Tag Archives: #journey

Present Moment Practice

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“Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater our integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become.”

~John O’ Donohue~

Present Moment Practice is a conscious, mindful approach to life. Within the Now we become the witness – to our inner commentary, to the world around us and to the energy that we bring to our collective journey.

In this moment, you have all that you require. Begin by going deeper into the Now. Notice the physical world, the chair in which you are sitting or the solidness of the earth under your feet. Feel the warmth or coolness of your surroundings. Then pay attention to your thoughts. Are you worried? Do you find yourself constantly reading or watching information about world affairs? How attached are you to your phone? How does your body feel? Are you tense or relaxed, hungry or satisfied? Just observe.

Remind yourself that all you see and experience is a profound illusion that is measured by your physical senses. Close your eyes and take three deep, slow breaths. As you open your eyes, choose to see things differently. Instead of looking at the lamp, notice the light that it casts and the shadows it creates. Observe the unique designs of all that you see. How does your heart respond to a flower or your favorite scent? What pictures do you see in the clouds? This is your practice for today. Be, observe, appreciate.

Hummingbird Inspiration

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“When we settle for comfort over discovery, or compromise the soul’s longing to grow, we begin to wither. When we reawaken the great instinct to learn and explore, our lives grow less trivial and become epic.”

~Alberto Villoldo~

When you are ready to embark upon an epic journey, call upon the spirit of hummingbird for assistance.

Every year, ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate over the Atlantic from Brazil to Canada. These tiny little birds wouldn’t appear at first to have the energy or stamina to journey over 2500 miles; however, they are able to draw energy from the sweetness of life. This instinctual movement represents joyful courage in the shamanic traditions.

When you are faced with daunting circumstances or don’t know how you will accomplish that which seems impossible, call upon the energy of Hummingbird. Let her teach you how to drink the nectar of life, to be fiercely independent, a hard worker and a playful expression of the Divine.

Hummingbird is linked to the 3rd Eye Chakra and awakens soul perception. With spiritual insight we learn to recognize the deeper meaning behind our relationships and experiences. Everything becomes an expression of the sacred.

The Key of Awareness

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“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~

Happiness is your divine right. All too often, people live with the limiting belief that life is hard and that one must suffer in order to get ahead. We suffer until we realize that there is no need to suffer.

Practice finding joy in the little things: an inspiring piece of music that makes your heart come alive, the way sunlight spills through the trees creating unique patterns on the earth, respond to the smile of a dogs loving eyes… Once you master happiness in the Now, expand it outward. Feel it guide you throughout the day. Discover the power of choosing joy even in the midst of challenging moments.

When you maintain an undercurrent of satisfaction and peace as the foundation of your journey, you step into an empowered way of being. Expecting good to come from everywhere and everything creates a magnetic effect that draws energetically aligned people and circumstances into your experience. Celebrate it! Let your life be a dance of empowerment, passion and acceptance.

Peace and Presence

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In this moment, you have all that you need. Nothing is lacking; however, it’s easy to get distracted by the ego and miss the miraculous flavor and texture of the awakened life. When you place your focus inward without thought, a gentleness pervades your experience. Settle into this immense energy and simply be.

This is the I Am. This infinite space of pure potential underlies all that we do. When you can access this field of energy in the Now, it flows into your life experience. Moments of grace are available at any time. Bring an awareness to the sacredness of who you are, honor how far you have come, and know that you can face whatever lies ahead.

Gratitude and appreciation take you more deeply into the present moment. Let contentment and stillness free you from the distractions of the mind. The journey inward is limitless. Close your eyes and listen. Be. Accept the love and energy that rains down upon you from all dimensions. The seeds of your awakening are nurtured by purposeful quiet interludes. In the space of infinite possibility we can discover our unique way of being in the world.

 

Growth is a Process

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“The closer we get to the end of our present evolutionary stage, the more dysfunctional the ego becomes, in the same way that a caterpillar becomes dysfunctional just before it transforms into a butterfly. But the new consciousness is arising even as the old dissolves.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

Butterflies are often seen as a symbol of complete and profound transformation. They spark childlike wonder as they delight in flowering gardens and bask in the warmth of the sun.

But the journey is hard. When it’s time for the caterpillar to change, it naturally feels compelled to create a chrysalis or a cocoon. These protective layers not only shield it from the elements, but also provide a safe space for the transformation. Enzymes are released that begin to break down the old form, leaving only liquid. One can imagine that this could be very disconcerting for the caterpillar, but it’s a necessary part of the process.

Once the old form has been completely destroyed, imaginal discs that have long laid dormant turn on and begin to create the new. When the transformation is complete, the butterfly must chew its way out of the protective shell. No one can help with this aspect of growth. If one were to open the cocoon or chrysalis, the butterfly would die. The struggle is very important.

Finally, the butterfly must get used to the new form. Awkwardness turns into beauty and they are free to fly and explore. Thus it is with us. Each stage of growth is vitally important and cannot be rushed. Trust the processes of your own transformation.

Inner Mastery

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“Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Spiritual Mastery is often not something that is learned, but remembered. An idea or teaching touches your heart or ignites your passion and the soul opens to receive. Your practice will likely lead you to many wonderful teachers and ideas. Each of these is merely a reflection of you. The aspects that are ready to awaken make themselves known. In the words of Rumi, “Don’t go back to sleep!” Find a way to keep them relevant in your experience until they become natural aspects of being.

Consistent practice and authenticity create inner mastery. It’s likely that your expression of consciousness will mature over time as you activate new facets through experience and exploration. Ultimately, your journey is unique. Be your own guru. Celebrate the many manifestations of the Divine as you walk the path of transformation.

May your life contain the richness of spirit that you desire. May your light be a blessing to those who seek inspiration. May the gifts of your soul expand with every step you take.

Expressions of Consciousness

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“It is truth that liberates, not your effort to be free.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

The world desperately needs you to be your authentic self. Collectively, we are transformed by the light you bring to our experience. Once you discover your passion, seek unique ways to express it. Rather than attempting to determine what others expect or want, understand that you are simply here to shine.

Celebrate your magnificence. The purpose is to learn Oneness through contrast. Each of us must ultimately discover the expressions of consciousness that seek to manifest through us. Some teach through service, others through art or inventiveness and some, through Presence. No matter what your soul calls you to do, be true to yourself.

Joy manifests through giving and sharing; however, balance is imperative in order to be a pure channel for the light, love and laughter of the universe. Nurture yourself and listen to your body. Doing so will allow you to find your own way of harmonizing mind, body, spirit and emotion.  This is the gateway to enlightened experience.

If nothing else, seek to leave each interaction better than you found it. Whether personal or collective, love is expressed by walking gently in the world.

Be A Conscious Creator

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“To begin living like you’ve never lived before, begin living like you’ve never lived before.”

~Mike Dooley~

This moment is filled with infinite possibility. Every given day is a blank slate waiting for our creation of experience, perception, interpretation and dreams.

When envisioning change, begin by clearly defining the desired end result. Then take steps to get there – it doesn’t matter if they’re baby steps or leaps of faith – consistently moving forward in the direction of your goals. By opening every avenue of energy that you can, you place yourself in a position to receive assistance and direction from the Divine.

All transformation is set in motion in the Now – the future plays no part in the act of conscious creation. Set your intention now, take action now, be willing to receive now and most importantly, choose happiness and fulfillment Now.

As we consciously engage in the journey, meeting new friends and learning new things, it’s important to remain detached from how things unfold. Often, there are miracles that await or perhaps the original vision expands with wonderful surprises. It’s empowering to see what gets set in motion from that original defining thought. Let joy and inspiration be your guide.

Pressure

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There’s no pressure like the pressure we place upon ourselves. The mind creates several “must-haves” to generate stress and tension and the day seems to speed up as we go along. In reality, there’s plenty of time. As conscious creators, we have the ability to slow down our perception of time and bring Presence into the forefront of our experience.

When you notice that the body is holding tension, take a moment to go inward and observe. Pay attention to the stories of the ego and seek to bring in the opposite energy. A simple approach is to close your eyes, if possible, and breathe slowly and deeply for a few moments. Focus on the task immediately at hand and then give it your full attention. This ensures that the best of you is being accessed in the present moment. A higher quality of energy will flow into whatever you choose to do. You will then be able to drop attachment and move forward knowing that you’ve done what is needed.

Become aware of the excessive demands that you place upon yourself. Some things are habitual, some are necessary for our daily experience, and some are to impress others. Seek only to have a playful, empowered life experience. You are the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane.

Control

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“The ego relies on the familiar. It is reluctant to experience the unknown, which is they very essence of life.”
~Deepak Chopra~

There are times when we need to remind ourselves to be light, playful and accepting. To be lost in the illusion of control is to be stressed and judgmental. The ego projects it’s idea of what is acceptable and then attaches to it, often to the determent of joyful, meaningful interactions.

There is nothing wrong with having preferences; however, suffering ensues when preferences solidify into absolute requirements. Attachment causes pain.

If you can set the stage for a balanced life, you can enjoy the unfoldment of the day. Rather than seeking to control, seek to experience. Be open to following the flow of energy wherever it may lead. Life may present new friends or encounters that enrich your soul. When we are comfortable with the unknown and the unexpected, life becomes an empowering journey of discovery.

Releasing control is a conscious way to enter the joy of being. This moment  is the doorway to enlightenment – when you step into the fullness of who you are, worry and control become antithetical to your natural state of balance and Presence.