Tag Archives: #johnodonohue

Emotions

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“All through your life your soul takes care of you…your soul is alive and awakened, gathering, sheltering and guiding your ways and days in the world. In effect, your soul is your secret shelter.”
~John O’Donohue~
Do not fear the emotional moments of your experience for they come as teachers, grabbing your attention as they direct you on an inward journey. Feelings appear, often at unexpected times and we should honor them as sacred. Observe the thoughts that arise with them. You may discover something that is ready to be healed and released.
It’s important to dive beneath the story and turbulence to the calm and quiet of still waters. No matter how intense the situation, you carry this peace within you. If something is important enough to take over your experience, it is important enough to explore. Often, the trigger has very little to do with the issue at the core of your upset.
Just as the earth and air seem a little more pure after a good rain, so too, will your spirit feel cleared out and lighter. As an awakening master, you have the power to transform intensity into empowerment. You soul knows exactly what it is doing.

Higher Love

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“Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfillment.”
~John O’Donohue~
Imagine a flame flickering in the darkness. The light that it casts creates shadows, warmth and mystery that draws others to share a moment of connection. You are this light. As you awaken to higher consciousness, your expression of love and kindness is transformed. Rather than seeking love, become love.
Life is a playground of exploration. To honor all that you see as sacred is to be immersed in love. The energy that you choose to focus upon becomes stronger in your experience. With that in mind, seek to feed the flames of higher love. Conscious awakening is a gift that you can share with the world.
I see life as a living conversation with the Divine. Moments of gratitude remind us to seek joy in the little things, and within that joy is a doorway to a realm where anything is possible.

The Journey of Awakening

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 “Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
~John O’Donohue~
Prior to birth we create a blueprint of what we hope to learn and experience during a lifetime. We build upon the lessons of past lives, we seek to explore new ideas and arrange meetings with others who will help us along the way. Ours is a free-will world; however, the soul will typically do its best to stick to the plan.
Trust the processes of your soul. Once we are born, our perception and knowledge become limited by design. Its helpful to remember that the choices were originally made with wisdom, love, support and expansive vision. In spite of how things sometimes appear, love is the driving force behind the growth that awaits.
Self-reflection is a powerful practice. Consider making list of all the challenges you have faced. Next to each one write one defining and empowering thing that you have learned from the experience.

Learning Through Loss

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“Though your days here were brief
Your spirit was alive, awake, complete.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.”
~John O’Donohue~
Loss is part of life. Where we once had the opportunity to discover who we are in the presence of another, at some point we must also discover who we are in their absence.
We unexpectedly lost our kitty Mr. Monster yesterday. And while never an experience one would consciously or purposely choose, I know that is it perfect and that he will come around again in another form.
Everything plays a role in our awakening. Challenges can bring unexpected kindnesses and compassion and even now, my heart is filled with gratitude for all the love and friendship in my life.
Any loss provides an opportunity to cultivate the art of acceptance. Whether the ending comes through death, divorce, life paths diverging, work or relationships reaching the end of shared experience, the process is the same. We can focus on the blessings or the loss – the choice is ours.

Prisms of Light

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“Your whole life is inside your mind. Your mind is the prism that refracts the entire universe. Everything around you and within you comes from your mind.”
~Frederick Lenz~
It’s empowering to play with perception. Practice looking at things differently and you may discover that a new truth emerges. As we awaken, our perspective changes and the resulting expansion of  consciousness allows us to have a broader viewpoint.
When faced with a challenge, know that something beautiful desires to awaken within you and that you are ready for the the new energy and insight. Your willingness and unique vision provide the perfect experience for this stage of your growth.
Trust the processes of your awakening. All that you see is transformed by light that shines from within, each new facet reflecting a different aspect of the shimmering beauty of your soul.

Anam Cara

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“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”
~Albert Schweitzer~
A chance encounter, reconnecting with an old friend, recognizing a kindred spirit… these everyday miracles are transformative. As we grow in awareness and experience, we learn to embrace these moments of love and connection. They often seem to come in the perfect way to assist with times of change, bringing new insights and perspectives.
Be grateful for those who grace your life. Celebrate the bond of love between you and elevate one another. Let your soul friends, your Anam Cara, inspire you to be the best version of yourself. The gifts we share become our strengths. When friendship connects on a deep inner level, the soul responds with a resounding “Yes!” and we are renewed.
Compassion and clarity are the fulcrums of this journey of awakening. We can act as mirrors for one another and remind those we love of their beauty and potential. Nothing is more sacred.

Life’s Blessings

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“To transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in beginning with ourselves is the intention.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

All change begins within. It starts with a desire to create peace or healing or joy, and extends outward. We must be willing to allow new perceptions into our experience. The subtle, yet profound shifts naturally expand our energy and impact our relationship to life.

Challenges show us where we are stuck in outmoded ways of being. Resist nothing; instead, be willing to approach your life circumstances with love and a willingness to change. Be patient with yourself and trust the processes of your awakening. Far more is happening on your behalf than you realize.

You may discover that this new perception, expanded way of thinking and relating, and authentic peacefulness spark healthy changes within all your relationships. This is how we teach one another. And sometimes… love will speak through a stranger. Whether someone graces your life for a moment or for a lifetime, be fully present with them while you walk together on the path of awakening.

This is your moment of transformation. Acceptance and awareness lead to empowerment. Breathe, and take one conscious step forward.

 

Inner Beauty

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“Beauty isn’t in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”
~Kahlil Gibran~

You bring something beautiful and unique to the world. When we drop man-made imprinting and self-criticism, we create a space where something new can emerge. Seek to engage in an inner dialogue that is supportive, kind and adventurous. There is an art to living fully immersed in the beauty of the present moment – see it, experience it. Wherever you are, be the soul of that place.

As a child of light you are entire, complete; nothing is missing, you are fulfilled. One act of trust leads to another, and another. And when doubt arises, choose to see through it and trust anyway. This creates a momentum of transformation and your true potential shines through.
Once you learn to see life as an opportunity to love, a new quality arises in your experience. Begin within. Turn your gratitude and appreciation inward. It will naturally be reflected to you through the whole of existence.

Infinite Possibilities

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“When you acknowledge the integrity of your solitude, and settle into its mystery, your relationships with others take on a new warmth, adventure and wonder.”
~John O’Donohue~

There is a fathomless place within you where infinite possibilities dwell. Over lifetimes, you will explore the limitless facets of love, enlightenment, creativity and ways of being. Each level of exploration offers myriad ways to express yourself as you are transformed by the varied experiences drawn into your realm.

Those who are not consciously seeking enlightenment are still on this journey. Their inner wisdom prompts them along a path of discovery where new information is constantly being absorbed until suddenly, something shifts. A new paradigm emerges – seemingly out of nowhere – and life takes on new meaning. This is the powerful, natural process of awakening.

Practicing non-judgment and acceptance creates a space in which that transformation can occur. Your willingness to allow others to be exactly where they are creates a level of safety where they can drop their defenses, clearing the way for new insights to emerge.

When you choose to see everyone as your teacher, life becomes a place of empowerment and discovery. Trust the processes of your awakening with the realization that you are right where you need to be.

 

 

Friendship

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“Your heart and my heart are very, very old friends.”

~Hafiz~

There are moments when we meet someone with whom we have an instant connection. Two souls recognize each other and immediately feel a sense of familiarity, a feeling of “Oh, it’s you!” The friendship deepens naturally and time spent apart doesn’t lessen the love and joy they bring into each others’ experience.

Whether we walk with these soul friends for a moment or for a lifetime, the love remains. Life after life we find one another, changing roles and scenarios, learning, teaching, laughing, challenging. Celebrate your soul friends and express gratitude for the role they have played in your growth. There will come a day when we have a deeper understanding of the energy behind all of these experiences.

As each piece of the puzzle falls into place, a picture emerges… one of purpose, enlightenment, awakening. The ultimate role of friendship is to help one another find the way through this unique process of discovery. Beyond the roles of this life there is a greater collective experience that we will explore. Expand your love outward knowing that we are one.