Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Silva.
Hi Veronica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My childhood shaped my adulthood and how I approached life. It was a challenging time with alcoholism, and physical and emotional abuse. Since that was what I knew, that is what I became. However, my story was going to be different. The real journey of change began when I got sober at 30 years of age. That was when I discovered a new way of living and that I did not have to suffer any more. I also began my work on my inner-self and my spirituality, facing my traumas, becoming responsible for my life and learning who I really was. I went back to school to get my bachelor’s degree at the age of 40 and became a registered nurse. I loved helping people heal and feel safe while they were in the hospital. As I continued to search for fulfillment, the religion of my childhood was no longer a fit for who I was becoming, I began studying more and more spiritual texts and teachers. I became a yoga teacher and a dedicated meditation practitioner. I was slowly growing free from the limiting beliefs that I had adopted from well meaning adults, teachers and guides who inadvertently affected me with their criticisms and judgments. Through my deep inner work, I was setting myself free. Because of my deep spiritual practices and studies, the inner call to become a minister became stronger, until one day I could no longer ignore that strong pull from within me. I went back to school again at the age of 50 years old to obtain my Master’s degree in Spiritual Consciousness and became a licensed minister for Center’s for Spiritual Living. I found that the fulfillment I was seeking outside of myself was being satisfied by helping others navigate their own suffering and set themselves free. When we serve others, they are changed…and we are changed too. I love being a minister, I love being part of an amazing community that wants to grow and make a difference in the world. Together as a community, we support each other, we are there for each other: Do we irritate each other sometimes–you bet. That is our learning edge, how to navigate discomfort, conflict and our fear edges; this leads to personal growth. We learn about spirituality, not a dogmatic version, but an individual experience of a power greater than ourselves. Some may call this power God, the Universe, Mother Nature, the infinite field of potentiality. Call it what you want…just call on it. As the Senior Minister at Pacific Coast Center for Spiritual Living, I am working harder than I have ever worked now, but it doesn’t feel like work when you are trying to make the world a better place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh no, not smooth at all. In hindsight, I have learned that the bumps on the road, the ditches and the dark nights of the soul were all a necessary part of my growth. I don’t usually grow when things are going smoothly. So yes, with my alcoholism came many bumps, divorces, betrayals, credit/debt problems, losing everything and self-worth problems. Looking back, I am definitely not that person anymore.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the Sr. Minister and Spiritual Director of Pacific Coast Center for Spiritual Living in Seal Beach, CA. We are a spiritual center that supports people in their own spiritual and emotional growth. When the world seems to get more and more challenging, we provide a safe, welcoming, open and inclusive place where people can get a brief reprieve from their challenges and find tools for growth. We offer amazing educational classes that range from How to Manage Conflict as a Spiritual Practice, Emotions 101, Mindfulness, as well as we study Ernest Holmes, Brene Brown, Mark Nepo and many different teachers that can give us multiple perspectives. I am most proud of our community and their willingness to grown and stretch themselves. Our center is run by volunteers who give of their time, treasure and talents. They are amazing. What sets us apart from others is that we strive towards authenticity, inclusivity and possibility. We don’t expect anyone to be perfect or problem-free. Many people have suffered from traumas, including religious trauma. We are a safe place where people can explore a different perspective on spirituality.
How do you think about happiness?
Helping others makes me happy. I believe that is why we are on this earth, is to help others, it is just so satisfying.
Watching a project come to fruition within our community makes me happy – I am finding that when I work on a project that is larger than I am and I don’t know how we are going to get there, yet we do, that is a great feeling!
Dancing makes me happy – because it is freeing!
Doing my spiritual practices make me happy. – because I handle life better when I do my spiritual practices.
My kids make me happy. – because they are my kids!
Looking back at where I came from to where I am today makes me very happy. – its been a long road baby… and it ain’t over yet! The best is yet to come!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pacificcoastcsl.org
- Instagram: pacificcsl
- Facebook: Pacific Coast Center for Spiritual living.
- Youtube: Pacific Coast CSL
