Eddie was in our first MEA beta cohort more than three years ago. We’ve come a long way since then. This past fall, he was one of our MEA Online beta participants.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to interview a few MEA alums about their experience of this past year and the key lessons they’ve learned during the pandemic.

Chip: Eddie, if you were to look at the past year as being BC (Before Covid) and AC (After Covid), how have you evolved as a result of this experience?

Eddie: Chip, before COVID-19, I was preparing for the soft launch of my book, Tea with Mom, on World AIDS DAY, December 1, 2019; - the soft launch gained much praise – then came January 2020. I evolved in a deeper sense of knowing; of “being” and “doing” me – in a nonlinear time…I began to examine my life. The examination has allowed me to recognize the beauty, the grace of living life in the moment; in the now – this evolution has allowed me to ‘let-go’ of those nouns which don’t serve my spiritual well being.

Chip: Your book “Tea with Mom: Spiritual Lessons on Life and Death, and Healing in Bali” is proudly sitting in our MEA Library. How would you sum up the key message of the book?

Eddie: Chip – how cool that “Tea with Mom” is in the MEA library; one which I spent much time meandering through each cover – thank you for placing “Tea with Mom” with so many wonderful authors. The key messages of my book are best shared from some of my readers whose recent feedback serves as the message(s):

• Value of knowing yourself.
• Take a moment to reset.
• Find a spiritual practice.
• Unconditional Love and Forgiveness.
• Deep self-discovery/reconciliation and spiritual/soul healing.
• Hope.
• Approach everything with an Open Heart.
• “If we pay attention and are open, messengers, guides, and/or mentors show up in our lives to journey with us.”
• Writing. Especially keeping a journal and spiritual growth, and transformation.
• An interior life was awakened - one of reflection, prayer, mediation, intention, listening to our inner voice – is a fertile foundation for forgiveness.
• Resilience is a process for one’s personal story, the need for truth and answers to heal, and ultimately unconditional love, regardless of the past
• Focus on what’s soul-motivating.
  
  

Chip: When you finished the MEA Online course in December, you wrote us the following:

“The past eight weeks moving through centering; learning; reflecting and connecting was truly an unknown gift given to myself during this pandemic. What you guys have done is something a bit remarkable and a gift of service to others. Not everyone will have the opportunity to travel to Baja – but many will be able to participate online...My composition/journal book is full of notes and positive prompts to move forward for the new year, and for this, I thank you!”

Now, that you’ve had a few months to reflect on the MEA Online course, what would you say to others who are interested?

Eddie: I would say to others – Let’s Grow Whole, not Old together…. let’s embrace our courageousness; our curiosity in our individual ‘self-awareness’; let’s move through our fear with strength and align with our purpose in midlife; let’s adapt to the ‘newness’ of each day; let’s breath in wholeness; let’s recognize hearts humbleness – collaboratively.

Chip: What gets you most excited for the next year?

Eddie: (He chuckles) …”Gigantic Hugs” is what I am most excited for next year – and bringing my second book to market – while recognizing that the anatomy of a transition is:

• Something Ending (COVID-19/Vaccinations)...
• The Middle Point (Recognizing a redesign is healthy)...
• A New Beginning (Living in a world on your terms and desires)...

...while balancing my purpose, my community and wellbeing.

To learn more about MEA Online, you can read about the next 8-week course starting June 5 here.

Eddie Dobbins is passionately focused on pursuing his dream of assisting others in their desire to ‘integrate’ mind, body and spirit modalities into a way of life, as he continues to expand on his, with mutual benefit intentions. As a certified Life Coach, he enjoys working with dynamic individuals who are committed to identifying and clarifying their inner drives and desires in service to achieving their heartfelt dreams.