Tag Archives: #celtic vows of friendship

The Playground of Awakening

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“Whenever your relationship is not working, whenever it brings out the ‘madness’ in your and in your partner, be glad. What was unconscious is being brought up to the light. It is an opportunity for salvation.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Our relationships are the playground of spiritual awakening. Whether with lovers, family, co-workers, friends or the frustrating person behind you in line at the store, each plays a significant role in your souls development. When you choose to bring a higher consciousness to your interactions, there is a greater possibility of staying present in the midst of challenging situations rather than becoming reactive.
When you interact with someone who is caught in the pain of unconsciousness, become a source of compassion. Observe what arises for you and hold it in your loving embrace rather than feeding the situation with additional negative energy.
One of the greatest gifts you can give is the ability to hold space for another. The choice to stay present and listen without defensiveness or judgment creates space where a transformation can occur. As long as one person is conscious, new energy has the potential to break through old patterns and limiting beliefs.

I Will Not Negotiate by Withholding

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“If you withhold love as a form of punishment, who is being punished?”
~Donald L. Hicks~

Love is giving – giving based in kindness, freedom and compassion without expectation.

Judgment is a by-product of the ego. Condemning others, whether through “righteous anger” or an internal dialogue, creates blockages between people. The only way to break through the lower levels of unconsciousness is to become more conscious yourself. Let your life be your message.

Love transforms any situation into a space of pure potential. Like water eroding rock, the process may take some time, but the results are permanent. Each loving thought, word or act of kindness plants a seed of awakening. These seeds are nourished by our consistent mindful approach and may thrive in ways you’ve never imagined. Whether you’re there to witness the transformation or not, never doubt the power of love.

This is why we seek to honor all paths as sacred. Each journey is unique, yet all are on the same path of awakening. One never knows what will trigger a breakthrough; therefore, act as if every moment is the one that will open doors to new levels of understanding… and remember that love is the key.

I Hold No Cherished Outcome

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“Detachment involves “present moment living” — living in the here and now. We allow life to happen instead of forcing and trying to control it. We relinquish regrets over the past and fears about the future. We make the most of each day.”
~Melody Beattie~

In the depths of experience, we can choose to remain free from attachment and carry a sense of inner balance with us wherever we go. To hold no cherished outcome means that we learn to release the expectations we have formed regarding others, ourselves or situations. The mind becomes attached to illusions, an idea or an end result and sometimes we have no idea that the attachment has occurred until things don’t go our way and we feel disappointed.

When you can rest in the fullness of who you are, you cultivate a greater understanding of the infinite nature of wholeness. In the stillness and acceptance of what is, we welcome a new quality of life. See if you can spend some time today simply being aware and content witnessing the beauty of Now. See how life comes to greet you – sometimes in the form of a gentle breeze, a smile from a stranger, unconditional love from a pet or simply being at ease within yourself. Whatever you choose to do, do it from this space of awareness.

I Bring an Unprotected Heart to Our Meeting Place

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“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”
~Brené Brown~

In order to authentically connect with someone, we must be willing to be vulnerable. The willingness to approach life with an open heart allows space in which something new can grow. Energy from previous disappointments or challenges can create blockages that often appear as protection, reality or common sense – our job is to recognize and remove these barriers to love while retaining the lessons we have learned so far on the journey.

If you should find yourself closed off in a situation (sometimes indicated by crossing your arms in front of your power chakra or heart), simply notice, be more open with your physical body movements and observe any running commentary in the mind. This is the moment to transform old energy into new momentum. Remind yourself that the person with whom you’re interacting is merely acting as a mirror in order to help you to become more aware. The light of consciousness transforms us.

You are safe. You are loved. You are supported each step of the way… and this is your moment.

The Art of Acceptance

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“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” 
~Kahlil Gibran~

Cultivating the art of acceptance is a life long process. The greatest gift you can give another is to allow them to discover their inner truth in the way which is most appropriate for them. In doing so, we create the space in which a transformation can occur.

Energy is wasted when one feels the need to defend their beliefs. This egoic reaction distracts us from doing our inner work as we extend our focus outward trying to make others understand (and hopefully adopt) our point of view.

It’s a much more powerful statement to simply live an authentic life. When we walk our talk and speak our truth with integrity, we create an impact much greater than mere words can achieve. Be the light which shines in the darkness. Plant seeds of kindness and nurture them with love.

The Celtic Vows of Friendship

  • I honor your path
  • I bring an unprotected heart to our meeting place
  • I drink from your well
  • I hold no cherished outcome
  • I will not negotiate by withholding
  • I am not subject to disappointment

Living by these guidelines gets easier with practice. They are a wonderful measure of how adept you are at the art of acceptance. Should you notice that you are experiencing a struggle with a particular aspect in a given situation, go with and observe where you may have missed the mark. Greater awareness begins from there.