The Simplest and Most Foolproof Way to Get the Answers to Life’s Big Questions

Gabrielle Bernstein

I spent the last weekend in July at Kripalu. Kripalu is a center for yoga and health in the Berkshire mountains. I have never been to a retreat, or a workshop of this sort, nor have I ever been much of a yogi. But I was so meant to be at that retreat. I was so meant to have that time, that space, for myself. We too often don’t allow ourselves time to heal, time to reflect, time to just BE. We are so busy doing doing doing, talking talking talking, planning, reading, absorbing, surfing… My weekend in Kripalu was about just BEING.

When I signed up, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was a workshop by Gabrielle Bernstein, and it was called “Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles.” I had very little idea of what to expect, but I knew I had to go. I was so curious about what would happen there, what this “radical road” was all about, and there was a part of me that I knew still needed some healing after the whole melanoma thing. I figured even if I didn’t quite identify as a “spirit junkie” myself, I have an open mind, and Bernstein seemed to have some powerful messages.

On the drive up, I tried to visualize the people that would be in this workshop with me, imagining mostly women, presuming they’d come primarily from NYC, but really I had no idea. And I LOVED that I had no idea. I went knowing no one, and spent the 2-hour drive up there jamming out to my favorite tunes and just basking in my alone-ness.

The single most valuable thing I got out of the weekend, and there were many valuable things (major credit to Bernstein – a true example of letting that inner rock star rock it out)- was my newfound love and connection to meditation. Gabby got my ass down on the floor in meditation numerous times throughout the weekend, and for that I will be forever grateful. I have long wanted to have a meditation practice, but I never had made it a priority. It finally is.

The inner guide (or “-ing” as Bernstein calls it) is the wisest guide in each of our lives. The confidence, the authentic self, the authentic voice, the mojo, the fearless spirit, the fire, the passion. It’s right here inside. And meditation is a direct path to hearing it, seeing it, feeling it, and honoring it. Through meditation, the “noise” goes away, and we hear our true, authentic, happy, complete selves. New creative ideas just came flowing into me. Old stale pains were released. Revelations were had. Forgiveness. Releasing.

How did I live before? Where did I find the answers? Same place, but it just took longer, and often harder work of weeding through the noise. Through meditation, that inner voice is given a microphone. It makes finding the answers so much easier. They are right there. With meditation, I am just showing up to listen. Thank you Kripalu, thank you Gabrielle Bernstein, and most of all, thank you self, for listening to your inner guide. She’s a pretty savvy soul, sister.