November 3, 2022 • 42 mins
A conversation on parenthood, guiding our children’s understandings of meditation, Buddha, and the nourishment of spirit. Mallika Chopra joins the podcast to elaborate on the importance of sharing and introducing our children to the concept of coexisting and connecting with the Universe.
Mallika Chopra is the CEO of Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality.
She is also the author of the Just Be Series – Just Breathe, Just Feel, and Just Be You – a trilogy of illustrated how-to books for children (and the adults in their lives). These books provide simple tools to understand and support social and emotional knowing, resilience, meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection.
In addition to the Just Be Series, her latest book, Buddha and the Rose a simple poignant story about awareness is now available. Follow the link below to learn more about all of Mallika’s writings.
Connect: @DeviBrown @MallikaChopra
Read: Mallika Chopra Books
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
M from grandmothers who whispered in their baby girl ill
two fathers on dimly lit street corners, instructing young soldiers
to always keep their eyes open. You be queen, you
(00:21):
were fired. You will pass through centuries on the hands
of your daughters. They called you wisdom. Proverbs on the
backs of diamond eyed school children who grew into hymnals
recited by amethyst holding urban philosophers who recited neighborhood commandments
out of the windows of restored Alchemedo chariots. To keep
the warmth of their blood. Be wise, be smart, being black,
(00:46):
opal brown courts, bloodstone, and prayer. Be every form of
jim se King told, scribe, scribe, told son, son, told wife,
wife told her daughter, and daughter told the as this is.
And the ancestors told me that you would come to
give wisdom. Thousands. They said you would come dropping Dropping
(01:09):
the Gym. Welcome back to another episode of the Dropping
Gems podcast. This is your soft place to land, where
we ground teachings of higher consciousness and make them so tangible,
so applicable, graceful, and filled with ease for your daily life.
(01:29):
That is always my intention. Thank you for joining us.
This episode is going to be so good. This is
especially such a beautiful episode for parents out there. As
we record, It's actually Halloween and I just finished having
a gorgeous little preschool Halloween parade with my little one.
(01:52):
He dressed up as a waffle, so that was fun.
His one of his favorite foods is waffles. And when
I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween, um,
I said, do you want to be Spiderman? Baby? You
want to be the Hulk Paw patrol that I want
to be a waffle. So I found him a waffle
costume and I was Syrup and I love it. Here.
(02:14):
I am just so grateful for moments like these. So
my heart is so full and expansive with childlike joy
and wonder today. And I am so blessed to have
an incredibly special guest who makes powerful work for a
little ones that really allows us to spiritually grow with them,
(02:35):
to give them tools that are going to guide and
and honor them for the rest of their lives. Today's
special guest is Molica Chopra, the CEO of Choper Global,
a media entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and mama. She is
the author of the Jest b series That's Just Breathe,
(02:55):
Just Feel, and Just Be You, a trilogy of illustrated
how two books for children and the adults in their lives.
These books provide simple tools to understand and support social
and emotional knowing, resilience, meditation, mindfulness, and self reflection. Molica
released her newest book, Buddha and the Rose this past September,
(03:18):
and she an illustrator Naha or what Breathe Life into
this simple but poignant story of awareness, wonder and the
joy of being present and open to seeing the world in.
Molica has taught meditation to thousands of people and it's
currently a mindfulness consultant for the animated series Still Water
on Apple TV Plus. She enjoys speaking to audiences around
(03:40):
the world about intention, balance and living a life of purpose.
Molica has a v A from Brown University and an
MBA from Kellogg Business School and an m A in
Psychology and Education the Mind, Body Spirit Concentration from Teachers College,
Columbia University. Without further I do such an honor to
(04:02):
be blending my world and have my sole sister, an
amazing woman who I admire so deeply. Molica Chopra, Welcome
to the show. Oh baby, I'm so happy and excited
to be having this conversation with you. You are definitely
your soul sister, I am. I'm so excited for so
(04:24):
many reasons, Molica. Like I you know, I have the
pleasure and the privilege of knowing you as such a
multifaceted being who has done so many incredible things and
influenced with mindfulness, with self awareness in so many industries.
But my favorite thing is that I get to reach
out to you for mom advice. And you know something
(04:48):
that and I've shared on the show before. You know,
you have written some really just breathtaking books for making
this work begin to be tangible in the lives of
our little ones. And you're latest book is It has
become one of my son's favorite books. And every time
we look around when we go on our morning walks
(05:10):
and we find flowers. Every time he sees a rose,
he said, is that for the Buddha? Is that for
the Buddha? It is the sweetest you know? Okay, let
me center this because I'm gonna go on and on.
But your latest book is so beautiful. It's called Buddha
and the Rose. It is in stores everywhere and it
(05:31):
is making tangible for young minds and hearts. This understanding.
I feel of God, of the bigger universe of love.
I think to start in ground there. What led you
to write this book in this way? Right now? What
(05:53):
a good question, Dave, and I love that. But he
sees the rosest or the flowers and asks if therefore Buddha.
You know, I grew up in a family where storytelling
was part of our everyday life. So you know, my
father d Puck and my brother got them who's the storyteller?
(06:13):
And you know in our culture UM stories and mythology, UM,
all of these um great sages and teachers. That's just
part of how we grew up hearing these stories. So
this story of Budda and the Rose was always a
story that we heard growing up. And it's a hard
one to actually, um explain because it's really an experience,
(06:38):
which is there was a silent lecture that Budda gave
to his students and he just sat on the stage
and he held a rose, and nobody understood what they
were waiting for him to speak. And actually, in the
traditional story, he was on stage on a platform with
his one of his favorite students, and after a while
(06:59):
and muttering and saying what is he doing? Suddenly his
student awakened to what bud I was sharing with him,
which was that this rose was part of an eternity
that had gone, you know, UM from beyond before it
was a seed through the suns and the skies and
(07:20):
the rains, UM nurturing this seed into a rose. And
then this rose continues to kind of give joy and
connection and love, whether it's through the weddings or the festivals,
or the honey and the bees carrying you know, that
nectar to um nurture um other flowers. And so this
(07:42):
um with the students just had this awakened moment. And
so I have always loved that story. But when I
decided to kind of figure out how to tell it,
I decided to tell it through the eyes of a child.
So I chose Sujata, who you know, was supposedly the
milkmaid who gave the milk to break his fast. I thought,
(08:04):
let's bring some women into this story, UM, and some
young girls, and so I told it through that perspective.
But what I do love about this book and I
love that you know, you've been able to share what
your son is it's the artist actually brought it to life,
because like I was saying, it's kind of a long
story to tell, but the way in which she brought
(08:26):
it to life illustration, the illustrations are striking. It is
so rich and it's so beautiful, and like I love
the page when you're speaking of the honey and the
bees like that was one of my son's favorite pages
to look at and you know, just for us and
that kind of like primal, like we like doing that
(08:47):
sound with each other, So that page was But all
of the illustrations are so striking. Um. And you know
you asked why now, So you know, I've written so
many books for kids, and many of them are very practical,
you know, just breathe and very exercise oriented. But I
think post pandemic, we need some joy and wonder and
(09:11):
just release and so um, that's the kind of why
I wanted to do this now because I felt like
it's more of a book of wonder, UM, and I
do think we need that. You know, when you were
first speaking of the book um and the way that
it unfolds, I felt myself like my eyes got a
(09:32):
little misty because when I reading that book with my son.
Something that felt really profound for me is it was
a reminder of how far I've come on my personal
journey as a woman, as a because in the panda
because in the pandemic um, I remember just being able
to walk outside, I have a little rose bush and
(09:56):
stare at a rose became something that felt like it
was changing and saving my life, you know, being able
to walk outside and look at it. And I was
in this practice of trying to train myself to feel
more joy and that was my means to that. And
so it just it's so breathtaking, you know, this concept,
(10:19):
this way of sharing that with your children, and I
think about, you know, some of the deeper effects, and
I'm going to opinion with all the parental questions that
those deeper effects of like, you know, all of our kids,
they're so trained to say I want this, I want that,
or you know, it's like we're so used to giving
them things or the latest this. And for my son
(10:41):
to feel excited when we go for a walk to
see a flower means so much to me. You know,
for us to be able to have a conversation about
something that isn't cartoon characters, it's not bluey or paw patrol.
You know, I'm able to like he's able to ask
me a question about this flower, and then I can
just talk about teachings of the Buddha. It's like, Ah,
(11:04):
the way that it can ground your ability to share
more love with your child, to share more information that
actually nourishes their soul and not just their imagination, feels
so amazing. Yeah, And I think that's what we can use,
you know, that one experience of looking at a rose
(11:25):
or smelling the flower to think about you. We can
use that to use all of our senses to look
at the colors, the smells, the touch of the pedals. Um,
but then think about like, Okay, what brought us to
this moment. That was the other thing that I just
love about this story. But the concept again, which is,
(11:45):
you know, it takes a million things to happen for
us to experience this particular moment, even this moment of
you and I talking right, Like, everything coincided to bring
us to this moment and so um, and you know
then so anythings can coincide to kind of create the
next moment. So if we can start sharing those concepts
(12:06):
with kids early on, I just think it's a way
for them to feel more connected to the universe, party
to other people, to continue. And so you know, when
you first even ask the question, it's like, it's so
hard to explain what it is because explaining it is
so deep but right, but in that walk with your kid,
(12:26):
that you're experiencing that um in real time, which is
so beautiful, and you know, and and part of nurturing
um him in a sense of safety and security and
connection and love and everything. How did you decide that
this kind of work needed to be grounded and created
(12:49):
for children? Because you've also written powerful books about yourself
and your enlightenment as a woman, You've done so many
things in the world. How what what made you come
into a place of recognizing this need, especially at this
high level, because I feel like a lot of the
things that come out for kids, there's nothing this deep
(13:12):
in this vast well, I think for me, at the principle,
there was nothing planned or strategic like my my book
Living with It did the subtitle is my somewhat messy
journey to purpose, right, So I just want to emphasize
the messy part, Like you know, I find that for
me life has been kind of this windy journey. Sometimes
(13:35):
I feel like I'm on path. Sometimes I'm totally off,
like you know, And so I think even the kids books, um,
you know, an opportunity came for me, um to write them,
which was, um, someone asked me to do it, so
I was like sure, And then I realized, like as
I was doing it, that I had learned all of
(13:55):
these techniques and um, you know when I was a
kid and how important those were for me at different
stages of my life. So I do think that um,
you know, just reading it was this first book that
was the opportunity to share some tips. But then as
I started to think about all of whether it was
the stories or being in touch with our feelings or
(14:18):
asking questions which we do in our chilper meditations are
reflections and intentions, I thought, oh, you know, we really
can share this with kids. And you know, since I
spent a lot of time in classrooms, I saw like
kids love this stuff. They actually love talking about this
stuff and showing you you know how they can do
(14:39):
tree pose and bring together breadth, intention, balance, stillness and
like um in a second, and so um, I feel
really lucky and it's it's really just kind of been
stumbling along with one after the next after the next.
I do a plan. Um, you know, when I wrote
just read, that became a series of books. So there's
(15:02):
just breathe, just feel and just be you. But it
was more like every time I wrote one, I was like, oh,
maybe there's another one. Like and then with the little
kid books, um, my body is a Rainbow is really
an exercise from one of the other books. And then
I was like, oh, I love doing these children's books.
Let's try. But then the Rose. But but then the
Rose is very different because it's not as how to
(15:24):
as the other books. It really is um more of
this conceptual idea which I think hopefully is bringing out
some sort of joy and connection. You mentioned your first book,
and something that that I always like, deeply appreciate um
and has been so meaningful for me on my journey
(15:46):
is both you and your father I beloved deepak Um.
You both speak. You know, It's like I think when
people get in rooms with the two of you, and
I noticed this especially like at our choper retreats, Like
whenever you guys get a chance to be on stage together,
everyone is always just like, oh my god, these enlightened beings,
you know. And it's like, I think people can hold
(16:08):
you and your dad in a way like you're floating
in the air, but both of you are go out
of your way to ground it and let us know
that this journey is messy. You know, you didn't pop
out of the womb in your enlightenment. You know, like
your dad will speak about the fact he was like, yeah,
when I was a doctor, I was smoking, I was drinking,
you know, and you know, you even sharing the messiness
(16:31):
of this journey even with the tools. It's like, I
think it's so powerful because everyone imagines that you are
trying to get to a place where everything is perfect,
and that is never it. It's about amassing the tools
so that you can be still in harmony and regulation
that you can you know, be co creating with what's
(16:53):
happening around you. Yeah, you know, I think it's it's
so funny because I think for my brother and I,
you know, our dads just our dad, like we never
saw him as like something bigger um or you know,
uh in a different way that people look at him.
And we grew up with people like would catch us
(17:14):
like getting a coke from a coke machine and we
were like, we're going to tell your dad, and we'd
be like, oh, it is for our dad. You know.
It was like like there's this perception of mythology that
people like to portray, not just on my father, I
think on on well known figures. Um. And my dad
knows how to play into that wearing his red glasses
(17:35):
and red sneakers and all that kind of stuff. But yeah,
I think it's really important for people. And that's why
I share very honestly about my struggles, um, you know,
all along which continue every day. You know, it is
messy and we're all just trying to do our best. Um.
And I think as women, we have a lot of
responsibilities that go beyond you know, just are kind of
(17:58):
what we're trying to do professionally, Um, you know, taking
care of our elders, our youngers. Are you know finding
any sense of balance? And boy have I struggled with that.
So you know, I think it's really important to build community, um,
with each other, by supporting each other, by being really
honest and authentic. What do you think are some ways
(18:19):
for women? You know, what you spoke to it resonates
with all of us. I don't even know how women
how we do it, how we've done it for centuries,
because not only do we do it all, the expectation
is always that we do it all. And speaking to
that multi generational piece that you just said, it's like, yeah,
we are the ones responsible for the caretaking of the
(18:42):
elders of the children. And then you know just kind
of like maybe hope that one day a year you
get a massage because it's Mother's Day. And it's like, Okay,
it's so absurd. I think you know, for me, what
it's been is being it, uh, taking one step at
(19:03):
a time, recognizing I can't do everything and I have
to set my priorities of what matters most at this
particular time. UM. You know, I wrote Living with Intent,
my book, UM, like a year or two after lean
In by Cheryl Sandberg came in. And I remember when
(19:26):
that book, when I was reading that boocause like are
you kidding? Like we're trying to do so much, like
we can't do more, Like you know, there's just like this,
you know this, we can't be super women like what
we each one of us, UM has our own struggles
and so I just think that UM, recognizing that we
can't do everything all the time. And for me, a
(19:48):
big shift was, um, instead of thinking about sacrifices, like
we have to sacrifice this, it was more like, Okay,
I'm making this intentional choice right now to focus on
this in my life. UM. And you know that for me,
a lot of that has meant not doing things that
you know, could have been good for my career or
(20:10):
make a lot of money, but because I wanted to
really just be present, you know, in a certain way
with my children. UM. So I think it's a very
personal thing for every individual. UM. But I think it
requires a lot of just kind of um, letting go
of guilt, learning how to say no, UM, and just
(20:33):
celebrating kind of the small steps rather than worrying about
like the end goal. Mm hmmm. I thought just came
to me and I'd love your thoughts on this, um,
especially I know, because your little ones are now big ones.
Do you how how much does your spiritual relationship with
(20:55):
your child evolved as they too go? Question? It changes? Maybe,
I think all the time. So you know, and I
will say that, UM, make it. My children have struggled
in different ways, and as a parent that's really painful.
Because you feel really helpless, and there becomes these moments
(21:19):
where you realize, like I can't fix it, Like I
have to be here to support, to love unconditionally, but
there's some things I can't take care of and heal
and say it's going to be okay, um and so
and you know, as our kids go grow older, they
(21:41):
face hard times, and so I do think part of
the parenting journey is that personal also coming to terms
with that I love this child like beyond anything, and
I would do anything to take care of them, but
sometimes I can't, UM, and that's really hard. So UM,
(22:01):
and it changes, I think it gets you know, for me,
like with one of mine, like the teenager years have
been a little harder, but like I've seen how my
elder one kind of comes through it. But now she's
going through different things as you know, your college student.
And so it's really just bearing witness, um and just
having that sense of unconditional love and trying not to judge,
(22:25):
but also letting go of the need to take care
of things all the time. And then you have a
little ones like your little sweet boy. Um. You know,
it's hard to imagine that, but like it's real, Like
it is real like your kids, you know. And I
don't know the quote right now, but you know, um
to Go says, you know, our kids are meant to fly,
(22:46):
like we're just here to carry them through this space
now again, they'll be with us for life hopefully. Um
and you know, luckily in my culture, like they are
with us for life. But um, it's hard, can't be hard,
So you know, parenting is. I'm I'm a big fan
of chiff Ali Savory and you know how she kind
(23:07):
of really turns it around like it's really it's a
spiritual journey for us as parents. Um, as we're going
through these uh different phases of our kids lives. I
promised to you, and I feel like this happens whenever
I'm with you and we're talking about children. But like,
my eyes are misty again because as you were saying
that like that, you know that is my journey right now,
(23:29):
my spiritual journey as a woman and as a mom.
It's that standing back a little and my son is
for and you know we we just had a play
date with his with his classmates at a park this
weekend and I'm like everyone else is chilling like they're cool.
Everyone's talking. They're eating pretzels and talking, and I'm literally
like this, like ducked under things like trying to like
(23:52):
watch him without him seeing me, Like what's he doing?
What is what's happening? And I just you know, I
had to calm down. And I got home later and
I was meditating while he napped, and I was just like, Okay,
you're at play with something now. Now this is there
is a shift happening inside of you, and you have
to force yourself to take a step back, like you
(24:13):
have to let him come into more of himself without
trying to make sure he's okay. So much. It's so hard,
and you know that's the thing. It hurts. It's painful.
It's you feel helpless, you feel guilty at times, but
it is but that's kind of why it is a journey,
like it really is. And I you know, I think
(24:36):
people go through it in different ways, but for me
as a parent, that's been the hardest part of it
is the idea of truly letting go um of trying
to control or direct like and giving them the space
to feel sad, to feel lonely, to you know, to cry.
(24:56):
Like it's it's hard m hm. Drop when it comes
(25:18):
to your spiritual journey. Um, I'm so. I'm so curious
about the way that that evolves, especially when you do
have a foundation of the work. You know, as you
as you shared your dad is I think one of
the best storytellers of all time in the world. You know,
the way that he the way his brain and heart works,
(25:41):
that he can so many understandings together for someone's enlightenment,
you know, and he shared about telling the different stories
and the different myths. Um. You know, to have that foundation,
but then you go into the world as a woman
and you're having your own experiences and you find the
work for yourself in a completely new way. Did you
(26:04):
find that you were falling even more deep love with practices?
Was it was it? Did it feel like you were
experiencing them for the first time? You know? What did
that feel like when you went through I'd imagine like
a second awakening at a certain you know. I think
for me, it's a good question. Not many people have
asked me that. Actually, Um, I think for me, my
(26:28):
meditation practice is so cool to who I am because
I learned when I was so young. So and even
though I'm an irregular meditator over years and you know,
try to meditate once a day versus too. Um. For me,
that practice has been my grounding, like it just has been.
And when I'm off, I'm usually not meditating, So I
(26:49):
have to return to my meditation practice. Um. And so
for me that I don't even think of it as
part of my spirituality or my journey. It just is
what it is. It's like brushing my teeth. Um. And
so for me, I have that now. My journey though
of self reflection and of growth and all that, I
(27:12):
would say really kind of was triggered by becoming a mother,
like and it was you know, being pregnant during nine
eleven and you know, imagining like having all this joy
and excitement of having a child, then you know, being
that warning like thinking like oh my god, what am
I doing bringing a child into this really? Um uh
(27:34):
you know, crazy crazy world. Um. And so that became
then the urgency became more relevant to me of like
they give about who am I? What do I want?
How can I serve? What am I grateful for in
this life? What do I want to share with my children?
So I very much do Like for me, that's what
(27:54):
this journey has been about UM, it's not even about
kind of a spiritual path. That's been like, Okay, who
am I? Because I have these two amazing beings in
my life, like, and I want to be here to
serve them in the best that I can. When can
parents start meditating? How can we start grounding that with
(28:15):
our littles? You know, I always say the same thing,
don't even worry about doing it with your children. Do
it for yourself, and your children are watching, and so
you know that begins before you can have children, Like,
have your own path and your kids are there, they're
watching you, and then as they get older, you can
(28:35):
share things with them of like how to take a
deep breath, or how to move a certain way or
go for a walk and look at a rose. Like
don't worry about the practice as much as finding that
groundedness in yourself and then finding the relevant ways to
share it with them that brings them joy, because we
don't want to, like um, force kids to do anything,
(28:57):
because then they're not going to enjoy it. I love
that so much and it takes the pressure off I.
Our practice lately, Monica has been UM. I have these
little yoga position flash cards and you know, they're just fun,
little silly ones and it's like be a candle or
you know, make make your bridge and question and I
(29:17):
have been doing that and it it makes me just cry,
like watching his excitement and pride when he does like
a pose. He's like, look, look I'm the bridge, and
I'm just like, yes, you are, you little bridge. You
just did it well. And that's the thing. I mean,
that's it's that joy in that connection and you know,
(29:40):
his pride and your like emotion and your love, like
that's what that journey is. It's not about him sitting
in meditating or doing a class, like forget about that.
Focus on like those moments that you guys are together
celebrating and exploring and asking questions and you know, thinking
about imagining stories. Like that's what it's about. What is
(30:05):
your hope for women in this time we're in a
we're in a new time of consciousness and it really
feels and I love your thoughts. This is how it
feels for me, like we're in this gorgeous feminine awakening
across the plan it seems like women were really allowing
(30:25):
ourselves to take off all the roles for real, like
not just talk about work life balance and but no,
we're like sitting here and ra actually saying I have
a boundary. That's a no, I'm choosing myself in this way.
I'm doing this. You know, as someone that has been teaching,
been in this world for so long, what are you
noticing and what are you hoping for us right now? Gosh,
(30:46):
I wish I could be as optimistic as you are
they be honestly about it. I'm feeling a little bit
like I can't help but be political and practical about
where we are right now. And I think, um, you know,
from the we're coming up with an election that you know,
really is going to have um, real effects on women's choice,
(31:11):
which we're seeing all over this country or seeing what's
happening in Iran, um, you know with women there. Like
I think we're actually a really um pivotal and crisis
moment actually in which women really, UM, we do need
to stand up. UM, we need to be out there.
(31:35):
People better vote. UM. But it's hard, Like it's a
hard time because I think when um, when kind of
the establishment gets kind of you know, pushed a little bit,
like even you know, whether it's around race relations, which
it's around women's rights. People are pushing back, and so
(31:57):
I think it isn't it's important that we find that
strength that you're saying to set boundaries and push. But
there's going to be I think there's a lot of
fear also, um, and there's a lot of you know,
there's a lot at stake right now. Yes, well, and
you know, I think I'm experiencing both because I feel
(32:20):
like that is also it's messy, you know what it
is to come into this kind of paradigm shifting moment
that I think that we're in, Like, it is requiring
a lot of us, It's requiring a lot of work,
But it also feels like we're accessing maybe parts of
ourselves as women that historically we have not been able to.
(32:40):
You know, even even being able to say no is
is really a new thing for women able to speak
truth or have a zoomed out consciousness of the things
that the things that are happening. You know, when I
see our sisters in Iran, it's just like it's just
mind blow Now, it's just mind blowing in the courage
(33:03):
and the power and the strength in a city, in
a in a country where women have been so rigidly,
violently oppressed. It's to me that's what consciousness and action
also looks like. And I would just echo though that
the same situation is here. You know, what's happening with
(33:25):
the right to choose and you know, make choices on
our bodies and you know, and these crazy, crazy, um
systemic ways that people are pushing against that kind of
freedom on so many levels. For people, UM, I do
think that's why it is so important that we are
(33:46):
empowering um each other and supporting each other UM and
of course those who are really UM you know, at
the forefront of many of these causes as well. Absolutely
absolutely Okay a couple of quick fast questions. Tell me
your personal favorite book of all time. Oh yeah, I
(34:09):
won't even say a book, but what I do get
lost in our the poems of ROOMI. You know, my
my father's obviously you know, always kind of quotes them,
but like for me, I can truly get lost um
in you know, they're his books of poetry and words.
It's still it's just ah, what UM do you have?
(34:35):
Last fast question? Do you have a famous a favorite
excuse me, UM, roomy poem expression or quote? UM? The
one I love is we came whirling out of nothingness,
scattering stars like dust. I have always loved that, and
I you know, I've always thought about that when I
think about my kids, because it's like, you know, out
(34:59):
of kind of this the rich nothingness, they come and
then they just you know, they scatter just so much
around them. And so I've always used that sometimes really
my kids literally figuratively emotionally. I love that. Well. Your
(35:20):
latest book, Booted in the Rows, It is available now everywhere, big, big,
big recommendation. Me and my little just have such a
special time, and you know, I just I'm I'm grateful
for your books because it allows me to make things
that are so important to me, that are the intentions
I have for his life workable, tangible, with ease, grace,
(35:41):
with for him and me. I think they've made me
a better teacher, They've made just a better lover of
my sons. So thank you so much for your work.
Oh Davy, I'm like, I love you when you and
I connect, because you do have um, you know, question
this younger. You're at a different stage um in development
(36:03):
with him, and so it's just so joyful for me
to hear your stories when You're telling stories about how
just you learn with him and you share with him
and you explore with him. It's so inspiring. Um, and
so yeah, I just I love everything you're doing. You
know that I'm your super fan. Always happen. I love
you so much and I am so excited to be
(36:24):
with you. We and actually anyone that wants to join.
There are a couple of seats left. Molica and I
will both at um in November, be at the Seven
Spiritual Laws Retreat with Chopra. It is gonna be incredible.
I'm expecting Molica that we party like kind of party.
You know, we're gonna be here. I want us to
(36:44):
stay up late, star gaze. Um. It's gonna be an
incredible time. Chopra retreats are just some of the most
life changing experiences you can have, and I will be
I'm really gratefully and happy to be gracing the stage
as a host. Um. Lay Ladelia will also be there,
and so will Laundrell of course. Deepak, Oh my god,
this is my favorite, my favorite book, my favorite teachings,
(37:08):
an incredible location. Um, and we'll all be there together.
It's gonna be incredible. I can't wait. It's gonna be
so fun. So thank you David, thank you always for
all the support. UM, just so so honored to be
your soul sister, very lucky for that. Thank you, Thank
you so much for joining us, Thank you for blessing
(37:29):
us with your time. UM and I cannot wait. Everyone,
as you're listening to this episode, all of Molica's information
and also a link to purchase this book. It's gonna
be in the summary, so as you're in your podcast app,
scroll down, click it. Amazon Prime will get it to
you asap. Thank you, Molica, thank you, thank you m big,
(37:56):
thank you Molica for this just beautiful expanse of the episode.
Highly recommend I cannot recommend enough to pick up these
beautiful books for you and your children. You know question
that I get so often in d M, so often
in my email, And when I have the beautiful opportunity
to connect in person with listeners to this show, I
(38:19):
meet a lot of mamas, and I meet a lot
of daddy's, and I meet a lot of people that
are on a journey to reparent themselves and then share
this work with younger generations. And sometimes that piece is
what feels so far off or so confusing or so intimidating.
You know, as you're on this journey, how do you
(38:41):
share the impact and the meaning and the importance of
this work but in a way that little minds and
little hearts can connect to it. And Molica's books are
the answer to that and more so. I hope you
will go ahead and equip yourself with these powerful tools
and you can continue to connect with Molica. Please join
her on her Instagram, check out her website and everything
(39:03):
that she's putting forward in the world that's at Moliga Chopra.
And go ahead and leave a five star review if
you're digging it. Share this episode with a friend, Just
shoot it through to a text right now and write
a review if you would find a couple of extra
moments today to do that, all right, Your soul work
for this episode of this show. Your soul work is
(39:26):
to take some time, have a journal nearby if that
feels good, or take a nice walk. And I want
you to find a rose. I want you to find
beautiful flower, and I want you to let yourself get
really close to it. I want you to smell it,
(39:46):
if it's possible. I want you to feel it, to
touch it, maybe even allow a pedal to touch your face.
If you can bring the rose up to your nose
and let the pedals fall around your nose and your cheeks,
on your mouth, I want you to notice the sensation
of it. I want you to really notice the smell
(40:07):
and then take another deep breath in. And I want
you to notice the smell under the smell in any
textures that are present. And then, if this is possible,
I want you to take that rose or flower and
I want you to get grounded on the floor, seated.
That could look like being on the grass outside, allowing
(40:31):
that fresh air to be with you as well. It
could also look like wherever you happen to be there's
flowers in a hotel or in your home. But sitting
down with it, moving slowly, taking your time with it,
and I want you to cup it in your hand,
maybe let the stem pass between your fingers. I want
you to hold it up close to your face, and
(40:52):
I want you to stare in the center of it.
And as you stare in the center of that flower,
I want you to allow yourself to trace the pedals
with your eyes, to notice the color, the richness of it,
to notice the feeling in your hand and then allow
(41:14):
yourself to soften your gaze and see what comes up.
That's it. We will be back with a new episode
next week. I'm must stay Hey. Find me on social
Let's connect at Debbie Brown. That's Twitter and Instagram, or
(41:35):
go to my website Debbie Brown dot com. And if
you're listening to the show on Apple Podcasts, please please
please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe and send
this episode to a friend. Dropping Jams is the production
of I Heart Radio and The Black Effect Network. It's
produced by Jackie's and me, Debbie Brown. For more podcasts
(41:58):
from My heart Radio, visit I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. M h
m hm
M from grandmothers who whispered in their baby girl ill
two fathers on dimly lit street corners, instructing young soldiers
to always keep their eyes open. You be queen, you
(00:21):
were fired. You will pass through centuries on the hands
of your daughters. They called you wisdom. Proverbs on the
backs of diamond eyed school children who grew into hymnals
recited by amethyst holding urban philosophers who recited neighborhood commandments
out of the windows of restored Alchemedo chariots. To keep
the warmth of their blood. Be wise, be smart, being black,
(00:46):
opal brown courts, bloodstone, and prayer. Be every form of
jim se King told, scribe, scribe, told son, son, told wife,
wife told her daughter, and daughter told the as this is.
And the ancestors told me that you would come to
give wisdom. Thousands. They said you would come dropping Dropping
(01:09):
the Gym. Welcome back to another episode of the Dropping
Gems podcast. This is your soft place to land, where
we ground teachings of higher consciousness and make them so tangible,
so applicable, graceful, and filled with ease for your daily life.
(01:29):
That is always my intention. Thank you for joining us.
This episode is going to be so good. This is
especially such a beautiful episode for parents out there. As
we record, It's actually Halloween and I just finished having
a gorgeous little preschool Halloween parade with my little one.
(01:52):
He dressed up as a waffle, so that was fun.
His one of his favorite foods is waffles. And when
I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween, um,
I said, do you want to be Spiderman? Baby? You
want to be the Hulk Paw patrol that I want
to be a waffle. So I found him a waffle
costume and I was Syrup and I love it. Here.
(02:14):
I am just so grateful for moments like these. So
my heart is so full and expansive with childlike joy
and wonder today. And I am so blessed to have
an incredibly special guest who makes powerful work for a
little ones that really allows us to spiritually grow with them,
(02:35):
to give them tools that are going to guide and
and honor them for the rest of their lives. Today's
special guest is Molica Chopra, the CEO of Choper Global,
a media entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and mama. She is
the author of the Jest b series That's Just Breathe,
(02:55):
Just Feel, and Just Be You, a trilogy of illustrated
how two books for children and the adults in their lives.
These books provide simple tools to understand and support social
and emotional knowing, resilience, meditation, mindfulness, and self reflection. Molica
released her newest book, Buddha and the Rose this past September,
(03:18):
and she an illustrator Naha or what Breathe Life into
this simple but poignant story of awareness, wonder and the
joy of being present and open to seeing the world in.
Molica has taught meditation to thousands of people and it's
currently a mindfulness consultant for the animated series Still Water
on Apple TV Plus. She enjoys speaking to audiences around
(03:40):
the world about intention, balance and living a life of purpose.
Molica has a v A from Brown University and an
MBA from Kellogg Business School and an m A in
Psychology and Education the Mind, Body Spirit Concentration from Teachers College,
Columbia University. Without further I do such an honor to
(04:02):
be blending my world and have my sole sister, an
amazing woman who I admire so deeply. Molica Chopra, Welcome
to the show. Oh baby, I'm so happy and excited
to be having this conversation with you. You are definitely
your soul sister, I am. I'm so excited for so
(04:24):
many reasons, Molica. Like I you know, I have the
pleasure and the privilege of knowing you as such a
multifaceted being who has done so many incredible things and
influenced with mindfulness, with self awareness in so many industries.
But my favorite thing is that I get to reach
out to you for mom advice. And you know something
(04:48):
that and I've shared on the show before. You know,
you have written some really just breathtaking books for making
this work begin to be tangible in the lives of
our little ones. And you're latest book is It has
become one of my son's favorite books. And every time
we look around when we go on our morning walks
(05:10):
and we find flowers. Every time he sees a rose,
he said, is that for the Buddha? Is that for
the Buddha? It is the sweetest you know? Okay, let
me center this because I'm gonna go on and on.
But your latest book is so beautiful. It's called Buddha
and the Rose. It is in stores everywhere and it
(05:31):
is making tangible for young minds and hearts. This understanding.
I feel of God, of the bigger universe of love.
I think to start in ground there. What led you
to write this book in this way? Right now? What
(05:53):
a good question, Dave, and I love that. But he
sees the rosest or the flowers and asks if therefore Buddha.
You know, I grew up in a family where storytelling
was part of our everyday life. So you know, my
father d Puck and my brother got them who's the storyteller?
(06:13):
And you know in our culture UM stories and mythology, UM,
all of these um great sages and teachers. That's just
part of how we grew up hearing these stories. So
this story of Budda and the Rose was always a
story that we heard growing up. And it's a hard
one to actually, um explain because it's really an experience,
(06:38):
which is there was a silent lecture that Budda gave
to his students and he just sat on the stage
and he held a rose, and nobody understood what they
were waiting for him to speak. And actually, in the
traditional story, he was on stage on a platform with
his one of his favorite students, and after a while
(06:59):
and muttering and saying what is he doing? Suddenly his
student awakened to what bud I was sharing with him,
which was that this rose was part of an eternity
that had gone, you know, UM from beyond before it
was a seed through the suns and the skies and
(07:20):
the rains, UM nurturing this seed into a rose. And
then this rose continues to kind of give joy and
connection and love, whether it's through the weddings or the festivals,
or the honey and the bees carrying you know, that
nectar to um nurture um other flowers. And so this
(07:42):
um with the students just had this awakened moment. And
so I have always loved that story. But when I
decided to kind of figure out how to tell it,
I decided to tell it through the eyes of a child.
So I chose Sujata, who you know, was supposedly the
milkmaid who gave the milk to break his fast. I thought,
(08:04):
let's bring some women into this story, UM, and some
young girls, and so I told it through that perspective.
But what I do love about this book and I
love that you know, you've been able to share what
your son is it's the artist actually brought it to life,
because like I was saying, it's kind of a long
story to tell, but the way in which she brought
(08:26):
it to life illustration, the illustrations are striking. It is
so rich and it's so beautiful, and like I love
the page when you're speaking of the honey and the
bees like that was one of my son's favorite pages
to look at and you know, just for us and
that kind of like primal, like we like doing that
(08:47):
sound with each other, So that page was But all
of the illustrations are so striking. Um. And you know
you asked why now, So you know, I've written so
many books for kids, and many of them are very practical,
you know, just breathe and very exercise oriented. But I
think post pandemic, we need some joy and wonder and
(09:11):
just release and so um, that's the kind of why
I wanted to do this now because I felt like
it's more of a book of wonder, UM, and I
do think we need that. You know, when you were
first speaking of the book um and the way that
it unfolds, I felt myself like my eyes got a
(09:32):
little misty because when I reading that book with my son.
Something that felt really profound for me is it was
a reminder of how far I've come on my personal
journey as a woman, as a because in the panda
because in the pandemic um, I remember just being able
to walk outside, I have a little rose bush and
(09:56):
stare at a rose became something that felt like it
was changing and saving my life, you know, being able
to walk outside and look at it. And I was
in this practice of trying to train myself to feel
more joy and that was my means to that. And
so it just it's so breathtaking, you know, this concept,
(10:19):
this way of sharing that with your children, and I
think about, you know, some of the deeper effects, and
I'm going to opinion with all the parental questions that
those deeper effects of like, you know, all of our kids,
they're so trained to say I want this, I want that,
or you know, it's like we're so used to giving
them things or the latest this. And for my son
(10:41):
to feel excited when we go for a walk to
see a flower means so much to me. You know,
for us to be able to have a conversation about
something that isn't cartoon characters, it's not bluey or paw patrol.
You know, I'm able to like he's able to ask
me a question about this flower, and then I can
just talk about teachings of the Buddha. It's like, Ah,
(11:04):
the way that it can ground your ability to share
more love with your child, to share more information that
actually nourishes their soul and not just their imagination, feels
so amazing. Yeah, And I think that's what we can use,
you know, that one experience of looking at a rose
(11:25):
or smelling the flower to think about you. We can
use that to use all of our senses to look
at the colors, the smells, the touch of the pedals. Um,
but then think about like, Okay, what brought us to
this moment. That was the other thing that I just
love about this story. But the concept again, which is,
(11:45):
you know, it takes a million things to happen for
us to experience this particular moment, even this moment of
you and I talking right, Like, everything coincided to bring
us to this moment and so um, and you know
then so anythings can coincide to kind of create the
next moment. So if we can start sharing those concepts
(12:06):
with kids early on, I just think it's a way
for them to feel more connected to the universe, party
to other people, to continue. And so you know, when
you first even ask the question, it's like, it's so
hard to explain what it is because explaining it is
so deep but right, but in that walk with your kid,
(12:26):
that you're experiencing that um in real time, which is
so beautiful, and you know, and and part of nurturing
um him in a sense of safety and security and
connection and love and everything. How did you decide that
this kind of work needed to be grounded and created
(12:49):
for children? Because you've also written powerful books about yourself
and your enlightenment as a woman, You've done so many
things in the world. How what what made you come
into a place of recognizing this need, especially at this
high level, because I feel like a lot of the
things that come out for kids, there's nothing this deep
(13:12):
in this vast well, I think for me, at the principle,
there was nothing planned or strategic like my my book
Living with It did the subtitle is my somewhat messy
journey to purpose, right, So I just want to emphasize
the messy part, Like you know, I find that for
me life has been kind of this windy journey. Sometimes
(13:35):
I feel like I'm on path. Sometimes I'm totally off,
like you know, And so I think even the kids books, um,
you know, an opportunity came for me, um to write them,
which was, um, someone asked me to do it, so
I was like sure, And then I realized, like as
I was doing it, that I had learned all of
(13:55):
these techniques and um, you know when I was a
kid and how important those were for me at different
stages of my life. So I do think that um,
you know, just reading it was this first book that
was the opportunity to share some tips. But then as
I started to think about all of whether it was
the stories or being in touch with our feelings or
(14:18):
asking questions which we do in our chilper meditations are
reflections and intentions, I thought, oh, you know, we really
can share this with kids. And you know, since I
spent a lot of time in classrooms, I saw like
kids love this stuff. They actually love talking about this
stuff and showing you you know how they can do
(14:39):
tree pose and bring together breadth, intention, balance, stillness and
like um in a second, and so um, I feel
really lucky and it's it's really just kind of been
stumbling along with one after the next after the next.
I do a plan. Um, you know, when I wrote
just read, that became a series of books. So there's
(15:02):
just breathe, just feel and just be you. But it
was more like every time I wrote one, I was like, oh,
maybe there's another one. Like and then with the little
kid books, um, my body is a Rainbow is really
an exercise from one of the other books. And then
I was like, oh, I love doing these children's books.
Let's try. But then the Rose. But but then the
Rose is very different because it's not as how to
(15:24):
as the other books. It really is um more of
this conceptual idea which I think hopefully is bringing out
some sort of joy and connection. You mentioned your first book,
and something that that I always like, deeply appreciate um
and has been so meaningful for me on my journey
(15:46):
is both you and your father I beloved deepak Um.
You both speak. You know, It's like I think when
people get in rooms with the two of you, and
I noticed this especially like at our choper retreats, Like
whenever you guys get a chance to be on stage together,
everyone is always just like, oh my god, these enlightened beings,
you know. And it's like, I think people can hold
(16:08):
you and your dad in a way like you're floating
in the air, but both of you are go out
of your way to ground it and let us know
that this journey is messy. You know, you didn't pop
out of the womb in your enlightenment. You know, like
your dad will speak about the fact he was like, yeah,
when I was a doctor, I was smoking, I was drinking,
you know, and you know, you even sharing the messiness
(16:31):
of this journey even with the tools. It's like, I
think it's so powerful because everyone imagines that you are
trying to get to a place where everything is perfect,
and that is never it. It's about amassing the tools
so that you can be still in harmony and regulation
that you can you know, be co creating with what's
(16:53):
happening around you. Yeah, you know, I think it's it's
so funny because I think for my brother and I,
you know, our dads just our dad, like we never
saw him as like something bigger um or you know,
uh in a different way that people look at him.
And we grew up with people like would catch us
(17:14):
like getting a coke from a coke machine and we
were like, we're going to tell your dad, and we'd
be like, oh, it is for our dad. You know.
It was like like there's this perception of mythology that
people like to portray, not just on my father, I
think on on well known figures. Um. And my dad
knows how to play into that wearing his red glasses
(17:35):
and red sneakers and all that kind of stuff. But yeah,
I think it's really important for people. And that's why
I share very honestly about my struggles, um, you know,
all along which continue every day. You know, it is
messy and we're all just trying to do our best. Um.
And I think as women, we have a lot of
responsibilities that go beyond you know, just are kind of
(17:58):
what we're trying to do professionally, Um, you know, taking
care of our elders, our youngers. Are you know finding
any sense of balance? And boy have I struggled with that.
So you know, I think it's really important to build community, um,
with each other, by supporting each other, by being really
honest and authentic. What do you think are some ways
(18:19):
for women? You know, what you spoke to it resonates
with all of us. I don't even know how women
how we do it, how we've done it for centuries,
because not only do we do it all, the expectation
is always that we do it all. And speaking to
that multi generational piece that you just said, it's like, yeah,
we are the ones responsible for the caretaking of the
(18:42):
elders of the children. And then you know just kind
of like maybe hope that one day a year you
get a massage because it's Mother's Day. And it's like, Okay,
it's so absurd. I think you know, for me, what
it's been is being it, uh, taking one step at
(19:03):
a time, recognizing I can't do everything and I have
to set my priorities of what matters most at this
particular time. UM. You know, I wrote Living with Intent,
my book, UM, like a year or two after lean
In by Cheryl Sandberg came in. And I remember when
(19:26):
that book, when I was reading that boocause like are
you kidding? Like we're trying to do so much, like
we can't do more, Like you know, there's just like this,
you know this, we can't be super women like what
we each one of us, UM has our own struggles
and so I just think that UM, recognizing that we
can't do everything all the time. And for me, a
(19:48):
big shift was, um, instead of thinking about sacrifices, like
we have to sacrifice this, it was more like, Okay,
I'm making this intentional choice right now to focus on
this in my life. UM. And you know that for me,
a lot of that has meant not doing things that
you know, could have been good for my career or
(20:10):
make a lot of money, but because I wanted to
really just be present, you know, in a certain way
with my children. UM. So I think it's a very
personal thing for every individual. UM. But I think it
requires a lot of just kind of um, letting go
of guilt, learning how to say no, UM, and just
(20:33):
celebrating kind of the small steps rather than worrying about
like the end goal. Mm hmmm. I thought just came
to me and I'd love your thoughts on this, um,
especially I know, because your little ones are now big ones.
Do you how how much does your spiritual relationship with
(20:55):
your child evolved as they too go? Question? It changes? Maybe,
I think all the time. So you know, and I
will say that, UM, make it. My children have struggled
in different ways, and as a parent that's really painful.
Because you feel really helpless, and there becomes these moments
(21:19):
where you realize, like I can't fix it, Like I
have to be here to support, to love unconditionally, but
there's some things I can't take care of and heal
and say it's going to be okay, um and so
and you know, as our kids go grow older, they
(21:41):
face hard times, and so I do think part of
the parenting journey is that personal also coming to terms
with that I love this child like beyond anything, and
I would do anything to take care of them, but
sometimes I can't, UM, and that's really hard. So UM,
(22:01):
and it changes, I think it gets you know, for me,
like with one of mine, like the teenager years have
been a little harder, but like I've seen how my
elder one kind of comes through it. But now she's
going through different things as you know, your college student.
And so it's really just bearing witness, um and just
having that sense of unconditional love and trying not to judge,
(22:25):
but also letting go of the need to take care
of things all the time. And then you have a
little ones like your little sweet boy. Um. You know,
it's hard to imagine that, but like it's real, Like
it is real like your kids, you know. And I
don't know the quote right now, but you know, um
to Go says, you know, our kids are meant to fly,
(22:46):
like we're just here to carry them through this space
now again, they'll be with us for life hopefully. Um
and you know, luckily in my culture, like they are
with us for life. But um, it's hard, can't be hard,
So you know, parenting is. I'm I'm a big fan
of chiff Ali Savory and you know how she kind
(23:07):
of really turns it around like it's really it's a
spiritual journey for us as parents. Um, as we're going
through these uh different phases of our kids lives. I
promised to you, and I feel like this happens whenever
I'm with you and we're talking about children. But like,
my eyes are misty again because as you were saying
that like that, you know that is my journey right now,
(23:29):
my spiritual journey as a woman and as a mom.
It's that standing back a little and my son is
for and you know we we just had a play
date with his with his classmates at a park this
weekend and I'm like everyone else is chilling like they're cool.
Everyone's talking. They're eating pretzels and talking, and I'm literally
like this, like ducked under things like trying to like
(23:52):
watch him without him seeing me, Like what's he doing?
What is what's happening? And I just you know, I
had to calm down. And I got home later and
I was meditating while he napped, and I was just like, Okay,
you're at play with something now. Now this is there
is a shift happening inside of you, and you have
to force yourself to take a step back, like you
(24:13):
have to let him come into more of himself without
trying to make sure he's okay. So much. It's so hard,
and you know that's the thing. It hurts. It's painful.
It's you feel helpless, you feel guilty at times, but
it is but that's kind of why it is a journey,
like it really is. And I you know, I think
(24:36):
people go through it in different ways, but for me
as a parent, that's been the hardest part of it
is the idea of truly letting go um of trying
to control or direct like and giving them the space
to feel sad, to feel lonely, to you know, to cry.
(24:56):
Like it's it's hard m hm. Drop when it comes
(25:18):
to your spiritual journey. Um, I'm so. I'm so curious
about the way that that evolves, especially when you do
have a foundation of the work. You know, as you
as you shared your dad is I think one of
the best storytellers of all time in the world. You know,
the way that he the way his brain and heart works,
(25:41):
that he can so many understandings together for someone's enlightenment,
you know, and he shared about telling the different stories
and the different myths. Um. You know, to have that foundation,
but then you go into the world as a woman
and you're having your own experiences and you find the
work for yourself in a completely new way. Did you
(26:04):
find that you were falling even more deep love with practices?
Was it was it? Did it feel like you were
experiencing them for the first time? You know? What did
that feel like when you went through I'd imagine like
a second awakening at a certain you know. I think
for me, it's a good question. Not many people have
asked me that. Actually, Um, I think for me, my
(26:28):
meditation practice is so cool to who I am because
I learned when I was so young. So and even
though I'm an irregular meditator over years and you know,
try to meditate once a day versus too. Um. For me,
that practice has been my grounding, like it just has been.
And when I'm off, I'm usually not meditating, So I
(26:49):
have to return to my meditation practice. Um. And so
for me that I don't even think of it as
part of my spirituality or my journey. It just is
what it is. It's like brushing my teeth. Um. And
so for me, I have that now. My journey though
of self reflection and of growth and all that, I
(27:12):
would say really kind of was triggered by becoming a mother,
like and it was you know, being pregnant during nine
eleven and you know, imagining like having all this joy
and excitement of having a child, then you know, being
that warning like thinking like oh my god, what am
I doing bringing a child into this really? Um uh
(27:34):
you know, crazy crazy world. Um. And so that became
then the urgency became more relevant to me of like
they give about who am I? What do I want?
How can I serve? What am I grateful for in
this life? What do I want to share with my children?
So I very much do Like for me, that's what
(27:54):
this journey has been about UM, it's not even about
kind of a spiritual path. That's been like, Okay, who
am I? Because I have these two amazing beings in
my life, like, and I want to be here to
serve them in the best that I can. When can
parents start meditating? How can we start grounding that with
(28:15):
our littles? You know, I always say the same thing,
don't even worry about doing it with your children. Do
it for yourself, and your children are watching, and so
you know that begins before you can have children, Like,
have your own path and your kids are there, they're
watching you, and then as they get older, you can
(28:35):
share things with them of like how to take a
deep breath, or how to move a certain way or
go for a walk and look at a rose. Like
don't worry about the practice as much as finding that
groundedness in yourself and then finding the relevant ways to
share it with them that brings them joy, because we
don't want to, like um, force kids to do anything,
(28:57):
because then they're not going to enjoy it. I love
that so much and it takes the pressure off I.
Our practice lately, Monica has been UM. I have these
little yoga position flash cards and you know, they're just fun,
little silly ones and it's like be a candle or
you know, make make your bridge and question and I
(29:17):
have been doing that and it it makes me just cry,
like watching his excitement and pride when he does like
a pose. He's like, look, look I'm the bridge, and
I'm just like, yes, you are, you little bridge. You
just did it well. And that's the thing. I mean,
that's it's that joy in that connection and you know,
(29:40):
his pride and your like emotion and your love, like
that's what that journey is. It's not about him sitting
in meditating or doing a class, like forget about that.
Focus on like those moments that you guys are together
celebrating and exploring and asking questions and you know, thinking
about imagining stories. Like that's what it's about. What is
(30:05):
your hope for women in this time we're in a
we're in a new time of consciousness and it really
feels and I love your thoughts. This is how it
feels for me, like we're in this gorgeous feminine awakening
across the plan it seems like women were really allowing
(30:25):
ourselves to take off all the roles for real, like
not just talk about work life balance and but no,
we're like sitting here and ra actually saying I have
a boundary. That's a no, I'm choosing myself in this way.
I'm doing this. You know, as someone that has been teaching,
been in this world for so long, what are you
noticing and what are you hoping for us right now? Gosh,
(30:46):
I wish I could be as optimistic as you are
they be honestly about it. I'm feeling a little bit
like I can't help but be political and practical about
where we are right now. And I think, um, you know,
from the we're coming up with an election that you know,
really is going to have um, real effects on women's choice,
(31:11):
which we're seeing all over this country or seeing what's
happening in Iran, um, you know with women there. Like
I think we're actually a really um pivotal and crisis
moment actually in which women really, UM, we do need
to stand up. UM, we need to be out there.
(31:35):
People better vote. UM. But it's hard, Like it's a
hard time because I think when um, when kind of
the establishment gets kind of you know, pushed a little bit,
like even you know, whether it's around race relations, which
it's around women's rights. People are pushing back, and so
(31:57):
I think it isn't it's important that we find that
strength that you're saying to set boundaries and push. But
there's going to be I think there's a lot of
fear also, um, and there's a lot of you know,
there's a lot at stake right now. Yes, well, and
you know, I think I'm experiencing both because I feel
(32:20):
like that is also it's messy, you know what it
is to come into this kind of paradigm shifting moment
that I think that we're in, Like, it is requiring
a lot of us, It's requiring a lot of work,
But it also feels like we're accessing maybe parts of
ourselves as women that historically we have not been able to.
(32:40):
You know, even even being able to say no is
is really a new thing for women able to speak
truth or have a zoomed out consciousness of the things
that the things that are happening. You know, when I
see our sisters in Iran, it's just like it's just
mind blow Now, it's just mind blowing in the courage
(33:03):
and the power and the strength in a city, in
a in a country where women have been so rigidly,
violently oppressed. It's to me that's what consciousness and action
also looks like. And I would just echo though that
the same situation is here. You know, what's happening with
(33:25):
the right to choose and you know, make choices on
our bodies and you know, and these crazy, crazy, um
systemic ways that people are pushing against that kind of
freedom on so many levels. For people, UM, I do
think that's why it is so important that we are
(33:46):
empowering um each other and supporting each other UM and
of course those who are really UM you know, at
the forefront of many of these causes as well. Absolutely
absolutely Okay a couple of quick fast questions. Tell me
your personal favorite book of all time. Oh yeah, I
(34:09):
won't even say a book, but what I do get
lost in our the poems of ROOMI. You know, my
my father's obviously you know, always kind of quotes them,
but like for me, I can truly get lost um
in you know, they're his books of poetry and words.
It's still it's just ah, what UM do you have?
(34:35):
Last fast question? Do you have a famous a favorite
excuse me, UM, roomy poem expression or quote? UM? The
one I love is we came whirling out of nothingness,
scattering stars like dust. I have always loved that, and
I you know, I've always thought about that when I
think about my kids, because it's like, you know, out
(34:59):
of kind of this the rich nothingness, they come and
then they just you know, they scatter just so much
around them. And so I've always used that sometimes really
my kids literally figuratively emotionally. I love that. Well. Your
(35:20):
latest book, Booted in the Rows, It is available now everywhere, big, big,
big recommendation. Me and my little just have such a
special time, and you know, I just I'm I'm grateful
for your books because it allows me to make things
that are so important to me, that are the intentions
I have for his life workable, tangible, with ease, grace,
(35:41):
with for him and me. I think they've made me
a better teacher, They've made just a better lover of
my sons. So thank you so much for your work.
Oh Davy, I'm like, I love you when you and
I connect, because you do have um, you know, question
this younger. You're at a different stage um in development
(36:03):
with him, and so it's just so joyful for me
to hear your stories when You're telling stories about how
just you learn with him and you share with him
and you explore with him. It's so inspiring. Um, and
so yeah, I just I love everything you're doing. You
know that I'm your super fan. Always happen. I love
you so much and I am so excited to be
(36:24):
with you. We and actually anyone that wants to join.
There are a couple of seats left. Molica and I
will both at um in November, be at the Seven
Spiritual Laws Retreat with Chopra. It is gonna be incredible.
I'm expecting Molica that we party like kind of party.
You know, we're gonna be here. I want us to
(36:44):
stay up late, star gaze. Um. It's gonna be an
incredible time. Chopra retreats are just some of the most
life changing experiences you can have, and I will be
I'm really gratefully and happy to be gracing the stage
as a host. Um. Lay Ladelia will also be there,
and so will Laundrell of course. Deepak, Oh my god,
this is my favorite, my favorite book, my favorite teachings,
(37:08):
an incredible location. Um, and we'll all be there together.
It's gonna be incredible. I can't wait. It's gonna be
so fun. So thank you David, thank you always for
all the support. UM, just so so honored to be
your soul sister, very lucky for that. Thank you, Thank
you so much for joining us, Thank you for blessing
(37:29):
us with your time. UM and I cannot wait. Everyone,
as you're listening to this episode, all of Molica's information
and also a link to purchase this book. It's gonna
be in the summary, so as you're in your podcast app,
scroll down, click it. Amazon Prime will get it to
you asap. Thank you, Molica, thank you, thank you m big,
(37:56):
thank you Molica for this just beautiful expanse of the episode.
Highly recommend I cannot recommend enough to pick up these
beautiful books for you and your children. You know question
that I get so often in d M, so often
in my email, And when I have the beautiful opportunity
to connect in person with listeners to this show, I
(38:19):
meet a lot of mamas, and I meet a lot
of daddy's, and I meet a lot of people that
are on a journey to reparent themselves and then share
this work with younger generations. And sometimes that piece is
what feels so far off or so confusing or so intimidating.
You know, as you're on this journey, how do you
(38:41):
share the impact and the meaning and the importance of
this work but in a way that little minds and
little hearts can connect to it. And Molica's books are
the answer to that and more so. I hope you
will go ahead and equip yourself with these powerful tools
and you can continue to connect with Molica. Please join
her on her Instagram, check out her website and everything
(39:03):
that she's putting forward in the world that's at Moliga Chopra.
And go ahead and leave a five star review if
you're digging it. Share this episode with a friend, Just
shoot it through to a text right now and write
a review if you would find a couple of extra
moments today to do that, all right, Your soul work
for this episode of this show. Your soul work is
(39:26):
to take some time, have a journal nearby if that
feels good, or take a nice walk. And I want
you to find a rose. I want you to find
beautiful flower, and I want you to let yourself get
really close to it. I want you to smell it,
(39:46):
if it's possible. I want you to feel it, to
touch it, maybe even allow a pedal to touch your face.
If you can bring the rose up to your nose
and let the pedals fall around your nose and your cheeks,
on your mouth, I want you to notice the sensation
of it. I want you to really notice the smell
(40:07):
and then take another deep breath in. And I want
you to notice the smell under the smell in any
textures that are present. And then, if this is possible,
I want you to take that rose or flower and
I want you to get grounded on the floor, seated.
That could look like being on the grass outside, allowing
(40:31):
that fresh air to be with you as well. It
could also look like wherever you happen to be there's
flowers in a hotel or in your home. But sitting
down with it, moving slowly, taking your time with it,
and I want you to cup it in your hand,
maybe let the stem pass between your fingers. I want
you to hold it up close to your face, and
(40:52):
I want you to stare in the center of it.
And as you stare in the center of that flower,
I want you to allow yourself to trace the pedals
with your eyes, to notice the color, the richness of it,
to notice the feeling in your hand and then allow
(41:14):
yourself to soften your gaze and see what comes up.
That's it. We will be back with a new episode
next week. I'm must stay Hey. Find me on social
Let's connect at Debbie Brown. That's Twitter and Instagram, or
(41:35):
go to my website Debbie Brown dot com. And if
you're listening to the show on Apple Podcasts, please please
please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe and send
this episode to a friend. Dropping Jams is the production
of I Heart Radio and The Black Effect Network. It's
produced by Jackie's and me, Debbie Brown. For more podcasts
(41:58):
from My heart Radio, visit I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. M h
m hm
Host
Devi Brown
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