Got Bare Naked Bliss? A Fabulous Guest and Giveaway

"Bare Naked Bliss" the book cover said. I admit, the title of this new release totally intrigued me, so much so that when an opportunity came to interview its author, I jumped at the chance.

Please welcome, wellness expert, global change advocate and author,  
Suzanne Toro. She's a creative, international traveler and visionary, as well as a mom and down home yoga teacher who lives in Southern California. She moves in some pretty influential circles, a profile in strength and creativity positioned as COO of global music label Jeepney Music, and spearheading endeavors of the Apl Foundation (founded by Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas) in giving back to those who are under-served and un-empowered. Suzanne is also the creator of three hit videos for the Black Eyed Peas and the founder of DharmaKarma Radio. And right now, she's totally jazzed about Bare Naked Dinners. Read on.

Suzanne's highest purpose is to help people experience their bliss and, according to her, there are many ways to do so. For when we are in touch with our bliss, ripples are formed, and we'll naturally find ourselves reaching out to help others. And that is precisely how we uplift the human spirit, create global change, and heal the planet.

She's here with us today, eager to hear your comments, and give away 2 copies of her wonderful book: BARENAKED BLISS: LOVING FROM WITHIN. Ask a question or leave a comment and you'll be eligible to win. I have to say, I loved this book. It is warm and funny; honest and heart breaking; full of tools and a powerful process ("The Bridge") to strip away all that keeps us from living as our divine selves.

All right, everyone, are you ready to get "naked" and save the planet?

Let's welcome, Suzanne, so she can show us how.

JLL: Suzanne, what do you mean by “Bare Naked Bliss"?

ST: To me, it is a sense of pure unadulterated joy that bubbles up from inside. Moments, when for no other reason you begin to laugh or chuckle or are overwhelmed with emotion that isn’t coming from any place other than yourself. It's about self love, loving one’s self—and it feels really really good!

Here's a parallel for someone who might need it. It's like when you are a mother for the first time, when you finally see your child. It's a divine moment that just isn't describable. Where you feel so much love and joy you cannot replicate it.

In her book, Suzanne presents a 7-step process she calls "The Bridge" to release what keeps us from our bliss, stuck in old patterns and disconnected from our divinity. Though she is quick to say that the six "virtues," as she calls them, are not in order. You can jump in anywhere and just begin. These are the virtues:

Be Present

Respect

Inspire

Detach

Give

Exchange

JLL: In your book, you often speak of the power of meditation to transform ourselves, our lives. Is this a good place for a person to begin working "The Bridge"?

ST: Sure, but some people believe they just can't meditate. Or their life is falling apart and it's difficult to concentrate. When we are in a scary place, in shock or fear, being still is a great place to be. You're almost paralyzed anyway so you may not have any other choice! But it’s what you do with those moments of silence and solitude. Do you exacerbate the situation? Or do you tell yourself you are going to pull yourself out of it, witness it, evaluate it as an observer rather than a participant for the purpose of emerging from this experience. Slowly, as you do that, you begin to see the situation for what it is. You can see your role in it, even if you don’t want to admit what your role is.

I tell people just to breathe. Take a full bodied breath and begin there. Your mind does calm down as your body fills with air. Obviously, when we are in fear we don't breathe; we hold our breath and this restricts us. I also tell them to bring various aspects of The Bridge into their life and even if you can’t meditate, doing these will enhance your ability to meditate. Take self-respect. Just begin there, and you will start to re-awaken to your self. The Bridge gives the benefits of meditation without really meditating. This is not a linear process. The act of being present is not linear, it is circular. The journey inward—there is not one road, but many.

JLL: You also speak about how important it is for us right now to bring the Masculine and Feminine energies together. Can you say more about this?

ST: If we look outside ourselves on a “macro” level, our society is so off-balance (especially the environment), so we must begin at an individual level to fix what’s wrong. Our masculine and feminine energies are how we articulate ourselves in the world and some of us are naturally going to be more masculine or more feminine. We can begin to look at what we are craving or how we are over compensating. Be really aware of how or why you are doing that--being overly aggressive, hurting others, or jeopardizing certain situations. On the other hand, you may not have a voice and be more meek.

When you have these extremes in your life it is time to look inward and determine if you need to be nurtured by feminine energy or by masculine energy, and how you can bring that into your life for balance. Once you are more balanced and aware you can participate better in society. This then creates a ripple effect.

Suzanne goes on to explain how she engaged this process in her own life. In her book, she candidly explains how this came as a result of a sexual assault. At that point, she began altering her experiences with the masculine because she had been a victim and, in her words, “because I had been violated by that energy. So I was overcompensating, putting myself in situations that were either as a caretaker or involved with more abuse. I had no self worth. So I had to find a way to have that relationship with the masculine in a new way within myself. I had to become more dominant. I had to find honor and respect within myself. By connecting with the male energy I was able to bring that back into balance.”

She says that she did this process by herself, without assistance, because she was too young to go to a counselor without her parents, and did not want them to feel shame because of what had happened to her. Suzanne went within, and through meditation and self-reflection, began to heal her wounds. This speaks to her remarkable resilience, as well as her passion for healing, not just for herself, but for everyone. Today, she finds herself deeply connected to the Divine Feminine through the forms of White and Green Tara, the goddess of compassion from the Buddhist tradition. 

JLL: Suzanne, what does this connection mean for you and what does it do for your daily life? 

ST: Tara invites me to stay in a place of “active compassion.” This has allowed me to witness people in a totally different way. Even the most horrific things I see so differently now. These teachings allow me to see such beauty in the midst of great devastation; seeing the potential for love and forgiveness and expansion. Tara is that presence which runs through me. Not to say I don’t have my moments when I have to honor the emotion of a situation. In the past year, two people in my life have been murdered. This invites me to active compassion and love even when moments come that you just don’t expect.

JLL: Do you engage in regular spiritual practices and, if so, what are they?

ST: Yes, I meditate daily. I work hard and play hard, so my schedule is different every day, so for me it is about just trying to walk through my days with awareness, with mindfulness. My connection with nature is important, and I go to the ocean, and to this amazing circle of trees near my home, especially when I am feeling a little off balance. My kids bring me back to center when I get outside of myself. My children are great, beautiful gifts. And I love eating. A mindful meal with myself or friends is very important. Reading poetry, writing in my journal. (Suzanne also teaches yoga and meditation at a center in Long Beach.)

JLL: Which brings us to those Bare Naked Dinners. Can you tell me more?

ST: These are small intimate dinner parties with people interested in good food, building community, and sharing thought-provoking conversation. Conversation that helps us grow and expand our global awareness. There is something very powerful about gathering together "naked," open and honest with ourselves and others. We're setting these up now in southern California. They are open to everyone. (View a video clip from one of the dinners here.)

More than anything, Suzanne invites us to give of ourselves in service to others. She is involved in numerous charitable organizations, including, Give2Asia and the Ayala Foundation: She believes that working with others in this way keeps us open and aware of how we are relating to our fellow human beings.  She describes herself as a "Third World Girl" and believes that the "New World" we desire will be ushered in through the Third World.

ST: Working in a Third World country, for example, really invites you to look at how you are being with others. Are you judging them? Your prejudices will definitely show up, so through service you can really peel away the layers that keep you from compassion. Ask yourself, 'How can I be of service?' Let the silence send the answer… Bliss is your birthright and serving others will help you experience this on an even deeper level.

“Loka Samastaa Sukhino Bhavantu~

Life to All, Love to All, Peace to All”

Thank you, Suzanne, for this powerful interview! Much goodness to think about here. You inspire us onward!

Now, Suzanne and I welcome your thoughts …

What’s on your heart?

(Remember, by making a comment you'll be entered into the drawing for one Suzanne's books!)

You can learn more about Suzanne, her writing and her philanthropic work at www.suzannetoro.com. Bare Naked Bliss is available for purchase at amazon.com

~~~~~

Naked

by Suzanne Toro, Excerpted from Bare Naked Bliss

Naked as all shall be
the pure essence of thy soul,
lies just within thy bare skin.

Unveil thy mask and look at thy self
for the reflection set in front of thee
is only thy portrait...
all that thee does love.

Set thy self free,
open thy heart.

Expose the raw essence of thy being,
for this shall reveal the secrets
which lay deep within thee.