A Foundation of Love

Set an intention to be an authentic example of joyful acceptance today.

“May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may choose to roam.”
~An Irish Blessing~

The foundation of personal integrity and compassion is love. This is a much higher vibration and more powerful than any moral codes, commandments or judgement. Those who are willing to judge others are also ready to suffer separation in order to feed the ego’s need for superiority. It’s much easier to condemn another than to look within and face the need for change.

Conscious spiritual seekers bring an entirely different quality to their experiences. Always ready to forgive (or to recognize that forgiveness is not even necessary), he or she embodies compassion for those who struggle with unconsciousness and understands that everyone is in the process of transformation, regardless of how it appears.

The awakened version of morality comes not from conscience, fear or societal pressure but from a higher state of consciousness. Seek always to become more aware of your own inner mastery and wisdom – this will allow you to live in complete harmony with the Divine and you will see it reflected by the world around you.

Often society will not understand the peacefulness of an enlightened person – Where is your anger? Why aren’t you complaining about the state of the world? Aren’t you worried about what might happen? Let love express itself through you in unusual ways and be the change you wish to see.

The Shimmering Pulse of Life

We live in a world of limitless possibility.

“Looking with a mind that’s awake reveals the shimmering pulse of life. Looking with a mind full of thoughts reveals only your thoughts.”

~Ezra Bayda~

We all have filters through which we interpret our experiences and the world around us. As we move to higher levels of consciousness, we expand our vision and begin to see more possibilities.

In the exploration of infinity, it’s important to remember that no matter how much we have learned or how far we have come, we are still at the beginning of a miraculous journey. The human experience is one of perceived separation. We spend lifetimes feeling lost and misunderstood. Awakening is the experience of Oneness in a world of difference.

This is the moment of transformation. Will you use it or hide in the illusion of comfort and security? When we discover the truth of who we are, we’ll realize that there is no one special to be. Truly seeing the sacred light of consciousness in ourselves and in one another removes all the trappings of limited ego-based goals and beliefs. Know thyself… and discover that all you need is already here.

Exploring the Limitless

All that you seek is within you.

“When we bring a gentle awareness to the layers of our conditioning, and to the struggles that arise out of our conditioning, the power of that conditioning slowly dissolves. Life then moves toward the unconditioned – where the vastness, or love, just flows through.

~Ezra Bayda~

Once we become aware of the mechanisms of the mind and how hard it struggles to keep certain illusions in place, we are able to go deeper into our experience of the present moment. Everything you encounter is meant to teach you how to drop the layers of illusion.

Should you observe yourself saying, “I’ve always been like this” or repeating a perceived truth of your current level of understanding, go within and ask “Who is speaking?” Is it the ego or the truth of an infinite soul?

Or, “Who would I be without that thought?” Would I be limited or free? If you determine that the thought or statement is a product of the ego, don’t judge yourself. Your awareness indicates that something greater is awakening within you. This is a moment of celebration!

You are much more than a collection of thoughts or imprints. You are more than the sum of your experiences. The light of consciousness shines through you, its brilliance is refracted through infinite facets that await exploration.

Constancy

I hold no cherished outcome.

“…the obstacle on your path can become the gateway to a new life unfolding. Set your house in order, tend to business, be clear, and wait on the Will of Heaven.”
~Ralph Blum~ 

Allowing life to unfold as it will is an act of faith. While the ego-mind may clamor for definitive resolutions, planned actions and guarantees, the soul craves to cultivate trust. Therefore; view any pauses in your dreams as gateways to perfection.

When you focus on being balanced and at peace with the present moment, the future takes care of itself. There is no need to project your thoughts and desires on to anyone else or attach to specific outcomes. All your energy turns inward, allowing you to navigate though whatever life offers with a sense of peacefulness and knowledge that everything unfolds in the perfect way at the perfect time.

Often challenges unfold at the beginning of a new life. The shifts in energy call upon us to release things which no longer serve our evolutionary growth. This creates space in which the new can take root and grow. Trust the processes of your awakening.

 

Presence

Allow this moment to be the most transformative of your life.
“Forgive yourself for not being at peace. The moment you completely accept your non-peace, your non-peace is transmuted into peace. Anything you accept fully will get you there, will take you into peace. That is the miracle of surrender.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

The way to experience life fully is to bring your complete awareness to what is unfolding right now. This is the moment of transformation. Observe your thoughts and actions. Are they allowing you to be fully present with the experience or are they projected toward some future moment or desire?

When you focus your awareness on the Now, you’ll discover that you are right where you need to be. The lessons unfolding are perfect for the souls development and through complete acceptance, joy begins to expand throughout every aspect of your life. Embrace what is. You have chosen these experiences for the express purpose of accelerating your spiritual growth.

Take brief, frequent pauses often throughout the day to check your state of consciousness. 30 seconds of mindful breathing can help to align you with the present moment. Within the ebb and flow of life, you can choose to create a foundation of calmness, peace and empowerment,  the natural by-products of acceptance.

Live Your Truth

Let your life be your message.

“The path to love requires open-hearted attention to the very things that seem to block our way to it.”
Ezra Bayda
Like water eroding rock, the awakened life is one of gentle, consistent, conscious actions. Attempting to force change, whether in yourself or others around you, is akin to a flash flood that temporarily wreaks havoc and leaves destruction in its wake. Living your truth; however, is a series of small actions that can transform even the most challenging of situations.
Everything plays a role in your awakening. Seeing your judgments and the fears out of which they arise allows you to choose a different response, one that brings you greater peace. Doubt is another path that opens the door to new ideas and insight. Anger points the way to repressed energy. Rather than wondering “why?” when things go wrong, seek understanding through direct experience rather than wandering aimlessly in an intellectual playground.
The key is to accept what is. Bring a greater awareness to how you choose to experience the present moment. When you take responsibility for your own state of consciousness, your actions will reflect empowerment and kindness.

Partnership, A Gift

The most loving gift that you can give another is the space to explore their unique journey.

“When you cling to how your partner (or your children or anyone) should be, you create the circumstances of long-term suffering. Your partner does not want to be controlled; they want to be loved, seen, accepted, held in your heart and honored and respected and blessed by your love.”
~Jack Kornfield~

All relationships ultimately lead you into a greater union with yourself and with the Divine. As we learn to provide consistent, loving acceptance for those who grace our lives, we experience the joyousness that results from watching them discover their unique way of being in the world.

All too often we greet one another with preconceived requirements or expectation. Each interaction is laden with ideas of how we’d like that person to respond and it’s easy to become so distracted by those mental projections that we miss the beauty of who they truly are.

Acceptance allows those you love the freedom to shine. In the present moment we can choose to give support and affection with a peaceful, open heart, and in that openness honor the riches and inspiration the other has to offer.

Love with a gentle strength. Love in a way that expands your own heart and you’ll discover that the well never runs dry. Allow compassion, kindness and gratitude to create a foundation for healthy, supportive relationships. Honor every path (including your own) as sacred.

 

Celebration

How can you transform this moment into one of celebration?

“It is this open and tender heart that has the capacity to transform the world.”
~Lama Chogyam Trungpa~

Each time we choose to celebrate life, we honor the Now as sacred. In essence, celebration allows the Divine to recognize itself as it flows through you experiencing the world of form.

No matter what you choose to do, do it mindfully. Take a moment to enjoy the uniqueness of your journey, your preferences, those who grace your life with their presence and all that you’ve discovered thus far. We have much to learn from these simple moments of connection.

Eventually, you’ll find yourself living outside the cycle of story and drama and treasuring the Oneness you’ve discovered within your experience. Life opens up into new dimensions when we put down the burdens we have carried and become attentive to the mystery.

Spiritual awakening and raising ones consciousness is a process. Sometimes it comes bursting through our experience as an insight or revelation, while in others, it manifests as a gentle, subtle flow that goes unnoticed until life presents a situation to demonstrate how far we’ve come.

You are here to make a difference. You are here to bring peacefulness into the space you inhabit. You are here to awaken and share your gifts. Your life is meant to be one of discovery, a book in which you write the story of your choosing. We reside in a wonderful world of choice – will you choose to resist or celebrate?

Vast oceans of truth lie unexplored before you. In this moment, you can choose to dance in the light, love and laughter of the Universe.

Change Comes From Within

The world is your reflection.
“Strong emotional reactions always signal the need to look more deeply at your beliefs.”
~Ezra Bayda~
No matter what challenges you face, you hold the key to transformation. As we learn to embrace new ways of being and thinking, our experiences change. The higher your consciousness, the greater your perspective.
Remember this: when your ego tries to tell you that you’ve tried everything and nothing works, you haven’t. There is always something new to learn and freedom awaits. Persistence on the spiritual path will eventually lead you to discover the ease and grace that comes from living with an open heart.
So, if you’d like to love your work (or relationship or living condition), begin by changing the thoughts that create anxiety or displeasure. Choose to create joy in your own experience and love where you are. Two things will happen: you’ll have more peace and clarity in the present moment which may help you to see that your situation is actually more pleasant than you thought or you’ll have a positive attitude and better energy which can be focused on creating a new situation.
The only human error is to complain without positive action, thus creating a prison. When we discover the prisons of our own creation, the most empowering thing to learn is that we hold the key… and the door was never locked.

Soul Contracts

Intensity in our interactions with one another ultimately teaches us Oneness.

“Karma is an emotionally intense experience which causes a sense of imbalance in the participants. Part of being on the physical plane is having intense experiences so you can learn from them.”
~From Michael, The Basic Teachings~

Karma is neither good nor bad. It allows the opportunity to experience both sides of a situation so that we can learn compassion for one another, ultimately achieving balance and unconditional love. It can take many lifetimes to complete a karma. For instance, in one life you may have helped someone to find shelter in their time of need. Several lifetimes later you meet a realtor who works tirelessly to find you the perfect home. During the process you feel intensely connected and at the end of the transaction, you feel peaceful and complete.

If one was responsible for taking a life as a young soul, they might find themselves in a situation as an old soul where they rescue that person (perhaps losing their life in the process), thus balancing the energy.

We have free will regarding whether or not we’ll initially engage in a particular karma; however, once it is in play, the participants must see it through until the end. Emotional intensity is the indicator that the soul is working on a lesson. Once complete, all involved will feel a sense of neutrality and balance.

When you find yourself in the midst of intensity, do your best to remain conscious so that you can move through it more quickly. Recognize that these sacred contracts have a purpose and will ultimately teach you exactly what you are ready to learn.