Author: Beata-Alfoldi

The Call To Adventure

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

I want to share a story with you as I am currently travelling in Nepal with my partner. This story is a reminder that life is always working for us, and often when we’re knocking on one door and we’re trying so hard to open that door, all we need to do is actually align our vision, align with our intentions, and then the right doors open at the right time.

A couple of days ago, my partner and I had been in our hotel room discussing that we wanted to visit the Tibetan refugee settlement on the outskirts of Pokhara.

Since arriving here in Nepal, I’d been searching to connect with and have a healing and ceremony with a traditional Lhapa (shaman) from the Tibetan tradition.

Well, as we walked out of our hotel, immediately after discussing our planned visit to the Tibetan refugee settlement, a cheeky Tibetan man with a twinkle in his eyes accosted us and said, ‘Hi, my names Karma and I’m from the Tibetan refugee camp’.

For me it was a sign…

My senses became fully alert.

He was telling us his life story and wanting to sell some of his goods, which of course we were more than happy to buy so that he could support his family.

As we were talking, I happened to mention the fact that I was really searching for a Shaman.

Well, his eyes grew wide open with excitement and he said; ‘Yes, I know one, I’m going to organize this for you!’.

Twenty-four hours later, after many, many calls to the ´Shaman Village´ near Kathmandu – the last known remaining Tibetan female Shaman from that lineage (Tsering Richoe), was contacted and agreed to come and perform a ritual and ceremony for us.

She boarded a bus, travelling all night and into the very next morning arriving at 4am to Pokhara. We got dressed and ended up going to an extraordinary meeting with her.

We obviously didn’t film the ceremony but after she set up her altar, and changed into ceremonial attire – she started drumming, dancing and rang a bell to bring herself into a full ecstatic trance state as her spirit helpers entered her body.

Well, all I’m going to say is that after three hours of ceremony, we were cleared of anything that no longer serves us – she also blessed our union and gave us a channelled message each.

Physically painful for both of us at times.

It was a fascinating, authentic and powerful ceremony.

The Tibetan people from the refugee settlement were also so kind, open, warm and loving.

The entire experience was an important reminder…

I had been searching so hard to find a shaman here, and in the end, it was the medicine that found me.

It’s a sign to always trust the process of life, and that the right things appear for us at the right time.

The Path of the Pathless

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

Walking our own unique path requires that we have the courage to be true to ourselves, know how to navigate our way through challenging spaces, and have practical tools to process, transform and express the many voices of being human.

Perhaps you have been feeling the call to contribute to current events in the world and are wondering how to respond.

You are not alone.

There is a global community of soulful and earth-honouring people who want to live in alignment with their highest calling and deepest embodiment of truth.

This community is expansive and ever growing in these times of great change.

People with light in their eyes, fire in their hearts, and a fierce commitment to co-creating a global revolution in consciousness.

I see this community as powerful points of light connected by energetic fibres of loving intent.

Wherever these points gather, it inspires and encourages people to create positive change and to raise awareness.

I see a new spiritual renaissance emerging – one in which individuals are awakening to the freedom, the beauty and power they carry within.

Wherever you are, the possibility for that sense of community exists.

The only requirement is that you step into each moment of your life with a loving, courageous and open heart.

Listen for guidance and live in the ever-present now, with the intention to nurture your own and one another’s spiritual growth.

Offer your gifts to the world and acknowledge your inherent capacity for greatness.
It’s time for us all to find ways to nurture, heal, empower and transform – in so doing – we transform the world.

We are all in this together.

We are all related.

Spiritual Bypassing – a persistent shadow of the new age movement

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

The explosion of interest in spirituality, especially Eastern philosophies, has been accompanied by an immense amount of Spiritual Bypassing.

Aspects of spiritual bypassing include exaggerated detachment, numbing, repression of strong emotions, weak boundaries, enabling behaviours (masked as compassion), lack of discernment; and delusions at having arrived at a so-called ‘higher level of being’.

As such it isolates us from our full-bodied humanity.

Spiritual bypassing not only distances us from our pain, our personal challenges and difficult emotions – but also from our authentic spirituality.

It keeps us in this exaggerated state of ‘niceness’, superficiality and false positivity.

Authentic spirituality is not highly intellectualised, nor is it a psychedelic trip.

It’s a more grounded, real and embodied experience. Something that shakes us to the very core of who we are – awakening us to the simple truth of living a life that is integral, radically alive, embodied, in the moment, and full of trust.

It’s not a path that we can dabble in – here and there, when things are going well for us. It’s when life becomes the most challenging that we will find our solace in the crucible of our own unique connection with the Divine.

It is a dance of liberation – embracing the heat, the dark, the cold and the light. A deep awareness of what must be done and how we must live in any given moment.

The ‘Spiritual Bypasser’ in each of us needs our compassion, love and tolerance – without being allowed to run the show.

Becoming intimate with this aspect of self, allows us to keep it in a healthy, balanced perspective.

In outgrowing this immature aspect of ourselves, we give permission for the ‘wild one’ within us to emerge – the one that is truly free.

We are all in this together

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

On the world stage, there are so many things that are unfolding at a rapid pace, and I feel that once again – it’s so important for each one of us to remain in our centre, spend time in nature to ground ourselves, and trust in the process of life.

I want to bring up a topic that I’ve witnessed, that has crept onto all social media platforms – especially over the past year.

The topic is the insidious approach that some individuals seem to have on social media platforms in bullying and belittling others who do not share their opinion or point of view on a topic.

We are all in this together and we all have different views. Isn’t that OK?

Everyone has the right to have and express an opinion, to be heard, and to have their ideas recognised – even those who disagree with us.

That’s why, whenever we engage someone on a topic where we disagree, let’s start by trying to understand that person’s principles and their cultural and social context.

If people feel like we’re judging them or attacking what they consider to be their rights – it’s very unlikely that they’ll listen to us.

The fact that I might think differently from you doesn’t make me a better or worse person than you. On the contrary, when we support each other, seek the truth together, and foster growth and expansion in each other – we give each other the profound respect that every human being deserves.

When I see people name calling on social media platforms or interacting aggressively with no respect for others because they feel that others may not have ‘woken up’ to their idea of ‘truth’, I immediately switch-off.

The others are ‘sheeple’, ‘haven’t woken up to the truth’, ‘are not awake’, are not ‘critical thinkers’, or are ‘deeply unconscious’ complex.

At best it lacks awareness – at worst it demonstrates simple arrogance. The ‘I know better than you’ culture of immaturity, disrespect and fear.

What seems like “common sense” for us may not be evident at all to someone else. Is a person less valuable because he or she doesn’t agree with us? No.

Can we begin by truly listening to others and finding the common ground? Can we then share our own reasons and support someone’s understanding of our perspective on issues of importance?

How does a person ‘wake people up’ to the many injustices, inconsistencies and greed driven interests that are going on in the world?

By opening the door and showing people that they have and indeed can make different choices – not by shoving ‘your truth’ aggressively down people’s throats.

Lead by example. It’s that simple.

Our actions speak louder than our words, and how we live our lives speaks in volumes.

You Cannot Miss Your Destiny

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

I’ve been thinking a lot about our individual and shared destinies recently.

You see, you cannot miss your destiny. It is impossible to miss something that you are meant to experience.

Some call it ‘Kismet’.

Hopefully this is somewhat reassuring to those of you who feel they may have missed something, or that they are somehow not exactly where they ‘should’ be in life.

It may be especially reassuring if you are agonising over a current decision or over-thinking a choice you have already made.

Fear of “making the wrong choice” keeps many people in states of limbo or regret. If you truly had faith in the knowing that you cannot miss your destiny, would you trust your choices more? And could you free yourself from repetitive thinking or ‘paralysis by analysis’?

Some of you may be asking “What about free will? Don’t we have choices?” Absolutely we do. Having myriads of choices is what makes life an exciting adventure. But what makes people unsure or regretful is not having faith that every choice we make is exactly the ‘right choice’ in the moment.

I firmly believe that there are no ‘wrong choices’. There are simply consequences of each choice that shapes the manner in which our destiny unfolds.

With everything that I’ve studied, have been taught, observed and experienced in my own life; I trust that we all come into life with our own unique life design.

I believe that our destiny is what encompasses all the experiences we are here to learn in life, and we attract the experiences that serve our Soul’s evolution to fulfil this design.

The people we meet along the way and situations we are involved in simply serve as teachers that help us to learn, to remember and to awaken our highest potential.

But again, what about free will you may ask?

Your own inner wisdom is your internal compass. Sure, you may feel a bit disoriented at times, but trusting in the process of your life is the key.

This does not mean that you can just stay home and wait for fate to knock at your door.

Part of what brings inspiration, meaning, adventure and change into our lives is taking action.

Remember that destiny is present each and every day, and in each and every moment.

We can either accept what is going on in our lives, or we need to make a change. Either way, it is part of life’s wild adventure.

Choose to do things that are the most authentic expression of the Love that you are.

Choose to surround yourself with people that are aligned with your highest values and create relationships based on authenticity, freedom, inspiration and love.

But remember to choose. Being in ‘paralysis by analysis’ because you are buying into the misunderstanding that you can somehow miss your destiny is like pressing the pause button on your life.

You cannot miss your destiny, but you can shape how you will experience it.

Every person and situation in your life is giving you a beautiful glimpse into the deepest workings of your inner world.

Trust in the process of life – it is always working for you, not against.

Creating a life of meaning

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

People often say to me – “You’re so lucky doing what you love”.

Actually, it has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with hard work, determination, vision and courage.

So many of us do not take opportunities to create positive change in our lives because of fear.

Fear of what others may think. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of the unknown. Fear of not having ‘enough’. Fear of losing people. Fear of how we might need to change in order to live the life we truly want.

“Change” is a broad term, and it can apply to many things. It’s an amorphous issue that we don’t think about because it manifests itself subtly in so many ways. Whether a relationship ends, you’re moving house, you’ve got a new job, you have a health scare or you’ve lost someone you love; change in any area of our lives – often causes stress.

Coping with change well, only requires an adjustment on your outlook and a little evidence of not only surviving, but thriving in various circumstances in your past.

You don’t have to be radical in your approach regarding change, you can just take it one step at a time.

Having finished my professional dance career 20 years ago – I’ve been working for myself ever since.

Doing work that I love has always been high on my list of values.

Working for myself, exploring my creativity, living life on my own terms and supporting conscious change and empowerment in people’s lives – is deeply fulfilling. The bonus is that I get to travel and meet interesting people in the process.

People ask me how I did it? Well for starters, you need to identify what it is that you love to do and then be honest with yourself around your skill-set.

If you need new skills to create the kind of work that you want to offer – then you will need to either go back to study, get some practical experience or do a lot of research.

Wouldn’t it make sense to foster a career that is fulfilling, of service, inspiring for yourself and others and something that you could see yourself doing for the rest of your life?

It’s definitely not easy to leave solid employment – where you have set work hours, a steady income, paid holidays and some semblance of security.

But neither is coming to the end of your life and realising that you didn’t have the courage and determination it takes to fulfil your dreams.

When people say, “What should I do with my life?” or “What is my life purpose?” what they’re actually asking is: “What can I do with my time that is important, that is of value, that will fulfil me?”

In the past whilst building my business, I’ve also worked in ‘day-jobs’ that included working as a receptionist, teaching dance and yoga in the education system and making sure that I had income flow whilst creating my dream life.

You see – you need to be prepared to do the work, and that involves a little more than just talking about or dreaming about your new life and career.

At the end of the day – all change begins with the decision to ACT.

Here are some suggestions below for those of you wanting to start your own business:

Earn money whilst you build your dream life
If you want to start a small business, don’t quit your day job – yet. Launching a successful start-up business is a process.

Build your business in stages and gradually transition from employee to entrepreneur.

As a new business owner, it will take some time to earn a good income. Keep your nine-to-five job and work on your business during your spare time – this will help those parts of you that are in fear during those challenging, first stages.

Once you have a healthy inflow of cash from your business, you can work on your business and continue creating the life that you love – full time.

Speak up about your business

One challenge many business owners face is that they don’t know how to sell.

It can be intimidating to share your business or ideas with the world, especially when you’re new. If you’re worried what people will think about your business, you seriously need to get over it. If you can’t convince people to support your business, or to buy from you – it’s difficult to make any money. Be ready to speak confidently about your life and your business, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

In my early days as an entrepreneur, I had to do public speaking for the first time. Back then, I didn’t have any training or experience in talking to large groups of people, but I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to get out of my comfort zone and share my message. This came in the form of planning and hosting global retreats, doing public speaking gigs, facilitating workshops and creating mentorship programs.

Know your Why

Rather than starting your business idea with what to sell, think about what it will OFFER the world.

Know the reasons why you want to start your business.

For example, I didn’t create my business just because I had a passion for empowering and inspiring people.

I started my business because I believe that real change in the world begins with each individual healing and transforming the stories that keep them small, so that they can impact the world in positive ways.

Understanding your WHY will help you create a brand, keep your vision alive and market your business.

Know what challenges your target audience face and how you can support them in solving them.

This life is so short – spend it wisely – doing work that you love, with people you love, and create a life of deep meaning and value.

The power of owning or ‘dis-owning’ our story!

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

We all have parts of our story that are a little more painful to own up to than others. As humans we have been wired to avoid pain at any cost, with the results being that we often end up locking those parts of ‘our story’ up in a closet somewhere, never to see the light of day again.
When we do this to ourselves – we allow the pain and hidden aspects to insidiously infiltrate our lives and effect our wellbeing and sense of peace.

However, I propose that if we decide to let them out into the light of day and out of the closet, so to speak, and consciously choose to own them – something quite magical can occur.

We become free of our past – it no longer defines or controls us.

We live in a society where everybody puts up their highlight reels on social media.

Our darkness stays hidden. We suffer alone. But, when we bring it into the light, pure magic happens. We heal. We give others permission to “fail” fantastically. We inspire them to own the parts of their story that they may feel shame around.

We are taught to believe that the point in life is to be happy – however, happiness is usually fleeting in its sensation.

Perhaps the point in life is to become more deeply who we are and more engaged with the world within – and all around us.

That may sound obvious, but if you look at so many people today, many are avoiding life – all of the rich tapestry that can allow for a deeper connection to self, to others and to life itself.

Vitality is limited to ambition, work, addictions, fantasies, preoccupations and avoidance of what is really happening for us.

This avoidance of life at all costs fosters a shallow, unhappy and ‘half-lived’ existence. We need to cultivate, become fortified and connected to our essence. Who are we when we don’t feel acknowledged or supported by the outside world?!

Life can be a rich and deep enquiry into Soul where we foster real depth from a space of awareness, invite all of life in and learn to dance in the totality of our existence. Whether we are feeling ‘happy’ or not.

Western society’s focus on materialism, achievement, ‘looking good’, being ‘happy’ and having a ‘good time’  fosters a deep spiritual immaturity, which I see running rampant in the world today.

We can see it in the ‘New Age’ movement and in many spiritual circles and communities, where the focus is mostly about just feeling happy, having a good time, loving everyone and ‘manifesting everything you desire’.

It is only PART of the journey (and some of it IS valid), however, I see so many people becoming dangerously stuck in their development at this particular point of their transformation. I know – I’ve been there!

Recently I’ve come to realise that I’ve let (some) of my own stories define me for a little too long.

However, stepping into full ownership, I feel empowered – I feel free.

Brene Brown says, “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.”

This time around, as I write my brave new chapter and build new pathways that are more aligned, richer, deeper and more fulfilling; I’ve decided to re-define myself (again).

For me, life is about how many hearts we have touched, how well we have loved, our connections to self and others, how many lives are changed by our example, and how much creative fire (Spirit) flows in and around us.

When we live true to ourselves, and to ourselves only – we ignite and carve out a path that is unique, inspiring and deeply fulfilling!

Maybe you are reading this and see a reflection of a part of your own story inside of mine. Maybe today is the day you shift the perception and, instead of feeling shame around your pain and hidden aspects of self, you own it as part of your truth. You don’t have to share it publicly (unless you want to). But just allow acknowledgement for the hidden gifts within the dark nights, within the challenges… for the sake of your own healing. 

You are beautiful and magical and perfect – especially because of your flaws.

Those cracks are what let the light in, baby!

Be blessed. Be well. Stay true to you and all will be revealed.

Rise of the Sacred Feminine

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

The feminine holds the mystery of creation and in the current world crisis that we are facing we need to reawaken to the spiritual power and potential of the feminine. Feminine qualities belong to both men and women and they draw us into the depths of soul, embodiment, love and compassion.

All crises contain an opportunity for each and every one of us to step in and redefine who we are and how we want to live in relation to wild nature, mother earth and each other. It is an opportunity for transformation ~ deep, wild, raw and real!

Real transformation does not happen overnight; it is a long process that involves facing ones shadow, ones fear, ones pain, ones doubt and questioning everything that has been held as truth in your life to date.

Transformation is the ultimate surrender; an act of rebellion against our own outmoded ways of being in the world, and surrender to the old we must if we are ever going to create a new life, a new vision, and a new path forward that embraces our current state of Being.

We, as a collective are living in transformational times ~ a time when the balance between the old and the new way of being in the world is upon us. I believe that this point in our evolution as a species is inviting each of us to become the most empowered, compassionate, creative and powerful version of our selves.

It is time to radiate our unique essence out into the world to effect lasting and positive change. This time we are living in is calling each of us to become deeply caring of each other, the earth and all who inhabit this extraordinary world.

I believe that there is a monumental movement around the world and it focuses on a return to earth-centred practices and ways of living and being that honour our connection to all life as Sacred.

This movement represents a recognition and a reclaiming of the other half of our sacred nature ~ the Feminine. It directs us into our hearts, our souls, and into the intuitive use of the mind. A place where relatedness and caring for all sentient beings on this earth; our mother, is of paramount importance. It is a movement towards feeling, embodied wisdom, beauty, love, empathy, being, true power and compassion.

This impulse, when balanced with the sacred masculine qualities of courage, healthy assertion, strength, focused will, protection, structure, balance and perseverance, result in a deep journey towards soul-centred wholeness.

The Rise of the Sacred Feminine is a collective journey that is inviting each of us to bring forth our gifts to this world. A world that so desperately needs spiritually mature men and women, who care deeply enough to ignite a fire of love and fearless compassion that transforms and awakens our collective consciousness at this important time in our history.

I believe that we are on the brink of great change my friends and I hold the vision of a world that is peaceful, kind, heart-centred and awake!

I hope you do too, for it is so important for all our future generations.

Keeping it real

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

For those of you that know me well and have attended my women’s circles, presentations and workshops; you know how much I emphasise the importance of being grounded, authentic and embodied on this spiritual path.

There are all too many that are ‘talking the talk’ but not ‘walking the walk’ and not understanding what that potent choice really means right now here on this earth in choosing a life that is grounded and guided by Spirit in words and deeds ~ embracing LOVE IN ACTION.

I see too many people talking about ‘non-attachment’ and ‘free love’ whilst their lower chakras are all out of balance with loose boundaries, ungrounded energies, commitment issues and spiritual ego.

I hear women in spiritual circles calling each other ‘Goddess’ and expecting this title from their partners and peers through manipulation and a ‘supposed entitlement’ just because they’re women.

I know that for many women, they are simply trying to empower, encourage and embrace the beauty and magnificence in each other and you all have my full support. But come on Sisters ~ WE can do better than this, and it is certainly time!

It is time to stand tall and strong and grounded as women in our feminine radiance and power and embrace the light AND the shadow. Without this balance, integration and ‘groundedness’ we are heading for disaster of enormous proportions that will be excused, ignored and wrapped up in the concept of ‘love and light’ which continues to perpetuate all this ‘new age’ movement and propaganda.

As much as the new age movement has been important in bringing spiritual teachings and universal laws to the masses, I also believe that the new age movement has been one of the most destructive movements on this planet ~ covered in a sugar and spice consumerism blanket of brain washing and pseudo-spirituality.

Real abundance and self worth is not outside of ourselves, it is within each of us.

It is in our connection to the sacred, to each other, to all things in life. It is real, embodied, raw and wild. It is seeing the divinity in everything, embracing and accepting all parts of our self and understanding our connection to ALL THAT IS.

It is time to look at all sides of this existence on our planet, not just the side that makes us feel good about ourselves and comfortable in this life. It is time to see all that is going on in this world and commit to making a difference in any way that we can. The future of our planet and the future of all species, (including ours), deserves this respect and care.

It’s time to know where your heart breaks and to follow that lead in making a difference in this world for the greater good of all ~ however big or small you choose to play.

That means embracing light and shadow, knowing what is going on in the world around you, having a daily spiritual practice and act of service, and above all ~ keeping it real!

Yes, it is all about LOVE and LIGHT ultimately ~ but we must understand what ‘LIGHT’ we are following…
Only LOVE is REAL.

Authentic in every moment

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

The Oxford Dictionary describes the word AUTHENTIC as being of ‘undisputed origin’ and not a copy ~ genuine’.

If that is the case, then the most authentic beings I know are animals and children. Why? Because they exist exactly as they are. With no false pretences or agendas, fully engaged in the present moment, expressing their needs, thoughts and feelings, with absolute honesty.

As we mature, we learn that for some people our behaviour is not acceptable and we begin to change who we are in order to please others; to fit in, to make our lives easier, or because our truth may hurt someone.

Recently, I have been reflecting on the many times that I have not been authentic in my life. Whether it was out of fear of being seen, of hurting someone or having to share a difficult truth.

Importantly, the times in which I have not been authentic have cost me dearly ~ personally, professionally or socially.

Being authentic means showing up fully engaged in the present moment; whatever that moment may bring. It takes a potent combination of courage, trust and vulnerability.

By being deliberately intentional in our choice of where we come from, we then have a choice to either use all of the ‘defense mechanisms’ that we have built up over a lifetime that protect us from deep intimacy, or we allow ourselves to be truly seen.

To be authentic, you just have to BE.

Be with the things you can’t be with. Speak your truth. Risk being vulnerable. Cultivate courage. Trust yourself. Love yourself. Love others. Detach yourself from a desired outcome. Be committed to yourself and to the process and let go of what could, should, must, or needs to happen.

The gift of growing older is that you care less about what others think as you develop a more authentic connection with yourself, with others, with life and with everything around you.

The best way to achieve a more fulfilling and passionate life is to cultivate a more authentic life and here are 3 ways in which you can begin today:

1) Identify areas, people and situations where you are not being authentic.

Start observing yourself in various situations with others and check in to see if what you are doing, how you are being and what you are saying is coming from a space of personal truth or whether you are just trying to please others, to fit in, to make your life easier or not to upset the status quo.
2) Cultivate the courage to speak your truth.

Speaking your truth is an essential aspect of living a life of passion, fulfillment and authenticity. However, for many of us it is much easier to talk about speaking our truth than it is to actually do it.

Speaking our truth means that not everyone may agree with us and that’s okay! We don’t all need to agree on everything to have respect or love for each other.

3) Risk being vulnerable.

Vulnerability is not easy. It requires honesty – honesty with how we’re feeling, with what we want, what we need, what we fear, etc. And though at times it may be difficult, vulnerability will promote an intricate and irreplaceable intimacy with everyone in your life.

It takes courage and vulnerability to show up and reveal who we really are in any moment or situation, however the rich rewards of a deeper intimacy with life and with others is surely worth the risk.

You know what? We can all sense authenticity in a person and isn’t it one of the most attractive qualities around?

Show up. Be present. Take risks. Reflect. Keep on trying, and know that we are all in this together.

In its best and most functional sense, authenticity is a deep connection with SELF – the I AM presence.

Imagine a world where we all had the courage to be AUTHENTIC IN EVERY MOMENT.