00:00:06 Archita: We speak of light, love, awakening. But rarely do we sit with our own darkness. What if the very thing we resist within ourselves is the doorway to collective evolution? And what if the illusion we are hiding from is the belief that we are separate? we gently ask. Uncovering darkness, shall we?

00:00:30 Archita: Welcome to sacred Harmony, a space where we explore healing, spirituality and the deeper layers of becoming whole. I'm your host, and today I am joined by Regina Rosa Celeste, known as known nationally as the Internal Peace Revolutionist, a best selling author, conscious entrepreneur, Yogi, and transformational speaker who blends spirituality with strategy to help individuals and organizations access radical inner peace while creating external success. We are exploring a powerful idea tonight that we are one, and if humanity is to evolve, it begins with each of us doing our inner work. So let's step into this gently. Regina, welcome to sacred Harmony. It's so great to have you today.

00:01:23 Regena Rosa Celeste: Thank you. I'm so grateful to be here with you.

00:01:27 Archita: Yeah. And this is quite a radical topic and very evolutionary for sure. So I'm really excited to have this conversation with you and see where it leads us. So without wasting any time, let's dive into it. And Regina, before we talk about humanity and evolution, I'm curious, when did you first realize that the real work wasn't about changing the world, but about changing yourself?

00:01:55 Regena Rosa Celeste: Mhm. So I love this question because it's very I feel like it takes off the, um, the mask. It's really a moment of permission to be human and permission to be held accountable, which I feel is really where for me, the work started. Um, it was two a m and I was receiving a phone call from a real estate client. And I remember in that moment, I made a commitment to myself. I made a promise that, um, I was no longer going to Look outside for solutions. I was very bothered by a phone call at the in the middle of the night by a client, and I remember at that time. Expressing my frustration. And then as I kind of witnessed myself in that experience, I reminded myself that I was the one choosing not only my response, but I was also teaching people how to treat me. And if I didn't create other. Agreements with people, then I really had no business getting upset because I didn't communicate to that client that it wasn't appropriate to call me in the middle of the night. And, um, so that was a really big lesson for me, uh, in that experience. And to this day, you know, I have a different version of kind of, um, how would I say appropriate phone calls or not? Uh, but the word itself, I have a different relationship with the word appropriate now, but at that time I, I got to see in myself my, uh, my growth opportunity in that, in that phone call and in that experience. So that was like, for me, a very pivotal moment.

00:03:49 Archita: Yeah, I can, I can only imagine that. And I love that for you. I love that you navigated, uh, your journey since then. And it is indeed very important that first you change yourself because that is the first step to changing the world. So this really sets the tone for this conversation. Now moving on. Um, Regina, there's this beautiful but sometimes misleading idea in spiritual spaces that we should focus on the light and avoid any negativity. Now I'm curious, what's the illusion in that? What are we actually hiding from when we bypass the darkness.

00:04:34 Regena Rosa Celeste: So for me, um, I think that's a really important question. I think what happens is people, myself included, there was a time when I thought that moving into the darkness or, um, acknowledging the darkness was I think it probably is this idea that it's a weakness and that if we focus on the darkness will attract more darkness. And in reality, I have come to, at least for myself, at this stage in my process and my journey. Um, I believe you cannot have one without the other. You cannot have joy without pain or without the contrast of joy. And so the same goes for light. If a person doesn't know what it means to be depressed, they'll never experience joy like the full expression of joy. Um, and the same goes for for light and darkness. If someone refuses to look at the shadow, it's going to be much harder for them to fully embody the light because they don't know the difference. They don't know the spectrum and the rainbow, so to speak, of possibilities. So I think it's a very important part of expansion and of maturity, emotional and spiritual maturity is being able to acknowledge the dark for the gifts that it carries. And, um, especially at this time on the planet, I think it's even more important because there is a lot of darkness that's being illuminated. And unless we are collectively, I believe, as a society and as a culture, as a humanity, as a human race, unless we're willing to look at the entire spectrum and the entire circle, We will only see one side of it. And that's very not only limiting. That's also, I think, very ignorant and very immature personally.

00:06:40 Archita: Yes. And it is high time that people understand that because there is there should always be balance in the universe. It's like yin and yang. So without the negativity, the positivity cannot exist. And it's important to acknowledge both equally. So definitely, uh, but what tends to happen when we refuse to look at our shadow? Does it stay quiet or does it show up in other ways?

00:07:09 Regena Rosa Celeste: Yeah, I think it does actually, um, show up in other areas. And that's why it's so important to be responsible stewards of, I think, this work, and that's one of the reasons I love what you're doing, um, with your show actually is because I think sacred harmony Is harmony with the self, harmony with all aspects of self, and that includes parts of self that might be in the shadows and might be more illuminated, might be more evolved, more mature, more developed. Maybe is a better way to say it. Um, so I think it's really, it's truly important and it's really necessary for, for all of us to take a look at ourselves and take inventory of what's working, what's not working. And, um, without that, we can't really, it's, it's foolish to think and very naive to think that we're going to mature or grow up, you know, without doing the work. Like it's, it's, uh. It's, it's like trying to hack the system and it doesn't work. You know, it's like, I think of like a tube of toothpaste. I can, uh, I can try to take it from the center, but if I'm really, um, doing what's necessary, um, the good stuff is usually in the center or at the end of something, you know, like at the, to get to get the full experience. It takes something, it takes a willingness to really look at oneself and, and that includes all parts, maybe even the parts that aren't so pretty or so attractive. That's really, truly what it means to, I think, attain sovereignty. And for a person to really know themselves is to know all aspects of self and harmonize, you know, really understand, okay, why do I do certain things? Why do I bite my nails? Or why do I, um, maybe cut people off in traffic? You know, what is the reason I'm doing those things and then make a choice, stop doing it right. If I, if I want to grow, find a better way to handle my life. And that's for me. That's what I did.

00:09:30 Archita: Yeah, that that really makes a lot of sense because it's not that darkness is the enemy. It's that unacknowledged darkness becomes unconscious power. And perhaps that's where separation begins. And that brings us to something deeper. Uh, if we say we are one yet live as if we are separate. What is the root of that split? Where does this illusion of separation begin within us?

00:10:01 Regena Rosa Celeste: Um, my understanding, my belief is it's anytime I think I'm separate from someone. So if I think I'm better than someone or if I think that I am. More, even, um, even sometimes spiritual, you know, I was in a conversation just a little bit ago with someone and laughing at myself, right? When I have those moments when I think, oh, um, maybe I know more than someone, right? And it comes from this spiritual ego of, um, I know more, I know better, right? I don't know, I don't know anything. I know life is what I make of it. And if I make it hard, it's hard. If I make it joyful, it's joyful. And when I look at life from a from a lens of an experience, what am I experiencing? AM I experiencing pain? Yeah. Maybe sometimes. Um, am I experiencing beauty? Yeah. Often. And, and the world, I think the universe. The world, um. Is very much a mirror. So if I see the world as a victim, that the world is out to get me and everyone is hurting me, then I will likely experience more of that. I will have evidence to prove that. And if I come from a place of empowerment and accountability, I will most likely experience more evidence or appearances that the world is working with me. So I think it's a really special time on the planet. I think it's an opportunity for us all to not just do the inner work, but support each other. And yes, if somebody knows something, uh, this is like what you're doing with your show. I think it's beautiful, you know, using the tools of mindfulness and peace and unity consciousness to create these conversations and anything that's not that the separation, then can we we can talk about it, we can explore and we can like, like in, uh, how would I say like grades in school? You know, one person might be in first grade. Doesn't mean that they're bad. They just maybe learn a little slower. Or maybe they haven't learned that lesson yet. Um, so then it becomes an opportunity for us all to hold hands and nurture one another and say, okay, maybe, you know, one person's really good at math and another person is good at psychology or let's say history. Um, so where can we come together and unify? And then it's not anybody's more evolved or less evolved. It's we're all walking each other home in a more sustainable and cohesive fashion. And, um, and this is easy to forget. You know, I think when we're living our lives and we're going through life experience, myself included, you know, I forget sometimes when I'm, when I'm in those moments of my suffering, I forget until I choose to remember. And then easy, easy to say, right? But not so easy to do. Um, so this is why I love this, these conversations, because they remind me how to get back into the vortex of unity and, and just, you know, reminds reminds me to, um, not take life so serious.

00:13:36 Archita: Yeah. And it really sounds like the illusion isn't outside of us. It's an internal fragmentation. And when we are fragmented inside, we project that fragmentation out onto the world. So that makes so much sense. Now let us bring this closer to home in everyday life, in relationships, business, leadership. How does the hidden darkness or sense of separation actually show up?

00:14:06 Regena Rosa Celeste: MM. I think it comes in so many ways. It comes many times through judgement, through, um. You know, coming back to the last question, which was, um, feeling like I'm separate from someone feeling like I'm better. Like I know more. Um, of course in certain areas, like in academics. Yeah, absolutely. If one person maybe has a focus on history and another person is, um, fitness, you know, then the maybe the history person really does know more from an academic standpoint. And I think this comes back to humility and grace with each other. If, if I'm not very skilled or confident in an area, how can I be curious about that area? And maybe instead of judging myself even, um, this is why I love yoga so much in the hemza's and the, you know, the eight limbs, right? They talk about nonviolence. Um, that's a really important one. Even with the self and understanding these eight limbs, they can be like commandments, right? And many different religions have different names, right? Some have commandments, some have, um, the, uh, what is the other one like? The Quran has their own right. There are so many different versions I think of not necessarily the exact same thing, but we see so much of the same in different languages and different dialects and different cultures. And it makes me wonder often. What is the difference of the term? It's more of the essence of the thing, right? So do good unto others as I would want done to me. Like, I don't think that's anything to do with religion. That's a very simple be a good person. Be be kind. That's it. Um, treat people how I want to be treated. And for me, it is that simple. I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. And I do my best every day when I wake up to have gratitude for my life and do good with the days I have and the breath I have every day and every moment. It's never guaranteed. You know, I may I may not have breath after who knows how long. Right. And that's also the gift of life is this journey. It's a beautiful. It's a beautiful invitation for us all to just come back to what matters, which is not our bills. It's not our jobs. It's not our partners, you know? Yes. It's who who we live life with and what we do with that life. But it's also who who we are being in the life. That's what I'm coming to understand.

00:17:03 Archita: That is so beautifully described. And of course, it makes a lot of sense. It's like our reactions to everything becomes teachers and the conflict outside mirrors something unintegrated inside, and that is both humbling and empowering. So thank you so much for sharing that with us. Let's stay with that for a moment. Um, if someone wants to begin uncovering their own darkness, not in a dramatic way, but gently, where do they start?

00:17:36 Regena Rosa Celeste: MM. Good question. Um, I believe you one can start really anywhere. And this is a beautiful place to do that. Um, anytime somebody asks, what can I do? Where can I start? That's already a confirmation that they're willing, which to me is a blessing. Like I celebrate that. I congratulate the person who asks because to me that's showing that they're already looking for answers and the answers always come. I know when I was starting my journey and I was starting to question how I could become a better person. Um, you know, even one little action. Pausing and breathing is huge and very underestimated. Um, I think even just that awareness of I have a breath that in itself is starting because it's all of a sudden it's remembering that the fact that I have a breath means my breath could be taken away and it could be seen as morbid. But really what it is, is it's a reminder. I'm here, I'm breathing. I have a breath. So all of a sudden I went from, I can't pay my bills or, you know, my boyfriend broke up with me or my parents something blah, blah, blah, right? Whatever it is in our head, um, it takes off all of the pressure, all of the, the human mind stuff. and it brings it back to something so beautiful, so sacred and so simple, which is the breath. And, and this in itself is, is the gift when we can be in that space of questioning, um, everything, you know, why, why do we stress about money? Why do we stress about partnerships and relationships and the things we cannot control? And this is where I think, you know, the yogis and the ancestors before us, um, are such beautiful tools to help support the reminders of just be, be in the, be in the gratitude. You know, gratitude is my favorite. Like to kind of put the bow on it. I think, um, gratitude is really for me been such a first step. And. It's very powerful gratitude. It's probably the, I think from what I've read and heard, it's the highest frequency to bring us back into that space of, of, of wholeness. So I would say gratitude.

00:20:21 Archita: I love how grounding those advices are because it makes us feel that evolution isn't a grand event. It's a daily willingness to sit with discomfort, to take responsibility, to soften the ego. And it is deeply personal and practical. So thank you so much for sharing all of that. And thank you so much for sharing all of the wisdom that you brought with you today to this conversation. And, uh, lastly, for someone who feels overwhelmed by the state of humanity, who feels small or powerless, what would you gently ask them to reflect on tonight?

00:21:00 Speaker 3: HMM.

00:21:04 Regena Rosa Celeste: Well, I would remind them that they are. part of the solution and we are all part of the solution. So if there is something within me that is unstable or unhealed, that is my work, that is my offering to not just myself, but to others, to the planet to do that work so that we can heal together. And, um, I love the word you used is gentle and gently is be gentle with ourselves and each other, please, because this is, it's such a precious time right now on the planet. And, um, we deserve, we deserve this, you know, we deserve this, um, life. We deserve these gifts we've all brought, came here to experience them. So let's be gentle with with each other and with ourselves.

00:22:11 Archita: That is the most important thing. Above all, being gentle with yourself. So yeah. Once again, thank you so much, Regina. This has been a wonderful and insightful conversation. And if there's one thing that I can take out from this conversation, it's this. If you want humanity to evolve, we cannot outsource the work. The world changes when we courageously integrate the parts of ourselves we once tried to hide. So, Regina, for those who feel called by your message of radical inner peace and conscious evolution, where can they connect with you and your work?

00:22:54 Regena Rosa Celeste: Thank you so much. So the best place is actually, I have a short quiz on my website and listeners can access its five questions to help evaluate your stress. Find out how much stress you have. Um, or they have and they can go to internal peace now dot com and we start that journey together.

00:23:21 Archita: Perfect. So we will have all of those details in our show listing so that our listeners can reach out to you whenever they want. And if tonight wasn't about fixing humanity, it was about remembering our responsibility within it. Darkness isn't something to conquer. It's something to understand. And perhaps harmony is not the absence of shadow, but the integration of it. Thank you for joining us on sacred Harmony. Take a breath. Sit with what's stirred within you. And until next time, may you continue your inner evolution gently and bravely.