The Clouds of Emotion

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”   

~Thich Nhat Hanh~ 

Like clouds, emotions are mutable. Sometimes light and wispy, sometimes dark and full of the promise of rain, but always moving endlessly on the air current. You can use conscious breathing as a way of being an active participant in moving the clouds along. When emotions arise, be observant. They always show truths that lie beneath the surface and then you can actively work with them.

While it’s important to feel your emotions fully, it’s equally important to remember that they are temporary. The saying “This too shall pass” is true in every circumstance, whether joyful or challenging. In each moment you have an opportunity to cultivate a greater understanding of yourself and the world you create around you. See yourself as a master in the process of awakening.

For me, the clouds in the sky are a beautiful, ever-evolving work of art. Many times throughout the day I just stop to appreciate the beauty and watch the changes. The moment of stillness is a simple way to honor the sacredness of creation that is always in motion.

Acceptance

“Intimacy is a totally different dimension. It is allowing the other to come into you, to see you as you see yourself, to allow the other to see you from the inside, to invite somebody to that deepest core of your being.” 

~Osho~

When you love and accept yourself, there is no fear. You allow others to experience the truth of who you are. You share your light with the world without seeking outside validation, for there is no need. You are safe in your expression of the Divine.

It’s easy to be open with someone who accepts and understands you. It becomes a little more challenging with those who judge or even attack you, and harder yet with those who trigger old wounds. However, each of these situations teaches something different. Every moment is an opportunity to bring the best version of yourself to your life situation. Act with integrity, do your best, accept what is.

Love has nothing to do with desire or neediness, only giving. It is a powerful flow of energy that attaches to nothing but resides openly within the present moment. It does not fluctuate based upon events because it isn’t dependent upon external factors. It has the capacity to create dramatic change due to the purity of the energy.

Life is a dance of contrasts, experience and expansion. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the mystery of ruthless acceptance in motion.

Rise Above

“There is only one perpetrator of evil on the planet: human unconsciousness. That realization is true forgiveness. With forgiveness, your victim identity dissolves, and your true power emerges–the power of Presence. Instead of blaming the darkness, you bring in the light.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Transformation happens in the Now. This moment is all that matters. Face it with positive intention and allow the energy to unfold as it will. As you become more aware, you’ll recognize any unconsciousness that arises and cultivate the ability to see through the mechanisms of the mind.
When working through loss, anger, fear or resentment… notice, notice, notice. See what arises for you. What patterns repeat? What is your inner dialogue? How do you feel? Once you have drawn your awareness to the source of your discomfort, make a conscious choice to take responsibility for it. Experiencing pain is an aspect of the human condition; however, so is rising above.
You do not need to know all the answers before moving forward. Begin with gratitude and choose to take one conscious step. This trust expands your perception and opens the ability to see more clearly. Act with integrity, do your best and accept what is.

Simplify

“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with—that’s poverty—but how efficiently we can put first things first. When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar.”

~Victoria Moran~

Something beautiful is ready to be born from the silence within you. Will you replace the intensity and busyness to which our species has become accustomed, or will you take advantage of these moments to explore the depths of your soul?

The ego fears change. It seeks distraction. Some may become avid tv watchers, some may self-medicate, others may find solace in food. But what if you turned everything off for a time? What if you choose to immerse yourself in the world around you and simply observe your response to it? You may discover that you are surrounded by subtle miracles that have long been overlooked.

Simplify. Take a pause and purposely be fully present with whatever you are experiencing. Breathe. Enjoy. Expand. This moment contains all the energy and insight you require. This may be a wonderful opportunity to gently send your light out into the world.

 

Live in Service

“You are never a real guru until you understand that you are serving others and delivering them to the light.”

~Robin Sacredfire~

There are many ways to inspire change; however, true transformation always begins within. Whether you see yourself as an artist, teacher, server, leader or peacekeeper, your life is your message. Every act of love has purpose and power within it. Discover the joy of sharing your light in unusual ways – all are magnificent, all are unique.

Expansion of consciousness allows us to experience the extraordinary within the mundane. You are the bridge between spirit and form and must often lead the way through darkness. Use the stepping stones of the past as sparks of inspiration. Your life experiences have been profound and necessary for your evolution.

Awakening frees us from limiting patterns and beliefs. As you view the journey from a higher perspective, it becomes possible to discern a clear purpose. Hold yourself to a higher standard, yet be gentle as you fumble your way towards enlightenment.

Offer a loving hand. Forgive those who have harmed you, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and be willing to accept the grace that rains down upon you from all dimensions.

Honor the Journey as Sacred

“See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see.”

~Wayne W. Dyer~

People often get lost in judgment and miss the opportunity to experience the Now with an open heart. Discovering the role someone plays in this life can lead to a set of assumptions and beliefs that impact how we interact with one another. We have a tendency to feel comfortable with those who have a similar outlook and forget that our differences are what teach us the most.

When you find yourself forming an opinion about someone based upon how they refer to themselves (political party, religion or lack thereof, career, etc), keep in mind that he or she is an evolving soul like any other. When we interact without judgment or expectation, we emit a beautiful source of energy and vibration that creates space in which transformation can occur. Ego needs another ego in order to create conflict. As spiritual seekers, we can choose to consciously rise above separations caused by the mechanisms of the mind and touch someones life in a loving and peaceful way.

As you walk the journey of awakening, rising above challenges, discovering your strengths and learning from experience… seek to know the Divine in one another with appreciation of the various ways in which we weave a tapestry of exquisite design.

You Are the Universe

“When the world feels overwhelming, I want to love bigger, I want to love louder, I want to be connected to my community.”
~Mona Tavakoli~

You are changing the world. Every life you touch shifts in response to your unique energy. Each of us has an opportunity to love, to be expansive, inclusive, joyful and compassionate. Standing strong and confident in the light of your true nature allows the Divine to work through you in miraculous ways. Even a smile, heartfelt and genuine, can awaken the light in those around us.Everything is energy. Love more. Participate more. Share your light and passions. Surround yourself with uplifting books, music, people, ideas and art. Be inspired by those who live awakened lives and purposely choose to be inspirational to others. This is the moment of transformation and you are indeed a blessing.

The spiritual quest is to experience the highest source of love – love with the Divine. Part of that practice is learning to love in a way that is pure and free from ego-driven desire. As we open to one another in a way that is completely present, vulnerable and authentic, we remove the barriers that divide us. To see the sacredness in another is the greatest gift that you can give.

Live With a Sense of Wonder

“Being truly present allows us to appreciate the sweetness of the moment even when the moment isn’t conventionally sweet, because, at least momentarily, we’re not under the sway of the heaviness of our beliefs. The results are a lightness of being, and a sense of inner freedom.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Have you ever been overwhelmed by a beautiful day? Have you allowed yourself to sit and just be, appreciating the breeze as it touched your skin or loved a moment of stillness in the midst of a busy world? That is reality. That sense of wonder which connects you to life is available in every situation. Underneath the chaos of the mind lies an eternal reservoir of grace that you can drink from anytime you wish.

The light of your consciousness transforms whatever it shines upon. Periodically take a moment to bring your attention to the Now and reside fully within it. Even the most mundane aspects of life will sparkle with brilliance and you will be able to recognize the sacredness of your own divinity.

This moment provides an opportunity to see yourself clearly. Bask in the radiance of your own light. Engage the mystery. Breathe. Be open to wonder.

Presence

“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.”
~Susan Polis Schutz~

One of the things I love most about this planet is how many doorways we can utilize to dive deeper into the present moment. There are endless sparks of light and energy to explore and limitless ways to access the Now. This is your moment of liberation and discovery. Allow a tree to teach you about patience and stillness. Lose yourself in the artistry of the clouds as they make pictures in the sky. Listen to the multiple voices of nature and let them awaken the songs within you. Take all this energy and inspiration, blend it with your joy and your passion and then live it to the best of your ability. You have chosen to be here now, to be a light in the darkness.

 

 

Going Inward

“Go inwards, find your inner space and suddenly you will find an explosion of light, of beauty, and ecstasy.”

~Osho~

Awakening occurs as we release the need for outward validation and become deeply aligned with our authentic, true nature. The journey inward is a powerful one. Within it, we discover the courage to face our shadows – both personal and collective – only to emerge completely transformed by the experience.

Going inward is a perfect description of one who is fully present within the Now. The deepness of the present moment is unfathomable. Beneath the layers of desire and interpretation is pure Presence, a joy that sparkles as we recognize and embrace the sacredness that is both within and without.

Your conscious awareness brings a unique nuance of peacefulness and beauty to the planet. Imagine how our experience of the world would change if each of us could recognize the love that connects us. Begin within. Use the lessons and challenges of the past as stepping stones. Let your wounds be the place where the light enters you. Ultimately, you will discover that an infinite wellspring of light, love, possibility and purpose within you… and that light will guide you home.