The Miracle of Gratitude
As we learn to transcend the mechanics of the ego and rise above thought, we are able to recognize the sacredness in life and within ourselves. All that you see is a reflection of your current state of consciousness; therefore, choose to periodically remove yourself from outside distraction and just be. Experience the beauty of life without mental chatter. Immerse yourself in the magic of the present moment and feel the love that rains down upon you from all dimensions.
When we consciously spend time communing with nature in this manner, our energy is replenished. The stresses of the day become less important as simple gratitude transforms the mundane into the sacred. The small, ordinary things of life become vehicles of spiritual awakening. The laugh of a child, the love of a dog, clouds creating pictures in the sky, a flower opening to receive the warmth of the sun… everything is the voice of the Divine. Recognizing this, you are enlightened.
Dreaming a New World Into Being
Your sacred dream should be one that brings new movement into your life experience. Try this exercise from The Heart of the Shaman by Alberto Villoldo: Write a fairy tale that begins with “Once upon a time…” and include in it a prince or princess, a warrior (or warrioress), and a dragon.
Be playful and see where your imagination takes you. There will be messages within it from your subconscious. Observe what gifts and traps you discover. You may gain wonderful insight about where you are on your journey and what you can create next, as well as clarity about possible pitfalls that need to be cleared as you move forward.
In each and every moment we are dreaming a new world into being. When we aren’t guiding the dream consciously, we struggle within the collective energy of fear and limitation. You can shift your experiences with grace and courage and bring forth a new reality of joy from the matrix of creation.
It is said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it. As you become more conscious, your choices will be more conducive to a peaceful state of mind. You can choose to bring a new energy into your life’s story. Let your awareness awaken and inspire you. It will open a world of abundance, wisdom and empowerment.
Living a Passionate Life
This planet is the only place to explore the nuances of human experience. While many tend to create opinions and judgments that dictate how they participate in life, the spiritual seeker understands that everything has the potential to teach and desires only to expand their awareness.
Has your life been a celebration? Do your choices create or reinforce a bubble of limitation in your viewpoints and beliefs or can you recognize everyone who graces your experience as a teacher? No matter what you choose to do, immerse yourself within it. If it has virtue for you, it will become a facet of your infinite beauty. If not, you will emerge wiser, stronger and more compassionate.
Being fully present with the totality of life brings freedom. There is no worry, no judgment… only the expansiveness of an infinite divine spirit exploring the beauty that only earth-bound experience has to offer.
Celtic Vows of Friendship
Relationships offer fertile ground for spiritual practice. When in doubt as to the appropriate action or response, utilize the Celtic vows of friendship. Ask yourself, “Am I honoring his or her path as sacred?” The key is to allow enough space for each person to thrive while offering love and support.
Awakening
“The willingness to simply rest in the physical experience of your life is the key to spiritual transformation.”
~Ezra Bayda~
Expand Your Vision
Something magical happens when we look at life from a higher perspective. The path of the spiritual seeker is to consistently leave the past behind in order to reside fully within the present moment. Beyond the mechanisms of the mind – thoughts, opinions, confusion, stories, histories and other facades – there is great potential and power; however, the ego often distracts us from seeing clearly.
Each level of consciousness creates a filter through which we interpret our experiences. Someone who vibrates at the level of Fear or Anger will consistently create blockages or problems where none actually exist. One exercise is to write out a brief synopsis of a current challenge as interpreted by the ego. Then, create a new interpretation from the highest levels of consciousness you can imagine, and finally create a few more somewhere in the middle. This will help you to expand your vision while cultivating compassion for those who struggle with their own limited perceptions.
Cultivate the art of looking at life’s circumstances from the highest perspective possible. Your first reaction or mental position is simply the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough. Take a step back and see how your vision changes.
Go Within
Whenever an imbalance is encountered, be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual malaise, realize that the answer lies within you. Most people have heard that phrase hundreds, if not thousands, of times on their unique journey without exploring the true depth of that concept.
In silence, we create a space in which transformation can occur. Whenever you find yourself running in circles, trying to fix something in your life situation, feeling overwhelmed by stress or trapped in a repetitive relationship challenge, notice the simple fact that you are looking outside of yourSelf for inner peace and purposely shift into present moment consciousness.
You can create love, prosperity, flow, joy, movement or peace in your human experience by recognizing the old patterns that have been limiting you. Go within… love, listen, act… knowing all that you need is already here. When you choose to appreciate the little things in life that bring you joy, you create a connection to your inner knowledge and enhance your ability to listen. The direction and insight you seek will arise quietly from within.
Love, Light and Laughter
Love lies at the core of everything. It awakens joy in the present moment and allows us to walk in gratitude, even during times of great challenge and transformation. Love shines the light of consciousness onto situations that the uninitiated deem “wrong” and cultivates compassion for those who need it the most.
Considered in this manner, you are love. There is nothing to seek, only layers of false belief to release. Moment by moment we draw closer to the truth of who we are and what we have come here to do. Nothing matters more than your state of consciousness. When you can find your way back to love, your decisions will resonate with powerful energy and intention. If you stumble along the way, take a moment to laugh, dust yourself off and take another step forward.
In those moments when the voice of doubt creeps in, know that you’re not alone. This is the illusion of the human condition. We have created a playground so vast and so all-encompassing that it takes over our senses on occasion, causing us to forget our true Divine and infinite nature.
Be observant of your thoughts today, perhaps keeping track of how many are kind and supportive and how many are trapped in limitation. Even if you only balance the scales in favor of love at 51%, it’s enough to overcome negativity and shift the world around you.
Stillness