What makes you powerful?
Being connected to my unique Truth, that which is connected to Universal Truth and allowing it to be expressed through me. Speaking it, listening to and taking action from it and constantly growing into more alignment with it. It’s something that Iv had to work on and continues to unfold through Self study and mindful practices, being able to decipher between ego, desire and True desire, knowing whats right and true and the direction to follow, action to take, in every situation, moment to moment. Its this deep presence and connection that allows me to feel Truly alive, allowing that to live through me and be of service where needed, is when I feel most powerful.
What makes your world turn?
Love!
Who are your mentors in life? How did they help your journey?
There are many mentors, teachers and modalities that iv looked to at different times in my life but my most direct experience of a continued mentor in my life is With my Teacher Jeff Kober, who initiated me into the Vedic tradition, teaching me how to mediate, with an easy and sustained practice that I have done twice daily for the past 8 years, its completely changed my life,giving me a direct experience of knowing myself as the One/Nature/God/ that we all are, which is where I live my life from. It's developed a base line of peace, happiness and fulfillment no matter whats thrown my way, allowing me a deep sense of trust in the universe, with a strength and fearlessness to follow my inner guidance.
Your most insecure moment in life and how you tackled it?
It's hard to pick just one, for me it feels like a forever peeling back of the layers or a dying to all the things we identify with that give us a feeling of false security, age, status, relationship,money,who we ‘think’ we are etc.Things like my first heart break or ‘failed’ marriage ,transition in work, big changes in this life ‘stuff’ confronted me with a feeling of ‘insecurity’ almost like i was dying without this, that and the other. The feeling of Insecurity arises when questioning who I am, when these situations arise. I find this to be one of the most painful but beautiful experiences, as its always brought me back to my deepest, truest self, unidentified as anything but the pure, love energy that is whole, complete, secure.
What are you most grateful for?
LIFE,every single bit of it.
Advice to women trying to make a make it in this world?
There is all kinds of ‘making it’. For me it’s about fearlessly following your truth. When we come from a place of knowing our wholeness, we truly create and share our deepest gifts, not because we feel lacking of something, a ‘should’/'have to’ but from the place of pure inspiration. I think its also important to acknowledge with a huge swing on the pendulum in the feminist movement, just because we can be powerful leaders doesn’t mean we have to, which is the most common use of ‘making it’these days. Being a mother,a provider of life, creator of a wholesome beautiful home, a gardener, a artist, a cook...having a deeply satisfying relationship and expressing creativity in whatever way feels good, is ‘making it’.
What part of your culture are you least proud of?
I'm least proud of the disposable elements of our culture, like fast fashion.
What do you think is lacking in our culture today?
A regular connection to Nature without distraction and technology, I believe is more important than ever, in our overstimulated, populated and polluted world today. This connection to nature leads to a natural expanded consciousness, being aware of what impact our actions have on all people and the planet.
What is the best and worst thing about being female?
The best thing about being female is our ability to be able to feel things deeply & inwardly. Which is also, given the divided nature of society today and all the animosity, it is also a great burden.
Who are you? How would you describe yourself?
This is the Question I believe we all come to at some point in our life which can be one of the most important moments in our existence, ‘who am I’. I’ve personally continued to ask myself this question with every big change that occurs in my life, getting more of a deeper, not only understanding but, experience of it. Closer to the truth of who I truly am without form, identity, name. I am the I Am. Me, as personally, Ashley is a kind, spirited, fun woman with an open heart and mind, a built-in ability to sit with discomfort and a lover of deep connection, evolution and continuous learning.
What qualities and virtues do you find valuable in people?
Presence, Vulnerability, fearlessly themselves, an ability to listen and authentically expressed themselves.
What is your go to outfit?
Converse, cut offs, tank top and a long colorful silk cape
How do you wear jewelry?
Daily, quality gold, rings on every finger, chains, lots of ear studs. More is more.
Favorite place to be/exist?
Wherever I am.
Favorite thing to cook?
I love making healthy bowls, with bits of everything. I also enjoy making a good curry and not to forget.. raw Choclate!
Favorite quote, affirmation or words you live by?
Que Sara Sara. Whatever Will BE Will BE.(My most recent tattoo, meaning the Will of God/Nature, will be. Reminds me to surrender)
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in life thus far?
To live knowing the impermanent of all things, yet in truth knowing nothing ever dies! AKA love deeply without attachment to form.
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