New Levels of Awareness

“It takes a little effort to get our of illusions because we have invested in them very much. They are our hopes; It is through them that we go on living.”  

~Osho~

It’s a powerful practice to see beyond the illusion. Observe how often the word “I” is used when referring to how you see the world. Everything is a projection of our beliefs. We can get trapped by the “I” when pursuing goals and dreams. Remembering this can set the stage for awakening.

Meditation helps us to see through this illusory state of being. Once we strip away the goals, dreams, thoughts of past and future and simply be, the present moment comes alive. To be fully in the present means to be aware of the immense beauty and perfection that is already here. There is nothing for which to strive, nothing is missing.

A different kind of experience waits for you. Your joyousness, when complete, allows you to become fully aligned with the Now. Give up needing to understand the “whys” and “hows” and leave that to your spiritual guidance. Instead, focus on higher awareness, step into Presence and allow a new consciousness to be born in you.

The Wise Passage

You can embody the love, presence and freedom that is the essence of your true nature by finding simple ways to quiet the mind and open the heart.

There is a wise passage through life… one that calls the awakened to walk its journey. As we cultivate awareness that is found through mindfulness, generosity, loving-kindness and integrity, our lives become living examples of how to create an atmosphere of safety and trust in an all-too-often frightened world.

The human experience is meant to connect each one of us in compassion that is learned through commonality of our experiences. At some point, all of us have known love and loss, joys and sorrow, life and death, hopes and fears, and ultimately we will discover the thread of understanding that connects us. This takes lifetimes to achieve and leads to freedom and liberation.

When you can seek for the joy within the sorrow, the beauty within the challenge and the light of the Divine in your interactions, then you are playing within the paradox of being a spiritually awakened human. Trust your intuition and begin with actions that best serve your heart. As your perspective expands, the world around you is transformed.

Loving Awareness

“Wherever you are and whatever you do, be in love.”
~Rumi~

Learn to look beyond the physical roles that people play in this life. Awakening calls upon us to see and respond to one another with open hearts and this cannot be done from a space of judgment. Only conscious practice can help you to cultivate the skill of loving awareness.

As always, the place to begin is within. Create a moment of stillness. Close your eyes, just be present and breathe. Feel the energy of the divine flowing through you and from you and notice how it extends outward. Your human form is a temporary expression of spirit. Now open your eyes. Whatever you see is another temporary form of spirit – a tree, a chair, the sky, a grasshopper… stop everything and honor that form as sacred. Sense its energy and recognize the reflection of yourself within it.

Try this as you walk through the world. When interacting, stop and look beyond the physical expression of the person in front of you. Sense their spirit and purposely interact with them from this level of awareness. You may be surprised at the openness with which they respond. Teach Oneness through your compassion and kindness. Honor this place, this moment, this experience as sacred.

Flowing With Change

“It’s amazing the synchronicities that can happen when we embark on a journey with open hearts, with supportive friends by our side, ready for adventure.”

~Laurie E. Smith~

Our grandest adventures often begin with an intuitive whisper. Something calls us to embark upon a new phase and often we begin without knowing exactly how everything will pull together. These first steps may be tentative; however, each step sparks new energy in motion. Coincidences, synchronicities, and creativity come together, allowing us to discover some new skill or passion as we experiment with various ideas.

We become more proficient with change when we hold no cherished outcome. Allow your vision to adjust as you learn more about yourself. This approach creates an ego-free mental environment where exploration can combine with inspiration. As a conscious creator, you will discover new ways to enjoy utilizing your talents. Aristotle once said, “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” You bring something to the world that no one else can.

It matters not whether you find your gifts early or late in life. The joy is in the discovery. Follow the flow and heed the calling of your heart.

Appreciation

“Let’s trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let’s lay down our righteousness and just be together.”
~Ram Dass~

What if you chose to find one thing to appreciate about each situation or person who has ever been a challenge in your life? What if you chose only to speak about that positive thing when prompted into discussion. How do you think that would impact your overall life experience?

Life is a blend of dark and light. Contrasts provide insight and wisdom we could never discover in a one-dimensional world. Everything is multi-faceted; therefore, there is always an opportunity to find the good, assimilate the lesson, or cultivate new strength – no matter the circumstance. You are a culmination of all that you have experienced.

Layer by layer we transcend the levels of consciousness, incorporating energy and lessons, broadening our vision, and setting ourselves free. For most, this is a subtle transformative process rather than an abrupt shift to a new level. Don’t worry about how fast you can awaken, for the joy is in the journey. Embrace the day and discover the secrets it has to offer. Most importantly, love yourself and appreciate those who walk by your side.

The Self

Sometimes you have to be who you aren’t in order to discover who you are. Inner journeys through darkness bring about a yearning for light and the search then takes us exactly where we need to go. The greatest gifts can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Don’t fear the shadow side of your personality. The yin and yang, dark and light, fear and security are simply the opposites found within any experience. Ultimately, complete acceptance of the Self leads to peace, happiness and wholeness.

Your soul is ready for expansion and expression. By moving into Presence we become more self-actualized and aware… and awareness heals.

We all look at life and circumstances based upon the level of awareness at which we reside. There are always new and amazing things waiting to be discovered and infinite roads ultimately lead us to the Divine. The most empowering thing that you can do is live consciously and cultivate the wisdom born of experience.

Dear one, you are right where you need to be. Trust the process of awakening rather than fighting what is. The desire to seek the gift or lesson inherent in all situations ensures that it will be found.

Your Sacred Space

A day of gratitude, expansion, healing and growth begins the moment you awaken. If you haven’t properly tended to the energy in the household, layers of emotional sludge begin to build up and it can be challenging to begin the day with a clear heart and mind.

Everything in the home space has a definitive impact upon you. Clutter, broken objects, unfinished projects and unpaid bills emit vibrations that keep you off balance and feeling like you’ll never catch up.

Create a home that is a sacred space of peace, power, growth and transformation. Fill it with loving energy and see it as a place that nurtures your soul. Consider setting an intention that the entryway brings a sense of grace to all who walk through.

Quiet moments tending your garden, reading in the sunshine, doing yoga, playing music, preparing food, meditation, prayer, journaling, residing in conscious breath… anything that soothes your soul is a doorway to peace.

You are the conduit through which the Divine experiences itself in the world of form. With this in mind, look upon life through eyes of wonder, mystery and delight and it will become a sanctuary where your conscious experiences can be honored.

It’s Not Personal

“Life is a continuous ebb and flow, like the seasons, like the ocean’s waves. When we learn to ‘ride’ with them, our life becomes easier, with less resistance.”

~Romy Macias~

Yesterday I was on the receiving end of a barrage of anger from a neighbor. Because I am not bi-lingual, it was difficult to know exactly why she was angry; though, it didn’t take any great psychic ability to get the gist that she didn’t want me to use her trash can. So, responding to that, I simply said that I was sorry and would not do it again in the future. As the yelling continued, I finally was able to indicate my lack of understanding and wished her a good day as she glared at me, seemingly desirous of a confrontation of some sort.

In that moment I could recognize that she was likely triggered by something else prior to the interaction and observed (thankfully) that I had very little egoic engagement. Even if the attack was personal, I couldn’t understand so no reactivity arose within me.

That led me to realize how easily we can walk in the world when we view egoic reactivity as speaking another language. Understand that everyone has their own struggles and more often than not, others’ reactivity is not personal.

If you speak the language of compassion, then anger can be recognized as an entirely different level of communicating. To be gentle with one another, seek only to be aware of your own state of consciousness, own what’s yours, and discard the rest.

 

Love Begets Love

When you feel the brunt of someone’s anger, be compassionate instead of defensive.
When you are triggered and the ego wants to withhold, consciously move forward with kindness instead.
When you are judged… Be love.
Acceptance, unconditional love, honoring all life as sacred, being the peace you wish to see, Radical Forgiveness… all these concepts inspire us to be better; however, it’s important to remember that we require opposition in order for us to cultivate these amazing qualities.Be grateful for those who challenge you. Personally or globally, each of us is playing the role that is best for our collective growth. When you choose to drop judgment, limiting beliefs or hatred, and purposely see beyond the physical, everything is love. Life provides the perfect experience needed for our awakening.

Happiness is your own responsibility. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by the drama or unconscious behavior to which you might be subjected. The moment you view yourself as a victim, you forget how powerful you are. Cultivate the ability to live open-heartedly in spite of the shocks of life. Anything that shakes you up is an opportunity to awaken the most beautiful and empowered aspects of your true nature.

Hatred Begets Hatred

“If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.”

~Nelson Mandela~

The ego has a vested interest in being right. It creates opinions based upon ones level of consciousness, attaches to them, and sees opposing viewpoints as wrong. To strengthen itself further, the ego seeks out others to reinforce the story. Collectively these energies come together, strengthen one another and plant seeds of opposition. Fighting against “the other” becomes the only thing that’s important. To further the narrative, any idea of kindness, listening or compromise is viewed as weak. The concept of compassion itself is transformed into aligning with the enemy.

Conversely, intention and commitment combine with humility and are ultimately axiomatic of wisdom. The spiritual seeker understands that as consciousness expands, perceptions change. Broader viewpoints arise within the paradox when one is willing to be flexible, fluid and ever-evolving. The integration of love creates a powerful foundation to operate from as we walk in the world. Each of us has a powerful opportunity to be a light in the darkness. We have purposely chosen to be here now, in this place… how can we demonstrate love?