The Sociology of Culture and the Paradoxical Nature of Diversity. Culturally-Infused Practice in Counselling.

Posted on by Chele Yntema
Born from and into relationship, we are - the human race is, anything but an isolated species.  Indeed, there is a universal reality that self-concept and identity are insurmountably enmeshed within ever evolving cultural contexts (Lago, 2005; Lott, 2010; Matsumoto & Juang, 2008; Siegel, 2012).  Yet, it would be foolish to dismiss that this same enmeshment, if not explicitly conceptualised, has the potential to create group and individual levels of segregation and identity disintegration that...Read More
Choices

Choices

Posted on by Chele Yntema
Choices, Choices, Choices... Reading an article yesterday, and today as I came to start writing about meditation  (the what, the why, the science, and the how)  I can’t help to think about the precious gift we have been given in the ability to choose. To me choices are an endowment of autonomy; and yes sometimes it is hard and sometimes there are fights happening within my soul that almost leave me paralysed! Yet at the...Read More
Compassion and Kindness

Compassion and Kindness

Posted on by Chele Yntema
Self care and the intention to cultivate a compassionate space for ourselves first and foremost is not selfish. Without attuning first to our inherent needs for safety, rest, sustenance, connection, and self expression we are unable to attune to the finer qualities of our minds and hearts that allow for unconditional happiness. . And without our own internal unconditional and non judgmental grounded foundations, compassion and kindness for others cannot truly be with purity of...Read More
Self Care – Rest, Recouperate, Rejuvenate

Self Care – Rest, Recouperate, Rejuvenate

Posted on by Chele Yntema
This week I have been reminded just how important it is to rest, to come back to a place where I feel connected and at peace. In winter this place for me is in the rays of light that radiate from the mid morning or afternoon sun. Self care is such a vital aspect of who we are - never forget your own inner value and the innate human need for restorative rest. [content_block id=1189...Read More
Hope

Hope

Posted on by Chele Yntema
I’ve had a bit of an anxiety stirring week, many things not “going my way” - yet as I put some of my anxieties aside and had coffee and a chat with a close friend I realised that even in the mess and chaos, even in my self doubt and internal turmoil, there was still the opportunity to see hope in everyday miracles. Small things, like the glint of happiness in a friends eyes; the...Read More
Peace Within

Peace Within

Posted on by Chele Yntema
"Peace requires something far more difficult than revenge or merely turning the other cheek; it requires empathising with the fears and unmet needs that provide the impetus for people to attack each other. Being aware of those feelings and needs, people lose their desires to attack back because they see the human ignorance leading to those attacks. Instead, their goal becomes providing the empathic connection and education that will enable them to transcend their violence...Read More