Tag Archives: #eckhart-tolle

Ego and Gossip

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“If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?”

~Buddha~

Observe how the ego reacts when you find yourself immersed in a story that is unfolding. Likely, the voice of ego will be clamoring to share it with someone. Why? It’s interesting to watch how the mind reacts when you consciously choose to say nothing or remain neutral in situations while others are lost in comparison, blame or schadenfreude.

Keep in mind that triggers or emotional reactivity are typically a result of some sort of reflection, deflection or projection. When one is lost in gossip or accusation, their words often speak volumes about their own struggles and wounds. Focusing energy outward is a powerful distraction. As long as the ego can see something “wrong” in another, it is too busy to look within to do the work of healing.

Presence calls upon us to be mindful. Pay attention to what you choose to say today. Is it helpful, uplifting or supportive? The light of your awareness is transformative and will help you to see through the mechanisms of the mind with greater clarity. Once you remove gossip and opinion from your own narrative, you will enter the realm of empowered presence. It is there that peacefulness resides.

Creativity

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“True creativity flows only from stillness. When stillness becomes conscious, the spiritual dimension enters your life and you begin to be guided by an intelligence far greater than the human mind.” 
~Eckhart Tolle~ 
Practice getting out of your head and let yourself be totally immersed in whatever you choose to do. When you bring a creative component to your actions, you become a channel for white light and higher consciousness. Imagine the difference between one who agonizes over a recipe, determined to get it totally right, stressing throughout the process and one who tastes and explores, dancing around the kitchen, enjoying the act of creating. What type of energy is being channeled into the food?
Art is your singular expression. Whether writing in a journal, painting, creating music, decorating your home or finding your unique style, releasing ego opens you as a conduit for divine inspiration.
Expression is the basis for transformation. You may wish to create (or renew) a sacred space in your home. Fill it with anything that inspires you and just sit with the energy. Don’t think – just be… then, bring that higher state of awareness and peacefulness into your day.

Embracing the Experience

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“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

In the face of infinity, our lives here are but an instant. Nowhere else can we experience tasting a strawberry or the joy of watching a sunrise. In this realm of separation we dance between polarities of light and dark, learning from contrasts. The human experience is a beautiful blend of challenge and success, love and loss, confusion and strength. We learn from one another.

Embrace whatever life offers. When we drop the narrative that certain experiences are right and others are wrong, we discover the threads of light woven through the heart and mind that create the nuance and depths of humanness.

Cultivate the ability to see through the distractions of the mind. Notice how often you get lost in thought and counteract that very human tendency by purposely going deeper into the Now. Consider utilizing a playful approach by seeking the gift that is inherent in every situation. You may come away with a deeper understanding of compassion and peacefulness.

Enjoy the little things. Savor the flavors that make your taste buds come alive. Appreciate the scents that travel on the winds to find you. See through the eyes of love. This moment is fleeting, yet it is eternity.

The Playground of Awakening

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“Whenever your relationship is not working, whenever it brings out the ‘madness’ in your and in your partner, be glad. What was unconscious is being brought up to the light. It is an opportunity for salvation.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Our relationships are the playground of spiritual awakening. Whether with lovers, family, co-workers, friends or the frustrating person behind you in line at the store, each plays a significant role in your souls development. When you choose to bring a higher consciousness to your interactions, there is a greater possibility of staying present in the midst of challenging situations rather than becoming reactive.
When you interact with someone who is caught in the pain of unconsciousness, become a source of compassion. Observe what arises for you and hold it in your loving embrace rather than feeding the situation with additional negative energy.
One of the greatest gifts you can give is the ability to hold space for another. The choice to stay present and listen without defensiveness or judgment creates space where a transformation can occur. As long as one person is conscious, new energy has the potential to break through old patterns and limiting beliefs.

Consciousness

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“You are an explorer, and you represent our species, and the greatest good you can do is to bring back a new idea, because our world is endangered by the absence of good ideas. Our world is in crisis because of the absence of consciousness.”

~Terence McKenna~

Both collective and personal, all chaos or conflict is caused by a lack of consciousness. Our state of consciousness matters whether anyone bears witness to it or not. The energy that we emit contributes to the whole – always. Understanding this, the awakening master purposely tends to consciousness first, and then acts.

Observe how you choose to respond to life. How often are you reactive rather than composed? Do you notice any patterns that trigger temporary unconsciousness? The most powerful tool to increase consciousness is to consistently set the tone for your day by utilizing meditation, gratitude or mindfulness. Choose to step into empowerment rather than waiting for outside factors to dictate your level of happiness.

Every moment offers opportunities to practice Presence. Use whatever is in front of you and purposefully approach it from the highest level possible. Infuse the Now with compassion, acceptance, love, joy and peace. Your state of consciousness matters.

The Art of Reflection

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“And then, when you shine, I’ll hold a mirror for you so you can see yourself within myself.”

~Petra Poje~

Everyone in your life acts as a mirror which reflects your innermost beliefs and attributes – both wonderful and limiting. What you recognize in another, you carry within. Surround yourself with those who inspire you, who respond to life with optimism and courage and offer support for your souls’ growth. Your path is to recognize and explore qualities that are ready to shine.

If you react strongly to someone when they are in the midst of dysfunction – being greedy, self-absorbed, driven by ego, angry, depressed or judgmental – love yourself enough to see that you also carry that attribute to some degree within yourself. Appreciate the other for helping you to see more clearly, then begin the process of self-observation. Awareness is the first step of transformation.

As you change, the world around you is transformed. When you no longer require a particular reflection, it will either leave your life or you’ll notice less reactivity in it’s presence. Spiritual awakening is simply a process of releasing things that no longer serve you, eventually creating a life filled with peace, clarity, joy and compassion.

Now

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“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.”  
~Eckhart Tolle~ 

Practice listening. Observe without mentally labeling what you see. Choose to experience the sacred energy which flows through all life. It sounds simple, but active listening and observation call upon us to break free of thousands of years of human conditioning. When you strip away the cacophony, love is speaking through the stillness.

We have a role to play in the transformation of our collective consciousness. The moment you choose to approach situations differently, you create an opportunity for growth. This can only be accomplished by being present. If your mind is elsewhere – worrying about the future or carrying the past – you’ll be too distracted to see clearly.

Each of us is responsible for our own state of consciousness. In this moment, how peaceful are you? Resistance creates anxiety while acceptance opens us to receive grace. Cultivate your ability to accept what is and respond to life with inner awareness. Enlightenment is not something that you’ll experience at some point in the future. It is here Now.

Vision

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“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
This moment is filled with limitless possibility. It offers a new beginning and a new way of being. We must become aware of and disconnect from the patterns, thoughts and behaviors that distract us from seeing clearly. Mind-made burdens often keep us from recognizing the sacredness that is within us and all around us.
As we learn to rise above the mechanisms of the ego, we bring a new vision to life. There is vast potential within you and all around you. Surrender to the present moment, seek to honor its perfection and discover the joy and empowerment that acceptance brings. Choose to recognize the sacredness in all that you see.
When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. Seeing with the heart transforms everything in your experience. A sense of awe and wonder is the result of living an awakened life. Knowing this, it becomes possible to interact with one another consciously and our experience is transformed.

Living Within Paradox

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“Since ancient times, spiritual masters of all traditions have pointed to the Now as the key to the spiritual dimension. Despite this, it seems to have remained a secret.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Don’t try to change, simply be aware… awareness heals. Spiritual practice is often a blend of paradox – confusion and clarity, separation and wholeness, detachment and presence. The word paradox itself comes from the Greek para dokien which means beyond thought. See yourself as a physical expression of the Divine who wishes to experience life in various forms. Allow yourself to look through the illusion yet act consciously within the present moment. Eventually the illusion will become easier to see through as we remember our true nature and mission.

So many suffer, lost within the “why’s” and entrapped by the mind. The same energy, knowledge and peace discovered by all the masters who have walked the Path of Transformation awaits you within the openness of your own heart. For all our searching, the answers lie within.

It can take great courage to learn to trust your inner wisdom. Teachers, circumstances and guides are all there to point to the inner awareness, but until one is willing to see, there it waits. Trust yourself, be gentle with yourself and open to the potential that joy brings. No matter what teachings you encounter, trust your own divine nature in order to align with your truth and integrity. Give yourself permission to live consciously within the paradox, without dissecting or analyzing it.

Presence

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“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~
Allow this moment to be the most transformative of your life.

The way to experience life fully is to bring your complete awareness to what is unfolding right now. This is the moment of transformation. Observe your thoughts and actions. Are they allowing you to be fully present with the experience or are they projected toward some future moment or desire?

When you focus your awareness on the Now, you’ll discover that you are right where you need to be. The lessons unfolding are perfect for the souls development and through complete acceptance, joy begins to expand throughout every aspect of your life. Embrace what is. You have chosen these experiences for the express purpose of accelerating your spiritual growth.

Take brief, frequent pauses often throughout the day to check your state of consciousness. 30 seconds of mindful breathing can help to align you with the present moment. Within the ebb and flow of life, you can choose to create a foundation of calmness, peace and empowerment,  the natural by-products of acceptance.