Ever look at your life and think, “Everything’s fine… so why do I feel unfinished inside?” On Sacred Harmony, hosted by Archita, author and existential coach Richard Smith joins us to explore what it means to move from surviving to truly living.

This episode is for anyone feeling restless beneath routine—high-functioning, but not fully alive. Richard shares his “orbits of consciousness” framework and how awareness, self-compassion, and small stabilizing steps can help you shift from contraction to clarity, connection, and awe.

Richard Smith is the author of A Phenomenal Life: Awaken Your Clarity, Connection and Awe. He is an existential coach and an Associate Professor at the University of Hertfordshire.

1. 00:00 The “quietly unfinished” feeling beneath a full life
2. 02:05 Why Richard began studying consciousness in everyday humans
3. 06:10 The biggest misconception: we take consciousness for granted
4. 10:05 How contraction shapes success, relationships, and reactions
5. 14:20 Orbits of consciousness: operating states, not judgments
6. 18:10 Signs you’re in a narrow vs expansive orbit
7. 22:30 Gentle ways to shift: pause, stabilize, self-compassion

1. Notice when you’re “contracted” (rumination, heaviness, fewer options).
2. Practice “thinking about your thinking” to create space and choice.
3. Treat defensive reactions as protectors—then ask if they still serve you.
4. Use small stabilizers (walk, breath, pause) to access a wider orbit.
5. When you slip back, name it without shame: “That’s a pattern, not me.”

Website: https://aphenomenallife.co.uk/

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