Published Jan 15, 2024

#339: We’re Afraid to Die, Because We’re Afraid to Live with Koshin Paley Ellison

Zen teacher and psychotherapist Koshin Paley Ellison explores the liberating power of embracing mortality, trauma healing, and the transformative impact of mindfulness to inspire listeners towards a more present and fulfilling life.
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  • Breaking Free

    shares his journey of breaking free from the identity of victimhood. He recounts experiencing severe traumas, including sexual, physical, and antisemitic violence, and how these events shaped his identity for a long time 1. Koshin emphasizes the importance of facing these painful memories to move forward and find freedom 2.

    I was seeing life as if it was like a nightmare and I was still living it out.

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    He explains that acknowledging and exploring these memories, though painful, is crucial for healing and transformation.

       

    Community Support

    Koshin highlights the power of authentic connections and community in the healing process. He stresses the need for 'pips,' or close friends who truly understand and support us 3. These connections provide a foundation for exploring painful memories and finding grounding 2.

    Find your people. Find your pips. Like, find one, start with one.

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    Building these relationships helps individuals feel less isolated and more supported in their journey towards healing.

       

    Embracing Change

    Embracing change and letting go of past identities are essential for personal transformation. Koshin discusses the importance of developing courage to move beyond self-limiting beliefs and identities 4. He shares a story about a woman and her dog to illustrate the power of curiosity and openness in breaking free from judgment and reactivity 5.

    Allow ourselves to dissolve the idea of who we think we are and what we're afraid of.

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    This mindset fosters flexibility and a sense of freedom, enabling individuals to embrace new possibilities.

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