Giselle La Pompe-Moore | A Modern Approach to Spirituality
During this pandemic, people have found that there has been more room for reflection, especially since so much of what filled our space for self-inquiry and exploration has been taken away. Giselle La-Pompe Moore talks to Luxiders about how Covid-19 as a whole has affected people's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and her modern approach to spirituality.
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"There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to feel during this time, and so all the paces and different approaches we take are valid," – La-Pompe Moore.
LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC
As the pandemic affects everyone differently, the concept of "normal" is shifted, and in response, there are deep-seated emotions that people experience and reveal to others. Showing our vulnerability may be easy for some people but not for others. Brené Brown writes in his book Rising Strong that vulnerability is not about winning or losing; it is about having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. It is not weakness; it is our most significant measure of courage.
Giselle La-Pompe Moore, a wellness writer and trauma-sensitive meditation teacher, says that "If we can explore the unique ways this pandemic has affected people, we can work to find solutions that can benefit everyone." Many people have found that the toll on their mental health has been very crucial, especially those on the front lines. But others have found that they have been able to pause, refocus, and reprioritise. For many people, not being able to see their loved ones has been an incredible strain on their emotional well-being, but others who are more introverted may not feel that way
"Everyone goes through this time in their own way and at their own pace," asserts La-Pompe Moore. That's why it's essential to explore and understand how this pandemic affects people in different ways. "There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to feel during this time, and so all the paces and different approaches we take are valid," La-Pompe Moore continues.
"When we can explore the unique ways that this pandemic has affected people, we can work towards finding solutions that everyone can benefit from," – La-Pompe Moore.
THE INCREASE OF WELLNESS PRACTICE
Speaking about wellness practices, La-Pompe Moore believes that the practices have remained largely the same because they have always been rooted in cultural and historical practices that stand the test of time. "Most of these practices have always been available remotely, such as Reiki. But during the pandemic, more practices have come online, especially with one-on-one sessions and group workshops held over Zoom."
La-Pompe Moore believes that the pandemic has contributed to increasing interest in wellness. As so many areas of life have moved online, wellness has done the same, allowing for greater accessibility to services, practitioners, and courses. Social media has helped to democratise the industry and reach a larger audience with free Instagram lives. "For those still working in offices or on the front lines, wellness has become an integral part of their lives to help them deal with the pressures and rigours of these times," she says.
Working at home has also increased the acceptance of wellness practices as they can be easily incorporated into the day. With Zoom classes at lunch and more space around work tasks to break up the day with practices that would not be possible at a desk. She adds: "In general, we needed to prioritise our relationship and understanding of wellness more than ever. It should no longer be perceived as a luxury, but as a foundation for coping during a particularly difficult time for society."
THE MODERN APPROACH TO SPIRITUALITY
La-Pompe Moore offers wellness guidance with a modern approach to spirituality. She helps clients through their life experiences and changes in individual sessions, online group workshops, and downloadable practices. Her clients range in age from 18 months to 80 years, from London to New York. She asserts: "That's where you'll find your authentic, in-your-worth, spiritually connected, truest self and when you’re tuned in to that, life is amazing and much easier to navigate."
La-Pompe Moore is a certified Reiki master teacher. She uses Reiki to see what is going on in our energy field, and since energy is both within us and around us, a distance treatment works just as it does in person. According to her, Reiki goes where it is needed, it can often relieve physical symptoms and pain or help us understand and accept what we are experiencing. It can also help get to the root of a problem, like those pesky frequent headaches.
Reiki calms and soothes the mind and reduces overall stress. If there is an imbalance on an emotional level, this can sometimes linger in our energy body and Reiki can help process and release this. "If you have been feeling spiritually absent, we can work on strengthening your intuition as Reiki helps develop a deeper spiritual connection," she says.
In addition, La-Pompe Moore suggests manifestation and stillness that may help us during the pandemic. Stillness based practices, as well as manifestation, give us the opportunity to see the inner strength and control that we have in a world that feels so out of control and unexpected. We can also use our mind, body and soul to create intentions for our peace and wellbeing and for the wellbeing of our community and the whole world; regardless of what is happening around us.
Whilst, manifesting is not just about writing a wish list of material goods we want the universe to bring to us, but it allows us to realise that we can create ourselves, even in the face of adversity. That we have the tools within us to find what we so often seek outside of ourselves. La-Pompe Moore points out, "when we move through the world from this foundation, using spirit and self-practices along with support, life feels much easier to not only survive but thrive."
+ Words:
Alvia Zuhadmono
Luxiders Magazine
