Experiencing the Mystery

“Death has nothing to do with going away.
The sun sets.
The moon sets.
But they are not gone.”
~Rumi~
We are Consciousness currently having a human experience. The infinite power of the Divine seeks only to express itself through you and though this life will have a beginning and an end, your light continues to shine on in new forms. Tonight I stood bathed in moonlight, experiencing the mystery of existence. For aeons every being who has ever lived has looked up at the same moon and been impacted by its beauty.
Our dance of awakening is just beginning. Again and again we will come together to explore the contrasts of separation in order to discover the Oneness from whence we came. Be grateful for those who have come before – the artists, writers, philosophers, creators, designers and builders – for they are us. Each and every soul has played a unique role in our collective development and we will continue to do so.
This world is a playground of discovery. You are infinite. Let the moon inspire you to be a pure vessel for the love, light and laughter of the Universe. There is more to life than meets the eye.

Present Moment Practice

“When the faith is strong enough, it is sufficient just to be. It’s a journey towards simplicity, towards quietness, towards a kind of joy that is not in time. It’s a journey that has taken us from primary identification with our body and our psyche, on to an identification with [the Divine], and ultimately beyond identification.”
~Ram Dass~

Present Moment Practice is a conscious, mindful approach to life. Within the Now we become the witness – to our inner commentary, to the world around us and to the energy that we bring to our collective journey.

In this moment, you have all that you require. Begin by going deeper into the Now. Notice the physical world, the chair in which you are sitting or the solidness of the earth under your feet. Feel the warmth or coolness of your surroundings. Then pay attention to your thoughts. Are you worried? Do you find yourself constantly reading or watching information about world affairs? How attached are you to your phone? How does your body feel? Are you tense or relaxed, hungry or satisfied? Just observe.

Remind yourself that all you see and experience is a profound illusion that is measured by your physical senses. Close your eyes and take three deep, slow breaths. As you open your eyes, choose to see things differently. Instead of looking at the lamp, notice the light that it casts and the shadows it creates. Observe the unique designs of all that you see. How does your heart respond to a flower or your favorite scent? What pictures do you see in the clouds? This is your practice for today. Be, observe, appreciate.

 

The Practice of Compassion

“Rage — whether in reaction to social injustice, or to our leaders’ insanity, or to those who threaten or harm us — is a powerful energy that, with diligent practice, can be transformed into fierce compassion.”
~Bonnie Myotai Treac~

It can be challenging to watch others who choose to be in great pain. Each of us has a role to play in this life and ours may be to foster a sense of compassion for those who are lost in the lower levels of consciousness, delusion and dysfunction. At times, their struggle feels like someone who is drowning who inadvertently clings to another in their panic, overwhelming the would-be rescuer.

The practice of compassion is linked to a deep sense of peace, wisdom and detachment. When we learn to be in the world but not of it, we cultivate a soothing response to the challenges of life. Rather than judging those lost in distress we act from empathy and compassion, teaching by example.

You are a blessing. It’s natural to feel misunderstood – and, in fact, that is a powerful aspect of being an old soul. If you can stand alone in your truth and comfortable with your own journey, you are awakening.

 

Acceptance and Friendship

“A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
~Dinah Maria Craik~
Over many lifetimes we cultivate intimate relationships that have seen all the highs and lows that life has to offer. Those with whom we have the most history seem to bring out the greatest compassion within us. No matter what time or distance separates us, the love remains. The ancient term for these soul friends is Anam Cara.
Our sense of worthiness determines our willingness to receive the gifts that these friendships have to offer. Cultivate healthy soul connections by first being comfortable in your own solitude. Take the time to create balance and peace in  your experience until you are at ease within the mystery of awakening. Then your friendships will be playgrounds of enlightenment, discovery and adventure.
Each of us walks the journey of transformation, sometimes in solitary splendor, sometimes with companions… but always homeward bound.  Faust once said, “Linger awhile, for you are so beautiful.” Celebrate life by being fully present with those you love.

Guardians of Light

Aaron Rose “Love is a deep empathy with the other’s “Beingness.”
You recognize yourself, your essence, in the other.
And so you can no longer inflict suffering on the other”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Love rains down upon you from all dimensions. From the first conscious breath of a day filled with limitless possibility, to the embrace of twilight and everything in between, if you seek to find love you will find it. That’s the power of being awakened. We discover the joy of choosing how we wish to approach each moment and understand that life reflects it back to us.

No matter where you are on the journey, recognize that you are a master in the process of awakening. When it seems like challenge after challenge is being presented, walk courageously forward knowing that it is merely a pattern making itself known because it’s ready to be released.

You can create the life of your dreams and it begins now. Live it this moment. Forgive those who challenge you and make the choice to see them instead as healing angels who are helping you cultivate your most precious qualities.

Take some time today to listen and observe. Open yourself to the energy which is beyond the sound and you’ll discover the sacredness in which all things manifest. See the beauty, the transition, the stillness or the lesson which is being presented.

Enlightenment

“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.”
~Cynthia Occelli~

Enlightenment is a slow, transformative process. The journey inward hesitantly begins with many starts and stops. The heart feels pulled to engage the mystery and we begin the fumbling movement towards ecstasy.

The ego equates enlightenment with death – and indeed, enlightenment is the death of the ego. As we evolve, it must become more subtle and so we visit the same type of circumstances repeatedly until we have gleaned insight from many differing levels of consciousness.

Ultimately, the soul heeds the call of awakening and we are able to break free from the ravages of karma. While life still unfolds as it will, we no longer feel victimized by circumstance; instead, awareness transforms even the most challenging situations through love.

Each of us will forge a unique pathway to higher dimensions. The most beautiful thing that you can do is share your insights and wisdom and act in a way that exemplifies them in the world of form. This is the process of transformation.

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.