Tag Archives: #awakening

Recognizing the Ego

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“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”
~Socrates~
The ego can be viewed as a teacher rather than an enemy. Its function is to play the part of adversary and with practice, we can learn to recognize it’s mechanisms. Ego is in play when thought-forms crystallize into beliefs through repetition, creating attachment, desire or pain.
Give your ego a name that will make you laugh. When you notice a story beginning to replay in the mind, immediately observe it’s antics and shine the light of consciousness upon through recognition and calling it out. You’ll notice that the diatribe will stop and you’ll have an opportunity to shift your thoughts in a way that is more helpful for you in the present moment.
The more you do this, the easier it becomes. Your loving attention ignites a process of transformation that will impact every area of your experience. One of the most beautiful aspects of higher awareness is the ability to consciously participate in life in a way that is empowering and joyful. You are a master in the process of awakening. Come, the journey of discovery awaits.

The World Needs You

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“The path to love requires open-hearted attention to the very things that seem to block our way to it.”
~Ezra Bayda~

All change begins within. When we consciously bring the light of awareness to the challenges of our lives, we begin to recognize the illusions from which they arise. Transformation occurs as we dissolve our self-imposed limitations and boundaries, strip away any preferences that have crystallized into demands and enter into the stillness of the Now.

The ego will tell you that you must work with the other in order for things to change. Talk, expectation, desire, compromise, blaming and justification simply tie you in deeper to the egoic mechanisms of the mind.

As a spiritual seeker, it’s important to realize that everything is your path of awakening. Don’t bury the lesson underneath your fear, simply keep bringing the light of awareness to it. This is the slow transformative path to freedom.

The world needs you to be your beautiful, unique self. You bring something imperative to our collective experience. Rather than limiting that unique expression by trying to keep everyone else happy, seeking inner happiness and balance will allow your joy to transform the world around you.

This Moment is Sacred

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 “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
~Marcus Aurelius~

I enjoy walking just prior to dawn and watching the sunrise. The day is filled with limitless possibility and I feel the freedom which comes from knowing that I can choose to create something amazing.

Nothing is more important than your joy. In higher levels of consciousness, it becomes easier to walk the line of neutrality within the paradox hidden in the events of the physical world. Human experiences contains myriad emotions – we deal with the loss of a loved one or face financial challenges, we succeed in regard to personal ambition or discover joy in the little things – at the core is the knowledge that all works toward our highest good. As people and experiences flow in and out of our lives, we can choose to walk in the light of expanding consciousness.
Each of us is responsible for our own awakening. Leave your friends and family to discover their own truth in their own way and realize that you’ll have the greatest impact by being an authentic and consistent example of an awakened soul. Plant seeds of love whenever possible. Nurture them with ongoing drama-free interactions and observe the changes within yourself. There’s no need to wait. Imagine the world of your dreams and begin living it now.

Integration

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“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.”
~C.G. Jung~

This lifetime is the culmination of all the experience and knowledge you have gathered throughout many incarnations on this planet. The higher self seeks to integrate the wisdom it has accumulated and thus you will attract the teachers and circumstances which allow you to do so. Be patient, open and trusting throughout your exploration.

Our sojourn here is a continuing exploration into the expansion of the heart chakra – expansion which leads to greater compassion, more peace and infinite possibilities. Ultimately, the process of your awakening is to honor, forgive, accept and love all that you have ever been.

One of my favorite ways to nurture the seeds of inner growth is to light a candle. Sit a few moments contemplating the flame, perhaps even losing yourself in the flickering light. Gently draw the energy from the flame into your heart chakra with both hands and then visualize your soul light expanding outward. Touch the world in love, sending light and compassion to those who have walked the journey with you.

Love Where You Are

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“You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now.”
~Wayne Dyer~

Don’t wait for everything to fall into place before you choose to be happy. You are an exquisite work of art in progress, a masterpiece waiting to emerge from all the colors and textures and experiences of life. Choose to recognize your value and yet continue to do your work. Take time to notice and feel the perfection of the present moment. Experience its nuance and allow it to be as it is.

One of the greatest aspects of awakening is the discovery that all is well, even when things appear to be a mess. As you cultivate the tools of greater perception, it becomes easier to embrace life… all its beauty, wackiness, frustration and joy. Nothing is more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

Respect yourself as well as those around you. Work for the fun of it. Know that life will present you with whatever you require for your awakening. Release the need to rush through your experiences to get somewhere else. You are right where you need to be.

Empowerment and Personal Responsibility

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“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~

Challenging situations are blessings in disguise – always. When faced with frustration or pain, go deeper into the present moment. Without asking the other person to understand you, seek to understand yourself.
It is helpful to utilize the energy of gratitude by saying “I am grateful for this situation. Even though I may not yet understand the lesson or be aware of gift, I know one awaits me.” The willingness to be grateful in the midst of challenge opens you to higher levels of consciousness.
As you release old layers of programming and dysfunction, your life will naturally become more peaceful. Rather than being reactive, your responses will be mindful and empowered. The key to awakening is simply taking full responsibility for your life as it is while transforming the mundane into the miraculous.

Be The Light

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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
~Martin Luther King Jr.~

Change how you see everything and everyone around you. All are our brothers and sisters in this dance of life. Nothing is separate. Our role is to be the loving witness of experience, bringing light and consciousness to the collective energy of the planet. Be motivated. Be magnificent. This is your moment to shine.
We are called upon to be conscious of the energy we bring into our life situations. Mastery simply means that we are willing to take responsibility for our actions knowing that we have a definitive impact on those around us. Each of us plays a role in the collective awakening of humanity. Some heal through adversity, some through loving example and teaching, while others simply bring light and kindness into daily activity. Find your truth and live it to the best of your ability.
Allow light to flow into everything you do. When you direct energy with the intention of sharing kindness and compassion, you bring something beautiful into being. You never know when your presence or loving action will be the miracle that changes someone’s outlook.

Contrasts

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“Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.”
~Alan Watts~
Our collective experience of being human is to learn Oneness through the illusion of separation. As we learn how to reside fully in the present moment and become aware of the beauty in the contrast, we discover how to allow the dance of dark and light to unfold. The awakening soul is the observer. You are the portal through which the universe experiences itself.
The higher your level of consciousness, the more expanded your vision. If you are the conduit of awareness, then nothing is more important than ensuring you are clear. It does no good to run clean water through a rusty pipe. We view life through the filters of perception.
The polarities of time and space provide opportunities for us to explore the many nuances of experience. As the pendulum swings first to one extreme and then another, we learn though the contrast. We ultimately discover the many facets of love, finding our balance in the neutral position – a field of energy filled with infinite possibility.

Awakening the Heart

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“You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your inner enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.”
~Morihei Ueshiba~
Enlightenment is a life long process. There will be times when we feel empowered, balanced and ready to face the world with conscious intent and others when we may feel that we’ve missed the mark. The process of awakening is nuanced and layered with opportunity to discover hidden aspects of ourselves that are ready to shine.
As we awaken, the hold of the ego lessens. We learn to recognize old patterns and beliefs when they arise and utilize them as stepping stones to greater awareness. Act with integrity, do your best and accept what is. If you are true to your authentic nature you can allow circumstances to unfold as they will.
Everyone does the best they can based upon their soul age, level of consciousness, imprints and history. It’s helpful to remember this: if they could do better, they would… this is true for each and every one of us. Throughout the process of enlightenment, we are continually transformed and thus, transform the world around us.

Consistent Practice

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“The greatest gift that you can give to this world is to make the mind still.”
~Ajahn Chah~
Throughout your journey of awakening, you will feel drawn to different ideas, modalities and paths to enlightenment. As you find tools that inspire you, consistently work with them. If there comes a point where you “outgrow” that particular passion, that’s ok. Bring something new into your repertoire and move forward.
We never stop learning. Don’t allow complacency to trap you in a mindset that stalls your exploration. When life begins to fall into place (and it will!), it’s important to stay consistent with your spiritual practice rather than waiting for a time of imbalance to inspire you to begin anew.
The key is to walk through life with ease and grace no matter what unfolds. As you cultivate greater awareness of your strengths and step into empowerment, you’ll naturally bring peacefulness into the present moment. Many upon experiencing that sense of ease, think they’ve reached the final destination and pause; however, there are infinite levels still waiting to be explored. As with anything we do, practice makes it easier. It tones those spiritual muscles and makes our journey effortless. Even extreme challenges don’t seem to disengage those who have a powerful daily spiritual routine.