Tea Break With

This month’s episode is about surrendering, healing, transmuting, forgiveness, being compassionate, and embracing your leadership. Here is the profile of another remarkable woman who was at the top of the corporate world and shifted her career to serve by helping women reconnect with their inner voice and feminine leadership. Blanca Vergara is a soul and business mentor for international female business owners. Her work integrates the wisdom of Aztec spirituality with contemporary science and business to help female entrepreneurs transform ancestral mental blocks into profound wisdom, happiness, and wealth. Let’s discover Blanca’s unique journey from her Mexican background to becoming a conscious healer and mentor in the Netherlands. QUOTE: “15 years ago, my inner artist took me out of the corporate world in search of meaning and beauty. I have found both in my work.” (Blanca Vergara)

This month's episode is about remarkable individuals, like Sara Troy, who are dedicated to being in service to humanity through their unique talents and intuition. Here we present Sara's profile: a remarkable woman with diverse talents, spiritual experiences, and a longstanding commitment to serving humanity, even before this principle became a cornerstone of the new conscious business model. Sara is a healer, writer, speaker, teacher, podcast host, and more. With her extensive background and skills, she inspires our inner selves, uplifts spirits, and expands perspectives on life's wisdom. Let's delve into Sara's journey, exploring how life led her to utilize her skills and become the person she is today. We'll also discuss her reflections on today's reality, her experiences in the podcast industry, and her upcoming empowering projects. Alongside her platforms, Self-Discovery Wisdom and Orchard of Wisdom, Sara offers anthology books she authored and a directory for mentors/practitioners, all aimed at supporting those striving to make a difference in the world. QUOTE: “When we connect through the soul to an open heart and an ignited spirit, we allow the mind to see in a way that is truly illuminating.” Sara Troy

Modern life is challenging, marked by numerous multilevel societal changes. We have reached a point of global exhaustion, and in the West, mental health has become a significant concern. The pace of change is rapid, causing us to lose our reference points within a single decade. A global shift in the way we function, think, and interact with the world is imperative for a healthy evolution and future. We cannot remain in survival mode; our health and wellbeing are at stake. Let’s refocus as we possess the power within us to self-transform and turn our lives, communities, and societies into places of awakening. We are all interdependent, sharing this journey together. Let's explore this subject with Roshni Sharma-Fleming, the Founder of StillFire Healing Inc., and a holistic coach with a multidisciplinary approach to cultivating mind-body consciousness for personal leadership. Quote: “In our collective exhaustion, we can find collective healing. We must first begin with ourselves.” (Roshni Sharma-Fleming)

Let's kick off 2024 by steering our lives in the direction of conscious growth rather than mere resolutions. We all have heard about the importance of aligning ourselves with our essence (true Self), a principle that holds true in our personal, professional, and social dimensions. This is not a passing trend, a health fad, or a marketing idea; it's a genuine and necessary step if we aspire to elevate our lives to a higher frequency and contribute positively to the world. To help people in finding alignment at the onset of 2024, this podcast episode explores, in the context of entrepreneurship and money mindset, three fundamental questions also applicable to our personal, professional, and social lives: Who am I / What do I want to do / Why do I do what I do? Join us for an inspiring and friendly conversation with Sonia Charles (founder of Vimage Factory) to assist entrepreneurs in realigning their businesses and grounding themselves in the 21st-century paradigm. Additionally, with Angela Leone (money-mindset coach), we aim to encourage everyone to reassess their relationship with money through the alignment of their values with the new paradigm, which brings empowerment rather than victimization in one’s life. Quote: “Keep designing your world, but make sure who is the designer: your ego or your true Self. Who are you?” (Myoku quote from Viviane Casimir)

The year 2023 witnessed significant events across various societal and global realms. Let’s share our last 2023 cup of tea for peace, conscious leadership, and awakening on the planet. In this month's podcast, we focus on the intrinsic power of women that contributes to the emergent conscious paradigm in society of the 21st century. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sher Sing (Arts & Culture Chair of BPW International Standing Committee) and Jenny Gulamani- Abdulla (CEO & Founder of Gulamani-Abdulla & Co., Immigration Consulting). They will share with us their insights into women's organizations, self-empowerment, and conscious leadership. Quote: “Contrary to popular belief, the best way to climb to the top of the ladder is to take others up there with you.” Maria Eitel

When we hear the expression “voice coach,” we usually think of someone who helps improve our voice for singing, acting, public speaking, etc. However, Lynn Singer is a unique transformational voice coach who takes people even further for self-transformation. Lynn is a vocal coach, author, teacher, and healer who shares with us the importance of being aligned with our authentic voice to speak our true Self. She uses her talents and expertise to help us all bring our voice into a mission. It is a different approach to the self, the voice, and life itself. In that sense Lynn is a “conscious transformational voice coach” who has helped many people including celebrities and executives move beyond performance to self-realization. Quote: “There is no sense talking about being true to yourself until you are sure what voice you are being true to.” Marion Woodman

We all know the expression “think outside the box. It means to think more creatively and off the beaten path if we want to solve a difficult problem. But what about “living outside the box” to transform one’s life completely? To simply think outside the box implies that you will come back to the box after the job is done because you split mind and heart. Living outside the box offers an empowering way to relate to yourself and others and experience the world on a higher vibration. Jane Ramsey, an artist and transformational coach, and Andrea Swanner, a conscious business coach, give their perspectives on what it means for them to live in your creativity and off the beaten path. Quotes: “The world needs creativity more than ever. There is a creative force that calls to each of us, inspiring meaning and beauty in our lives. ~ Deborah Anne Quibell

The title of this episode alludes to the well-known documentary about quantum physics, “What the Bleep Do We Know?” Quantum physics questions our perception of reality and the universe, always wanting to “know” the truth. But even at the level of quark, what do we really know? And what is the truth? From a spiritual perspective, we take a different route to the same goal--it’s not about knowing but deepening our practice to reach the state of “don’t know” mind. In this beginning of the 21st century, science is now confirming what spirituality has always said: The universe is one field of consciousness in which we are part of, and even made of. The Indra’s net is the holographic, conscious universe. But what does it mean to our regular life, or what does it add to our practice? With Zen master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes) and Reiki master Wendy Lipson we are looking at the space of “don’t know” mind where true consciousness and healing spring. Quote: “Created by mind alone” is not a philosophical point about whether everything is inside or outside, or whether outside even exists. The point is that we experience everything in our minds, nowhere else.” (Zen master Wu Kwang)

Embarking on a journey of self-transformation (journey to oneness) occasionally brings challenging moments as we may feel at times pulled back into the dualistic mindset of society. It is all about “self-image” and our relationship both with ourselves and others. This August episode titled Facing the Conscious Mirror is a metaphor to address our self-paradigms, including self-image, self-confidence, and self-esteem through a conscious perspective, distinct from society's reductive ideological view. Tammy Kohlschmidt, a Body-Talk coach, and Anna Lee Ambrose, an Integrative coach, share with us their insights and tools for more grounding in our self-transformative journey to be less pulled into the dualistic mindset of society. Quotes: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched – they must be felt with the heart.” (Helen Keller) “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” (Edith Wharton)

This July special podcast episode presents Steve Farrell, visionary CEO of Humanity’s Team organization, with his latest book “A New Universal Dream.” As the subtitle of his book states, Steve explains his shift from a successful career at Silicon Valley to a life in service to humanity. What does “in service” mean, why Steve believes awakening is important on the planet now, how Humanity’s Team contributes to creating a conscious culture, and what is the “universal dream” that Steve speaks about? Let’s explore the major concepts in Steve’s latest book that resonate with the new consciousness and be inspired for a personal and global transformation. Zen Quote – “The most important thing is that you must help your center to become strong so that you can digest all these experiences (good or bad) and turn them into some kind of wisdom for others. That is very, very important.” Zen master Seung Sahn

Everywhere, from science to spirituality, we hear about the chaotic phase we are going through on the planet. Our social, political, economic, environmental, and philosophical reality is changing. Our own existence is at stake. Scientists and spiritual masters agree that an awakening is essential on the planet to move humanity to another stage of evolution – we call it “conscious evolution.” But how do we face this new reality? How can we find centeredness, balance, and even thrive in such times? Kathy Park (Zen master) and Sapna Donthi Dutt (yoga master) are sharing with us their thoughts and insights. Zen Quote – “Any kind of action is not good and not bad and should not be a problem. The most important thing is that you must help your center to become strong so that you can digest all these experiences and turn them into some kind of wisdom for others. That is very, very important.” Zen master Seung Sahn

In the new consciousness, the concept of health has been redefined to include the dynamic of mind, body, and spirit. In the same way, “mental health” includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is about how we handle stress, relate to others, and how we think, feel, and act. In our modern societies, mental health has become a serious concern with the increasing suffering we see on personal, psychological, and social levels. In this time of global crisis, an “awakening” is necessary to help humanity move forward in a more conscious way. Frida Schneider, a medical doctor in the field of psychiatry, and Mary Sise, a clinical social worker, share with us how their spiritual angle in their respective fields opens the gate to self-transformation and healing. Zen Quote – “Our discomfort, our suffering, come from defending and protecting our delusional separate selves. This is the healing process—awakening to the original wholeness of life.” Zen master Soeng Hyang

There is an abundance of masterclasses, webinars, programs, seminars, and the like all about healthy lifestyles, positive mindset, healing, self-empowerment, and spiritual healing that may leave you sometimes overwhelmed. But remind yourself that they all are only modalities from which you must pick what suits you and simply drop the others. You cannot and should not follow all of them. There is no unique solution, they are only different roads to the same goal. From a conscious perspective, no matter what you do, it all comes down to the essential point of “awakening” to who you truly are and your life mission. The rest is just to trust the practice you choose and let it guide you. Kari Holst, Reiki master from Norway, and Sam Rafoss, holistic coach from Canada, are offering us their own perspective on the subject: Free your mind and let your true awareness emerge to create your own healthy and daily habits. That’s powerful conscious living. Zen Quote ----“More important than anything else, any knowledge you get, is Waking Up. The Buddha was not a Buddhist. He was a “wake up” person and what he woke up to is something everybody already has. Waking up is going to help this whole world.” Zen master Dae Kwang. Join us in this 21st century Awakening!

We all know that societies are shaped by meta-discourses (science, politics, and ideology) that affect our cultural expression and our way of life. For the past two decades, we have witnessed a shift in our worldview triggered by the new consciousness. To bring the subject to a more accessible reality, we look here at how the new consciousness of the 21st century opens our minds culturally and in business. In this episode, we have two artists who share with us their experiences and contribution to society in their own way. Freddie Atlas in the music industry, and Shiv Dutt as the founder of MeaVana company. Zen Quote ----“Sentient beings are numberless; we vow to save them all” (from the Kwan Um School of Zen). It all starts with each of us stepping into our self-transformation. So, if we all take that vow, humanity will be transformed for the better. Are you in?

The expression “Mind-Body” is commonly associated with a wide range of practices focused on health and well-being and based on the mindset of resolving and preventing illnesses. However, a shift of consciousness has occurred in the Mind-Body modality and even the concept of “health” has changed. Quantum theory and Eastern philosophies changed our dualistic views on mind-body into a merged oneness of self. With this conscious gaze, we turn the dynamic mind-body into a self-transformational path, leaving behind the single health problem-solving practice. Health and well-being are essential steps, but our goal is to develop our human potential to reach our life mission. Jonathan Leger-Raymond and Tammy Kohlschmidt are licensed and certified practitioners in Ayurveda and Body Energetic aligned with this new approach of Mind-Body to move beyond problem-solving in health. They help people to understand and develop sustaining health and well-being practices in their lives. They both share the mission to make Ayurvedic and holistic mindsets a natural way of life to empower people on their life missions. Our healing, our growth, come from being open and awake. Our discomfort, our suffering, come from defending and protecting our delusional separate selves. This is the healing process – awakening to the original wholeness of life. Zen master Soeng Hyang

At the core of the new consciousness in Western societies is the idea of self-transformation that has become the common denominator to all disciplines concerned with the development of human potential. If we truly want a better world, we need to change ourselves first and be aligned with who we truly are and our life missions. Jason Quinn, a Zen teacher at the Kwan Um School of Zen, nicely demystifies Zen to make the basic concepts and practice accessible to everyone. At the center of Zen is the fundamental question of who am I? that goes beyond cultural, social, political, religious, and philosophical differences. Who am I? is the beginning of your inner journey to awakening and self-realization. Zen is not limited to sitting meditation but more about how you relate in a peaceful way to yourself, the world, and situations you are faced with. The practice of Zen is to remind you that you are already enlightened and need to wake up to it. The journey is within and so empowering in many ways. Listen to this episode with a cup of tea and open your mind to a way of piercing the ordinary for self-transformation. The greatest gift you can give to the world is when you [attain] who you truly are and manifest that. Zen master Bon Soeng.