Freedom

“Inscribe in your mind harmony, health, wholeness, beauty, peace, perfection and right action. These are principles. You do not create these truths, but you activate them and make them effective and functional when you affirm them.”    
~Joseph Murphy~

The path of transformation is a process by which we systematically break free from self-made bondage. As we awaken, we become more aware of what we perceive to be blockages. This awareness begins the process of ruthless observation, authenticity and conscious action (or inaction depending upon the situation).

Give yourself credit for how far you have come. The slow, subtle process of your spiritual evolution is always in play and as we awaken, it’s important to remember that the ego becomes more subtle. It may demand your perfection. It may tell you that you should know better or that if you were really conscious, such mistakes or reactivity would not happen; however, nothing could be further from the truth. We often revisit old triggers and challenges for the express purpose of seeing that we now handle them far differently than we would have in the past.

Create freedom in your experience by treating yourself with compassion and loving-kindness. You are a child of light and nothing matters more than your state of consciousness in this moment. What is more important than your joy?

Transforming Pain into Power

“Beautiful are those whose brokenness gives birth to transformation and wisdom.”
~John Mark Green~

By turning and facing our own darkness, we are transformed. The path of awakening is different for everyone. It is a journey of mystery and wonder, of lessons and learning, heartbreak and breakthrough, all of which lead to shifts in consciousness. It’s important to remember that no matter how far you have come, you have barely scratched the surface of all that waits to be discovered.

Your courage inspires those who grace your world. Continue to approach each day as a sacred gift and be willing to receive the light, love and laughter of the universe. The pain you transcend plays a specific role in your development; therefore, see those who challenge you as healing angels rather than obstacles you may encounter along the way.

In your vulnerability, you will discover strength. You stand at the threshold of a new life… one that has much to offer.

Willing to Receive

“The true path to happiness requires our openhearted attention to the exact things that seem to block our way to it.”

~Ezra Bayda~

Happiness is a choice. Rather than embracing fear or becoming lost in complacency, purposely seek joy in the present moment and reengage life’s magic.

When you realize that the ego is running old scripts – getting lost in ideas of this will never change or what’s the use? – place all of your attention upon it. Operating from healthy awareness, you may discover how much the ego would rather be right than be happy. Self fulfilling prophesies strengthen the original story, idea or imprint. When others attempt to offer a different perspective, the mind will often reject it out-of-hand rather than risk being wrong.

Happiness exists in the midst of contrast. We can mourn a loss while appreciating the beauty of the sunrise. By taking responsibility for our state of consciousness in the present moment and choosing happiness in the Now, we set the stage for life to rise up and meet us where we are. Be willing to accept healing in wherever form it may arrive. You choose the filter through which you create your perception of life.

Find Your Voice

“The Buddha left Bodh Gaya to teach others. Jesus came out of the Judaean desert to preach. Spiritual awakening is meaningless if it does not culminate in finding your voice and speaking up for what is right.”

~Anthon St. Maarten~

Creativity is the art of expression. No matter what form it may take – music, cooking, writing, decorating, beading, sculpture, color and texture in your wardrobe, painting, chanting or anything else you can imagine – creativity is an authentic union with the Divine. We become channels of light and it flows through us into all that we do. Tangible items then carry a spark of the infinite as expressed through you.

Whatever you choose to do, do it joyfully. Fill your creations and actions with love and conscious intention. When we over-think creative action, the mind attempts to be clever and sabotages our efforts by blocking that powerful and mysterious flow of unity. You can break free from patterns that limit your creative expression. It is simply a matter of finding your voice and living in the flow of your truth.

Your gifts are unique, your story divine. Find the joy of sharing them without attachment or expectation.

Celebrate the Day

“Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, love is knowing that I am everything, and between the two my life moves.”

~Nisargadatta~

You bring something beautiful to the world that will never be seen again.

When you are able to share your gifts with the world, something amazing happens… People respond to your authenticity. They seek to interact because your energy is uplifting and together, you become part of the dance of awakening.

In every moment we have a choice: to participate or to be the observer. Participation allows you to discover the various nuances of life in a way that observation cannot. Taste, see, touch, feel, hear. Immerse yourself in the beautiful experience of rising consciousness. Your loving energy is an integral aspect of our collective awakening.

There will be moments when you choose to rest in the stillness of infinite possibility. These pauses are also necessary and help to keep you balanced. Peacefulness, when combined with a sense of adventure and humor, provides the foundation for your spirit to thrive throughout your human experience.

See yourself as an explorer in the midst of discovery. Rather than wishing others would awaken, help them to awaken. Your life is your message.

All Paths Are Sacred

All conflict arises from wanting someone to be different than they are. This one misguided approach to life is a source of great distress for many and it plays out in myriad ways every day.

 

Become a compassionate listener. Pay attention without internal commentary and cultivate the ability to see beyond the conditioning of the mind. When we approach one another with genuine interest and acceptance, the other person begins to feel safer. They drop some of their defenses and we experience an authentic moment of connection.

 

Consciously practice this with each person with whom you speak today. Listen and honor their path as sacred. Ask probing questions and see if you can discover something new. Expand your awareness through conscious interaction.

 

Seek the Divine within the present moment – the majestic energy of the infinite is all around you. Choose to see beyond labels and roles to the truth of the spirit within. Support each journey with compassion and kindness.
There is no greater gift than acceptance. It opens the heart chakra and cultivates our ability to be fully present. Celebrate the dance of awakening, in whatever form it may appear, knowing that all ultimately works to our highest good.

Rise Above

“There is only one perpetrator of evil on the planet: human unconsciousness. That realization is true forgiveness. With forgiveness, your victim identity dissolves, and your true power emerges–the power of Presence. Instead of blaming the darkness, you bring in the light.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Transformation happens in the Now. This moment is all that matters. Face it with positive intention and allow the energy to unfold as it will. As you become more aware, you’ll recognize any unconsciousness that arises and cultivate the ability to see through the mechanisms of the mind.
When working through loss, anger, fear or resentment… notice, notice, notice. See what arises for you. What patterns repeat? What is your inner dialogue? How do you feel? Once you have drawn your awareness to the source of your discomfort, make a conscious choice to take responsibility for it. Experiencing pain is an aspect of the human condition; however, so is rising above.
You do not need to know all the answers before moving forward. Begin with gratitude and choose to take one conscious step. This trust expands your perception and opens the ability to see more clearly. Act with integrity, do your best and accept what is.

Releasing Limitation

 

Limitation is nothing more than outmoded conditioning. Somewhere down the line, one accepted an idea that blocked them from seeing their true potential. Over time, they managed to that idea, creating self-fulfilling prophesies and reinforcing the belief with myriad examples that become their perception of truth… “That’s the way I’ve always been.”

The teachers’ purpose is to hold up a mirror so that you may see your own divinity. Even then, the filters of belief are initially so strong that many have trouble believing the image they see… And yet, there is a resonating response from the deepest part of the soul.

Spiritual awakening is a process. Celebrate the moments of connection, insight, authenticity and breakthrough. Periodically look at your life and compare where you are now to where you were a year ago, or five or ten. There will come a day when old patterns shatter and you realize that you’re no longer reactive to the same issues.

This is how to create the life of your dreams. Imagine it, accept it, and live it in this moment to the best of your ability. Find ways to explore that bring fulfillment and know that your unique journey of awakening has just begun.

Stillness

“Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Silence is more than the absence of noise. It is an inner communion with peace and awareness. In the stillness we become open to receive and it is within that gap of ‘no mind’ that we can touch the infinite.
Our current experience of the world is one of bombardment – a blend of sound, marketing, opinions, expectations and ego-driven thought. Our senses are often overwhelmed. Many spend each day running to accomplish various self-imposed tasks while neglecting the one thing that truly matters – grace.
Create pauses throughout the day to appreciate the beauty around you. Stop and breathe. Find something for which you can be grateful. Imagine joy flooding every aspect of your being. Touch the realm of limitless possibility and you will discover inner sacredness and beauty.
In the midst of cacophony, stillness can be accessed by dropping your resistance to noise. Your acceptance is another gateway into stillness. As you practice being at peace with what is, you’ll discover new depths of perception and serenity. This is where inner wisdom resides.

Intuition

Intuition is like a muscle. We all have it, but not everyone chooses to develop it. People often ask how to differentiate between the inner voice of wisdom and the voice of the ego. The intuition typically comes through quietly and speaks once while the ego is loud and repetitive.

The quieter the mind, the more you can hear. Intuition is a tool that we can utilize as an powerful aspect of spiritual growth. Integrating the spiritual and the mundane awakens true mastery. As we evolve, we bring a different viewpoint to our life circumstances and learn to trust our inner wisdom.
You will discover your own unique way of deciphering the messages from your higher Self. Be patient with this process. Practice different approaches and see what works best. As you play with this energy, you’ll learn to differentiate intuition from ego-generated thought. Always,  ego creates anxiety while intuition (even when forewarning of a potential challenge) brings empowerment.

Whatever you place your focus upon grows stronger. You also may experience accompanying physical indicators, such as goosebumps, tummy flutters or tears. The more you trust your inner wisdom, the more clearly these indicators will be felt. This process of connection eventually transforms your experience into a life that is awake and connected to the energy of the Now.