New Levels of Awareness

“It takes a little effort to get our of illusions because we have invested in them very much. They are our hopes; It is through them that we go on living.”  

~Osho~

It’s a powerful practice to see beyond the illusion. Observe how often the word “I” is used when referring to how you see the world. Everything is a projection of our beliefs. We can get trapped by the “I” when pursuing goals and dreams. Remembering this can set the stage for awakening.

Meditation helps us to see through this illusory state of being. Once we strip away the goals, dreams, thoughts of past and future and simply be, the present moment comes alive. To be fully in the present means to be aware of the immense beauty and perfection that is already here. There is nothing for which to strive, nothing is missing.

A different kind of experience waits for you. Your joyousness, when complete, allows you to become fully aligned with the Now. Give up needing to understand the “whys” and “hows” and leave that to your spiritual guidance. Instead, focus on higher awareness, step into Presence and allow a new consciousness to be born in you.

Being

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

~Paulo Coelho~
Love calls to us… the earth seeks to embrace us with her beauty, her light and nuance. Allow this divine love to inform every decision by lifting yourself up to greet it. When we slow down and pay attention, everything has something to teach. We learn patience by walking through an ancient wood. We discover joyful appreciation when witnessing the fleeting nature of wildflowers opening to receive the sun. The soaring path of a hawk can remind us to rise above in order to get a new perspective.
The mind will often attempt to distract; therefore, it’s helpful to align yourself with Presence by filling your days with tiny sparkles of peace, gratitude or meditation. Find beauty wherever you are and periodically take a moment to just be. Awareness is transformative. Each of us has an opportunity to consciously participate in our collective awakening.
Rather than seeking love or peace or enlightenment, be love. Be peace. Your unique way of being in the world will demonstrate what enlightenment looks like.

The Unique Treasures of Your Soul

While doing healing work, I am occasionally gifted with beautiful visions of the upper world. In this space of exploration, I’ve discovered that every challenge is unique and the way to healing changes from person to person.

Imagine being in a place that is completely safe, peaceful and restorative. The waters run clean, light sparkles in a way that makes everything come alive with meaning and awareness. The food and drink found here is grown from the depth and breadth of your soul. Unique plants, nuts, fruit and grains combine to create sustenance that reminds you of who you truly are.

When faced with the need for a new perception, you can walk through a small wood to a pool of water that, in it’s divine stillness, shows the truth that needs to be seen. Whether a vision of potential, wholeness, courage, peacefulness or passion, the answer always comes and the way forward makes itself known. You are supported by various helpers, ancestors, healers and angels and can bathe in the waters of life.

Each of us has access to this inner realm. Whether you find it through meditation or prayer, gratitude or creativity, it waits for your loving Presence.

 

Creating Sacred Space

In this fast-paced, intense world, everyone needs a sacred space to re-balance, recharge and be at peace.

Everything is energy and we are significantly impacted by the frequencies that surround us. It’s important to ensure that your home is set up in a way that allows you to feel more deeply connected to your true, authentic nature. This looks different for everyone, of course, and that’s the beauty of discovery!  Does everything around you touch your heart in some way?
It’s also important to create a specific space to meditate, pray or move into stillness. Keep this space dedicated for mindful activities so that the energy is always ready to help when you need to release the stress of an intense day. The more consistently you use this space, the more it becomes filled with the light of consciousness.
This is immensely helpful when there are many people sharing the home. Amethyst can enhance one’s ability to remain emotionally calm and rose quartz awakens our ability to love unconditionally. When you are at peace, you have more kindness, patience and compassion to share with others.

Everything is Sacred

“Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”  

~Albert Einstein~

As we awaken, we become more aligned with life and therefore, will naturally learn to bring a higher consciousness to our decisions and interactions. When the mind, body and spirit are in harmony, mastery is assured. Rather than being a slave of old ideas and preconceptions, we choose to walk gently in the world.

To honor the sacred is to be in communion. The easiest place to begin is in nature. We can celebrate the stillness of a tree and the brief, iridescent existence of the dragonfly with the same mindfulness. Slow down and simplify. In the gap of pure potential we can bask in the radiance of the Divine.

Once you have strengthened your ability to recognize sacredness, practice with objects that you find beautiful. It’s likely that an artisan or craftsman created from a space of deep connection, imbuing it with energy which is now awakening joy within you. Many people respond to the spirit within animals or babies because the lack of ego makes it easier to see love shining through.

Stillness

“When you reach a calm and quiet meditative state, that is when you can hear the sound of silence.”
~Stephen Richards~

It’s time to step out of thousands of years of human conditioning and rediscover stillness. Listen to the silence that is around you. This will move you into a state of greater awareness where you can connect with life on a deeper level.

Behind the sounds, beyond the experience, under the chatter of the mind lies the brilliance of your own Divine nature. When you slow down and align yourself within that energy, you create a foundation of peace in your experience.

Peace is a simple thing… all we need to do is clear away the clutter and listen. The conscious awareness of the spiritual seeker opens these moments of connection, and from there our perception of the world expands into something wholly new.

Wherever you are, be there completely. Listen, just listen. Find the heartbeat of life and enter into it. You are infinite. You are divine. You are awake. Immerse yourself within the task at hand and pay attention to the experience. The infinite source of life seeks to express itself through you.

Purposeful Consistency

Whatever your spiritual practice, it’s likely that there are things that you do for yourself daily to stay balanced. Simple rituals, moments of peace, meditation, workouts, mindful eating, prayer and intention all have a tremendous impact on your state of consciousness. These can easily get knocked off our to-do list when we travel, get sick or get wrapped up in the busyness of work or holidays; however, that is when they are needed the most.

It’s ok to tweak how you operate from time to time. Consistency is important, as is flowing with what the Now offers. For instance, today as I write I’m listening to the rain but feeling like I need to nurture myself physically in order to keep my immune system at it’s peak. So, rather than walking (or dancing!) in the rain as I normally would for my morning gratitude, I chose instead to lay in bed, Reiki myself, quietly do my gratitude and then consciously drank a glass of water. Each moment precious, engaging, filled with Presence.

The little choices we make set the tone for the day. Each of us is responsible for our own joy in the present moment. Create it anyway that you can.

Your Inner Wisdom

Each of us has access to innate wisdom cultivated through lifetimes of experience. Our angels, spirit guides, healing masters and helpers consistently offer support and insight, yet, we often feel alone and confused.

Find your own unique way of accessing your inner knowledge. Utilize gratitude, meditation, music, silence or be creative. All of life supports you on this journey. Know that you are loved every step of the way.

Your inner voice speaks through the wordless language of the heart. Stillness allows us to access the clarity which comes from transcending the dualities and paradoxes of life. You can recognize wisdom by how it makes you feel. Truth brings peace, even when the information is not exactly what you wished to hear.

Conversely, the ego speaks through the language of the mind. It is incessant, repetitive, often contradicting and seems to pull us in multiple directions at once. When you feel confused, see it as a reminder that you need to seek stillness and center yourself. Then you will access your inner wisdom.

When centered in truth, your whole life becomes a prayer, a mediation, one filled with grace and beauty that seems to flow through you from the Divine.

Consciousness

“You are an explorer, and you represent our species, and the greatest good you can do is to bring back a new idea, because our world is endangered by the absence of good ideas. Our world is in crisis because of the absence of consciousness.”

~Terence McKenna~

Both collective and personal, all chaos or conflict is caused by a lack of consciousness. Our state of consciousness matters whether anyone bears witness to it or not. The energy that we emit contributes to the whole – always. Understanding this, the awakening master purposely tends to consciousness first, and then acts.

Observe how you choose to respond to life. How often are you reactive rather than composed? Do you notice any patterns that trigger temporary unconsciousness? The most powerful tool to increase consciousness is to consistently set the tone for your day by utilizing meditation, gratitude or mindfulness. Choose to step into empowerment rather than waiting for outside factors to dictate your level of happiness.

Every moment offers opportunities to practice Presence. Use whatever is in front of you and purposefully approach it from the highest level possible. Infuse the Now with compassion, acceptance, love, joy and peace. Your state of consciousness matters.

Recognizing the Sacred

“When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment.”
~Pema Chödrön~
Imagine having the ability to send love out to all living beings in order to facilitate a space of enlightenment and wisdom. Imagine planting seeds that have the potential to shift our collective experience in such a way that we are all transformed. Imagine waves of energy emanating from you, little sparkles of light traveling through a grid of consciousness which enfolds us all.
During your next meditative moment, consider visualizing how such an action would look and feel to you. Would the energy emanate from your hands or your heart chakra, or perhaps an expansion of your auric field? What colors would represent healing? When you imagine it, it is already in motion.
The root cause of all harm is unconsciousness. We have the opportunity and ability to emit wisdom and light into the world, creating a space in which transformation can occur. Empowerment is purposely choosing to participate in our collective experience in a way that lifts one another up.