Transforming suffering into consciousness

Suffering has no value unless it is conscious suffering.

“Sometimes when our emotions are particularly intense, nothing we’ve learned from spiritual practice seems relevant. Isn’t it when we become lost in our darkest emotions that we disconnect from the heart and judge ourselves most harshly? In these darkest moments, use the breath as a conduit to bring all the sensations of suffering into the center of the chest. In these moments, breathing even the most chaotic emotion directly into the heart is an act of compassion for ourselves. By opening to our personal core of pain, we open to the universal pain of being human. Though we may fear the pain will destroy us, opening to it connects with that which is truly indestrubtible.”
~Ezra Bayda~

One of the ego’s most subtle tools is the thought that one shouldn’t be feeling what they’re feeling. It plants a seed saying, “I should be beyond this by now” which causes the spiritual seeker to doubt their own evolutionary growth.

Emotions are powerful teachers. They are an integral aspect of the human condition. Though we learn to ride the ups and downs of life and how to stay balanced through the turbulence we experience, emotions, when they arise, should be felt wholly and explored.

This is not to say that it’s appropriate to act in an unconscious manner or while trapped in a full-fledged egoic state; rather, we take the time to process our feelings, honoring them as part of our personal path of awakening.

This distance between suffering and peacefulness can be bridged by dropping our thoughts regarding a particular issue. Our role is to see beyond the stories of the mind and experience whatever feelings arise with an open heart. That is transcendence.

Today, my intention is to reside in the light, love and laughter of the Universe.

Love is the goal

See yourself as a lifetime student of Love.

“I create my own experiences. As I love and approve of myself and others, my life gets better and better.”
~Louise Hay~

Life presents endless opportunities to love. Sometimes it comes through challenge and contrast, sometimes with passion, others with laughter, ease and grace. Our mission is to explore the many facets of love which are expressed throughout our human experience.
Egoic love can shift very easily to hate. Disappointment, demands, judgment, attachment and lost dreams can leave us feeling lost. These are the moments to explore ways to return to soul-based love such as forgiveness, self-love, acceptance and compassion.
The pendulum swings: love to hate to neutrality. Learn to be a loving support and a consistent friend. Bless those who have graced your experience, whether for a moment or a lifetime. The greatest way we can demonstrate love is to support one others growth with gentleness and patience.
 Today my intention is to remember that love is always all around me.

Chaos always precedes tremendous growth

Your purpose is to awaken.

“Spiritual work is possible in one place alone: here, in exactly what you are experiencing right now.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Every once in a while we can become complacent. Things are going well, life is peaceful, and we relax a bit. These are the moments to go deeper into your spiritual work. Keep utilizing your tools so that they are easily accessible when challenges make an appearance in your experience.
There are always new levels of consciousness to explore. If life shakes you up, it’s a sign that your soul is ready for a new level of understanding and enlightenment. See how quickly you can transform any feelings of being overwhelmed into excitement about the changes that are obviously in play.
Conscious surrender is an indicator of empowerment. It brings us into a state of mind where we can see more clearly. Mastery is learning how to respond to life in a way that is courageous, peaceful and compassionate. As you discover your strength and grace, you’ll come to discover that you can always handle anything that life may have to offer.
Today my intention is to remember that peace comes through residing completely in the Now. I am right where I need to be.

Open mind, open heart

Choose to experience life with openness rather than expectation.

“Looking with a mind that’s awake reveals the shimmering pulse of life. Looking with a mind full of thoughts reveals only your thoughts.”
~Ezra Bayda~

We are on an amazing journey of discovery and awakening. In an infinite Universe, no matter how much we have learned, it’s important to remember that we have barely scratched the surface of all that awaits us.

The thoughts and opinions we carry are simply an aggregate of all that we have experienced; however, when we approach a similar situation expecting a repeat, we block other experiences or insights from making themselves known. See if you can clear the mind of all expectation and simply experience whatever the present moment has to offer with an open mind and an open heart.

You are multi-faceted, capable of great insight and transformation… and so is everyone around you. Leave enough room in your interactions to allow the Universe to surprise you.

Today my intention is to see every moment as an opportunity to discover something new.

Mindful communication

What type of energy are you adding to our collective experience?

“The heart that seeks to awaken, to live genuinely, is more real than anything. That nameless drive calls you to be who you must truly are.”
~Ezra Bayda~

The ego loves to hear itself talk. Without realizing it, many simply give it free rein with a litany of complaints, judgments, gossip, or the recounting old traumas and experiences. Many believe this dysfunction is healthy and normal.

“Harm none” is more than approaching life in a mindful and magical way. It calls upon us to be aware not only of our actions, but also of the words we speak, where we allow our minds to dwell and ultimately, how we express ourselves in the world.

Every moment offers an opportunity to express love. Before you speak, ask yourself if what you intend to say is uplifting, beneficial or compassionate. You may be surprised to recognize how often the ego wants to add something useless or negative to the conversation. Take frequent pauses. Bring mindfulness to your expression of life.

Breathe, love, be, smile, celebrate and honor the sacredness of the Now.

Today my intention is to share my gifts and embrace the mystery of existence. I am a lifetime student of love.

Transforming Impatience

All fear patterns can be transformed into personal power.

“Patience is very alert, patience is very active, patience is very expectant.”
~Osho~

Impatience is a by-product of our society, a mental construct that says there’s not enough time, I may miss out. It is created by an overactive mind and blocks all enjoyment of the present moment. Very quickly, impatience can turn into martyrdom. When someone feels thwarted, there is a “Why me?” response.

When you notice impatience rising within you, choose instead to slow down, pay attention and bring your awareness deeply into the Now. Then, breathe, make your decision, take action and create change with a peaceful state of mind.

It’s important not to rush your spiritual development. This can cause you to pretend that you have advanced without doing the required work. The triggers still lie beneath the surface ready to disrupt your momentum.

Practice utilizing silence and moving slowly. There is enough time. Mindful action ensures that the more relaxed you are, the more you accomplish.

Today my intention is to be a good listener, to pause before acting and to celebrate the perfection of the Now.

It’s time to realize who you truly are

You are much, much more than your past, your struggles, your accomplishments or your dreams.

“You are awareness. It is nothing you do, it is nothing that has to be done – your very nature is awareness.”
~Osho~

Your souls purpose is to awaken. The path you travel has one purpose – to facilitate your awakening. Do not become too attached to the role you play in this lifetime. Enjoy it, honor it, express yourself through it, but recognize that you are far greater.

This distance and objectivity allows you to respond to life rather than react to it. As you become more aware, more alert, mastery is possible. See everything in your experience as an opportunity to awaken.

You lack nothing. When you realize who you truly are, the expression of life takes on new meaning and depth. You can participate in the dance and leave perceived bondage behind. This is the moment of transformation.

Today my intention is to:
be willing to accept a miracle
to see clearly
communicate effectively
love unconditionally
project the aura of peace
embrace my creativity and the joy of being
as I walk my talk and speak my truth with integrity

Love with patience

Let your life be your message.

“Almost all of our difficulties in relationships come from wanting people to be different than they are.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Everyone experiences “aha moments” where a piece of wisdom or insight falls into place. As our perception shifts just a little bit, new realizations occur. Patterns become clear and we may recognize that a particular lesson has been in play for years. Consciousness has now reached a level of deeper understanding, allowing us to experience the next phase of enlightenment.

It is said that everything unfolds in the perfect way at the perfect time. Honor all paths as sacred. Keep doing the work with the knowledge that the insight will occur. Continue to teach by example with the belief that it is a benefit to those around you, whether you are there to witness the breakthrough or not.

We all participate in the collective awakening. Do your best not to block that energy with judgment, demands or impatience. Like a consistent drop of water that transforms rock over time, your gentle and persistent love will change the world.

Today my intention is to release all control to the Universe. I am willing to act with integrity, do my best and accept what is.

There is always something new to discover

Accept yourself as you are – a magnificent work of art in progress.

“We taste the profundity of existence by simultaneously holding both the suffering and the wonder of being alive.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Awakening is a continuous journey. As we master one aspect of awareness and enlightenment, a new level makes itself known. We should explore these new levels with the joy and innocence of a child filled with wonder. The moment we stop learning, perhaps thinking we finally have an emotional or intellectual grasp of the infinite, our progress begins to decay.

Your humanness is a reminder that there is still more to discover. There will be times when you gracefully bring love to your life situation and others where you miss the mark. Do not allow the ego to hide these perceived flaws, for these are moments of great opportunity.

Continually seeking to evolve keeps your awareness expanding. It’s hard as a human to truly understand the infinite and that is part of the experience. If you see yourself as a master still in the process of awakening, your self view will be filled with love and gentle acceptance.

Today my intention is to honor my path as sacred. Everything that comes into my experience is my teacher.

Fearlessness

When we recognize the origins of our fears, embrace them and bring them into the light, they are transformed into empowerment.

“Rooted in the moment, we have the capacity to restore balance and happiness and be present with what is beautiful and affirming inside us and around us, every day.”
~From Fear, by Thich Nhat Hanh~
Fear blocks happiness. It lives in the scripts created by the mind and is always based upon thoughts about the past or the future. There is worry, longing, doubt or a constant seeking of something (or someone) that will solve all problems or create the illusion of safety.

To be liberated from fear, one must be fully immersed within the Now. There is nothing in the present moment that you cannot handle. Happiness is always possible when we learn to rise above thought.

There are many toxins disbursed throughout our modern life. Violence in tv, gaming, music or books (art imitates life and in turn, life imitates art…) that erodes our sense of well-being on a subconscious level. Conversely, there are many ways to bring beauty and peace into our experience – higher consciousness pastimes, tv, films, music or books. Notice what you choose to feed into your mind and what you choose to surround yourself with. Plant seeds of peace and loving-kindness.

You are an expanding, vibrant expression of the Divine in physical form and are not limited by your past, present or future. With every breath, you are creating. Each step you take with balance, peacefulness and joy helps to uplift the world. Be the change you wish to see.

Today my intention is remember that this moment is filled with infinite possibility. I am willing to see clearly.