Tag Archives: #challenges

Change

Posted on by
“No one can tell what goes on in between the person you were and the person you become. No one can chart that blue and lonely section of hell. There are no maps of the change. You just come out the other side.
Or you don’t.”
~Stephen King~
Challenges awaken the desire for change. In the midst of disruption unhealed wounds or repressed energies rise to the surface. They get in our face until we cannot ignore the need to take action. Throughout this process one might experience a dissolution of the ego. Fear arises as the ego perceives its total annihilation. Our role, as awakening souls, is to have the fortitude to turn inward to face our shadows. Only then can we emerge transformed, as a butterfly from the chrysalis.
Each person’s journey is unique. The changes are typically so profound that we can barely remember the person we were. The old fears and intensities fade into the past and become part of our story of awakening.
We all share in this process of transformation, collectively as well as personally. Have compassion for those who are caught in the realm of resistance or reactivity. Be patient with yourself when you miss the mark.
The journey ultimately leads to love and oneness. Do your best, act with integrity and accept what is. The way will make itself known.

Higher Perspectives

Posted on by
View others as unfolding beings in their journey toward higher consciousness.
~Ken Keyes Jr.~
The higher your state of consciousness, the greater your perception. As we awaken, we cultivate the ability to interpret life from many different levels. Consciousness is the journey of expansion into all dimensions, the discovery of broader perspectives and the integration of all that we have learned.
Reactivity is an automated response that is driven by the ego. Observe how you face the challenges in your life. As you awaken, it’s likely that you’ll notice the intensity and duration of reactivity decrease.
Periodically bring your awareness to your state of consciousness. Are you fully present? Can your purposely shift your thoughts in ways that are empowering? How often do you show yourself love and compassion?
And finally, consider this: The person who challenges you the most on the physical plane loves you the most on the spiritual plane. They are willing to risk losing your love and affection in this life to aid you in your soul’s growth and development. There is no greater gift than playing a role that stimulates awakening. When you view your challenges from this higher perspective, you’ll discover that this is true.

Facing Challenges

Posted on by
“The spiritual practice of relationships is about working on ourselves only, freeing ourselves from the constricting grip of our own unhappiness. It is not the other person’s job to take our unhappiness away; our discomfort is our own responsibility. Attending to our own spiritual tasks – seeing our judgments, opinions, beliefs, demands, and staying present with the fears out of which they all arise – frees others to move toward us. Then, when they no longer feel the need to defend, they become more willing to take care of their job. Thus joy in relationships becomes possible.”   
~Ezra Bayda~   

The obstacle is the path. Be aware that what you do not want to change is exactly what you need to look at the most. Have the courage to turn inward and face your shadow-self with loving, ruthless honesty. Your attention and awareness begins the process of transformation.

Bring a sense of adventure to the journey of your life and seek to find unique ways to face the hurdles you encounter. Whether found in health, relationships, finances or within your spiritual practice, you are ready for something transformative to enter your life. Your willingness to be an active participant in your own growth guarantees movement in your experience.

Be kind to yourself. There will be moments of brilliance as well as times when you may miss the mark. Empowerment calls upon each of us to take personal responsibility for our current state of consciousness so that we can engage life with an open heart. Act from the heart and allow circumstances to unfold as they will.

Facing Challenges Consciously

Posted on by
“Every challenge takes you a little deeper and awakens you again and again. Without the challenges, you probably would go to back to sleep. The challenges keep you awake.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Think about all that you’ve learned so far on your spiritual journey – the tools of awakening tried and sometimes discarded, the basis of how you view your life, the facets of strength you have discovered as a result of facing challenges, the wisdom of surrender and acceptance, the power of gratitude.

What about those moments when gratitude seems far away? Sometimes we walk in darkness with the belief that all the tools we have cultivated have either deserted us or no longer work with the strength they once did. But something is different this time around…. we’re conscious of the fact that we are suffering. We actively apply what we’ve learned or seek new ways to address whatever challenge arises with the knowledge that we’ll find a way to grow through the process.

That’s the difference between someone who has experienced awakening and someone who has yet to access the knowledge that lies underneath the drama. The conscious approach becomes something of a dance with the Divine, a tango of immense passion filled with talent, surrender and synchronicity. Lifetime after lifetime we perfect this dance. Spiritual awakening is a process of constant practice and application.

The Uses of Adversity

Posted on by
“I’ve come to trust not that events will always unfold exactly as I want, but that I will be fine either way. The challenges we face in life are always lessons that serve our soul’s growth.”
~Marianne Williamson~
Consider the uses of adversity. Challenges refine our skills and prompt us to cultivate our strengths. We discover that life doesn’t end when things fall apart; rather, space is created to explore aspects of ourselves that are ready to shine. Even when the ego is caught up in desire and attachment, the soul understands exactly what is needed.
Trust in the unique processes of your awakening. Nothing is more important than your state of consciousness in the present moment. When you view life as an opportunity to evolve and grow, everything becomes more manageable. Ultimately, you can walk the journey as a source of grace and peace and even humor knowing that there is far more to life than meets the eye.
Life will present the perfect circumstances to assist in your spiritual awakening. This is true for each of us – singularly or collectively. Seek the lesson or the gift in any circumstance, and most assuredly, you will find it.

Soul Lessons

Posted on by
“From innumerable complexities we must grow to simplicity; we must become simple in our inward life and in our outward needs.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

Each of us chooses to come to this planet to accomplish the same thing – to awaken to the divinity of Being and the Oneness that connects us all. All of existence weaves together in a tapestry of experience, lessons, insight and awareness that will guide you throughout this process of awakening. There is a primary inner purpose – to awaken, and a secondary outer purpose – whatever role you have chosen as the vehicle for that awakening. For some this means family, for others it may be teaching, artistry, healing, building… thankfully, there are infinite ways to live in one’s truth while remaining aligned with our inner purpose.

When you place more importance upon the outer purpose (the transitory experience of this lifetime), the inner purpose suffers. This often creates repetitive patterns and blockages that plague us until we clear them and return to the true purpose of our earthly experience. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in the present moment. All joy, clarity and freedom come from this state of inner balance and flow into all that we choose to do.

Living Courageously

Posted on by
“The crowd neither wants nor seeks knowledge, and the leaders of the crowd, in their own interests, try to strengthen its fear and dislike of everything new and unknown. The slavery in which mankind lives is based upon this fear.”
~G. I. Gurdjieff~

To be a spiritual seeker is to discover your courage. Leaving the confines of the familiar we venture out into a new world, risking all. The willingness to explore the unknown paves the way to adventure as we learn to experience life with an open heart and open mind.

Throughout this process we encounter a stripping away of the ego. Layer by layer we drop beliefs and blockages that no longer serve us. Challenges allow us to cultivate fortitude as we discover new ways of experiencing all that life has to offer.

It’s important to be vulnerable and authentic. Don’t hold yourself back out of fear. The path of awakening calls upon us to recognize our potential. Faith and action transform that potential into actuality.

When you recognize the sacredness in all things, it brings a different quality into your experience. Operating from a detached sense of unconditional love also brings courageousness to the surface. Detachment allows us to give without demands. It is a purity that expresses itself through us. What would your expression of life be if you were fearless? Be that. Do that. Live that.

Rise in Love

Posted on by
“All your life you have been waiting… And now the time is here.
We are all being called upon to shine our brightest light. Where there is confusion know there are answers. Where there is pain show compassion. Where there is darkness beam your light. We are all related one to the other. Open your heart and feel the connection. Shine your light and heal the world.”
~Jodi Livon~

Expressing compassion creates a joyful and fulfilling life experience.

Your perception creates your reality. Consider the impact that unconditional love brings to your life experience. There would be no fear, no complaints, no judgment and no blame. Because you seek it, you would discover love in every situation no matter how it unfolds.
All that you experience is either an expression of love or an opportunity to bring loving energy to the present moment. Think of that before you speak and before you act. Ask yourself, “Am I adding love to the situation?” If so, proceed.
In the midst of a challenge, it may be difficult to immediately move into higher consciousness. In these moments, simply observe the thoughts that arise, notice what action the ego prompts you to take and either do the opposite or move into stillness. To see those who challenge you as souls that are helping you to grow and evolve is is a wonderful expression of self-love and your life will be better for it.

Empowerment and Personal Responsibility

Posted on by

“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.

You Choose Your Experience

Posted on by
“Let’s trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let’s lay down our righteousness and just be together.”
~Ram Dass~
Life will always present the situations that are most appropriate for your spiritual growth. Approaching each circumstance with openness and acceptance makes it easier to walk through challenges when they arise because you know that they are there for you rather than something happening to you.
Our purpose is to awaken. As we play in different realms of experience we learn amazing things about ourselves and from one another. However you choose to live your life, be there completely. If you wish to make changes, do so. There is no right or wrong way to experience the infinite.
What would happen if we dropped all identification with a particular group. The need to create definitions and labels limits and separates us. How could our collective experience change if we simply accepted what is and celebrated our time here together? One may say that’ll never happen because too many are not willing to do that; however, you can live life in any way you choose.
Remember, old souls do not fit in. That too is a powerful aspect of the spiritual journey. Learn to embrace your uniqueness, be the observer, and allow your spirit to shine.