The exact moment when Psyche drops hot wax on her husbands face... Read on for the full tale.

Psychiatric treatment is of disorders of the mind. But the mind becomes disordered when it is out of sync. with the soul. The purpose of the story of Psyche is to illustrate the 3 stages in the existence of the soul: the pre-existence of a blessed state, its existence on earth with its trials and anguish and the future state of happy immortality.

I leave it to my colleague, a classical scholar, who deals with change management in the corporate world, to tell the story:

Psyche infuriated Aphrodite because people said she was more beautiful than herself. It was this that condemned her and Psyche was forced to jump off a hill as punishment for outshining a goddess but the wind carried her to earth on the instruction of Cupid. Unbeknown to Aphrodite, Cupid had fallen in love with Psyche himself and couldn’t bear the thought of her being harmed. He built her a sumptuous palace serviced by invisible servants and hid Psyche away in this mystical palace on condition that she never saw him and was not allowed to see any of her family and friends. Cupid only ever visited Psyche after dark and told her she could never see him but would have to take it on trust that he was ok. He took her to be his wife on the very first night she was in the palace. Psyche fell in love with Cupid even though she couldn’t see him – it was her experience of him that made her love him.

Psyche missed her family and it was Cupid who granted her the opportunity to see her sisters who he had jump off the cliff and carried to earth by the wind. When the sisters saw the palace they were jealous and even more so when they heard Psyche talk of this mysterious husband. It was this jealousy that drove them to plant the seeds of doubt in Psyche’s mind that she had married a monster and that was why he would never show his face to her.

So one night, she took a candle to see her lover's face, but she dropped hot wax on him and he awoke...

Ascent2change; will you accept the challenge to be your true self?

Can you hear me? I am the self within myself. I am ever present, ever calling, ever waiting to be heard...

Do you need me? I have answers that will help you grow. Wanting to share, wanting to support, wanting the very best for you...

Want to reach me? Then be still. All I ask for is some of your precious time. A keen ear, an open heart and a clear mind...

This is how I perceive my inner voice. It is always there, begging to be heard. It never goes away and it never wants me to suffer. When I take the time to slow down, to be with my-self, I learn things about me that would otherwise go missed. My inner voice tells me how important I am, not just to me but to my family and the wider community. It helps me to focus on all the things that are important to me; not material possessions but a zest for life and a desire to give. It gets me to do things outside of my comfort zone; like moving away from all that I know to be somewhere alien. What a move! I have found a piece of heaven on earth and I delight in my own company whilst making new friends and acquaintances.

If you really want to know who you are, what your purpose is, where your strengths lie and what really makes you tick, then start listening!

It’s okay to take time for you; in fact it is essential...

Yvonne Bignall
Virtual PA Service

We are programmed by past experiences to repeat behaviour patterns - but this can change. If you imagine an indecision; something simple - 'Another extra chocolate biscuit?’, or serious - 'Should I stay with my partner?', it comes down to head vs. heart. The chocolate biscuit will make me fat, and the partner limits me, is a head driven decision; whilst ‘the chocolate biscuit is yummy' and ‘I love him' are heart decisions.

Being true to yourself means being clear what is right for you at that moment; take a step back and see it from a different perspective.

Behaviour patterns too, are head or heart. Emotions come from our mind, whilst feelings come from our centre, think of 'gut feelings'. Our feelings are programmed to react, repeating a past experience. But if you are aware of the process, and notice an emotion coming up, then you can choose what you would like to happen.

If you are weak willed with food, try it. You get an extroadinary positive sensation if you have your hand on the biscuit and then decide to put it back. It is not about denial, but about what you sense is right. Try this: stop, think, listen, hear and choose. Be true to yourself, you only get one body this lifetime.

So my theme this month is integrity: have the congruence of all parts working together providing the strongest motivation, which makes all things possible, I am always aware when I meet some-one who is “walking their talk”. This month it is Claire Burnett of Chococo.

Coming out of a corporate world, and part of an on board team of yacht racing Clare had for a long time a gut feeling that she wanted another life.
And here is the good part: chococo chocolates are fairly-sourced from Venezuelan cocoa beans, combined with pure Purbeck cream and other ingredients, not loads of sugar. Being pure without added sugar, these chocolates are good for you and don’t put on weight! This is truly a gut/good result.
Claire also believes in ethical working practices and putting something back into the community. Hence the location in Purbeck.
I heard her talk at the Women In Business conference where she brought samples for us to taste.
Claire was able to follow her gut instinct: a lot of hard work, difficult times, but well worth it with achievements to be proud of and many awards.
You can order the chocolates here. I wonder what your gut feeling is tempting you towards?

creating your future memories......

As a result of a high level of demand from those who’ve heard me as a speaker, I’m having a motivational evening, a taster of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), to be held in a very convenient location in South London. Who knows this may start a trend!

Do hope you are free to come, and bring a friend.

• Date: Tuesday 5th September
• Place: Goose Green Centre in East Dulwich Rd, easy distance to East Dulwich station
• Time: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Cost: £15 on the night or £10 early bird; bring a friend free
• Cheques payable to: Christrainers
• Post cheques to : Christina, Acorn House, Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR9 6DA
• Phone: 020 8653 7893

...with excitement and anticipation

In conclusion and farewell: obviously this months presuppositions refer to Psyche:

• Every behaviour has a positive intention.



• The unconscious mind balances the conscious. It is not malicious.

Go well in the world..... find a time for yourself, and listen to your inner voice. What is her positive intention for you?

And if possible, forward this to someone who may be free on September 5th.

Best Wishes