In Conversation with Brian Berneman
In this interview, Brian Berneman shares his transformative journey into wellness, bridging neuroscience, mind-body practices, and holistic healing.
Known for his gentle wisdom, Brian's work supports individuals in cultivating inner peace, balance, and meaningful change. With a background spanning diverse healing modalities and mindfulness traditions, he provides insights on how to live with greater awareness and intention.
Brian’s sound baths are a favourite in Auckland. If you haven’t been to one yet, I recommend you get a ticket for an insightful, buzzy but certainly relaxing journey into the centre of yourself.
What are the key moments in your life that have led to who and where you are today?
One of the most pivotal moments in my personal transformation from a stressed, disconnected individual to someone deeply committed to holistic well-being was the first class of Tibetan Yoga I attended where I was able to reconnect with my body and for the first time felt energy moving in and out of my body.
As well as when I decided to leave everything I knew behind and moved for a few years to live in a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center in the middle of the mountain. These experiences and the journey opened my eyes to the power of mindfulness and ‘alternative’ healing modalities, setting me on the path to become a wellness advocate and guide for others.
Kum Nye Dancing practice that is part of the Tibetan Yoga and Lama Dancing tradition
How did sound healing come into your life and how has it been a transformative tool?
Sound healing became a part of my life during my exploration of various holistic practices. I remember going as a late teenager to sessions with my parents and these were instrumental in my reconnection and meditation practice. It's been transformative in its ability to create deep relaxation and facilitate emotional release. As a practitioner, I've witnessed how sound vibrations can help individuals access states of consciousness conducive to healing and personal growth.
What might someone expect from a sound journey?
A sound journey is a unique, immersive experience. Participants can expect to be enveloped in a tapestry of healing vibrations from various instruments whilst seating or laying down. They may experience deep relaxation, emotional release, and potentially profound insights. It's a journey inward, promoting balance and harmony on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
What other modalities are meaningful to you? How have they supported your healing and evolution?
Tibetan Buddhism, Reiki, Energy & Somatic Healing, and Family Constellations have all been significant in my journey. These practices have provided me with tools for self-reflection, energy balancing, and understanding the impact of familial and ancestral patterns. They've been instrumental in my personal healing and continue to inform my approach to guiding others. The integration of the different modalities support us in exploring all our different aspects.
What is a current thread of inquiry you’re following? What are you learning?
Ongoing is my exploration of the intersection of neuroscience and ancient wisdom traditions. I'm leaning more and more into how modern scientific understanding can validate and enhance traditional practices, making them more accessible and relatable to a contemporary audience.
As well, the importance of compassion towards everything and everyone through the lens of awareness and understanding of the complexity of life.
Can you share a challenge you’ve experienced that has led to a gift?
My early struggles with stress, disconnection and road rage were challenging, but they led me to discover holistic wellness practices. This journey became the foundation of my life and work, allowing me to empathise deeply with others facing similar challenges and guide them towards balance and well-being.
What is a piece of wisdom guiding you at the moment?
A: In an ever-evolving world, conscious living is a choice we make moment by moment. This wisdom reminds me to stay present, make intentional choices, continuously unlearn and heal, and align my actions with my values. This is tied in with impermanence and death and how they serve as reminders of the preciousness of life.
Make a wish.
I wish for a world where we remember our power, reconnect with our inner resources and embrace conscious living, fostering greater compassion, sustainability, and personal growth on a global scale.
What books that have changed your life?
What podcasts do you recommend?
Of course, The Conscious Action Podcast!
Brian’s Corners of the Internet
