Simple Joy

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~
The mind will often tell us that life must fall into place before we can relax and enjoy it; however, the opposite is true. When we relax and enjoy, life falls into place. Rather than chasing a thousand solutions or achieving something of value to leave behind, we discover that the true point of power is in the present moment. Bringing conscious peace into the Now is transformative.
When you are mindful, any choices or actions taken have incredible vitality. It sounds simple because it is. Life is what it is. We can choose how to respond to whatever unfolds in our experience and utilize it as a gateway to higher consciousness. The old saying to be in the world but not of it points to this. We create our own reality, and in doing so, walk gently upon the earth.
Consider being consciously playful and accepting today. Approach each moment without expectation and immerse yourself within it. Operate from love. Observe the antics of the mind. You may discover that everything gets accomplished with greater ease and grace.

Perception

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”
~Aldous Huxley~
Perception shifts everything. Our lives are a constant exploration throughout time and space, and within this dance of existence, we eventually come to discover how perception, or the lack thereof, ultimately guides our life experience.
It’s helpful to remember that we are the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane. Flowing gently betwixt these two realms, the soul seeks only to learn Oneness, compassion and unconditional love.
Learning to quiet the ego is imperative because it will always pick a limiting perception and repeat it endlessly until we adopt it as a belief. This dogged adherence to painful ideas blocks our ability to allow expansion in our experience. When you can simultaneously entertain varied perspectives, the energy moves through your energetic field more easily.
Expansion allows us to see things differently. Throughout your exploration, new ideas may alter how you interpret the circumstances of your life. Some will be discarded, some will lead you onward, and yet others will ignite the passion of your purpose.

The Soul of Love

“What does is matter if I am called a man?
In truth I am the very soul of love,
The entire earth is my home
And the universe my country.”
~Darshan~

Blessed are those who are slow to anger. We salute you…. these words have come to me in my dreams for the last two nights. If you are here reading them, consider the message to be for you.

Let your life be your message. How we interact with others is a testament of how far we have come on the path of transformation. To rise above reactivity is a beautiful gift that we can consistently share with the world.

The awakening spirit has discovered empowerment through detachment. Life still unfolds as it will, but we no longer get trapped within the mechanisms of the mind. With expanded perception, understanding brings peace.

Just be. Be part of the present moment. Engage with the world around you. When love is what you are, the quality of your life is reflected in everything you encounter.

You Are Loved

“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
~Rumi~ 
We learn by experiencing contrast. A life filled with love is typically discovered by rising above fear. When you are willing to face the shadows of the soul, you will emerge changed, empowered and courageous. Your consciousness and your love awakens life’s symphony.
Everything plays a role in your journey of transformation. Each step you take is supported, loved and guided, even (especially!) in those moments when guidance and peace feel distant. The Universe celebrates the journey of your soul and when you can open your heart to receive, magic awakens in your life.

Karmic cycles and challenges are meant to open you to receive greater love and balance. Seek only to fall in love with life. It is a miracle. You are a miracle, and your light brings something new and beautiful to the world.

Sacred Journey

“Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path… exactly where you are meant to be right now… And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.”
~Caroline Adams Miller~
When you view this world as an illusion, a school, who’s only purpose is to help you to understand who you truly are, the journey becomes sacred. Every challenge becomes an opportunity to discover new aspects of yourself that are ready to shine. Layer by layer we strip away the illusions that we carry, only to discover that love resides at the core of all things. Imagine going so deeply within yourself that you weep with bliss at your awareness of the whole. When everything is burned away, only joy remains. Love rains down upon you from all dimensions. If only you could see what I see when I look at you… You are amazing, and I bow to the spirit within you.

Expanding Consciousness

“As we grow in our consciousness, there will be more compassion and more love, and then the barriers between people, between religions, between nations will begin to fall.”
~Ram Dass~

There is a consciousness arising within you. You have chosen to be here now, to read these words, to discover new ways of being, thinking and experiencing the essence of life.

The path of transformation is expanding consciousness as you become more aware. This beautiful energy is constant and always a part of you. It can become lost from time to time under the seemingly never-ending stream of input from the ego; however, by being fully present you can access it in any moment.

It’s one thing to look for enlightenment and peace within challenging situations; however, even greater depth can be achieved when you look to raising your frequency when things are going well… to ask “What’s next?”

You inner purpose is to awaken – nothing more. As you bring a constant spiritual approach to all that you do – looking for ways to connect with your own inner sense of joy, peace and delight – everything else will fall into place perfectly.

Breathe, Allow, Be

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Mindfulness will guide you through anything that arises. Our relationship to the world around us reflects our true relationship to ourselves; and through that, our connection to the Oneness of all life. When we allow the present moment to be as it is without expectation, we begin to experience the world in all it’s beauty.

Peacefulness is the present moment is needed to become aware of the beauty, the majesty and the sacredness of life. When we become engaged in the discovery of our true nature, the lessons present themselves everywhere we look. Our world is set up to provide constant reminders of the joy of life – so simple, a flower, a tree or a dog could do it.
Empowerment is simply taking full responsibility for your state of consciousness in the present moment. Breathe, allow, be.

As I watch the sun lighten the sky, I am greeted by love. As the birds awaken and sing in the stillness, I am serenaded by love. In the flow of my breath, I am connected to love.

A New Perception

“The moment you feel joy, the moment you laugh and change your perception, you change your immunity, your body chemistry, and your whole well-being.”
~Debasish Mridha~
A few months ago my father left the planet to begin his next adventure. I had the opportunity to take my mom to Yosemite thinking that the quiet power of the mountains might assist her at the beginning of her grieving process. It was lovely to see her have moments of connection as she began the new phase of her own journey.
She purchased the jewelry above, initially referring to it as a “broken heart” necklace. Honoring her perception and experience, I gently offered another interpretation and simply said, “How beautiful. I see it as a complete heart. The love is still whole, the two sides are just in different form. Like you and dad.” Her energy simply shifted and she mentioned that she really liked how I see things.
Grief ebbs and flows. It was nice to be able to provide another point of view and, in that moment, nice to see that it was helpful. Many things are true simultaneously and we can choose how to interpret our experience. When faced with your own challenges, see how many differing interpretations you can accept. A change in perception changes everything.

The Journey

“The only journey is the one within.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke~
We are on a journey of awakening. Life, in all its various expressions, provides the opportunity to evolve through experience and introspection. Our interactions provide endless opportunities for us to delve deeper into the Self, the I Am within.
There is a very human-based tendency to get lost in the drama and miss the lessons. Some can remain mired in the intensity of the story for years or even lifetimes, and yet, awakening will ultimately happen. The journey inward takes us to an expansive place of awareness, and our task is to bring that awareness into the world of form.
Love connects us to one another. As awakening masters, our role is simply to remove anything that blocks the flow of love. Our judgments, and the fear out of which they arise, are distractions. The only thing that truly matters is the energy we share with one another. See if you can purposely leave every interaction with a lingering spark of your beautiful light.
Bless the moments that bring you greater insight. Honor each path as sacred. Do your best, act with integrity and accept what is. You are loved.

Embody Peacefulness

“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
You have the ability to create peace in your experience right now. Rather than seeking it, embody it. Let peacefulness inform every aspect of your life. When walking, be at peace with the earth, the sunshine and the wind. Appreciate the birdsong, the scents that arise or the feel of your body as it moves through the world. It may sound simple, but it’s amazing how often one can can get caught in up in their thoughts or worries and bemoan the fact that they are unhappy.
When we cultivate the ability to see through the mechanisms of the mind, we discover the myriad distractions that consistently attempt to block awareness of the beauty that surrounds us. Fortunately, this is in your control. Your awareness begins the process of transformation. The expansion of consciousness brings new depth into your experience. Should you notice a tendency to complain, gossip, worry or replay challenging situations in order to create a solution, shift instead to finding peace in the present moment. Then, allow your peacefulness to be the foundation of whatever movement you deem necessary. Operating from a higher perspective ensures that you will see more clearly.