In the insightful podcast, host Amandha Vollmer and guest Cate Zoltan explore the connections between the physical body and the mind. This conversation explores the journey of self-discovery and healing, led by Cate’s transformative encounter with Matthew Zoltan, whose experiences laid the groundwork for the innovative Undo app. Together, they discuss the importance of recognizing and addressing the patterns that link our physical ailments to broader life challenges. They also dissect the intricate relationship between our emotions, physical experiences, and the external influences that shape our well-being.
Listeners can expect to gain a fresh perspective on meditation, as Amandha and Cate advocate for a body-first approach over traditional technique-based methods. They emphasise the power of natural meditation, which allows the body to guide emotions without the constraints of specific goals or metrics. The podcast also addresses the impact of trauma and stress, underscoring the significance of prioritising mental health by reconnecting with our core feelings. Ultimately, “Body, Mind, and Healing” offers a guide on navigating life’s obstacles, suggesting that fully embracing our experiences/feelings is essential for growth and recovery.
Listen the full podcast over here: Natural Meditation and The Undo App: Amandha Vollmer with Cate Zoltan
Cate’s Introduction to Body-Mind Connection with Matthew
Cate’s journey of self-discovery started with a chance encounter. Dealing with her mental health challenges led her to cross paths with Matthew.
An ex-monk aged between 18-27, Matthew had a unique insight. He saw the hypocrisy within the monastic order, questioned its religious dogma, and eventually, was expelled. Through his experiences in body work and massage, he identified patterns. These patterns revealed how our bodily issues were linked to larger life problems.
This birthed the concept of body-mind connection, which later formed the basis for the Undo app. For Cate, the profound healing she experienced under Matthew’s guidance was invaluable.
Emotion, Body and External Influences
Amandha Vollmer brought a new view on how our feelings and body health are closely linked. She mentioned an interesting point: joyful activities like dancing can help ease body pain, like a sore shoulder. This shows that being happy can help us feel better physically.
She also warned about how external factors can harm our well-being. Positive actions and feelings are good, but bad influences from the outside can hurt us. This balance is important for overall health.
Amandha emphasised the importance of differentiating between various meditation techniques. Many people mistake their perceived feelings for genuine ones. It’s crucial to genuinely connect with our emotions, making the case for a body-first meditation approach.
Nature, Intuition, and Cultural Conditioning
Every entity in nature, including us, looks to function optimally. By aligning with our innate feelings, we initiate a self-recovery process. This inside-out approach doesn’t demand external additions. Instead, it redirects us to our natural system.
While many often seek external guidance due to self-doubt, yielding to this innate direction can reignite trust in our intuition. However, a significant challenge remains: our current societal and cultural influences. They can deeply affect our bodies and our lifestyles.
Addressing Trauma and Feelings
The topic of trauma resonated deeply. Amandha highlighted the coping mechanisms we develop, especially for early-life traumas. Cate’s perspective centred on feelings.
Procrastination, for instance, is a manifestation of avoiding certain feelings. Addressing them, regardless of their intensity or duration, can bring healing. Amandha shared an insightful observation on childbirth. Instead of fleeing from its associated pain, truly feeling the sensations could lead to optimal delivery.
Natural Meditation vs. Technique-Based Meditation
Cate clarified the essence of natural meditation. Unlike other methods where specific thoughts are targeted, natural meditation lets our body guide us. This approach is devoid of goals or metrics. In contrast, methods like Vipassana impose certain constructs. While other methods make you an observer, natural meditation immerses you in the experience.
Understanding Stress and Prioritising Mental Wellbeing
Amandha delved into an essential discussion surrounding the pervasive nature of ailments stemming from stress. She emphasised that neglecting to acknowledge and address this disconnect can further amplify the challenges we face. Instead of overwhelming ourselves with additional thoughts and concerns, the key lies in reconnecting with our core feelings and emotions and addressing them with intentionality and care.
Final Thoughts on Navigating Life’s Obstacles
Facing life’s hurdles head-on paves the way for healing. Delving into challenges brings clarity, but getting lost in related stories can hinder our journey to recovery. Embracing each experience is the key to true growth.
