Tag Archives: #now

Courage

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“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”

~Rumi~

Enlightenment is taking responsibility for your own state of consciousness in the present moment. Cultivate the courage to see yourself clearly. Blame and judgment send attention and energy outward rather than inward where true healing is possible. The shadows that we carry silently control our lives. They cause us to react, create drama or sabotage our joy and because of this, most people tend to deny the shadow side of their nature rather than take responsibility for it.

In order to transform shadows into empowered aspects of growth, we must turn and face them. They, like everything in the human experience, have lessons to teach and gifts to offer. Integration of our dualistic nature allows us to shine a light in the darkness, and through love, heal whatever is found there.
Higher consciousness allows us to see the world differently. It awakens a deeper understanding of the Self and inspires feelings of safety, compassion, integrity, confidence and courage. The impact on your life will be felt when you open your heart and step into your fullest potential. This moment is your point of power.

Let Go

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“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

There is nothing wrong with having preferences; however, when we allow those preferences crystallize into absolute requirements, we suffer. One way to determine your level of attachment around something is to observe the level of disappointment experienced when you don’t get what you want. Some people are terribly reactive to even the slightest imposition and have to endure constant self-induced turmoil.

Others see life as a playground. They strive and play with equal pleasure, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but always finding the joy in the adventure. This detachment creates a peaceful foundation from which to experience life. This is not to say challenges do not arise, but they feel less intense and are released more quickly.

Choose to be at ease where you are. Take one more conscious step forward while honoring the process of your awakening. Make detachment one aspect of your daily practice and observe what happens. It’s likely that you will feel more empowered and peaceful in this moment… and that’s all that matters.

Receptivity

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“Make your ego porous. Will is of little importance, complaining is nothing, fame is nothing. Openness, patience, receptivity, solitude is everything.”

~Rainer Maria Rilke~

Periodically take the time to sit in the moonlight and simply be still. It’s powerful to make friends with the night and go into silence to receive the wisdom of the heart. In this world of distraction, awareness arises through a deep immersion within the present moment.

There are many paths to enlightenment and each journey is unique. Friendliness, universal love and passion remind us of the sacredness of awakening and we can learn much from one another. As you proceed, one barometer of progress is to observe the amount of peace in your overall experience. You may find that in many aspects, you react far differently than you did 5 or 10 years ago.

There may still be topics or people that elicit an emotional response – this is where your work resides. Let the gentleness of the moonlight soothe your soul. Give any pain to the quietude of the night. When you choose to release the things that no longer serve you, you create space in which something new can emerge. This is your moment of transformation.

Consciousness

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“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.

A Journey of Discovery

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“When you regain a sense of your life as a journey of discovery, you return to rhythm with yourself. When you take the time to travel with reverence, a richer life unfolds before you. Moments of beauty begin to braid your days.”

~John O’Donohue~

Walk forward and allow yourself to be drawn by a sense of wonder into the unknown. When you learn to trust the processes of your awakening, it becomes easier to experience life as an adventure. Leaving behind the need for plans and a mapped out future, we explore with the exhilarating freedom which comes from being open and vulnerable.

Discovering your inner truth comes through experience. Nothing is guaranteed, but the search helps us to grow. Allow yourself to be insecure, to face adversity and accept the challenges that the unknown has to offer. Much of spiritual awakening is prompted by the realization that there are vast levels yet to explore.

Life is here to offer whatever is needed in order for you to explore your unlimited potential. Taking one step at a time and giving your complete attention to the Now can bring new passion, creativity and clarity in to all that you do.

Mindfulness and Transformation

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“Each place is the right place–the place where I now am can be a sacred space.”

~Ravi Ravindra~

The way to create space for transformation is mindfulness. Make inner peace and balanced health your first priority – quiet the mind, meditate, and spend a few moments completely free of distractions each day.

When we focus on making conscious choices and make an effort to only use words which support our intentions and desires, we set the stage for a shift in consciousness. Everything is energy and has a collective impact upon your personal vibration.

If mindfulness is something which gets lost in the busy and changeable world of your existence, start small. Choose one hour to be completely mindful in all that you do – in your work, while cleaning house, preparing dinner or petting your dog – choose to be fully present. Any activity can be used as part of your spiritual practice. As you become well versed in mindfulness, extend the time longer and longer throughout your day.

There is nothing new you need to add to your store of knowledge. Mindfulness is simply a removal of the distractions and negativity that block you from connecting to your source. You can do this now, there is nothing to be gained by waiting.

Discovery

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“The seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants and discovers, along the way, what he needs.”
~Wally Lamb~

Be drawn by a sense of wonder into the unknown. When you learn to trust the processes of your awakening, it becomes easier to experience life as an adventure. Leaving behind the need for plans and a mapped out future, we explore with the exhilarating freedom which comes from being open and vulnerable.

Discovering your inner truth comes through experience. Nothing is guaranteed, but the search helps us to grow. Allow yourself to be insecure, to face adversity and accept the challenges that the unknown has to offer.

Any limitations in your experience are self-imposed. Life is here to offer whatever is needed in order for you to awaken. Take one step at a time and give your complete attention to the Now. This will bring passion, creativity and clarity to all that you do.

Enlightenment is a process. Layer by layer we dance our way through the spiral of experience and discovery. Within the limitless energy of the Divine, infinite possibilities await. Live from the heart, meet new people and explore the unfamiliar.

The Wonder of Nature

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“A monk asks: Is there anything more miraculous than the wonders of nature?

The master answers: Yes, your awareness of the wonders of nature.”

~Angelus Silesius~

Sometimes the smallest things can capture our attention and add bits of magic to our life experience. On my daily gratitude walk, I enjoy seeking out things that are smile-inducing. Time stops as I watch the clouds form ever-evolving pictures that gently move with the breeze. My imagination is inspired while listening to duck dramas play out on the lake.

As we walk through summer towards autumn we can choose to appreciate the way the sun lights up the morning sky. The artistry of life is fleeting and all too often, we sleepwalk right through it. Awareness is a powerful way to immerse oneself deeply into Presence. Just a moment of consciousness, a deep anchoring breath, or a feeling of universal love opens the doorway into the timeless Now.

This is your point of power: this feeling, so immense, yet so meaningless… from here, anything is possible. We are the bridge between the sacred and the mundane. Allow your light to sparkle with wonder and openness as you reside in the fullness of this moment.

Everything Changes

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“Look around you. Everything changes. everything on this earth is in a continuous state of evolving, refining, improving, adapting, enhancing, and changing. You were not put on this earth to remain stagnant.”

~Dr. Steve Maraboli~

Greet each day with an open heart. When we view life as an ever-evolving, active participant in our awakening, we create a playful movement of energy. Instead of resisting change, we seek expansion as we navigate the fields of discovery. Experiences are then transformed into opportunities to grow.

Change prompts us to explore new aspects of ourselves and the resulting seeds of wisdom become stepping stones to new levels of understanding. Be led by intuition, joy, passion, and wonder, and you will find your own rhythms in the ebb and flow of life.

Seek to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment. Deeply immerse yourself within the Now and the future will take care of itself. Presence indicates that we are calm, clear-sighted and conscious with whatever task is at hand. Spiritual maturity is simply the growing ability to trust the processes of life. Conscious action is a wonderful by-product of awakened living.

Shine

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“You know someone is truly special when the most beautiful thing they have on is a kind soul.”
~Matshona Dhliwayo~

You are a multi-faceted being of light and wonder. Periodically, take time to appreciate all that has brought you here. With each challenge you discovered new aspects of your strength, each wound became a doorway to enlightenment and consciousness awakened within you.

This lifelong process of discovery keeps things interesting. We revisit old patterns or circumstances and find ourselves interpreting them with greater awareness. Each new level of understanding expands our perception until we become love – the vibrancy of compassion and light playing in the world of form.

There’s nothing to do, say or accomplish. Let your life be your message. By embracing the Now and choosing to allow light to shine through, you may discover that all you need is already here. The light you share transforms the world around you because you are an inspiration. Those who are ready to awaken may find themselves in your reflection and embark upon a journey of their own.