LIFE COACHING:

Coaching is a means used by many people today to achieve goals, establish life purpose, remain on track with their visions and values, and simply hear themselves think and dream. An experienced coach is a valuable mirror in relationship which reflects back with the client about what he or she is saying and relates it with individual beliefs and stories about life. Many times, a coaching relationship is one of the few rare experiences people have to actually listen to themselves reflecting upon their innermost thoughts, desires and dreams for their lives. Rarely today do people have the opportunity to actually experience the space of total acceptance while questioning what they want and sharing about their innermost desires for their lives.

Coaching works because we attract what we believe and we achieve what we think we deserve. In coaching, the stage is set for a person to begin with the end in mind. With that compelling vision, focus and awareness of goals is maintained, and steps are outlined to achieve what is wanted. Quite often, people are only focused on what they do not want and normally spend a great deal of time and thought trying to avoid. In coaching, only positive outcomes and proactive actions are discussed so that the barrier of resistance is removed and replaced with the energy of attraction. Often, remarkable results are achieved, many times even better than what was first wanted.

In coaching, an individual is empowered with intentional choices that come from within. This focuses time and energy on outcomes and removes the focus from obstacles from the external such as impeding relationships, limited resources and past habits of thought and behavior. A good coach does not entertain excuses and will challenge limiting belief systems and negative habits of thought. Many of these habits are so ingrained that an individual does not even realize that their worldview is based upon limiting belief systems. Often all that is needed is an awareness of what is not working with a conscious choice to replace it with what will.

Coaching is proactive and does not allow reactive, stimulus-response, externally-oriented perspectives, which most people have adopted today in our fast-paced, seemingly out-of-control world. Coaching is for those who want to be inner-directed and take charge of life to make conscious decisions about their actions, behaviors, thoughts, values and beliefs. Basically, coaching is a simple process of defining what a person wants and choosing what one is willing to do to get it. Note that the operative term is simple - but that does not mean this is an easy process. That's why good coaches are such a valuable asset to individuals who want to make life better. This often difficult process to self-reflect and make tough decisions is aided by being in relationship with another who has done such work and achieved desired results. This creates the environment of faith and self-empowerment and encourages actions to pursue what is wanted. In coaching, the client is gently held accountable for results and takes responsibility for outcomes so that he or she is rewarded and empowered to pursue the path of continuous improvement in life.

A good coach knows the client has all the answers and gives him or her all the credit for achieving results, which is where the credit belongs. The client does the work; the coach holds the space of knowing that the process is positive and the work is going on for the betterment, even in the face of external obstacles and setbacks. Once again, this is often a person's first experience with such a relationship. Imagine what it is like to be in relationship with a person who only wants what you want and helps create the space in partnership with you that generates the faith and knowing that what is best and positive is being created in that moment by a wise and powerful you!

Coaching differs from therapy and counseling in that it is forward-looking and does not deal with past causes for current issues. Often, people will use a coach in conjunction with a professional counselor to help remove barriers to achieving success. Coaches deal with specifics when meeting with clients to realistically and practically outline steps to achieve what is desired in their careers, personal relationships and overall quality of life. There are many different coaches who specialize in certain areas, so choosing a coach who is right for you is important.

As a certified personal and professional coach, Lea Harper is a generalist and helps the client to focus in on areas that are of initial priority, establish steps to achieve incremental success, which then often leads to a broadening into what a client can do to achieve overall satisfaction and well-being in life. The client does the work; the coach holds the space of knowing that the client has all of his or her own answers, will achieve what is wanted, and will work at an individual pace and in a certain direction in process with inner, personal guidance. Having achieved the ability to function from inner being that creates the space to attract what is wanted from the external, Lea Harper possesses the professional credentials and personal experience to act as a supportive mentor for others who desire to get to know who they really are, what they really want and establish their own path to get there. Clients will often thank Lea for helping them to achieve more of what they want in life, but Lea will always remind them that it was not her, but them, who dreamed the dream, did the work, and accomplished the outcomes. As a coach, Lea is the instrument that allows clients to use her as a clear, positive and encouraging mirror to help them help themselves create a better and more positive future. 

MEDITATION:

Meditation is simply the process of quieting thoughts and relaxing the body in order to become fully present in the moment. Often accompanied with gentle relaxation exercises and a focus upon the breath, meditation is a means to achieve inner peace, access internal guidance and develop better intuition and perspective.

Most people are aware of the benefits of meditation, but do not have a regular practice. By attending meditation groups or gaining individual training and experience in meditation, many people are realizing the benefits of a regular meditation practice. At Allies In Mental Health, individuals and groups are allowed the opportunity to experience meditation in a peaceful setting and are encouraged to develop a practice at home - or even while waiting in the doctor's office or in line at the post office or bank!

Meditation is gaining in wide acceptance and popularity in the West because of the hectic lifestyles most people lead. Individuals who practice meditation on a regular basis find that it allows the space to gain clarity and peace from within despite the hectic appearance of external events.

You don't have to be a practicing Buddhist or a confirmed ascetic to practice meditation. Meditation is becoming much more mainstream and is being adopted by hospitals, nursing homes and in psychological and physical therapy as a means for relaxation, insight and healing.

Meditation is more about the realization of consciousness and "being" than the usual acting and "doing" perspective most people have adopted as their identity and worth in our society today. The benefits of meditation over time are enormous. "As you continue to practice meditation, you may have all kinds of experiences, both good and bad. You might experience states of bliss, clarity, or absence of thoughts. In one way these are very good experiences, and signs of progress in meditation. For when you experience bliss, it's a sign that desire has temporarily dissolved. When you experience real clarity, it's a sign that aggression has temporarily ceased. When you experience a state of absence of thought, it's a sign that your ignorance has temporarily died. By themselves they are good experiences, but if you get attached to them, they become obstacles. Experiences are not realization in themselves; but if we remain free of attachment to them, they become what they really are-that is, materials for realization. " From: Rigpa, "Glimpse of the Day," www.rigpaus.org

Using meditation as a means for self improvement and self realization is a very positive way to gain greater personal insight and inner guidance.