Contentment

There is an ebb and flow to life. We experience challenges more gracefully when we stay authentic and adhere to our own principles and integrity. Each journey is unique and though support and guidance are available, we must ultimately take complete responsibility for our choices, our happiness and our own awakening.

When you live gently, the world sees a calm, confident soul filled with integrity and humility. This empowered energy cannot be affected by outside factors and reflects a peaceful, loving connection with the Divine.

Release your egoic need to be more of anything in the eyes of others. This causes anxiety and precious energy is wasted striving to present yourself in a particular manner rather than allowing your unique light to shine.

Allow, allow, allow. Spend the day listening. As the observer, demonstrate your interest in others by supporting their growth.  As you change the way you view your own power and success, you’ll begin to replace strong desire with contentment. Life becomes much more simple when we are joyful, balanced and at ease with ourselves. Love yourself enough to enjoy who you are. You are right where you need to be – an awakening master on the path of transformation.

Compassion

“We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

Everyone carries wounds that silently (or not so silently, in some cases) control their lives. Rather than turn and face these shadows, the ego-mind begins a story of wrongness that gets projected outward. As a distraction, judgment and blame create all-encompassing stories that can keep the personality busy for years. Over time, the mantra around “the other” gets stronger as the ego becomes entrenched in the role of fighter.

Healing these wounds takes conscious and consistent effort. The first step is to take ownership of what is being reflected. When attention turns inward, seek to remove the reactivity and criticism by seeing clearly. Here is a simple visualization:

  • Surround the person or situation with the pink light of unconditional love. Say, “In love, I offer forgiveness to all those who have ever harmed me, knowingly or unknowingly, in all times and spaces, places and dimensions.”
  • Surround the person or situation with the purple light of awareness. Say, “In humility, I ask forgiveness from all those whom I have ever harmed, knowingly or unknowingly, in all times and spaces, places and dimensions.”
  • Visualize calming blue light around all, saying, “I accept emotional healing wherever it is required, on every level of existence, in every cell, thought, dream or memory. And so it is.”

This process sets energy in motion. Empowerment fosters compassion. This is how we help one another to heal.

Mastery and Balance

“Humility will allow you to master what you need to learn, and to be fully present when the moment comes to use what you have mastered.”
~Graeme Rodaughan~

The beauty of your unique gifts lies in the way that they blend together. Like an exotic spice or a new twist on familiar ingredients, the wonderment resides in the unexpected. Those who grace your life seek this energy and information to add to their experience – this is why it’s so important to be true to yourself.

Imagine that you are focused solely on the journey rather than the destination. See yourself as a traveler who is only in search of new experiences. Imagine that you are long past being defined by others’ criticism or flattery, knowing who you are and enjoying your experience. Imagine that you can see yourself reflected in everyone you meet, dropping all judgment, stories or expectation – honoring each interaction only as an opportunity to shine in the present moment. Imagine that you bring such an energy of peace to situations that others calm down merely by being in your presence. Imagine that you feel comfortable with each decision you make and enjoy where you are. If you can visualize it, you can create it.

Control is an Illusion

“What is the path? Residing in this very life, exactly as it is right now… liking or not liking has nothing to do with it.”  

~Ezra Bayda~

Awakening calls upon us to be aware of our responses. Rather than seeking to dominate circumstances, we learn to flow with them. Rather than attempting to bend others to our will, we value the sacredness in each person’s path. The only thing over which you have any control is yourself, and that is challenging enough! We’ve all experienced the take-over of the ego and have temporarily lost consciousness; however, these moments of missing the mark become less frequent and intense as we continue our practice.

When we attempt to control the world around us, the energy we emit creates a rigidity of the soul that’s difficult to penetrate. These structures of thought may present themselves in our lives as tenseness, grinding teeth, forgetting to breathe… It’s time to allow spontaneity and vulnerability to enter our lives. If mistakes happen, that’s OK. When life seems like a wild ride, it’s OK. There’s much to be discovered by entering uncharted territory.

Allow your encounters to be authentic. Listen more. Take time to breathe and feel the energies that swirl around you. This is the moment of transformation. No matter what space you’re in right now, know that it will evolve into something different if you are willing to accept new energy into your experience.

Protection

“If you understand it, the world is a great device to make you conscious. Your enemy is your friend, and the curses are blessings, and the misfortunes can be turned into fortunes. It depends only on one thing: if you know the key of awareness.”
~Osho
~

This planet is a playground of discovery. As we journeyed through illusion we came to believe only in what we saw and forgot that there are layers of love and protection all around us. Eventually, challenges prompted the process of self-examination. Seeking greater awareness, we drop the layers of illusion until finally, all that remains is love and joy.

It is safe for you to act from the heart and allow circumstances to unfold as they will. Navigating our way through the unknown cultivates the ability to have faith during times of indecision. We are called upon to act with courage and integrity in the present moment and trust that whatever unfolds is working toward the highest good of all involved.

Remind yourself often that all of life is conspiring on your behalf. Seek only to bring the best version of yourself to your choices and interactions. As you awaken, you’ll discover that the challenges you face seem more manageable. Reactivity will decrease and a sense of safety will be the grounding force for all that you experience.

Anger is a Message

When caught in the grip of reactivity, anger or blame, it’s imperative to observe your inner dialogue. There are patterns of limiting behavior or beliefs bubbling up to the surface, ready for profound healing. Conscious awareness provides an opportunity to integrate messages from your higher self. Anger is only healthy when utilized as an springboard for self-transformation.

Whether directed inward or extended outward, anger is a waste of your precious energy. It causes the cells of the body to deteriorate, it creates a filter that taints everything you see and acts as a magnet, drawing in people and circumstances of similar low levels of consciousness.

The mind will tell you that you are right to be angry. It will keep old stories alive through repetition and seek those who strengthen the web around your heart by agreeing with you.

Like anything else, anger can be transformed into a powerful aspect of your spiritual growth. Mindfulness allows you to observe when it arises, recognize ideas and beliefs that need to be faced and pivot you toward a breakthrough.

See reactivity as a barometer which measures attachment. The ultimate goal is to experience the present moment as it is. The conscious observer walks quietly empowered through life, holds space, and uplifts those with whom they interact.

Enlightenment

Enlightenment is a life-long process. In the light of consciousness we begin to see more clearly and can consciously participate in our own awakening. Understand that life is full of distractions – some personal, some collective; however, you can choose to expand in a way that is empowering.

Ultimately, the soul heeds the call of awakening and we are able to break free from the ravages of karma. While life still unfolds as it will, we no longer feel victimized by circumstance; instead, we learn to transform challenging situations through love. To find a personal state of grace and balance, we must cultivate the ability to allow life to unfold without attachment to outcomes. The dance between dark and light opens our consciousness to explore the space in between, a resting place where healing occurs.

Each of us will forge a unique pathway to higher dimensions. The most beautiful thing that you can do is share your insights and wisdom and act in a way that exemplifies them in the world of form. Delve into the delight of consciousness, for once you explore the mysteries of life with an awakened heart, you will never be the same.

Transition

During times of transition, shifts in life’s circumstances or accelerated self-change, it’s important to learn how to keep emotional responses moderate. Rather than complete immersion in the highs and lows (which can be exhausting!), consciously take a moment to observe yourself, knowing that true protection comes from acting with integrity, doing your best and accepting what is.

On the path of transformation we periodically embark upon cycles of change and discover new aspects of our strength in the newfound freedom and liberation from outmoded beliefs and habits. When we take responsibility for creating the conditions of a particular situation, we move into empowerment. The more severe the disruption, the more significant the growth.

When you don’t know what to do, choose one small task and do it mindfully. This sets energy in motion. Present moment awareness activates a higher perception and from there, you can see more clearly.

Visualize beautiful light and energy forming around a thought. See it expand and take on a life of its own as it flows out into the Universe, sparkles of joy merging with the life-force and love of the Divine. Change is constant; however, inner stillness and limitless potential are your true foundation.

 

 

Celebration

“Celebration is a thankfulness; it is prayer that comes out of gratitude. It is the recognition of the gift that has been given to us… it is understanding. It is overflowing love for the existence that has done so much for us.”

~Osho~

There is no need to wait for a reason to be joyful. Honor this moment through laughter and playfulness and bring a gentle awareness to the perfection of your life. The ego-mind creates heaviness that distracts us from enjoying the present moment. It may tell you that things are not good enough, that you are not yet good enough or that there’s too much to be done… there’s no time to be silly or frivolous. Consider that the ego’s job is to teach through contrast; therefore, choosing to purposely explore the opposite of it’s serious inclination is a good use of your energy.

Those who know how to celebrate life also know the joys of working hard, and loving deeply. They bring an empowered, meditative quality to the present moment rather than being lost in thought. See if you can recognize the sacredness in the ordinary. All that you seek is within you. All of existence responds to the wonder of your light.

Surrender

“When we bring a gentle awareness to the layers of our conditioning, and to the struggles that arise out of our conditioning, the power of that conditioning slowly dissolves. Life then moves toward the unconditioned – where the vastness, or love, just flows through.”    

~Ezra Bayda~

The ego often seeks to fight, prove oneself right, defend beliefs or struggle against life. Whenever you observe this happening, consciously move into surrender. Allow the energy around you to flow unimpeded. You’ll access the strength and peace that reside underneath the mechanisms of the mind.

When we choose to surrender to what is, we demonstrate faith in the process of awakening. Things often flow better when we get ourselves out of the way. The enlightened understand that surrender is a sign of empowerment.

Trust the wisdom of your higher self. Place your focus upon how you are responding to life, rather than trying to control how it unfolds. Are you operating from a space of joy, enthusiasm or acceptance? Are you seeing your experiences as opportunities to awaken?

The present moment is your point of power. How are you choosing to experience it? Life’s wonder and mystery can only be discovered where you are.