One Love

“Real love comes not from trying to solve our neediness by depending on another, but by developing our own inner richness and maturity.”
~Osho~
As we walk the path of transformation, it’s important to remember that we all ultimately follow the same journey. Enlightenment is a process of awakening that spans many, many lifetimes, and what you see today is but a small fraction of the overall tapestry of existence that we weave.Consider this: You will have the opportunity to be every race that this world has to offer. You will have the opportunity to embrace every religion (or no religion). You will have the opportunity to be rich, poor, healthy, diseased, understood, misunderstood, desired or shunned. The process of awakening embraces every experience as important because each plays as integral role in the cultivation of compassion…

So when you feel you don’t understand the thought processes or actions of another, it may simply mean that you have yet to experience that type of life situation (or that you don’t consciously remember the lessons you carry from past lifetimes). Be patient with one another, no matter where he or she is in the process of awakening. Walk with a quiet stillness of understanding and compassion, realizing that we all do the best we can from where we are with what we have.

The most important thing to focus upon is your own state of consciousness. We can absolutely change the world with our love and provide one another the space in which transformation can occur.

Our Purpose is to Awaken

“Know within your heart that your life is tailor-made for awakening.”
~Mooji~

Your purpose is to awaken. How you choose to accomplish that, and the successes and defeats you encounter along the way are immaterial. Certainly the ego will attach great significance to the world of form; however, the soul desires only experience, expansion and wholeness. Each of us must remember that what we see in the world is an expression of what is projected from within and our role is to observe and release all that blocks us from unconditional love.

People often say that they want to leave their mark on the world or create something tangible (a book, scientific discovery, invention, successful children…) that will live on, and indeed many do; however, the remnants of our sojourn here are essentially meaningless next to the bliss of Oneness which awaits.

As our dreams fade upon awakening, so too does the intensity of this incarnation upon our transition and life review. When we step back with those we love to witness the tapestry of our existence together, there is only gratitude, love and the desire to redress any imbalance. And so we come together again and again, the residue of the past lingering in our energy and soul memories, the desire to fulfill our soul’s purpose outweighing all else, moving ever higher in consciousness and joy. Our purpose is to awaken.

The Dance of Being

“Don’t let your mind stop you from having a good time.”
~Jason Mraz~

Could it be that the weight of all your beliefs, memories and old expectations holds you back from the freedom that your soul requires? It’s healthy to consciously explore the nuances of your unique path. Hold on to the support you have, the joy you create and the infinite possibilities that await discovery.

Release everything that blocks you from experiencing love, light and laughter. The human experience is filled with death and life, endings and beginnings, pivots in our planned direction, surprises and coincidences that spice up the dance of being. We cannot fully experience the present moment and all that is has to offer unless we are unencumbered by thought. Free yourself to accept the gifts of the Divine – undoubtedly, they are outside of the known parameters of your expectation.

You are on the verge of a tremendous transformation. How will you choose to open yourself to the possibility?

You can plant seeds of powerful change in the world by focusing on your own state of consciousness. Take the time to create a sense of gratitude, grace, peace and balance so that you are at ease in the present moment. Your loving presence will teach others that alternative perceptions and responses are available.

The Desire of Awakening

Once the soul awakens, the search begins, and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent.
~John O’Donohue~

Your purpose is to awaken. Each time you choose to take responsibility for your own state of consciousness, you begin to experience inner mastery. It’s time to stop seeking validation from others – your peace is your own responsibility. Change begins within.
When you allow others to make you angry, you give away your power. When you replay old arguments or challenges repeatedly in your mind, you give away your power. When you find yourself wishing that someone would change or lose yourself in judgment, you give away your power. Repetitive and limiting thoughts will never bring you peace.
You can redirect your energy in a way that is healing and fulfilling by being fully present and aware in the present moment. A deeper connection with life awaits. Joy is the spark that leads to new experience, the flame that guides us through the darkness and helps us to remember what is important. It’s time to explore the infinite mysteries of awakening with an open heart.

Soul Love

“Rewire your brain for higher consciousness by paying attention to love, compassion and joy.”
~ Deepak Chopra~

Authentic soul-inspired love is supportive, accepting and empowering for everyone involved.

Ego-driven love, if it had a voice, would be a continuous whimper that says, “Don’t hurt me.” This fear permeates every interaction and desire. It attaches to outcomes. It measures one’s estimate of one’s self-worth by the actions and choices of another.

When we approach relationships with the desire to give love rather than clamoring for it, we create a space where authentic communion can occur. Soul-inspired love has no opposite. It is the exploration of the eternal bond that we share with another and it provides the opportunity for each person to awaken to their highest potential.

Choose to see the best in everyone with whom you interact. Focus on providing supportive words while honoring their path as sacred. Of course, we all carry preferences into our interactions; however, it is only when they become unwavering demands that we set the stage for disappointment and suffering in our relationships.

As a conscious spiritual seeker, you have the ability to explore new realms of love and connection. Step into joy and share your light.

Compassion

“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”
~ Pema Chödrön~

Authentic relationships are possible only when we have an awareness of who we truly are. When we can see through the mechanisms of the ego to the true spirit of another, we can dance within the paradox of human compassion and higher awareness. In this manner, we create space in which transformation can occur.

Holding space is far different than fixing someone else’s problems or seeking to ensure that they avoid pain. By honoring all paths as sacred, we operate from the premise of love and acceptance – allowing the lesson, offering support and sowing seeds of compassion.

Create your own sacred rituals of self-kindness and set aside time each day to make inner balance and well-being a priority. You’ll notice subtle changes in your thinking and expectations. Love yourself in such a way that your soul sparkles with magic and excitement and peacefulness.

Awakening

“What happens when we slow down and pay attention? Everything! Innumerable delights are right at hand.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

The awakened spirit sees things differently. A new perspective opens the doors of perception and once seen, cannot be lost. Remember this when you spend time with others who are trapped by limited points of view – we must sometimes be willing to take them by the hand and simply show them a different way to be.
In the face of opposition, bring a quiet humility. Demonstrate love to those who seek to blame. Seek to bring a sense of stillness to your interactions. Make the choice to see through the mechanisms of the ego so that you can create a space in which a transformation can occur.
You are supported and protected on your journey – always. When we welcome the changes and challenges that life has to offer, we approach our experiences with ease and grace.
Everything and everyone plays a role in your soul’s growth; therefore, all should be valued as sacred aspects of the Divine. Those who challenge you the most on the physical plane, love you the most on the spiritual plane. They prompt you to explore aspects of yourself you would not seek out on your own.

The Path of Acceptance

“Spiritual work is possible in one place alone: here, in exactly what you are experiencing right now.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Suffering is the result of insisting that life be something other than what it is. In every moment you have a choice – accept or reject. Acceptance creates a flow of energy that empowers, strengthens, clarifies and inspires while resistance brings anger, judgement and stress. Resistance is the ego’s way of attempting to exert control and actually strengths whatever we resist. When you are able to truly move into acceptance, you create a space in which a transformation can occur.

Everything in your experience is an active aspect of your spiritual growth. You can transform this moment, no matter what it offers, into a sacred space of learning. Observe your patterns and reactions. This is the path of transformation.

Bring a joyful thirst for wisdom and spiritual connection to the Now. Messages are all around and more easily seen when we approach the present moment with a sense of adventure and playfulness.

The Journey

“Once you have put your plan into action, remember that changes will be necessary and openly welcome them. Your original plan represented a snapshot of your life and skill-set at that moment. An engaged person will recognize that “rerouting” will happen and accept new ideas to improve their journey.”
~Tony Carlton~

Courage is not about fearlessness. It is the willingness to move forward in spite of any fear that may arise.

Each journey is unique and will undoubtedly lead us into uncharted territory from time to time. This is the souls way of moving into a state of higher awareness. When we grow too familiar with our routines or become stagnant in our growth, life will present an opportunity to shake things up in order to break us free of the status quo.

Should fear arise, simply notice it without judgment. Any internal resistance indicates that something potentially life-changing is unfolding. Whatever choice you make, let it come from the level of love rather than one motivated by fear or lack.

Approach these moments of transition with the knowledge that you are loved, guided, protected and supported. Even if you cannot see the outcome, choose to take one conscious step forward and enter a new realm of experience. Something beautiful awaits discovery.

Attentiveness

“We’re fascinated by the words–but where we meet is in the silence behind them.”
~Ram Dass~

One of the most loving gifts that we can give those who grace our lives is attentiveness. All too often people race from one moment to the next, always a step ahead, lost in their own mind and distracted during their encounters. We forget that every interaction has the capability to transform our journey in unimagined ways.

Many people feel unheard and misunderstood. Therapists often fulfill a role that is missing in their lives… others find strangers, hair dressers, or weary travelers and quickly drop into their stories without hesitation. For those who only wish to stay caught in their story and desire to feed it with repetition, I find that conscious attentiveness (along with compassionate detachment and healthy boundaries) actually repels them. The ego wants to be agreed with, supported and strengthened; however, conscious attention and holding a space of love doesn’t meet the egos needs.

If you want to be heard, slow down and listen. If you desire acceptance, practice honoring every path as sacred, no matter how it appears on the physical plane. Should you feel misunderstood, make sure that you have an authentic understanding of yourself. The strength of your intention is powerful.