Deepak Chopra – Emily Brickel Edelson

Articles Tagged with: Deepak Chopra

November 21, 2013

Your Deepest Desire

So as you know I have been listening to Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey’s daily meditations on The Chopra Center 21 day Meditation Challenge and this one is about desire and destiny.

One of the day’s meditations asks you to question – “What is it that I really want?” and Deepak says, “Your heart knows the answer.”

So what if that’s true, if your heart really knows the answer to your deepest desires then why are some of our dreams still left unfulfilled?

It is because we are afraid to go deeper. We hear “What do you want” and we answer with our ego… a car, a big house, a designer bag, a great relationship, a successful career. But we need to go even deeper. Why is it that you want these things – because the things will never make you fulfilled even after you get them.

The truth is we all want some sort of intrinsic need to be met; to feel loved, to express our creativity, to be heard, to feel important, etc.

When you get down to the core of what you really want you can base your dreams and your plans on satisfying these needs.

Epicurus said “(It is) not what we have, but what we enjoy that constitutes abundance.”

Here is a quote from the meditations that really hit home with me. “Our desires are a force of nature that can’t be denied. You are here to fulfill a purpose, your desires are clues that lead you directly to the expression of your destiny.”

Pursue what captures your heart. Trust in your desires and use it as a map to fulfilling your dreams.

Even I feel like I am not expressing myself fully – even after I write my weekly blog, create my weekly illustrations and work for myself and on my client’s projects, there is still so much more to express. I still feel like there is a part of me that I am holding back on. If I feel this way, I’m sure one of you must feel this too. What is it that you are holding back on?

I am making a commitment to myself to rediscover how I can fully express my creativity and I know things are on the way but I am making a change in myself to really dig deeper than just the hit of inspiration – to take more risks and to give more of me to all that I do.

As my mentor Gabrielle Bernstein has said: (and she has really changed my life if you haven’t noticed) “People ask me if I like the person I have become, …. And I reply that it is not the person I have become, but it is that I have become more myself.”

I hope this helps even one of you get at least one step closer to fulfilling your dreams! Go with in.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

Screenshot 2013-11-21 01.04.24

November 14, 2013

Like Stars

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare.

“Our deepest, most heartfelt desires are like stars in a constellation… brilliant, twinkling lights that show us the way and create pathways to our true destines. It is our soul’s mission to connect with, cherish and realize our desires in order to live our lives to the fullest and to make our greatest contributions in the world. In fulfilling our heart-held dreams we flourish, serving ourselves and others from a place of bliss, generosity, and love. Our journey starts at the beginning, in the center, as we go within to listen to our deepest truth.” – Deepak Chopra.

This is a passage from Day 1 of the Oprah and Deepak Chopra Meditation Experience on Desire and Destiny. I could not pass this up to share it with you. I have been listening to these free meditation experiences each time they come out and this I think is the third. It just started this Monday and you can still catch it at https://chopracentermeditation.com/challenge and I suggest you do because they are truly inspiring. If you are thinking of starting a meditation practice this is for you!

This first day of meditation inspired me greatly for this blog, as we are all meant to live our destinies, and something about the stars leading the way for us really hit a cord with me.

The celestial bodies, years ago – when the streetlights were not as rampant – were always looked upon for guidance and inspiration, to show the wondering traveler a guided path. The heaping feeling one must get, alone and feeling small when they lost their way, only to look up and get direction from the stars is surmounting. The “knowing” that something greater than them is present and concrete enough to follow and trust is such a comforting feeling. If only we could see the stars on a nightly basis and remember.

We are all made of stars. Me, being a science nerd (could you have guessed it?) has enamorously watched many discovery channel shows on the Universe and our origins. It is something that has always sparked my interest. These astronomers and cosmologists concur that the matter making up stars is the same matter that makes up everything in our Universe, the same matter that makes our sun, makes our trees and makes our cells. So we, are literally all made of stars.

That’s why when you look up in the night sky at those twinkling bodies you feel a connection. That guidance in the stars, is in all of us.

Is that enough reason to trust your intuition? It’s there for a reason and it’s ALWAYS right. To guide you towards your dreams. I know this may seem a little lofty to hear but it is reality.

No matter what your deepest desires are, the answers to your questions come from listening to your deepest intuitive voice.

It’s fitting that my illustration be of a “Hanukkah girl” my version of a cross between a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Angel (which was last night) and a Menorah – and in true VS Angel fashion, I added a little turkey feathers since Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving this year. Hanukkah is the festival of lights and a once in a lifetime occurrence that it falls on the festival of giving thanks. No matter what religion you are we can all be grateful for the guidance we all have access to if we tap into it. Our intuition, and the guidance of lights – the light from the stars, the oil in our lamps, the fire in our fireplaces and the flame in our hearts is what will get us to where we want to go, no matter what obstacle may come in our path.

I hope you like this holiday illustration and for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, you can purchase these cards in my etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBrickel or through my website at www.EmilyBrickelillustrations.com

Hope you like it!

And as always,

Hope that inspires you to reach your deepest desires, forge your destiny and reach for the stars!
xoxo
Emily

Gift Certificates Available! Purchase one as a Holiday or Wedding Gift! Click the image below. Or check it out here.

April 11, 2013

How to Zap Stress

So last week I had been incredibly stressed.

I had been dealing with an unusual work situation and one that was causing major havoc in the moment. My stomach has been in knots, and it has caused a migraine, backache, major stomach ache and definitely sleep loss.

How do you come back from a stint like that? Remember that you need to get back on your game and get back to work.

1. First address the Giant.

You have to learn to face confrontation head on and stand up for what you believe in a way that is authentic and true to how you are feeling. Get it off your chest, but always play fair. Remember karma is a bigger b*tch then you or I could ever be! Let the flow of energy run its course. Do what you can to clean up your side of the street. When you have done all you can do and the ball is not in your court, give it up to the universe. Try to relax and trust that everything will work out. If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry; instead pray for it to be resolved for the highest good of both parties involved (as my mentor Gabrielle Bernstein would say).

Now that you did what you could…

2. Warm it up.

The best thing to do to reduce stress; as soon as you feel it coming on is to get warm. Go put on a cozy sweater, take a walk over to the heater in the winter or go outside for a stroll in the sun. Warming up your body will get that frigid chill of your back, release muscle tension, and calm your anxiety levels.

3. Eat your cravings.

I know it sounds counter productive and a surefire way to gain weight if you emotionally eat every time you are stressed, so DON’T. However, sometimes if you are REALLY stressed and you eat SMART cravings you can actually reduce the levels of chemicals in your body that are in freak-out mode and increase the one’s with calming effects.

Your body intuitively knows what foods you need and if you are craving chocolate – there’s usually a scientific reason why.

Dark chocolate reduces the levels of stress hormone cortisol as well as the “fight-or-flight” hormones called catecholamines. Coco is also rich in antioxidants called flavonoids which are linked to numerous health benefits.

Peanut butter is high in tryptophan, a chemical that helps the body relax and the brain produce “mood improving chemicals”. Nuts are full of vitamin B, the vitamins that help stress. Almond butter is especially high in these vitamins so reach for that healthy alternative if you crave peanut butter frequently and down want the high glycemic rush.

Bananas are rich in calcium and potassium, which helps to relieve anxiety, stress and lower blood pressure.

So when you’re stressed make a lethal anxiety killer on a plate – Bananas topped with peanut butter and chocolate. Oh what a torturous Rx indeed! (Sarcasm)

4. Meditate.

Now that your body feels nourished, time to relax your soul. Sit for 5-10 minutes in meditation or listen to some zen-ed out music. My favorite meditation choice right now is Oprah & Deepak’s 21 day meditation challenge. The free Challenge just ended but you can purchase the meditations here. They. are. AWESOME.

5. Write it out.

Now to calm our mind. Now that you have given your body and soul a chance to get back in balance, take pen to paper (or hand to keyboard) and vent it out. It’s not likely other people will relish in your stressed out angry venting so don’t rub that energy off on them. Write it out to clear your mind, write what you are feeling and what you are going through. If you need to do this before and after you meditate, the meditation will surely give you a clearer perspective on things and the ability to forgive your foes so you can get back to better things, like being happy!

Just remember, when you are stressed on a work day its hard to step away and calm yourself. However – if you don’t you will be carrying those stressful vibes with you on everything you do. Imagine this: Your work project will get some fiery comments, perhaps some errors and any phone calls or in-person meetings you may have – the person on the receiving side may get the brunt end of the stick. You could lose a deal, a client or just blow your lid in front of an important decision maker. Not a cute look!

Warning: Don’t let this happen to you!

Step away from the situation and take some time out to regroup. It could be 10 minutes or it could be an hour but you will leave that stress at the door and be able to get back in the groove in no time! Everyone will appreciate it.

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

April 4, 2013

Reflection

Your outer world reflects your inner world

When you take the time to stop and look at what you are experiencing in the world around you, it becomes clear that your outer world tends to look a lot like what is happening internally to you.

If you stub your toe, spill coffee all over yourself (or the person next to you), even loose your voice or have a health condition – ask yourself if there is something you are avoiding or suppressing in regard to a specific area of your life. Are there emotions you are burying inside of you?

If you are feeling positive, thinking great and beautiful thoughts of the future, feeling gratitude for everything you have and where you are, if you are confidently dreaming about how you can do your job better and help more people in the process; beautiful things will sprout up, opportunities will present themselves, creative solutions will come to you and your outer world will reflect your inner thoughts.

What negative or positive experiences are happening for you in your life?

Reflecting on your experiences can provide major insight to you. These clues can be pinpointing if you are headed in the right direction towards your goals or if the universe is trying to give you a knock on the head and telling you to turn around.

If things are going awry in your life, try to create an even more pleasant atmosphere for yourself. Start small. Decorating, cleaning, organizing, adding flowers, lighting candles, painting a wall or adding or a bowl of fruit are not just for external pleasures.

Setting the scene of your life starts with your immediate surroundings. If you are not inspired by or comforted by the room you work in or go to sleep in chances are you will not feel inspired or comfortable in your work or sleep patterns.

Simply being brought back to our basic fundamental needs, having them met and upping the anti by incorporating scents, spices, candles, visual stimulation and more are incredibly important for your brain and how it functions.

Deepak Chopra says “(Scents, textures, sights and sounds) Nourishes the brain, which takes care of us so we can better take care of our bodies.”

A positive outer environment allows us to make positive choices in the little things we do. The small choices become the things that fill our day. The days we fill become how we spend our lives.

When things are going haywire in your life it signifies that something is wrong, something is out of alignment.

Get comfortable with expressing your true and deep feelings. Become aware that everyone holds a difference of opinion and if you just suppress yours you will never feel heard or supported. Accepting more love, abundance, and greatness is your job so that your internal abundance can reflect an outer abundance.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

March 20, 2013

Soak it up

Illustration of a pregnant Jennifer Stano David.

Spring is HERE and now’s the time to absorb all that good energy, all the good vibes, the green nutrients and all of the rays (with some UV protection of course) to get in the spirit to welcome this new season.

We’ve all been hibernating and most definitely have caught Spring Fever. I know I have! The ice has melted and warmer days are upon us.

I plan to rev up my fitness routine, drench my mitochondria in good-for-me vitamins and get out for a walk. You should too! As much as we nurture our spiritual and mental sides, we must also nourish our body with nutrient dense food. We need this to replenish the building blocks we crave and to make sure we are getting the exercise we need to keep our system functioning like a well-oiled machine. Remember, you are the vehicle by which you can accomplish your dreams. Read this past article here for more on my “fountain theory”.

But I digress…

The ancient art of Ayurveda medicine is the science of life. It is a 5,000-year-old science of natural healing originating in the Vedic culture of India. Many ancient cultures have followed suit and now more than ever it is prevalent in American culture. It is the very integration of mind, body, spirit and our environment that we all talk about.

Incorporating Ayurveda into our life, it is said can lead to perfect and constant health when Ayurveda’s practices are perfectly balanced.

In regard to the basic principals of this ancient science Deepak Chopa says “The most positive message we can send our bodies every day is to be aligned with balance in all things. Taking time to enter the stillness each day (meditate) and getting adequate rest, but we also need to move – both mentally and physically. Exercise is one way to ward off physical inertia. Taking a passionate interest in life keeps mental inertia at bay…These are all deep forms of healing and when you pursue them you are truly experiencing perfect health.”

So go on, make sure that fitness routine is on par and if something is lacking in the balance department – take to the scales.

Plan a trip or more time with friends outdoors and get ready to beat those winter blues. Stock up on some fruit from the local market and make sure to get loads of vitamin C.

Break out one of your most beautiful bowls and fill it with your new succulent fruits. It will make you happy just to see the vibrant colors and if stored on a kitchen counter it will be a great thing to grab for instead of junk food!

For even more ways to spruce up your life, check out my Desk Zen article and use the art of feng shui on all areas of your home. Move around some furniture, crack open some windows and get ready to have some major spring in your step.

Spring is HERE people! We have been patient!

As always, Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

September 6, 2012

Transformation

I think we all have times in our lives when we grow through a somewhat painful yet liberating transition, like being aware that we can now actually push through. I feel like I am going through something like that right now.

There are times in life when we plow through, productively and produce great work – and then there are times, a day or even a minute when we feel as though we are running in ssssssllllloooooowwwwww motion through a fog or some goopy green gel (get the visual here, make sure you say “slow” like they do in movies in slow motion, k!) Anyway, those are the times when we must face our fears, or face the music and let the emotions come out. Not plow through like we may do any other day, but take the time, (an hour, a day, a weekend) to cocoon, to rest, to cry and let our wing’s molecules reorganize. For if we don’t, we will never transition from caterpillar to butterfly.

I want to read you something from Deepak Chopra’s The Book of Secrets. I read this a while ago and it totally stuck with me.

Deepak talks about the concept of one reality. In page 22 and 23 of his book he goes on to astonish that:

“We are all familiar with this metamorphosis (that of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly), having witnessed it as children… But what goes on invisibly inside the chrysalis remains deeply mysterious. The caterpillar’s organs and tissues dissolve into an amorphous, souplike state, only to reconstitute into a structure of a butterfly’s body that bears no resemblance to the caterpillar at all.” …

“Two hormones, one called juvenile hormone, the other ecdysone, regulate the process, which look to the naked eye like a caterpillar dissolving into soup. These two hormones make sure that the cells moving from larva to butterfly know where they are going and how the are to change. Some cells are told to die; others digest themselves, while still others turn into eyes, antennae, and wings. This implies a fragile (and miraculous) rhythm that must remain in precise balance between creation and destruction.”

I think that is rather fitting in our own transformations. Some old beliefs or habits are told to die, other emotions and feelings we must “digest” to understand our motives and to heal and grow; while other elements of our current state reorganize themselves into more effective energies, thoughts and actions – giving us wings that allow us to fly.

Listen to your body, and rest when you need rest, dig deeper when you feel something is blocking you and embrace the need to cocoon instead of denying your intuitive request to prepare for your wings.

Thanks to my mentors and soul sisters for guiding me on this path, especially Lory and Maureen!

I hope this inspires you,

Xoxo

Emily

Your Deepest Desire

Like Stars

How to Zap Stress

Reflection

Soak it up

Transformation

Newsletter

Archives

Categories