I believe every time we make a fundamental shift of consciousness and break open a circle (repeating dysfunctional life pattern) into a spiral, we face a kind of death. Sensing this impending death, we move through a period of fear, facing our demons. Like gargoyles, these demons are the protectors of the gates of transition. When you confront the gargoyles at the gate, you have three choices: to resist by running away and continue on the closed circle, to continue downward into an inverted spiral, or to spiral up and out. The Way of Joy
When I was writing the words above in my book, I think I was offering myself a reminder or blueprint to look at when I feel challenged. Like now.
As I have been reworking my business over the last couple of months, I have been profoundly inspired by the work of three important business mentors, Ann Evanston, Brandy Mychals and Vinca Heart. Each of these powerful teachers and mentors “walks her talk” with authenticity and grace. Each of them challenge me to dig deeper into who I am—for myself and then for my work in the world. So where does that take me? Bumping up into my own resistance and fear. Big Time.
What do you do to interrupt a negative loop?
Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life. Information about the BEMER
The Natural World demonstrates unending cycles of life, death and rebirth…As human beings living in that world, our lives are also cyclical and will either unfold as closed circles within which we stagnate or open to ever-widening spirals thatallow us to most fully realize our potential. —The Way of Joy
In last week’s video blog, I told the story of when I was hit by a car while walking across a street. I described how, often around the anniversary of that “kick-in-the-butt for change” event, I experience a visceral sense of anxiety or stress without recognizing why. It takes a moment for my mind to remember what my body is already processing.
There is a concept in the Way of Joy I call Circles Open into Spirals. Whether conscious or unconscious, we make continual choices about whether to repeat old patterns of self-defeat and victimization or to grow and become more fully realized. When we recognize our lives as cyclical rather than linear, we can observe our patterns as we would observe nature, without judgment, blame, and shame. This leads to a new level of understanding that can open the door to creative problem-solving.
Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life. Information about the BEMER
Although I was thrown up in the air for only a fraction of a second, it was long enough for me to have a whole internal discussion. I experienced complete stillness as my body flew through the air and within that stillness I had a life-changing dialogue with myself. —Way of Joy
Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
