There is a Taoist meditation called the Inner Smile which is used to transform blockages into vibrant, healing energy and helps to create a life filled with happiness.

Try this: Sit with your back straight, open your arms wide to expand your heart chakra, take a deep breath as you smile, tilt your head back and say, “I am so depressed.”

You’ll notice that a different energy is sent throughout the body – it’s doesn’t work. You cannot look up, smile, breathe deeply and still be depressed. 80 separate muscles make up a smile and each sends a message within to release stress and come back into balance.

The Inner Smile meditation is a simple act of love that you perform for yourself. Begin with a few conscious breaths. Place the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth and allow an easy half smile to form on your face. Direct your attention to your 3rd eye (where your attention goes, energy flows), feel the energy from your smile filling your brain and flowing outward. You may choose to focus on a part of the body which is in need of healing, sending love and kindness. From there, allow yourself to visualize and smile at each organ and each aspect of the body all the way down to your toes. Should you encounter distracting thoughts or resistance, simply take a few breaths and return to love and compassion – these are the energies that heal.

How many times have you felt paralyzed by the immensity of a task you have embarked upon, the depth of desired internal transformation or the unknown future? The mind can race with every conceivable possibility and fear, leaving us paralyzed in the face of uncertainly.

When our thoughts are focused on intention rather than fear, they guide the way through the darkness. A true test of faith shows us the uncanny inner strength we discover when we choose to step across the void into the unknown. But everything boils down to one simple choice – to take the first step… and then another, and another and see what unfolds.

The Path of Transformation allows us to discover facets of our personalities that have remained hidden to us. Each step forward and the choice to let go of the ego’s need to control a given situation provides a sense of adventure and delight – and we begin to see through mind-made fears to the ever-changing wonder of life.

Life provides the fusion of opposites. We begin to see the gift within the challenge, the loss hidden within a gift. The contrasts of life do not oppose one another, they strengthen one another. We are the embodiment of the union and integration of life, the mystical union which was once referred to as alchemy. As we resolve our inner conflicts, the resulting unique blend of attributes, strength and wisdom becomes our natural state of being.

Fear compels us to close down and become defensive while the heart calls us to open up and connect. Inner balance is demonstrated when we approach our challenges with faith in the process of our awakening. The spiritual seeker longs to live an empowered life and the only way to accomplish that is through practice.

No matter what you seek as you evolve, life will present an opportunity to cultivate the skills you require in order to move forward. It is always safe to bring a peaceful state of consciousness to the present moment.

Even if your current experience is one of chaotic change, you have the ability to create a sacred space within the movement of transformation. It begins with knowing yourself and honoring your own journey. In this manner you find stillness in the Now.

“If you understand it, the world is a great device to make you 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~

Honor yourself as an awakening aspect of the Divine. When a teacher is needed, one will appear to assist or pivot you into a new direction. Otherwise, each day is up to you. Find your own style of connection and flow your intention and energy into every moment. If something is not bringing you movement forward, understand that it may be time for exploration. Allow yourself the opportunity to connect with the strength of who you truly are.

The true power of spiritual awakening resides in finding one’s own truth through personal experience. There are many paths of enlightenment. In this infinite Universe, there is room for you to be uniquely you – an expression of the infinite in physical form.

Once we take responsibility for our own state of consciousness, we begin to realize that what we have considered to be “reality” is merely a reflection of how we see the world, what we expect, what we believe or what we fear. When we choose to surrender to a situation, stop trying to force those around us to change and go within for the answers, we begin to heal.

When you open your heart in the midst of life, miraculous things happen. Many fear vulnerability; however, it is a necessary component of spiritual growth. Life is a mystery to be lived, not a job to be managed or a game to win. Our life experiences teach simultaneously on several levels and as you integrate the new energy of your discoveries, results are seen within your mind, body and spirit.

Open your heart to the mystery. Allow your light to shine and respond to the present moment from a space of confidence and balance. Empowerment comes from taking little trips into uncharted areas while expanding your perception and understanding.

Spiritual awakening is a process so it’s important to be patient with yourself. Often changes are happening just under the surface and they manifest into your reality all at once. The openness and willingness to flow with what is will prepare you to step into this new dimension when the opportunity arises. All the seeds you have planted come to fruition in their own perfect time.