Illuminated Soul with Craig Westhoff
By Akouo Missions
Illuminated Soul with Craig WesthoffJul 28, 2021
Ep. 152, Last Words and the Ultimate Practice
Ep. 151 Last One of 2023!
Ep 150 FLASHBACK EPISODE! (Ep 82)- Advent for the Weary Soul
Ep. 149 This One Question Is Setting Me Free
Ep. 148, Rest For My Soul: A Meditation
Ep. 147, 2 Simple Ways to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Ep. 146, A Unique Way to Deal with Internal Accusations
Ep. 145, A Much Needed Reminder Every Morning
Ep. 144, Expressing vs. Releasing Emotional Hurt
Ep. 143, Emotionally Overwhelmed? Keep Your Seat!
Ep. 142, Weary? Could Be Because of This
If you’ve found yourself inexplicably weary lately it could be the by-product of an unassuming source. Let’s dive into what that source is and how to respond well to this possible source of weariness that can sneak up on us from time to time.
Ep. 141, Stressed? Anxious? This 10 Second Exercise May Calm Your Mind
Research has shown that this simple act can lower levels of anxiety and increase greater psychological well-being. And it can work in as fast as 10 seconds!
Ep. 140, A Primary Cause of Unhappiness
In this episode we'll examine a primary source of unhappiness and the cognitive distortions
that fuel it.
Ep. 139, The Emotional State of Offense
It's easy to get or feel offended, but when we see it as a specific emotional state that we actually have more control over than we realize, we will find ourselves alleviating much unnecessary anguish we inflict upon ourselves.
Ep. 138, Alone In Your Pain? Try This
Enjoy this simple statement that has helped me to a greater degree to remain calm and peacefully present in the midst of emotional and mental overwhelm.
Ep. 137, The Body Scan
Have you ever considered that God loves the idea of you having a physical body? And do you realize that this body you've been gifted is for you... not against you! In this episode I share a simple practice to help you find just a little more internal freedom and relief.
Ep. 136, The Teacher Named "What Is"
Here's another take on embracing and being present to the present moment, the only moment you have, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
Ep. 135, Habitually Self-Critical? Try This!
A common reason for stress can actually be habitual self-criticism. If you can relate, this breathing-exercise may serve you well.
Ep. 134, Becoming a Healthy Receiver
Ponder this statement. It could give you a different perspective on life!
Ep. 133 Acknowledging the Presence of Loss
Feeling low? Dark cloud hovering? A bit overwhelmed? What is what you're experiencing is a felt sense of loss? Let's bring this loss out of the shadow.
Ep. 132, A Creative Way to Greet Each Moment
What if you greet each moment with these 4 words? Could be just the thing for a rich life in 2023!
Ep. 131 A Simple Cure for Sadness (The LAST EPISODE OF 2022!!!)
Enjoy this simple cure for sadness.
Ep. 130, A Simple Way to Effectively Reduce Depression
Research confirms that this simple practice effectively increases happiness and reduces depression!
Ep. 129, 3 Primary Components of Well-Being and Happiness!
3 Primary Components of Well-Being and Happiness!
Ep. 128, The Christ Cycle of Life
What if the life that Jesus lived on this planet reveals a cyclical pattern of life for us to be aware of? And if forgotten, will only increase our pain and suffering all the more? Sidenote: In this episode I suggest the wrong supplemental episode. Instead of 125 it should be Episode 122 ;-)
Ep. 127, The Power of Boring
You won't believe what a counselor friend of mine declared in the middle of a counseling session with one of his clients! At first the client was offended, and then liberated. Often times that is the case. Get ready to experience a simple and powerful practice to benefit your emotional, mental and spiritual health and well-being!
Ep. 126 Let Your God Love You: A Meditation
What if much of our emotional and mental pain and torment that we can experience in life is simply due to us not letting God love us just as we are?
Ep. 125, Acknowledging God's Hidden Presence
God is always present, but if I'm honest, I can often feel like and even believe the lie that He's not. Together, let's learn to acknowledge God's "hidden" presence.
Ep. 124, The Power of Praying THIS!
Today I have for you a power packed one-word prayer to help us meet the moment as it is instead of resist it and incur emotional and mental anguish.
Ep. 123, The Ancient Art of Remembering
We are an easily forgetful people. Depression, anxiety, being emotionally overwhelmed can cause us to become forgetful; forgetful of God's constant presence and action within us. In this episode I share a simple practice I like to call The Ancient Art of Remembering!
Ep. 122, Reach the Attainable Measure of Peace of Mind
There is a primary teaching Jesus has given us that is designed to keep us in the present moment, avoid wounding our souls, and keeping peace of mind. On one hand it's simple. On the other hand it's extremely challenging! But with God... all things are possible!
Ep. 121, Centering Prayer
Remember the previous episode about our emotional programs for happiness? THIS episode features one practice to help free ourselves from the grip of these programs. It's simpler than you think, and will be more challenging than you realize ;-)
Ep. 120, Emotional Programs for Happiness
Where do you go to and what do you find yourself doing when you feel a lack of peace and happiness? There is a deep drive in all of us to ensure we remain peaceful and happy. And that deep drive is something we are often unaware of. It's like a hidden program that kicks in to gear to direct us to what we want. Today, let's become aware of these emotional programs for happiness.
Ep. 119, "Held Together" - A Morning Meditation.
Mornings can be rough at times. Honestly, I can find myself often waking up to a swirl of thoughts, fears, faulty narratives, and the pressure to pull myself together and get with it. If you can relate, enjoy this short morning mediation that can help center ourselves before we go about our day.
Ep. 118, A Way to Keep Your Soul from Distress
There is a guarantee that distress, anxiety and sorrow will be unavoidable if we ignore a key aspect of self-awareness. Want to keep your soul from distress? Then keep an eye, and ear, on this.
Ep. 117, Summer Re-Run Series!: The Arrival Fallacy (Originally released Aug. 3, 2021)
What if some of the emotional and mental angst we can experience in life is due to the feeling that we should be somewhere else by now? Let's address this Arrival Fallacy and learn to lighten up and relax!
Ep. 116, Summer Re-Run Series!: Trust in the Slow Work of God (Originally released Feb. 3, 2021)
Enjoy this meditation to help us adopt a better pace: the pace of nature; the pace of God.
Ep. 115, Summer Re-Run Series!: A Different Take on Taking Thoughts Captive (Originally released Aug. 25, 2021)
What if some of the frustration in taking every thought captive to obey Christ is in the method we use in taking that very thought captive? The frustration comes from force. There is a better way!
Ep. 114, Summer Re-Run Series!: Holding a Grudge and the Damage it Does (Originally released Oct. 28, 2020)
Let's admit it. It's easy to hold a grudge. It even feels good. But the damage it does to our own souls can be devastating. Let's discover what a grudge is in the first place and how we can better manage this habitual response.
Ep. 113, Summer Re-Run Series!: Overwhelmed? Ask this ONE question! (Originally released July 22, 2020)
Here's a simple and grounding question to ask ourselves when we are emotionally overwhelmed. Calm is closer than you think!
Ep. 112, Summer Re-Run Series!: Meeting Unmet Expectations (Originally released July 1, 2020)
Frustration, and many other negative emotional sensations, are built upon unmet expectations. We are a people of expectation, but often times unaware of this reality. Let's learn how to properly respond to unmet expectations and hold on to hope!
Ep. 111: Wrestling with Want? Ask Yourself 3 Questions
How often I can find myself out of sorts just because I want something. We don't have to wrestle with want and these 3 questions just may help you and me untangle ourselves from the choke hold that want can put on us.
Ep. 110: The Empty P's That Pass for Peace
The very means of peace that the world offers is through a system designed to actually work against your soul's health. Becoming aware of the Empty P's that we habitually gravitate towards will help us become aware of the true peace we have in Christ.
Ep. 109: Litany of Trust
The role of trust is foundational to our emotional, mental and spiritual health and well-bring. May this simple call and response/meditation help us let go and trust Jesus more.
Ep 108: Emotionally Overwhelmed? Ask These 2 Questions
Often times it's the questions that help us understand more than the answers do. If you're emotionally overwhelmed and looking for the right answers, maybe it's best to look for the right questions. Today, we look at 2 unique questions that can serve us well!
Ep. 107: Rewrite That Negative Internal Narrative
It happens to the best of us: reacting out of a negative internal narrative that we create in our minds. On today's episode, I share 5 questions that can help us engage and unravel that negative narrative, and invite a healthier view of reality.
Ep. 106: Facing Change: A Meditation
How are you with facing change? In this episode, Craig leads us through a simple meditation and some questions for self-reflection to help us embrace the inevitablity of change, and respond well to the opportunity of growth that it provides.
Ep. 105: A Fun & Simple Way to Relieve Anxiety!
Anxious? Worrisome? Stressed? Just do this! It's simple. It's free. And it works!
Ep. 104 Becoming Aware, Becoming Whole
In Jesus, what if an invitation we have extended to us as humans is to increase in awareness so that we may consciously respond well to life instead of unconsciously react? In this episode Craig unpacks the meaning of this incredible invitation that we can easily forget to accept.