Learning About Yourself

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1. Learning About Yourself

Are you on a journey of self-discovery? I certainly hope so!

When I begin a new journey of self discovery, I often feel like it is early morning and I'm standing on a beach peering out at the waves and mist rolling in. At some point the mist lifts for a few moments and suddenly I see a mysterious looking island off in the distance. Having lots of curiosity about the treasures this island might hold, yet no boat to travel in, I wonder what I can possibly do to get there.

Here's some of what I've experienced while standing on the beach:
I've visited various islands of self knowledge over the years, and each time I begin anew I realize learning about one's self is not a linear process. No matter how hard you might try, it begins to become obvious that "You can't directly get there from here." Indeed, it seems that spending some time wandering about with no apparent method to your madness is an essential part of the learning process. Even now as I write these words I find this phenomenon fascinating and mysterious, while also acknowledging I still sometimes get frustrated when things don't go the way I'm expecting.

I find the more I believe I need to be different and "better" the less likely I am to achieve the results I desire. I invariably find that comprehending and fully appreciating who I am needs to precede any attempts to change myself.

To reach a place of greater self understanding, you'll do best to engage your total self in a manner that is life affirming and aesthetic. Rather than trying to get TO the distant island of your dreams, you need to engage your whole self in being "right here in the moment." When you are able to do so, you suddenly and inexplicably discover there is no distance between you and your dream. The destination you've been striving to get to is waiting to be discovered inside yourself!

Once you've had this life affirming realization, what usually happens next is your thinking mind springs to the forefront, analyzing and questioning all that's taken place, and your magical experience is quickly lost! When it comes to self knowledge, the logic of your thinking mind usually get in the way of your learning.

Another reason why the insights you gain about yourself usually don't last in the beginning is because you initially find yourself feeling like "a stranger in a strange land." The habits you bring with you on your journey are like old friends you hesitate to leave behind, even though you recognize they keep you from reaching your destination. Little by little though, as you continue onward you come to understand you need to give up some of what you believed to be true if you are to learn something new.

When you stay fully engaged in the moment and bypass your habitual way of doing and thinking, you get to experience a new reality. When you engage your whole self and learn with your body and your emotions as well as with your thinking mind, you discover your ability to learn goes hand in hand with your ability to be a loving caring teacher to yourself. All "your" experience in being with "you" makes you the best teacher you could ever have! By becoming fully engaged in who you are, you realize there isn't any need to go anywhere, or to be someone different. You already possess all you've been hoping to find. Everything is just as it should be. You and your island are one and the same.

Write and tell me what your journey is like!

2. Upcoming Seishindo Workshops and Private Sessions

Click on the event's title to find out about the details
When?	Where?	Workshop/Event & Presenter(s)
July 15, 2006 14:00–17:00	Antwerpen, Belgium	Seishindo Study Group in Belgium Marleen Adriaensen Info in Dutch in French
October 5, 2006 19:30 - 23:00	Antwerpen, Belgium	Introducing Seishindo - The role your body plays in helping you to maintain your health and emotional well-being Charlie Badenhop, Originator of Seishindo Info in Dutch
October 7, 2006, 9:30 - 17:30	Antwerpen, Belgium	Finding Inner Peace - Exploring the body language of migraine headaches and chronic pain Charlie Badenhop, Marleen Adriaensen Info in Dutch
October 11, 2006 18:00-20:15	Antwerpen, Belgium	Aikido - A gentle yet powerful martial art Charlie Badenhop Info in Dutch
October 14-15, 2006 9:30-17:30	Antwerpen, Belgium	EMBODIED PRESENCE - Use "Verbal Aikido" to resolve conflict and build relationships Charlie Badenhop Info in Dutch in French
October 27-28-29, 2006 9:30-5:30	Washington, DC, USA	EMBODIED WISDOM - The Dance of Intellect, Intuition, and Emotion Judith DeLozier, Co-Founder of NLP Charlie Badenhop, Originator of Seishindo, Dorothy Pietracatella, Certified Specialist in Somatic Experiencing
January 26-27-28, 2007 9:30-5:30	Antwerpen, Belgium	EMBODIED WISDOM - The Dance of Intellect, Intuition, and Emotion Judith DeLozier, Co-Founder of NLP Charlie Badenhop, Originator of Seishindo