Dr. Melissa Ming Foynes, unceded Occaneechi & Eno land, Durham, NC (2025)

10/02/2023

Today is the day!Are you joining us for the Sacred Living Audio Summit?

We’re gathering to bring intuitive and grounded wisdom that helps you live a more sacred life everyday.

This immersive audio experience is going to be a summit like no other. The best part about it being all audio is that you can listen whenever and wherever you want and not worry about having to show up to a bunch of live calls. (Plus, no fees for special all access passes - once you sign up, you have free lifetime access to all of the content).

So you can lean into this guidance to work on remembering your magic and reclaiming your divine power whenever and however it serves you.

There’s still time to save your free spot.

Simply head to the link 🔗 in bio. 💗

10/01/2023

Me playing around recently in one of the most beautiful and sacred spaces I have ever been. 💗 A perfect opp to talk about the Sacred Living Audio Summit right around the corner. There is some really powerful magic surrounding this event.The interviews are a portal to a renewed relationship with your spirituality & a path for embodying it every. single. day.

There is an incredible mix of diverse presenters who will be sharing their most grounded & intuitive advice for reclaiming your relationship to the sacred.

Intention & presence are the keys to living a soul-aligned life & we’re so excited to show you how.

So, if you’re feeling called, make sure to join us.

When we don't nourish the whole of who we are, infusing the sacred into our everyday can feel impossible - because we're on autopilot or in survival mode, just trying to make it through each day.

So, I’m going to be sharing about the wisdom of Ayurveda, a holistic preventative medicine system thought to have originated in India over 5,000 years ago. I'll cover:

➡️3 common types of stress-induced imbalances
➡️Key principles that will help you learn how to feel more replenished, balanced & alive
➡️Small shifts to things you ALREADY do each day ~ respond to emails, make your tea or coffee, talk with friends, put your kids to bed ~ to put this wisdom into action

Ayurveda offers a compassionate & comprehensive holistic framework for learning about ourselves so that we can cultivate lifestyles that work for us rather than against us ~ physically, energetically, emotionally, cognitively, relationally, spiritually.

If the idea of coming together to reconnect to yourself & the sacred in even the most mundane life moments, make sure to join us for FREE (🔗 in bio)

09/30/2023

If you haven’t already heard, I’m extremely honored to be one of the presenters at the upcoming Sacred Living Audio Summit and my interview is dropping on Monday, October 2nd.I joined with the other 29 Wise Women in this event because we’re all invested in helping women deeply embody their spirituality and embrace their power on a daily basis.

Plus, we’re passionate about bringing together like-hearted soul sisters on a mission to reconnect with their innate magic.

Learning to live your life with sacredness, even amidst grief, heartache, and day-to-day stressors, is essential to living a soul-aligned existence.

And, the Sacred Living Summit is an opportunity to gather with 30 Modern Mystics who are bringing you some no-sh*t, real-life advice on how to make even the most mundane moments of your life feel more magical, inspiring, and precious.

When we don't nourish the whole of who we are, infusing sacred into our everyday can feel impossible - because we're just on autopilot or in survival mode, just trying to make it through each day.

So, I’m going to be sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda, a holistic preventative medicine system thought to have originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda offers a compassionate and comprehensive framework for learning about ourselves so that we can cultivate lifestyles that work for us rather than against us ~ physically, energetically, emotionally, cognitively, relationally, and spiritually.

If the idea of coming together to more deeply reconnect to yourself and to help you rediscover the sacred in even the most mundane life moments, make sure to join us for FREE (🔗 in bio)

08/05/2023

I love to move mindfully whenever I get the chance, and especially when I travel. Even if it's nothing formal - a few stretches or dance moves.

These physical practices hold a special place in my heart - they're amazing for my physical health and also nourish my mind and spirit.

When I'm more in my body I feel stronger - more capable of meeting the ups and downs of life in an honest way, and bouncing back with resilience when things are really hard.

Mindful movement doesn't have to be complicated and can be anything you are already doing - you can mindfully climb the stairs, lift your coffee mug to your lips and mindfully swallow, mindfully walk to a bus stop, mindfully move throughout the kitchen while you cook.

Moving with intention invites a deeper sense of presence and awareness that helps us approach what we're doing in that moment with more aliveness, but also can affect how we approach other parts of our days, even when we're still.

I love coordinating my breath with movement because it helps me feel more in my body and more aware of the sensations in my body.

It feels like a way of appreciating my body and all it does for me, even when I haven't always been kind to it.

When we focus on our breath or bodily sensations while moving, we can become more attuned, allowing us to move with more compassion and to really take care of our bodies, without pushing or striving beyond our capacity or what out body needs.

So, the next time you walk or get up from your desk to stretch, bring some mindfulness with you.

Feel the sensation of each stretch, notice the flow of energy, see if you can feel your whole body breathing with each inhale and exhale - however subtle.

Allow your breath or body to be an anchor in the midst of the daily stress and chaos.

08/01/2023

I was recently in a workshop where the trainer asked me to think about the most painful part of who I am. (Really, just one?)

And then he asked me, if my child also struggled with that same painful thing about themselves, what life would I choose?

Would I choose the life where the painful parts of my past had been erased, or would I choose the life I have know, the one where it unfolded as it did and that one thing was still a part of my life story?

Which life would help me be there for my child in the way that my child really needed in that moment?

You can probably guess how I answered that question.
Because my child needs me to be present, not perfect.

It made me think...how relatable is perfect?

How held do we actually feel by someone who seems perfect?

And doesn't perceived perfection often lead us to feel more alone, less understood, more on the outside, less worthy?

While we still may wish that certain life experiences hadn't happened, those experiences have helped us see other people's pain more clearly, and hold them with more compassion and understanding.

We are all beautifully flawed.

We stumble, we make mistakes, we have scars—both visible and invisible.

Contd. in comments 👇

07/29/2023

I find my harsh inner criticism louder on the days I need it the least.It's like it swoops in during moments of vulnerability to really kick me when I'm down.

It doesn't seem to happen on days that I'm feeling particularly badass or on top of the world.

Or maybe it does, but I'm just more able to acknowledge it without it dictating my mood or behavior.

When I notice that harsh voice, I try to begin by listening. I consider, what exactly is my inner critic saying?

Do they have any kernels of truth (even if they are not skillfully worded)?
Are they colored by past experiences?
And whose voice is this - is it mine or someone else's?

Next, I try to remember that the inner critic is here because it's trying to protect me in some way, even if it hurts - from failure, from taking a risk, from being vulnerable, from getting hurt. I try to feel the hurt, the anger, the guilt - whatever is there, and let it be for even a few moments or breaths.

Then, I notice what I feel in my body.

Is it a pit in my stomach?
A fluttering in the chest?
A heaviness in my shoulders?

Then I ask myself, what do I need in this moment?

Do I need to acknowledge that this inner critic is actually someone else's voice, not mine? Can I talk to someone I love and trust? Do I need to embrace the uncertainty of what I'm struggling with, and work on trusting myself to navigate it well?
Seeing your inner critic as an ally is a journey and practice of patience, acceptance, and self-compassion.

contd. in comments

07/24/2023

I actually love talking about grief. Sometimes people look at me funny when I say that, but it's true.

I love it because it's raw and real and deep, and learning how to grieve is an essential part of being human...or at least the kind of human I want to be.

Grief is everywhere and around us all the time, and it's something we all share. If you have known love, you will know grief.

There are so many sources of grief we encounter in our life as humans, individually and collectively.

Grief about what we needed and didn't get, grief about people we've lost and loved more than we thought was possible, grief for the suffering in others that we've witnessed and our helplessness in the face of it....the list is endless.

Lately, for me, the damage that humans have done to our beautiful planet has been causing me immense heartache.

And I think about the younger generation and what it might be like for them to face this grief for longer than I will. It all just breaks my heart so much.

Whatever form of grief is most present for you right now, there are ways to navigate it with compassion. But what does that even mean?

Swipe left for some key takeaways from this heartfelt episode. This isn't about toxic positivity. It's about how we can lean into grief in a way that meets the depth of our individual and collective grief more sincerely and honestly.

07/20/2023

Did you know that our body is home to over 39 trillion bacteria? That's equivalent to the weight of our brain! 🤯 These bacteria, called microbiome, reside in our gut and play a vital role in our overall well-being.

It turns out that our gut is not just a simple food-processing machine; it's an intricate ecosystem with its own nervous system, often referred to as the "second brain." 🌱

The microbiome produces hormones that influence our emotions, social functioning, and even our immune system.

So, it's safe to say that our gut is a powerful force in our lives.

Think back to a time when you experienced intense emotions—did you notice how your physical body reacted? Butterflies in your stomach, a heavy chest, or trouble sleeping?

That's the gut-brain connection in action.

Our emotions can manifest physically, and our gut plays a significant role in how we process and experience them.

Think of a time when you had a gut instinct or a hunch about something.

Turns out, there's scientific evidence to support this phenomenon.

Physical sensations in our gut send signals to our brain, leading to intuitive feelings or a sense that something isn't quite right.

Likewise, our emotions can impact our digestion. Research shows that different emotions have varying effects on the gut microbiome, influencing the speed of digestion and other physiological processes.

Our emotional well-being and gut health are intertwined.

Do you have a story when a gut feeling felt too strong to ignore? 😮‍💨

What were the physical signs you experienced?

07/18/2023

I was really humbled to see a recent spike in downloads for Ep. 20.It makes me wonder if many of us are grappling with the profound impact of betrayal.

Betrayal has a way of shaking us to our core, igniting feelings of shame and self-doubt that can ripple through our well-being and relationships.

In this episode, we talked about betrayal blindness—how we are so wired for connection that we don't see the betrayal that is happening right in front of us.

If we become aware of it, it could rupture the relationship.

In my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd, we delved into the importance of understanding and addressing betrayal for both individual and collective healing.

Her wisdom shed light on the complexities of betrayal and provided tools to navigate its aftermath.

One crucial takeaway was the significance of validating and believing people when they disclose experiences of betrayal.

It's essential to create a safe space where their voices are heard and their truth is honored.

Sometimes what they share can be so shocking that some part of us might struggle to believe - because if it happened to them, it could also happen to us. But believing is truly essential and the cost of not believing is incredibly high. ❤️‍🩹

We also explored the insidious nature of DARVO — a strategy used by perpetrators in order to deflect blame.

As the target, you can feel as though you are being gaslit, which can perpetuate self-blame.

But, if as a collective we cultivate alternative responses—curiosity, compassion, vulnerability, and accountability—we can break free from this painful DARVO cycle and help forge a path to deeper healing.

Continued in comments 💬

07/15/2023

I often get asked about visualization as a tool in mindfulness & meditation because it doesn't come naturally to everyone. For some, visualization can actually bring up unpleasant or unwanted images, or anxiety about distressing images coming up during the exercises.

Visualization can sometimes be tricky for people who are highly sensitive, people with a history of trauma, or people who have nervous systems that tend to absorb disturbing images from their daily lives - from media, stories they hear, etc.

Regardless of the reason, honour it and approach the practice with care and consideration, ideally with the support of a guide or mentor who can provide other alternatives to consider.

There are so many practices that can support you whether you find visualization unhelpful, distressing, difficult or just don't like it.

As one example, instead of closing your eyes and picturing a scene, focus on an object in your surroundings - in your office, out your window, in nature.

That object can be an anchor for your mindfulness practice or meditation 🧘‍♀️

In fact, meditating on certain spiritual images or objects is a practice in ta**ra yoga.

You can also gaze at photos or artwork, a candle or fire, a body of water, or even the color and texture of a small object. Allowing yourself to keep your eyes open can be more supportive than closing them.

There are also physical tools you can use, like exercise bands or stress balls that you can expand and contract in synchrony with your breath, serving as a tangible, rhythmic anchor for your mind.

Each of us has different needs and if you explore with curiosity, you are more likely to discover the techniques that work and you can feel more empowered to leave behind the ones that just don't suit.

07/10/2023

I was both surprised and not surprised to see the recent spike in downloads for my podcast episode on "Self-forgiveness, repair, & committed action". It was a helpful reminder that we're all navigating our own oceans of healing, often intertwined in ways we might not realize.

One key takeaway from that episode is that self-forgiveness is a personal journey that requires exploration into the many perspectives on self-forgiveness - what it means and how to go about it.

When you're ready, get curious about various teachings and weave the ones that resonate into your life.

From the vantage point of Buddhist psychology, self-forgiveness is about liberating ourselves from self-directed resentment or hatred. As one of my wise teachers Tara Brach once said, "it's about not shutting your own self out of your own heart."

Blaming ourselves for mistakes, holding onto regrets for life decisions, or bearing guilt for hurting others can all make self-forgiveness seem impossible. 💔

But self-forgiveness is not about approving or condoning behaviours that have hurt us or others.

It is about fully acknowledging, accepting, and taking responsibility for what has happened so that you can make meaningful and authentic amends without spiralling into a vortex of self-hatred.

Self-forgiveness is born from understanding the roots of our actions, which can pave the way for repair.

Self-forgiveness can guide you toward new commitments and shape you into a more compassionate, understanding version of yourself & others.

But sometimes it feels so out of reach, that the best you can do is to acknowledge the intention to forgive yourself. The intention to self-forgive is a more powerful step than we often realize.

Remember, we're all works in progress - it's not just you.

07/08/2023

In grief, it's so easy to feel incredibly alone. Sometimes other people are so uncomfortable with our grief that they unintentionally say or do things that lead us to close off because it feels like no one truly understands what it's like to be living our worst nightmare or to be bearing something that feels unbearable.

Having someone who sits with us and lets us express our raw emotions without attempting to fix or change them, who doesn't try to shift our perspective, and who simply bears witness to our pain, can be a rare gift.

It's fascinating how our four-legged companions often help us carry our grief, offering a unique form of connection. 💚

They interact with us through a lens of love and understanding - they don't judge our grief, they aren't freaked out by it, and they don't pull away.

If you have felt disappointed in how other humans haven't met your grief in ways you crave, consider being near an animal in your grief - a rescue pet, a visit to a farm, one you come across on a walk outdoors - and see how you feel.

In navigating grief, we often find solace in connecting with others who have known grief like ours.

Our stories may vary, but being near someone who has known the gut-wrenching, earth-shattering pain of grief, can help you feel less alone.

It can take time to find people who can offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space for your grief.

Trust your intuition about who can offer that space, and trust your pace about how fast or slow you want to go about finding it.

Give yourself permission to guard your heart against those who might not approach your grief with kindness and compassion.

This includes everyone, from friends and family to therapists and other professionals.

Continued in comments 👇

Dr. Melissa Ming Foynes

10/02/2023

10/01/2023

09/30/2023

08/05/2023

08/01/2023

07/29/2023

07/24/2023

07/20/2023

07/18/2023

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07/10/2023

07/08/2023

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