About Going Gently
Hello! I’m Satya and I write Going Gently. I help people to be kinder to themselves, to others & to our dear Earth.
Maybe, like me, you have a tendency to strive. Maybe you’re perfectionist, or self-critical - maybe you never quite feel that you do enough or are enough despite your accomplishments. Maybe you’re just tired. Maybe you’re missing out on some of life’s gorgeous juiciness.
I am kinder to myself than I used to be. I expect less of myself and feel softer towards myself when I mess things up. I am more relaxed and more ‘me’. I still get lots of stuff done, and I also make time for proper breaks. I’m still a work in progress but things are SO much better, and I want to pass on the good stuff I've received.
In my writing you will hear about the magic of Internal Family Systems and the relief of accepting our human limitations. You’ll hear stories from my life as a Buddhist teacher, psychotherapist, wife, friend, dog owner & ordinary fallible human. I write about what happens inside us, work, relationship tangles, creativity, money… how we can iron out wrinkles and add sparkle.
Going gently doesn’t mean shirking our responsibilities in these times of conflict, climate crisis and vast injustice. And, you may also be juggling a lot of balls (I know I am). My experience is that accessing more gentleness makes it easier to show up, give attention to what needs healing inside & outside of us, and prioritise the important things over the rest.
Benefits for free subscribers: about going gently
Occasional pieces about living a gentle life.
Benefits for paid subscribers: how to go more gently yourself
Weekly pieces where I’ll set the tone for your week with personal sharing, prompts, Internal Family Systems expertise & more.
Regular self-study courses - coming up later in 2024, Kissing the Earth and How To Feel Better.
My archive including all my posts, past self-study courses (including an introduction to Internal Family Systems & mindful writing) & more.
A paid subscription costs the same as one bar of excellent chocolate a month, or much less if you pay for the year. I like to frame your financial offerings as enabling everyone to read my writing, not just you - my Supporters give me time to write. If you are considering it, read this post: Should you give me money or not?
Who am I? I’ve got twenty years experience as a psychotherapist, and discovering Internal Family Systems totally transformed my way of seeing the world. I’m a Pure Land Buddhist teacher and I’ve run a little Buddhist temple for nine years with my spouse Kaspa (they/them). I’m influenced by teachings from many spiritual and wisdom traditions. If you spend any time with me at all you will probably see photos of my dogs (here they are…).
For a taste of my writing, try Lingering in the Sweet Spot.
I hope my words offer you balm. We all need more gentleness, right?
Go gently,
Satya 💚
“Your writing is like a big hug. With extra sparkles.” Sophie Nicholls from Dear Writing
“I think your gift, Satya, is not so much to make other people happy, as to give them enough comfort to be themselves. That is both wildly fierce and profoundly gentle. As are you.” Lizzie from Softly Falls the Light
PS Alongside my spouse Kaspa I write a newsletter about our Bright Earth temple. This year I am doing twice-daily prayers to the Earth & send monthly-ish updates here.
