Peaceful Ease: Recent Episodes
Ela Crain
“True wealth is having a peaceful heart and a clear mind.” - Ela Crain
Ela Crain’s journey towards peace and clarity starts in Los Angeles, where she studies the Meisner Technique and works as a Life Coach.
In June 2019, Ela packs her stuff and goes to Europe to spend a month alone in the Swiss Alps. Her plan is to spend some time to zoom out and see where her life is headed - but life has different plans for Ela.
She ends up spending 6 months in the mountains in Switzerland and Mallorca with limited contact to the outside world. Her wish to review her life becomes a deep inquiry to understand who we really are, what our true potential is, and how we can live a meaningful and fulfilling life during our limited time here.
Peaceful Ease Podcast is a record of Ela’s discoveries about the hidden and twisted aspects of human psyche. She demonstrates how we all have the massive capacity to evolve in a matter of months, if we are given the chance. And that when we are ready to drop our preconceived expectations about ourselves and others, can we truly rebuild an unshakable spirit, a clear vision, and a purposeful life.
If you are interested in tapping into your limitless potential, learning how to express your emotions, voicing your creative powers, and surrounding yourself with quality relationships, Peaceful Ease is the podcast for you!
In this episode we are joined by Ela and Mario with some news about the Peaceful Ease podcast.
Ela explains how over the months of producing this show, her visions have shifted and she is now working on a new direction for her career, which will mean taking a break from the Peaceful Ease podcast in order to focus on her coaching clients and workshop.
Saying that, Ela also mentions a new podcast idea that's been flourishing in her heart, so stay tuned for more transforming conversations with Ela.
“A quiet mind is our default mind when we aren’t paying attention to, and taking our turbulent thoughts seriously.”
This beautiful quote is from Rani Bora’s book, ‘How to Turn Stress on its Head’.
Listen as Rani explains what stress is and the best ways to deal with it. Rani’s extensive knowledge and caring advice on stress management will show you how you can tackle stressful aspect of your life.
ABOUT RANI BORA
Rani is a holistic psychiatrist, wellness coach and speaker. She is the author “How To Turn Stress On Its Head”.
Rani is currently working as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the NHS. She is trained in several coaching modalities including life-coaching, neurolinguistic programming, narrative coaching and emotional freedom techniques (or EFT).
Rani and her husband, Suraj (who is also a holistic psychiatrist) offer online coaching programs for entrepreneurs who are struggling with stress and anxiety.
Visit Rani on her website: drsranisuraj.com
Links
How To Turn Stress On Its Head
Listening into Wellbeing
Today, we are joined by Rani Bora, a holistic psychiatrist and wellness coach.
Listen as Ela and Rani have a fascinating discussion about how to overcome low self-esteem and build confidence.
Rani shares with us her philosophy and views on spirituality and psychiatry, and how she blends the two. Her approach is unique and eye-opening.
With her calm and soothing voice, Rani will leave you feeling very much in peace and at ease.
ABOUT RANI BORA
Rani is a holistic psychiatrist, wellness coach and speaker. She is the author “How To Turn Stress On Its Head”.
Rani is currently working as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the NHS. She is trained in several coaching modalities including life-coaching, neurolinguistic programming, narrative coaching and emotional freedom techniques (or EFT).
Rani and her husband, Suraj (who is also a holistic psychiatrist) offer online coaching programs for entrepreneurs who are struggling with stress and anxiety.
Visit Rani on her website: drsranisuraj.com
Links
How To Turn Stress On Its Head
Listening into Wellbeing
How do you deal with your anger?
Most of us believe that anger is a negative emotion that we should be embarrassed about. In this episode, Ela describes how we can actually use anger for a good purpose, like in sports or stage performances.
Ela explains that anger is a high-frequency emotion which can give you a lot of energy to get things done. Imagine, have you ever seen a furious depressed person? Not very likely!
As with all emotions, what matters is how we channel their energy in a healthy way. So, it's time we make peace with our anger and utilize it for our and other's benefit.
Mindfulness is a word that is mentioned a lot in today’s society. but what does it actually mean?
Listen as Clive Holmes explains mindfulness links what is happening within to the world outside, and how this magical tool can change our lives.
ABOUT CLIVE HOLMES
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty five years. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He also has a degree in Western philosophy. He is co-editor of the books “Taming the Tiger” and “Restoring the Balance” by Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He also has an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is teaching MSc Mindfulness.
Links
Clive Holmes
Meditation & Monkey Mind, Mingyur Rinpoche
Taming The Tiger, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Restoring the Balance, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
In this episode we are joined again by Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Clive Holmes.
Listen as Ela and Clive dive into a deep discussion on the practice of meditation, from its beginnings to its development and benefits.
Clive shares some useful tips about how we can all include meditation as a natural part of your daily life. With his gift to offer simple solutions to complicated problems, Clive's suggestions can help anyone who wants to meditate but can't find the time or don't know how.
ABOUT CLIVE HOLMES
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty five years. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He also has a degree in Western philosophy. He is co-editor of the books “Taming the Tiger” and “Restoring the Balance” by Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He also has an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is teaching MSc Mindfulness.
Links
Clive Holmes
Meditation & Monkey Mind, Mingyur Rinpoche
Taming The Tiger, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Restoring the Balance, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
In this episode, we hear Ela address a question that is asked in a book named 'Wishcraft' by Barbara Sher. The book uncovers effective strategies for making real change in your life.
Listen as Ela quizzes Mario how he would use his five lives. Ela also shares the most common choices that people make about their extra lives.
Curious? Tune in for more.
Links
Wishcraft, Barbara Sher
In this second part of Ela's interview with Dr. Suraj Gogoi, Dr. Gogoi talks about The Three Principles outlines by Sydney Banks: mind, thought and consciousness.
Dr. Gogoi shares how this principle has had an immense influence on his life and career as a mental health professional, and Innate Well-being Coach.
ABOUT SURAJ GOGOI
As well as a psychiatrist with 20 years of experience, Dr. Suraj Gogoi works as a Mental Health and Innate Well-being Coach.
He discourages the excessive use of psychiatric medicines, and guides people to discover their peace of mind, happiness and well-being which are all innate.
He runs a private Facebook group community for Heart-Centered Entrepreneurs & Professionals. To find out more about Suraj’s work, visit: www.drsranisuraj.com
Links
Three Principles, Sydney Banks
When you wake up in the morning, do you feel fresh and clear-minded? If so, how long can you hold onto this feeling as you venture through the day?
Today Ela's special guest, Dr. Suraj Gogoi, explains how our true nature is like that freshness we feel in the mornings, and how our ego minds creates an endless chase of feelings, both negative and positive.
Dr Gogoi also shares a intriguing analogy that will help you relate to your thoughts and feelings from a fresh perspective and establish a healthy mindset that can deal with life's events with ease.
ABOUT SURAJ GOGOI
As well as a psychiatrist with 20 years of experience, Dr. Suraj Gogoi works as a Mental Health and Innate Well-being Coach.
He discourages the excessive use of psychiatric medicines, and guides people to discover their peace of mind, happiness and well-being which are all innate.
He runs a private Facebook group community for Heart-Centered Entrepreneurs & Professionals. To find out more about Suraj’s work, visit: www.drsranisuraj.com
In this journey of life, we all lose our focus sometimes and get sidetracked.
Listen as Ela shares tips about staying on the right path for you by asking four fundamental questions. Tune in to find out about these lifechanging questions that will help you stay on track, or find your way back should you get lost.
In this episode, Ela discusses the three characteristics of people who are searching for their purpose in life: pain, dissatisfaction, and restlessness with being comfortable.
Listen as Ela explains how these qualities contribute and sometimes obstruct our search, and how this search shape who we are and how we approach life.
Links
Discovering Your Soul’s Purpose, Mark Thurston
How often do you give encouragement and support to others, yet beat yourself up over the smallest thing?
It is time to start showing yourself more compassion. Hence, in this episode Ela and Mario discuss being better friends with yourself and offer techniques to deal with self-deprecation and anger.
Do unto yourself as you would do unto others!
How are your New Year’s resolutions going?
As we approach the end of the first month of the year, you may be feeling like you are failing at keeping up with the goals you've set for yourself.
Join Ela and Mario as they discuss how setting intentions and goals are two different things and why one is healthier than the other.
Ela also talks about being aware of the drive behind your goals, and how this drive can be a healthy intension that nourishes you, or a confused desire that will make you go in circles.
Tune in for more!
Do you have trouble dealing with stress?
There are many factors causing stress in our lives: work, family, relationships. What differs between us all is our ability to deal with it.
In this episode, we welcome Nicole Ehrenberg once again. Listen as she explains what stress is, how it manifests, and the best ways to deal with it.
Links
Nicole Ehrenberg
Do you forgive easily?
In this episode, we are talking about forgiveness with our second-time guest Nicole Ehrenberg, a deeply spiritual transformational coach from Hamburg, Germany.
Listen as Ela and Nicole discuss the process of forgiving someone and how to accept apologies with ease.
Links
Nicole Ehrenberg
In Episode 56 and 57, we met Bonnie Weiss, a therapist from San Francisco, who is specialized in the Internal Family Systems therapy. In this episode Ela shares her experience of another type of work she has done with Bonnie Weiss: the Legend Work.
This magical work involves letting go of the burdens whether they were created through unfortunate experiences in our lives, or passed onto us from our ancestors.
Intrigued? Then let's go!
Links
Internal Family Systems Therapy, Richard Schwartz
The IFS Institute
Bonnie Weiss
If you've been following the Peaceful Ease Podcast for a while now, you'd have noticed how recording this podcast has led the hosts' own evolution in their own paths - especially Ela's, she admits.
Trying all the different tools and therapies presented on the podcast on her self has created a big shift in Ela's own development. Even though this wasn't the intention to produce this podcast, it proves how powerful some of the tools and techniques we shared with you here are.
In this episode, Ela explains how she's been adapting to some of these major shifts in her life, and how we can find the power to do so in our own.
In this episode, we welcome back Clive Holmes.
Clive explains to us the importance of living a graceful life, starting with the meaning of this magical word. Listen as Clive explains the role of grace in inner-peace.
Clive is a brilliant meditation teacher and a revolutionary thinker who's been adapting ancient Buddhist practices to our modern Western lives.
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty five years. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He also has a degree in Western philosophy. He is co-editor of the books “Taming the Tiger” and “Restoring the Balance” by Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He also has an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is teaching MSc Mindfulness.
Links
Clive Holmes
Taming The Tiger, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Restoring the Balance, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
He has been mentioned a lot in this podcast, and finally here we are welcoming...Clive Holmes!
Clive is a brilliant meditation teacher and a revolutionary thinker who's been adapting ancient Buddhist practices to our modern Western lives.
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty five years. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He also has a degree in Western philosophy. He is co-editor of the books “Taming the Tiger” and “Restoring the Balance” by Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He also has an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is teaching MSc Mindfulness.
In this episode Ela asks him about his interpretation of gratitude, and why we should consider it as a fundamental practice to adopt.
Links
Clive Holmes
Taming The Tiger, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Restoring the Balance, Akong Tulku Rinpoche
In the last episode of 2019 we focused on our ‘word’ for 2020. In this first episode of the year, we talk about choosing the qualities we want to see in ourselves.
Listen as Ela shares how to incorporate the qualities of your heroes into your life to shape the person that you are today into the person you are aiming to be.
Links
Ricardo Semler's TED talk
The Seven Day Weekend, Ricardo Semler
It’s the final episode of the year so it is the perfect time to be talking about fresh starts and goal planning.
Join Ela and Mario as they discuss new year’s resolutions and why they aren’t always the best way to enter a new year.
Rather than adding these extra stress to your life, Ela suggests choosing a word which will shape your upcoming year. Listen as Ela explains how to make use of this methodology in daily life.
Are you ready to shape your 2020 with a word?
In this episode we welcome back Bonnie Weiss for Part 2 of her interview with Ela.
If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we strongly suggest go back and do listen to it first, as this second half of the interview dives deeper into how IFS works and how it focuses on our higher Self, and how it is used as a healing method through its intuitive connection with spirituality.
ABOUT BONNIE
Bonnie has been teaching classes and workshops on inner-critic, self-esteem, and IFS.
She is the author of: Illustrated Workbook For Freedom from Your Inner Critic, and Self-Therapy Workbook.
She currently has a private practice in Mill Valley, San Francisco, and works with individuals, couples. Feel free to get in touch with her directly at bonnieweiss@gmail.com
Links
Bonnie Weiss
Bonnie’s book: Self-Therapy Workbook: An Exercise Book For The IFS Process
Online courses offered by Bonnie Weiss & Jay Earley
The IFS Institute
Links
We have heard Internal Family Systems (IFS) mentioned a lot in the podcast over the past few months. In this episode Ela is joined by guest Bonnie Weiss, a psychotherapist, teacher, supervisor, and trainer. She is a licensed clinical social worker in California and New York, and has been practicing since 1974.
In this interview with Bonnie we are introduced to IFS therapy. Bonnie explains how this extraordinary therapy technique works.
ABOUT BONNIE
Bonnie has been teaching classes and workshops on inner-critic, self-esteem, and IFS.
She is the author of: Illustrated Workbook For Freedom from Your Inner Critic, and Self-Therapy Workbook.
She currently has a private practice in Mill Valley, San Francisco, and works with individuals, couples. Feel free to get in touch with her directly at bonnieweiss@gmail.com
Links
Bonnie Weiss
Bonnie’s book: Self-Therapy Workbook: An Exercise Book For The IFS Process
Online courses offered by Bonnie Weiss & Jay Earley
The IFS Institute
Do you also find it difficult to say no?
In this episode, Ela and Mario discuss why saying not a selfish thing. In fact, it can be a form of self-care that save us from feelings of guilt and regret later on.
Listen as Ela explains how different issues in our lives impact our ability to say no, and why we need to learn how to say no more often.
Curious? Then hit the play button.
In this episode, we are joined again by Barbara Carrellas.
Barbara is an author, artist and a thought leader in the fields of sex, gender and spirit. She works as a life coach, sex educator, university lecturer, and motivational speaker. Barbara wrote, directed and produced films and educational audio series. She’s also the author of: Urban Tantra, and Ecstasy Is Necessary.
The focus of this second half of the interview is educating teenagers about sex, and learn the difference between ‘allowance’ and ‘permission’ and how boundaries should be introduced between partners.
Barbara also shares with us the biggest complaint that her students have when it comes to their sex lives. Can you guess what this might be?
Links
Barbara Carrellas
Urban Tantra
Betty Martin - The Wheel of Consent (YouTube video)
Scarleteen
Cheri Huber
In this episode, Ela interviews Barbara Carrellas about her fascinating work in sex education.
Barbara is an author, artist and a thought leader in the fields of sex, gender and spirit. She works as a life coach, sex educator, university lecturer, and motivational speaker. Barbara wrote, directed and produced films and educational audio series. She’s also the author of: Urban Tantra, and Ecstasy Is Necessary.
Listen as Barbara discusses how she got into this work, how she helps people around gender issues, and why she believes in mixing sexuality with spirituality.
Links
Barbara Carrellas
Urban Tantra
Betty Martin - The Wheel of Consent (YouTube video)
In this episode Ela and Mario continue the discussion on how emotions are neither good or bad, but the way we act on them is.
Ela shares what she calls the "ABC of Emotions" - three crucial facts about emotions that can make a huge difference in your life and relationships.
At the end of the session, she carries out a powerful exercise to break some of the patterns that trigger you under different circumstances.
Do ever you find yourself thinking that sharing your problems with others is might be a burden? Or that if you share how you truly feel about things, you'll be vulnerable and appear weak?
Well, then this episode is for you as it focuses on emotional myths.
Listen as Ela explains why and how to transform these thoughts.
Links
Running on Empty, Dr Jonice Webb
Seinfeld - The Opposite
Clive Holmes
"Identify It But Don’t Identify With It."
This powerful quote is one of Ela's mentors: Buddhist scholar and meditation teacher Clive Holmes. It refers to our emotions and suggest a way of expressing our emotions without being ruled by them.
Curious? Then tune in to fine out!
Do you feel guilty when expressing your needs? Did you ever shy away from sharing how you genuinely feel? If so, you are not alone!
Listen as Ela and Mario talk about how to express needs and emotions in a healthy way - even if they are so-called 'negative' emotions, like jealousy.
This episode will help you overcome the habit of censoring your needs and emotions, so don't miss out!
Links
Running on Empty, Dr Jonice Webb
Are you more of a "what if?" person, or can you clearly see "what is?"
Join Ela and Mario on this episode as they discuss how a change in mindset can dramatically change how you deal with difficult situations in life.
At the end of the episode, Ela sets a challenge that will help you to be more tuned into ‘what is’ rather than "what if"s!
Are you ready?
In this episode we welcome back Nicole Ehrenberg for Part 2 of her interview with Ela. If you didn’t catch the first part of this interview, you can listen to it on the previous episode!
Listen as Ela asks Nicole more about her. What was the inspiration that led her on her journey of healing and empowering individuals?
Nicole shares how her calling developed, and explains how as humans we are all natural and capable healers.
What are your natural healing powers and how do you manifest them? Share with us!
Links
U Change - Nicole’s website
In the last episode, Ela introduced us to the Constellation work. In this episode, Ela welcomes the magical transformational coach who led that life-changing Constellation session.
Listen as Ela tries to deciphers the magic behind this work. Whatever you do, don’t miss this fascinating interview!
Links
U Change - Nicole’s website
Who doesn't suffer from complex family dynamics?
Constellation work involves participants taking on roles of your family members to give you a fresh perspective on entanglements between family members and help you understand how to resolve or handle them.
Already curious? Then tune in!
Links
The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk
In this episode Ela joins us from her new temporary home on the Spanish island Mallorca. She continues her isolation - this time in an ancient house with friendly ghosts around - and continues her work with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. If you didn’t catch the show about this therapy method, listen to Episode 25!
Tune in as Ela explains how we manifest every detail in our lives and environment, and how our manifestations simultaneously and spontaneously create us.
In this episode Ela shares one of her own poems with us, ‘Shine’.
This sets off a deep discussion between Ela and Mario about how we need to love and why we need to look after ourselves first before we can do the same for others.
Tune in to find out more!
In this episode Ela shares with us the different types of love according to Ancient Greeks.
From ‘familiar’ love to ‘mania’ to ‘eros' and more.
Listen as Ela and Mario break down each type of love, question weather and how we experience them in today's world.
Tune in to see what kinds of love you've been experiencing in your relationships.
“Love is the absence of fear.”
Ela recently came across this quote, which prompted her to to create a list of things that have to be absent for genuine love to emerge.
According to Ela, love doesn't hurt, demand, or trigger fear; our expressions of love do. That's why we're all responsible for how we express our love to others, whether they are our intimate partners, children or friends.
What kinds of expressions of love have you experienced that prevented the magic of love from working its wonders?
How often do you zoom out and see the big picture - the VERY BIG picture?
In this episode, the past 4.5 billion years of our planet will get compressed into just one year! That means we will experience every 144 years as 1 second. Are you ready for the speedy journey?
Links
The history of life in a single year!
Earth’s calendar year
Nearly half the planet's population lives on less than $5.50 a day
One-Quarter of World's Population Lacks Electricity
Can you remember a time when you were quick to judge a situation only to realize it wasn't what you thought it was? If so, you're not alone!
In this episode Ela reads us an ancient Chinese story. This timeless story demonstrates how we tend to label all life's circumstances as good and bad, and how this behavior impacts our lives and leads to unceasing stress.
Finally the story suggests an unusual way of dealing with life's events and offers us a fresh outlook on how else we could appreciate and make use of our time here.
Links:
The Chinese Man and His Horse
Join the second part of the interview between Ela Crain and Patrick Munoz, one of the world’s top voice and speech coaches.
Patrick continues explaining to us why connecting our voice is so important how our voices have a major role in our career and personal relationships.
He shares some truly inspiring stories about how transforming making peace with our voice can transform unexpected parts of our lives.
Patrick Munoz is a Voice & Speech Coach based in Los Angeles. His students include Penelope Cruz, Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, and New York Times’ Bestselling Author Alan C. Fox. He coaches leaders and executives for the United Nations, and has worked for some of Disney’s top television shows.
Links:
Patrick Munoz
Patrick Munoz on Youtube
In this episode, Ela welcomes a special guest to the show: Patrick Munoz!
Patrick is a Voice & Speech Coach based in Los Angeles. His students include Penelope Cruz, Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, and New York Times’ Bestselling Author Alan C. Fox. He coaches leaders and executives for the United Nations, and has worked for some of Disney’s top television shows.
Join this conversation about the importance of our voice, and learn how you can boost your confidence during presentations and public speaking opportunities, and negotiations.
Links:
Patrick Munoz
Patrick Munoz on Youtube
Who doesn't suffer from stress in this hectic world that we live in?
Join Ela and Mario as they share a refreshing perspective that will help you live a stress-free life. If you're wondering if that's even possible, tune into this session to find out about this magical process.
To help you put this process into practice Ela will guide you through a practice, where you look back at some unexpected events in your life, and see how they can help you prepare for the future surprises.
Links:
The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
In this episode we hear Ela read a poem, ‘Hokusai says’.
Listen as she and Mario discuss the meaning and beauty behind this simple but deep passage. It is a gentle reminder to accept how you feel, and to stay connected and curious.
Are you ready to let life live through you?
Links:
Hokusai Says, by Roger Keyes
“History is always present in the moment.”
According to the book, 'The Circle of Security Intervention', we don’t need to ask people about their childhood or traumas. All we need to do is to observe their intimate relationships, because someone's relationship with their parents is often reflected in their intimate relationships.
This episode will open a deeper understanding of the relationships in your life. Don't miss it!
Links:
The Circle of Security Intervention: Enhancing Attachment in Early Parent-Child Relationships
Wanna get to know Ela better? Then good news!
In this episode Ela shares more about her life and experiences that shaped her into the person she is today.
You'll be moved to hear how someone who suffered a major trauma even before she was born and had a tough childhood could dedicate her life to be a safe, peaceful and all-accepting harbor for others.
Ela is a shining example that we can all change our lives and the world in which we live beyond our dreams.
Do you find yourself labeling things as good or bad? If so, this episode is for you!
Listen as Ela gives us a glimpse into her discussions with meditation teacher Clive Holmes.
The topic is: how our minds and hearts perceive situations differently, and how seeing things as 'helpful' or 'harmful' - instead of 'good' or 'bad' - can help us evaluate our circumstances in a constructive way.
Are you ready to change your mindset?
What kind of lives would you live if you could start a new life every morning? Or, have you been doing that already?
Listen as Ela reads a passage from the 17th Karmapa's poem. The poem offers tools to start every day with positive habits, and with deep, non-discriminating awareness to see what you can do differently today to have an impact in your life as well as your loved ones'.
Imagine a week where you have to walk 4-10 hours a day, through pouring rain, freezing snow and blinding fog, carrying a heavy backpack, showering with ice cold water, sleeping in a room with a dozen strangers, and eating whatever you're offered regardless of your dietary preferences.
This annual event is Ela’s favorite week of the year: hiking through the Swiss/Italian Alps via Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA).
She calls it, going back to the basics. Carrying all your needs on your back and living very very simply. It`s mentally and physically challenging. Yet when we push ourselves to our limits, we face our strengths.
One major lesson Ela took away from this year's trip is: impermanence. Tune in to find out more!
Where do you often hold your stress? Do you feel any tension in your body right now? If so, where is it?
Tension is often a result of a specific emotion, and by becoming aware of where you keep your tension you can figure out the emotion that's creating it.
Listen to this episode, as Ela explains what kind of feelings cause tension in different parts of our body. You'll also learn how to uncover the specific causes of tension.
Like Ela says, we may not be able choose our feelings, but we can certainly choose how our body processes them.
Links:
Niki Flacks. Acting with Passion: A Performer's Guide to Emotions on Cue
Fear. We all have it. But how we deal with it sets us apart.
Do you trust your ability to face your fears? Or, do you rather spend your life in your comfort zone.
In this episode, Ela talks about a challenge she set for herself to face her fears. She explains how such a confrontation shaped her, and what she learned coming out of it.
If you are interested in changing your approach to fearful situations life may bring about, this episode is for you!
Links:
Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers
Are you perfectionist enough to consider perfectionism a good trait, a necessity for success?
Listen as Ela explains harmful aspects of perfectionist tendencies: dissatisfaction, procrastination, self-sabotage, low self-esteem — and how these patterns influence our lives.
She also guides us through a 3-question activity so that we can ease these negative tendencies in our life and relationships.
Links:
Self Compassion, Dr Kristen Neff
Today we revisit Episode 5, where we talked about letting emotions into the ‘Guest House’ that we are, and treating them as temporary visitors, nothing more.
In this episode, Ela focuses on how to let these emotions back out again. She reads a powerful poem that describes what this letting go process may look like and then shares some tips to help your letting process.
Links
She Let Go, Safire Rose
In this episode Ela introduces us to a fascinating therapy technique that she has recently added to her own self-development journey. It is called Internal Family Systems, or IFS.
This therapy is based on the theory that we are made up of numerous sub-personalities. These sub-personalities are like roommates in a house. They are always there with us but we aren’t always aware of them.
Listen as Ela shares her experience with this work. She has met 14 different ‘Elas’ and she describes the different roommates living within her.
Let's see how many roommates you will discover as you listen to this episode.
Links:
The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk
In this episode we listen to a voicemail from a listener, Susy, who recently had some one-on-one sessions with Ela. Susy shares her feelings about her work with Ela, and describes the impact of these sessions on her life.
Susy's message leads on to a discussion about human connection and whether we may have already met before in some form, whether it is in this lifetime or another.
Have you ever experienced a deep connection when you met someone for the first time? If so, this episode is for you.
Are you aware of the foundation on which your self-growth journey is based on?
In this episode, we have a listener question which asks about the role intention plays in personal development.
Listen as Ela guides you to become more aware of your ‘why’ for wanting to grow. In order to choose the right path on your journey of personal development, a positive foundation should be in place. One that come from aspiration and inspiration, not self-dislike.
Links:
Nathaniel Branden
If you were walking down the street and saw $20 lying on the ground, would you pick it up thinking it was the universe offering it to you? Or, would you leave it thinking it is not yours to take?
This question forms the basis of this episode. Listen as Ela and Mario explain what they would do in this situation and the reasons for it.
How well do you know your intentions?
In this episode Ela dives deeper into the topic that was covered in Episode 7: Transforming Your Inner-Critic into Inner-Coach.
Listen as Ela guides you through a deep process, which she uses in her workshops. She will ask you questions around the negative thoughts you have about yourself, and provide you with tools to turn these negative impressions into positive actions.
Have your pen and paper ready for this episode. It is time to become friends with your inner-critic!
Links:
The Success Principles, Jack Canfield
The focus of this episode is a poem, Love After Love, by Derrick Walcott. This poem is all about shaking hands with yourself and becoming a supportive friend to yourself.
You can't truly love others unless you genuinely love yourself, says Ela. So, the journey starts with you. You can be kind and inspiring to others when you treat yourself in the same way.
At the end of the episode, Ela will leave you with a question, which will have you discover what a great friend you could be to yourself.
Links:
Love After Love, Derrick Walcott
The Four Immeasurables, Alan Wallace
Ela recently asked herself this very question: Who Would You Be Without the Need to Maintain the Current You?
Listen as Ela tackles this difficult question as she stays in a remote part of Switzerland, with an empty schedule.
She describes how this questions led her dissemble many sides of her life to allow space in her mind to grow 'wider'. She also shares some tools that will help you answer the same question for yourself.
“America is a nation of emotional orphans, adult children grew up without effective parents.” This powerful quote by Dennis Wholey is the topic of this episode of the Peaceful Ease Podcast.
Listen as Ela and Mario discuss how society today doesn't allow us express our emotions at a young age, and how we grow up to be suppressed children in adult bodies.
At the end of the discussion, Ela suggest an activity for those who may relate to this quote. The activity is designed to help you discover how you can express your feelings in a healthy way.
Links:
The Tao of Fully Feeling, Pete Walker
Dennis Wholey
The Guest House, Rumi
Gratitude. . . another buzz word of our times. But do you know how gratitude differs from appreciation?
In this episode, Ela sets a new task for you where you can truly explore what you are grateful for in your own life, and how you can turn this into appreciation.
Tune in to get energized with the magical powers of gratitude and appreciation.
Are you feeling anxious or stressed at the moment?
Listen to this episode to be guided through a deep 20-minute relaxation session, which will leave you feeling calmer and more at ease.
This easy-to-follow exercise will help you to improve your connection with your body and your mind.
“Sacrifice is a tag we attach to gifts when we give to get something back” - this quote by Ela is the topic of this episode.
Listen as Ela and Mario discuss how by sacrificing for someone is like a present given with conditions and burden, how we can practice giving from the bottom of our hearts, unconditionally.
Links:
The Four Agreements
'Letting go' has become a buzzword these days. But why should we even consider letting go of our expectations? Don't they give us hope and act as a driving force that guide us in life?
In this episode, Ela addresses these questions with a poem called ‘Just Perfect.’
The poem beautifully describes being present in the moment and the magic that happens right after that. It reminds us how to free ourselves from our fears, and trust in ourselves in this journey of life.
This episode's topic is inspired by Tony Robbins and his primary question idea: ‘What is your primary question?’
Ela adds a beautiful twist to this question and asks what our primary 'question' in life is. She describes how our primary emotion creates colored-lenses that distort our perception of the world.
Listen as Ela guides you to wake up to your inner-dynamics which in turn enables you to choose how to respond to situations, and experience life with ease.
Links:
Primary Question, Tony Robbins
Did you know we often use one of the 3 strategies to deal with conflict? We either play the invisible, a compromiser/negotiator, or the rebel.
In this episode Ela explains these dynamics and how we all use one of these traits to resolve conflicts. So that you know how to recognize your own and your partner's approach to conflicts and use this knowledge to improve your relationships during stormy days.
Do you sometimes confuse your worth with the value of things you own?
We often judge ourselves by how others perceive us, and even though we know internalize others’ opinions is not the healthiest way of living our lives, we often don't know how to break this habit.
In this episode Ela presents an ancient a story, The Ring’s True Worth, which can help us realize our true worth.
Listen as Ela explains to us how to increase our self-awareness and maintain a positive attitude towards negative emotions.
Links:
The Ring’s True Worth
Mooji
Dr Wayne Dyer
How often you feel hurt because you're unheard?
As a follow up to our last episode, which focused on silence, Ela and Mario talk about listening skills.
Ela discusses the 4 different types of listening, and how not listening properly causes hurts in our relationships. She then guides us through a practice which will create deep and lasting bonds with people in your life.
Silence is a powerful tool of communication. It is a vessel that connects us to our environment, and enables us to have deeper connections with our loved ones.
Listen as Ela as she explains the power of silence and how silence isn’t always what we think.
In this episode, Ela and Mario talk about two contradicting beliefs:
"You are as strong as our weakest points."
"You should invest in your strengths."
Could there be a power hidden in investing in your weaknesses? Should you try to make the weaker parts of your life stronger, or keep improving your strengths?
Ela uses an example from her own life to demonstrate this dilemma: yoga vs strength training. She describes how she started to experiment with strengthening her weaknesses instead of endlessly finetuning her strengths.
The results are in the episode. Tune in!
We all have an inner-critic. But unless we turn that inner-critic into an inner-coach, we may become the obstacle in our own journey.
Listen as Ela describes how we reflect the judgements we have for ourselves, to others. She gives tips on how transform your inner-coach to become more at ease with yourself, and to inspire your loved ones around you.
How often do you find yourself not present, struggling to listen wholeheartedly, focus thoroughly, and remain interested.
In this episode, Ela and Mario assert that being present is not just seeing your environment, but also seeing your own perceptions and judgments of your environment.
Ela also sets a practice for you which will challenge your ability to remain present.
Sometimes we forget the transitory nature of our feelings and we get attach to them or try to avoid them at all cost.
We shut our doors to our feelings, choosing to become numb rather than letting the emotions pass through us. But there's another way!
This episode focuses on a very powerful poem by Rumi, ‘The Guest House’. Rumi says: it is okay for any emotion to knock on our door, because emotions always stay with us for a while and then leave, just like the visitors of a guest house.
Tune in to see how you are managing your guest house?
Links:
The Adjustment Team, Philip K. Dick
The Guest House, Rumi
What does 'inner-peace' mean to you? And how do you think you could benefit from living from a state of stable peace and mental clarity?
Inner-peace isn’t what many people strive for, says Ela, but nurturing inner-peace is like building a safe harbor for stormy days, which are doom to come sooner or later. But how do we do that? How do we establish inner-peace?
In this episode, Ela tackles this challenging question.
Links:
Looking Forward to Peace, Dr. Wayne Dyer
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Honesty, integrity, happiness, serenity...what are you values?
In this episode, Ela and Mario talk about how values act as a compass to guide us on our journey through life. Ela talks about how to choose and set your values and how often you should re-evaluate them.
If you haven't identified your values yet, you will be able to after listening to this episode.
Stay tuned!
In this episode Mario digs a little deeper into Ela’s background.
We learn how a difficult childhood, solitude and depression lead Ela to be introverted, insightful and curious. As she wanted to understand what was 'wrong' with her, she began on a journey across the planet, meeting incredible healers and teachers, and discovered her natural ability to heal and guide - which she believes is a gift that we all have.
Ela encourages everyone to overcome their fears by connecting with their healer part and explains what her journey has been like.
LINKS:
10 Minute Mindset with Mario Porreca
Mash Stories
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers
Ela Crain is a Turkish-born British writer, coach and a student of Buddhism. She has a BA in Archaeology & Anthropology, an MA in Film & Digital Media, and an MSc in Brain Sciences from University College London. She’s been practicing meditation since 2012, and is currently studying Eastern Practices with the masters of Tibetan Buddhism.
Ela’s career as a coach was kick-started by Gary Reid, a legendary success coach on Jack Canfield’s team. In her early career, she focused on raising awareness against the debilitating effects of perfectionism. She hosted regular workshops on perfectionism, procrastination, fine-tuning leadership skills and creating a passionate community, at Factory Berlin - Europe's largest entrepreneurship community.
In 2018, Ela started PeacefulEase.com to help individuals nurture clarity for the mind and peace for the heart. Today, she holds private sessions to promote a balanced life that flourishes with healthy relationships and creates constructive impact at a societal level.
Ela and Mario warmly welcome you to Peaceful Ease - an open, comfortable space to discuss emotional health.
In this first episode, Ela defines what emotional health is and why it’s an important but often overlooked part of our lives.
She provides you with the space and the tools so that you can express the best version of yourself, and experience life with a sense of joyful ease.
Tune in to hear more!