Awakening is the Beginning

“The one who is free is not expecting anything at all. They are one with the unfolding stream of life.”
~Mooji~
As you move into expanded states of consciousness such as Willingness, Acceptance, Love or Peace, you’ll discover that old ways of being cannot make that journey. For instance, acceptance and anger cannot coexist in the same space; therefore, anger naturally ceases to be a primary focus and eventually it drops away. The freedom, the lightness of being allows you to walk through the doorway to a new expression of who you are.
The mind would have you believe that awakening is difficult, change is hard and that these old resentments are something that you are stuck with. Ask yourself, “Who would I be without this thought or behavior?” Often, a trickle of paradoxical unease rises as you may answer, “I’d be happy/contented/at peace.” The ego fears the unknown, even when the unknown is a healthy and joyful existence. After all, what would it do or who would you be without something to fight against?
When we drop the need to have struggle in our experience, life becomes easier. We discover that miracles abound and love is available as we begin to experience life from the higher new perspective. Even better, there are always new levels to explore.

The Mystery of Eternity

“The spiritual journey is not about acquiring something outside yourself. Rather, you are penetrating the layers and veils to return to the deepest truth of your own being.”
~Ram Dass~

Your exploration into spirituality is as unique as you are. When playing in the realm of the infinite, explanations cease to have any meaning. Life-changing experiences are so layered in nuance that we often lessen their impact with our words. Simply choose to be fully present in each moment. Rather than describing your journey to others, show the impact it has had on your life by embodying its magic and the wonder within your daily interactions.

You are a spark of the infinite temporarily masquerading as a human. There is no way to measure or define your true boundless nature; therefore, we created this playground of limitation in which to rediscover the joys and mystery of eternity. Eventually your words, limiting as they are, will take on new meaning when consistently supported by your beautiful perception, kindness and compassion. Your life is your message.

 

 

Celtic Vows of Friendship

“The spiritual practice of relationships is about working on ourselves only, freeing ourselves from the constricting grip of our own unhappiness. It is not the other person’s job to take our unhappiness away; our discomfort is our own responsibility. Attending to our own spiritual tasks – seeing our judgments, opinions, beliefs, demands, and staying present with the fears out of which they arise – frees others to move toward us. Then, when they no longer feel the need to defend, they become more willing to take care of their job. Thus joy in relationships becomes possible.”
~ Ezra Bayda~

As we mature, love begins to transform from sexual or ego-based neediness into honoring the unique individuality of another. We learn to accept rather than attach. We find wholeness within instead of looking to someone or something else to make us feel complete. We begin to realize that those who grace our lives – whether for a moment or for a lifetime – act as mirrors, supporting us in our quest to awaken.

When fear departs, freedom remains. Each relationship we have offers us myriad opportunities to practice the Celtic Vows of Friendship. These six guidelines open the possibility of empowered and mindful interactions. Anytime you feel off balance, take a moment to observe which you can apply to your situation and purposely bring a higher level of consciousness to the present moment.

Give for the joy of giving. Live for the joy of living. Your passion will morph into compassion as you discover new aspects of yourself in the presence of your anam cara, your soul friend.

Your Unique Mastery

“To be fully alive, fully human and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man’s land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh. To live is to be willing to die over and over again.”
~Pema Chodron~

The beauty of your unique gifts lies in the way that they blend together. Like an exotic spice or a new twist on familiar ingredients, the wonderment resides in the unexpected. Those who grace your life seek this energy and information to add to their experience – this is why it’s so important to be true to yourself.

Imagine that you are focused solely on the journey rather than the destination. See yourself as a traveler who is only in search of new experiences. Imagine that you are long past being defined by others’ criticism or flattery, knowing who you are and enjoying your experience. Imagine that you can see yourself reflected in everyone you meet, dropping all judgment, stories or expectation – honoring each interaction only as an opportunity to shine in the present moment. Imagine that you bring such an energy of peace to situations that others calm down merely by being in your presence. Imagine that you feel comfortable with each decision you make and enjoy where you are. This is mastery.

Purpose

“We have overstretched our personal boundaries and forgotten that true happiness comes from living an authentic life fueled with a sense of purpose and balance.”​
~Dr. Kathleen Hall~
Don’t wait for your life to be perfect, see the inherent perfection in it as it is right now. You chose to incarnate at this time, in the manner that you have, for a specific purpose. All too often people can become stuck in what they believe should be different and create needless blockages in their life experience.
Many bemoan the angst in the world thinking that they cannot make a difference. We can be the change we wish to see. If you are distressed by bigotry and hatred, be a great neighbor or a loving friend and extend kindnesses to all those who cross your path.
Spiritual practice is about disengaging our personal triggers rather than demanding others change their behavior in order to avoid them. As you become more balanced and peaceful, courageousness and empowerment will naturally arise.
It’s time to become clear about your unique purpose. Life is a blank slate and you have the opportunity to create whatever you wish. What truly matters is the state of consciousness that you choose to bring to this moment. Your authentic way of being adds something amazing to our collective journey.

Mind, Body, Spirit Balance

Your mind, emotions and body are instruments and the way you align and tune them determines how well you play life.
~Harbhajan Singh Yogi~
Pay attention to the messages you receive from the body. When energy gets blocked for too long, it begins to appear as a body symptom. The correlation between mind and body is to provide another tool for healing. Stress, and all that it entails, directs your energy into a fight or flight mode which leads to imbalance.

Actively observe how you approach the present moment and treat yourself with love. Without judgement, use any and all tools at your disposal to create a quiet space of healing. When fearful, take some sort of conscious action. When doubting your value, purposely cease judging yourself so harshly and focus on speaking to yourself with kindness and compassion.

Create positive habits in your daily experience. Old channels of energy can be redirected through conscious effort. You can create powerful and positive changes in your life, and it begins with what you choose to think and say and the energy that you send out into the Universe. The source of all transformation resides within you.

Madly in Love With Life

Discover the joy of living without attachment and a whole new world will open.

Falling in love seems to bring out the best in us. It inspires us to dance through life with an open heart seeing beauty everywhere. Love prompts us to be more willing to interact with one another and extend kindness without fear of rejection.

Being madly in love with life refers to a state of mind. It is not dependent upon a particular person or situation; rather, it is the expression of our self-love projected outward. If you are inspired by nature, immerse yourself within it. Allow the majesty of the earth to awaken passion within you. If music lifts your soul higher, purposely surround yourself with song. If fulfilling work or a beautiful home bring happiness, let yourself be inspired. Find the things that feed the flames of joy in your experience and make them a priority in your life.

When you fall madly in love with life, everything changes. Challenges become adventures. Fear transforms into exploration… and every situation provides an opportunity to discover your passion and live it to the best of your ability. Live with an open heart and allow the perfection of the present moment to astound you.

I Hold No Cherished Outcome

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
~Rumi~

The human experience is meant to be one of discovery and adventure. The human condition is to attach to the known, to create boundaries and limitation and to judge certain circumstances as desire or non-desirable.

Many people become stuck trying to resist change due to their limited vision. How can we truly know what is best for our journey? Often, we can’t. Trust the processes of life by living from the heart and allowing circumstances to unfold as they will. When you face whatever unfolds with the knowledge that it is perfect, you create perfection.

Resistance is a mind-made judgment that something should be other than what it is. This approach is frustrating as best. Resist nothing. Allow. Be. You have more strength, wisdom and courage than you realize.

When you can rest in the fullness of who you are, you cultivate a greater understanding of the infinite nature of wholeness. In stillness and acceptance of what is, welcome a new quality of experience. Choose contentment and observe how life comes to greet you – sometimes it will arrive in the form of a gentle breeze, a smile from a stranger, unconditional love from a pet or simply being at ease within yourself. Whatever you choose to do, do it from this space of awareness.

Karmic Completion

“When you plant a seed of love, it is you that blossoms.”
~Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati~
Everything we experience plays a purpose in our soul’s development. When involved in a karmic situation we tend to feel out of balance. Reactivity and emotional intensity build up layers of energy through which we must navigate, often without a map. The pathway to love ultimately teaches how to transform challenging situations into empowerment.
Acceptance begins the process of transformation by removing victim-hood consciousness from the equation. Seeking the gift ensures that we will find it. Like a spiral of energy, we revisit old scenarios from varying levels of awareness until we have cleared any imbalance associated with that particular lesson.
Neutrality is the indicator that a karmic lesson is completed. When faced with the person or situation who facilitated the experience we discover that the intensity has abated. Humor, gratitude or peacefulness replace the stories that were once created by the ego. Our teachers help us to move more deeply into love for all life. This freedom is cause for celebration.

Grace and Gratitude

“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every part of your life.”
~Rumi~

The awakened person lives in gratitude and joy, content within whatever the present moment offers. This peaceful sense of connectedness comes from inner understanding, unlimited richness and spiritual maturity and is not tied to any desired outcome or reliant upon the decisions of others.

When we become aware that all desire is future based, we discover the true spontaneity of gratitude and see blessings wherever we look. Even in the face of direct opposition or dysfunction, the awakened person is not caught within the trap of someone else’s story. They simply listen with an open heart and respond in the same way – seeing the other’s pain through the filter of compassion.

No matter what has been troubling you or unfolding within your experience, allow grace to infuse the situation. When we approach each moment with a pure heart and sincerity, we open the door for healing, empowerment and liberation to flow throughout our life. Grace is always available for those who are willing to receive it.

Choose to release the struggle and return to the depths of your hearts knowledge. Grace doesn’t mean that valuable lessons disappear, but that we bear witness to the knowledge our soul desired to understand and are then lifted to higher levels and a new vibrational experience. The higher the vibration, the more clearly we can see.

To accept grace, we must be willing to let go of any deep feelings of unworthiness and step into a position of empowerment and personal responsibility. Only then will grace transform your life into an expression of pure love. Surrender creates ease within the flow of life.