Going Inward

“The inward journey is about finding your own fullness, something that no one else can take away.”
~Deepak Chopra~
Awakening occurs as we release the need for outward validation and become deeply aligned with our authentic, true nature. The journey inward is a powerful one. Within it, we discover the courage to face our shadows – both personal and collective – only to emerge completely transformed by the experience.
Going inward in a perfect description of one who is fully present within the Now. The deepness of the present moment is unfathomable. Beneath the layers of desire and interpretation is pure Presence, a joy that sparkles as we recognize and embrace the sacredness that is both within and without.
Your conscious awareness brings a unique nuance of peacefulness and beauty to the planet. Imagine how our experience of the world would change if each of us could recognize the love that connects us. Begin within. Let your wounds be the place where the light enters you. Use the challenges of the past as stepping stones through the dark. Ultimately, you will discover that you carry the light of love within you and the light will guide you home.

Conscious Surrender

“We are at our most powerful the moment we no longer need to be powerful.”
~Eric Micha’el Leventhal~
The awakening spirit becomes empowered through surrender. Rather than trying to force life to meet our perception of perfection, we seek to see the perfection in life as it is. As human beings, our view is narrow – typically focused on ego-driven desire and based upon our immediate life experience. We cannot see the threads of life as they are woven together to create the tapestry of creation. The hand of the Divine is always at work in ways that we cannot imagine with our limited perception.
And yet, often there is an aspect to our belief system that prompts us to attempt to control, plan for every contingency or need assurance prior to taking action. Spiritual mastery involves conscious surrender to what is. As you cultivate worthiness and self-esteem, it becomes less important to be seen as right. Inner humility guides us, love becomes the expression of our joy and what you need to know will make itself known at the perfect time. Trust the processes of your awakening.

Know Thyself

“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
~Socrates~

You are far more than the experiences of this life. Underneath the concept of what role you play, your likes and dislikes, goals and dreams, fear and desire, is the true infinite nature of your divinity. Life is filled with opportunities to know yourself at the deepest level.
Practice looking beyond the obvious. Create silent spaces in your experience to explore the vastness of the infinite. See your life as an adventure with the knowledge that you have the ability to emerge from any challenge with surprising courage and resilience.
The awakening spirit lives in his or her own truth. Led by passion and compassion, they walk the path less traveled. If others seek to admonish them, it’s ok. When others seek to revere them, they simply turn inward.
Each of us walks a unique path and it cannot be defined by anything other than our inner wisdom. To know yourself as Consciousness having a human experience frees you from being dependent upon outcomes. A playfulness comes into your life and you’ll discover the joy that is your true nature.

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
~Robert Fulgham~

Balance isn’t something that just happens when life falls into place; rather, it is the foundation of a life that is grounded, joyful and complete. Much of the world’s angst comes from the desire to please or care for others at the expense of one’s own happiness. People struggle to satisfy perceived expectations and often put their needs on pause.

The challenges we face help us to discern what is important to create and maintain balance. How would you discover your boundaries if someone or something didn’t cross them from time to time? See those who challenge you as healing angels rather than frustrations. They are teaching you what is truly important.

The awakening spirit understands that fulfillment comes through finding their own unique way of being in the world. There is great beauty to be discovered throughout the journey inward. As you create balance by tending to the needs of body, mind and spirit, you’ll find that you have more to give those you love – more compassion, patience and kindness. Then life becomes an outward expression of your joy.

Accept, Then Act

“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your whole life.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Spiritual practice requires an openhearted acceptance of whatever unfolds in your experience. Resistance causes pain. Begin with the premise that everything works toward your highest good and plays a specific role in your soul’s awakening. Embrace the present moment, and through it, consciously explore the infinite facets of your true and Divine nature.
You can live an awakened life and stop inflicting suffering on yourself or others. It begins here and now. How will you choose to communicate today? What will you focus upon? Can you bring the best version of yourself to each and every interaction?
Empowerment comes from taking full responsibility for everything in your life. It’s not about blame or self-directed anger or frustration. Rather, through acceptance, we discover the ability to transform any situation by transforming ourselves.
Give yourself, and those in your experience, space to thrive and grow. Pure acceptance is an expression of love that comes from the highest level of your being.

Live in Your Magnificence

“I now choose to recognize the magnificence of my being.”
~Louise Hay~

Spiritual awakening is not like flicking on a light switch. It is a consistent process of candid self-observation, the ability to address each challenge and trigger as it arises while practicing new ways to bring the best version of yourself to each situation you encounter.

Over time we explore uncharted facets of ourselves and cultivate qualities that bring peace into our lives. One by one, we drop the limiting patterns and beliefs that cause frustration. Give yourself credit for how far you have come. When you miss the mark, forgive yourself for being human. Awakening is not about expectations of perfection or “Buddah-hood.” It is the slow, transformative process of freedom.

We teach by living our truth. Conscious actions leave a lasting imprint. Each step of the way we have an opportunity to walk our talk and speak our truth with integrity and the results can be incredibly transformative. As the soul awakens, we learn to recognize the magnificence of being. Consciousness expands by honoring the space in which life is experienced. Just be. Be the loving observer. Be the one whose only desire is to be kind. Scatter seeds of joy throughout every interaction and see what you can learn.

Soul Friends

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
~Shakespeare~
If you approach life with a loving heart, you will always create something beautiful in the world. Allow your explorations to teach you the art of friendship – giving from a space of joy, loving gently through the awkwardness of healing old wounds, honoring each other’s path as sacred, finding deeper connection within the silences.
Many threads of energy connect us to one another. Little sparkles of affection traverse time and space on waves of thought, propelled by intention and amplified by loving action. I often find myself smiling with tears of memory on my gratitude walk as I express thanks to those who have passed. It seems I can feel them in the breeze that walks with me. Celebrate those who grace your life.
These beautiful souls support our awakening. The Gaelic term for this type of connection is Anam Cara, and together we walk the path of awakening. When you can be comfortable with life’s mysteries in your solitude, your relationships will reflect this sense of warmth and adventure.

New Beginnings

“Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.”
~Mandy Hale~
Everything offers an opportunity to awaken. When your plans fall apart, when people leave your life, when you’re left standing alone in the midst of upheaval… it only means that room is being prepared for something amazing to happen. Resist nothing.

In such situations, the unawakened become lost in the ‘should-have-beens’ and drop into victim consciousness. The ego creates a story that entraps them in a repetitive pattern of pain and frustration.

Conversely, those who have learned to create inner balance utilize the tools they have acquired on the path of transformation and begin the process of healing. They are motivated by faith and operate from the premise that all things work toward their highest good. Expansion requires us to drop the things which no longer serve our growth. It allows us to step into empowerment and flow with the movement of life. From there, anything is possible.

Journey of the Soul

“The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.”
~Barbara De Angelis~

Walking the Path of Transformation does not mean that we remove ourselves from life but that we explore it more deeply. The awakened soul recognizes the value of all events – whether harmonious or challenging – and seeks to discover the gifts that reside within every aspect of the journey.

It is only the ego which demands that the present moment be other than what it is. We create suffering when we long for something to be different, never realizing the empowerment that awaits when we delve beneath the surface to seek the core of love. Judgment is nothing more than a distraction the mind creates to justify a lack of compassion or involvement while blocking our ability to consciously participate with an open heart.

Acceptance means saying yes to life – even the hard parts. The progress of your journey can be measured by the amount of peace you create within your experience. The ego will still make its appearance when you least expect it; however, you may find that you notice it more quickly and bring yourself back into balance. This movement into consciousness is a result of the awakening you have experienced so far. Compare the responses of today to those you might have had a year ago (or five or ten).

Now, contemplating the infinite nature of the Universe, consider all the spiritual work you have already done, the lessons you’ve integrated, the healing you’ve experienced, the gifts of love that you’ve shared with others… all that is merely the tip of the iceberg. The expanding consciousness which awaits us all is nothing like we imagine because it defies all boundaries, limitation and expectation.

Higher Love

“Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfillment.”
~John O’Donohue~
Imagine a flame flickering in the darkness. The light that it casts creates shadows, warmth and mystery that draws others to share a moment of connection. You are this light. As you awaken to higher consciousness, your expression of love and kindness is transformed. Rather than seeking love, become love.
Life is a playground of exploration. To honor all that you see as sacred is to be immersed in love. The energy that you choose to focus upon becomes stronger in your experience. With that in mind, seek to feed the flames of higher love. Conscious awakening is a gift that you can share with the world.
I see life as a living conversation with the Divine. Moments of gratitude remind us to seek joy in the little things, and within that joy is a doorway to a realm where anything is possible.