Ep. 122 Finding the Joy in Uncertainty with Vrin Rao
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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).
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 centes 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
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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.
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