Empowerment

Empowerment is simply taking full responsibility for your own experience.

“A life of equanimity and appreciation is lived in the immediacy of the present – not in the mind.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

Seek to live as if you have purposely chosen every aspect of your experience. Appreciate the weather (however it presents itself), see the very human struggles that we share as opportunities to cultivate compassion. Rather than interpreting obstacles as a disruption on your life-path, view them with purposeful intent and transform them into honored aspects of your journey.

One way to fully align yourself with the Now is to ask, “Am I bringing the best version of myself to this moment?” Since there is always room for growth and the soul consistently seeks to attain the next level of consciousness, this is a never-ending playground of discovery. Your best transforms as you evolve.

Today my intention is to experience a deeper connection with life.

 

Anger and attachment

See anger as a barometer which measures the depth of your attachments.

“All of our defensive maneuvers in relationships, especially our anger and blame, are born out of fear – of rejection, of being alone, of being controlled, of not getting what we want, of intimacy, of inadequacy, of unworthiness. The path to harmonious relationships  requires acknowledging and facing these fears. In relationship difficulties, only be being directly present with our core pain – not as a concept, but as a complex of uncomfortable bodily sensations – can we take a step beyond thinking, beyond self-justifying, and beyond the enslavement of our narrow agendas.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

When we use moments of anger or frustration as a tool for self-awareness, we can quickly transform that energy into empowerment. Rather than remaining stuck in the story, the spiritual seeker goes inward to see where expectation and attachment have disrupted the presence of joy.

Awareness creates a space where a transformation can occur. As we heal the wounds that we carry, we remove the triggers that cause upsets. Deeply unconscious people struggle through the minefield of their own limited beliefs, never knowing when something may cause them to erupt into anger, or how to handle it. Have compassion for those who are struggling to awaken. It can be helpful to remember how far you’ve come on your own journey and allow them the opportunity to heal in their own way.

The ultimate goal is to release attachment and experience the present moment as it is. The conscious observer walks quietly through life, holding space, and uplifts those with whom they interact.

Today my intention is to bless the teachers of my life. I am grateful to everyone who has crossed my path.

The joy of being

Allow joy to emanate from the eternal, timeless, spark of life within you.

“If you are content with being nobody in particular, content not to stand out, you align yourself with the power of the universe. What looks like weakness to the ego is in fact the only true strength.”
~Eckhart Tolle
~

Don’t be so consumed by time that you forget you are eternal. Spiritual awakening is releasing the attachment to things, ideas and desires that distract you from experiencing the joy of being.

You are a master in the process of awakening, a beautiful masterpiece coming alive, each line drawn through the gift of experience. Seek only to be fully present with whatever unfolds. Quietly do your inner work and allow the infinite energy of the Divine to flow through you.

You can set yourself free. Rather than getting caught up in the drama of a mind-made story, see if you can broaden your viewpoint enough to view a challenging situation as an opportunity to awaken. Choose to allow inner joy to be the foundation of your actions and responses.
Today my intention is to embrace life, all the rough edges of it, and recognize the sacredness in everyone and everything.

Attention sets energy in motion

Notice what repeats in your experience.

“There is a great value in doing new things, not just for diversion or escape, but in order to help us awaken. When we put ourselves in a new or foreign situation, that very act awakens our senses, our awareness, our presence. Sometimes we have to take a leap in order to experience and heal the fear that holds us ever at the edge of familiar safety. Our task in awakening is to go against the grain of our mechanical tendencies.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

Consciously choose to break free of repetitive patterns. If you have a morning routine, slip something new into the mix.  Take the scenic route on your next drive. Leave room for mindful exploration and honor the present moment as sacred.

Sacredness inspires us to be more aware. We begin to view life with awe and gratitude, sending our energy outward with joy and passion while observing the holistic movement of transformation.

Many walk through life without realizing their potential. Let your grace be so inspiring that it awakens grace in another. Allow love to be the operating force in all of your interactions.
Today my intention is to bring wisdom, love and peace into all of my experiences.

Embrace the Now

The present moment is filled with countless miracles.

“The small things of life have to be transformed by your inner transformation. This I call the religious quality; everything becomes sacred. Taking a bath, making love, eating food, going to sleep – everything becomes sacred.”
~Osho
~

When you truly immerse yourself within the Now, life becomes sacred. Everything is a reflection of the light of the Divine, adding to the mystery and the perfection of your experience. With each breath, you become one with life.

The mental patterns and frustration of the human condition are nothing more than outmoded conditioning. The spiritual seeker breaks free from societal imprinting and chooses to live at a higher level of consciousness. This is the light that awakens the light in others.

Be the change you wish to see. Participate in joy. Your thoughts have power – purposely utilize them to make your experience one of connection, compassion and breakthrough.

Today my intention is to honor this moment as sacred.

The many paths of enlightenment

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There are many ways to achieve enlightenment.

“Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally. If you want to take responsibility for your life, you must choose one of those three options, and you must choose now. Then accept the consequences.”
~Eckhart Tolle
~

No matter what is unfolding in your life experience, you have an opportunity to utilize it as a vehicle of awakening. Even momentary boredom or apathy can be transformed into a powerful aspect of your soul’s journey.

The key here is your willingness to make a choice that opens your perception. Many people have bursts of spiritual growth as a result of facing challenges; however, spiritual mastery is achieved when we also seek growth during the best of times or the quiet pauses we all experience. The more you have a continued focus on your evolution, the less you will require some type of disruption to spark movement forward again.

Life is meant to be an adventure, each moment a gift for you to explore. Step into the unknown with an open heart. Take risks and drop the familiar which masquerades as security and stability. Remember, you are loved, supported, guided and safe, even in the midst of transition and exploration.

Today my intention is to discover something new.

Authenticity

Share your unique gifts.

“Philosophy is speculation, Zen is participation. Participate in the night leaving, participate in the evening coming, participate in the stars and participate in the clouds; make participation your lifestyle and the whole existence becomes such a joy, such an ecstasy. You could not have dreamed a better universe.”
~Osho
~

You have a purpose: to live an awakening life of joy and empowerment. Each of us has something of value to contribute to the whole. Seek first to embrace your own light in such a way that you allow it to shine. Rather than trying to meet your perception of what the world needs, ask instead, “What do I have to offer?”

The synergy that is created together is far greater than the sum of its parts. Be willing to accept what is offered while allowing the energy of the Divine to flow through you into the beauty of the present moment.

You bring something beautiful to the world. All of existence celebrates your journey and your contributions. Cultivate your ability to be totally present in your response to life. Take one step at a time, giving the present moment your full attention and energy. This authenticity will bring a wonderful new dimension to your life experience.

Today my intention is to create an energy field that supports each person in my life to find his or her own light.

Focus on the lesson

Whatever you dwell upon becomes stronger in your life.

“Whenever we make efforts, the ego will find ways to trick us and divert us from the path. Over time, as this predictable pattern of effort and resistance becomes apparent, we are no longer so easily blindsided by the maneuvers of the ego. Nonetheless, the force of resistance can be strong. The countermeasure is always to persevere in face of the inevitable hindrances and discouragements.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

Any inner resistance that you encounter is an indicator that profound change is imminent. If you weren’t on the verge of a breakthrough, the ego would simply allow you to tool along unhindered; therefore, resistance should be viewed as a wonderful confirmation that you are making authentic progress.

The human experience is the continual process of attempting to avoid our innermost fears. Because we are afraid to face them, they become hidden baggage that we carry. When the soul is ready to address an imbalance, it is often projected onto someone else so that we can become aware of it. This is the moment to stop and look for the lesson. If you notice yourself dwelling on a problem, laying blame or feel stuck in a negative situation, take a moment to ask, “What am I trying to see?”

Keep it simple. If you are triggered by someones negativity, seek to eradicate all negativity within yourself. Begin by noticing when stress arises and simply own your own stuff. This may look like, “Mary gossips all the time!”…. “Do I ever gossip?”… then “How can I be more accepting and stop participating in gossip?” In this instance, the answer is to be mindful when you speak and choose only words that are kind and supportive.

Your spiritual journey is one of noticing and practicing without getting lost in self-criticism. Focusing on the lesson ensures that you will eventually have a breakthrough.

Today my intention is to channel insight and energy into my love, work and creativity.

Happiness is a choice

You can create happiness in your own experience. Begin now, from where you are with what you have.

“Think thoughts that make you happy. Do things that make you feel good. Be with people who make you feel good. Eat things that make your body feel good. Go at a pace that makes you feel good.”
~Louise Hay
~

Your thoughts dictate your life experience and you can train the mind to see the positive in every situation. Seek the gift within the challenge. Know that your thoughts, words and actions are planting seeds that will grow into your future experiences.

As you change, the world around you is transformed. Small conscious actions create a momentum of powerful intent. Doing less, more gets accomplished. When you enjoy the journey, miracles seems to flow toward you. There are many ways to celebrate your existence – but all true happiness comes from within.

When happiness is based upon outside factors, you become enslaved by them. The job, lover, house, bank account and self-image become more important than your day-to-day joy and your precious energy is then wasted chasing that status quo. Once the spiritual seeker discovers inner happiness, nothing can take it away. As life ebbs and flows and people come and go, the joy remains. it become the foundation for your entire life experience.
Today my intention is to remember that this is the moment of transformation.  

No one to be

When we strip away the layers of ego, we can discover the joy of being.

“As we relentlessly observe ourselves, the images we have of who we are and who we need to be – which at one time seemed so real – begin to peel away like layers of an onion. Pleasant self-images may give way to uglier ones, each seeming equally real until that layer too peels away. As every illusory idea of who we are is stripped off, we can finally experience the quivering freedom of not needing to be anyone at all.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

Challenge yourself: spend the entire day without giving an opinion, seeking attention or talking about the past or future. Just one day. Practice the art of being fully present, immersed within the Now.

Notice how often the ego craves to be heard. You may find that voice demanding that you speak up, that you must interrupt, your ideas can’t wait, something will be lost if you do not speak, opine or post… Notice the ego, observe its antics and choose to do the opposite of what it desires.

Purposely take a neutral approach to whatever arises. Take a complete break from social media. Become a quiet listener and observe the beautiful intricacies of life. You may be astounded to discover how much energy has regularly been wasted defending viewpoints, fighting to be heard or trying to have yourself be seen in a particular way. Turn that energy inward and focus it on being at ease in the Now.

I’d love to hear what you experience throughout this process.
Today my intention is to free myself from the enslavement of the mind.