Underneath the cacophony of the mind and the turbulence of the physical world lies a stillness that is infinite. A human experiencing internal quietude is far different from the quiet one might experience in nature. Far away from the sounds of the modern world, the silence can sometimes be deafening; however, that silence is merely the absence of noise.

Take yourself within, moving beneath the movement, thoughts and desires of everyday life. You are an infinite being and are far, far greater than you know. All the wisdom you seek is within you. Once you find a way to touch this stillness, you’ll discover a sense of grace that stays with you always.

Drink from the depths of your own wisdom. Plan a day of letting go, of releasing all thought and expectation. Can you reside in stillness and become like calm waters? It’s likely that the mind will try to kick into high gear; however, by focusing your attention deeply in the Now – walking, meditating, eating, observing – all become deeply rooted in stillness.

Sometimes it may feel like you are stuck. You’ve completed one aspect of your journey, the energy there has depleted and you may feel unsure of what your next steps should be. These are the perfect times to practice being present and cultivate the art of patience. The ego wants to pace in frustration – “I need to move now!” and it can be a struggle to remember that you’re exactly where you need to be.

When traveling by train in Europe last year, I discovered that the process was to simply to stand ready and periodically glance at the board to see when the next train was coming and where it would arrive. Being there for the first time, it was a bit unnerving to figure out a new process and trust that all was well. Some trains were right on time and easy to spot while others simply showed a delay and, of course, no amount of angst would hurry it along any faster.

The same concept applies to your spiritual journey. When you’ve completed one aspect of your growth, you must exit the train and wait. This period of stoppage is often necessary while outside factors fall into place for the next steps of your journey. At that moment you have a choice: you can complain or worry, or you can interact with those around you and pass the time in a way that’s open and friendly. When you consciously choose to bring willingness and patience to all the little aspects of your daily walk, your life becomes a peaceful place.

Don’t demand that you be perfect. Rather than wishing for the life where you are always zen, no longer subject to the manipulations of the ego or no longer subject to the very human emotions that we all share; choose instead to simply have the intention to live an authentic life.

On the long, transformative path to freedom, we are prompted to release old patterns and beliefs as they arise while making conscious choices that create an internal movement of joy and awakening. Be patient but consistent with yourself, choosing to live with appreciation and kindness. Seek to bring compassion to all of your interactions and you will continue to change in amazing ways.

Think of those you admire and list the qualities that inspire you. Read through the list, giving gratitude for the teachers that have come into your experience. Now know this: If you spot it, you got it! You would not recognize these wonderful attributes if they were not yours as well. Bring them consciously to the surface of your heart and live them to the best of your ability.

You are changing the world. Every life you touch shifts in response to your unique energy. Each of us has an opportunity to love, to be expansive, inclusive, joyful and compassionate. Standing strong and confident in the light of your true nature allows the Divine to work through you in miraculous ways. Even a smile, heartfelt and genuine, can awaken the light in those around us.

Everything is energy. Surround yourself with uplifting books, music, people, ideas and art. Be inspired by those who live awakened lives and purposely choose to be inspirational to others. This is the moment of transformation and you are a blessing.

The light of consciousness transforms all that it shines upon. When we turn to face our fears and look at them objectively, their hold upon us begins to lessen. We can transform them by embracing the present moment with gratitude and gentleness.

The words scared and sacred are identical except for a slight shift in perception. Similarly, fear can become a vibrant breakthrough by shifting our view. You have the power to transform your world.

Practice fearlessness. When fear arises, say “fear is here” or “my ego is in fear mode…” rather than saying “I am afraid.” This simple choice allows you to see it more clearly rather than reaffirming it.

Some people surround themselves with others, create busy lives or keep the tv on in the background rather than being alone with their thoughts. Cultivate the ability to be comfortable with yourself. Observe how life supports you. Bless the sun as it shines upon you, the water that nourishes you, the air that gives you life. The Divine is touching your life in countless ways.

In the present moment there is no regret, there is no worry. Only infinite possibility. What we choose to think dictates our state of happiness. What if you decided to greet each moment with only the willingness to experience it as it is with no mental construct? You would free yourself from the bondage of the mind.

Seek to bring stillness into your daily experience. Periodically throughout the day, check in with your body. Notice whether you feel tense or stressed or if you are able to simply enjoy the task at hand. It can be surprising how often we discover that the ego has subtly crept in to create dissatisfaction, when in reality, all is well.

Everything unfolds in the way that is most appropriate for your spiritual growth. As you awaken to your true, infinite nature, you’ll become a source of kindness and consistency, a space of peace in an ever-changing world.

When you release expectation and simply take responsibility for your own joy in this moment, you create space for a new quality of peace and stillness in your experience. From this level of awareness it’s easier to slow down and remain balanced, even when swimming in the depths of emotional waters.

So many are running. Every day is a race from one task to another, attending to the demands and illusions of what is important rather than tending to the needs of the heart. Conversely, when you approach your physical experience with passion, balance and joy, you’ll discover that life actually flows more easily. Time seems to slow. Tasks become manageable because your experience is always a reflection of your inner state of consciousness.

Follow your inner guidance and remember that truth speaks in whispers while the ego is loud and repetitive. You’ll know you’re trusting yourself when you feel balanced, whole and peaceful. Your journey is unlike any other. Give expression to your passion and your joy.

Your journey is your own. Honor it as sacred. Begin with kindness toward yourself. As you move toward greater awareness, your consciousness expands, allowing you to see things differently than those who are deeply rooted in the ego-driven world.

All aspects of the path of awakening are sacred. Those who are Young Souls must behave as Young Souls do – focused upon power, greed and control. Mature Souls seek to balance the lifetimes of greed by giving to their families or communities and healing the world. Old Souls, having lived many lifetimes, have a different perception. They seek only to clear karma, teach others and prepare for the next levels of existence. No soul age is better than any other. All must coexist in a tapestry of collective awakening.

Choose to step outside of judgment and drama. Drop any self-criticism that arises by recognizing it as sabotage by the ego. While these mental movements create limitation, they are not you. Aligning yourself with your true Divine nature will bring a blissfulness and freedom to your life experience.

We learn through contrast. The mind projects ego-driven thoughts onto a situation creating illusions of lack, blockage or entrapment. The awakening soul learns to recognize these projections as they occur and consciously looks deeper.

Any distress that arises is your spiritual work. What happens when you choose to view a challenging situation as your path or an opportunity to awaken? Everything! This approach opens up worlds of possibilities.

Everyone and everything is playing a role in your soul’s growth and you can take any approach to awakening that you wish – accelerated or immersive. If you miss a lesson, it will come back around. Once you master a lesson, you’ll have an opportunity to put it into practice. Could you recognize how patient, loving or forgiving you have become if life didn’t provide opportunities to cultivate those attributes?

Your heart seeks only to awaken. Embrace everything as a path to freedom.

The human experience is a paradoxical one. We learn through emotion and yet often struggle to manage and express our emotions in healthy ways. By bringing Presence into your experience of the Now, you can become the observer. Notice how you feel, whether in response to events in your own life, world events or your vision of the future, and honor your feelings. Move as quickly as you can into the heart-driven knowledge that there is a blessing inherent in every situation.

You are a child of light. You are safe, loved, supported and guided each and every step of the way. Recognize the importance of creating inner harmony and consciously acting from a space of personal integrity. As an old soul, your perception will likely be far different from that of the masses. This is a vital aspect of your spiritual growth. You can hold space while playing a role in the awakening consciousness of the planet. Act with integrity, do your best, accept what is.