Use this to notice if spirituality has become a performance.

​Do I feel judged easily by others on a similar spiritual path?
​Do I define myself by my spiritual roles or labels rather than by simply being?
​Do I feel a sense of superiority over those who are not "awakened"?
​Am I chasing validation for my spiritual insights or healing progress?
​Do I share my truth online for performance rather than genuine connection?
​Do I compare my spiritual journey to others online?
​Does my narrative create villains (the "unconscious") and heroes (the "healers")?
​Am I rigidly attached to spiritual rules to help me feel stable?
​Do I judge myself harshly for not being as "healed" as other people?
​Is my empathy being directed toward division (us vs. them) rather than collective love?
​Do I fear being ordinary?
​Do I believe my inner guidance is better or more special than someone else's?

Feedback is appreciated,

My intention is the pathway of highest love for myself, for you, and for the planet,

Sincerely,

Dr.B

Some more neuro contemplative info in case it resonates. Step T of HEARTS, is truth testing. This is helpful to memorize to help people around you when they seek advice. Without "telling" them what you see, and instead asking the right questions- their own neurons make a discovery and it becomes learned information instead of you just giving instructions.

T - Test Belief for Truth

Reality Testing​

Fear-based nervous system beliefs often crumble when we view them from a calm state. There is no requirement to categorize thoughts, it is enough to simply observe how they operate. Agency returns through awareness, not force.   

The Reality Check

• The Calm Test: “When my body is calm, does this belief feel stronger or weaker?”
• The Pain Test: “Is there any other way to see this situation that is less painful?”
• The Dependency Test: “Does this belief require fear to stay alive? If I wasn't in survival mode, would this still be true?”
• The Compassion Test: “If I were speaking to myself with deep care rather than correction, what would I say?”
• Re-orienting ourselves to love happens gradually over time as it requires us to casually examine beliefs or values that we hold. These beliefs dictate each decision we make. Decisions are either extensions of love or projections of fear.

 

​​

Judo-Flip into Truth

Try speaking these statements to yourself:

• “Some beliefs often feel most convincing when the nervous system is in survival mode.”
• “A calm body allows for broader perspective.”
• “Strategies created by my younger self may no longer be needed in the present.”
• “Love does not require urgency to be true.”

 

Neuroscience The prefrontal cortex re-engages for Cognitive Restructuring, reducing amygdala dominance and allowing decreased emotional reactivity. Beliefs Dictate Decisions (Predictive Coding), No Belief is Neutral (Somatic Markers), Self-directed neuroplasticity is the process of interrupting and questioning old, automatic patterns to allow new, healthier pathways to form

​

Psychology Truth testing allows reality to replace projection. Schema reappraisal, Cognitive Restructuring, Re-authoring Identity (narrative identity), loving integration of the shadow self for individuation (C.Jung); We cannot change our patterns without dismantling the core beliefs that drive them.

​

Contemplative Practice 

Shoshin (Beginner's Mind) dropping all preconceived beliefs to experience reality with loving-kindness (Buddhism),

Neti-Neti: "Not this, not this"—discernment between the Real (Brahman) and the Unreal (Maya) (Hinduism),

"The truth will make you free" (John 8:32) and discerning the "Still Small Voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13),

Haqiqah: Arriving at the ultimate Truth/Reality after the path of practice (Sufism),

Seeing things as they are (straw dogs) without sentimental projection (Taoism),

Emet: Truth— recognizing the divine signature in reality (Judaism).

Cheers for holding the light!

I've noticed on several different platforms, this idea that "we should" or "should not" be aware of terrible things happening in politics, domestic and foreign. Here's my take, what's yours?

​​ i hear what people are saying on why is better to ignore or not talk about the negative atrocities  currently happening in the world. there's definitely a balance the collective is learning to navigate. What I also see,  is that spiritual bypassing is not the path of highest love and wisdom.  There is value in having balanced awareness of the physical Realities of this world,  and responding to it by going within.  When we deny the reality of collective suffering,  we are choosing to deny our role in that collective suffering- either as contributors,  or sufferers,  or whatever part of ourselves we are unwilling to look at. I agree in being anchors of light and love,  while understanding that we are one,  and my neighbors suffering is also my suffering.  To acknowledge my neighbor,  is a reflection that I can acknowledge myself deeply as well. The balance is so tricky!! Holding light,  holding space,  going within to see where I judge the collective since where i judge them is how I judge myself,  all the while facing childhood traumas AND increasing our capacity to be part of the forward progress by renewing our inner peace with more and more of the world,  phew!! We are one. I believe we are meant to shine the light on the shadow- bringing consciousness to new places where it was not, bringing love to places where it has not been- only way to do that- is to call it out plainly for what it is, while holding space and anchoring light within ourselves.

After many years of researching neuroscience and traditional contemplative wisdom/ practices, I found that stating an intention for love is extremely helpful and transformative. I'd love to share my findings below:

H - Highest Love Intention Set the Compass

Everything begins with where you aim your attention. Before making a decision or addressing a challenge, set your destination.

Pause and think or say

“My intention is the pathway of highest love for myself, for others, and the planet.”

Quick Check

Am I being led by Purpose (long-term value) or Impulse (immediate reaction)?

Does this choice avoid harm to myself and the larger whole?

Neuroscience Your brain is wired for connection. Setting a conscious intention primes your brain to look for solutions based in safety and meaning, rather than threat.

Psychological research has found that setting intentions that align with personal values allows us to live authentically.

Contemplative practices agree that deliberate intention guides perception toward wisdom and compassion.

If you'd like to go down the rabbit hole, Look up:

Sankalpa (Vedanta),

Right Intention (Buddhism),

Purpose determines perception (ACIM),

Set your minds on the things above (Colossians 3:2),

Aligning with the Dao (Taoism).

There are many other contemplative traditions I could add to this list which also discuss the power of setting our intention to love as the first step in awakening.

Hope this was an interesting read, I may share other parts of my research in other posts.

Cheers!

After many years of researching neuroscience and traditional contemplative wisdom/ practices, I found that stating an intention for love is extremely helpful and transformative. I'd love to share my findings below:

H - Highest Love Intention

Set the Compass

Everything begins with where you aim your attention. Before making a decision or addressing a challenge, set your destination.

Pause and think or say

“My intention is the pathway of highest love for myself, for others, and the planet.”

Quick Check

• Am I being led by Purpose (long-term value) or Impulse (immediate reaction)?
• Does this choice avoid harm to myself and the larger whole?

Neuroscience  Your brain is wired for connection. Setting a conscious intention primes your brain to look for solutions based in safety and meaning, rather than threat.

Psychological research has found that setting intentions that align with personal values allows us to live authentically.

Contemplative practices agree that deliberate intention guides perception toward wisdom and compassion.

If you'd like to go down the rabbit hole, Look up:

Sankalpa (Vedanta),

Right Intention (Buddhism), 

Purpose determines perception (ACIM),

Set your minds on the things above (Colossians 3:2),  

Aligning with the Dao (Taoism).

There are many other contemplative traditions I could add to this list which also discuss the power of setting our intention to love as the first step in awakening.

Hope this was an interesting read, I may share other parts of my research in other posts.

Cheers!