Ep. 154 *BEST OF EPISODE* Finding the Joy in Uncertainty with Vrin Rao
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean Stitcher and more!
Happy #SeekTheJoy Tuesday!
On the podcast today is Vrin Rao, an Enneagram Coach and Meditation Teacher.
Vrin works with women and those who identify with the female energy to build strong and healthy relationships with themselves and others. She does this by using the personality framework of the Enneagram which helps us to understand the lens our ego sees the world through.
Vrin is also a meditation teacher and a life-long practitioner of nada yoga (the yoga of sound), japa yoga (the yoga of meditative mantra recitation) and kirtan yoga. She is also well-versed in tantra, chakra meditation, swara yoga (the science of the breath) and yoga nidra (psychic sleep).
This episode originally aired on April 27, 2021 and we can’t wait to share it with you again!
In today’s episode Vrin and I chat about:
Why we haven't been taught how to manage and sit in uncertainty, and the power of holding opposites
The connection between uncertainty, control, and compassion
Becoming more wholistic beings, the three centers of intelligence in the Enneagram, and how the Enneagram can help us navigate uncertainty
Reframing uncertainty as mystery
Why joy can come from uncertainty, Vrin's biggest dream, and so much more!
Today’s episode is such a beautiful conversation, and to say it feels beyond timely is an understatement. My biggest takeaway from my conversation with Vrin is that if we’re able to hold opposites within ourselves and sit with uncertainty and tap in, not only to the thoughts that occur but also the emotions, feelings, and the way in which it sits within our body, we’re able to tap into a wealth of wisdom, information, knowledge that we all hold intuitively.
So much joy can come from uncertainty and we can find joy even amidst uncertainty. How beautiful is that?!
I’m so excited to share this week’s new episode with Vrin, and I can’t wait to hear what you think! Make sure to join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
“My way of looking at joy has changed. Joy and happiness used to be for me these huge, big moments, and rather what I’m starting to realize is it’s actually in the small every day little things. Sometimes uncertainty brings joy.”
“Being taught and seeing the practice of uncertainty modeled can help us understand that the illusion of control isn’t good enough. That actually it’s the realization that I never really have control but what I do have is I have free will, and that is within my control. So why don’t I actually choose to move forward with what I have instead of longing for and trying to grasp for something I may never have any control over?”
Vrin works with women and those who identify with the female energy to build strong and healthy relationships with themselves and others.
As someone who has struggled with discovering her own identity and purpose, Vrin’s focus is on helping others understand what a healthy identity looks like and how our need for identity validation (whether it be in the realm of purpose, career, relationships, etc.,) can help, hurt or block our growth.
She does this by helping to identify our core motivations which are directly influenced by our needs and fears. It is our often unconscious needs and fears that have the potential to spill out in interactions we have with ourselves and others in both the personal and professional settings. By understanding the specific combination of needs and fears we are driven by, we develop greater awareness, understanding and acceptance of ourselves and others.
“What has had the most significant impact on me has been this piece around mystery, it’s the reframing of mystery. I feel like I can approach uncertainty with more openness and I don’t feel so constricted even bodily.”
She incorporates powerful practices such as the framework of the Enneagram, self-awareness techniques, mindfulness and meditation in her sessions.
Vrin is a life-long practitioner of nada yoga (the yoga of sound), japa yoga (the yoga of meditative mantra recitation) and kirtan yoga. She is also well-versed in tantra, chakra meditation, swara yoga (the science of the breath) and yoga nidra (psychic sleep).
She has been a student of yoga philosophy (specifically the Bhagavad Gita) for over 30 years and has taught, mentored and guided newcomers and long-time practitioners in its application around the world.
Vrin founded illuminate.nyc, which offers a holistic approach to living a meaningful life driven by authenticity.
“At least right now, my biggest dream is to really be able to do this inner work in a very grounded, methodical, patient way. I want to do that for me regardless of any other expectation. Not so that I can help people, actually just for me, and then I hope that perhaps my own transformation can be of service to others. I don’t want one to be contingent on the other. I would like to do this because it’s the right thing to do, so that I can show up fully and I can hopefully be one of those people that can have that micro effect.”
To connect with Vrin visit her website www.illuminate.nyc and on Instagram @illuminate.nyc you can find her Free Intention Setting Template here and coming soon! Enneagram Meditations: Get on the waitlist for this four week online course where we will be exploring the Enneagram energies through meditation, journaling, intention setting and prompts here
MERCH: Seek The Joy MERCH is here! Grab your favorite Seek The Joy t-shirt, sweatshirt and mug here
BETTERHELP: Today’s episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. We’re going through challenging times, and we know you’re feeling it too! Now more than ever it’s important we have reliable resources we can turn to. That’s where Betterhelp comes in.
Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist, and it’s easy and free to change counselors if you don’t think the person you’re matched with is a good fit. This service is available for people worldwide too. Betterhelp offers a broad range of expertise in their counselor network. You’ll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions too.
We want you to be able to live a happier, more joyful, and ease filled life, and I’m excited to share that as a listener of Seek The Joy Podcast, you will you get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/seekthejoy.
Join over one million people taking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. better help.com/seekthejoy
NEWSLETTER: Are you on the Seek The Joy List? Subscribe to our newsletter today for our weekly updates, exclusive offers, a look behind-the-scenes, and so much more. Subscribe and get on the list here
YOUTUBE: Seek The Joy is now on YouTube! If you’re on YouTube, we would be so grateful if you subscribed to our channel and shared it with your social circle.
SEEK THE JOY GUIDES: Our guides are LIVE and I couldn’t be more excited! Click here to learn more and get your hands on a little more joy in your life.
RATE & REVIEW: I’d be so grateful if you left us a rating and review on Apple iTunes or wherever it is that you love to #SeekTheJoy! When you do, take a screenshot of your review and send it to sydney@seekthejoypodcast,com and as a token of my appreciation and gratitude for your love and support, I'll send you our brand NEW and IMPROVED #SeekTheJoy Guide for Infusing More Joy into Your Life!
STORIES OF INSPIRING JOY: This series is beautiful and powerful and we want you to be part of it! To learn more and to submit your story, visit the Share Your Story section of our website. Fill out our interest form - and we'll get back to you ASAP.
JOY CORNER: Our interview-style blog series spotlighting inspiring souls, moments that bring you joy, products we love, and so much more. Join our corner of the internet - share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration. Ready to share your light, magic and joy? Get in touch here - a new post in this series goes live on our site every Thursday.
“LESSSONS IN” SERIES: In this new series, we're sharing our reflections on life’s biggest lessons and the joys we find through these experiences - all to create greater connection and community. Every episode features a conversation that will inspire, motivate, and get you thinking- and we can't wait to grow with you. Ready to join us and share a lesson that impacted your life? Fill out our interest form here.
PATREON: We're now on PATREON!! Your support of this podcast means the world. Full of rewards and exclusive content, we can't wait to take this joy journey to the next level. Sing up to be a patron of the podcast here: patreon.com/seekthejoypodcast
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean Stitcher and more!