Being Joy

“Joy does not come from what you do, it flows into what you do and thus into this world from deep within you.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

When joy is the motivating vibration, it infuses all that we do. To act from the heart ties satisfaction to a life well-lived rather than to the varying ups and downs of experience. Whether your talents and vision combine to create something new or you simply channel light into the work at hand, something beautiful begins to happen as a new energy is set in motion.

Joy is infectious. It lifts and expands our perception while providing a unique vantage point from which we navigate the physical world. Begin by loving yourself. Explore the things that touch your heart. Surround yourself with other who share your vision. This provides a foundational energy that supports your endeavors.

It’s helpful to dive deeply into the present moment. Slowly breathe in and consciously open the heart chakra to receive. When you view life through the eyes of love, you’ll recognize the guidance and support that is all around you. It is here, in this moment, that joy waits in imbue all that you do. Your light is transformative.

 

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.

Duck Medicine

Those who are unwilling to change demand that everyone around them change. This is to avoid triggers or the need to self-assess and is deeply rooted in ego. Often they feel enslaved by anxiety and therefore, want to avoid conflict and discomfort at all costs.

Those who are awakened understand that empowerment and freedom come from within. These beautiful souls have to capacity to utilize challenging moments as opportunities to prove their mettle. They actively seek answers and are constantly expanding their perception. Because they are willing to take ownership for their state of consciousness, awakening is accelerated.

Rather than attempting to control life, learn to flow with it. Know that you can handle anything that unfolds in the present moment. Like the duck, release negative energy through movement. A squawk followed by a quick flap often happens after a bit of duck-related conflict… and then he moves on, seemingly over it, once again deeply rooted in the present moment.

There is no need to carry the weight of the past on your shoulders. Be gentle with yourself and others, and simply do your inner work quietly, consistently and intentionally. This is how you create space where transformation can occur.

Awareness, Presence, Transformation

“Whenever you’re stuck in distress, penetrate your confusion with this question: What is my most believed thought right now?” 

~Ezra Bayda~

When we operate from the premise that all things work toward our highest good, we come to discover that inconsolable sadness or frustration is a waste of energy. The mind creates stories which seem to enslave us, and though it takes conscious effort, shifting your thoughts will always shift your perception, and thus, your experience.

The ego loves to feel special. But this life experience is not meant to be one of sadness, frustration or loss; rather, you are meant to break free from self-imposed prisons and find your joy.

Seek to cultivate greater awareness of your own strength and abilities. Its helpful to utilize the energy of gratitude by saying “I am grateful for this situation. Even though I may not yet understand the lesson or be aware of gift, I know one awaits me.”  Your willingness to be open is transformative.

When you choose to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment, the future will take care of itself. These simple, empowering moments of presence and intention will transform your experience in surprising ways.

The Dance

“Energy moves in waves.
Waves move in patterns.
Patterns move in rhythms.
A human being is just that
energy, waves, patterns, rhythms.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
A dance.”
~Gabrielle Roth~
Once you see the energy that flows between us, it becomes impossible not to love. Collectively, we dance our way to awareness, discovering the beauty of contrast, passion and joining together.
Everything participates in this dance of experience and even stillness has its role. All aspects of movement can be considered sacred practice. Discover the beauty of being fully present with whatever action you choose to take. Your attention allows you to dance within the Now while cultivating a greater awareness of your place in the universe.
You are a living, evolving expression of the Divine that is constantly in motion. This never-ending dance is simply another form of creation and the natural ebb and flow of energy. Find your rhythm in the unique expression of your life.  Your inner spirit will emerge through conscious movement and enthusiasm when you choose to let the music of life flow through you.

Rise Above

“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~

Transformation happens in the Now. This moment is all that matters. Face it with positive intention and allow the energy to unfold as it will. As you become more aware, you’ll recognize any unconsciousness that arises and cultivate the ability to see through the mechanisms of the mind.
When working through loss, anger, fear or resentment… notice, notice, notice. See what arises for you. What patterns repeat? What is your inner dialogue? How do you feel? Once you have drawn your awareness to the source of your discomfort, make a conscious choice to take responsibility for it. Experiencing pain is an aspect of the human condition; however, so is rising above.
You do not need to know all the answers before moving forward. Begin with gratitude and choose to take one conscious step. This trust expands your perception and opens the ability to see more clearly. Act with integrity, do your best and accept what is.

Stillness

“Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Silence is more than the absence of noise. It is an inner communion with peace and awareness. In the stillness we become open to receive and it is within that gap of ‘no mind’ that we can touch the infinite.
Our current experience of the world is one of bombardment – a blend of sound, marketing, opinions, expectations and ego-driven thought. Our senses are often overwhelmed. Many spend each day running to accomplish various self-imposed tasks while neglecting the one thing that truly matters – grace.
Create pauses throughout the day to appreciate the beauty around you. Stop and breathe. Find something for which you can be grateful. Imagine joy flooding every aspect of your being. Touch the realm of limitless possibility and you will discover inner sacredness and beauty.
In the midst of cacophony, stillness can be accessed by dropping your resistance to noise. Your acceptance is another gateway into stillness. As you practice being at peace with what is, you’ll discover new depths of perception and serenity. This is where inner wisdom resides.

Spiritual Maturity

“Before we enter the path, we see our experiences in terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Upon truly entering the path, we see them only as opportunities to awaken.”
~Ezra Bayda~
Spiritual maturity is the realization of your true potential. The seeds planted by your life experiences have bloomed into something beautiful that can bring light and joy to the world. The lessons learned from personal suffering foster greater compassion for others who are in the midst of their own challenges. Challenges awaken potential. The greater the challenge, the greater the breakthrough.
 

Your souls evolution prompts openness rather than protection, innocence rather than knowledge, the desire to learn rather than opine. Let your views and expression of life be gentle, kind and compassionate. See beyond others’ roles and egoic gesturing to the illumination of the soul. With understanding, comes authentic maturity that will enrich the lives you touch.
 

Honor your journey as sacred and you will transcend all limitation. Infinite possibilities await discovery and there are always new levels to explore. We can help create a world where it is safe to love one another by offering the gift of understanding and integration. The birth of consciousness is arising within you.

I Am Consciousness

What you see and experience is about 1% of what is truly occurring at any given moment. We are infinite beings living a temporary human experience. Threads of energy connect all things and light is constantly flowing through those connections, weaving a tapestry of exquisite design.

You are consciousness experiencing itself through human experience. Within that realm of existence the goal is to expand until we recognize our true nature. No matter how it appears, love is waiting to emerge in every situation and you are supported and guided every step of the way.

Shakespeare once wrote “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” For any play to be successful, the actors must embrace and lose themselves within the part, creating belief through their interpretation of the role they have been given. Thus is it with the human experience. Everyone is playing his or her role perfectly, ultimately contributing to our collective lessons. As an awakened spiritual being, it’s important to learn how to participate while also recognizing your infinite nature, seeing beyond appearances and limitation.

Observe your life experience. Open your heart to what life is trying to teach you in the present moment. You are awakening.

Embody Love

Embody the love, presence and freedom that is the essence of your true nature by finding simple ways to quiet the mind and open your heart. All change begins within.
There is a wise passage through life… one that calls the awakened to walk its journey. As we cultivate the peace that is found in mindfulness, generosity, loving-kindness and integrity, our lives become living examples of how to create an atmosphere of safety and trust in an all-too-often frightened world.
The human experience is meant to connect each one of us in compassion learned through the commonality of experience. At some point, we have all known love and loss, joys and sorrow, life and death, hopes and fears, ultimately discovering the thread of understanding that connects us all. This takes lifetimes to achieve and leads to freedom and liberation.
When you can find the joy within the sorrow, the beauty within the challenge and the light of communion with the Divine in your interactions, then you are playing within the paradox of being a spiritually awakened human. Trust your intuition and begin with actions that best serve your heart. As you transform your perspective, the world around you is transformed.