The Joyful Heart

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

~Henri Nouwen~

Empowerment, mastery, fulfillment, abundance, freedom… all begin and end with joy. The only thing over which you have any control is how you choose to respond to life. Occasionally, the ego (in its reactive state) will tell you that imbalance is not only necessary, but expected. These are the moments when your intention is transformative.

When you observe yourself getting lost in the stories of the mind, purposely and lovingly seek out something which brings you joy and place your full attention upon it. Your attention determines where energy flows. In the midst of challenge you can choose to stop for a moment, watch the clouds create artistry in the sky, breathe deeply, and reclaim your balance.

You are more powerful than you know. Joy amplifies that power and expands your perception. Imagine how higher level responses can change the trajectory of a chaotic moment. Laughter is the outward sound of a soul that is awakening. It bubbles up, takes over and scatters the heaviness of the mind. Nothing is more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

The Power of Awareness

“The outer world is a reflection of the inner world. Other people’s perception of you is a reflection of them; your response to them is an awareness of you.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

This new day is filled with limitless possibility. Honor the sacredness of the present moment through gratitude. When we stop and recognize the beauty of creation, we become loving witnesses to life itself. Everything is a reflection of your own state of consciousness. So when a rainbow awakens wonder within you, turn inward for it is an indicator of your own wonder and magic.

Gaze upon one another with love. Your smile has the power to awaken joy. Your consciousness has the power to awaken the consciousness of others. Your compassion has the power to awaken compassion in others. These are the gifts that you give the world. And it is forever transformed because of your sojourn in it.

Awareness activates dormant energies. Our ability to create is incredibly powerful; therefore, end your gratitude moment by setting an intention. If each of us chooses to be an authentic example of kindness and patience and states this intention out loud each morning, what might come of it?

The Artscape of Emotion

Whether flashes of joy, celebration, fear, overwhelming passions, or the arduous journey of self-exploration, feelings create an artscape through which we must travel. Emotions add flavor and nuance to the journey of awakening.

When seemingly untenable feelings arise, it’s empowering to turn toward them. The light of your consciousness is transformative and facing your shadows begins the process of deeper self understanding. You are right where you need to be. Whatever is unfolding in your experience contains gifts that will allow you to shine. By honoring your pilgrimage as sacred, you can drop the ego-driven belief that something is wrong.

It’s healthy to observe and feel deeply; however, it’s equally healthy to cultivate the ability to recognize when the voice of ego is in play. It will always jump to ones deepest subconscious fear and amplify it; therefore, feel with understanding. Feel with purpose. Feel to cultivate compassion for all sentient beings who seek fulfillment, peace and balance in their experience.

Earth can be a challenging playground. The paradoxes of humanness are storied, and yet absolutely required for the artscape of your unique adventure. All of life participates in your awakening. Realize how far you have come. You are amazing.

Live Gently

“Shamans the world over strive to live in complete harmony with nature, the environment, the cycles of the seasons, the weather, and the varying patterns of the stars, moon and sun. To accomplish this, they cultivate the intelligence of the heart.”  
~Jose Stevens~ 

To live in alignment with life, we must first remove anything that blocks us from living in a way that is empowered and accepting. The spiritual path calls upon us to dissolve the ego, rise above the mundane and cultivate trust. There are many layers to this work and many roads to enlightenment. As you explore various teachings that ignite your spirit, your willingness to learn will draw what is needed to you.

Walk gently upon the earth and listen to your inner guidance. Celebrate breakthroughs and learn from the challenges that arise. Everything works toward your highest good – always. With this in mind, fear departs as we take a greater role in what we choose to create and how we interpret the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

This never ending process of enlightenment is filled with opportunity, for as you change, the world around you is transformed. Seek to discover the language of your heart. Messages from the Divine are all around you and miracles abound.

Intensity

“For most people, their spiritual teacher is their suffering. Because eventually the suffering brings about awakening.”
~Eckhart Tolle~ 

Suffering, whether self-inflicted or the result of outside events, brings hidden aspects of our shadow self to the surface of our consciousness. Often these are things that have been repressed or ignored in the past and their appearance now has great import on your path of transformation.

When you are faced with intense internal challenges consider viewing them as teachers rather than something that needs to be eradicated or hidden. Look deeply within to the source of your conflict and then purposely surround it with love and compassion. Know that you are on the verge of an awakening.

These inner paradoxes lead us down roads we would never consciously choose to travel. They call upon us to shatter the ego-self and strip away things and ideas that no longer serve us. Intensity accelerates your spiritual growth in ways that simple study and desire cannot. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are ready for this. Your spirit has requested movement and the fact that something new is arising indicates that you are ready to navigate your way to higher levels of consciousness.

Authenticity

“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
In a world filled with expectation, opinion and judgment, it’s often challenging to consistently be vulnerable and authentic. Should you experience stress, anxiety, frustration or disappointment, it’s likely that you are out of your integrity in a given situation. Take a moment to self-assess and adjust when necessary. Once realigned with your integrity, live it to the best of your ability.
All of existence celebrates your journey and contributions. Cultivate the ability to be totally present. Take one step at a time, giving the Now your full attention and energy. This authenticity and Presence will bring a wonderful new dimension into your life experience.

Those who have drawn you into their lives need to experience your unique way of looking at the world. Authenticity inspires expansion into higher levels of consciousness. When you have learned to embrace who you are with calm confidence, your spirit will dwell in truth and light and that energy will be infused into every aspect of your life.

Humility Silences the Ego

“Spiritual practice is about increasingly entering into love – not personal love, but the love that is the nature of our being.”
~Ezra Bayda~

The souls only desire is to awaken. Once you have mastered a particular attribute, be willing to expand into unknown territory. As a lifetime student of love, you can interact with others knowing that they have entered your experience for a specific purpose. Life becomes layered with nuance when we discover that every aspect of it is simply a loving conversation with the Divine.

There is always something new to discover. As you expand into higher levels of consciousness, your perception changes. Old challenges or situations are experienced through a new filter that provides an opportunity to explore the lesson in a different way.

Humility silences the ego. When we recognize everyone and everything as a teacher, we become willing, open and aware. Drop your judgment, move into love and honor your own path as sacred. You are surrounded by miracles… you are a miracle.

When you live in celebration of life and love, you scatter the seeds of possibility. Everything around you expresses the harmony of that love and sparkles of energy dance in your light.

Awakened Exploration

“We are all of us wanderers, Chasing moonbeams, Our hearts full of wonder, Our souls drowsy with dreams.”
~Ramblings of the Claury~

Be a dreamer, a soul searcher and a wanderer.

The spiritual seeker has a life that is filled with wonder. Many need to rediscover how to approach each day with childlike joy and innocence. No matter where life takes you, there is something of value waiting to be discovered.

Imagine how life would unfold if every moment was experienced as a loving conversation between you and the Divine. Might you choose to take frequent pauses to breathe, to be present with nature, to nurture your body? When each step is an act of love, your definition of life is transformed. Walk gently through each day without expectation but with an open heart.

Even if your physical locale doesn’t change much, choose to experience it anew with a sense of loving curiosity. Your heightened vision will inspire your journey in ways you never expected.

The thrill is in the discovery, the exhilaration of the free-fall. Trust your intuition and allow something immense to open. Then the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, walls disappear and you become aligned with the infinite possibilities of the Divine.

Sammasati:  Remember

“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”
~Ramana Maharshi~

It is said that the last word uttered by the Buddha was “Sammasati.” There’s something beautiful about the reminder that what we seek lies within. Remember – not discover, change, achieve… just remember. All aspects of spiritual awakening lie dormant within that one word.

Perhaps that’s the reason each journey is unique. One never knows when a flash of illumination will shift perception. Awakening comes from rising above the mechanisms of the mind and illusion.

With limitless energy available, why does one encounter lack? We can choose to view perceived limitations as blessings and consciously use them as aspects of our collective growth. Additionally, they serve as reminders of how easily one can lose sight of inner awareness, prompting us to naturally cultivate greater compassion for those who still stumble in the darkness.

Should you feel off balance, consider which aspect of your life requires loving attention and take conscious action. Spend some time going within and recognize the perfection in your journey. Taste silence, merge with the energy of the planet, and remember what has been forgotten… Sammasati.

The Pilgrimage

The journey is a sacred place and by honoring the present moment, we consciously move through the beautiful landscape of our souls awakening. Whenever you enter periods of movement and change, allow yourself to feel a sense of adventure and growth. This is your pilgrimage.

Be willing to accept and embrace the new. This attitude of openness and acceptance invites new opportunities, friends and experiences into our lives. There is no way to force healing of the heart chakra – it is the natural flow of your energy as you mature and learn to rest in your inner silence.

It has been said that one must lose all to learn how to be simple. We fill our lives with people, things, and ambition in order to stay busy and distracted. The Universe will often create a space for us to discover the joys of simplicity; however, one doesn’t have to wait for all to be lost – we can simply lose our attachment.

Guidance is available when you heed the whispers of your heart. The more you move into love and balance, the more receptive you’ll be… and your life will become radiant with blessings. This is your birthright, a gift that has awaited you since the moment you first set foot on this planet. Will you choose to embrace the journey?