Contentment

“I don’t mind what happens. That is the essence of inner freedom.
It is a timeless spiritual truth: release attachment to outcomes,
deep inside yourself, you’ll feel good no matter what.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
When you choose to approach the Now with a sense of peacefulness and an inner knowledge that nothing is lacking, you will experience the freedom to be found in the pleasures of existence. Honor this moment as sacred, set expansive energy in motion and life will hold you in its embrace.
Gratitude and appreciation take you more deeply into the present moment. Let contentment and stillness free you from the distractions of the mind. The journey inward is limitless. Close your eyes and listen. Be. Accept the love and energy that rains down upon you from all dimensions. The seeds of your awakening are nurtured by purposeful quiet interludes. In the space of infinite possibility we discover our unique way of being in the world.
Enlightenment can come in many forms. Use whatever life offers as your doorway to greater insight and awareness. Health, relationships, work, the messages of nature – all offer pointers that play a significant role in your awakening. Presence is the gift of contentment.

Mindful Choices

“Open your mind, expand your character to embrace the world. Then you will find guidance along the path.”
~R. L. Wing~
Your life is a garden. Consciousness determines what you will plant there. Intention helps it to flourish. Every thought plants the seeds of what we will experience tomorrow. Discover the value of bringing mindfulness to the present moment. You intention creates an empowered movement of energy.

When we bring gratitude and happiness into our mindful choices, something new begins to move throughout our experience. With each conscious decision we reprogram the mind to recognize the little joys of life. Enough daily joys add up to an overall happy and fulfilling experience – the garden flourishes, becoming more lush and colorful, filled with scent, color and life.

You are far more powerful than you realize. The awareness you bring to your thoughts, words and actions will create space in which transformation can occur. You will know that you are tapped into the infinite energy of the Divine when you are calm and at peace. Commit to creating a life filled with joy and wonder.

Miracles in the Stillness

“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.”
~J. Krishnamurti~
Within the stillness lies unlimited possibility. When we can quiet the ravages of the mind, we discover that the present moment is filled with countless little gifts. Enter the gap by being very gentle, very receptive. Awareness seeks to experience itself through you.
Gaze at the clouds as they move across the sky. Notice how the shadows change. Hear the calls of birds in flight. The canvas of life is constantly in motion, each movement effortlessly creating a new work of art to appreciate. Even as I write these words, I find myself enjoying the candlelight as it flickers on my altar of friendship.
By bringing a gentle awareness into the Now, you will be more able to recognize the sacred in everyone and everything. As you continue to awaken, the veils of illusion which have clouded your perception begin to separate and ultimately dissolve into faint memory. The time has come to step into awareness of your true nature and walk forward with wonder.At the deepest core of our being we are the observers, witnesses of the miracle of existence. From this space of awareness we can engage with the spark of life and love that resides within us.

Living in the Light

“I understand, better than ever now, that “living in the light” involves traveling into the darker places within ourselves and shining the light of our consciousness into them so that we can truly love and express all that we are.”
~Shakti Gawain~
Each of us has a very simple role in the awakening of collective consciousness. We must shine the light of awareness and be loving witnesses to our own transformation. It’s imperative to observe of our own process of healing rather than getting lost in projection, defensiveness or reactivity.
Once we allow the mechanisms of the ego to take hold, it can be challenging to feel peaceful. Utilize the beauty that shines upon you to bring yourself back into balance. Appreciation and Presence quiets the mental chatter and in the gap we discover other possibilities or interpretations.
Consciously choose to bring the best version of yourself to this moment. That may entail being an attentive listener, avoid spreading gossip or bad news or jumping into the fray to voice an opinion. Notice that all of these actions are actually non-actions. Used mindfully, stillness is transformative. Then, after a purposeful pause and some introspection, your actions and words will naturally be filled with the light of consciousness.

Now

“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.”  
~Eckhart Tolle~ 

Practice listening. Observe without mentally labeling what you see. Choose to experience the sacred energy which flows through all life. It sounds simple, but active listening and observation call upon us to break free of thousands of years of human conditioning. When you strip away the cacophony, love is speaking through the stillness.

We have a role to play in the transformation of our collective consciousness. The moment you choose to approach situations differently, you create an opportunity for growth. This can only be accomplished by being present. If your mind is elsewhere – worrying about the future or carrying the past – you’ll be too distracted to see clearly.

Each of us is responsible for our own state of consciousness. In this moment, how peaceful are you? Resistance creates anxiety while acceptance opens us to receive grace. Cultivate your ability to accept what is and respond to life with inner awareness. Enlightenment is not something that you’ll experience at some point in the future. It is here Now.

Limitless Possibility

Every moment is a new beginning filled with limitless possibility. You are not defined by past experiences or perceptions and, knowing this, you can consciously take one joyful step forward.
A world of possibility is open to you. As a spiritual being who longed for the human experience, you are now in the process of discovering that limitation can be released. There is no need to fight when you can simply rise above the blockages created by the mind into the realm of infinite possibility. The more loving you are to yourself, the easier it is to interact with others. It’s time to celebrate the wonders of your life.
This moment is all there is. The transformation that is happening within you opens dimensions of energy in which to play. All the events of your life are meant to bring more clarity, awaken your divinity and allow expansion into new directions. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment – what are you choosing to experience?
Freedom is found when we release all judgment and attachment; therefore, learn to accept whatever unfolds in the Now as a blessing. In every moment, we are learning, sharing, healing, celebrating, releasing and becoming more aware of our true connection to the Divine. We are spiritual beings who chose to have a human experience in order to rediscover the infinite nature of love.

Emotional Freedom

“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart.
…live in the question.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke~
You can create joy wherever you are. While the spiritual journey may never be completely free from life’s ups and downs, there will come a point where you don’t need it to be. Emotional freedom  the ability to ride the currents of experience without resistance while bringing a calm inner presence into the Now.
This lifelong process of discovery is a dance of love with the Divine. Every circumstance offers something of value and when we trust our inner wisdom enough to drop reactivity and fear we cross a threshold into a different type of experience. Periodically access your emotional temperament. It’s quite likely that you interpret and respond to life quite differently than you did 5, 10 or 20 years ago.
We share this slow and transformative process of awakening. Don’t wait for life to fall into place before you choose to be happy. Let your happiness inform your experience. Approach the infinite energy of limitless possibility with awareness, faith and openness and there you may discover a sense a peaceful self-love and acceptance that sets you free.

Vision

“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
This moment is filled with limitless possibility. It offers a new beginning and a new way of being. We must become aware of and disconnect from the patterns, thoughts and behaviors that distract us from seeing clearly. Mind-made burdens often keep us from recognizing the sacredness that is within us and all around us.
As we learn to rise above the mechanisms of the ego, we bring a new vision to life. There is vast potential within you and all around you. Surrender to the present moment, seek to honor its perfection and discover the joy and empowerment that acceptance brings. Choose to recognize the sacredness in all that you see.
When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. Seeing with the heart transforms everything in your experience. A sense of awe and wonder is the result of living an awakened life. Knowing this, it becomes possible to interact with one another consciously and our experience is transformed.

Sanctuary

“…for you know that soft is stronger than hard, water stronger than rock, love stronger than force.”
~Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha~

The only thing over which you have any control is how you choose to experience the present moment. It’s time to reignite life’s mystery and leap fully into the spiritual experience. The energy that we put out into the world matters. Your sense of connection matters. More than ever before, life needs peacekeepers, artisans, free thinkers, healers and creators.

Consciousness has expanded because of a willingness to journey through darkness. As we emerge from the shadows, we find ourselves transformed, and it is this strength and awareness that can now be brought out into the light. The role of the awakened soul is to demonstrate what empowerment looks like in the world of form. Gentleness, kindness, and compassion arise when we have cultivated them within.

Keep it simple. Focus only on this moment and how you can bring the best version of yourself to whatever unfolds. Even solitary, mundane tasks take on a sacred quality when you are thusly engaged. Imagine how life would feel if you consistently experienced the Now in this manner. Your peacefulness creates a true sanctuary.

The Magic We Create

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
~Roald Dahl~

A magical life is one that sparkles with light, love and laughter. Our choices set energy in motion and we have the ability to consciously direct it in myriad ways. The higher your vibration, the more expanded your perception; therefore, it stands to reason that as you evolve, it becomes easier to recognize the impact your state of consciousness has on the present moment.

When faced with a challenge or disappointment, observe any inner scripts that begin to run. If you notice a pattern or reaction that feels limiting, ask yourself if that problem is more important than your joy. Utilizing this koan will help you remember that you are a powerful co-creator in your life experience.

Gossamer threads of light weave webs of playfulness throughout the journey. As energy emanates from you, it travels along that grid of energy impacting every other being on the planet. See what you can create, how you can demonstrate love and what you can contribute. We are blessed by your Presence.