The Awakened Life

“Looking with a mind that’s awake reveals the shimmering pulse of life. Looking with a mind full of thoughts reveals only your thoughts.”

~Ezra Bayda~

Living an awakened life calls upon us to consistently and purposefully bring the best version of ourselves to our life experience. This daily practice can show us areas where we are stuck as well as how much we have grown over the years.

As we relentlessly observe ourselves, noticing our self-image and ego driven stories, we begin to release the illusions that block us from living authentically. Ultimately, we discover that we are more than our stories or the roles we play in this lifetime. We can step into the freedom of not needing to be defined.

The most powerful aspect of spiritual growth is the ability to Be Here Now. Immerse yourself within the present moment and all that it offers, seeking only to be fully conscious. Your choices, goals and journey will reflect the peace that you are. Living authentically is the highest expression of love and empowerment.

How to Love – The Celtic Vows of Friendship

I honor your path

I bring an unprotected heart to our meeting place

I drink from your well

I hold no cherished outcome

I will not negotiate by withholding

I am not subject to disappointment

Unconditional love has no opposite. It sees through the mechanisms of ego to the truth of the soul. When we bring patience and kindness into our relationships, we create space where transformation is possible. Love those who grace your life in such a way that they feel safe, supported and empowered.

There is great inherent beauty waiting to be discovered in every circumstance. You can experience your journey in any way that you wish. The souls only true desire is to awaken.

Humility is an expression of the advanced soul. When you can take responsibility for your own state of consciousness, when you can say “I’m sorry” and be non-reactive to others’ whims and foibles, you are awakening to a new way of being. Consider the uses of adversity. They provide varied opportunities to see love in action.

Soulmates make a lasting covenant with one another. We offer to hold space while providing guidance with patience and compassion. There is no greater gift of friendship.

Emerging Buddha

“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”
~Ramana Maharshi~

As the veil of illusion is burned away, our true nature emerges. Forms dissolve, attachments cease and we are able to honor the power of the present moment as sacred. Be the loving witness of your own transformation and watch as the Buddha consciousness awaken within you.

The mind is often burdened with regret or fear. Awareness frees us from the weight of thought and invites you to enter the realm of limitless possibility. Each step you take on the path of transformation is important. Small things matter and every insight builds upon the last. When you can see yourself as a traveler on an adventure and be open to discovery, you invite new experiences into your life.

Be patient with the process of growth. Sometimes the changes are slow and subtle and sometimes they transform your life through a whirlwind of destruction, freeing you to enter a new level of consciousness. No matter how you choose to move forward, know that you are right where you need to be. Experiences help you to awaken and you can face whatever comes with greater openness and acceptance.

The Vastness of Being

“There is a presence, a silence, a stillness which is here by itself. There is no doer of it, no creator of this stillness. It is simply here in you, with you. It is the fragrance of your own self. There is nothing to do about this, it is naturally present. This fragrance of peace, this spaciousness, it is the fragrance of your own being.”
~Mooj~

It is here, within the stillness of this moment, that you can immerse yourself within the vastness of your own being. Pay attention to the gaps between words, breaths, or heartbeats, and you will discover a portal. See yourself as Consciousness seeking expression in the world of form and  purposely bring that awareness into the Now.

In the face of the infinite we are humbled, yet liberated from fear. When you can rise above the mechanisms of the mind and see beyond the illusion, any perceived limitations are transformed. Walk through life as a conscious co-creator who can choose to interpret your life experience in a way that is empowering.

There is no end to what you will discover. In the limitless space of stillness, you are completely free.

 

Eternity

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”
~Paulo Coelho~

You are a spark of the Divine… infinite, eternal, beautiful.

With our limited human perception, it’s difficult to process the idea of eternity. Time is a construct of the mind and often it drives us to hurry through the present moment in order to get somewhere else; however, the present moment is all there is. And it is the eternal Now.
We are all participating in an exploration of separateness. The lifetimes we spend on this planet, the roles we play and the lessons we learn from one another are only the beginning of the incredible journey we share.
There is enough time. Everyone on the planet will eventually evolve through experiencing all the earth-based soul ages: Infant, Baby, Young, Mature and Old to finally discover the nature of love. Tending to your own state of consciousness will ultimately aid in the awakening of all humanity. Have compassion for yourself and for one another.

You Are Joy

“You will arrive at the realization that you are just joy itself, and everything you do arises out of this joy, out of this spaciousness, light, and love.”
~ Mooji~

You are an aspect of the Divine experiencing the illusion of separation. Your loving awareness sparks awakening in those with whom you interact. When you are led by love, when you can step out of the maelstrom and into joy, you become a peaceful haven through turbulent times. Through contrast we discover the Oneness that connects us.

Give those you love space to work through their own lessons. Interact with kindness and integrity, knowing that everything works toward the highest good for all involved. Regardless of how it appears on the physical plane, love ultimately resides at the core of all things. As we each do our work to heal both personal and collective wounds, keep in mind that awareness is the first step of transformation.

Observe without commentary or judgment. Take ownership when necessary and then choose right action. Right action arises through expanded consciousness and mindful choices. Purposely utilize the lessons contained within every situation and you will awaken a version of yourself that is  peaceful, inspiring and empowered.

A Higher Perspective

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
~Wayne Dyer~

Something magical happens when we view life from a higher perspective. Beyond the mechanisms of the mind – thoughts, opinions, confusion, stories, histories and other facades – there is great potential and power; however, the ego often distracts us from seeing clearly.

You have the ability to interpret life from many different perspectives. As your vibration increases, new viewpoints become available. Periodically bring your awareness to your own state of consciousness. Are you fully present? Can you purposely shift your thoughts in ways that are empowering? How often do you show yourself love and compassion?

Consciousness is the journey of expansion into all dimensions, the discovery of broader perspectives and the integration of all that we have learned. It seeks to express itself through our interactions and provides an opportunity to see life differently.

Life is a tapestry of dark and light, a blending of dimensions from the depths of lower consciousness to the heights of love and communion. They exist together and when we cultivate the understanding that all are required in this dance of awakening, we begin to have a very different perspective of the world.

Abundance

“Even the smallest shift in perspective can bring about the greatest healing.”
~Joshua Kai~

Abundance is not tied to a specific dollar amount nor is it achieved through attainment. It is the grace that naturally arises when we feel balanced and safe as we engage the physical experience. When we view the world through the eyes of love, we are fulfilled. A beautiful sunset, the laughter of friends, the smile of a dog… all create a sense of “enoughness.”

We are not diminished by sharing; conversely, such an act increases our own store. Knowing that all you send out into the world will return ten-fold, giving becomes an act of joy. And in your joy, you can discover and step into the flow of energy that moves through your experience.

Gratitude, practiced mindfully, creates a snowball effect that expands your perception. It’s a powerful practice to pause and appreciate the fullness of the present moment. Nothing is lacking. You are enough. You have the power to create your own experience. Explore what brings you joy. Let enthusiasm inform your choices and you will certainly reignite the spark of wonder within your heart. That is abundance.

Right Action

“Step into the fire of self-discovery. This fire will not burn you, it will only burn what you are not.”
~Mooji~

There is no need to struggle. As you move to higher levels of consciousness, you’ll naturally learn to find the flow of life and move into it rather than fight against it. The human tendency is to create stress. Anxiety, tension, fear and worry are so commonplace that many have come to believe that dysfunctional states are natural and unavoidable.

The process of awakening is not about change. It is the incremental release of everything that weighs us down. Layer by layer we let go of old patterns, beliefs, conditioning, expectations, resentments and ego-created stories until there is nothing left. In that space of no-thingness, we learn to love and experience things as they are. We become the space in which transformation occurs.

Imagine how much energy you’d have to utilize in the present moment if you were completely clear of unnecessary baggage. The gifts of transformation are already within you, waiting to be discovered. Enlightenment is a process rather than a destination.