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Life transitions and their challenges: Finding peace, rest, balance and purpose in your life.

Writer: Niki NelissenNiki Nelissen


Life is constantly changing, and at times, it can overwhelm us. Whether it's a career change, the end of a significant relationship, or the loss of a loved one, these moments can shake us to our core. But within this chaos lies an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and finding your true purpose. Today, we will delve deeper into the spiritual side of major transitions in our lives, and I'll provide you with insights and practical techniques to not only survive but truly thrive during these periods.


First, let's explore the emotional landscape of life transitions

Before we embark on this journey, it is essential to examine the emotional terrain. Transitions such as career changes, breakups, and loss bring profound emotions, often shared through uncertainty, fear, and grief over what is left behind.


Take a career change as an example. This change can be exciting but often brings up insecurities about your identity. Questions like "Who am I without my current job?" "Will I be able to handle my new role?" or "What if I fail?" may arise. Breakups can make us question our ability to connect and love. And the loss of a loved one confronts us with our mortality, dependency, and self-reliance.


Understanding emotions is the first step. Our feelings, no matter how intense, are a natural part of being human. Just as our sympathetic nervous system kicks in when danger is perceived, preparing our bodies to defend ourselves by releasing hormones like adrenaline that raise muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure, emotions are a natural response that signals something is amiss. Understanding emotions and recognizing their true purpose opens the door to viewing transitions in our lives differently, as opportunities for self-insight and spiritual growth.


Life transitions from a spiritual perspective

When we look at life transitions from a spiritual perspective, every transition is not just a shift on our path but is fundamentally a part of life. These are life lessons we encounter to foster our spiritual growth.


Wisdom traditions like Buddhism teach us that everything is impermanent, and our resistance to change often leads to suffering. When we embrace this perspective, we learn to see transitions as integral parts of our soul's journey. Every transition is an opportunity to shed old layers of our identity and beliefs, bringing us closer to our authentic self and our greater purpose or mission.


This view of change does not deny that these challenges can test us or that the pain experienced can be profound, but it offers a broader context to understand the how and why of circumstances better. Through this spiritual lens, we can approach changes with curiosity and openness.


 

Techniques to help you through life transitions

  • Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises are powerful tools for coping with transitions. By living in the moment without judgment, we can observe our thoughts and emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

  • One simple but effective technique is "conscious breathing." Focus on your breath, letting thoughts and emotions come and go without holding onto them. This helps ground you in the present, stepping out of your mind and connecting with your body, especially during stressful times.

  • Another technique is the "body scan" during relaxation exercises, where you focus your attention on different parts of your body and notice what you feel without trying to change anything. This helps you stay in your physical experience and not get lost in your thoughts.


By practicing these mindfulness techniques daily, you can reduce stress and increase your ability to remain present and open to the growth opportunities that change presents.


What can the "One with your True Self" coaching method do for you?

The "One with your True Self" coaching model offers a structured approach to navigating life's transitions with deep self-awareness and spiritual connection. Deep within us, we have an authentic core, our true identity.


The first step is to broaden your worldview by exploring your deepest core, the person you were at the moment of your birth.


Next, we discover the factors that have influenced your authentic self, shaping you into who you are today. Traumatic and profound events left their marks, causing you to adjust your behavior and identity. You developed patterns, negative thought systems, and trapped emotions. We address these with various techniques, including energy healing.


Then, you learn to reconnect with your True Self through meditation, relaxation, and quiet time in nature. This creates a stable foundation for approaching change.


Next, you view your current situation and the transition you're going through from the perspective of your authentic self. Ask yourself questions like, "What is this transition trying to teach me?" and "How does this change align with my deepest values and purpose?"


The final step is to take action based on the insights you've gained. This might mean making decisions that honor your authentic self, even if they push you outside your comfort zone.


By using this model during transitions, you can approach change as a conscious co-creator of your life journey, always aligned with your True Self.


What is The Emotion Code - Energy healing?

Emotion Code Healing is a technique developed by Dr. Bradley Nelson. This method helps release trapped emotions stored in our bodies, which impact our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

During transitions, these trapped emotions can be triggered, increasing stress and anxiety. Emotion Code Healing helps identify and release these emotions, enabling deeper healing and a smoother transition process. This makes it easier to embrace the changes we experience and view them as opportunities for growth.


Finding purpose and meaning through life changes

One of the most profound aspects of navigating life transitions is the opportunity to discover or redefine our life purpose. Often, it is during these periods of turmoil that we are forced to question our previous assumptions about life and our place in it, opening the door to deeper self-discovery and meaning.


Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, said that the primary human drive is the search for meaning. He believed that even in the most challenging circumstances, we can find meaning, and that this ability to create meaning is key to our resilience and well-being.


In the context of life transitions, this search for meaning becomes particularly poignant. A career change, for example, may lead us to reassess our values and what is truly important to us in our work life. The end of a relationship may prompt reflection on the types of connections we want to form and the person we want to be in those relationships. Even in the face of loss, we may find a renewed appreciation for life and a desire to live more fully in honor of those we've lost.


To actively engage in this process of finding purpose through change, you could keep a journal about your core values and how the current transition aligns with or challenges those values. Or, consider what you want your legacy to be and how this transition can be an opportunity to move closer to that vision. You might also explore how you can use your unique gifts and experiences, including those gained during this transition, to guide or inspire others or contribute to a larger purpose.


Practical exercises for spiritual growth

In conclusion, I want to share a few practical exercises you can do during life transitions to support spiritual growth:


  • Gratitude journal: Start each day by writing down three things you're grateful for. This helps shift your focus from what you're losing to what you still have.

  • Visualization meditation: Spend 10-15 minutes each day visualizing yourself moving through your current transition with grace and strength.

  • Rituals: Create a personal ritual to mark the transition, such as lighting a candle each evening to honor the process of change.

  • Nature: Spend regular time in nature and observe the natural cycles of growth and decay.

  • Self-compassion: Practice self-compassion by placing your hand on your heart and offering yourself words of comfort during difficult moments.

  • Creative expression: Use creative activities like painting, writing, dancing, or music to express and process your emotions.


By integrating these exercises into your daily life, you can create a supportive framework for spiritual growth and emotional resilience as you navigate the major transitions of life.


Embracing the journey of transformation

Life transitions are not easy, but they carry within them the seeds of our greatest growth and transformation. By approaching these transitions with mindfulness, emotional care, and a spiritual perspective, we open ourselves to the profound lessons and opportunities they offer.


Remember, the journey through life's transitions is not about reaching a fixed destination; it is about embracing the process of becoming. Each change invites us to shed our old skin, question our assumptions, and move closer to our authentic self and highest purpose.


As you face your own life transitions, know that you have the wisdom and resilience within you to not only survive these changes but to use them as catalysts for spiritual awakening and self-realization. Through the techniques and perspectives we’ve discussed today, you equip yourself with powerful tools to turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth.

In the end, the spiritual journey through life's transitions is not only about finding peace amidst change; it is about discovering the unchanging essence of who you are and sharing it with the world around you through your unique creations.


I wish you a safe and transformative journey.


Niki



 

 
 
 

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