This Moment

“There is only one perpetrator of evil on the planet: human unconsciousness. That realization is true forgiveness. With forgiveness, your victim identity dissolves, and your true power emerges–the power of Presence. Instead of blaming the darkness, you bring in the light.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

When you bring the best version of yourself to the present moment, the future takes care of itself. Mastery comes from cultivating the ability to remain conscious as you address the tasks of the day. Each has the ability to awaken greater insight and awareness. Even something as simple as taking a walk can be done consciously or unconsciously. If you’re only trying to get to the next place, looking down at the phone or lost in thought, an opportunity is missed. Thankfully, there’s another. And another.

Slow down and choose to fully experience the Now. The key to your awakening lies within it. As present moment awareness becomes a habit, your life will sparkle with limitless possibility. As you change, the world around you is transformed.

You can participate without getting caught up in the drama. With awareness, passion evolves into compassion. Judgment dissolves into love and the world explodes into life. This vibrant flow of energy moves through you to play in the world of form.

Your Smile

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Smiles are infectious and can spread like wildfire. Sometimes we get so caught up in the tenor of our thoughts that we temporarily forget the magic of life… until a brief moment of laughter breaks through like a ray of sunlight on a cloudy day.

In moments of concern or imbalance, remind yourself to find joy in little things. The pure happiness of an animal or child can likely elicit a sympathetic reaction. A well-loved book or comedy can direct your energy to a higher vibration.

In turn, your smile can light up the world. Unshared joy is like an unlit candle. It is said that any light, no matter how small, transforms the darkness. Know that your authentic radiance shines as bright as a thousand suns.

The muscles that we use to smile change the body chemistry, releasing neurons that inform the brain and activate health and happiness. Bless yourself today by smiling often. Share your smile and watch the world smile back. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

Growing Beyond Limitation

“We are here not only to experience limitation, but also to grow in consciousness by going beyond limitation.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Perceived limitations can be overcome physically (such as releasing poverty consciousness and becoming more receptive to abundance or overcoming an illness), mentally (learning to accept limitations thus transforming them into strength), or spiritually (bringing love to a situation filled with hate). The soul seeks to expand, awaken and overcome adversity.
You can access your ability to be a conscious c0-creator by moving into acceptance. Accept life as it is and take responsibility for your state of consciousness in the present moment. Release the need to blame, defend or struggle. Learn how to see perfection in the imperfection and recognize that you are right where you need to be. Whatever has arrived in your experience has a specific purpose in your soul’s growth. When you change how you think about a situation, transformation begins.
When you embrace the present moment and bring your full attention to whatever you are doing, your actions will be filled with deeper intention and empowerment. No matter what you are prompted to do, find a way to bring the light of consciousness to the forefront of your experience.

Spiritual Maturity

Each of us is responsible for our own joy. You have the ability to create an empowered life, Now, without the need to rely upon outer circumstances or the actions of another. As we develop our spiritual maturity, we discover that wholeness comes from within. From this state of awareness we can share with one another and contribute something unique to our collective experience.

The synergy created by conscious, loving spirits is infinite. Together we can achieve far more than we can alone. Step into the flow by cultivating the ability to give and receive freely. Take the time to slow down and notice the beauty that is all around you. This planet has much to offer and much to teach. Your awareness allows you to be a conscious participant. Then, existence becomes a joy as we purposely dream new aspects of the world into being.

Perhaps you find yourself becoming more open. You may share your gifts and laughter more often than in times past, or reach out in kindness without fear of rejection. These are signs of mastery and indicators of spiritual awakening. Allow love and joy to guide your choices and interactions and watch the boundaries disappear.

Teacher-Student Karmic Monad

A karmic monad is an agreement between two souls. This is widely used to help one another progress on the journey of awakening. The dance can last for years or be as brief as a conversation on an elevator. When this energy is play, one may feel compelled to literally teach another – perhaps by imparting information or acting in a way that compels the other to cultivate an important aspect that is ready to shine.

In the midst of challenging situations, seek the lesson. It’s a quick mental shift, but is one that can take you from victim-hood into empowerment. Once you have mastered that aspect of your growth, you will no longer need that particular pattern in your experience. Honor the people in your life as teachers. Every moment offers an opportunity to awaken.

Rather than taking on too much at once, consider working on one issue at a time. Bring your awareness to what is required in this moment. How can you bring peace into your experience? What conscious action will shift the energy? Keep in mind that the ego is often resistant. See this resistance as an indicator that profound change is at hand.

Mercury Retrograde

A few times a year Mercury goes retrograde. Typically this impacts us on the physical plane by adding extra challenges around communication, contracts, travel and mechanical malfunction. Since this is a repetitive energy, it’s helpful to weave it into your consciousness work. Don’t avoid challenges; choose to face them with patience and humor.

Yesterday as I went to write, my computer just sat thinking… and thinking… and thinking. After waiting about 30 minutes for things to flow, I decided to accept what is, let go of the idea of creating my normal Wow Moment, and go back to bed. While consistency is a big part of my personal practice, my state of consciousness is more important.

It was nice to observe that the ego was nearly non-existent in that moment. I tried and the energy didn’t flow. So, I moved on to gratitude and had a lovely day.

Since Mercury Retrograde stays in play through May 14th, you may benefit from observing it’s influence in your own experience. Give yourself extra time in case you need to be flexible, communicate mindfully, laugh at life a little and journal whatever arises. Like everything else, our collective experiences provide wonderful opportunities for growth.

Creation

“Creativity is the state of consciousness in which you enter into the treasury of your innermost being and bring the beauty into manifestation.”
~Torkom Saraydarian~

The energy behind creation is filled with the life force of the infinite. Consider that there are always new facets to explore, each of which will reveal something that your spirit is ready to learn.

Ancient wisdom is ready to feed your consciousness and transform your life. When you choose to explore with innocence, faith and wonder, you prepare yourself to take a risk and experience something new. You are the conduit between the mystic and the mundane.

It’s imperative to release any limiting beliefs or energetic blockages that slow down the flow of energy. Let the measure of peace in your experience be your barometer. The clearer you are, the more balanced your response to life will be.

Failure is an important aspect in this process. When we miss the mark, we can simply observe, adjust, and act. We learn a great deal from our mistakes and then try again armed with knowledge that we will either succeed or learn. Don’t play it safe. You are here to thrive, to awaken and to love.

Transforming Stress

It’s important to listen to the messages of the body. Periodically, still the mind and go inward. Really tune in and notice if you are holding stress in a particular area, clenching the jaw or holding your breath. If so, close your eyes and breathe deeply and rhythmically. Place your focus on the flow and just be.

Now that you’ve identified that stress is present, turn your attention to any scripts that are playing in the mind and observe your surroundings. What is causing you to tighten up? If it’s in your power to change the atmosphere, do so and see how your body responds. You may discover that certain people, music or actions are pulling your energy out of balance.

If nothing can be physically changed, you can either remove yourself or move into acceptance. The present moment is your gateway to transformation. Utilize stressful situations as an opportunity to cultivate your awareness. Observation and conscious presence are sometimes  enough to reduce the stress. Remind yourself, “This, too, shall pass.”

Another powerful tool is purposeful movement. Walk, shake it off, use EFT, work out or dance. Rather than holding the energy, find a healthy way to release it. You are far more powerful than you realize.

Find Your Adventure

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt~

The hard shell of a seed provides safety and a plant can remain viable for years. The moment it sprouts into being it is immensely vulnerable, yet that is the journey toward beauty and fulfillment. We are not here to play it safe. The human experience calls upon us to take risks, to find our way through darkness into the light. The enchantment of awakening is the souls true purpose.

When we approach the present moment with the innocence and openness of a child, miracles begin to unfold. See your life as an adventure in time and space. Become a loving witness to the infinite ways in which the Universe speaks to you. When you look through the lens of higher consciousness, you’ll receive messages meant to guide your unique path of transformation.
The new friendships, experiences, ideas and circumstances will break you free from any limiting routines you may have created. These compelling energies will awaken the aspects of yourself that are ready to shine and bring them to the surface.

Appreciation

Your first thoughts and actions upon awakening dictate how the energy of the day will be experienced. When you consciously choose appreciation and gratitude, you open to receive the love that flows upon you from all dimensions.
Longing is another form of suffering. Rooted in some undetermined future, it robs us of the ability to experience the vibrancy and potential of the present moment. The enlightened spirit takes full responsibility for their own state of consciousness. Seek to adjust your inner dialogue whenever necessary and observe how you choose to respond to the present moment. This simple movement of awareness is transformative.
Human intimacy, and all the emotional aspects it contains, provides the richness of spiritual life. Many seek to rise above the mundane as an aspect of their spiritual journey; however, the repudiation of worldly interaction can sometimes become the ego’s way of grabbing hold through denial or judgment. Anyone can be zen while meditating on a mountaintop. The spiritual master brings that sense of peace into each and every relationship.

Be willing to be vulnerable as you participate in the experiences of your life. Conscious choices are always available when you remember that every situation is an active, integral part of your awakening. The present moment brings what the present moment brings. Live it. Release the word “should” from your vocabulary, it indicates expectation rather than acceptance.