Self mastery

Those who are awakened focus on self-understanding rather than seeking approval through outside factors.

“In the 33rd verse of the Tao te Ching, Lao-tzu is asking you to change the way you look at these twin ideas of knowledge and power. You’ve invited to evaluate your level of self-mastery by turning your gaze inward and seeing the world, and your place in it, in a new light.”
~From Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer~

Mastery calls upon us to change how we view the world. Rather than seeking more knowledge or pursuing status symbols to demonstrate our success, our focus turns inward. Mastery has nothing to do with power over others. It is an empowered way of  walking through life. As we align with our inner strength we are guided by wisdom.

The only thing over which you have any control is how you choose to respond to the present moment. Instead of trying to understand the ‘whys’ or the motivations of others or falling into the “us versus them” blame game, you’ll consistently seek to explore your own responses and reactions. This conscious state of awareness affords you the ability to step into personal responsibility knowing that you are a Divine being who is actively in the process of enlightenment.

Demonstrate love to those who grace your life by honoring their path as sacred. Give them the space to explore, learn and awaken in the way that is most meaningful for them. Trust that the Tao is working toward the highest good of all. This trust is simply another measure of your self-mastery.

Find joy in the journey

Happiness is a choice we make. Why wait to experience it?

“The basic paradox: everything is a mess yet all is well.” Ezra Bayda~

Playfulness and joy are states of being. They cannot be traveled to, purchased or mapped out. They arise from simply being fully present in the Now. Make the conscious choice to enjoy the little things. The world is filled with beauty and your life is filled with the miraculous.

Should you find yourself being too serious, go back to basics. Utilize gratitude as a way to shift your energy higher. Enjoy the little things – the way sunlight sparkles through a drop of dew, how the clouds move across the sky making pictures in a constant state of transition, the smile of a dog… it all comes down to what you choose to amplify with your attention.

Your joy will bring you into a state of wholeness. From there, life becomes friendly and playful… a loving reflection of your true infinite nature.

Awareness

You are awareness. Remove the distractions, and what remains?

“Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” ~Eckhart Tolle~

The mind is an instrument. Somewhere along the line humans became so entranced by the physical world that the mind became master (albeit an unstable one). Awareness calls upon us to relegate the mind back into it’s rightful status of servant. As the soul awakens, the mind is transcended and we can step back and observe its antics.

Buddha called this awareness “right knowledge.” As we dismantle the layers of distractions and attachments, we are able to utilize the mind in a way that is simple and empowering – this is wisdom.

Become the Witness. Remove the endless dialogue and just observe. What is there? Just pure awareness remains. This awareness is the source of all that is and as it flows through you the bondage disappears. Use every opportunity to become more conscious and one day you will awaken – loving but unattached, in the world but not of it, filled with clarity and compassion.

Our thoughts shape our experiences

Our thoughts create energies that amplify as they repeat.

“If you understand it, the world is a great device to make you more conscious. Your enemy is your friend, and the curses are blessings, and the misfortunes can be turned into fortunes. It depends only on one thing: if you know the key of awareness.” ~Osho~

The moment you step into a challenge, whether related to health, money, relationships or self-image, you have an opportunity to grow. Do your best to calm the mind and simply be alert. The dark moments of the soul are your opportunity to shine.

Whatever unfolds in the present moment is the doorway to infinite possibility. Yet, many simply hide behind old patterns and habits and do not witness the beauty of bringing consciousness to ordinary life.

Our thoughts shape and amplify our experiences, therefore, pay express attention to the thoughts that occur and ask yourself if they represent the energy you wish to put out into the world. Many people dwell upon their fears or focus upon what they wish to avoid, and then are surprised (or the ego is gratified saying “I knew it”) when those thoughts materialize. As awakening souls, our goal is to bring higher consciousness to every experience, especially our internal one.

Try it. Take a walk with your awareness completely engaged. It releases tension (which is created by the mind) and allows a subtle joy to arise. Let your higher consciousness guide all of your interactions. Bring that present moment awareness to the food you choose and how you consume. It will slow you down, allow you to fully enjoy your meal and create harmony between your mind, body and spirit.

The obstacle is the path

When you really pay attention, everything is your teacher.

“The heart that seeks to awaken, to live genuinely, is more real than anything. that nameless drive calls you to be who you most truly are.” ~Ezra Bayda~

Everything that you see and all that you experience is part of a loving conversation between you and the Divine. This is why acceptance is such an important component to living a life of awakening. When we resist what is, we are basically telling the Divine that we, as beings with limited vision and perception, know better than the loving, infinite, divine and creative power of the universe. 

So, resist nothing. Turn into your experiences with a nuanced eye and an open heart. Examine the message, gift or insight and let the varied aspects of creation become your companions, teachers and friends.   

There is always something new to learn. We are at the very beginning of an incredible journey of awakening. No matter how far we may have come, we are still just barely scratching the surface of what it means to experience Oneness. 

Every aspect of truth and infinite potential is woven intricately throughout your life. When you really pay attention, you can awaken to your ancient knowledge and consciously participate in the evolving consciousness of the planet.

Living from the end result

Life is a reflection of our state of consciousness.

“Rarely do we experience the presence born of knowing who we really are and what we are doing on this earth. Realizing how rarely we’re present to life is itself a crucial step in awakening.” ~Ezra Bayda~

As we awaken, the ego’s mechanisms become more subtle. Often, it can be a simple thought prompting us to forgo the personal nurturing or rituals that keep us balanced. Our attention gets drawn outward instead of inward where we are able to connect with our own divine nature.

Happiness and fulfillment are the end results we seek in any situation. Therefore, choose to be at peace in this moment, as if you have already reached your goal, and purposely keep your vibration at that empowered, high level. We will always draw in the circumstances, opportunities and fellow travelers that reflect our state of consciousness.

Celebrate how far you’ve come and celebrate the joys that still await discovery. Walk in the world filled with wonder and allow life to enter you. There’s no need to wait. You can be at peace now.  

See beyond appearances

Judgment and love cannot coexist.

“A great scholar hears of the Tao and begins diligent practice. A middling scholar hear of the Tao and retains some and loses some. An inferior scholar hears of the Tao and roars with ridicule. Without that laugh, it would not be the Tao.” ~From the 41st verse of the Tao te Ching, Lau Tzu~

Within this verse of the Tao te Ching, notice the word scholar being utilized instead of soul age terms such as old, mature and young. The implication is that we are all scholars, simply at different points in our development. Lau Tzu is pointing out that young souls are imperative to the process of awakening – that’s the beautiful paradox of our collective experience. 

With this in mind, you may be able to see beyond the roles people play. Go beneath the surface to discover the ultimate truth of your current life situation. Remember, if higher consciousness was easy, anyone could step into it at any given moment. Truly, you are only one thought away from peace, but consistent mindfulness and awareness is a process of discovery. 

Our goal is to see the world differently. Inner peace is power. Non-attachment to things or money is abundance. Having nothing to prove or no one to be allows us to shine. As we drop labels, release desire and become a pure source of love, our experience of life becomes one of mastery, joy and balance. By changing how we see the world, the world will change.

The gift of compassion

Those who challenge you the most on the physical plane love you the most on the spiritual plane.

“[Divine], make me an instrument of your peace.
While there is hatred, let me sow love. While there is injury, let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me sow hope. Where there is darkness, let me sow light. Where is sadness, let me sow joy. Oh Divine, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”

~St Frances of Assisi~

The quickest way through any challenge is to utilize the contrasts. As you observe the ego clamoring to take action, choose to slow down and breathe  and consciously do the opposite. When we feel compelled again and again to have our say, to voice an opinion, to point out others’ shortcomings, there’s more power in being silent.

Your energy determine how much you get out of this exercise. If your silence contains anger, then it is harming you and not balancing the situation. When anger arises, observe it, and ask how you can bring love to the present moment. As you enter a state of compassion, your silence has meaning and purpose.

There is an ebb and flow to all relationships. They serve a vital purpose in our awakening and it can be helpful to remember that we are all doing the best we can based upon our level of consciousness, imprints, and life experiences.

Seeking validation

Release the need to seek validation from others.

“There is often a vague sense of danger with which we greet almost every person and every situation. If it had a voice, it might whisper, “Please don’t hurt me.” ~Ezra Bayda~

Do not compare yourself with others. There will always be someone younger, older, more beautiful, uglier, wealthier, poorer, skinnier, curvier, more enlightened or more dysfunctional. Instead, seek only to be more awakened than you were yesterday.

Measuring yourself by someone else’s benchmarks of what is desirable or appropriate is a waste of your precious energy. Observe, and you will see how much society judges one another with ego-minds thriving and running the show. Marketing strategies are based upon this ego generated belief in lack or endless desire. The reason they work is because so many suffer from this same affliction.

It’s the contrasts that bring out the beauty in life. The spiritual student strives to recognize the sacredness in all beings and in all situations. In order for that to be possible, we must first recognize the sacredness and perfection in ourselves.

Saying yes to life

Everything has meaning and plays its part in your awakening.

“What is the path? Residing in this very life, exactly as it is right now… liking or not liking has nothing to do with it.” ~Ezra Bayda~

It’s impossible to be “off your path.” You may delay or avoid certain lessons or experiences; however, your soul is always seeking to awaken. Those challenges will continue to arise (whether in this life or the next) until they are no longer required.   

Some believe that they can step out of karma by reaching a higher level of consciousness. The converse is true, when recognizing a karmic situation (by noticing your emotional or reactive energy), you bring higher consciousness to it and turn into the karma in order to heal and grow. As you awaken, you create less karma, experience less drama and handle the challenges of life with faith, peace and empowerment. 

Acceptance is the key. Know that you are right where you need to be, experiencing exactly what you are meant to be experiencing. As you go within, choose to honor yourself and your path as sacred. Drop any expectations or self-criticism and see it as a purposeful journey that leads to enlightenment.