Right Action

“We go through our days responding and reacting, but it’s rare to really pause and ask…’Is this the kind of thing the person I would like to be should do?”

~Ryan Holiday~

Awareness ensures that your responses to life are empowered rather than reactive. Once the ego is no longer in control, your stillness and alertness will allow you to bring a higher consciousness to any situation. From that space of awareness, the action (or inaction) that is for the highest good of all involved will make itself known. Then you can act with integrity, do your best and accept what is.
Another way to observe right action in motion is that, once completed, it drops completely from your consciousness. There is no need to replay it, take credit for it, wonder if your choice was ‘right’ or worry about how things will unfold. This is the Divine working through you without ego-driven interference.
Cultivate mastery through the simple things of your experience such as driving, interactions with your children, the energy you bring to your work or your self-dialogue. The peace of Presence is always there. Honor the present moment as sacred by experiencing it fully.

Conscious Non-reactivity

“When I say it’s you I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”

~Fred Rogers~

You don’t have to be a master to be peaceful and non-reactive. Just do your best to be conscious. When faced with someone angry or offensive, your greatest weapon is neutrality. Rather than lowering your vibration to meet them where they are, seek instead to pause, check your own state of consciousness, and then respond.

This slight gap between noticing and reacting allows you to connect with your higher self rather than the ego-driven personality. To be moderate and mindful is a powerful way to interact. One can still speak truth or take right action without moving into judgement. Your integrity, wisdom and awareness can be a powerful example.

We can weave higher consciousness into the mundane aspects of our life situations. Your spiritual practice is in the here and Now.

Mindfulness

“Real joy is often just a quiet presence in the moment.”
~Ezra Bayda~

Bring a new level of consciousness to your journey. From the mundane to the mystical, everything you encounter offers the possibility of transformation.

Beauty can be found in the simple, ordinary things of life. When you approach tasks with total involvement, seeking no thoughts of recognition or reward, they begin to take on a sacred quality. Bring present moment mindfulness to whatever you choose to do and you will discover that you get far better results.

Together we create a matrix of Divine flow. Everything that we do has an impact – not only upon ourselves, but also upon the collective consciousness of mankind, the planet and all her creatures. Mindfulness is paying attention to what we are contributing to the whole at any given moment. Self-awareness teaches us how to tap into that flow of energy in a positive way and bring a higher level of consciousness to what we create.

Don’t wait for moments of fulfillment and mindfulness to happen. Create them. Make them a powerful aspect of your daily life. Chores, work, play… all become purposeful aspects of your soul’s journey.

Mercury Retrograde

A few times a year Mercury goes retrograde. Typically this impacts us on the physical plane by adding extra challenges around communication, contracts, travel and mechanical malfunction. Since this is a repetitive energy, it’s helpful to weave it into your consciousness work. Don’t avoid challenges; choose to face them with patience and humor.

Yesterday as I went to write, my computer just sat thinking… and thinking… and thinking. After waiting about 30 minutes for things to flow, I decided to accept what is, let go of the idea of creating my normal Wow Moment, and go back to bed. While consistency is a big part of my personal practice, my state of consciousness is more important.

It was nice to observe that the ego was nearly non-existent in that moment. I tried and the energy didn’t flow. So, I moved on to gratitude and had a lovely day.

Since Mercury Retrograde stays in play through May 14th, you may benefit from observing it’s influence in your own experience. Give yourself extra time in case you need to be flexible, communicate mindfully, laugh at life a little and journal whatever arises. Like everything else, our collective experiences provide wonderful opportunities for growth.

A Rose By Any Other Name

“Witches call it spells. Christians call it prayer. Spiritualists call it manifestation. Atheists call it the placebo effect. Scientists call it quantum physics. Everyone’s arguing over its name. No is denying its existence.”

~Kim Dunn~

All over the world various cultures have interpreted the same energy in myriad ways. This aspect of discovery and playfulness centered around how to define the infinite; however, over time our collective ego got ever more attached to being right and thus these interpretations often came to divide us.

It’s empowering to honor every pathway as sacred. All have value at differing levels of consciousness and often overlap. Paradoxical as it may seem, we can nurture the seeds of Oneness through understanding how others experience the world.

Old souls tend to study various belief systems and adopt whatever pieces spark awareness and joy. This combination of ideas creates a unique approach for each soul and we eventually drop all labels and the need to be validated or seen as right. It really doesn’t matter what you believe. All that matters is your level of consciousness and the energy you bring into your experience. Approach the journey with humility, mindfulness and compassion. There is always something new to discover.

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.

Transition

During times of transition, shifts in life’s circumstances or accelerated self-change, it’s important to learn how to keep emotional responses moderate. Rather than complete immersion in the highs and lows (which can be exhausting!), consciously take a moment to observe yourself, knowing that true protection comes from acting with integrity, doing your best and accepting what is.

On the path of transformation we periodically embark upon cycles of change and discover new aspects of our strength in the newfound freedom and liberation from outmoded beliefs and habits. When we take responsibility for creating the conditions of a particular situation, we move into empowerment. The more severe the disruption, the more significant the growth.

When you don’t know what to do, choose one small task and do it mindfully. This sets energy in motion. Present moment awareness activates a higher perception and from there, you can see more clearly.

Visualize beautiful light and energy forming around a thought. See it expand and take on a life of its own as it flows out into the Universe, sparkles of joy merging with the life-force and love of the Divine. Change is constant; however, inner stillness and limitless potential are your true foundation.

 

 

Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness allows you to observe without judgment as you traverse the highs and lows of life. Your balance is a form of protection and you can bring a new level of consciousness to your journey. From the mundane to the mystical, everything offers the possibility of transformation.

Beauty can be found in the simple, ordinary things of life. When you approach tasks with total involvement, seeking no thoughts of recognition or reward, they begin to take on a sacred quality. Try it. Bring present moment mindfulness to whatever you choose to do and you will discover that you get far better results.

Rather than waiting for moments of fulfillment to happen, create them. Make mindfulness a powerful aspect of your daily life. Chores, work, play… all become purposeful aspects of your soul’s journey.

When we seek to walk a path of mindfulness, we must begin with the present moment. Whatever arises, observe it without any commentary. When the mind begins to judge – good or bad, right or wrong, pleasurable or frustrating – pay attention to the energy behind the words.

There is always an opportunity to be more mindful, compassionate, empowered and accepting. Seek to cultivate these gifts within yourself.

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.

Transforming Impatience

“Patience is very alert, patience is very active, patience is very expectant.”
~Osho~

Impatience is a by-product of our society, a mental construct that says there’s not enough time, I may miss out. It is created by an overactive mind and blocks all enjoyment of the present moment. Very quickly, impatience can turn into martyrdom. When someone feels thwarted, there is often a “Why me?” response.

When you notice impatience rising within you, choose instead to slow down, pay attention and bring your awareness deeply into the Now. Then, breathe, make your decision, take action and create change with a peaceful state of mind. All fear patterns can be transformed into personal power.

It’s important not to rush your spiritual development. This can cause you to pretend that you have advanced without doing the required work. The triggers still lie beneath the surface ready to disrupt your momentum.

We live in an infinite universe. Patience strengthens your capacity to relate to life from the higher levels of consciousness rather than the ego-driven desire of false personality. Practice utilizing silence and moving slowly. There is enough time. Mindful action ensures that the more patient you are, the more you will accomplish.