Compassionate Detachment

“What brings understanding is love. When your heart is full, then you will listen to the teacher, to the beggar, to the laughter of children, to the rainbow, and to the sorrow of man.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
Spiritual practice is about residing fully where you are. When we immerse ourselves deeply within the present moment we create space within our life situations. Gratitude is the doorway into objectivity. It raises our vibration to such a degree that we can breathe life into our experiences yet remain detached from limiting perception and reactivity.
Compassionate detachment does not stop us from offering love and kindness to those with whom we interact. It allows us to share our energy in a way that is fulfilling rather than depleting and empowered instead of guilt-ridden. Conscious action is pure.
Like those who plant trees that they will never sit under, we sow seeds of loving-kindness even though we may not see the outcome. It’s enough to know that you are bringing the best version of yourself to the present moment. Be here now and allow the future to take care of itself.
Our collective consciousness creates a world where it is safe to love one another. Thank you for the light you bring to the world.

Play Your Way to Higher Consciousness

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…”
~susan polis schutz~

Being unaware of their own divinity, many seek solace in fleeting egoic desires such as fame, possessions or accomplishments. Empowerment comes from the willingness to share whatever you are afraid of losing. All treasures become tarnished without use and when you loosen your grip, you’ll discover the freedom that expansiveness can bring.

Our purpose here is not about things, but the consciousness we discover as a result of how we choose to play with the things of this world. It’s wonderful to enjoy all the physical aspects of being human, but always empowering to remember the richness of your true infinite nature. There is plenty of time and limitless possibilities to explore.

All the inhabitants of the earth – the rocks and plant life, the wind and clouds, birds and flowers and animals – all are our brothers and sisters in the exquisite tapestry of life. Human beings can often forget this in their personal fight to get what they need and create a sense of security… all the while cultivating feelings of desperation and fear.

You have a purpose of this planet. You play an integral part in the evolving consciousness of existence and in that knowledge of a deeper and more meaningful connection, fear disappears. There is love all around you.

Challenges

“Awakening is not changing who you are, but discarding who you are not.”
~Deepak Chopra~
Challenges help us to discover aspects of ourselves that are ready to emerge. They often act as catalysts that prompt relationships to deepen into something beautiful, unique and full of love. When faced with hardship, be willing to receive support from those who offer it. We are not meant to be separate from one another. Our shared humanity creates ever-evolving connections that strengthen compassion, enlightenment and empowerment.
Know that your soul has agreed to participate in hardship because you are ready to release old energies and step into the fullness of who you are. We can choose to turn toward our challenges and shine the light of consciousness upon them. Awareness begins the process of transformation.
Above all else, accept what is with the realization that life is here to support your awakening. Create a foundation built upon the knowledge that you are right where you need to be in this moment. Choose to consciously walk forward and the way will make itself known. Something beautiful is ready to be discovered.

Rising Above Thought

“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.”
~Khalil Gibran~

We have the opportunity for expansive growth in this moment. By choosing not to be offended by anyone or anything, by releasing hurt and resentment, by rising above the mechanisms of the mind, we create space in which a transformation can occur.

Set yourself free from all fear and limitation. Recognize that your interpretation of the world is a reflection of your own level of consciousness and be willing to learn from any challenges that arise. Everything serves a specific purpose on your journey of discovery.

I am forever grateful and humbled when circumstances show me ways in which I limit myself. As a lifetime student of love, I am willing to explore its nuances no matter how they are presented. The willingness to release judgment and move into acceptance is a lifelong process.

The more consciousness you bring to a situation, the more you’ll be able to recognize the inherent possibilities it contains. The awakening spirit is simply willing to explore the unknown rather than continuing to repeat old patterns.

Contrast

“May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.”
~John O’Donohue~
The depths and nuances of your many experiences have shaped your interpretation of life. Contrasts teach us about various perceptions until we come to reside deeply rooted in stillness with the understanding of completeness.
Allow yourself the gift of emotion, for even in the deepest sorrow there is beauty to be discovered. When energy flows through the heart chakra we are transformed. Expansion comes through both our tears and our joy, and the process of discovery calls upon us to connect with one another in this very human way.
As we awaken, we naturally bring greater consciousness to our life situation. We learn how to observe ourselves without judgment, and in doing so, utilize the highs and lows we experience as stepping stones to awareness, peace and empowerment.
The joyful heart is not one without pain. It simply is. No matter what unfolds, we ultimately find that love resides at the core of all things. You bring something unique and beautiful to the world that is ready to be expressed. Embrace your humanness. You are a bridge between the spiritual and the mundane.

Expanding Consciousness

“Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.”
~Ramana Maharshi~
All limitations are self-imposed. When we hold a limiting belief, fear can block the exploration into anything that challenges that belief. The ego is terrified of losing control; therefore, it seeks to keep the illusions in place. Inner resistance is a wonderful indicator that you are moving in a direction that will ultimately bring freedom from the illusion.
As we awaken, the world becomes full of promise and potential. Our passions ignite a journey inward that is limitless. Life then becomes a canvas where we can see these new insights demonstrated in the world of form. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.
In stillness we can discover the fullness of being. Observe the mind and it’s antics while allowing your awareness to transform all that it sees. You are on a journey of awakening, of expansion, of joy. Honor the process by actively and consciously participating in a way that feels liberating. The seeds of infinite possibility lie dormant in the midst of your awareness. Nurture them well.

 

Being Love

“Most humans believe that love is something that you get, that it is an emotion, that it has to be discovered, and that the more they give away, the less they will have. The opposite is the truth. Lovingness is an attitude that transforms one’s experience of the world. We become grateful for what we have instead of prideful. We express our lovingness when we acknowledge others and their contributions to life and to our convenience. Love is not an emotion but a way of being and relating to the world.”
~ David R. Hawkins
All that we think, say and do is recorded in the infinite field of consciousness. With this in mind, the awakened spirit seeks to give love even when it may not be recognized or appreciated by others on the physical level. We dance within the gifts of the Divine and share that joy with those who grace our lives.
When you can say to another, “I am grateful for every moment we have spent together” without expectation or regret, you have arrived. When you can be Unconditional Love, a profound transformation occurs in your perception and the way you choose to interact with the world. This shift in awareness creates space where the ego cannot reside, and there, freedom awaits.

Higher Perspectives

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.

Wisdom

“Wisdom consists in doing the next thing you have to do, doing it with your whole heart and find delight in doing it.”  
~Meister Eckhart~  

The dance of awakening is a beautiful synergy of opposites. We learn to navigate the illusion of the physical world while integrating the limitless possibility of the spiritual. Honor the movement of awareness as it weaves its magic in your experience. Learn to be comfortable with the unknown. Your true sacred nature resides within that field of limitless potential.

Our human experience is one of paradox – everything is messed up, yet everything is ok. When we pull back from the stories of the mind and become loving observers, we discover the ability to live consciously within the paradox.
We are One, yet each of us has a unique path of awakening and each of us must do our own work. Contrasts are required: there is no love without hate, no light without the darkness, no awakening without sleep.
Learn to see the value in everything. See yourself as an infinite source of energy experiencing the illusion of separation. Know that your journey is infinite and that you will never stop learning. But also, know that you are Divine, a master in the process of remembering. Human perception is small and limited… life and love are immense.

Facing Challenges

“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.