The Work of a Lifetime

“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~
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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.
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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.
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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.

New Vision

“Spirituality is not the practicing of any virtue; spirituality is the gaining of a new vision. Virtue follows that vision; it comes on its own accord. It is a natural by-product. When you start seeing, things start changing.”
~Osho~

Consciousness is the journey of expansion into all dimensions, the discovery of broader perspectives and the integration of all that we have learned. It seeks to express itself through our interactions and provides an opportunity to see life differently.

The human condition is one of forgetfulness – separation, drama, ego, desire. The spiritual seeker begins to drop the veils of illusion and opens to the infinite, only to experience the bliss of discovering that the truth lies within. This is transcendence.

Life is a tapestry of dark and light, a blending of dimensions from the depths of lower consciousness to the heights of love and communion. They exist together and when we cultivate the understanding that all levels of consciousness are required in this dance of awakening, we begin to have a very different perspective of the world. When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. And so it is.

You Are Beautiful

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Passion inspires us to reach new heights. It demands vitality and vision and through it, we are transformed. Imagine how your life experience would change if your greatest passion was simply to awaken. Your definition of success would change. Your motivations would naturally align with spiritual enlightenment. You would discover that every moment offers an opportunity for expansion.
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…And yet, along the way it can be easy to get distracted. Desire creeps in and the focus shifts to obtaining the right job, mate, home, title, fame, children, security. What began as a simple enthusiasm for life and joy becomes multi-layered desire that offers continuing highs and lows depending upon our attachment to outcomes. There’s nothing wrong with having preferences or goals; however, it’s important to remember that nothing is more important than your joy.
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You are here to awaken. How you choose to do that is part of your unique journey. Remind yourself often to create a passionate life experience. Fill your life with positive, supportive people, approach each day as an adventure and nurture your soul. Your light can shine in such a way that simply being in your presence helps others to see more clearly. You are beautiful.

Grace

Each of us chooses how we participate with life. Our day to day experiences run the gamut – from tragedy to bliss, darkness to light, pain to pleasure. Rather than layering a mind-made story on top of various events, we can choose to accept, then act.

Dark moments and challenges are not a punishment, nor are they a predetermined script by which we must abide. Instead, every situation offers a moment to shine, to learn, to expand. With our attitude, we determine how to interpret the events of our lives. Gratitude creates a space where insight and growth can occur.

The awakened person lives in gratitude and joy, content within whatever the present moment offers. This peaceful sense of connectedness comes from inner understanding, unlimited richness and spiritual maturity and is not tied to any desired outcome or reliant upon the decisions of others.

No matter what has been troubling you or unfolding within your experience, allow grace to infuse the situation. When we approach each moment with a pure heart and sincerity, we open the door for healing, empowerment and liberation to flow throughout our life. Grace is always available for those who are willing to receive it.

Expansion

Observe when you feel blocked or burdened, when others insult your joy, or when you find yourself trying not to be noticed. These are indicators of ego-driven constriction. Perceived limitation occurs when one fears to stand in their own power. If the fear is internal the souls light is dimmed. Others who reside in fear may try to make you feel small so that they can feel more powerful.

Some pretend to be small so that others in their experience will not feel bad about their own perceived limitation; however, that approach is a decision based upon lack not love. The tendency of lower consciousness is to insult or blame, hoping that others will walk on eggshells around them rather than risk displeasure, disruption or attack. It is actually harder on the one trapped in ego than the one who consciously chooses not to engage in drama.

In this infinite universe, there is ample energy for everyone to thrive. Though not everyone is ready to receive, it is always available. Begin with creating joy in your own experience. Release attachment. Remove yourself from negative situations. Giving, experiencing, loving, celebration and gratitude expand your aura, creating waves of energy that flow outward. Simultaneously gentle and extraordinarily powerful, this flow moves with the rhythm of life. You are a master in the process of awakening. Stop acting so small.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

“It is only in our thoughts that ideas, beliefs, and problems become solid, dark, and unyielding. Reality itself is moveable, light, ever-changing. In our minds we seem trapped, in reality we are utterly free.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Allow life to be as it is and choose to seek peacefulness in the present moment. Perception changes everything. Have you ever formed an opinion about someone or a something only to completely change position based upon new information that you have received? Awakening consciousness is like that. As we evolve, we naturally have the ability to see with greater depth and dimension.

When we change how we view a situation, the situation begins to change. There is great power in conscious, peaceful silence and learning to allow things to unfold without additional interference.

From a spiritual standpoint, things are often the opposite of how they appear in the physical world. We encounter hatred in order to ignite our capacity to love. We experience lack to discover the true meaning of abundance. Chaos teaches the value of peace. Try looking at any challenges that arise as opportunities to cultivate new skills. Embrace what is. All of life celebrates and supports your growth and expansion.

You Are Right Where You Need To Be

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Endlessly seeking to be perfect reaffirms the limiting perception that we are somehow less than perfect. High ideals can be a distraction on the journey of awakening. When we seek instead to raise our vibration, thus providing ourselves a higher perception and broader viewpoint, we discover additional ways to be in the world and have a greater chance of choosing attitudes and responses that align us with joy.

Can you simply observe yourself and others without judgment or analyzing? There is great beauty in recognizing the incredible potential to which we bear witness. Imperfection is perfect. The unfolding journey is perfect. The act of learning and awakening is the goal. How can we do anything else but cheer one another on?

Weave the intricate tapestry of your future by expanding yourself in love today. You will draw in that which is needed for your souls growth… recognizing the opportunities, teachers, circumstances and laughter that will light your way. Consciousness requires nothing less than a constant state of awareness and intention. Bring your vibration to a level where you are willing to receive and you’ll discover that your joy is a magnet.

Artistry

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
~Kurt Vonnegut~
When you choose to see through the eyes of love, you begin to unlock life’s mystery. The artist is a channel of divine inspiration. The moment shimmers with potential and we can allow that expansive energy to flow through us into the world of form.
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Life is filled with inspiration. The clouds move across the sky, flowers dance on the breeze, beauty waits patiently to be discovered even as it is fleeting and ever-changing.
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The artist within you desires expression. Even if no one bears witness to your creation, the ability to see things differently while allowing that vision to move you into action is transformative. Begin by watching life’s artistry. Be still and enjoy the movement all around you. Capture little joys that speak to your soul. Your awareness gives new life to all that you see.
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By design, no one experiences the world in quite the same way. Our unique interpretation of life is simply another vibrant, living example of the infinite possibilities available when we play in the field of Now. Beyond ideas of right and wrong is only the voice of the Divine calling us to new levels of conscious expression.

Expansion Through Contrast

It is love that allows us to expand. It transforms our vision and interpretation of experience. It awakens the ability to heal or to hold space for another. When faced with hatred or fear, love can shine through inspiring hope in its wake. The power of connection is often learned through contrast. It doesn’t matter what you believe, or from where you receive inspiration. All that matters is your level of consciousness in this moment.

The human condition is a plethora of contradiction. Our multi-faceted experiences keep the journey full of surprises and possibility. No matter what one seeks to experience, they have the ability to create it. It often seems that things are getting both worse and better; however, I would imagine that every culture and era has felt the same. When I read ancient writings, they seem to speak directly to our current challenges. Others have left behind gifts of wisdom in their words, art, music and oral traditions.

Always, some actively seek enlightenment while others are completely resistant to change. The drama of the world continues with billions of unique stories playing out simultaneously and the overload of information is sometimes overwhelming. With so many in pain, how can we immerse ourselves in love? That is the paradox of experience. If you seek to expand consciousness, bring love to all that you do. Create a filter through which you can interpret what you see and let that perception guide your actions. With love, we can rise above.

The Infinite Facets of Love

“Traditional Sufi wisdom teaches that we are the creation and manifestation of Infinite Love, and that every event and circumstance of our lives serves to awaken us and remind us that true happiness and security is to be found in the deepest center of ourselves where we are closest to that Infinite Love, where our true needs will be met.”

~Shaikh Kabir Helminski~

Think of all that you understand about love – love of life, appreciation of nature, the depths of lifelong friendships, the intensity of infatuation and attraction, the nuanced layers of commitment and kindness, caring for those in need, the desire to alleviate suffering, the warmth of a long hug, the loneliness of loss… and everything in between. Now realize that love is our only true purpose and with all that we’ve discovered, we’re still at the beginning of true wisdom.

Consider that your purpose is to infuse love into everything that you do. Love gives. Love receives. Love expands. This world is nothing but an opportunity to see what love can do when, in it’s authentic form, it is set into motion and given the freedom to move. If there is any space in your life where love does not seem to reside, it is there your work lies.