Community

Be proud of your unique gifts. There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone who brings your perception and talents to the planet. No matter where you reside on the Path of Transformation, you are right where you need to be. It’s empowering to realize that in every moment, you are doing the best you can… and so is everyone around you.

Judgment blocks the ability to love. When we become tangled within the egoic stories regarding others’ behavior, it distracts us from doing our inner work. Even more debilitating are the blockages we create when we judge ourselves. Personal responsibility calls upon us to see ourselves clearly, but that does not include directing judgment inward. All too often the spiritual seeker gets lost in the “shoulds” and forgets that patience and compassion are the greatest gifts we can offer – both to ourselves and to others.

Embrace the aspects of yourself that might have once made you feel insecure and integrate them into the Wholeness of your spiritual expression in this lifetime. As your confidence increases, so will your ability to participate fully in whatever life has to offer. Spiritual awakening is not meant to detach us from life, but allow us to delve more fully into it. Mastery calls upon us to share ourselves with the world.

The final lessons of an old soul are based in self-forgiveness, compassion, acceptance and unconditional love toward the self and others. When we understand where others reside on the journey of awakening, it becomes easier to honor their path and accept them where they are. It would be a waste of energy to expect a young soul to understand the perception or actions of a mature or old soul… they haven’t yet reached that stage in their development.

Be true to yourself, seek spiritual fulfillment, detach from the intensity and recognize your connection to something greater. The best is yet to come.

Sharing Love

 
“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. In that manner, your life will 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.

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, it’s powerful to act as though this moment is the one that will open doors to new levels of understanding… and remember that love is the key.

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.

Expanding Your Circle of Compassion

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
~Leo Buscaglia~

Consider channeling your energy in a different way today because the world desperately needs a little love. What if you took a bag along and picked up a little trash on your gratitude walk? What if you opened the door for another or moved an insect out of harms way? What if your words remained gentle when faced with harshness?

There are endless ways to demonstrate compassion. Let your imagination open the door to a new practice. No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. I have learned that the most powerful thing that we can do for one another is to listen without judgment and accept everyone as they are. If guidance is requested, give it gently.

We are all fumbling our way towards enlightenment. Just for today, let authentic acts of kindness and compassion that are in alignment with your true nature be the foundation of the energy you choose to contribute to our collective experience.

The Search for Truth

“I tell you truly, the lightning that cleaves the mighty oak, or the quaking that opens up cracks in the earth, these are as the play of children compared with the power of thought.”

~Edmond Bordeaux Szekely~

.

Like water eroding rock, the awakened life is one of gentle, consistent, conscious actions. Attempting to force change, whether in yourself or others around you, is akin to a flash flood that temporarily wreaks havoc and leaves destruction in its wake. Living your truth; however, is a series of small actions that can transform even the most challenging of situations.
.
Everything plays a role in your awakening. Seeing your judgments and the fears out of which they arise allows you to choose a different response, one that brings you greater peace. Doubt is another path that opens the door to new ideas and insight. Anger points the way to repressed energy. Rather than wondering “why?” when things go wrong, seek understanding through direct experience rather than wandering aimlessly in an intellectual playground.
.
The key is to accept what is. Bring a greater awareness to how you choose to experience the present moment. When you take responsibility for your own state of consciousness, your actions will reflect empowerment, compassion and kindness.

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.

Emotions and Empathy

“Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.”
~José N. Harris~

The most profound spiritual work is often done alone. It’s helpful to enter the stillness of the present moment, step away from the input of others, feel deeply and undergo a cleansing. Getting near water can be helpful with this process – visit the ocean, step into a stream, immerse yourself in a lake or even use your shower as a conscious place of healing.

In times of uncertainly and re-evaluation, allow the element of water to inspire a free flow of feelings. This cleansing process begins to heal old wounds while creating a space where clarity can emerge. Tears are powerful. They come when we need emotional release as well as being spontaneous indicators of the flow of love from the Divine in times of breakthrough and joy.

There are times when we must go inward, feel deeply and allow healing to begin. Give yourself freedom to cleanse mind, body and spirit. Honor your tears as sacred for they indicate the depth of your openness and willingness to grow. Emotions clear a path for compassion to emerge and there, we discover our shared humanity.

Your Level of Consciousness

“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.”

~Lao Tzu~

Challenges arise to assist us in our spiritual growth. They originate from limiting thought patterns, judgment, fear or anger – often growing larger due to others who are willing to participate in the drama. It is often from this space of confusion and dysfunction that we attempt to correct the situation… and therein lies the mental trap. We must first focus on creating inner balance and shifting our awareness to a higher level. From there, perceptions change, new solutions are discovered and the power of love enters.

There is a purpose behind every circumstance. Sometimes clear, sometimes murky, but always, ultimately a beautiful coordinated movement of consciousness which is attempting to manifest in the present moment. Seek to bring the best aspects of yourself to every situation. When you are willing to slow down, become aware and approach the present moment with compassion, everything changes.

Celebration joins us. In joy, how can we harm one another (or ourselves)? As we find ways to create an attitude of laughter, of living and celebrating the present moment, we learn the power of acceptance and personal responsibility.

Passion and Purpose

“Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

 

Passion is the fire that sparks movement, experience, and ultimately, wisdom. Since our only true purpose is to awaken, why not make the journey of discovery playful – a celebration of joy?  Life will always present contrasting experiences. We can choose to approach challenges with an open heart and bring compassion into our expression of being.
The paradox of human experience calls upon us to simultaneously be sympathetic and helpful to those who are in pain while consciously keeping ourselves balanced. Reactivity brings energy to lower vibrations. We simply cannot be as effective in a state of reaction as we are when aligned with our passion, purpose and inner wisdom.
The key is to appreciate the beauty in each moment. To live deeply immersed in the Now brings a sense of joy into the daily activities of your life. Then, whatever actions you choose to take will be infused with the wholeness of your spirit. This is the process of transforming your life into an empowered dance of awakening.

Higher Consciousness

“Remember always that the goal of awakening, of self-awareness, of living in higher consciousness is always about the very same thing that Christ brought into the world which is unconditional, agape love.”

~Theodore J. Nottingham~

See the path of your awakening as a spiral. Lessons will cycle through your experience ever more quickly, allowing you an opportunity to approach old challenges from an ever-evolving state of consciousness. Should you notice a recurring theme in your life, pay attention to how you handle it. It’s likely that your response is far different today than it was five or ten years ago. 

For instance, when learning to communicate more effectively, one may begin by focusing their energy on defining boundaries or learning how to say a high-quality “No.” In the higher levels of consciousness, this strength combines with love and compassion.
 

When you have mastered a particular lesson, it will no longer appear in your life. The energy around it will decrease and you’ll feel completely neutral when sharing your experiences or reflecting upon your journey. 

Ask yourself, “How can I bring the best version of me to this situation?” With each cycle, trepidation will continue to dissipate while joy and empowerment expand.