her Self: IFS & Spiritual Entrepreneurship

Today I’m sharing a segment of a dharma talk I gave a couple of weeks ago in my online spiritual practice community, Women’s House of Wisdom. This talk was a lead-in to Part 1 of a two-part virtual retreat series I'm leading this fall, called “Preparing for the Darker Months, and Times.” In this series, I'm sharing six teachings, as points of focus to apply and orient around when things feel more murky and uncomfortable and there’s not as much light illuminating our path to know the next steps forward. While I am speaking directly to the energetics of the fall season here, these teachings also apply to you if you’re in the southern hemisphere. At the macro level, they also hold true anytime in our lives when we’re passing through the points in the creative cycle of dissolution and death. Enjoy! ------------------ Join us live for Part 2 of this series in a virtual retreat on Saturday, November 14. Learn more and register: www.WomensHouseofWisdom.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Even when there's a lot going on in our lives, it's important to pause and honor important milestones. Today's SHE Talk does just this. It's a deep, honest interview that I recorded in honor of a few big anniversaries. First, the podcast is 5! I started it in 2015 with a special interview series to mark the birth of my second book. And, yes, the second milestone is that five years ago this Tuesday, to be exact, The Book of SHE: Your Heroine's Journey into the Heart of Feminine Power was published. The biggest thing I want to honor today – which is the real focus of today's episode – is that five years ago my own heroine's journey took a...how should I say....unfathomable (!) direction. I've since been warned: "Be careful what you write a book about! You'll need to embody those teachings at the deepest level." I'll leave it at that because today's talk (in which my good friend Emma Teitel turns the tables and interviews me) goes into this in-depth. We cover a whole range of things from: - How we’re structuring our days at this point in the pandemic - Specific things that are inspiring us and helping us through - The nascent steps we’re taking on our anti-racism journeys - My experience working in California prisons last year - The framework of a "Midlife Transition" that I find helpful - And, above all, and key insights from the past 5 years of my heroine’s journey If you've been through a challenging stretch in your life (and who hasn't!), or are going through one now, I know you'll feel some relief in hearing this. Enjoy, go gently, and I'm grateful to be on this journey with you. LINKS: - The Book of SHE: https://www.amazon.com/Book-SHE-Heroines-Journey-Feminine/dp/1608682897/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VM9BSK4C2WCY&dchild=1&keywords=the+book+of+she+sara+avant+stover&qid=1602095664&sprefix=the+book+of+she+%2Caps%2C750&sr=8-1 - Emma Teitel: www.EmmaTeitel.com - Women’s House of Wisdom: www.WomensHouseofWisdom.com - Healing After Abortion (articles): www.HealingAfterAbortion.Substack.com - Interview #1 with Emma, A Candid Q & A About Abortion: https://soundcloud.com/thewayofthehappywoman/54-a-candid-q-a-with-sara - Interview #2 with Emma, My Heroine’s Journey in Business, Life & Love: https://soundcloud.com/thewayofthehappywoman/she-stories-my-heroines-journey-in-business-life-and-loveMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Those of you who have been here for a while will remember that just over two years ago, in July 2018, I published a story, both on my website and here about a harrowing abortion experience I underwent in April 2017. In case you’re interested, my story can be found in episode 53 of this podcast. Episodes 54, 55, and 56 also pertain to abortion. At the time of publishing my story, I was also starting up abortion support circles, to help fill the gaping hole I found in women’s health care when it comes to abortion. There is literally very very little to no adequate support for women when it comes to abortion– both in helping women to decide whether or not to have an abortion. And in how to heal after abortion. It’s not always but often is a complicated process, one that can still haunt women decades later. Two years ago I led a pilot online program on this topic, and, since then, also led in-person abortion support circles. Now, I’m feeling called to take this work deeper and to make it even more widely available, as, once again, a woman’s right to abortion is under great question in this country. Listen in as I share more about this, including a new, free resource I created to help women heal after abortion. Enjoy. And please share this with the women who need it. Links: * http://www.healingafterabortion.substack.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

I’m happy to be here with you, after a long hiatus over the Northern summer here in the United States. Since I last connected with you here, I moved from Santa Barbara, California–where I lived for a couple of years–back to Boulder, CO. I’m settled into my new home here and adjusting to life again at 5000 feet above sea level. It feels good and right to be here. I was packing up and leaving the west coast right as the fires started burning there. I send heartfelt support and care for all who are impacted by the smoke, the fires, the hurricanes, the racial injustice, the pandemic, and the various confluences of all of these factors. To say it’s a lot is an understatement. May today's SHE Talk be a place of refuge for you. This was recorded a couple of weeks ago, on the second day of an online weekend retreat I taught with Shambhala Mountain Center, entitled “Creating a Beautiful Life in Hard Times.” In this particular talk, I address the need to cultivate a particular flavor of wisdom in these times. And to keep looking for ways to create beauty out of limitation. If you’re feeling boxed in or restricted in any way(and who isn’t right now?), I hope this talk gives you at least a glimmer of inspiration. Enjoy.Mentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Grief is taking a more prominent role in all of our lives these days, and if you haven't yet been initiated into its wild and rough ways, you're likely experiencing this, to some degree, right now. This can be confusing, given that we live in a very grief/darkness/death-adverse culture. In light of this, I wanted to share a talk I gave a few years ago in an online course I taught called "Healing from Heartbreak." In it, I share the wisdom grief has to teach us, how we can make space for it in our lives, and the danger of not giving it a seat at the table. My wish for you is that you welcome and surrender to grief so that it can become a powerful ally on your journey. If you'd like to go deeper into this, I'm offering the entire "Healing from Heartbreak" online course for 50% off at www.TheWayoftheHappyWoman.com/store And our next live community offering is a virtual yoga & meditation retreat on Saturday, May 9 on the topic of the Divine Mother. To learn more and join us, visit www.WomensHouseofWisdom.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Today's talk is a recording from one I gave on the morning of New Year's eve this past year at a women's retreat I led at 1440 Multiversity. In it, I share how healing ourselves, our lives, and our world, is a creative act. This process of "mending" ourselves into wholeness is an art form that requires courageously weaving together all the different parts and pieces of ourselves. It requires acknowledging and resolving inner and outer conflicts, for these very conflicts are both the ground for our healing and our path forward. Enjoy and many blessings! You're also welcome to join me and our community for our next virtual retreat, on Saturday, May 9. This month's theme is "Calling on the Divine Mother." You can learn more & join us at www.Women'sHouseofWisdom.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Hello friends, I wanted to share with you a short talk today on Wake-Up Calls, mostly to offer a chance for you to think/reflect more on how this time serves as a "wake-up call" for you to live a more honest, sovereign life. And for those who want to dive into this topic more with me and our community, I'm leading a virtual retreat this weekend (Saturday 4/11 10am-1pm Pacific) in Women's House of Wisdom. To be accessible to all right now, the retreat is pay-what-you-can. You can learn more and register here: www.WomensHouseofWisdom.com In either case, I'm wishing you and your loved ones much strength of heart.Mentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Here's the recording from our second community call held earlier this week, where Sara shares ways to draw on deeper levels of support during these trying times. May this be of support! If you'd like to join Women's House of Wisdom, the online women's practice community (pay-what-you-can & the first virtual retreat is Saturday 4/11), you can do so here: www.WomensHouseofWisdom.com And to learn more about Sara and her work, visit www.TheWayoftheHappyWoman.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

This evening, as rain drizzles outside, the wisteria in my garden reveals its buds, and the first case of COVID-19 was just reported here in Santa Barbara, I feel deeply called to write to you. I've been holding this community – and our entire global family – in my heart. (I also want to acknowledge that it's been just about a year since I last published a podcast. I've been on a sabbatical of sorts since then, changing and living a lot, as I imagine is true for you too!) And...here we are. Amidst all the fear and uncertainty, let us remember that THIS is what we've been practicing for. THIS is our collective time in the chrysalis, transforming together from the caterpillar to the butterfly. THIS is the time to ground yourself, open your heart, stay present, use all your tools, and dance with the unknown. THIS is the time to turn from me to we and to choose love over fear. Moment, by moment, by excruciating moment. THIS is it. Let's look more deeply into the opportunity presenting itself. This week, the whole world is entering into a retreat of sorts. The pendulum is finally swinging from productivity, pushing, and profits to reflection, relationships, and rest. While this extreme shift can be inconvenient and scary, it's also a tremendous opportunity for growth and healing. I speak more about this opportunity and challenge, and lead us through a meditation and some energy practices that I'm finding very helpful right now. May this be of benefit!Mentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad

Today's talk comes from a recent Facebook Live class I taught on "Essentials for a Daily Practice." A daily practice doesn't need to be strict and mechanical. Rather, it can feel supportive, like seeking the solace of a good friend. In this class, I share essentials of an effective, nourishing (and doable) daily practice. This is a potent time of year to rekindle our passion for our practice. Plus, the world is calling us to more-- and that more isn't possible without a solid foundation of a serious, daily practice. May today's class inspire you to deepen your inner sight this season. And, if you'd like support, inspiration, and sisterhood on incorporating all of these elements into your life in 2019, registration for my year-long women's spiritual practice community, A Year of SHE, is open for a couple more days! You can learn more and register here: www.AYearofSHE.comMentioned in this episode:her Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Adher Self CEO Early Reg Dynamic Ad