Let's Get Our Shit Together!

{BONUS EPISODE} Guided tonglen meditation with Pema Chodron.  Tonglen is a Buddhist practice that is all about softening, opening, and expanding our hearts, specifically around pain. Usually, when painful circumstances arise, our heart tends to close and we "run away" from the pain/suffering that we are feeling. This can be personal pain, empathetic pain for others, or broader earthly pain. Although closing our heart is done as "protection," it ultimately only brings more suffering to our front door, sometimes even the back door too! Conversely, we habitually want to hold onto what is pleasurable, joyful, and comfortable. We don't want to let go! This creates more suffering too. Thanks 4 listening and being You! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

Tonglen Part II: Three Stages of Tonglen practice Tonglen is a Buddhist practice that is all about softening, opening, and expanding our hearts, specifically around pain. Usually, when painful circumstances arise, our heart tends to close and we "run away" from the pain/suffering that we are feeling. This can be personal pain, empathetic pain for others, or broader earthly pain. Although closing our heart is done as "protection," it ultimately only brings more suffering to our front door, sometimes even the back door too! Conversely, we habitually want to hold onto what is pleasurable, joyful, and comfortable. We don't want to let go! This creates more suffering too. Pema Chodron, notorious student of my fave OG teacher Chogyam Trungpa, details the regarding the three stages of tonglen practice: a moment of "not being caught up," breathing in, and breathing out, in a clip that she recorded at a meditation retreat from 1999. She simply states that the three word explanation of tonglen is "Dissolving the barriers," and we all could use a little, if not a lot, of dissolution of our separateness of others and the world -- and this dissolving begins with expanding our hearts! The bonus episode that was also posted this week is a guided tonglen meditation from Pema Chodron. Thanks 4 listening and being YOU! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

Tonglen is a Buddhist practice that is all about softening, opening, and expanding our hearts, specifically around pain. Usually, when painful circumstances arise, our heart tends to close and we "run away" from the pain/suffering that we are feeling. This can be personal pain, empathetic pain for others, or broader earthly pain. Although closing our heart is done as "protection," it ultimately only brings more suffering to our front door, sometimes even the back door too! Conversely, we habitually want to hold onto what is pleasurable, joyful, and comfortable. We don't want to let go! This creates more suffering too. Pema Chodron, notorious student of my fave OG teacher Chogyam Trungpa, details the intention and instructions behind practicing tonglen in a clip that she recorded at a meditation retreat from 1999. She simply states that the three word explanation of tonglen is "Dissolving the barriers," and we all could use a little, if not a lot, of dissolution of our separateness of others and the world -- and this dissolving begins with expanding our hearts! Look out for next week's episode that will also explore the practice of tonglen and also a bonus episode with a guided tonglen meditation faciliated by Pema Chodron. Thanks 4 listening & being you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

Anne:Gogh and Posh Gibson discuss celibacy and why it is probably the most underrated tool/practice for growth, maturity, self-discovery, and uncovering "knowledge of self". Fucking is GREAT but also we can use it like a DRUG if we are not aware of our behavior. We delve into this topic and probably also mention empanadas along the ride. Thank you 4 listening and being you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

More self-love? Really Posh? YESSSSSS! Can we ever talk about self-acceptance, self-love, self-worth etc. TOO MUCH? Neverrrrrrr--well maybe one day I suppose--because it is in short supply in the world! We start with a clip from Tyrese Gibson (kinda random, but don't caught up in the messenger) discussing self-worth, self-love, and importance of the people who you surround, for better worse. Then, we discuss three great quotes regarding self-love:  "I love myself: The quietest, simplest, most powerful revolution. Ever." (Nayyirah Waheed); "Self-Love is not selfish; You cannot truly love another until you love yourself." (Unknown); & "Self-Love is an ocean and your heart is a vessel. Make it full, and any excess will spill over into the lives of the people you hold dear. But you must come first." (Beau Taplin). Thank you 4 listening and being you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

Where have I been? Not on social media and focusing on writing above most everything else, for once in my silly life. In this return episode, I discuss why my body rejects social media like bad seafood poisoning, but now I am overall conflicted by this technological tool; is it all good, all bad, both, none of the above? Frankly, I consider social media, and the internet broadly, as an alternate dimension that you can visit temporarily but if you spend too much time there, it fucks you up in regards to your true dimension. I explore this thread and play a clip from computer programmer and Silicon Valley veteran Jaron Lanier discussing the ideas from his book entitled, "10 Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Right Now." At least cut back globally by 10-20% would be a good start for sure and re-invest that time and family, community, and creativity....food for thought! Side note: You don't need to know this, BUT it is always interesting - he is a white guy with locs! I know right? Anyways, we need to ask and discuss these questions in modern society, because we may be getting pretty intoxicated and fucked up from being on social media, at least being on it too much. Thanks 4 listening and being you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In a double episode: Posh briefly talks about "The 9 Plots of Our Self-Care Garden." Then we read an email newsletter from entrepreneurial-spiritual badass Aubrey Marcus, about why we need to say "F*CK GOALS!" and instead say "F*CK YES!" to intentions. Surprisingly, we end up discussing Spiritual Warriorship AGAIN and Chogyam Trungpa AGAIN. We read a chapter about our "cocoons" of habitual patterns of thoughts-behaviors. These cocoons keep us stuck and in comfortably smelly, dank and dark caves. Naturally, he discusses how we can get up out of there and basking in light from the "Great Eastern Sun." We end by answering our first Ask The Renegade Social Worker (#AskTheRSW) segment! The questions is about "How do I not fall off my New Years Resolution?” Thank you for listening. Thank you, for being you. Let's get our shit together -- Together! #AskTheRSW: Do you have a question about self-care, healing, social work, psychology, emotions, gratitude, spiritual warriorship, or anything else? Send a question to us by emailing: peacewarriorspodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In the first APW podcast of 2019: Posh discusses having appreciation and gratitude for 2018 (Happy Old Year) and all that went down, bad and good, over the past year, the idea of the "Foolish Monk," and the fundamental problems we encounter when we want to change our behavior positively, i.e. New Year's Resolutions. Posh goes into a mini-course on behavioral theory and practice, so buckle up warriors. Thank you for listening. Thank you, for being you. Let's get our shit together -- Together! #AskTheRSW: Do you have a question about self-care, healing, social work, psychology, emotions, gratitude, spiritual warriorship, or anything else? Send a question to us by emailing: peacewarriorspodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this week's episode of the podcast: We discuss FEAR & FEARLESSNESS from the Shambhala vision point of view. Thanks to our co-host Chogyam Trungpa for providing wonderful text to read and react to for this episode. Listen to this episode to hear about going BEYOND Fear...Thanks for listening. Thank you, for being you. You are Love & You are Loved; So let's get our shit together -- Together! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this week's episode of the podcast: The Renegade Social worker talks about why he made a "No" list of behaviors he is working to curb and eliminate in his life and how that spawned the idea of the "Yes" list, or a list of behaviors/activities that he wants to be involved in (or more involved) during his daily life. Along the way we discuss David Goggins, obsession, addiction, filling our voids/holes with all the shit that makes our voids/holes expand rather than contract (i.e. increases our suffering when we THINK it will lessen our suffering), porn, sweets, smoking weed, relationships, meditation, credit improvement, home buying, the pleasure problem in humans, saying no to the "Weak" Mind, and making the "Strong" Mind's voice louder through struggle and discipline. Yes, we touch on all of that and more this episode! Thanks for listening. Thank you, for being you. You are Love & You are Loved; So let's get our shit together -- Together! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this very special bonus episode: The Renegade Social Worker realizes he talks a big game about "everyone in the world needs to meditate...right now and immediately," but he never has actually talked about the HOW (even how he does it) of this monumental practice for human actualization (or at least ego-bullshit lessening and taming). Luckily for everyone, we stumble upon Chogyam Trungpa's book, "Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior," where Chogy discusses the logistics and underlying intentions of meditation as a disciplined practice in our daily lives. If you have ever had questions about meditation, and you can put up with off-topic rants, listen to this episode about meditation; Sit. Stay. Heal! Thank you for listening. Thank you, for being you. You are Love and You are Loved; so let's get our shit together -- Together! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this week episode of the podcast: Posh continues talking about the "radical" practice of self-love and self-acceptance with a few more quotes. Then, we connect to our gratitude segment by discussing the need to appreciate yourself, otherwise, we will be undervalued by the world (and ourselves). Lastly, Posh Gibson tells a story about how eating too many churros can be a visceral reminder of our need for discipline as a warrior. Thanks for listening! Thank you, for being you. You are Love & you are loved: so let's get our shit together -- Together! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this week's episode of At Peace Warriors: Posh discusses all the most lit quotes about self-acceptance and self-love, especially as the precursor to self-care, as well as a foundational part of our individual existence. Then, we go on to explore different activities/games/exercises we can incorporate in our daily lives to celebrate and practice gratitude/being grateful. We also learn that practicing gratitude gives people SUPERHUMAN POWERS, so that's cool too. We round off this episode by talking about the "Confused Warrior." We discuss two types of confusion which relates to self-inflicted confusion versus challenging ourselves in ways that naturally create confusion. Thanks for listening. Thank you, for being you! You are LOVE and You are Loved. Let's all get our shit together, together! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this week's episode of the podcast we discuss why I had to rearrange my so-called "9 Pillars of Self-Care" because Love, specificially loving ourselves needs to be first and foremost in our care regimens and routines. Next we explore the lojong slogan, #13 "Be Grateful for Everyone," which means both good and bad. Lastly, we look at the first two themes of the Angry Warrior and the Brave Warrior, as pertains to being a spiritual warrior in the world. Read the companion essays on my blog at http://www.chrispressley.art/blog and more! Thank you for listening, thank you for being you, and you are love/are loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

For the first full season episode of the @Peace Warriors Podcast, we begin by exploring the most important first step of the "9 Pillars of Self-Care" (taking care of ourselves) which is getting our environment or Home in order. I utilize the work of Japanese organizing consultant, Marie Kondo, and her bestselling book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing," to go deeper on the concept of organizing and decluttering home. Next, we delve into being grateful for being alive and all that means to be alive as a human that we can meet with gratitude. After that, we go into warrior mode and read excerpts from Chogyam Trunpa's "Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior," while exploring the idea of basic human wisdom and non-religous/sectarian guiding knowledge for society. Lastly, I talk about two upcoming events this Saturday (11/17/18) in Hartford: "A Little Bit of Death Part 3" created by Zulynette Morales and the 8th Annual Knox Harvest Market. Hit me up on Instagram @poshgibson and @peacewarriorspodcast with your thoughts and feelings on these topics. www.instagram.com/poshgibson www.instagram.com/peacewarriorspodcast Also, please check out my badass writing, cards, & books at: www.ChrisPressley.art Thanks for listening! You are Love & You are Loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this final preseason episode of the @PeaceWarriors podcast, we are confronted by the first essential task of Spiritual Warriorship: Not being afraid of who we are, highest self to shadow self. Being who you are and not being afraid of yourself, can be daunting when we are faced with accepting and loving the "ugly" and "bad" parts of ourselves. The problem is that if we don't turn around and hug our shadow self, we will be ALWAYS running away from it. And the shadow homie has Adidas track shoes on... ---------------------- Hit me up on Instagram @poshgibson and @peacewarriorspodcast with your thoughts and feelings on this topic. What obstacles keep you from FULLY loving yourself? What obstacles keep you afraid of yourself? www.instagram.com/poshgibson www.instagram.com/peacewarriorspodcast Also, please check out my badass writing, cards, & books at: www.ChrisPressley.art Thanks for listening! You are Love & You are Loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this third preseason episode of the @PeaceWarriors podcast, we get into being grateful, traps that lead to ungratefulness, and why Grattiude is actually our "healing potion" in the Game of Life (see: Aubrey Marcus Podcast #169: The Game of Life with Erick Godsey) ---------------------- How do YOU define Gratitude? What are You grateful for past & present? what triggers and trips throw you into envious and ungrateful moods? Hit me up on Instagram @poshgibson and @peacewarriorspodcast with your thoughts and feelings on this topic. http://www.instagram.com/poshgibson http://www.instagram.com/peacewarriorspodcast Also, please check out my badass writing, cards, & books at: http://www.ChrisPressley.art Thanks for listening! You are Love & You are Loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this second preseason episode, I introduce the 9 pillars of self-care and why self-care is not just about rewards, it is about actually caring for your life and existence mindfully and intentionally. How do you define your self-care? What areas of your self-care require extra/special attention, due to past neglect? What are YOUR obstacles to taking care of your mind, emotions, body, relationships, and overall life? Hit me up on Instagram @poshgibson and @peacewarriorspodcast with your thoughts and feelings on this topic. http://www.instagram.com/poshgibson http://www.instagram.com/peacewarriorspodcast Also, please check out my badass writing, cards, & books at: http://www.ChrisPressley.art Thanks for listening! You are Love & You are Loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support

In this first preseason episode of the "Peace of Warriors" podcast I explore why Hartford, CT is one of the 4 topics that will be discussed on this new audio art, why it is actually all about Community, and then shoutouts to three events this weekend: How Bazaar's 3rd Anniversary Party La Sala Femme III "For Colored Girls" at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre Tell me about dope events in Hartford, CT by hitting me up @poshgibson and @HartfordLitSociety on Instagram! Also, hit me up on Instagram @peacewarriorspodcast! http://www.instagram.com/poshgibson http://www.instagram.com/peacewarriorspodcast Also, please check out my badass writing, cards, & books at: http://www.ChrisPressley.art Thanks for listening! You are Love & You are Loved! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/at-peace-warriors/support