Bliss And Grit

In this week's Episode of Bliss and Grit we're talking about Self-Love. Is it really a part of the spiritual path? What does it actually mean to love yourself, is it the same as self esteem? And how can one experience more self love in their life? From our personal experiences to wisdom from some of our favorite teachers (Reggie Ray and Judith Blackstone- what what?!) we're opening the door to the big and beautiful topic of Self Love.

In today’s episode we’re getting into a long standing debate between psychology and spirituality. Many would say that they are diametrically opposed, but to Vanessa, them’s fightin words... so we get into why they can be viewed as opposing. The conversation then gets into the larger umbrella question of what spirituality even IS. I find “spirituality” to be a pretty corrupted word so I think getting at what we’re actually talking about when we use it to be pretty illuminating. What is truly alive in us? What are our containers? How do we snake charm ourselves and others... so much to SAY!

In this episode of Bliss and Grit Brooke and Vanessa are pondering the question “why meditate?” Their conversation takes them from the effect intention has on a meditation practice to a fiery exploration of the ramifications of detaching mindfulness from the original traditions, to their own personal experiences and struggles with meditating. You’ll get new terms such as ‘slow blink people’ and plenty of opinions as the hosts dive into the bliss and grit of meditation.

In today’s episode we’re tackling the issue of embodiment. If I HAVE a body as long as I’m alive, what does disembodiment even mean? How is it possible to not be embodied? So in a world that, frankly, doesn’t value a tiny fraction of the miraculousness that lives in the body, how do we start to understand what treasures are available for us there and how do we miss or avoid them?

In today’s show Vanessa is talking about a hard challenge she is currently up against- something that is true for her, but also very inconvenient for her- so we’re wondering about how we navigate that pain in the ass place that happens over and over and over again in everyone’s life. What is truth really? What happens when you pretend it isn’t talking to you and try and stick your head in the sand? And how do we navigate what Vanessa calls our “control tower thinking” which is that part of ourselves that just wants what it wants and how it wants it and right now and never gets disrupted thank you very much!?

In today’s episode we’re pondering if the law of attraction, or manifestation, is a real thing, and whether it is or not, is it something to even turn our attention towards? Do we actually know what is in our own best interest? And what role does something larger, like Source, God, whatever you want to call it play? On the other hand should we just collapse into acceptance or is there a way to expand into acceptance?

Brooke and Vanessa are pondering why the body is an important, and even crucial, part of the spiritual path. From dreams to scientific research, Chinese Medicine to personal experience, we consider how embodiment might teach us to relate to our practical lives, as well as giving us an experience of something transcendent as well.   

In the second episode Vanessa interviews Brooke so that listeners can get to know her a bit and hear the shape her path has taken and is taking thus far.

In the first episode Brooke Thomas is interviewing Vanessa Scotto about the shape her path has taken and is taking thus far.