I hate to state the obvious, but we live in a divisive time. Everyone is quick to pick a fight or react with sharpness, even harm. Everyone is in hyper-survival mode. So how are we supposed to create communities of care when we're too busy cutting each other down? How can softness help us remember our common humanity?

In this week's episode, I share some insights I learned while laid up in bed for two weeks with the worst case of the flu I'd ever seen, including how we might connect with the simple kindness of a smile. Tune in!

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Four of Pentacles

• “All the Hemispheres” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to mailing list + community: suryagian.com/subscribe and get the 7-day meditation challenge, “Spark Joy in Chaos”

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter:leslieann.substack.com

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: leslieann@suryagian.com

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRy

• Kundalini Yoga Classes: https://www.suryagian.com/anchor-amplify-kundalini

How do you know what you don't know? How can you bring unconscious patterns to the surface if you don't even know they're there? How can you hear yourself amidst all the noise?

Winter is hibernation season. A time when we are meant to get quiet and cozy. But our capitalist society does not allow for that. Between holiday sales and the pressure socialize at Christmas parties, how can we even hear ourselves think?

In this week's episode, I am talking about the kind of darkness that's made for incubation. Winter hibernation. And in that darkness, we can find our true selves and work towards strengthening that light. So that come springtime, we are renewed and strengthened to take on the systems of oppression.

Listen in as I talk about ways in which we can journey into the darkness to connect with our inner selves, to allow space to nourish oneself, and to rest. If we are to sustain our fight for a better world, we need nourishment and rest. Tune in!

More info and to register for Dig Into Divine Darkness, a 21-day journey into mystery for women, femmes, and nonbinary folks of color, go here: ⁠suryagian.com/dig-into-divine-darkness⁠

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Seas of Mintaka

• “The Clay Bowl’s Destiny” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to mailing list + community: ⁠suryagian.com/subscribe⁠ and get the 7-day meditation challenge, “Spark Joy in Chaos”

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter:⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email: ⁠leslieann@suryagian.com⁠

  Creative Writing Camp: ⁠https://www.suryagian.com/creative-writing-camp

So many people want to speak out for social justice and for the liberation of all. So many want to speak their deepest truths. But many don't. Because it can be scary. What's at risk when we speak our truths? What's at stake? Are we willing to contend with the results of our truth telling? Even if that includes losing friends and family? What do those consequences look like?

In this week's episode, I talk about the nuances and complexities of how we can stand in our truth and still honor the very messy existence of being human. Tune in to consider how to navigate these complexities while staying in integrity with your truth.

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• Tarot/Oracle Card: The Whale

• “Becoming Human” by Hafiz

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Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:

• Subscribe to mailing list + community:⁠suryagian.com/subscribe⁠ and get the 7-day meditation challenge, “Spark Joy in Chaos”

• Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter:⁠leslieann.substack.com⁠

• Instagram: @leslieannhobayan

• Email:⁠leslieann@suryagian.com⁠

• Creative Writing Camp:⁠https://www.suryagian.com/creative-writing-camp⁠