Integration and Wholeness

So love is the recognition of oneness in a world of duality. This is the birth of God into the world of form. Love makes the world less worldly, less dense, more transparent to the divine dimension, the light of consciousness itself.
~Eckhart Tolle~

Acceptance brings about the integration of apparent opposites. Night doesn’t oppose day, dark doesn’t suppress the light; rather, they work together to create a balance of contrast that represents wholeness.

Seek to integrate the various aspects of your personality. Like myriad facets of a beautiful diamond, your energy shimmers with power which reflects the light of the Divine. The mystical union of opposites of what Gurdieff called “the crystallization of being” – integration that leads to balance, understanding and joy.

You are so much more than the sum of your experiences and beliefs. Beyond the physical, radiant layers of energy emanate from you sending waves of love and information throughout the Universe.

Compassion is the natural response when we reach levels of higher consciousness. We seek to heal, to release judgment, to share our gifts and relax into our deepest truth. You can choose to live beyond the illusion and reside here as a conscious, loving witness.

 

The Veils of Illusion

“Do not be misled by what you see around you, or be influenced by what you see. You live in a world which is a playground of illusion, full of false paths, false values and false ideals. But you are not part of that world.”
~Sai Baba~

As humans, our point of view is very limited. We interpret life through the filters of our perception and often seek to control the world around us based upon what we perceive our needs or desires to be.

Awakening calls upon us to be aware of our responses to life. Rather than seeking to dominate circumstances, we learn to flow with them. Rather than attempting to bend others to our will, we see 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, moments of missing the mark become less intense and less frequent as we continue our practice.

Give up your need to control. Cultivate the ability to trust and discover greater peace throughout the journey. Your purpose is to awaken. Enlightenment is nothing more than seeing through the illusion.

 

Perception and Awareness

“The outer world is a reflection of the inner world. Other people’s perception of you is a reflection of them; your response to them is an awareness of you.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

Our infinite universe has infinite interpretations and it doesn’t matter what you believe. All that matters is your state of consciousness and how you choose to respond to life.

As we progress, our perception expands, each phase adding nuance to our experience while leading us onward. We learn through contrast and through experimentation, ultimately  discovering Oneness through our varied experience.

This world is an illusion and perception creates reality. Yet, the ego-driven condition is such that we will often fight to the death over a thought, belief, or interpretation. Ego can become so strong that it equates losing an argument with literal death and we can become trapped in the illusion.

Spiritual seekers can bring a new energy into being because the higher levels of consciousness generate greater power. Rather than depleting energy through participating in conflict, we have the opportunity to rise above, see through the illusion, and operate from the level of soul.

When faced with a challenge, pause and ask how you would respond if you were completely balanced, healthy, wise and loving. Your practice is to put that into motion and observe what unfolds.

Emerging Buddha

“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”
~Ramana Maharshi~

As the veil of illusion is burned away, our true nature emerges. Forms dissolve, attachments cease and we are able to honor the power of the present moment as sacred. Be the loving witness of your own transformation and watch as the Buddha consciousness awaken within you.

The mind is often burdened with regret or fear. Awareness frees us from the weight of thought and invites you to enter the realm of limitless possibility. Each step you take on the path of transformation is important. Small things matter and every insight builds upon the last. When you can see yourself as a traveler on an adventure and be open to discovery, you invite new experiences into your life.

Be patient with the process of growth. Sometimes the changes are slow and subtle and sometimes they transform your life through a whirlwind of destruction, freeing you to enter a new level of consciousness. No matter how you choose to move forward, know that you are right where you need to be. Experiences help you to awaken and you can face whatever comes with greater openness and acceptance.

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.

The Vastness of Being

“There is a presence, a silence, a stillness which is here by itself. There is no doer of it, no creator of this stillness. It is simply here in you, with you. It is the fragrance of your own self. There is nothing to do about this, it is naturally present. This fragrance of peace, this spaciousness, it is the fragrance of your own being.”
~Mooj~

It is here, within the stillness of this moment, that you can immerse yourself within the vastness of your own being. Pay attention to the gaps between words, breaths, or heartbeats, and you will discover a portal. See yourself as Consciousness seeking expression in the world of form and  purposely bring that awareness into the Now.

In the face of the infinite we are humbled, yet liberated from fear. When you can rise above the mechanisms of the mind and see beyond the illusion, any perceived limitations are transformed. Walk through life as a conscious co-creator who can choose to interpret your life experience in a way that is empowering.

There is no end to what you will discover. In the limitless space of stillness, you are completely free.

 

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.

Navigating the Paradox

“It’s the paradox of the true spiritual path, but the more conscious we become of what limits us, the more limitless becomes our life.”
~Guy Finley~

Don’t try to change, simply be aware… awareness begins the process of transformation. 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 it’s various forms. Teach yourself how to see through the illusion while acting consciously within the present moment. Eventually the illusion becomes easier to navigate on the path toward Oneness.

Be gentle with yourself and remain open to the potential that joy brings. No matter what teachings you embrace, you must ultimately 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.

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.

Rising Above Ego

“Enlightenment is the ego’s ultimate disappointment.”
~Chogyam Trungpa~

Prior to awakening, the mind is in control. Always comparing, seeking, distressing, planning, fixing or creating dissatisfaction with the present moment, it mercilessly controls our lives. It’s important to honor the ego as a teacher rather than see it as an enemy. It’s purpose is to maintain the illusion of separateness. This prompts our quest for Oneness.As we move to higher levels of consciousness, we become more aware of the mechanisms of the ego. We learn to transform challenges into empowerment while cultivating the ability to see clearly. The ego must then find news ways to function, so it shifts to a more subtle but still disruptive force. You’ll know ego is activated in some fashion whenever peace and acceptance elude you.

As you cultivate wisdom and taste the freedom and expansiveness that is discovered, you will begin to view the ego as a teacher – nothing more, nothing less. It then becomes easier to see through the illusion. In moments of imbalance stop and observe your thoughts. See them objectively and then consciously move into love. Every moment is an opportunity to be still and deepen your connection to the Divine.