Category Archives: Wow Moment

Learning through suffering

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Suffering has no value unless we use it consciously.

“Inconsolable suffering can console us by making us feel special. But this feeling of specialness diverts us from true freedom.” 
~Ezra Bayda~   
The challenges we face prompt us to awaken. Through them we cultivate strength and compassion while discovering new facets of our true potential. There are two types of suffering. One is ego-driven and keeps the story alive while the other is a vehicle for awakening.

When people are caught in ego-driven patterns of thought, they often allow the past to dictate their ability to be happy in the present moment. Conversely, the spiritual seeker learns to rise above and transforms their suffering into awareness. The suffering ultimately becomes something for which we can be grateful because it was integral to our awakening.

Resistance keeps negativity in place. Acceptance allows the energy to flow and creates a space in which a transformation can occur. As we become aware of the patterns that repeat in our experience, we can turn our attention inward. When you seek the lesson in a challenging situation, you will find it. Be willing to accept whatever unfolds in your experience as if you had purposely created it. Taking full responsibility for our life experience creates mastery, empowerment and freedom.

See yourself as Presence

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When your own wounds are truly healed, you’ll be less reactive to the unconscious behavior of others.

“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~ 

Through the process of awakening, we come to recognize our wounds and understand what triggers our own reactivity. From this space of awareness, challenging people and situations are transformed into empowerment. As you walk consciously through the world, you’ll discover greater peace and compassion. When you witness others caught in their self-made distress, instead of joining them there, you’ll bring a sense of calmness and purpose to the present moment.

Rather than seeing yourself as a student, healer, teacher or someone who is enlightened, see yourself as Presence – the nameless, formless, infinite source of being. You are far more than the roles you play in this life. You ARE life, an ever-expending expression of the love, light and laughter of the universe.

Be in the world, but not of it

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Make a commitment to yourself to be a source of peace and compassion.

“Our distress which seems like a very real barrier, is just an artificial prop, which we use to create the story of ‘me’.” 
~Ezra Bayda~ 

It’s interesting to watch our collective exploration into the dark tunnels of ego and opinion. With every interaction, purchase, news story or rumor, many feel the need to participate in voicing their perception, ultimately seeking others who will validate their point of view.

Clashing viewpoints have led to escalation because both sides insist their interpretation is accurate. Throughout negative interactions, the ego generates negative energy to feed upon until those involved are taken over by their pain-body. All conflict in the world is the result of individual unconsciousness that becomes collective.

Spiritual seekers must guard against getting pulled into situations that lower their vibration. Only share your viewpoint when it can be expressed without judgment or blame and you have absolutely no attachment to the outcome. When we interact with love, compassion, detachment and kindness, we have an opportunity to plant seeds that may grow. Your loving presence may create a space in which a transformation can occur.

Life changing moments

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We are always be led to the teacher, book or idea that is perfect for our growth.
“Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.” 
~Ralph H. Blum~ 
Be open. Explore new ideas. If a book, workshop, podcast or process has even one sentence or moment that is transformative for you, it has done what it was meant to do. When we encounter ideas that resonate with where we are on the journey, we typically feel a sense of “Yes!” as it clicks into place.

Periodically, I like to share the Celtic Vows of Friendship that are listed above. I discovered them in a small book by Ralph Blum early in the 90’s when I first consciously began my journey of awakening. I have since found similar ideas in Japanese writings on Reiki as well as healing modalities from other cultures.

Should you notice repetitive patterns of information coming to your attention from different sources, pay attention. The universe is simply trying various ways to communicate information you are ready to receive. You may read something, find it profound and then meet a stranger with whom you converse on the exact same topic or author. Listen to these messages.

Many teachers have shared ideas throughout history that echo one another and we are fortunate to have so many options to explore. There is no one process that works for everyone; however, your soul will respond to what is appropriate for you.

Let there be spaces in your togetherness

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Choose to bring an unprotected heart to your meeting place.

“To love is to recognize yourself in another.” 
~Eckhart Tolle~   

Love empowers us to discover who we are in the presence of another. As we release limiting beliefs, heal old emotional wounds and come to realize our own value, we cease seeking outside validation. Love is transformed from ego-driven neediness into healthy, supportive interactions.

Everyone in your life is in a continual process of growth and one of the greatest challenges is to drop your own expectations and attachments. Your willingness to allow those you love to learn their lessons in their own way creates a space where transformation can occur.

Ram Dass once said, “We are all just walking each other home.” Whether someone graces your life for a moment or for many years, simply love them as fellow travelers. Should your paths diverge, be grateful for the aspects of the journey you have shared and all that you have learned together.

Empowerment

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Conscious action transforms victimhood into empowerment.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” 
~Maya Angelou~   
Observe how often you hear others complain and make a dedicated effort not to participate by purposely remaining neutral or positive. When you choose your words carefully, responding rather than reacting, you’ll discover the true meaning of empowerment.

You may find that some people become angry when you don’t enter into the story they have created. The ego always seeks to be right and wants validation from others in the vicinity. One statement that you can use is “I can understand why you see it that way.” This allows you to let the person know that they were heard without strengthening the story.

Anger solves nothing. It feeds energy into negative circumstances and strengthens them. The spiritual seeker notices anger when it arises, processes it internally by recognizing that reactivity is in play and chooses to pause, thereby creating space around the situation. These simple moments of presence and intention can transform our experience in surprising ways.

 

Stop acting so small

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Your purpose is to awaken.
“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
~Rumi~
   
It can be easy to get lost in the illusions of this world. We can become distracted by money, prestige, politics, gossip, opinions, attachments and judgement. So distracted, in fact, that we may momentarily forget that we are infinite souls on a journey of awakening.

You have the ability to choose where you will direct your energy. Notice how the illusions  drain your vitality and make a conscious effort to release all that does not serve you. Find your own way of dancing through the mystery of life. Every moment offers an opportunity to become more enlightened.

When faced with a challenge, ask yourself if it is more important than your joy. Some people give away their power to the littlest of things – traffic jams, slow cashiers, inconsiderate drivers, the weather – and quickly get out of balance. Our job, as conscious students of love, is to recognize the appearance of the ego that insists things should be different then they are.

Your willingness to observe and take ownership of your state of consciousness transforms the illusions of life back to what they are: vehicles of awakening.

Love what is

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What you fight, you strengthen.

“Step number one for changing the entire world is falling in love with it as is already is. The same is true for changing yourself.”
~Mike Dooley~ 
All transformation begins with acceptance. Acceptance has nothing to do with liking something, nor does it set you up to forever maintain the status quo; instead, it provides a foundation for empowerment and freedom.

When you are ready to shift something in your experience, honor it with gratitude and proceed with the knowledge that it has played the role, taught the lesson or cultivated the new attribute for which it was meant. Whenever you seek a lifestyle or personal transformation, self-love will pave the way for the new.

Know that you are right where you need to be. Trust the pace of your growth with the realization that you are a master in the process of awakening and change will weave its way throughout your life. When you allow the new to enter, you are transformed.

 

Be here now

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This is the moment of transformation.

“If you live totally, intensely, then you are free, you have lived the moment and it is finished. You don’t look back and you don’t look ahead, you simply remain here now.”    
~Osho~ 
Present moment practice is powerful. When you purposely leave ego-driven thought behind and simply experience what is, all that is unnecessary drops from your awareness. There is no need to replay events or think about what you could have done differently. The weight of regret falls off your shoulders.

Likewise, anticipation distracts us from experiencing joy in the Now. It is a thought-form that pretends to be more important than the present moment. Here the ego-mind will tell you that you must prepare for all contingencies. It worries, it plans. It places more emphasis on a possible future than on the current phase of your journey.

When you are fully present, nothing is left undone. Your actions will have greater impact because they are clear. In this space of awareness and faith,we discover that the future takes care of itself. You create your reality. Choose to bring ease and grace in your experience. Become lost in the beauty of all that surrounds you.

Cosmic humor

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Learn to laugh at yourself and you will never cease to be amused…

“The blessed fool is the greatest possibility of understanding  because the blessed fool has come to know that knowledge is futile. His mind is no longer cluttered with junk; his mind is no longer cluttered with borrowed knowledge. He is simply aware. He is a flame of awareness.”    
~Osho~ 
See if you can take yourself a little less seriously. Become a loving witness to all that unfolds and release attachment each time you notice it making an appearance. When you can move through your experiences with awareness, greater possibilities become available to you.

The ego gets highly offended when lightheartedness is suggested. It demands to be seen as important – more important than joy, forgiveness or awakening – and will hold on to whatever story will keep itself active in your experience. Laughter can help you to break through this energy.

This is why naming the ego can be a helpful tool. I call my ego ‘Moe” because he is stupid like a stooge. Then, when unhelpful thoughts run amok, I can say, “Moe is frustrated!” or “Look, Moe’s in fear mode!” Calling out the ego and speaking about it as a separate entity reminds us that we are not the ego. It pulls us into the role of observer and usually, we will find its antics ridiculous and amusing.

The ego is too serious and perhaps laughter too light; however, in that pendulum swing of emotion lies the blend of truth. You are more than your mind.  This moment is your teacher. And most importantly, your willingness to observe yourself with love paves the way for transformation.