Permission to Flow

19 - 5 Steps to Follow Your Dharma and Find Your Soul’s Purpose

What would it be like to live and work as your true, authentic self?  What are your natural gifts and talents that are sitting by the wayside?
 
In this solo episode, I talk about 5 steps to follow your dharma and find your soul's purpose.  The idea of following your dharma may seem esoteric and out there, but it doesn't need to be.  It is a path of reconnecting with yourself and working with your natural gifts. It is living a life of authenticity and alignment with who you really are.  I talk about how to discover what your tendencies or gifts are, develop your intuition, and explore your options.  I also discuss the importance of finding gratitude for where you are now and enjoying all the steps in the journey. 
 
Dharma is a Sanskrit term translated to "duty" or "righteousness".  It refers to your Soul's purpose or your true calling in life.  Following your dharma is a path to serving the world through your natural gifts.  My teacher Sri Dharma Mittra often says that it is better to follow your own dharma imperfectly than the follow someone else's perfectly. It is a path of following what is genuinely, authentically yours.  It is being one with your true nature.
 
This topic is very near and dear to my heart. I spent over a decade working in a career that wasn't suited to me and my natural tendencies.  It felt hard and draining to go against my true nature every day.  When I left that world behind I went on a journey to rediscover myself and who I really am and it led me on this beautiful path to discovering my own dharma.  My natural tendencies are building deep relationships and holding space for others to connect to themselves and be vulnerable.  The work I do today allows me to freely express these natural gifts and live in my dharma which has given me so much contentment and meaning.  It is a gift to follow my dharma and an even greater gift to share all I've learned to help others discover their dharma.
 
 
Learn more about Jessica: www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
 
What I discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
4:45 Look for your tendencies
12:04 Develop your intuition
20:14 Explore your options
24:22 Gratitude for where you are now
29:23 Enjoy the journey
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)
 

18 - Life of a Yogi with Sri Dharma Mittra

I am honored to present this special episode of A Way of Thinking.  The guest in this episode is my teacher Sri Dharma Mittra.  We sat down together at the Dharma Yoga Center and shared this incredible conversation that I now have the privilege of sharing with all of you. 
 
We talk about what it means to follow your dharma, how to find steadiness in your practice, and what to do when you feel you've fallen off track.  We also discuss some of life's greatest challenges of attachment and aversion, sickness and death.  We also talk about one of my favorite phrases from Dharma: Everything is Perfect! I hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with a friend.
 
Sri Dharma Mittra was born in Brazil.  He found yoga as a teenager before moving to New York in 1964 to study under Swami Kailashananda also known as Yogi Gupta.  He founded one of the early independent schools of yoga in 1975.  Sri Dharma is the model and creator of The Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures, the author of ASANAS: 608 Yoga poses, the Life of a Yogi Teacher's Manual, and Yoga Wisdom.  He has two DVDs - Maha Sadhana Levels I and II. 
 
Today at 83 years old Sri Dharma Mittra continues to teach via classes, workshops, and the Life of a Yogi Teacher Trainings at Dharma Yoga Center located at 46 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010 on 24th St. and 6th Ave. in New York City.
 
A Way of Thinking podcast is dedicated to the incredible teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra.
 
What we discuss:
 
1:01 Intro
3:41 How to follow your dharma
5:53 Life in the ashram
10:01 Celestial handyman
12:09 Transition from renunciate to householder yogi
15:14 Developing steadiness in practice
16:12 Developing compassion for ourselves and all beings
20:44 Dealing with attachment and aversion
23:34 When you feel you've fallen off the path
25:15 Dealing with sickness and death
28:41 Everything is perfect!
 
Support the Podcast:
If you find this podcast valuable you can support it directly by visiting: https://donorbox.org/a-way-of-thinking-podcast
 
Resources:
 
Practice with Sri Dharma Mittra: www.dharmayogacenter.com
Follow Sri Dharma on Instagram: @dharmayoganyc
Asanas: 608 Yoga Poses
Life of a Yogi Teacher's Manual
Yoga Wisdom
(affiliate links)
Dharma Yoga Center Online Store
 
Books mentioned by Sri Dharma:
Bhagavad Gita (Pocket Edition)
The Dhammapada
 
 
Book a Free Dream Job Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
Learn more about Jessica: www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
 
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

17 - 5 Steps to Take When Things Fall Apart

What if you approached a major life change with conscious effort?  What if you didn't just jump into the next thing that presents itself to you?
 
In this solo episode, I talk about 5 steps to take when dealing with a major life change, e.g. getting laid off or going through a breakup.  These steps allow you to approach the change with your higher consciousness.  It is about choosing how you are taking in your circumstances and how you want to move forward.  It is about moving forward from an empowered place. If this resonates with you, please take a listen.   
 
Learn more about Jessica: www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Resources:
When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron (affiliate link)
 
What I discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
4:07 Taking pause
7:31 Connect to your feelings
10:20 Time for reflection
12:45 What story are you telling yourself
16:45 Reconnect with your dream or vision
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)x
 

16 - The Self-Talk Workout with Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow

Have you ever wondered if you can change your relationship with the voice in your head?
 
That is the basis of the research done by Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow, PhD and shared in her new book: The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head. (affiliate link)
 
In this episode, Rachel and I talk in depth about self-talk - what is it, where it comes from, and how to build better self-talk habits.  We discuss some quick practices like Spot the Success and the one breath mantra, "Inhale my friend, Exhale my friend".  We also go into some deeper meditation and mindfulness practices.  We talk about many common human struggles like how to feel like you're doing enough and how to handle difficult emotions. 
 
This episode is packed with so many amazing research-backed strategies to build up your positive self-talk muscles. 
 
Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow, PhD is a mindfulness and compassion teacher, a clinical psychologist, a research scientist specializing in self-criticism, and an adjunct professor at Seattle University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.  She is the author of The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head.  She is based in Seattle, Washington. 
 
If you are in crisis, please contact 988 for voice or 741741 for text for support.  
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
2:11 Defining Self-Talk
4:29 Self-Talk Influences
7:11 Negativity Bias
8:22 Self-Criticism vs. Self-compassion
13:08 Rachel's Self-Talk
17:10 Benefits of Meditation
22:56 Mindfulness practice
25:42 Inhale my friend, Exhale, my friend
28:55 Building positive habits
31:50 Students' experience in 4 weeks
34:43 Rachel's experience with the self-talk workout
37:06 Quieting the voice of judgement
44:17 The feeling of doing enough
48:58 Motivation and confidence
55:10 Handling difficult emotions
1:02:23 Message to anyone in crisis
1:03:41 Final questions
 
Support the Podcast:
If you find this podcast valuable you can support it directly by visiting: https://donorbox.org/a-way-of-thinking-podcast
 
Learn more about Rachel: www.rachelturow.com
Link to Rachel's book: The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head (affiliate link)
 
Learn more about Jessica: www.jessicahwangcoaching.com
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: Book Here
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

15 - Liberation From Burnout with Azad John-Salimi

In this episode, Azad and I talk about all things burnout.  He shares his own experience as someone who burned out twice, and exited and re-entered his profession twice.  He talks about his passion for helping others who are experiencing burnout to take the steps needed to reclaim their dignity and liberate themselves from the cycles of burnout.  We also talk about workplace culture and the various ways it is causing so many people to burn out.  Azad also shares some great tips on burnout prevention, rest and recovery, and meditation. 
 
Azad is the founder of Tipping Point Coaching, which focuses on liberation from burnout, exiting the rat race, and helping you take your time and your life back.  He is also an Urgent Care Physician and is based in Brooklyn, New York.
 
If you are experiencing burnout, please tune into this episode and book a free discovery call with Azad at the link below.
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
1:39 Defining Burnout
2:59 Azad's Burnout Experience
7:33 Work Culture Promoting Burnout
9:36 Breaking away from the Productivity Monster
12:44 Shame Associated with Burnout
14:14 Effects of Toxic Masculinity on the Workplace
18:47 Burnout prevention
21:29 Recovering from Burnout
25:43 Rest as Resistance
29:00 How Do You Define Rest
32:19 Continuing to Work Where You Burned Out
39:21 Making small changes
43:44 Meditation as self-care
47:55 Final Questions
 
Resources:
Brené Brown
Tricia Hersey - The Nap Bishop
 
Follow Azad on Instagram: @tippingpoint.coach
Learn more about Azad: http://tippingpoint.coach
 
Book a Free Discovery Session with Azad: https://calendly.com/tippingpointcoach/discoverycall
 
 
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching 
 
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: https://bio.site/jessicahwang
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

14 - Living to Your Full Potential with Eric Ferguson

In this episode, Eric and I talk about what Full Potential Living means to him.  We talk about the feeling of "F**K YES"! when you're moving in the direction of your dreams.  Eric shares his journey from coaching athletes in a good but unfulfilling job to now moving in the direction of his dreams. We talk about the Lifebook program that connected us.   We also talk about the importance of travel and seeing the way other cultures live.  We end with some goofing around and reminders to not take ourselves too seriously. 
 
Eric is a former athlete turned personal coach.  He is an enthusiastic world traveler and hosts the Full Potential Living Podcast. He is based in Denver, Colorado.
 
 
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend.
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
2:02 Starting with Lifebook
6:55 Life after Lifebook
8:49 Struggles before Lifebook
14:10 Full Potential Living Podcast
21:50 Benefits of Travel
27:10 Full Potential Living
39:30 Pumpkin Jam
40.48 Laughing at Yourself
44:16 Looking Back at your Life
46:20 Final Questions
 
Follow Eric on Instagram: @full_potential_living
 
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
 
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: https://bio.site/jessicahwang
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

13 - Nourishing Your Mind, Body, and Soul With Pam Jones

In this episode, Pam and I talk about her journey starting in dance and then fashion and ultimately yoga.  She shares many beautiful stories of her learnings over the years with Sri Dharma Mittra.  We talk about her love for vegan cooking and her vegan workshops - including vegan pies and tarts!  We also discuss her latest venture working at Ayurprana and Ashville Yoga Center.
 
Pam is a senior Dharma Yoga teacher, a mentor for the Life of a Yogi teacher training program at Dharma Yoga Center, a vegan chef, and is part of the faculty and leadership team at Ayurprana and Ashville Yoga Center.  She is based in Ashville, North Carolina.
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
1:50 Growing up as a dancer
6:24 Moving into fashion
8:04 Finding yoga
17:13 Struggles in the dance world
20:43 Going against cultural norms
22:51 Transitioning to full-time yoga teacher
26:15 Lessons from Sri Dharma Mittra
33:31 Vegan cooking
43:03 Ayurveda
50:02 Relationship with Andrew, a fellow Dharma Yoga teacher
59:46 Working for Ayurprana
1:05:02 Being away from your guru
1:10:14 Watch your thoughts
1:17:48 Final questions
 
Resources:
Sri Dharma Mittra - www.Dharmayogacenter.com
The Book of Dharma by Simon Haas (affiliate link)
Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing: A Practical Guide by Dr. Vasant Lad (affiliate link)
 
 
Follow Pam on Instagram: @karmacoco 
Check out Pam's website: www.karmacoco.com
Check out Ayurprana offerings: www.liveayurprana.com
 
 
 
Follow Jessica on Instagram:  @jessicahwangcoaching
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: https://bio.site/jessicahwang
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)

12 - Courageous Living With Jessica Hwang

In this episode, I am turning the tables and handing hosting duties over to my friend Zao Yap.  She interviews me and we discuss everything from self-love to courage to creating better habits.  I open up about the struggles in my life and what led me to quit my job and start podcasting and coaching.  I talk about relationships and how I shifted my own way of thinking to more self-love and self-compassion.
 
When I first created the A Way of Thinking podcast, I had the intention for it to mainly be about my journey and the changes I made in my own way of thinking.  By the time I was ready to start recording fear had taken over and I shifted to just interviewing others.  Now I'm finally coming back to this initial idea and sharing my own story. 
 
It's scary to be vulnerable, but if there's anything that I have learned on this journey it is the power of stories.  So here is my story.  I hope it can inspire you to find self-love and self-compassion and courageously move in the direction of your dreams. 
 
Book a Free Self-Love Discovery Session with Jessica: https://bio.site/jessicahwang
 
What we discuss:
 
0:00 Intro
1:08 Where the journey begins
6:21 Self-love and self-compassion
12:49 Finding courage to step off the traditional path
16:12 Everyone trying to best they can
18:11 Why I created this podcast
23:22 Self-doubt
24:50 How to create change in your life
28:44 Shifting to more positivity
31:18 Self-love as a relationship ends
35:41 Self-forgiveness
36:56 Going against societal norms
55:14 Health & life coaching
1:01:52 Habits
1:03:18 Self-forgiveness
1:06:43 Final questions
 
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching
Follow Zao on Instagram: @atribecalledindigo 
 
 
Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)