Enlightenment

“What drains your spirit drains your body. What fuels your spirit fuels your body.”
~Carolyn Myss~

No truths are absolute – each one of us processes what we experience through our own unique filters of perception. There is plenty of room in an infinite universe for several viewpoints to be accepted and expressed in any given situation. The only thing that shifts perception higher (so that we can see from a broader, more informed viewpoint) is to raise one’s frequency. This is what allows us to move into acceptance and compassion.

You are a Master, as are we all, on a journey of discovery and awareness. You may be wondering how to become more self-aware and how to raise your frequency. Here are some suggestions:

  • Spend time with others who are self-aware
  • Place your focus on things that bring you joy
  • Refuse to participate in gossip or complaining
  • Embrace and express your gifts
  • Learn to meditate and quiet the mind
  • Utilize high frequency books, music, art, foods, crystals, etc. as part of your daily routine
  • Consistently cleanse negativity from your home or sacred space using sage, tones or bells, or blessed, scented water
  • Gratitude….

Never close your mind to spiritual knowledge. The continuous process of enlightenment opens new perceptions – and no matter how much you learn, it’s always just the tip of the iceberg. Each experience, challenge and inspiration reveals yet another beautiful facet that allows you to be a living expression of love.

Transforming Anger into Compassion

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
~Maya Angelou~

Many people feel very justified living in the frequency of anger and blame. After all – the atrocities around us are well documented and it has been decided that there is evil in the world. When we practice the art of looking deeply into situations instead of reacting in judgment, we might find that had we been born in that situation, with that imprinting or belief system, that it’s possible we could have behavior similar to the one being judged.

Understanding transforms anger into compassion. Looking deeply is one of the most effective ways of transforming ourselves and thus, the world.

Buddhism teaches that the lack of understanding creates suffering and that understanding is the power that will liberate us.

Christ taught that others know not what they do and should be forgiven… to love one’s enemies.

Gandhi said that love is the force that can liberate. The only way that we can love is to understand.

When judgment arises in any situation, try asking yourself the following questions:

  • Why is he/she that way?
  • How did he/she come to think like that?
  • Why doesn’t he/she see things the way I do?

If you don’t know the answers to the above questions, realize that the judgment you feel is based upon your own projections of the situation and that you must look deeper to truly understand. Understanding the the most important aspect of transformation. When we create a dialog, we allow an opportunity to understand the other as well as ourselves. Understanding a person brings us the power to love and accept him or her. And the moment we love and accept another, they cease to be our enemy.

In The Stillness

“A balanced inner calmness radiates from a peaceful center. It neither craves others’ approval nor rejects others’ presence. It neither pulls towards nor pushes away. It has a reverent attitude towards life and all its inhabitants.”
~Donna Goddard~  

In life’s ebb and flow we experience times of activity and participation and times of silence and seclusion. Both are powerful movements of energy. Silence and non-action can make others uncomfortable because it’s unusual, especially in our society. In silence, we can connect to Divine Intelligence and explore insights that will be expressed in more outgoing phases of life.

When you choose to go within, you have access to infinite stillness. Even in moments of intensity, stillness waits to be discovered. You are a unique and divine being and there is no “right” way to quiet the mind, though you may wish to experiment with different approaches until you find one that works consistently for you.

Mere words cannot express the beauty that awaits you there. It is truly something that must be experienced and cultivated so that the quality of silence permeates everything that you do. Within the stillness we find love. Within the love, we find the unifying connection to life.

 

Soul Friends

“A ‘heart-link’ describes the relationship between two persons who have known each other for many lifetimes and who have developed a deep and loving understanding of each other on an essence level.”
~Jose Stevens~   

Throughout our journey on the path of transformation we join with others from our soul group to fulfill specific spiritual contracts. Some walk with us for years, others for just a moment – but the love and support is eternal. Bless those who have graced your life by honoring their path – no matter what that path is.

Consider writing down the names of everyone you can think of in your life (both past and present). Next to each name write something that you learned or a gift that you received from the interaction. Go quickly and write the first things which come to mind. You might be surprised at what you discover – about yourself, your journey, your soul’s purpose and your growth.

I am grateful to all of those who have walked with me on this amazing journey. You are loved beyond measure.

Consistent Practice

“The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and thinks about it now and then.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs out loud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.”
Lao Tzu

What we put into life determines what we receive from life. Whether working to create inner peace and balance, learning to play an instrument, create a beautiful dinner or write a novel, the effort must be consistent.

On a daily basis, the more we practice, the more second nature our behavior becomes. We learn to make time for the things we find important and others learn to expect that from us.

Whatever your passion, honor your own path by making it a significant part of your life. Each day, set aside time to devote to yourself. Your focus, intention and conscious decisions create space in which a transformation can occur.

It’s important to follow your passion. When we do things out of joy instead of attaching to a particular outcome, we can experience new aspects of ourselves, discover unused talents, meet people with similar passions and much, much more.

 

Acceptance and Empowerment

“It is a great art to have an abundance of knowledge and experience – to know the richness of life, the beauty of existence, the struggles, the miseries, the laughter, the tears – and yet keep your mind very simple: and you can have a simple mind only when you know how to love.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
In every moment we have the choice to move closer to our destination or drift farther away from it. We have the choice to open to new knowledge and insight, to embrace what is offered or reject it. Acceptance of the present moment is a source of power.
If you find yourself postponing your joy until your world falls into place, you are rejecting the most important moment of your life. Our stories are a distraction. Judgment is a distraction. This is why I suggest utilizing gratitude as a powerful way to access the sacredness of our world. It allows an opportunity to see through the stories of the mind to the core of your own divinity. Everything is a reflection of you.
Ask yourself:
  • What would it take for me to be at peace now?
  • How would compassion change my perception of this situation?
  • What am I trying to learn?
At some point, personal illusions start to break down. The spiritual quest begins and life takes on new meaning. We experiment with meditation, new beliefs and self-analysis to create awakening, but nothing is more important than learning to be in harmony with the present moment while infusing peacefulness into our daily experiences.
Keep things simple. There is no need for ritual, rules or complicated philosophy – the way is found through kindness.

The Sacred Spiral

“The biggest surprise on the soulful journey to authenticity, whether as a philosophy or a spiritual path, is that the path is a spiral. We go up, but we go in circles. Each time around, the view gets a little bit wider.”
~Sarah Ban Breathnach~

When we begin our journey on the path of transformation, the effects are very personal. Like a spiral, the changes start small and are initially felt as timid optimism, a spark of hope that ignites and flames into passion for life.

Then the energy begins to touch those around you – your family, home, close relationships… and all begin to shift to accommodate your growth. The spiral continues to expand. In an infinite Universe, there is no end to the energy that can be accessed, absorbed and shared.

Visualize yourself as the core of an infinite spiral of light. In quiet contemplation today, realize that you don’t have to know the specifics of the “hows” or where the journey will ultimately lead. Instead, focus on joy in the present moment. Allow each decision to fan the spark of optimism into the flames of passion. As the energy expands outward, awareness becomes a beautiful dance of experience.

Presence

“Maturity has nothing to do with your life experiences.
It has something to do with your inward journey, experiences of the inner.”
~Osho~ 

Our society places a lot of importance on multitasking. People seem to feel that there is great value in juggling a multitude of tasks and getting a lot of work done; but in doing so, we’re losing our sacred connection to the present moment. Stress diminishes both the quality and the effectiveness of what we do.

The infinite source of all life flows through each one of us. With that in mind, we can honor all things as sacred and give them our full attention. In every interaction, our role is to be there as a field of conscious presence. In this state of awareness, you’ll find it easier to operate from the frequency of acceptance, enjoyment or enthusiasm. Anything else means your focus is elsewhere and  that you should stop and bring yourself back into the present moment.

Presence is achieved by going inward and accessing grace. The ego disappears, the roles and life situations become transparent and only empowered silence remains. When you begin to realize that you are much, much more than the stories of the mind, you have planted the seeds of your own spiritual maturity.

 

New Beginnings

“Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.”
~Mandy Hale~

The new moon is a powerful time when the stars alone rule the night sky and we pause, expectant, to see what this phase of beginnings will bring. Your state of consciousness will dictate how you experience the energy of this cycle. If needed, consciously re-frame any negative or limiting beliefs into ones of empowerment, joy and gratitude.

Make friends with the darkness, recognize the need for the contrast, embrace the flow of cycles and understand that everything has a purpose in the tapestry of existence. What happens when you venture into the unknown? Your soul begins to shine with an inner light as you discover aspects of yourself that have long laid dormant and now seek expression.

This is a wonderful time to cleanse your Sacred Space, rearrange a room in your home, create a new vision board, reach out a hand in friendship or perform any activity that sets the stage for new beginnings. Treasure each moment of your experience, for something sacred is about to be born.

Be At Peace With the Not Knowing

When the eternal and the human meet, that’s where love is born — not through escaping our humanity or trying to disappear into transcendence, but through finding that place where they come into union.
~Adyashanti~

I awoke today wondering “what shall I write?”

The answer quietly came… “Be at peace with the not knowing.” And so, I began to type, understanding that my intellect really has nothing to do with inspiration. I don’t need to try to be witty or brilliant or even inspirational – only allow the purity of love to flow through me in whatever way that it can.

For many years, I’ve used this statement as one of my daily affirmations: Today let me be an authentic expression of kindness and unconditional love. I am an ever-evolving channel for the love, light and laughter of the Universe.

Like everyone, it’s important for me to constantly work to release egoic attachment so that it doesn’t distract or diffuse the healing energy which is available to us all. To be at peace with the not knowing is an indicator that I am learning how to move forward with faith and allow the healing to occur in whatever way is most appropriate in the present moment.