Playfulness

“To me there is nothing more sacred than love and laughter, and there is nothing more prayerful than playfulness.”

~Rajneesh~

Balanced play creates greater peace in your experience and squirrel is a wonderful teacher. She constantly frolics and chatters, often chasing a friend in circles around the trees. But she is also industrious. In her play, she gathers and stores nuts. As the seasons change, many of those hidden nuts are forgotten and some begin to grow. In her playfulness, she emits the essence of pure presence, the side effects of which can be seen for years to come.

Consider bringing lightheartedness into your experience. This can be accomplished with a conscious change of attitude. Day to day tasks take on new meaning and time flows differently. The work still gets done, but it is no longer draining. Your balance and well-being amplifies all that you do with heightened energy and meaning. You may be surprised to discover how much energy is available to you.

Your joyful energy can be a reminder to those who are driven by fear, stress or worry that there is a different way to experience life. And perhaps, your example will plant seeds of transformation.

Letting Go

Why do we cling when clinging causes pain? It’s empowering to truly understand that we can utilize any situation as a vehicle for awakening. One practice is to notice attachment when it arises, consciously observe how it impacts our state of consciousness Now, and then take right action when appropriate.

If you notice yourself fighting to retain the status quo at all costs, insisting that circumstances unfold in a certain way or losing your personal integrity to placate someone else, you are giving away your power. Some people and things are bulwarks in our lives, others play their role in our awakening and depart. The question then becomes how do you know when to fight for something and when to release it?

Awareness always begins with your inner work. Why are you attached? What is the story that replays in the mind? Who would you be without that story? (thank you, Byron Katie!) Your journey is unique and, ultimately, you will find your way to enlightenment.

Act with integrity, do your best, accept what is. Letting go is easier when we have been purposeful in our actions. Sometimes seeds are planted and circumstances need time to change. Just because something doesn’t happen on your schedule, it doesn’t mean that you have failed. When you release all attachment to outcomes, you create greater peace in your experience.

Appreciation

Your first thoughts and actions upon awakening dictate how the energy of the day will be experienced. When you consciously choose appreciation and gratitude, you open to receive the love that flows upon you from all dimensions.
Longing is another form of suffering. Rooted in some undetermined future, it robs us of the ability to experience the vibrancy and potential of the present moment. The enlightened spirit takes full responsibility for their own state of consciousness. Seek to adjust your inner dialogue whenever necessary and observe how you choose to respond to the present moment. This simple movement of awareness is transformative.
Human intimacy, and all the emotional aspects it contains, provides the richness of spiritual life. Many seek to rise above the mundane as an aspect of their spiritual journey; however, the repudiation of worldly interaction can sometimes become the ego’s way of grabbing hold through denial or judgment. Anyone can be zen while meditating on a mountaintop. The spiritual master brings that sense of peace into each and every relationship.

Be willing to be vulnerable as you participate in the experiences of your life. Conscious choices are always available when you remember that every situation is an active, integral part of your awakening. The present moment brings what the present moment brings. Live it. Release the word “should” from your vocabulary, it indicates expectation rather than acceptance.

Harmony and Balance

With greater awareness, we begin to discover how often we create stress and imbalance in our experience. The souls purpose is to awaken. No matter what challenges arise, what karma we have arranged, or how successful we are at cultivating our unique gifts, it’s important to understand that nothing matters more than our state of consciousness.

Consciousness is measured by the degree of peace you are experiencing Now. Peacefulness comes from releasing things which no longer serve you, utilizing supportive self talk and allowing the love of the Divine to express itself throughout the various aspects of your journey.

You may feel compelled to accomplish certain tasks as part of your role in this lifetime. Every journey is different and exquisitely beautiful in its uniqueness. These outer tasks are merely the means through which your inner purpose is fulfilled.

Approach each moment with a conscious willingness to experience harmony and balance. Consistently take the time to utilize acceptance and then observe how life responds. Old channels of energy can be redirected through conscious effort. You can create powerful and positive changes in your life. Begin now by being conscious of the energy that you send out into the Universe.

Acceptance

“The moment that judgement stops through acceptance of what it is, you are free of the mind. You have made room for love, for joy, for peace.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

When you utilize everything in your experience as a vehicle for awakening, you step into empowerment. Acceptance has nothing to do with liking something; however, it allows you to handle any challenges you may face with grace.

Resistance causes pain. Conversely, acceptance creates a state of willingness to address the situation with a greater degree of clarity. There is nothing wrong with having preferences. We would all prefer that life flows smoothly, to see those we love thrive, to feel appreciated and understood. But when we demand that life conforms to our desire, we miss opportunities to witness consciousness in action.

As you awaken, you’ll find that you handle discomfort with greater ease and humor. While frustration may arise, it no longer takes control of the experience you are having. Observe it, work with it and it will dissipate. The way forward will make itself known. Observe how you respond to unexpected setbacks or challenges. The amount of disappointment you feel indicates the amount of attachment you held – and that is something that is in your control.

Be Open

Live in abundance, totality and with conscious intensity. Through your loving attitude and actions, you spread seeds of unlimited potential in a celebration of life and love. Willingly choose to be present with the experience you are having.
When we share without expectation or limitation, we create the possibility of growth in unusual places. Your dance of awakening is about relaxing into who you truly are and allowing your expression of creativity to manifest in unique ways – through work, relationships or ordinary daily experiences. Spiritual awakening is about bringing light to the dark corners of your life.

We evolve through a conscious willingness to be open to new ideas and experiences. When we are able to listen without judgment or reaction, insight is possible. Honoring others’ paths as sacred allows us to explore and embrace the sacredness of our own path.

Do others see you as non-judgmental? Peaceful? Compassionate? These are the traits of an open person. Conversely, close-minded people are very opinionated, judgmental, often in conflict and travel through life without much empathy or understanding for others.

Be a living expression of the awakened life. Let your heart be open and joyous. Embrace what is. Be peaceful in the midst of drama. Learn to be comfortable with the unknown. Consistent practice will bring these innate gifts to the surface and your light will transform the darkness.

Ego and Gossip

Observe how the ego reacts when you find yourself immersed in a story that is unfolding. Likely, the voice of ego will be clamoring to share it with someone. Why? It’s interesting to watch how the mind reacts when you consciously choose to say nothing or remain neutral in situations while others are lost in comparison, blame or schadenfreude.

Keep in mind that triggers or emotional reactivity are typically a result of some sort of reflection, deflection or projection. When one is lost in gossip or accusation, their words often speak volumes about their own struggles and wounds. Focusing energy outward is a powerful distraction. As long as the ego can see something “wrong” in another, it is too busy to look within to do the work of healing.

Presence calls upon us to be mindful. Pay attention to what you choose to say today. Is it helpful, uplifting or supportive? The light of your awareness is transformative and will help you to see through the mechanisms of the mind with greater clarity. Once you remove gossip and opinion from your own narrative, you will enter the realm of empowered presence. It is there that peacefulness resides.

Another World Awaits

The way to create the life of your dreams is to live it now – from where you are, with what you have. Begin your day by focusing on what you wish to experience rather than what is missing. Let gratitude begin the momentum of transformation. Your thoughts have power and when you consciously and consistently choose what to send out into the world, you increase their impact.
Goals are measurable, concrete and tangible; whereas dreams are crafted from the level of spirit. Some wonderful examples of dreams that can enhance one’s life immediately, are:
Everyone is my teacher and everyday I learn something new
I release limiting beliefs and free myself from the past
I choose to parent my children consciously knowing that they chose me for a reason…
I choose to live the life of a poet, seeing beauty all around me
I honor all life as sacred and see beyond appearances
There is nothing more important than how you live today. Bring the best version of you to this moment and detach from specific outcomes. This is what is meant when it is said to focus on the journey rather than the destination.
If your life is filled with one wonderful day after another, if you’ve had a meaningful encounter with someone today, if you’ve shared kindness and had a positive impact on someone’s life, you are living the life you dreamed.

Creating Sacred Space

In this fast-paced, intense world, everyone needs a sacred space to re-balance, recharge and be at peace.

Everything is energy and we are significantly impacted by the frequencies that surround us. It’s important to ensure that your home is set up in a way that allows you to feel more deeply connected to your true, authentic nature. This looks different for everyone, of course, and that’s the beauty of discovery!  Does everything around you touch your heart in some way?
It’s also important to create a specific space to meditate, pray or move into stillness. Keep this space dedicated for mindful activities so that the energy is always ready to help when you need to release the stress of an intense day. The more consistently you use this space, the more it becomes filled with the light of consciousness.
This is immensely helpful when there are many people sharing the home. Amethyst can enhance one’s ability to remain emotionally calm and rose quartz awakens our ability to love unconditionally. When you are at peace, you have more kindness, patience and compassion to share with others.

The Now

“When I find harmony and balance in my mind, I find it in my life.”
~Louise Hay~

When you immerse yourself within the Now, experiences take on a sacred quality. Your soul is always in the process of awakening and will naturally draw in the perfect situations and circumstances to fulfill its purpose. Are you able to view those who oppose you as your healing angels? Their job is to aid you on this journey by pushing you into greater awareness.

There are many wonders waiting to be discovered. The facets of your unique expression of the Divine sparkle by reflecting the light around you. Remember to be patient and gentle with yourself and allow the joy of the journey to be your guide.

The mental patterns and frustration of the human condition are nothing more than outmoded conditioning. The spiritual seeker breaks free from societal imprinting and chooses to live at a higher level of consciousness.

Loving yourself creates miracles in your life. Self-criticism has absolutely no value. When deeply rooted in the present moment, positive self-talk is extraordinarily powerful. Your thoughts dictate the energy you send out into the world. Create experiences that amplify connection, compassion and breakthrough.