Awaken Your Heart and Soul to Live in the Moment
Q&A with Author Catherine Duncan
Photo Courtesy: Catherine Duncan
Catherine Duncan discusses near death experience and how we can rewire our brain to change fear-based thought into a positive perspective. Catherine's book Everyday Awakening is excerpted this month.
How did your near-death experience change your outlook on life?
I felt the preciousness of life. From facing death as a child, it was another reminder to choose to follow my heart and live fully each day. I felt deep gratitude for being alive.
Have you found that those who have had near-death experiences are not afraid of dying? Do these same people take life’s difficulties and challenges in stride after a near-death experience?
Many people that I’ve met who’ve had NDE share a common feeling of peace with living and with dying. They understand that death is not an end. Many see life’s challenges as part of their life path and opportunity to open and grow.
You have experience with hospice care as a spiritual care provider. In your book Everyday Awakening you write, “Instead, they chose to stay in the present moment, and as they did, their potential suffering became their awakening.” Please elaborate.
I felt the preciousness of life. From facing death as a child, it was another reminder to choose to follow my heart and live fully each day. I felt deep gratitude for being alive.
Have you found that those who have had near-death experiences are not afraid of dying? Do these same people take life’s difficulties and challenges in stride after a near-death experience?
Many people that I’ve met who’ve had NDE share a common feeling of peace with living and with dying. They understand that death is not an end. Many see life’s challenges as part of their life path and opportunity to open and grow.
You have experience with hospice care as a spiritual care provider. In your book Everyday Awakening you write, “Instead, they chose to stay in the present moment, and as they did, their potential suffering became their awakening.” Please elaborate.
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People I companioned in their final days found deep peace and aliveness in the moment, not when they were caught in their busy mind. So many people became teachers on fully living in the moment, even in their final days. I witnessed many people move beyond the identification with their body and live from their soul. Many had a radiant glow about them before they died. And, many felt deep peace.
What is one piece of advice you give family members and friends who want to comfort a loved one who doesn’t have long to live? Walk with them. Share your love with them. Love is the greatest healing balm. |
"So many people became teachers on fully living in the moment, even in their final days. I witnessed many people move beyond the identification with their body and live from their soul." ~ Catherine Duncan |
What do you hope is the biggest takeaway for those who read Everyday Awakening?
I hope that each person who reads Everyday Awakening will experience an opening. A new lens will open – into their heart and soul – and they’ll feel vibrantly alive.
The mind and body are intricately connected. How does negative thinking affect our physical health?
When we get stuck in a negative loop, or limbic loop, it directly impacts our health. It lowers our vibrational energy and triggers a stress response that physiologically increases our heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels.
How does Positive Neuroplasticity training help a person change a fear mindset into a positive mindset?
We can all rewire our brain and create healthy new neural pathways in our brain. Here are the four key steps in neuroplasticity training:
This is how we rewire our brain, by dissipating the fear-based thought and emotion and growing positive new neural pathways in our brain.
Where do you find sanctuary?
With my kids, husband, dogs, Bella and Gigi, meditating, praying, walking, and painting.
I hope that each person who reads Everyday Awakening will experience an opening. A new lens will open – into their heart and soul – and they’ll feel vibrantly alive.
The mind and body are intricately connected. How does negative thinking affect our physical health?
When we get stuck in a negative loop, or limbic loop, it directly impacts our health. It lowers our vibrational energy and triggers a stress response that physiologically increases our heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels.
How does Positive Neuroplasticity training help a person change a fear mindset into a positive mindset?
We can all rewire our brain and create healthy new neural pathways in our brain. Here are the four key steps in neuroplasticity training:
- Identify the fear-based thought and name it.
- Identify the heavily charged emotion and name it.
- Take a few minutes and feel the feeling. It will start to dissipate.
- Grow the good – practice a positive affirmation or go to a positive memory. Marinate with this positive image for a few minutes.
This is how we rewire our brain, by dissipating the fear-based thought and emotion and growing positive new neural pathways in our brain.
Where do you find sanctuary?
With my kids, husband, dogs, Bella and Gigi, meditating, praying, walking, and painting.
Catherine Duncan, MA, BCC, is passionate about whole person healing. Her focus as an integrative spiritual consultant is emotional and spiritual health. With a reverence for the sacredness of life, she companions individuals who are struggling with chronic illness, life transitions, grief and loss, and those searching for more meaning and purpose. In 2016, she founded Learning to Live LLC to guide individuals on their unique journeys.
In her work, she draws on her experience as a board-certified chaplain and certified spiritual director; her training in positive neuroplasticity; and her education in a range of alternative healing modalities.
As a public speaker, she frequently delivers talks on stress and resiliency, self-compassion, self-care and awakening to organizations and companies in person and virtually. Catherine has served as a spiritual care provider with multiple healthcare and hospice organizations. She is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ.
In addition to her professional background, Catherine teaches from her three personal awakening experiences, including a brush with death that opened her gifts as a mystic and intuitive. These spiritual gifts, which include the ability to see spirits, support her work of helping people open into their souls.
In her work, she draws on her experience as a board-certified chaplain and certified spiritual director; her training in positive neuroplasticity; and her education in a range of alternative healing modalities.
As a public speaker, she frequently delivers talks on stress and resiliency, self-compassion, self-care and awakening to organizations and companies in person and virtually. Catherine has served as a spiritual care provider with multiple healthcare and hospice organizations. She is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ.
In addition to her professional background, Catherine teaches from her three personal awakening experiences, including a brush with death that opened her gifts as a mystic and intuitive. These spiritual gifts, which include the ability to see spirits, support her work of helping people open into their souls.
