The spiritual path takes vulnerability and courage. So does any endeavor in personal growth.

Courage to do what, specifically?

Courage to honestly examine your life, and to realize that the way you've been doing things isn't working for you. In other words, it isn't bringing you constant, lasting happiness.

Also, let's include vulnerability, the courage to ask for help.

This episode is about admitting that you don't have all the answers and asking for help, because help is most definitely available.

You can ask for help in a conversation with a human teacher, or you can ask for it via prayer. Either way, this vulnerability is tremendous for learning to set the ego aside. The ego wants you to think you have all the answers, that you're a rugged individualist who doesn't need anyone else.

How is that working out for you, though?

This episode is a salute and a huge shout out to all of you on the path, who have shown vulnerability and courage and have begun the process we all ultimately go through. It can be scary, yes, especially when we consider that most of us are absolutely not conditioned in our societies to be vulnerable. Showing it requires the utmost courage.

And I thank you for that.

---

Rev. Tomás Garza is a Spiritual Teacher, Coach, and SolePath Certified Mentor. He is also a bestselling Author. As a longtime meditator and student of various world spiritual traditions, he enjoys offering people a safe and powerful space for taking a deep dive with themselves and healing the illusion of separation. What else? He and his wife Cindy love hiking, heat, and poolside coffee. They live in Surprise, Arizona.

For a glimpse into serious vulnerability and courage from an all-male cast, pick up your copy of Find Your Voice, Save Your Life 4: Transcendent Men, Real Stories, available now in paperback and ebook!

https://tomasgarza.com

---

Here's to vulnerability and courage on the path! Blooming barrel cactus, Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Yes, that's right. The theme of this episode is chill, calmness, relaxation, and being a chilled-out human. Fun!

I offer this short episode in response to a frequent question. It goes like this: "Dude, how are you so chill? I mean seriously, how is it that you're so relaxed?"

The very first thing I can say is that, well, I just am. Now, how can you be more relaxed in your life, and what are the benefits to you if you are? That's the more important question.

This conversation is all about you. Even if your day isn't going as you'd hoped it would, how can you bring just a touch more peace and tranquility to your experience?

One thing I invite you to do is avoid comparative reality. Just because someone else, say the Dalai Lama, appears calmer than you are doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. It doesn't mean you're doing life incorrectly. Comparisons don't help us; after all, the Dalai Lama has been meditating much longer than most of us!

What are the benefits of being just a bit calmer? For one thing, relaxation helps all of our physical systems immensely. Emotionally and psychologically, when we take the time for peaceful relaxation we begin to notice a gap between stimulus and response. What I mean by that is things that once caused you to fly off the handle may now affect you less, or there's a longer gap between the event and your response to it, i.e. no knee-jerk habitual reaction. This gap opens up mental and psychological space for you to make a different decision.

Over time, this is huge.

So how do you do it? Meditation is one way, so is a walk outside, exercise, yoga, sitting down to read or listening to music, you name it. The right answer is whatever works for you.

Being chill can really, really help you. I invite you give some thought to how you could bring more peace and calmness to your life, then go out and create it.

Please join me.

[And PS: Please enjoy the Air Force jet flyovers at a couple of points in the recording. I have chosen not to edit these out and hereby offer them to you. The flyovers, which are completely random here in the west Phoenix metro area, happened to be very close to the ground on the day of recording, and presented me with an excellent opportunity to remain chill. Things are not always as we'd have them be. Enjoy!]

---

Rev. Tomás Garza is a podcaster, spiritual teacher and coach, and a SolePath Certified Mentor. He invites the deeper exploration--you know, the vulnerable stuff--and will happily serve as a safe space and guide for this critical exploration.

He and his wife Cindy are avid hikers and lovers of heat and sunshine. Hence, they live in Arizona.

For more information and to contact Rev. Tomás, please visit https://tomasgarza.com .

---

What brings you a sense of calm? Poolside, Surprise, Arizona

When we think of healing in the world, we tend to think of the physical body, the curing of illness, the mending of a broken bone. This indeed constitutes healing. Today on the show, I invite you to ponder another, more expansive definition.

Healing is of the mind. The physical body may or may not follow (though it typically does.)

How do we heal the mind? By allowing it to be healed, by accepting healing for ourselves. In truth we are whole and complete just as we are; we have only to allow this to be. We allow truth to be just as it is.

Please join me for a short discussion of healing and your own power to perform it--yes, your own power.

This will be the first of many discussions on this topic. As always, with questions or comments please feel free to reach out, and to visit me on my website for more information.

https://tomasgarza.com

Thank you,

Rev. Tomás

***

Rev. Tomás Garza is an Ordained Minister of Metaphysical Sciences, Author, Spiritual Teacher, and SolePath Certified Mentor. He specializes in helping people awaken their own healing power for a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment.

He began a meditation practice in the most unlikely place--high school geometry class--and loves hiking, the desert, and beautiful sunsets. He and his wife Cindy live in Surprise, Arizona.

***

Rev. Tomás would love to hear from you. For any questions about this show, topics you would like to see addressed on Decide to Transform, or for further information about his programs and offerings, please email him: tomas@tomasgarza.com

***

Trust that healing is more than you imagine it to be, and awaken your ability to heal. Landscape and sky, Sedona, Arizona