Tag Archives: meditation

The Journey Inward: Unveiling Our True Self Through Truth and Light

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Life is a continuous unfolding, a dynamic process of growth and self-discovery that many refer to as personal evolution. It’s a journey from one state of being to another, marked by increasing self-awareness, purpose, and ultimately, fulfillment. At the heart of this evolution lies a profound commitment to understanding and living from our true self.

This entire exploration was sparked by a specific and deeply personal journey: I started the 21-Day Meditation Experience: Become What You Believe with Deepak Chopra and Oprah. As I immersed myself in the teachings from Deepak’s “Digital Dharma,” I felt a strong desire to ground these concepts in my own faith. My goal was to find the scriptural reflection of these universal truths. So, I used Google Gemini as a tool to find the exact Bible verses that resonated with the teachings from the meditations.

Throughout this journey, I’ve come to realize that truly living in alignment with my authentic self isn’t something that just happens on its own. It takes a conscious effort to really understand who I am, to express that truth in my daily life, and to make choices that reflect my inner values. It’s been a transformative experience, pushing me to engage actively with my own identity rather than just waiting for it to unfold.

As I began my inner journey, I discovered that my core beliefs are the fundamental pillars of my existence, rooted in love, self-worth, security, and fulfillment. When these beliefs are strong and positive, they influence how I connect with others and reveal my true potential. This realization has transformed my approach to life, guiding me toward deeper connections and a greater sense of purpose.

Many people find hope and optimism in faith, connecting them to a sense of purpose and a benevolent guiding force. As stated in Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This perspective encourages us to trust in a greater plan and fosters lasting optimism.

A crucial step in this evolution is the act of self-forgiveness. We all act without love sometimes, falling short of our ideal selves. But as Romans 8:1 (KJV) declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” God’s profound forgiveness for us serves as a model for how we should treat ourselves, releasing the burdens of guilt and shame to embrace our renewed identity.

Ultimately, this journey reveals that truth lies within our silent awareness. It is not something external but an internal state reached by quieting the mind and tapping into our innate knowing. This deep awareness grants us a state of eternal bliss, a profound joy independent of external circumstances. 

This bliss is something that resonates deeply within us, connecting us to universal experiences like love, truth, beauty, freedom, and creativity. When I tap into these feelings, I realize that my core beliefs draw me closer to others, helping foster empathy and connection, even with those who seem different from me. It reminds me of the message in Romans 12:4-5 (NIV): “We, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” It’s a powerful reminder that we are all intertwined in this shared journey of life.

This transformative journey culminates in a powerful declaration: “I open myself to truth and light.” This isn’t a passive wish, but an active commitment to invite wisdom and grace into every aspect of our lives. It’s a surrender to what is real and good, trusting that it will guide our path. As Psalm 43:3 (NIV) humbly prays, “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.”

By consistently choosing to speak, act, and know from my true self, guided by truth and light, I not only create my own identity but also unveil the authentic, interconnected, and eternally flourishing being I was destined to become. Each decision I make, rooted in my core values, helps me align more closely with my true purpose and encourages growth on my journey.

References:

  • The 21-Day Meditation Experience: Become What You Believe by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey
  • Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version)
  • Romans 8:1 (King James Version)
  • Romans 12:4-5 (New International Version)
  • Psalm 43:3 (New International Version)
  • Google Gemini. (2025). Google Gemini (Version 1.0). Google.

What does Stress have to do with it?

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I tripped, almost fell and ended up in the Emergency Room.  This reminded me that stress has everything to do with it.  What is stress?  Dr. Andrew Weil offered this definition “Psychological stress can best be defined as emotional strain or tension in response to a particular event, behavior, place or person.”

Stress has always been my undoing.  I felt it most during my 6 years of practice on the Eastern Shore.  The bigger the practice became the more apparent it became to me that I was being stressed.  I never complain; I just work. The beginning of my second year in practice, I was offered the office of a doctor who was leaving practice to retire to his sailboat.  I decided to invite the doctor I was practicing with to join me in the venture.  This was against the advice of my husband.  I felt sorry for him.  That was my first mistake that lead to an increase in stress.  I enjoyed the patients and I found refuge in seeing 30/day.

My first reaction to stress was a severe sinus infection.  It came at the worst time.  With two practices to manage and being on call with no back-up, I just did it.  I took my antibiotics and ibuprofen.  Thankfully, I did not have to be admitted to the hospital for sinus drainage.  I had to go inside myself and just relax and meditate. I know it was all due to stress. As I relaxed my sinuses opened and I was better.

The next time I reacted to stress was an angry outburst with my partner.  It ended with our business manager saying we were both right. I yelled “No, I am the only one who is right.”  We had just renovated our office after acquiring the office of a retiring physician. We knocked out the walls and expanded our office and exam rooms.   As per the Dalai Lama “The energy of anger should be suspect to caution. It can inspire behavior that is terribly destructive and unfortunate.”

My stress, I realize now was never from caring for the patients.  It was from the business of Medicine.  Dealing with the hospital, my colleagues and yes my partner.  To manage  all of this, I exercised.  I had morning walks with my neighbor who was a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).  We shared patients and were friends.  I cared for her family.   This was possibly my bartered therapy sessions.  I had the privilege of caring for her beloved husband during his heart attack and subsequent stroke.  He did well.

I left that practice and lost a lot financially but found my calm.  I still deal with stress through exercise but now yoga and meditation are the keys to my ability to find balance. I have been practicing yoga for 11 years.  Yoga helped me rehabilitate a shoulder and a back injury after a fall.  That too was related to stress.  I was dealing with commuting to Brooklyn and working for yet another stress producing colleague.

quadtear

This fall and a now diagnosed quadriceps (thigh muscle) strain is the result of thinking about a meeting, grabbing my purse and tote and mindlessly running down the stairs to get to work early. However, I ended up in the ER.  I saw a colleague who is a Sports Medicine Specialist. He performed an Ultrasound right in the examination room. He recommended Physical Therapy and yes Yoga.   The stress of trying to multitask and dealing with the business part of medicine was a distraction. I want to say that I do love the business part.  I am a clever and persistent so I manage to always get the best for my patients and my staff.  Thankfully, still enjoy he patients.  I have mastered the business part. I have learned never to resort to the wasted energy of anger. So I have spent the past day and a half meditating and reconnecting with my inner calm and finding my balance.