Author: Ana Verzone

This week we learn from Native Hawaiian wisdom in the concept of “pau kahana,” which means “the work is done” (most people simply say, “pau hana”).The concept of pau kahana is more than just stating a fact, like “I’m off work now.” I’ve noticed that mykanaka – Indigenous Hawaiian – friends create a very distinct separation between work and personal life. So it’s not just about stopping work, but also engaging in practices that help us release the day’s burdens and shift gears. It’s a holistic mental, physical, and spiritual detachment from work after the workday ends that also allows us to shed the day’s burdens and shift gears. We’ll explore how this Indigenous wisdom is so important in today’s modern society, where it’s so hard to unplug from the demands of a world where work is only a smartphone away. I’ll share lots of helpful ideas to start your own pau kahana practice, including clear boundaries, connection to nature, people, and play.

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This week we talk about how privilege allows us to take risks when pursuing our spiritual path and enlightenment, and how to mitigate that when we don’t have a lot of it. We also explore why privilege is not a guarantee of enlightenment – nor the lack of privilege an insurmountable barrier. I open up about my own privilege and hardships, and give some tips on how those who lack privilege can still proceed on their path with mindful, calculated risks.

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This week is all about exploring our edges – how to know when we’re “at an edge,” and the importance of leaning into the discomfort that comes with them. We’ll also share some tips to help navigate our edges when we come across them… and why it’s 100% worth it to get close to them in the first place.

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In this week’s Episode I share how I managed to build deep and meaningful relationships with spiritual friends after years of feeling alone, and what you can do to find your own sangha – your spiritual community. Plus we’ll jam on the importance of letting go of those who no longer nourish you and your practice… and how to do it.

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In this week’s episode, we talk about why we’re often left feeling impatient, judging that we aren’t doing “enough” on our spiritual path; needing to do things better; more quickly; more intensely. It can be hard to let go of a striving mentality so that we can actually move at the pace we’re meant to. But the reality is that with our practice, we will naturally ripen. Our awakening is INEVITABLE.

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In this week’s episode, we talk about a simple way we can become fully present in the moment we’re in: the Sit Spot practice. I’ll talk about how simply sitting and noticing what’s going on around me has helped me reconnect with nature on an intimate level and renewed how I view my meditation practice, finding freedom and joy in it after months of struggle.

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This week we’re revisiting a classic Rebel Buddhist episode on how to set healthy boundaries. I’ll talk about the difference between a boundary and an ultimatum… and why a lot of us don’t know what each one is. Plus I’ll give you 5 questions you can ask yourself to ensure the boundaries you’re setting are aligned and healthy.

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This week we talk about what we’re really seeking: not just a conceptual idea of the meaning of life (like we’ve all been taught to try to “understand”), but rather a visceral experience of being alive. I’ll dive into how we can find the embodied sense of being alive in a way that aligns with our truth. Plus, we’ll discuss some ways you can incorporate embodiment practices into your daily life.

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In this episode, we talk about what the world – and our lives – might be like if we stopped hiding our suffering. Would it be a sh*t show? Or would our communities and society start admitting we need to take better care of our people and the more-than-human world? I’ll talk about the two things that can lead to healing and transformation and how we can all start making a change – for ourselves and those around us.

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In this episode we take the question of, “What if this is as good as it gets?” and explore why we are having the reactions we do to that question, and what if we allow acceptance of the way things are in order to feel more ease and joy in the present? (and explore our resistance to the concept of acceptance of reality as it is).

This is not about tolerating violations of our fundamental rights and safety or basic quality of life, but rather addressing the fact that when we are constantly waiting for things to be different and striving for that because we think THAT is what will make us happy, we are ironically setting ourselves up for a lot of discontent.

Striving for an external factor – a change in circumstances for happiness.

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