Shifting Reality Through Chaos

When the reality of CV (COVID-19) hit the world and the borders went up suddenly, the patterns that I thought were long gone, old patterns of doing and seeking solutions, such as looking at life as a problem to solve, reared their ugly heads. Go-to-behaviours I thought I would no longer have to deal with appeared in full force. All the hard-won insights about reality and remaining the observer, seeing even pain as growth triggers, where had they gone?

And then I set to work, or rather some work was set in motion.

After the initial shock

It wasn’t easy to dig myself out of the hole where I felt the need to constantly fix and do. The hole that I was myself busy digging. Meditation, visualizations and breathing exercises, why were they not delivering the usual inner peace that I had gotten so used to? In the Corona-induced mood the best tested practices seemed to bring nothing but a wish to grasp the ‘fix’ – and fast. But lo and behold, once I realised this, I seemed to relax enough to again receive actual guidance from within.

What emerged was a visceral need for simple conversations over cups of coffee, or tea for that matter. In person was out of the question, but the need to find a solution was reinforced. And then I thought, damn it, I’m going to have those conversations anyway. It felt like an invitation to the old Claudia to come along for the new adventure. I invited a good number of people from my corporate and new soul searchers network for a ‘Coffee Morning’.

What the first ‘Coffee Morning’ revealed…

Accepting that my tired mind seemed blocked from coming up with anything too fancy; ‘Coffee Morning’ worked just fine as far as names go. Rather than spending energy on things that don’t matter, I decided not to exhaust my energies. The general sense of pandemic turmoil helped; who can insist on perfection when everything is falling apart? A sweet reminder to keep things simple, allowing space for the thought…

“Maybe this falling apart is in fact perfection?”

So, with parts of old Claudia in tow and struggling to remain embodied, at least new Claudia was firmly back in the driving seat. I was pleased to no longer be held to reading the news uninterruptedly as if I was a new kind of prisoner. Did I do that? Sometimes the most unexpected realisations are the most impactful.

Awakening happens in every moment. It is not a “thing”.
Rather, it’s a process and once it has been nudged into action, it won’t stop.
It will proceed, even as it seems to be happening ‘in spite of myself’.

Knowing that I had lost my conscious awareness (in the blink of an eye) to the CV drama gripping the world, was an unwelcome realisation. Worse still, that old habits, despite all my inner work, had come back to haunt me! But it did kick me into action.

Twenty women quickly said yes to my proposed digital conversation. And one man based in Goa, India.

The first ‘Coffee Morning’ was a heart opening experience, as it allowed for an open and honest exchange of worries, fears and sheer disbelief. We all agreed that the intention was not to fix any problem. With all of our spiritual intentions, we are also only human. Simply honouring our feelings in this manner made us feel stronger.

It only took me a few days, though, to see my own crucial blind spot – that conditioning made me feel like a victim. I quickly decided against setting up a 2^nd ‘Coffee Morning’. I didn’t want to dwell on my ‘issues’ (old Claudia, hello!). But the following week I received several messages from the ‘Coffee Morning’ women asking for a Zoom link to the next episode.

It seemed there was a need to come together and openly share and reflect. It seemed I should continue, even ‘in spite of myself’.

… And how subsequent ‘Coffee Mornings’ continued to deliver

At least the fact that so many of the women (by default!) wanted to continue told me that the force working through me was deemed useful by others. Surrendering to the flow of life and taking steps without knowing how the action would be received, seemed to have had an impact.

Something as simple as sharing about our struggles with a few friends – our community – can give us much needed strength to continue to heed also our spiritual longings.

And whether effective or not, suffice it to say that such a simple – and not necessarily perceived ‘spiritual’ practice – has truly been a rewarding time.

“An energetically and emotionally safe place to connect, explore, support and grow” says Anni Hood.

A Note on Community

To me, community means to empower each other. A group of people who have a similar sense of purpose in life can help us observe old patterns returning, and to discern which ones may be useful and which ones we wish to overcome.

 “A group of like-minded people, joining together with a connected energy that lifts the whole community.”

Some additional insights and learnings:

1. The power of the feminine – we have had the pleasure of one chap being a part of a predominantly female group. We collectively value that. Equally, it would not be authentic to deny the power of a like-minded community of women, or rather a gathering of people with a similar intention and capacity to give compassion, empathy and wisdom to others. I celebrate the potency of energy in this group and the innate instinct for nurture.
2. The difference between digital connection and physical. One might assume and still imagine that physical in-person connection is more of a healing personable balm, but having experienced a lot of digital exposure I would counter that thought and say that connecting on Zoom or similarly has an equity to it that is more difficult to capture with in-person first meetings. I would make the case that connecting digitally, as we have done, will give more sustenance to relationships with each other and as a collective as we grow.
3. The ripple effect, beyond the Friday morning, of inter-connection between souls who recognise vulnerability or needs in another.

There is strength and nourishment in how much good has come from adversity – connecting with self and facing one’s reality. The Coffee Morning Live, as it is now known, has reached a significant point of intention: a number of us have decided to join together to write and publish a book of short stories to share our learnings, in the hope that our own life experiences may resonate, guide, inspire or simply be a message of healing, happiness and hope.

p.s. You are invited to join the Coffee Morning Live; register HERE.

Continue to shine brightly through and because of adversity and chaos!

Claudia

More about Claudia Roth

I believe in the connection of body-mind-spirit. This makes up the foundation for healing, as I have myself experienced. Following a corporate high-profile career in luxury hospitality, my mission is to help those who want to live a more connected and soulful life.

I write, facilitate events and consult companies on the evolution of wellbeing and healing hospitality. My book, “A 28 Days Journey to Self Love”, a guided journal, is available on Amazon and from other major book retailers.

Something more hands-on, I also practice Quantum Energy Coaching, helping my clients transform outdated beliefs for a happier life.

As a heads up I am launching a new initiative “Real Stories by Real People” via Zoom. Everybody is welcomed to a collective space of learning, sharing of wisdom and compassion as we each navigate our life.

All original material copyright © 2020 Claudia Roth