Awakening Process 101 Pernilla Burke and Louise Juel Severin

In this episode our discussion revolves around the theme Running from Pain - the process of confronting and addressing pain in the context of personal growth and spiritual awakening. Pernilla and Louise explore how individuals often avoid discomfort and emotional pain through various distractions or coping mechanisms. They discuss the importance of acknowledging and sitting with discomfort to foster genuine healing and personal evolution. Throughout the episode, they share personal anecdotes, explore the psychological and spiritual implications of facing pain, and offer insights into how embracing pain can lead to greater emotional resilience and awareness. The conversation is rich with reflections on spirituality, the human condition, and the journey towards self-awareness and healing.

(00:00 ) Introduction to the podcast’s themes of spirituality, emotional health, and awakening.

(02:00) Explanation of the podcast format and introduction to the episode's main topic: running from pain.

(02:30) Exploring what "running from pain" means in personal contexts.

(04:06) Discussion on societal norms and personal responses to discomfort and pain.

(08:31) Transition to childhood experiences and early coping mechanisms.

(12:09) Exploring unconscious choices and how awareness affects our response to pain.

(14:15) Reflecting on daily life, mindfulness, and the impact of life events on personal pain.

(17:01) The physiological responses to emotional pain and the concept of energetic blockages.

(20:31) Tools for managing pain, including acceptance and awareness.

(23:31) Broader discussion on how pain can motivate change and the importance of acceptance.

(27:24)  Acknowledging the continuous presence of pain and its role in personal and spiritual growth.

(32:35) Impact of societal attitudes towards emotions and how it influences personal growth and coping strategies.

(37:53 ) Summary of the discussion and concluding thoughts on living with and learning from pain.

The episode the Power of Forgiveness features hosts Louise Juel and Pernilla Burke as they discuss the theme of forgiveness in the context of personal and spiritual growth. The conversation explores the emotional and psychological benefits of forgiving, the challenges of the forgiveness process, and how it varies from person to person. They share personal anecdotes to illustrate their points, emphasizing the deep introspection required to truly forgive and the liberating effect it can have. The dialogue highlights the significance of self-forgiveness and understanding one's emotions, advocating for a mindful approach to handling interpersonal conflicts and personal grievances.

(00:00) Introduction and General Discussion: Setting up the podcast and short introduction. 

(06:41) Discussion and introduction: Introducing the topic of forgiveness, beginning with a meditation exercise.

(09:06) Exploring Forgiveness: An in-depth discussion about the nature and importance of forgiveness.

(14:40) Personal Anecdotes on Forgiveness: Pernilla shares a personal story about forgiving her father. 

(20:15) Discussion on Emotional Reactions and Forgiveness: Pernilla discusses the connection between personal emotional reactions and the forgiveness process.

(25:59) Challenges of Forgiveness: Understanding the complexities of willingness and challenges involved in being willing to forgive. 

(35:59) Self-Forgiveness and Inner Reflection: Discussion shifts towards self-forgiveness and the importance of inner reflection and understanding one's own emotions.

(36:05) Role of Spiritual Practice in Forgiveness: The conversation expands to include how spiritual practices aid the forgiveness process.

(42:10) Summary and Conclusion: Summarizing the discussion and concluding thoughts on forgiveness and its impact on personal growth.

4- Minute Meditation: Accessing Awareness. This brief meditation guides you to shift your focus towards understanding the realm of consciousness. By taking a step back from the stream of our thoughts and viewing ourselves from a broader perspective, we are able to tap into a heightened state of awareness.
(Clip from Awakening Process 101 Podcast- "Understanding Awareness")

5-Minute Meditation: Accessing the Present Moment. Through observing the our mind and engaging with our breath, we find a pathway to the present moment, broadening our awareness.

In this Episode, Pernilla and Louise continue their discussion of the Awakening process, specifically focusing on the theme of being present in the "now."  They humorously acknowledge forgetting the exact name of their podcast, reflecting a light-hearted approach to their theme. The conversation explores the concept of being present and the importance of humor, even during challenging times. Pernilla leads a short meditation to help viewers arrive in the present moment, emphasizing the significance of noticing where one's mind is as a practice of presence. They discuss the power of being aware of one’s thoughts and the mind's tendency to wander, suggesting that recognizing when you're not present actually brings you back to the present moment.

They reference Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now," sharing insights and personal reflections on its teachings about mindfulness and the essence of being in the present. This episode aims to inspire viewers to practice mindfulness and appreciate the power of the present moment through meditation, humor, and self-reflection.

(0:00) Introduction to the podcast and the importance of humor. The hosts  joke about forgetting the name of their podcast, setting the tone for their lighthearted approach to the awakening process. 



(2:00) Introduction to the day's theme: the concept of "now" and being present. This segment lays the foundation for the discussion on mindfulness and the importance of living in the present.



(5:15) Pernilla leads a short meditation, guiding listeners to focus on their breath and arrive in the present moment offering viewers a chance to experience the present moment. 



(08:30) The conversation shifts to discussing mindfulness in more depth, specifically the significance of noticing where one's mind is as a fundamental practice of being present. 



(12:45) Referencing Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now," the hosts share how the book influenced them and their journeys toward understanding and practicing presence. 



(18:00) The conversation shifts to the challenges of staying present, especially during daily activities like driving. They explore the common experience of being physically present but mentally elsewhere and strategies to combat this.



(23:10) The focus moves to the role of bodily sensations in anchoring one in the present moment. Pernilla and Louise discuss how mindfulness practices can enhance one’s connection to the present through physical awareness.



(27:50)  Pernilla and Louis share more personal stories and revelations about their paths to understanding presence. They discuss early misunderstandings and epiphanies, highlighting the journey's evolving nature.



(33:20) The conversation shifts to deeper philosophical topics of resistance to what is, the power of surrendering, and accepting life as it unfolds. They discuss how these concepts are integral to the process of becoming truly present.



(38:45) The hosts examine societal expectations around productivity and the challenge of allowing oneself to just "be" without engaging in constant activity. This segment touches on the cultural difficulty with stillness and non-doing.



(44:00) The dialogue covers practical aspects of incorporating mindfulness into daily life, addressing the modern challenge of constantly being on the move and the counterintuitive benefits of slowing down.



(49:30) The episode concludes with thoughts on patience, acceptance, and the transformative power of embracing the present moment. They summarize the discussion by reinforcing the value of the process in the journey toward awakening.

In this podcast, Pernilla and Louise discuss the concepts of awareness and presence. They start by reflecting on the experience of swimming in cold water and how it forces us to be present. They explore the difference between awareness and presence, with Pernilla describing presence as a feeling of being aligned with the flow of the universe and awareness as a knowing that comes from a larger perspective. They share a meditation exercise to help cultivate awareness and discuss the importance of asking questions to increase awareness in daily life. The conversation concludes with a discussion on remembering the past-present moment. In this conversation, Louise and Pernilla discuss the challenges of remembering details and staying present in conversations. The conversation then examines the question of whether fully enlightened beings remember and how being distracted by daily life affects memory. The conversation concludes with final thoughts on the topic and the importance of awareness.

(00:00) The Presence of Cold Water

(03:48) Understanding Awareness and Presence

(07:18) The Journey of Awareness

(08:13) Differentiating Awareness and Presence

(11:26) Meditation Exercise: The Movie Theater

(15:31) Cultivating Awareness in Daily Life

(20:33) The Value of Mindfulness Training

(23:14) Tools for Increasing Awareness

(25:34) Different Approaches to Meditation

(30:09) Asking Questions to Cultivate Awareness

(37:53) Remembering the Past-Present Moment

(41:28) The Challenge of Remembering Details

(43:07) Writing Things Down

(44:21) The Importance of Active Listening

(45:41) Do Fully Enlightened Beings Remember?

(47:04) The Limitations of Busy Moms

(48:08) Final Thoughts and Takeaways