A Guiding Hand

We confine what we long to liberate

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This podcast encourages reflection on overlooked aspects of life that may be vital to personal fulfilment. Using the metaphor of missing the Northern Lights while being distracted by TV, it prompts readers to question if daily distractions prevent them from fully living. It suggests taking time to recognize and reconnect with deeper sources of inspiration and meaning. The text also explores self-imposed limitations and invites readers to imagine what they would do if liberated from responsibilities and fears.

Through falling we discover for what we stand

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This podcast explores the value of experiencing failure or "falling" and reflecting on those moments. By considering times when we’ve felt we’ve fallen short, it invites us to understand how those experiences help us rediscover what truly matters in life and work. The text uses the metaphor of a "moon bow" behind a waterfall, symbolizing the beauty in darkness, and encourages introspection to uncover core values that guide us in standing back up after setbacks.

Stillness-How the superficial recall their depth

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This article encourages self-reflection and stillness to gain deeper insights into one's inner being. The author describes a moment of witnessing the Aurora's reflection in a Finnish lake, symbolizing how reflection reveals a deeper sense of wholeness. It emphasizes that stillness allows us to redirect attention inward, fostering self-awareness and consciousness. By cultivating inner attentiveness, we move beyond superficial distractions, discovering what truly matters. The text invites readers to find moments of stillness and reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and values.

Longing The glowing embers of an eternal flame

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This article invites introspection on the theme of longing, encouraging a deep exploration of personal desires. It draws an analogy between a remarkable evening of Northern Lights and the inner glow of human longing. The card suggests that even when life's distractions take over, a deeper calling remains within, guiding us toward fulfilment. By embracing and following our true desires without judgment, we may find peace, contentment, and joy, much like a lantern lighting our way.

Liberation The freedom of knowing how we imprison

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This article reflects on personal power and potential, using the metaphor of the Northern Lights to inspire introspection. It encourages readers to break free from self-imposed limitations, explore their true desires, and believe in their ability to create change. Citing Marianne Williamson, it challenges fears of being "powerful beyond measure" and advocates for self-reflection, stepping aside from distractions, and taking deliberate steps towards fulfilling one's life and work aspirations while helping others realize their potential.

Learning how not to know may be the greatest act of intelligence

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

The card invites you to explore the value of "not knowing" and how it can expand your perception. The author recounts an unusual sight of the Northern Lights, challenging their previous knowledge and highlighting how certainty can limit understanding. Similarly, a coach realized that excessive confidence in expertise caused a major oversight. The text encourages reflection on how relying on knowledge can limit awareness and suggests that embracing uncertainty can offer valuable insights in personal development.

Difficulty-The edge that sharpens our learning

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This card invites you to reflect on the value of facing difficulties and embracing vulnerability. Life often lacks clarity, yet it is through struggles that we experience deep learning and change. By recognizing and accepting our vulnerabilities, we can foster growth. The card encourages you to recall lessons from your challenges, noting how they shaped you. Embracing difficulties and sharing them can provide strength and help others grow as well. Take time to reflect and learn.

Courage-Fear unmasked

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This article invites you to explore your courage by reflecting on moments of revelation and fear. It compares fear to clouds hiding the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, suggesting that both light and dark are necessary for understanding. Courage emerges when we confront fear, much like how clouds part to reveal the Lights. By recognizing and owning your fears, you may uncover deeper wisdom and harness the courage hidden within, transforming your life and work.

Choose to be original and or copy

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This podcast invites you to explore your originality and reflect on what makes you unique, rather than a "carbon copy" of others. It encourages you to consider how much you conform to what others expect versus your true self. By embracing your natural uniqueness, you may contribute significantly to your life and work, potentially impacting human evolution. Take time to consider your most authentic self and the unique contributions you can make.

Anxiety-The extent we have strayed from our essence

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100

This article invites you to explore your anxieties by facing them directly rather than avoiding them. The associated photograph of the Northern Lights highlights a small boat amidst a vast, awe-inspiring display, symbolizing feelings of isolation and insignificance. By acknowledging your anxieties, you can gain insight into your emotions, recognizing them as guides rather than fears. In befriending these feelings, you may find your way back to your true self, using anxiety as a compass to reorient and grow.

In our darkness may we discover a Richer palette of colour

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This card explores the metaphor of seeking light, particularly the Aurora Borealis, as a journey through darkness. It suggests embracing the night and the metaphorical darkness in life as a path to revelation and self-awareness. Drawing this card symbolises an invitation to confront and befriend one’s fears, vulnerabilities, and past traumas, recognising that darkness and light are interrelated. The experience of the Aurora in Finland serves as an example of finding beauty and colour in darkness. The text encourages embracing vulnerability as a natural aspect of growth, leading to self-transcendence. It emphasises the importance of accepting and owning one’s dark aspects to facilitate personal change and development, viewing challenges as opportunities to deepen self-awareness and cultivate wholeness.

Belonging, becoming the person you long to be

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This card invites reflection on the concept of belonging, emphasising it’s not just about finding a physical place but discovering inner contentment and authenticity. It suggests belonging is deeply connected to becoming the person one longs to be, rather than being tied to a specific location. The writer shares a profound realisation experienced while witnessing the Aurora Borealis in Norway, prompting thoughts on belonging beyond geographical boundaries. The text encourages exploring one’s deepest desires, motivations, and the essence of one’s true self, urging readers to identify and embrace their authentic selves to achieve a sense of belonging.

Must we stray from the path, to recall our way

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0100

Embracing the feeling of being lost can transform fear into opportunity. By confronting uncertainty, we open doors to discovery and growth. Like unknown paths, life's challenges offer unforeseen chances when met with courage.

Resilience, befriending suffering

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0100

Resilience involves facing and accepting suffering rather than avoiding it. Avoiding negative emotions might push them to our unconscious, influencing our behaviour unnoticed. Embracing these emotions, as described in Rumi's poem "The Guest House," can lead to self-awareness and growth. Recognising and confronting our inner struggles strengthens our relationship with ourselves and others, fostering inner resilience. Facing challenges can uncover unexpected strengths and broaden our capacity for empathy and connection. Embracing suffering can lead to deeper understanding and inner strength.

Do We Feed An Insatiable Appetite Or Soothe The Part That Hungers?

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0100

This podcast encourages introspection and exploring the deeper aspects of oneself. It questions the insatiable appetite for constantly seeking more and how outer searches often fail to bring complete satisfaction. Instead, it suggests turning inward and attending to the true needs within. By addressing these neglected inner needs, the outer hunger can be satiated, leading to self-awareness, wholeness, and reduced outward seeking. The photograph of the Northern Lights serves as a metaphor for finding beauty and light within our own inner darkness.

Free From Logic, The Impossible Becomes Quite Plausible

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0100

The podcast explores the importance of imagination and creativity as a complement to rational thinking in problem-solving. It uses metaphors like the dog chasing its tail and Sisyphus rolling the boulder to emphasize the limitations of overthinking. The author encourages readers to embrace their imagination and imagine using a "magic wand" to find solutions. Imagination is presented as a powerful tool that bypasses rationality, leading to new and unforeseen resolutions. Andrew ends with a reminder of the potential of inner tools, including imagination, to enhance problem-solving and personal growth.

Soul - That Which Longs To Live, Unhindered By Must, Should Or Ought By Andrew Machon

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0100

This podcast explores the impact of expectations and the words "must, should, and ought" on our lives. It raises questions about whether meeting expectations limits us and prevents us from fully living. The author shares their personal experience of breaking free from expectations and discovering their true essence as a photographer. They invite readers to consider how they would be and what they would do if they were free from all expectations. The text also contemplates the significance of accessing our source of power and potential illumination. It encourages self-reflection and exploring one's reason for being beyond societal expectations. The author emphasises the importance of helping others discover their freedom from expectations and finding their own purpose.

The Exit We Seek May Be An Entrance By Andrew Machon

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The podcast expresses the author's fascination with the symbolism of doorways. As a photographer, he captures different doorways and uses them to create new imaginative openings. When coaching clients, the author explores whether their doorways represent exits, entrances, or both. They describe a photograph of the Aurora Borealis, which symbolized a doorway to escape personal darkness. The text invites readers to imagine their own doorways and consider what they would walk away from, where their doorways would lead, and what new opportunities they desire. It emphasizes the value of choices and encourages helping others discover their own doorways for personal growth.

Might Darkness Lighten Our Way By Andrew Machon

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100

The author reflects on their experience of finding wonder in the darkness of the night sky and invites readers to consider their own experiences. They explore the idea of embracing difference and moving beyond judgment, and how this can expand our ability to relate and ultimately find more insightful answers. They encourage readers to consider their role in addressing societal issues and to resist the temptation to judge and become more of a natural mediator.

Trying Less, Discovering More By Andrew Machon

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +0100

This piece explores the notion of effort and striving, questioning whether having and wanting are essential to betterment. The author suggests that our compulsion to strive and continually seek more may be due to an underlying belief of "not enough" and that what we seek outwardly may only be found inwardly. By practicing the "art of not," we can let go of striving and discover a new spaciousness, leading us closer to our true source of motivation and guidance. In surrendering an effortful existence, we may discover a source of effortless excellence.

Stillness Moves By Andrew Machon

Mon, 29 May 2023 17:00:00 +0100

The author questions the idea that being busy is a good measure of growth and success and explores the importance of stillness and reflection in enabling change and growth. Inner spaciousness allows for reflection, pace, and the ability to pause and make conscious choices. Without the opportunity to pause and reflect, we have no way of selecting or prioritizing our actions. Inner stillness appears vital to moving forward and fostering growth. The author invites readers to punctuate their lives with pauses, cultivate stillness, and foster a healthy pace. They also refer readers to their work on the importance of reflection and cultivating relationships as a coach.

Knowing What Locks, Frees By Andrew Machon

Mon, 22 May 2023 21:00:00 +0100

The author reflects on a photograph of the Northern Lights and wonders about the value of accepting and including obstacles in our daily lives. They suggest that pushing through challenges may not be the answer and encourage the reader to consider taking a subjective viewpoint and working through the issues they face. By turning towards their emotions and experiences, they can discover the key to their lock and find the courage to face their problems with growing optimism and resilience. Ultimately, they may discover hidden gifts and potentiality.

What We Accept In Ourselves, We Accommodate In Others By Andrew Machon

Mon, 15 May 2023 13:00:00 +0100

The article explores the concept of personal growth and how it is intimately linked to self-awareness. The author suggests that turning one's attention inward and practicing reflection can lead to a deepening understanding of oneself and ultimately foster empathy and compassion towards others. Judgment and fear can impede growth, but accepting and embracing all aspects of oneself can lead to a sense of wholeness and the ability to relate to others. The article encourages readers to contemplate their own journey of self-discovery and to end judgment towards those who are marginalized in society.

Vulnerability – The Lost Piece That Completes Our Jigsaw By Andrew Machon

Mon, 08 May 2023 13:50:00 +0100

A Guiding Hand episode. The author reflects on a photograph of the Northern Lights that appears to take the shape of a jigsaw piece and contemplates how life is like a jigsaw puzzle. They ask readers to consider what their vital pieces are and how they fit together. The author then explores the concept of vulnerability, explaining how rejecting and judging our vulnerabilities can negatively impact our lives. Instead, they advocate for embracing vulnerability as an essential part of our wholeness and for facing our fears rather than automatically judging them. The author encourages readers to foster wholeness and inner peace, accepting and relating to others without dividing or seeing conflict.

Perfection – The Only Goal We Complete After Life By Andrew Machon

Mon, 01 May 2023 16:37:00 +0100

A guiding Hand episode. The text explores the tendency for people to revert to perfectionism and a partial version of themselves when under pressure, due to a belief that they are 'not good enough'. The author encourages reflection and introspection, asking questions about the consequences of perfectionism and the needs of the imperfect parts of ourselves. The text emphasizes the importance of turning our attention inward to attend to those aspects of ourselves that need care and attention, rather than striving for an impossible goal. The author suggests that embracing our imperfections can lead to a sense of wholeness and fulfillment.

We Live Superficial Lives, Longing For Depth By Andrew Machon

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The text examines the tendency to live superficially and present only a fraction of who we truly are to the world. It acknowledges that busyness and pressure often lead to anxiety and a narrowed focus, causing us to operate on the surface and form shallow relationships. However, it suggests that our longing for something more is a reminder of our wholeness and innate power. By aligning with our longing and returning to our inner compass, we can orient ourselves towards personal growth, fulfillment, and becoming the person we are meant to be. The text encourages reflection on our deepest wishes and the potential for transformation that lies within. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing our vital co-ordinates and activating our innate source of guidance to navigate our developmental journey. By remembering and responding to this inner compass, we can make choices aligned with our life's purpose and experience a new vitality. The text urges us to pause, reflect, and recognize what is vital in our lives and work, as well as to consider the calling that draws us and what we might discover by following it. It reminds us that despite the pressures of everyday life, we can continually reorient ourselves towards what is deeply important and beyond superficiality. By taking the time to remember and reflect, we can tap into our inner source of guidance and live more wholesomely. The image of the Aurora Borealis and the reflection on the surface of the sea symbolize the hidden depths within us, longing for attention and expression to shape our lives. The text concludes with the hope that we recognize when we are living superficially, remember our inner compass, and continually reorient ourselves toward what we long for, experiencing the vitality of a fully lived life and cultivating meaningful relationships.

True Power Is Realised In Letting Go By Andrew Machon

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The text explores the concept of power and control, challenging the common assumption that being in control equates to having power. It questions the effectiveness of directing and telling others what to do, suggesting that it may lead to disengagement and a lack of vital involvement. The text emphasizes the importance of creating a space of "not knowing" and empowering others through engagement, choice, and self-discovery. It suggests that true power is found in a whole-hearted approach that aligns head and heart, allowing individuals to commit to tasks with energy and purpose. It encourages reflection on how to empower others rather than solely directing and provides insight into the value of relational engagement and participation. The text emphasizes the art of empowerment and the need to explore relinquishing control to create space for others to discover their purpose and values. It concludes by encouraging the practice of empowering others, fostering relationship, engagement, and purposeful participation in daily tasks, and promoting personal growth and self-awareness through work.

Finding The answer Be Relinquishing The Search By Andrew Machon

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The text challenges our tendency to constantly seek answers and problem-solve, suggesting that this approach may contribute to the feeling of our lives being problematic. It questions whether we truly want to see the world in black and white or if we are more interested in the shades and colors of life. The text proposes that the answer we seek cannot be found through endless seeking and problem-solving. It encourages us to consider what we truly wish for and whether our incessant judgment and analysis bring us closer to that wish. It highlights the negative consequences of judgment, such as anxiety and tension, and invites us to imagine what we might discover if we let go of the need to judge. The text emphasizes the desire for inner peace and the possibility of finding it beyond our compulsion to judge. The image of the boat finding sanctuary and the Northern Lights blessing the act of resting symbolize the value of resisting the temptation to constantly seek and travel. It concludes by suggesting that the answer we seek may be found when we learn to end our need for further searching and judgment, leading to a more peaceful and appreciative existence.

Wisdom - Intelligence Of Whole, Unhindered By What We Know In Part By Andrew Machon

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The text explores the concept of wisdom and the challenges we face in seeking it. It suggests that wisdom arises from an appreciation and understanding of the whole rather than individualistic thinking. It highlights how our tendency to rationalize and judge can hinder our perception of reality, dividing existence into right and wrong. The text proposes that by suspending judgment and embracing both sides of an argument, we can access wisdom that speaks to the collective rather than the individual. It encourages reflection on moments of judgment and the potential for learning and understanding that arises when we listen without judgment. The text concludes by advocating for resisting the impulse to judge and opening our minds to receive wisdom, fostering deeper understanding of others.

To Quicken, First Slow By Andrew Machon

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0100

The text raises the importance of rest and reflection in our daily lives and work. It questions whether we prioritize self-care and creating sanctuary spaces for contemplation and restoration. It highlights the need to balance our focus on supporting and giving to others with caring for ourselves. The text points out that constant busyness without reflection leads to a lack of pace and space in our lives, resulting in a diminished ability to make choices. It encourages conscious doing, which involves slowing down, reflecting, and selecting what truly matters to us. The reader is prompted to pause, reflect on their most important goals, and consider the value and personal investment associated with achieving them. The text also emphasizes the potential to support and bring vitality to others while maintaining clarity in our own chosen goals. It concludes by advocating for the practice of slowing down before moving forward, enabling progress that is consciously chosen and promoting well-being and the gift of choice to others.

At The Heart Of Winter, The Promise Of Spring By Andrew Machon

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The text explores the concept of "seasons of self" and draws parallels between human nature and nature itself. It reflects on the experience of feeling dormant and stuck, like in winter, unable to make progress or decisions. However, it suggests that even in these moments, there is a vital longing within us that can bring joy and guide us forward. Rest and restoration are essential, just as winter is a time for spring to rest. By reflecting on our deepest longings, we can remember what is vital and essential to us, and this inner guidance can help us find our own way forward. The text encourages self-contemplation and recognizing the value of inner compass and originality. It emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from those who create space for self-reflection, allowing us to reset and move forward on our own unique path.

Silence Fills As We Empty By Andrew Machon

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The text highlights the importance of attention and listening in a busy and noisy world. It emphasizes that attentive listening allows us to truly hear and understand others, fostering empathy and deepening our capacity to relate. Silence is portrayed as a gift that creates a space for reflection and self-discovery, allowing us to reconnect with our true selves. By carrying a place of silence within us, we can navigate distractions and offer the gift of attention to those commonly overlooked in society. The text encourages the reader to reflect on their own attentive presence and the potential impact it can have on themselves and others.

An Introduction To A Guiding Hand By Andrew Machon

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The text introduces "A Guiding Hand," a set of cards and a book inspired by the author's 10-year pilgrimage to the Arctic Circle, where they observed and marveled at the Northern Lights. The cards feature words and phrases that emerged from deep contemplation during those moments. The author's motivation for writing this blog is to reflect on and translate these words into practical guidance. They draw a card each week and write a blog inspired by its message, aiming to provide insight and guidance for personal and professional challenges. The author acknowledges the need for a guiding hand in facing the crises and difficulties of our times and expresses their intention to offer support and guidance through these weekly conversations.

In The Dark Confines Of The Chrysalis, We Hatch Our Wings By Andrew Machon

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The text emphasizes the importance of embracing darkness and facing our fears instead of turning away from them. It suggests that darkness can be a natural gateway to light and that they are inseparable. By befriending our fears and holding both light and dark equally, we can achieve a deeper understanding and resolution. The text encourages reflection and exploration, highlighting that true illumination and liberation may lie within the darkness we fear. Ultimately, it promotes reconciliation and a non-judgmental approach to differences.