| Rethinking Our Ideas About "Love" |
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It's that time of year again. February is the month that brings us Valentine's day, and a cultural celebration of 'all things love.'
For many people, Valentine's day is a time to express romantic love and appreciation for their partners. This can be fun and delightful and bring a coupe closer together. It can also bring pressure to 'do it right and give the perfect gift,' or else! This pressure can cause the holiday to become focused on unrealistic expectations, and create a set up for disappointment and conflict within the relationship. Some have cynical views of this 'love holiday' and see it as a commercialized, hyped up money grab by card companies, florists and candy makers. For those people without partners, it can also be a painful time where everyone around them seems to be happy and 'in love' while they are cruelly reminded that they are alone.
There is nothing inherently good or bad about the existence of a holiday that celebrates LOVE. It all depends on how we look at love, define love, and practice love in our daily lives.
Love, by its very nature, is complex. There are many types of love, and there are many misuses of the word love in the course of our human relationships. Love is especially complex when it comes to loving ourselves.
Dr. Deepak Chopra, in an article entitled, "7 Ways to Learn to Love Yourself Unconditionally" writes, "
Looking in the mirror, all of us see too many flaws and remember too many past wounds and failings to love ourselves without also putting a limit on that love.
In order to expand the love you experience now into unconditional love, you need to involve a spiritual element. There is a path to unconditional love, as with any spiritual aspiration, and on this path there is a beginning, middle and end."
Dr. Chopra goes on to explain how one can evolve the concept and experience of love from an attached and 'need-based' perspective to an experience of love "when all limitations are left behind, [and] love becomes unconditional. You feel that it emerges from a spiritual source inside yourself. This is more than a feeling; you've tapped into a universal aspect of Being."
Developing and deepening our experience of love is a spiritual path, according to Dr. Chopra. We can let go of judging ourselves for where we are on this path, and immerse ourselves in a process that leads to a more fulfilling, healing and powerful experience of love.
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In this article
, he goes on to give 7 practices to learn to love ourselves unconditionally:
- Making contact with your inner self
- Honestly facing your inner obstacles and resistance
- Dealing with old wounds
- Forgiving your past
- Accepting where you are right now
- Forming relationships where you feel loved and appreciated
- Practicing the kind of love you aspire to receive
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I encourage you to read Dr. Chopra's complete article and put into practice some of these powerful steps for cultivating unconditional love for yourself.
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In this month of "love," I wish for you a the nurturing experience of self-love and self-acceptance that brings you a deep place of peace and joy within your own heart.
Let your heart be light!
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Make sure and check my
event calendar
regularly for details on all my upcoming classes, lectures, workshops and Webinars.
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Paul Epstein, ND
Mindful Healing: Mind-Body Integrative Medicine
(203) 226-3923
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Patient Appointments Available via Skype
In addition to my local, private practice in Westport, CT, I also see patients from all over the world via Skype.
Distance and time zone differences don't need to be a barrier to getting the help you need to facilitate your healing journey!
Take the first step towards your optimum health and healing: Call today to set up a Skype appointment!
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Mentoring Sessions Available via Skype
An important part of my work is to Mentor health care practitioners, students and physicians to become more fully Integrative in their approach to caring for their patients and clients.
Skype is a wonderful way to hold these sessions - convenient and easy!
If you are interested in learning life changing Mind-Body Therapies to add to your practice, call today to discuss a mentoring session, or mentoring program!
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Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amidst the storm...
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About Dr. Paul Epstein
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Paul Epstein, ND is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), specializing in Mindful Healing and Mind-Body Integrative Medicine.
He has more than 30 years experience in private practice successfully treating patients with powerful, life changing therapies.
Dr. Epstein is currently accepting new patients into his practice. He also works with healing professionals as a Professional Mentor to teach practitioners how to work in a truly integrative fashion in their own practice.
He is a pioneer and leading voice in Mind-Body Integrative Medicine lecturing internationally to both general and professional audiences.
Dr. Epstein is an extraordinary teacher who presents compelling topics that inform, educate, motivate and inspire. His work is helping create a much needed paradigm shift in the practice of medicine and the healing arts.
Don't ever miss the opportunity to experience Dr. Epstein!
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42 Richmondville Ave
Westport, CT 06880
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"Connecting the cell and the self"
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