Discerning Awakening through Obstacles

In this episode we discuss our journey and how the process of Awakening has changed and improved our lives.

Discerning Awakening through Obstacles

Discerning Awakening through Obstacles

Podcast Summary

In our latest episode of “Discerning Awakening through Obstacles,” we delve into themes that resonate with anyone on a path of personal growth and spiritual awakening. This episode is a goldmine of insights on mindfulness, self-reflection, meditation, and the transformative power of letting go. Through personal stories, practical tips, and thoughtful reflections, we offer a rich narrative that can guide you towards a more mindful and intentional life. We start with an exploration of mindfulness in daily activities, illustrating how this practice can turn ordinary moments into opportunities for presence and awareness. The discussion emphasizes that mindfulness is not about achieving perfection but about continually bringing attention back to the present moment, fostering a sense of peace and intentionality. Next, we delve into the synergy between self-reflection and meditation. These practices are highlighted as powerful tools for personal growth, helping us understand our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through regular engagement in self-reflection and meditation, we can develop a heightened sense of self-awareness, leading to better decision-making and emotional regulation. Finally, we tackle the theme of letting go of control and embracing presence. We discuss the common human tendency to try to control outcomes and how this often leads to stress and frustration. Instead, we advocate for a shift towards acceptance and presence, sharing personal experiences and practical strategies to help you practice these principles in your own life.

Mindfulness in Daily Activities

Mindfulness in daily activities is a cornerstone of a mindful and intentional life. In our podcast “Discerning Awakening through Obstacles,” we explore how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday tasks, turning routine moments into opportunities for growth and presence. Starting the day with a brief meditation session sets a tone of calmness and clarity. Even a few minutes of focused breathing can significantly impact how we approach our daily tasks. By bringing awareness to mundane activities, such as driving kids to school or dealing with traffic, we can transform these moments into mindful experiences. I shared personal anecdotes to illustrate the power of mindfulness. During hectic mornings, I focus on my breath and bodily sensations to stay grounded and present. This practice extends to other daily tasks, turning them into opportunities for mindfulness. Choosing words mindfully, like asking children to “move a little quicker” instead of rushing them, creates a calmer and more supportive environment. Mindfulness isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about making a continual effort to bring attention back to the present moment, fostering a sense of peace and intentionality. This practice helps us navigate life’s challenges with more grace and less stress, turning everyday moments into opportunities for deeper connection with ourselves and those around us. By embracing mindfulness in daily activities, we can create a more peaceful and intentional life. This practice reminds us to be present and engaged in every moment, fostering a deeper sense of connection and awareness in everything we do.

Self-Reflection and Meditation

Self-reflection and meditation are powerful tools for personal growth and heightened awareness. In our podcast, we delve into the synergy between these practices, highlighting their importance in understanding ourselves better. Self-reflection involves a deep, introspective look at our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It helps us identify patterns, triggers, and underlying causes of our actions, which is the first step towards meaningful change. Meditation complements self-reflection by cultivating a state of presence and inner stillness. It allows us to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, creating a conducive environment for deeper self-reflection.

Starting the day with meditation helps clear the mind, making self-reflection more effective throughout the day. I shared personal stories of how regular meditation practice has helped me stay grounded and reflective, even amidst life’s challenges. By observing thoughts non-judgmentally, we create space for deeper understanding and self-awareness, leading to better decision-making and emotional regulation. The combination of self-reflection and meditation enhances our ability to live with greater awareness. These practices foster a deeper understanding of ourselves, promoting a more mindful and intentional way of living. Through regular engagement, we develop a heightened sense of self-awareness, which is crucial for personal transformation and growth. Ultimately, self-reflection and meditation are transformative tools. They not only help us understand ourselves better but also enable us to navigate life’s complexities with greater clarity and composure. By embracing these practices, we can cultivate a more mindful and fulfilling life.

Letting Go of Control and Embracing Presence

Letting go of control and embracing the present moment are central themes in our podcast “Discerning Awakening through Obstacles.” These practices are essential for finding peace and fulfillment in life. The tendency to control outcomes often leads to stress and frustration. Instead, we encourage a mindset shift towards acceptance and presence. Letting go of control doesn’t mean being passive. It’s about trusting the process and being open to whatever arises. By accepting situations as they are and focusing on what can be done in the present moment, we can find greater peace and resilience.

Mindfulness plays a key role in this process. Staying present and aware allows us to respond to challenges with clarity and calmness, rather than reacting out of fear or frustration. We discussed how mindfulness and letting go of control are interconnected, noting that both involve a deep engagement with the present moment without attachment to specific outcomes. I shared personal stories about how releasing the need for control has led to more harmonious and less stressful lives. Practical strategies were provided to help listeners practice acceptance and presence in their daily lives. These include focusing on the breath during stressful situations, acknowledging and accepting emotions as they arise, and practicing gratitude for the present moment. The overarching message is clear: by letting go of the need to control everything, we can experience a deeper sense of freedom and contentment. This approach fosters a more mindful and fulfilling way of living. 

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Abdi Assadi is unlike any other healer or spiritual teacher ever encountered. He is an expert in martial arts, and a dynamic healer practicing a diverse array of Chinese and Eastern Medicine, indigenous shamanic rituals, and meditation techniques. With a clinical practice in New York City for almost 4 decades, Abdi has accumulated a vast knowledge of real life experience working with several thousands of individuals, guiding them through the most difficult times, and teaching them how to understand themselves. One of the greatest things about him is he merges the human psyche with the spiritual psyche.

Steeped in deep wisdom and insight that is rare to find on this planet in these modern times, Abdi has an extraordinary ability in perceiving and comprehending human souls and their individual psyche. Guided by the divine, Abdi guides you to open up and see beyond your limited Self, into your own soul. His impeccable discernment enables him to unleash personal remarks that pierce through your veil, statements that you will never forget and in an instant alter your perception of yourself and your reality.

– Quotes from Shadows on the Path by Abdi Assadi:


All spiritual masters teach us that love is an activity before it is a condition – and that love is all-encompassing.
Page 18


It felt like I was coming off a race track and driving in a school zone. He knew, years before I did, that my speed was my way of suppressing my early childhood anxiety, and that only slowing down could heal it.

Why do you need to use all these words like God and spirituality? It is right here Abdi, all around you, all the time
Page 40


one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.
Page 51


Ultimately it keeps grace out of our lives because we are using our will power to manipulate every event and person around us.
Page 74


His lesson, which I had begun to learn for myself, is that outside circumstances do not define our internal experience if we can surrender into them. Painful or undesirable situations will always arise; true suffering comes from our ego’s desire to resist life as it is.
Page 77


Note from Pernilla:
I met Abdi in the fall of 2014 and when I arrived in his office the first thing he said was, “It’s time that you stop carrying other people’s anxiety.” In the year that followed, my entrenched codependency patterns reared their ugly heads and I was confronted with a part of myself that I had never even known was there.

A few years later, Abdi said, “When are you going to start writing your book?”I looked at him in surprise. I was not a writer. My expertise was centered around creating crazy good Excel spreadsheets. However, I started writing and collecting notes about life issues and life experiences … and here we are a few years later.

Sally Kempton is a preeminent meditation teacher of our time.

She is an expert scholar in Hinduism and all Hindu texts especially in Kashmir Shaivisim. Formerly Swami Durgananda, she left monastic life in the 1980’s to teach publicly. She has written several books and is one of the most known and loved spiritual teachers in our time.

Note from Pernilla:

I met Sally at one of her workshops at City Yoga in LA in 2003. She had the most gentle and loving disposition, and I just wanted to always be around her. I was fortunate to have been part of her two year-long “Transformative journey” courses in 2006 and 2007 and many retreats ever since. She is the true representation of unconditional love and transmits intense shakti from her Guru Swami Muktananda.

Sally is the primary building block and foundation in my spiritual journey. Without her, I would have never found and stuck with meditation – the most transformative experience of my life. Without her, I would have been lost without a clue where to go next. Her wealth of knowledge of yogic philosophy and incredible understanding of the human condition is what makes her a force to be reckoned with.  She understands your depth and makes you feel seen, heard, validated, and deeply loved.