Artistry

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
~Kurt Vonnegut~
When you choose to see through the eyes of love, you begin to unlock life’s mystery. The artist is a channel of divine inspiration. The moment shimmers with potential and we can allow that expansive energy to flow through us into the world of form.
.
Life is filled with inspiration. The clouds move across the sky, flowers dance on the breeze, beauty waits patiently to be discovered even as it is fleeting and ever-changing.
.
The artist within you desires expression. Even if no one bears witness to your creation, the ability to see things differently while allowing that vision to move you into action is transformative. Begin by watching life’s artistry. Be still and enjoy the movement all around you. Capture little joys that speak to your soul. Your awareness gives new life to all that you see.
.
By design, no one experiences the world in quite the same way. Our unique interpretation of life is simply another vibrant, living example of the infinite possibilities available when we play in the field of Now. Beyond ideas of right and wrong is only the voice of the Divine calling us to new levels of conscious expression.

Sacred Flame

“Awareness is the greatest alchemy there is. Just go on becoming more and more aware, and you will find your life changing for the better in every possible dimension. It will bring great fulfillment.”
~Osho~

Let your life be guided by the sacred flame of awareness. Layer by layer the veils of illusion are burned away and we open to receive the gifts of enlightenment. It may be hard to imagine the beauty that awaits, but truly that is the one and only reason for this sojourn in space and time – discovery. There is nothing specific that you need to do, only drop that which blocks your vision.

Bring greater awareness to your experience. Choose just an hour today and approach every task fully present – no multitasking, slow and conscious, grateful and alert. This will teach you how to become the observer and recognize the sacredness of the Now.

One indicator of awakening is that you will feel whole, peaceful, balanced and integrated, even when facing adversity. Inner guidance speaks in whispers – the more you trust it, the stronger it becomes and the more attuned you will be to the wisdom which emanates from the very core of your being.

Live in Wonder

Choose to live in a world filled with wonder. Life has tremendous meaning if you look at it as a game and don’t take it too seriously. Bring a childlike innocence and simple joy to all that unfolds in your experience and you will learn many, many things.

Everything and everyone is your teacher. There are never-ending lessons to explore and nuances to discover – each designed in love with the evolution of your consciousness in mind. The more awareness you bring to your journey, the more value you will get from the process.

The playful soul fears nothing. He or she can live authentically and simply accept what unfolds. After a lifetime of dreams, challenges, losses, disappointments, successes and transitions, choosing to be childlike and innocent while trusting the processes of awakening is a form of inner mastery. Only then can you become a living flame of awareness.

Set an intention to look past the illusions created by the mind – the seriousness, judgments and opinions – and allow the love, light and laughter of the Universe to express itself through you.

The Flow of Energy

“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 Treace~

When someone is selling you anger or fear, it’s because they have nothing else to offer. Most spiritual seekers understand the powerful practice of paying attention to the energy we put out in the world; however, the practice must also include conscious awareness of the energy that we take in from others.

Many live in fear that is driven by the mechanisms of the ego. Yet others purposely sow fear or righteous anger to absorb energy from another. Psychic vampires are happy to take money, peace of mind, or drive behavior that ultimately benefits them by tricking others into giving away their power.

Be purposeful when choosing where you place your attention. If anger, shame, fear or guilt is ignited, you may benefit from a pivot into conscious awareness rather than allow the energy drain to continue. Each of us is responsible for our own experience. Step into your power and respond in a way that nurtures, heals or teaches.

Imagination

“The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination.”

~Helen Keller~

Within the present moment there are infinite levels of perception to explore. Stillness creates space within the intensity of life and in that space resides the wisdom of your soul. Imagine cultivating the ability to walk through changes with a sense of inner grace, balance and peace. This aura of empowerment is yours to claim.

New ideas bring inspiration. Willingness to explore adds nuance and potential to the movement of awareness which is rising within you. Utilize your gifts and trust the intuitive longing of your soul. There are no mistakes, only avenues of experience to explore. This world is your playground. Every circumstance provides an opportunity to learn, and as you are transformed, the world around you is changed as well.

Thankfully, there is no end to this process. We are in a constant dance of discovery. Watch the energy as it ebbs and flows. Quiet moments happen for a reason. Take a moment to go inward, reflect and appreciate. There is far more to life than meets the eye.

Learning Through Emotion

As a creature who is at ease in the water, duck teaches us to be comfortable with our emotions. The highs and lows of emotional responses are the epitome of our human experience.

Many people struggle due to their repressed emotions. No matter what type of baggage someone may carry, it often seems to get triggered by the most innocuous of interactions. After a sudden storm of emotional reaction and intensity, both parties are left wondering just what happened.

When we involve others in our expressions of anger, we risk triggering their wounds and compounding the situation. If you happen to express emotion with an enlightened person, they will help you process in a healthy way. It’s best to cultivate the ability to observe, feel, process and release whatever arises within us. Otherwise, the absorbed energy knocks the body out of balance and we manifest physical issues that help us to understand where the blockage is.

Ducks, after a squabble, will briefly shake their bodies, flap their wings and then swim away calmly. This teaches us the power of releasing negative energy. Feelings appear, often unexpectedly and we should honor them as sacred. Observe the thoughts that arise. You may discover something that is ready to be healed and released.

The Intuitive Mind

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

~Albert Einstein~

In a world filled with overwhelming sensations and distractions, the ego-mind has cultivated a collective script that results in continued conflict and dysfunction. As we awaken, we begin to break free from the overwhelming cacophony to once again enter the stillness of being.

In that space of stillness, we can access inner wisdom. Rather than being reactive, we are able to consciously respond to life from a higher level of consciousness. The ability to slow down and go within creates a secure foundation which supports the journey of awakening.

Strengthen the intuitive aspect of your experience by trusting your instincts. When the voice of ego begins its repetitive mantra of fearful “what ifs?” simply recognize it, observe it and slow down. Ask how you can bring Presence, mindfulness or love to the situation. Most often you’ll discover that the voice of your heart directs you to do the exact opposite of what the ego insists is the right course of action.

Acting on your instincts builds a pathway of energy that grows stronger over time. The great miracle of awareness is that it transforms the mundane into the sacred.

Balance

Balance is created with intention by learning to breathe deeply and enter the present moment. When beginning meditation, gratitude, prayer or contemplation, the ego is often unwilling to release control. Should you observe busyness in the mind, see if you can enter the Now by saying, “I honor this step, this moment, this breath as sacred.” Then, take one slow inhale. When done consistently, this allows you to create a space of peace for your inner work.

Music can also be extraordinarily balancing. Notice what calms you, perhaps create a playlist and use it whenever you’re ready to quiet the mind. This is another tool you that can literally shift your energy into a different frequency when feeling off balance. Your practice is amplified by utilizing unique personal approaches. Similar to a hypnotic induction, through repetition these approaches can retrain the mind to recognize that it’s time to move out of anxiety and into a healthier way of being.

It’s powerful to have a permanent sacred area in your home or on your property. With each use, you build up a store of healing energy that can also create a beautiful moments of peace and empowerment when you need them.

Humility

Love cannot exist without humility.

Seek to provide a space of acceptance for all those who cross your path. Compassion, when operating from the level of soul, is honoring every path as sacred… even when one appears to have no path at all. The awakened understand that judgement and love cannot coexist in the same space.

Expand consciousness through conscious living knowing that your awareness transforms all that you see. This moment provides exactly what your soul requires. Face it with an open heart.

Take ownership of any perceived mistakes. This opens the doors of perception. Consider yourself a lifetime student of love and simply begin with the person in front of you.

Your enlightenment is the greatest gift that you can give to the world. Non-reactivity is more than the action you take in the face of unconsciousness. It also  refers to a mind that is clear and at peace. The more aware you are of your own moments of unconsciousness, the more conscious you are becoming.

Perhaps the goal is simply to be at ease with yourself in every way possible. To be present, to enter stillness, to act with kindness –  these choices embody Love in its purest form.

The Creator

“When you surrender to what is and so become fully present, the past ceases to have any power. The realm of Being, which had been obscured by the mind, then opens up. Suddenly, a great stillness arises within you, an unfathomable sense of peace. And within that peace, there is great joy. And within that joy, there is love. And at the innermost core, there is the sacred, the immeasurable, That which cannot be named.”
~Eckhart Tolle~ 

As we integrate the various aspects of the Self, inner mastery and balance ignites spiritual maturity. The conscious creator learns how to harness the fiery energy within and steps into the role of conscious creator. Passion transforms into powerful creativity rather than the destructive force of the uninitiated, and from there we can express ourselves in ways that are both enriching and fulfilling.

To be your authentic self in the midst of conformity is to reveal a masterpiece of the divine. The dance of awakening activates the mystic, the shaman, the creator who knows how to drop the ego and receive. There is nothing missing. We just need to continue to work on the inner plane and recognize who we are at the deepest level.