Embrace the Experience

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”
~Joseph Campbell~

In spite of the many lifetimes we engage with one another on this planet, the experience of being human is but a tiny aspect of our spiritual journey back into Oneness. Earth provides the illusion of separation. We create intense karma and challenges, joyful connections and love in order to fully experience all aspects of the human adventure.

Think of all the things you love: the sunsets, springtime, music, your favorite foods, how the light filters through the leaves of a forest on a summers day, the feel of snow crunching under your boots, the contrast of a good movie that makes you laugh and cry, and so much more! When you begin to think of all that brings joy into your experience, you’ll discover that the list is endless… and yet we’ve just begun.
Rather than seeking for meaning in your life situations, bring meaning to them. Your brilliant, beautiful mind can be used to perceive the grace and wonder of being alive. Touch one another in love. Be kind to yourself. It will be gone all too soon and then we’ll be off on a new type of collective experience. It’s hard to mentally grasp the infinite; therefore, enjoy the Now and watch how it continues to evolve.

Consciousness

“As we grow in our consciousness.. there will be more compassion and more love. And then… the barriers between people.. between religions.. and between nations will begin to fall.”
~Ram Dass~

There’s no great trick to expanding one’s consciousness; however, the ego will often distract with excessive thought, perpetuating a belief that one needs a particular type of spiritual experience or insight in order to achieve enlightenment. Many run from one spiritual fad to another never realizing the beauty and simplicity of becoming deeply immersed within the present moment.

Books, teachers and experiences are all pointers to truths that reside within each of us. We tend to get inspired when we discover someone with whom we harmonize at the deepest level. Utilize these insights by immediately putting them into practice as much as possible.

Challenges offer opportunities to expand consciousness. First, become aware of any imbalance. Awareness allows a moment of observation of the antics of the ego-mind. Our initial response will be either reactive or conscious. Simply notice. Reactivity prolongs the discomfort while a conscious response takes ownership and expresses itself in a healthy way. Rather than using the mind to understand consciousness, use life as a vehicle to experience it.

Life’s Artistry

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
~Kurt Vonnegut~
Life is filled with inspiration. The clouds move across the sky, flowers dance on the breeze, beauty waits patiently to be discovered even as it is fleeting and ever-changing. When we view the world through the eyes of love, we become a portal through which consciousness experiences itself.
The artist within you desires expression. Even if no one bears witness to your creation, the ability to see things differently while allowing that vision to move you into action is transformative. Begin by watching life’s artistry. Be still and enjoy the movement all around you. Capture little joys that speak to your soul. Your awareness gives a new life to all that you see.
By design, no one experiences the world in quite the same way. Our unique interpretation of life is simply another vibrant, living example of the infinite possibilities available when we play in the field of Now. Beyond ideas of right and wrong is only the voice of the Divine calling us to new levels of conscious expression.

Your Inner Wisdom

“Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.”
~Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati~
All pain is self-imposed. The human condition is to rethink and reexamine and ponder the events of our lives until the memories have more impact on our joy than the potential within the present moment. As we awaken, we cultivate the ability to rise above thought, to embrace the Now and savor the beauties of life.
This is the journey. We move from limitation to liberation by facing our shadows and transforming them. No matter what has unfolded in your experience, know that you have the capability to create a fulfilling, empowered experience in this moment.
One tool is to see how many different interpretations of an event you can write. The ego will always jump into this process immediately with the heaviest, worst case scenario. Many people stop at this point in the process thinking that it’s the truth. Conversely, from the level of soul you can write a loving, evolved interpretation; however, betwixt the two are an infinite amount of perceptions and stories. The more you can imagine, the more diffuse the energy, and the more neutral you can become.
Your soul will speak in the stillness.

Be a Conscious Creator

“In the infinity of life where I am,
All is perfect, whole and complete,
I no longer choose to believe in old limitations and lack, I now choose to begin to see myself
As the Universe sees me — perfect, whole, and complete.”
~Louise Hay~

When envisioning change in your life, begin by clearly defining the desired end result. Then take steps to get there – it doesn’t matter if they’re baby steps or leaps of faith – consistently moving forward in the direction of your dreams. By opening every avenue of energy that you can, you place yourself in a position to receive assistance and direction from the Divine.

All transformation is set in motion in the Now – future plays no part in the act of conscious creation. Set your intention now, take action now, be willing to receive now and most importantly, choose happiness and fulfillment Now.

When we consciously engage in the journey we draw the necessary support, inspiration and circumstances into our experience. It’s important to remain detached from how things unfold. Often, there are miracles that await or perhaps the original vision expands with wonderful surprises. It’s empowering to see what gets set in motion from that original defining thought. Let joy and inspiration be your guide.

Presence

“See if you can give more attention to an action, rather than the result that you want to achieve through it. Give your fullest attention to whatever the moment presents. This implies that you also completely accept what is, because you cannot give your full attention to something and at the same time resist it.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

When we attach our happiness to a specific end result, we give away our power. The ego loves to delay joy by planting the idea that “when so-and-so is mine, I’ll stop feeling so alone” or “when I have this job or this much saved in the bank, I’ll finally be able to feel safe.” All of these ideas treat the present moment merely as something to get through in order to experience some better moment in the future.

You are responsible for your own joy. Feel it Now. No matter what you desire to accomplish, joy in this moment is the key to manifesting the life of your dreams. Plans fall apart from time to time, people may do the opposite of what you wish they would do, you may miss the mark… the only thing over which you have any control is how you choose to respond.

Treat this moment as sacred. Whatever you choose to do, do it with complete mindfulness and bring a sense of playfulness into your experience. Your willingness to take conscious action is far more powerful than allowing your actions to be led by anger or fear.

Living in Totality

“When you give your complete attention – I mean everything in you – there is no observer at all. There is only the state of attention which is total energy, and that total energy is the highest form of intelligence.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
Practice being present. Without the need to name or identify, simply observe the world without filters. Bring stillness into the Now and appreciate whatever appears. This wholeness, this awareness has a higher quality. Imagine walking through life without opinions, descriptors or categorizing. The art of being present is based in stillness.
Life is artistry in motion. Many forget to enjoy the beauty of being outside at twilight, watching the light change the colors of the sky, or to receive the gift of a sunrise as the birds awaken. This is the time to reignite the flames of experience, open the heart and remove preconceptions that distract us from appreciating the beauty of Now.
We are not separate from life; rather, it is an outward reflection of our inner state of consciousness. Taste the fullness of this moment. Immerse yourself within it. Let all of your senses come alive. Your awareness is transformative.