New Vision

“Spirituality is not the practicing of any virtue; spirituality is the gaining of a new vision. Virtue follows that vision; it comes on its own accord. It is a natural by-product. When you start seeing, things start changing.”
~Osho~

Consciousness is the journey of expansion into all dimensions, the discovery of broader perspectives and the integration of all that we have learned. It seeks to express itself through our interactions and provides an opportunity to see life differently.

The human condition is one of forgetfulness – separation, drama, ego, desire. The spiritual seeker begins to drop the veils of illusion and opens to the infinite, only to experience the bliss of discovering that the truth lies within. This is transcendence.

Life is a tapestry of dark and light, a blending of dimensions from the depths of lower consciousness to the heights of love and communion. They exist together and when we cultivate the understanding that all levels of consciousness are required in this dance of awakening, we begin to have a very different perspective of the world. When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. And so it is.

Choosing Joy

“When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

Happiness is a choice. The most empowering aspect of awakening is the discovery that you have control over how you choose to respond to life. When complains that life is unfair, they give away their power. The idea that something is wrong or missing drags their vibrational energy down into the depths of anger, sadness, apathy or shame, creating a filter through which they interpret the world.

It’s imperative to cultivate the ability to take personal responsibility and work to create change from within. Rather than hoping that someone else will change so that you avoid discomfort, remove the wound that creates discomfort. In this way, you can walk in the world with faith in your own abilities.

Once one truly understands personal responsibility, it becomes possible to flow with whatever unfolds. Finding the gift, assimilating the lesson,  trusting the process, and choosing joy ultimately leads to an expansion of consciousness, creating sacred space within your experiences.

Illusion in the World of Form

Everything that we experience is an illusion. Many get caught in the world of form and forget our true purpose here. Rather than getting lost in arguments about which interpretation of the world is accurate, recognize the many layers of consciousness in play and understand that levels of truth reside in each.

It really doesn’t matter what you believe. All that matters is your state of consciousness in the present moment and whether you are aligned with integrity, passion and joy. So, enjoy the exploration. Discover what adds a little sparkle into your experience. Create your own reality and live in a way that is inspirational.

Consider how much energy some expend trying to prove their point of view, voicing their opinions, or gathering followers. Imagine how much could change if that same amount of energy went into being happy, appreciative, compassionate and grateful. The mind boggles.

This planet is our playground of awakening. We have created an amazing world that fills our senses, one that is able to provide any type of experience you wish to use as a vehicle of growth. Honor every path as sacred. Tend to your own state of consciousness as you embark on a journey into the innermost dimensions of awareness.

Creating Change

“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

Learn how to listen to your inner wisdom by noticing when your body requests small things like drinking more water or making healthier choices. When you’re ready to shift a pattern that has long been part of your experience, just notice when it arises and very gently do something just a little different each time.With no great fanfare a new energy emerges and you realize that those tiny baby steps have sparked permanent change.

Transformation can often feel overwhelming and indecisiveness tends to create procrastination. Just observe. Notice how the ego finds a reason to wait. Remembering that the ego is always prompting the opposite of what is appropriate for your growth, purposely take action. Any conscious action, no matter how small, sets new energy in motion.

The key is to begin now. Simply be the best version of yourself in this moment. Subtle shifts are occurring all around you and it’s time to participate in the dance. Utilize your strengths. Be led by joy, love or enthusiasm and honor this phase of your awakening as sacred. The future will take care of itself.

 

The Power of Light

Yesterday I encountered dragonfly during my morning gratitude walk. Poised beautifully on an agave plant, his wings sparkled in the sunlight. As I came closer to take a picture his head turned and it seemed that he looked deeply into my eyes. Captivated, I thanked him for the reminder to see through my own illusions.

The gossamer glimmer of dragonfly wings takes years to develop. This is a loving message that as we mature, our experiences reflect the lessons of the journey. Mastery and balance come from the integration of all the aspects of Self cultivated throughout the process of awakening.

When nature grabs your attention, it can be a powerful practice to seek out the spiritual meaning, meditate upon it and understand how it may relate to your current life situation. Little reminders, encouragement and inspiration are all around us.

Dragonfly medicine relates to the realms of water and air. Often, it indicates a great deal of emotionalism and passion in youth has matured into wisdom and greater control. His appearance implies that changes are likely about to occur. Ultimately, dragonfly reminds us that we are light and we can reflect it in beautiful ways.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

“It is only in our thoughts that ideas, beliefs, and problems become solid, dark, and unyielding. Reality itself is moveable, light, ever-changing. In our minds we seem trapped, in reality we are utterly free.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Allow life to be as it is and choose to seek peacefulness in the present moment. Perception changes everything. Have you ever formed an opinion about someone or a something only to completely change position based upon new information that you have received? Awakening consciousness is like that. As we evolve, we naturally have the ability to see with greater depth and dimension.

When we change how we view a situation, the situation begins to change. There is great power in conscious, peaceful silence and learning to allow things to unfold without additional interference.

From a spiritual standpoint, things are often the opposite of how they appear in the physical world. We encounter hatred in order to ignite our capacity to love. We experience lack to discover the true meaning of abundance. Chaos teaches the value of peace. Try looking at any challenges that arise as opportunities to cultivate new skills. Embrace what is. All of life celebrates and supports your growth and expansion.

Stand in Courage

“In these times where it has seemed dark indeed
where integrity appears solely buried in legend and lore,
it is an opportunity in contrast to the shadows,
to create miracles…
by choosing first courage,
then diligence,
standing,
opening our mouth
and speaking the truth that in rare moments,
may ignite the light.”
~Tom Althouse~

To live an authentic life is to be deeply committed to the truth of who you are. There will be moments when you shine with inspiration and conviction, and others when you may miss the mark; however, it is all part of the process of transformation. Reading and study will only get you so far. It’s powerful to watch ideas as they come to life in the world around you. You are far stronger than you know.

Listen deeply to the inner wisdom of your soul. Each of us has a unique purpose and while you might find motivation and insight through others’ works, the message slightly transforms when processed through your filter of interpretation and again as you put new ideas and energy into motion.

Be the change you wish to see. Honor your purpose as sacred and embrace the continuity of your spiritual evolution. Beautiful facets of your soul still await discovery.

The Magic of New Beginnings

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.”
~J.B. Priestly~
You can create the life of your dreams. No matter what you wish to shift in your experience, begin Now. See the change, feel the joy that arises from new beginnings and take one conscious step forward in the direction of your dreams.

The willingness to open yourself to new ways of being is the key. Old patterns are created by repetitive thoughts; therefore, plant the seeds of transformation with new, expanded ways of thinking.

One thing to keep in mind is this: the ego fears change. Often, when we change our focus, that area of your life will seem to entrench you even more. See any resistance – internal or external – as an indicator that something new is happening. Push through it as best as you can. Life will rise up to meet you.

Focus on the end result and don’t micromanage the details. That is another egoic tactic designed to overwhelm. Instead, allow joy to lead to you forward. You have the ability to create the life of your dreams.

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.

Repeating Patterns

“Constantly focusing on the limitations, instead of all the possibilities, is how people become stuck in their lives. It only serves to recreate the same old reality from day to day. And soon the days turn into years, and lifetimes.”
~Anthon St. Maarten~

Everyone has a filter through which they view the world. Their energetic vibration and long-held beliefs are displayed again and again until they are recognized. Whenever you notice a repeating pattern that limits joy in your experience, realize that the first step is becoming aware of it. From a space of awareness, you can consciously choose to break free from outmoded patterns of behavior and leave them behind.

For many, intense emotional/mental/physical/spiritual disruption is the only thing that awakens them from the dreams created by the projections of the mind; however, we can circumvent this process by consciously continuing to do our spiritual work in times of relative peace. This is the moment of transformation. No matter what comes into your experience, you have the courage and fortitude to face it with faith… and while nothing is guaranteed on this journey of the soul, the changes you create within will surely play out in your daily experiences.

When you reach toward the light, it also reaches out to you. Love will always meet you where you are and walk forward with you from there. Seek to constantly clear limiting patterns that sabotage your happiness. One tool is to step back from the situation and observe the thought – perhaps saying, “The ego is in fear mode” or “Anxiety is arising”. Rather than absorbing the limiting thought or emotion, just see it and experience it as the observer knowing that the infinite, Divine truth of who you are is not defined by these fleeting ideas of insecurity or doubt. Something greater is waiting to break through, shattering the patterns of limitation and opening the door to a life of empowerment.