Quick Shanti: Recent Episodes
Ellie Eckerle
Welcome to Quick Shanti, the place where we digest timeless wisdom one bite at a time. Here, we offer up digestible pieces of wisdom that you can truly practice, internalize, and allow to become a part of yourself. So join us as we nurture our curiosity and become more engaged with the world within us and around us.
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of Anaïs Nin and one of her most striking quotes: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
Spoiler: Courage isn’t always some epic, movie moment. Sometimes, it's as simple as awkwardly telling the barista they messed up your coffee. But those little acts of courage? They add up to something bigger.
Anaïs Nin didn’t wait around for life to happen. She took risks, lived unconventionally, and wrote about all of it—sometimes in ways that would’ve made her contemporaries clutch their pearls.
If your life feels like it’s stuck on the shrink setting, maybe it’s time to explore how to stretch it back out again, one small act at a time.
Breath, the essential function that keeps us alive, serves as a continuous reminder of our very existence. It's our lifeline to this world.But how have societal ideals severed our connection to the depths of breath? What are some of the limitations we impose on our capacity to take in a deep, gratifying breath?Today's episode is spoken through poem, "Let your belly be round." 📧 Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 Sign up for your weekly dose of Shanti: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Hildegard of Bingen was a remarkable woman whose life’s work is almost unbelievable. Hildegard is a woman known to be many things: a visionary, composer, writer, herbalist, scholar, poet; a polymath in the truest sense. In this episode, we unfold the life, music, philosophy, and absolute genius of Hildegard von Bingen, a woman whose life is still dripping in mystique and marvel, centuries after she graced this earth with her presence.Hildegard is a badass, a rockstar, a symbol of female authority in a time when women rarely - if ever - had a podium. Tune in to learn from the life of Hildegard von Bingen.🎵 LISTEN TO HILDEGARDDrop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
In this practice, we’ll cultivate the experience of gratitude. Through the lens of gratitude, we recognize the inherent abundance in our lives, no matter how big or small. Gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion; it is a practice that can enrich your life and the lives of those around you. Like tending to a garden, take time to cultivate gratitude regularly. Return to this meditation or simply come back to the things that put you in a state of gratitude.As you move through your day, let gratitude be a guiding force, reminding you to find value and meaning in each moment. Feel this warmth grow inside you and send it back out into the world. [528 HZ]---Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Today's topic revolves around a profound phrase originating from the Upanishads, urging us to transcend the barriers that often separate us. The phrase is "Tat Twam Asi" - which translates to "You are that." In essence, it signifies that what we perceive in others is a reflection of ourselves."Tat Twam Asi" encapsulates a simple yet powerful message, encouraging us to shift our perception in the way we connect with the external world. By embracing this notion, we recognize that we are not fundamentally distinct from the world around us; rather, we are interconnected with everything we see. This realization dismantles the illusion of separateness and enables us to find peace in the shared essence of universal consciousness.--Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
This practice is focused on being here now: in this moment, finding a state of present-moment awareness. Using a body scan, we’ll let go of tension, connect with the body, and become fully aware of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without getting entangled in them or attaching stories to them.By noticing the body, you understand that you are more than just the body. By noticing the senses, you understand you are more than just the senses. By noticing the emotions, you understand you are more than just the emotions. Through this noticing, this higher seat of observation, you see that are beyond these things. You are the consciousness that witnesses the body’s functions and experiences; vast and limitless.Join to rest in this stillness, and find a part of yourself that is beyond the transient world of forms and stories.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Sometimes the most important thing to do is to let things be as they are and not try to force or rush them into a different state. Mindfulness as a gentle exploration - a way to cultivate presence. It’s not something that we can force our way into. In fact, putting too much effort or force into mindfulness can actually hinder our experience. When we strive, or rather struggle, to control our state of mindfulness or achieve something within it - this is an attempt to manufacture an experience. But that’s quite contradictory to mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness is a surrender - it’s more of a peeling away and simply being present with what is.This practice of letting it be and being still, helps us create space for reflection, observation, and understanding. It's in this space that we can employ wise discernment to navigate through life and the complexities of being human.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Awe is like a thread that connects us to something bigger. It connects the extraordinary, the mysteries of life’s essence.Experiences of awe are what psychologists call self-transcendent: they shift our attention away from ourselves, but histoircally, this is what the mystics pointed to. In ancient Greece they called it ekstasis, meaning “to be or stand outside oneself.” Awe dissolves the sense of separation and invites us to stand outside of ourselves in unity with the world around us.In this episode, we explore the experiences of awe, its significance, and practical ways to cultivate it in your daily life - along with some examples thanks to the wisdom of Dr. Jane Goodall. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
The Anapanasati practice is a foundational aspect of Vipassana (or Insight) meditation where it serves as the first step in developing concentration and mindfulness. This guided Anapanasati meditation session offers a peaceful space where you can learn to anchor your attention to the breath, allowing the mind to settle and bring a sense of clarity within. Immerse yourself in this meditation experience and discover the power of Anapanasati Meditation for a calmer, more focused present moment.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC📹 Follow meditations on YouTube
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, this session invites you to experience a state of no-mind—a state of heightened awareness free from the constant stream of thoughts and mental activity.Just as physical space allows objects to exist within it, there is a space within your consciousness that allows your thoughts, emotions, and sensory perceptions to arise and be experienced.As you become aware of the empty space within you, you simultaneously become aware of the space of no-mind—the pure consciousness, the stillness, that lies within you. Tune in to rest in the vastness and tranquility of this vast space within you. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC📹 Follow meditations on YouTube
Today we’re exploring the patterns, meaningful coincidences, and hidden connections that feel like much more than chance. Coined by psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, synchronicity reveals a profound link between our conscious awareness and the unconscious mind. Synchronistic experiences invite us to explore the mysteries and deeper layers of meaning in the worlds within and around us.The way I see it, synchronicities are these really cool, really mysterious catalysts for introspection. They urge us to reflect on our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and life circumstances and really examine how these coincidences align with our inner experiences and the external world. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives.Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Reset your nervous system, reduce stress, and restore balance in your body with the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Together, we'll breathe through this guided exercise. As your breath slows down and deepens naturally, embrace the serenity within. Make this technique a part of your daily routine or evening routine before sleep. Carry it with you as a tool for tranquility. Unwind, rejuvenate, and appreciate the stillness you've created.--If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Every day, we encounter a barrage of "shoulds" from various sources: societal norms, authorities, self-proclaimed experts, influencers, and even well-meaning friends and family. But these shoulds pile up - and next thing you know, you’re carrying this heavy backpack of shoulds, feeling restricted and limited in your ability to navigate your own path.There's an inherent wisdom that resides within each of us. Awareness helps us to sift through the shoulds and locate our own inner guidance - to get familiar with the unique signature of our own inner voice. --If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
In this contemplative meditation, we’ll journey through the elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. We’ll embrace the wisdom of these elemental forces that reside within us and allow them to guide us on a path toward balance and inner peace. Throughout the practice, we will invoke the presence of each element, immersing ourselves in their transformative energies. Experience the powerful connection and harmony that arise from embracing the power of the elements within.
Sometimes, the things we desire and value the most are hidden in places or situations that evoke discomfort and fear. Paradoxically, it is within these very circumstances that we have the greatest potential for personal growth, self-discovery, and the fulfillment of our deepest desires. Joseph Campbell's once said, "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek." Together, we'll unpack this and talk about the significance of embracing the unknown and confronting our fears. Drawing insights from Mulan's journey and other epic tales and myths, we uncover the universal human experiences behind this theme of facing fears, venturing into the unknown, and emerging transformed.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
When we embrace the law of impermanence, it reveals to us profound wisdom: the reminder to fully embrace the preciousness of each passing moment.Just as the breath flows in and out, thoughts arise and fade away, and nature undergoes its cycles of transformation, we too are intimately woven into this grand tapestry of impermanence. We are not separate entities, but integral expressions of the ever-changing universe.Understanding and embracing impermanence deepens our appreciation of the present moment. Through this, we can find peace and acceptance in the face of change. Join us as we contemplate impermanence, and honor it as a natural and essential part of the unfolding of life.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com🌞SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Wholeness > goodness.
In the episode, we heed the wise words of Carl Jung when he proclaimed, "I'd rather be whole than good" to anchor us in this teaching. We explore what it means to be whole; what it means to be human.
In the pursuit of individuation, we embark on a courageous quest to explore the vast landscapes of our psyche. We delve into the depths of our unconscious, shining a light on the aspects of ourselves that have been cast aside, denied, or deemed unworthy. With compassion and curiosity, we invite them back into the wholeness of our being. Your wholeness is your humanity. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com🌞SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
The concept of ritual is not limited to religion. It’s a fundamental aspect of human culture and experience. Rituals can help us cultivate a connection with something greater than ourselves, foster a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence, and provide a structure for our meditation practice. Joseph Campbell, the famous scholar, author, and mythologist, believed that the modern world lacks meaningful rituals, leading to a sense of disconnection and alienation. He saw a need for new forms of ritual that can help us connect with each other and with the larger forces that give our lives meaning. Developing our own rituals is important to awaken a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence within ourselves. In this way, rituals can have powerful effects on our lives, allowing us to connect with the sacred in a personal way. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
We may perceive ourselves as separate individuals, but we’re so much more. Each of us is a unique expression of the whole, intricately interconnected with one another and the fabric of existence itself.We are all expressions of the same source, experiencing life through our unique perspectives. Beneath the labels, the possessions, the personalities,all the identifiers, what you truly are is formless - you are loving awareness. Join for a beautiful practice of nurturing the heart center, amplifying its radiant energy, and experiencing the effects of the ‘I am Loving Awareness' mantra. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
This is a Zen parable about a young samurai warrior who seeks the wisdom of a little old monk. He learns a powerful lesson about self-awareness. ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Explore the philosophical and environmental movement of Deep Ecology and its connection to Taoism. We delve into how both philosophies emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living things and systems, and how this recognition can guide us toward a more harmonious and sustainable way of living. * Concepts such as biomimicry, regenerative farming, conscious consumption, and sustainable transportation align with these principles. * We're reminded of the importance of observing and learning from the natural world with Jane Goodall's life's work.
Join us in exploring the deep spirituality of conservation and environmentalism.🌎 Every day is Earth Day with Taoism! ---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
The Tao translates as "the way" or "the path." Consider it to be the creative force that flows through all things and brings them into being, It’s the source of everything in the universe.The Tao operates according to its own inherent principles and rhythms, and it cannot be controlled or manipulated by human beings.By aligning oneself with the Tao and following its natural flow, one can achieve harmony, balance, and peace in life. This involves acting in a natural and spontaneous way, rather than trying to impose one's will or control over situations.Tune into this episode to learn about the nature of the Tao and key principles of Taoism like: Interconnectedness * Interdependence * Inseparability * Wu Wei: the art of flowing with* life
If you love water analogies, you will love this episode. 🌊---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
As humans, we all possess a unique set of desires, biases, and motivations that shape the way we view the world. No one emerges from socialization unscathed.The phrase "Truth waits for eyes unclouded by longing" invites us to explore how our desires, biases, and motivations can cloud our perception of the truth and prevent us from seeing things objectively.The practice of non-attachment helps us to create space and openness to new ideas and evidence, even if they challenge our existing beliefs - even if they get in the way of us and our longings. From Jungian tactics to mindfulness to anthropological reflection, tune in to learn how to find space from the limitations of your own biases and attachments and discover the truth beyond them.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. 🌀Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Discover your true nature and connect with the universal consciousness through the Neti Neti practice. Peel away all the inessential layers as you practice letting go of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and self-concepts.Experience the freedom of observing your thoughts and feelings without attachment and find a deep sense of peace and stillness within. Join us for this clarifying Neti Neti meditation and touch the essence of the Self - the Atman - of who you truly are.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
Language, communication, and thinking are tools that point to something beyond themselves. Today we explore the limitations of language and rational analysis in understanding the ultimate nature of reality. We will focus on what reality is not, rather than what it is, and emphasize direct, experiential awareness. Peeling away intellectual limitations can help us transcend the rational mind and access a type of understanding that is beyond language. Practices like negative theology and "neti neti" of Hindu philosophy, are self-inquiring tools that can help us achieve this. Just as the sculptor removes material to reveal the statue, we use these tools to remove our preconceived notions and limitations to reveal our true essence - which is a singular expression of universal consciousness. Join us as we go beyond rationality and dive into the depths of direct experience.---If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.🌞 SHANTI NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/3nXt0gC
In this episode, we explore the profound teaching of the phrase "die before you die". We look to philosophy and nature to understand the life-death-life cycle and how the concept of little deaths - ego deaths - allows us to let go of old patterns and beliefs that might be holding us back. Embracing the life-death-life cycle requires us to be present with the full spectrum of our experiences and to have the courage to face the endings and transitions that are an inevitable part of life.Through this transformative process, we can experience the richness of life in its entirety. To "die before you die" is a gateway to spiritual liberation and a deeper connection with your true nature. If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts related to today's topic, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear your perspectives. Drop a line at ellie@shanti-meditations.com.
In this guided meditation, we are just be-ing. "There’s nowhere to go, there’s nothing to accomplish... It’s just this, just this," as Ram Dass once said. With this practice, we'll tap into the vastness of our own awareness and bring a spacious presence into our day. Get your weekly dose of Shanti with the Shanti Newsletter: designed to help you apply timeless wisdom to your modern life.
In this episode, we explore the curious relationship between you and your thoughts during meditation. What is it that you seek to accomplish when you meditate? Are you trying to escape from your thoughts? Are you feeding them? Or, are you seeking to understand them?As we focus our minds during meditation, we can't help but be interrupted by thoughts - this is just the nature of the mind. The mind is constantly seeking information, processing stimuli, and making sense of the world around us. This activity can lead to a lack of focus, often referred to as the 'monkey mind'. The monkey mind is like a restless and untrained mind that jumps from one idea to another, easily influenced by external stimulation.The goal of meditation is not to suppress or eliminate this natural activity of the mind, but to observe it without judgment or attachment. Through mindfulness and inner awareness, we can gain greater clarity, calmness, and insight into our thought patterns and behaviors. We can become less reactive to external stimulation, creating space between ourselves and our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.So, how do we approach our thoughts during meditation? How approach the content of the mind as it arises? Join me as we deepen our understanding of our thoughts and take on the role of the investigator - of the anthropologist - to practice active analytical curiosity, we can begin to understand the contents of our mind, including their origins and patterns.
This episode delves into the common feeling of being 'too busy' to meditate. In a world that values productivity, it's easy to overlook activities that don't directly contribute to tangible outcomes. However, meditation is an activity that can positively impact our well-being, and it's important to make time for it.
There's a cheeky Zen proverb that goes like this: “If you don’t have time to meditate for 20 minutes, then you should meditate for an hour.”
This proverb teaches us two big things:
- Make time for yourself and your practice, even if it's just a few minutes!
- Challenge the excuses you make for not meditating and critically examine the reasons why.
Meditation in not another to-do. It's a practice that can help anchor us to something stiller and quieter, amidst the busyness of our lives.
When the waters are still, we can see clearly. We approach life in a more skillful way.
Learn about cultivating equanimity, practicing non-judgment, and trusting life's flow with this Sufi parable.
The story emphasizes the importance of responding to events with wisdom instead of reacting impulsively and the benefits of cultivating equanimity through practices like meditation, mindfulness and self-reflection.
Through acceptance of the unknown and detachment from expectations , we can move fluidly WITH life. 🌊
In this episode, we explore Don Juan's wisdom and how it can help you open up a channel of communication with your heart. We discuss the pressure to live life the "right" way and how societal norms can limit our potential for personal happiness and success.
A path with heart is not a fixed destination, specific outcome, or a prescribed set of steps to follow. Rather, it is a way of living.It is a way of being in the world that honors our innermost self.
Experience the effects of Om (Aum) chanting. This ancient practice uses the powerful vibrations of the Om (Aum) sound to bring balance, focus, and harmony to your mind, body, and spirit. Consider chanting to be like tuning an instrument, except the instrument is your body. And you're tuning your body to the vibration that underlies all of existence.
When you chant Om (Aum), you are tapping into the very pulse of the universe, the vibration of energy that creates universes.
Explore the power of sound, the meaning of Om, and the basics for beginning your own chanting practice. Recreate your relationship with Om, beyond just a symbol, but as a meaningful sound, readily available to you.
Relax and connect with nature through this guided visualization focused on interconnectedness.
The intention with this meditation, or visualization, is to cultivate the awareness that you’re part of this big, awesome system that makes up the universe. Your existence is not isolated, it’s not separate. Just as Albert Einstein once said, “The greatest illusion in this world is the illusion of separation.”
We’ll settle in to find interconnectedness by observing the beautiful and essential exchange of breath between human and tree.
This meditation is designed to help you find peace and centeredness in the present moment. In this practice, we will move through a series of gentle breathwork, visualization, and mindfulness techniques, inviting you to let go of any mental clutter and simply be with yourself.
Interconnectedness is the recognition that all things are connected and interdependent. You are not separate from the world around you. This is an idea embraced by Buddhism, and Taoism, - it’s even recognized by Einstein himself. Out here in the West, we’re raised with very individualistic ideals. This can create the illusion that we’re more separate from each other, more separate from the world around us than we actually are.
In Buddhism, it's believed that we all have an enlightened nature within us, known as the Buddha nature or our basic innate goodness.
When we take the Bodhisattva Vow, we're committing to channeling our love, and compassion - our Buddha nature - toward helping all beings.
Through this powerful practice, we will explore the path of the Bodhisattva, recite the four vows, and contemplate ways to cultivate compassion in our daily lives. Allow this pledge to simply guide your thoughts and actions toward a more compassionate way of life.
Pranayama has been a core pillar in the practice of yoga for thousands of years. Our breath is the connecting link between our body, mind, and Self - pranayama helps us control and regulate the flow of energy in the body to achieve harmony.
In this episode, we will be focusing on a specific technique called Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing. This technique helps purify and balance energy. Discover the Ida and Pingala, the two main energy channels in the body, and how we can stimulate them through our breathwork.
What is the role of adversity in our lives? This episode explores the idea that adversity is a collaborator in our journey of personal evolution.
Teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Viktor Frankl and Marcus Aurelius all point to the same truth: adversity is a catalyst that can shape us into stronger and more resilient versions of ourselves.
From understanding the perspective of evolution to exploring the awe-inspiring adaptations of the octopus, this episode invites you to reframe your understanding of how adversity shows up in the present moment.
Through relaxation techniques and contemplation points, take this time to practice letting go of control and trusting in the natural flow of life.
Whether you're looking to reduce stress and find balance, or simply want to learn more about the wisdom of wu wei, this meditation is for you. Take about ten minutes to unwind and allow the concept of wu wei to become a personal experience.
The Taoist principle wu wei teaches us the importance of letting go of the desire to control everything and living in a state of alignment with what arises. Stop forcing, start trusting.
Stop running away from your fears and face them with love and compassion. Rewire your relationship with uncomfortable emotions with this cheeky advice from the Buddha.
Join us on our journey of philosophical and spiritual exploration as we explore timeless wisdom and practical tips for living a more meaningful life.
Discover Shanti: https://www.shanti-meditations.com/
Free guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/@shantimeditations