Awakening to the Heart
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About Cynthia…
My life path has been built upon the desire to hold compassion and its expression through caring for others. I became a long time student, practitioner and teacher of healing traditions and the integration of mind/body/spirit. The key to my evolution and personal growth has been to view the world through holism, the development of heart-centered spirituality, embracing creative expression and respect for human dignity, diversity and the natural world.
In 1973, I began my nursing career, which gifted me a range of experiences and interactions with others—in a multitude of ways. Early on, I knew the most important aspect of healing and my work would be to connect with others through the heart and treating/seeing individuals as being whole—no matter what. I became increasingly drawn to holistic health care practice, working with trauma survivors and those who felt fragmented . Before retiring from professional life, I was in private practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and advanced practice holistic nurse, with emphasis on compassion-based therapies, restoring oneself to wholeness, and mind/body + mindfulness approaches to managing stress and trauma recovery.
As I have gathered wisdom through over 7 decades of life experiences and study, having witnessed much suffering while holding a safe space and empathy for others, I have felt my heart and attention focused on the simple, but profound concept of Metta - a practice of loving kindness, universal love and heartfelt concern for all living beings, in all situations.
My Spiritual Practice
has always been interconnected with my healing practices. Its foundation of compassion and loving kindness has been inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, His holiness, The Dali Lama, and enriched by many other spiritual teachers, philosophers and poets. More recently, Neem Karoli Baba ’s teachings and Bhakti Yoga are my soul's guide for deepening my practice and being in continued service to others, especially through Awakening to the Heart and life partnership with my husband Norman.
Bhakti Yoga and Sacred Music
I am grateful for the expression of Bhakti Yoga and the devotional, prayerful practice of singing healing mantras through my personal Sadhana. I offer my voice, accompanied by ukulele, harmonium, and various sound healing instruments when I share this practice with others in Community Kirtan, Metta Practice, and other events.
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My service to others has always been guided by compassion…
In addition to over 40 years of conventional & holistic nursing practice, I have had the privilege to study, practice and teach:
- Holistic & Integrative Health Care
- Mindfulness
- Contemplative Practices
- Stress Management
- Nonviolent Communication
- Trauma Recovery
- Mind/Body Integration
- Massage & Somatic Therapies
- Guided Imagery
- Energy Work
- Music & Sound Healing
I am happy to continue to be in service and share my experience with others whenever I am able. Many of these healing modalities I integrate into Metta Practice offerings .
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