Living in Paradise...Occupied

American Living in Paradise...Occupied

This title came to me through a dream. More specifically, it came through my mother’s dream, and I’ve come to believe deeply in the power of dreams—especially hers. My mother texted me, excitedly saying, "Mona, starting January 1st, you're to write a blog called 'American Living in Paradise...Occupied'." I didn’t start on January 1st, and I decided to drop the word 'American' from the title, but now, as I sit here in Ramallah, I realize the significance of writing—of pouring out my truth, of processing this life. Life here in the Holy Land. Life in paradise...occupied.

As I write, I’m also working on a book called Fear: The Sound of Love and attempting, for the eighth time, to complete my Master’s Thesis, which I began in 2004. This triad of creative work—a thesis, a book, and a blog—represents not only words but the release of years of thoughts, emotions, and experiences that have been trapped in my body, especially around my throat. I’m learning how to tell my truth: the truth of who I am, what I’ve lived, and how I see the world based on countless hours of self-education, prayer, meditation, and emotional clearing.

At The Lighthause Studios, this personal journey of emotional release and clarity is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to offer a space where individuals from all walks of life can explore their own healing—whether through wellness sessions, emotional clearing, or creative expression—so that they too can release what no longer serves them and embrace a life of peace, joy, and transformation.

The Imagination as a Space of Healing and Creation

I’ve always loved to learn, to dig deep into the “why” behind the world’s events and explore the histories that shape our collective experience. I’ve studied cultural shifts, financial collapses, and revolutions through documentaries and self-education, always seeking to understand how these forces shape not only society but also our individual imaginations. What I’ve come to realize is that our imagination is one of the most powerful spaces we have—it’s where civilizations are created, where art is born, and where personal transformation begins.

At The Lighthause Studios, we see the imagination as sacred. It’s a space where healing takes root, where emotional blocks are cleared, and where new possibilities for life begin to bloom. Through our workshops and sessions—whether it’s breathwork, Emotion Code, or creative writing—we help individuals reconnect with their imagination, not as a tool of distraction, but as a source of divine creation.

Clearing Trapped Emotions and Returning to Source

My work with Emotion Code, which is a core offering at The Lighthause Studios, is based on the understanding that many of the struggles we face in life are the result of trapped emotions—energies that have been absorbed from our environment or inherited from generations before us. When we clear these trapped emotions, we restore harmony to the mind and body, allowing individuals to reconnect with their higher purpose and, ultimately, with the divine.

This process of clearing has been profoundly personal for me. Growing up as a Palestinian-American woman, I carried generations of trauma—fear, confusion, and shame—that I didn’t fully understand until I began my own healing journey. As I’ve worked to clear these emotions, I’ve come to see how much of my life was shaped by fear, and how freeing it has been to live in a state of love, guided by the support of Allah. This connection to divine love is at the core of my work, and it’s what I offer to every person who joins us at The Lighthause Studios.

Virtuality: Bridging Healing Across the Globe

One of the most innovative aspects of The Lighthause Studios is our concept of Virtuality—a blending of virtual space and reality that allows people from all over the world to access our offerings, no matter where they are. Through Zoom sessions, online workshops, and virtual retreats, we’ve created a global sanctuary where individuals can come together to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the divine.

It’s a space where the distractions of the physical world melt away, and what’s left is a pure connection to one’s own heart and imagination. In Virtuality, whether you’re in a wellness workshop, a creative class, or an Emotion Code session, the goal is always the same: to help you release what no longer serves you and to empower you to live in alignment with your true self.

A Vision for Global Transformation

When I founded The Lighthause Studios, it wasn’t just about creating a space for healing; it was about creating a space for transformation. I truly believe that as we help individuals heal on an emotional level, we also contribute to the healing of the world. Every time someone releases an emotional block or reconnects with their imagination, they’re taking a step towards creating a more peaceful, loving world. And I see this happening on a global scale.

My dream is that through The Lighthause Studios, we can help people from all over the world—across cultures, languages, and borders—reconnect with their hearts, their creativity, and their divine purpose. I envision a world where healing isn’t something that’s hidden or stigmatized but celebrated. A world where emotional wellness is a priority for every person, and where joy and laughter become the foundations of our daily lives.

This is the future I’m working towards. Through The Lighthause Studios, I want to help as many people as possible clear the fear, shame, and confusion that have kept them stuck in the past. I want to empower them to live in harmony with themselves, with each other, and with the world around them.

Living in Paradise...Un-Occupied

As I reflect on my mother’s dream, the title she gave me—Paradise...Occupied—feels more relevant than ever. Yes, I live in a land that is physically occupied, but the work I’m doing through The Lighthause Studios is about freeing ourselves from the internal occupation—the emotional and spiritual blocks that keep us from living in our own paradise.

My hope is that as we continue to expand and offer our services to more people, we can help individuals clear the inner blocks that keep them from experiencing paradise in their own lives. And who knows? Maybe through this work, we can help create a world where the external occupation—the conflicts, the divisions, the pain—can also begin to dissolve. One emotion, one thought, one prayer at a time.