We had the good fortune of connecting with GabrielNelson Sears and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi GabrielNelson, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
My favorite affirmation is, “There is no right and there is no wrong. There isonly path for myself and for others.” The first sentence does not refer tosocial constructs of right or wrong. Rather, it affirms that the choices wemake are a moment in time: that life is impermanent with constant change. If achoice I made no longer works, then I can make another choice. It simplifiesthings. It releases judgment, worry and self-recrimination for everyone isdoing the best they can at any given time. It reminds me to assume bestintentions, practice altruism and to know that there is only the present. Lifeis a series of lessons and tests. Some lessons andtests are easy. Other lessons are incomprehensibleso the tests are more challenging. The opportunity is to love myself and othersat all times. The subjective perception that I or someone else “passed or failed” is an illusion. Our path is aunique expression of the Divine in human form. I like this affirmationbecause it helps me avoid taking things personally and to be gentler withmyself. It disrupts the knee-jerk reaction to beat myself up or judge others.That as with musicians, it takesyears of practice to become proficient, and sometimes strings break or becomeout of tune. A string can be replaced or tuned up just like a choice can bereplaced or modified. The essence of this affirmation is compassion andunconditional love.

What should our readers know about your business?
Gabriel of the Light, LLC collaborates with spiritual communities, healthcareproviders, businesses and universities to develop lectures, sound meditationexperiences, workshops and retreats that provide simple mindfulness techniquesusing vibrational sound. As a certified vibrational sound therapist, I usesinging bowls and tuning forks directly on the body along with channeled Reikienergy for a variety of physical, mental, spiritual and emotional issues. Myspecialty is training others with multiple course offerings like the 12-hour Singing Bowl CertificateProgram and year-longapprenticeship certificate program. I also provide a “train the trainers”course for yoga instructors, psychologists and other healthcare providers whowant to use singing bowls for their clients and patients. Most recently, yogainstructors are reaching out for private singing bowl lessons. It has beenincredibly exciting and rewarding. The biggest struggle though was between mytwo ears. Feelings of self-doubt and of being an impostor. Thoughts like, “Whodo you think you are?” and “What will people think?” Old family beliefssurfaced for release along the way. My meditation practice and spiritualcommunity kept me grounded during this startup period. It has been a rapiduphill trajectory with its own challenges. I have a full-time “day” job so thefinancial security enables me to funnel profits from my sound practice backinto the business. I’m grateful for the security. At the same time, it haslimited some business opportunities because of my evening and weekend-onlyavailability. The balance that I preach to students and clients is somethingthat I struggle with myself. I love vibrational sound therapy so have a hardtime saying no. This creates long periods of time with no day off for self-careand rest. The vision is to soon be able leave the day job as the practiceexpands. What sets me apart is paying attention to details and supporting peoplein self-empowerment. In the words of one student, “It is an honor to callGabrielNelson a mentor. From a gentle reminder of “Watch my words.” to “Nexttime we meet, I want you to have your business cards.”, his encouragement hasopened a whole new chapter in my life.”

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
The Atlanta metropolitan area has many wonderful things to see and do. Apartial itinerary when friends visit includes hiking along Stone Mountain, theChattahoochee Nature Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Beltline, PiedmontPark, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the High Museum ofArt. Some of my favorite eateries are the Flying Biscuit, the General Muir,Yalla, Desta Ethiopian, Mary Macs Tea Room, Thai Chili, Red Bird andAziza.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank the International Sound Therapy Association, DecaturHealing Arts and the Trinity Center for Spiritual Living. They providedtraining, support and opportunities as a newbie in the Atlanta vibrationalsound healing community. Felicity Moss, Airathia Love and Allison Mukti BaiSummers, all gifted vibrational sound therapists, were generous with their timeand talents. They propped me up before I could fly.

Website: https://gabrielofthelight.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielnelsonsound/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielNelsonSacredSound/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDgXKwF9NwhKp5IshSlsCvQ?view_as=subscriber