Mindsight

Dear STAR Friends,

I often say that doing STAR groups has been my most valuable education.  We have a structure, we show up, hopefully able to listen without preconceived ideas and judgments with an open mind and a compassionate heart.  We can have tools, theories and diagnosis but when all is said and done, it is your personal experience and your courage to go deep within that transforms.  The truth of who we are is inside us, not outside.  Self awareness is a process.  It doesn’t happen all at once.  We grow, we emerge, we let go of old conditioned behaviors, beliefs and patterns.  With compassion for ourselves we learn to appreciate our journey.  A by-product is more empathy for others.  Bottom line is we have more love in our lives.

 Individuals grow and change and so does STAR.  Over the years we have expanded to include new research and understanding of consciousness.  We apply what we learn and create new experiences and more effective ways of healing hearts and minds.  Whenever I go to a conference, or read a book I am always looking for ways to turn words into practical experiences to apply in STAR.

 I recently read “Mindsight” by Daniel J. Siegel, MD.  In it he writes about our multiple selves.  Yes!  He also suggests that his patient’s breathe deeply, relax and imagine a safe place.  A sanctuary!  Does this sound familiar?  In STAR we explore our many selves and learn to recognize who is speaking and discover ways to create integration and harmony.  We encourage developing an internal sanctuary, a place of safety and peace.  “Mindsight” is about developing the brain’s capacity for both insight and empathy, which has the potential to untangle us from old negative patterns so we can discover our essence.  It feels good to have science validating what we have been doing in STAR for many years.

So breath deeply, relax, find some moments to imagine your sanctuary.  Push the pause button on your busy life and the competing inner voices.  It will feel good, but remember you are healing your brain as well.  You are practicing mindsight.

Have a lovely Spring.

Peace, Barbara