clients often acknowledged that a great deal of their emotional pain and existential suffering come from feelings of separation. They often feel they are “the other” in the world. Many times they express that they don’t feel that they have an acceptable body, job, relationship, home, etc…They feel separate and different from others based on their ideas about their external identities. When we bring ourselves back to our center, whether through meditation, a connection with nature, children, animals, massage, art, travel, quiet, etc… we can often strip away these outer identities, and remember ourselves as we really are. We are not our relationships, our religions, our beliefs, our bodies, our homes, our jobs, our educations, etc… Defining our essential self in any of these ways is a limiting belief. Buddha told us (paraphrasing) that what is essential about you is what does not change. Certainly, our outer identities are highly susceptible to change. Not being a “joiner” might make it difficult for you to win the popularity contest. However, having an open mind, heart and spirit may bring you joy of oneness with all of your sisters and brothers, the deepest connections of all. Jeanine Austin, Ph.D. Doctor of Life Coaching ~Simply Divine Solutions~ Personal Coaching for Women Worldwide 480-491-0770 www.simplydivinesolutions.com jeanine@simplydivinesolutions.com ~"Women Transitioning, Transforming and Transcending Around the World"