Becoming Me

Episode 139 

In this episode, I address a thought-provoking question from one of my subscribers who asked how can we experience the unconditional love of God. I delve into the concept of embodied spirituality, underscoring the indispensability of involving our entire being—body, senses, and soul—in our spiritual journey to connect with God's love more authentically.

I share practical methods to engage with God in daily life which serve as pathways to recognise and feel His presence more tangibly. Moreover, I distinguish between feeling loved by God and truly soaking in His unconditional love. I discuss the significant role of psychological healing in experiencing God's love, highlighting techniques like inner child reparenting and the Internal Family Systems theory for deeper self-acceptance and love.

I conclude by inviting viewers to embrace living the questions of their spiritual journey, focusing less on the unhealed parts of themselves and more on remaining attentive and responsive to God's ongoing presence and invitations to healing in our lives.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Have you asked God to let you experience his unconditional love? Do you do so regularly? (It is perhaps the simplest and most important prayer for our healing and integration journey!)

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Episode 138 

In this personal narrative, I discuss my journey as a recovering complex trauma survivor, grappling with a deep-seated fear of criticism, judgment, and rejection, and how these fears intersect with my faith and my walk with Christ.

I explore the concept of interior integration and the realisation that my fear of criticism was not just about a lack of faith, but a signal of deeper issues stemming from complex trauma and a lack of secure attachment with both myself and God.

This sharing highlights my shift from viewing my fears through a purely spiritual lens to embracing a more integrated approach that incorporates psychological insight. I reflect on the importance of establishing boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, and adopting an embodied spirituality that brings healing to our relationship with God and ourselves.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Introduction
02:10 Spiritual vs. Integrated Approaches
06:57 Healing Through Integration and Boundaries
19:51 Overcoming Fear of Criticism
22:52 The Power of Love and Secure Attachment

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Are you very easily affected by praise or criticism too? What new perspective from this episode did you find helpful in your struggles with fearing criticism?

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Episode 137 

In this episode, I delve into the journey of personal vocation discernment across different stages of faith, inspired by the book 'The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith'. I share my insights on how our inner journey and the process of discerning our personal calling evolves from the initial stages of discovering God, moving through discipleship and productivity, to questioning, doubt and interior wrestling, and finally towards a deeper integration and living out our vocation.

Watch this recording on YouTube.
Book: The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my newsletter Begin Again for written reflections about the interior journey.

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
How have you been approaching the discernment of your personal vocation? How has this episode given you new insight to your own journey and experience of discernment?

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Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

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Leave a Review:
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Bonus Episode 136

In this episode, I share some updates as my subscriber count has grown across various platforms. Whether you're new to my content or a long-time follower, I introduce myself, my journey, and my mission behind creating content to support the interior integration journey of deepening intimacy with God and psychological and emotional healing.

I discuss the integration of intellectual and relational dimensions of faith, my personal experiences, and how they shape my content. I'll also provide updates on future content consolidation, my evolving journey, and why there might be a slower pace of new content in the near future. Your support and prayers during this time mean a lot to me. Let's continue this journey together!

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Support the show

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Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

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Leave a Review:
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Episode 135

In this episode, I delve into the transition many of us experience from spiritual fervour to spiritual maturity, especially during deep healing and integration. I discuss the differences between these stages, focusing on their characteristics and how we respond to suffering.

By sharing my personal experiences and insights into the stages of faith development, I aim to reassure you that losing initial spiritual passion is a natural part of maturing in faith. Join me as I offer a  look at how this journey helps us love more like God does. I hope this gives you hope and a new perspective on your spiritual path.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Midlife Crisis
05:05 Personal Journey Through Spiritual Crisis
06:40 Discovering New Ways to Connect with God
10:31 Navigating Spiritual Desert and Rediscovery
18:19 Encountering Spiritual Midlife: A Turning Point
21:22 Exploring the Midlife Spiritual Journey
22:28 The Critical Journey: Understanding Spiritual Midlife
23:59 The Wall: The Place of Crisis
24:50 Integration and Healing: The Core of Spiritual Midlife
28:44 Seeking Support and Resources During Spiritual Midlife
38:07 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Support
40:09 Embracing Uncertainty and Transformation
41:16 Finding Your Path and Support in Spiritual Midlife


TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Do you struggle to make an authentic self-gift of yourself without abandoning yourself? Where might you have learned that abandoning yourself is a good thing? Are you open to changing your mind and believing that it is authentic self-gift that Christ is inviting you to make?

Support the show

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Social Media:
Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.

Newsletter:
Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

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Leave a Review:
If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

Episode 134

Join me in this candid episode as I engage in a heartfelt conversation with trauma-informed and somatic-trained Catholic spiritual guide Edwina Yeow, founder of Anam Cara Ministries (Singapore). We delve into the deep connection between trauma, spirituality, and our relationship with God. Edwina, a seasoned Catholic spiritual director with 30 years of experience, shares invaluable insights on integrating spiritual direction, psychology, and somatic awareness to address trauma’s impact on our relationship with God.

We discuss the importance of involving the body in spiritual healing and the role trauma plays in shaping our religious scripts. This episode encourages a spirit of curiosity towards healing, self-love, and deeper intimacy with God through a trauma-informed perspective.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my newsletter Begin Again for written reflections about the interior journey.

RESOURCES
Edwina Yeow's website.
Other episodes with Edwina Yeow

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Which part of this conversation resonated with you the most? What could God be inviting you to ponder with him in your heart about the fears you have of losing his love for you?

Support the show

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Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.

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Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

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Leave a Review:
If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

Episode 133

In this episode, I share my personal experience with spiritual midlife crisis.

I share about the difficult and transformative phases of my journey, including moments of doubt, deep introspection, and the deconstruction of my previously held beliefs and practices. Through this challenging journey, I discovered crucial resources that guided me to understand the stages of faith development and the significance of the 'Wall', a pivotal point in one's spiritual midlife.

I emphasise the importance of integrating one's emotional and spiritual aspects and the crucial role of seeking support through spiritual direction and psychotherapy.

Resource:
The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr
When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions by Sue Monk Kidd

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
See episode page for more details.

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
How have you experienced God's grace in moments of difficulty? In what ways do you need to trust that His grace is sufficient for your current challenges? Are there moments when you feel like you can’t keep going? How can you show yourself compassion during these times, knowing that it’s normal to feel this way? Remind yourself of God's compassion when you're feeling discouraged and trust in God, even when others don’t fully grasp what you’re going through.

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Episode 132

In this episode, I introduce and share reflections from “The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith," by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich. This remarkable resource opened my eyes to the stages of faith development, reinforcing the crucial role of experiential learning and integrating emotional healing with spiritual growth.

I share insights from each of the six stages described in the book, weaving in reflections on my own progression and the introspective challenges encountered, especially the profound impact of confronting 'The Wall' in Stage 4.

My aim is to offer solace by sharing my story and insights on navigating the complex landscapes of faith, hoping it will resonate with others on their own spiritual journeys, encouraging them towards embracing their path with understanding and compassion.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00:22) - Introduction
(00:00:59) - Resource Introduction
(00:02:05) - Discovering "The Critical Journey"
(00:05:05) - Stages of Faith Development
(00:13:50) - Stage 1: Recogition of God
(00:15:09) - Stage 2: Life of Discpleship
(00:17:34) - Stage 3: The Productive Life
(00:22:13) - Stage 4: The Journey Inward
(00:35:06) - Stage 5: The Journey Outward
(00:38:30) - Stage 6: Life of Love
(00:48:13) - Final Thoughts
(00:49:24) - Conclusion

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Reflect on your own journey towards healing and integration. How has your awareness evolved over time? Consider how your ability to serve others has changed. Who are you best able to support now compared to the past? Recall moments when you felt truly seen and understood in your struggles. What made those moments significant?

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Episode 131

In this episode, I share my personal journey from having a disembodied faith, which was largely intellectual and disconnected from my emotional and physical experiences, to developing an embodied faith that integrates my beliefs with all aspects of my life. I delve into what disembodied faith means, why many of us experience faith this way, and the transformative process towards embodying our faith.

Through my own story of interior healing and integration, I highlight three key signs that indicate a shift towards a more incarnate, lived faith, emphasising the importance of embracing the messiness and challenges of this journey. The goal is to offer hope and understanding for those on the path to a more holistic and authentic experience of faith.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00:25) - Introduction
(00:03:52) - What is "Disembodied Faith"?
(00:10:47) - Why is our Faith Disembodied?
(00:15:27) - Three Signs of Disembodied Faith
(00:15:36) - Preoccupation with Understanding the Content of our Faith
(00:17:13) - Discrepancies Start to Bother Us
(00:19:39) - We are more Drawn to People in Touch with their Humanity
(00:21:06) - You can't Force on Yourself the "Right Thing"
(00:24:09) - Befriending our Emotions
(00:27:31) - Not being Afraid of Criticism
(00:30:42) - Secure in Love
(00:40:00) - Conclusion

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Do you struggle to make an authentic self-gift of yourself without abandoning yourself? Where might you have learned that abandoning yourself is a good thing? Are you open to changing your mind and believing that it is authentic self-gift that Christ is inviting you to make?

Support the show

SUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORT

Social Media:
Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.

Newsletter:
Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

Support the Show:
Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)
One-time Donation

Leave a Review:
If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.

Episode 130

In this episode, I share my deep personal reflections on what it means to lay down my life in alignment with Christ, but without feeling lesser for it. Growing up in an enmeshed family system with rigid expectations of selflessness, ingrained through my Catholic upbringing, I faced challenges in understanding genuine self-sacrifice.

I discuss the subtle yet critical difference between self-abandonment—a state that breeds resentment and diminishes self-worth—and genuine self-gift which is free and joyful, enriching both myself and others.

My aim is to guide listeners on a path towards emotional health and authentic self-giving, highlighting the impact on family, faith, and self-perception of our ability to love authentically.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Introduction: Reflecting on Self-Sacrifice and Authentic Living
00:37 Exploring the Roots: Family, Faith, and Self-Perception
01:35 The Struggle with Self-Abandonment and Seeking Approval
04:45 Discovering the Difference: Self-Abandonment vs. Self-Gift
07:38 The Journey Towards Emotional Health and Authentic Self-Gift
11:15 Understanding Self-Abandonment: Signs and Consequences
19:36 Embracing Self-Gift: The Path to Freedom and Joy
28:44 Conclusion: The Power of Authentic Self-Gift and Healing

TRANSCRIPT
Available here.

REFLECTION PROMPT
Do you struggle to make an authentic self-gift of yourself without abandoning yourself? Where might you have learned that abandoning yourself is a good thing? Are you open to changing your mind and believing that it is authentic self-gift that Christ is inviting you to make?

Support the show

SUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORT

Social Media:
Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.

Newsletter:
Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.

Support the Show:
Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)
One-time Donation

Leave a Review:
If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.