The Journey of Awakening

“I think… if it is true that
there are as many minds as there
are heads, then there are as many
kinds of love as there are hearts.”
~Leo Tolstoy~

It’s important to find your unique way of connecting to the Divine. Spiritual teachings and writings are simply pointers that may be utilized to correct your course from time to time, but until you discover your own truth and live from a level of authentic experience, those ideas may actually hinder you from going deeper and finding your own way of being in the world.

Older souls have a tendency to explore many different belief systems and teachings, ultimately blending the aspects with which they resonate in order to create a unique perception. This perception creates the foundation used to experience the grand adventure of awakening. Keep in mind that it’s wonderful to explore new levels of awareness. And always, always… look within. Personal strength comes from inner knowing.

You have your own dreams to fulfill and your own journey to walk. Spiritual awakening is a constant movement of energy – releasing the old, allowing room for the new and discovering the clarity which comes from setting down your burdens.

Experience Love

“What you will see is love coming out of the trees, love coming out of the sky, love coming out of the light. You will perceive love from everything around you. This is the state of bliss.”
~Don Miguel Ruiz~
Our purpose is to awaken and everything in our experience supports this endeavor. Through the process of healing the wounds of the past, we drop limiting beliefs and rediscover Oneness. We learn to see through the drama and ego-driven roles of this world to the infinite energy that connects us.
Should you find yourself getting lost within the stories of the mind, go outside and listen to the birds sing. Immerse yourself deeply within the present moment and you will discover that you cannot listen and think simultaneously. This simple act redirects your energy away from past and future and into the Now.
As we become more aware, the world around us is transformed. Though nothing has changed, our perception expands and we are able to see more clearly. Challenges become vibrant aspects of empowerment. Contrast reveals the evolving dance of opposites. Practice recognizing the Divine in everyone with whom you interact. As you discover sacredness within yourself, you’ll see it everywhere.

 

Perception

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”
~Aldous Huxley~
Perception shifts everything. Our lives are a constant exploration throughout time and space, and within this dance of existence, we eventually come to discover how perception, or the lack thereof, ultimately guides our life experience.
It’s helpful to remember that we are the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane. Flowing gently betwixt these two realms, the soul seeks only to learn Oneness, compassion and unconditional love.
Learning to quiet the ego is imperative because it will always pick a limiting perception and repeat it endlessly until we adopt it as a belief. This dogged adherence to painful ideas blocks our ability to allow expansion in our experience. When you can simultaneously entertain varied perspectives, the energy moves through your energetic field more easily.
Expansion allows us to see things differently. Throughout your exploration, new ideas may alter how you interpret the circumstances of your life. Some will be discarded, some will lead you onward, and yet others will ignite the passion of your purpose.

What Perception Reveals

“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.”
~Ansel Adams~
As we awaken, our perceptions are transformed. Consciousness expands and our vision becomes all-encompassing as we benefit from our varied experiences. It doesn’t matter what you believe or where you derive your inspiration. All that matters is your level of consciousness.
Each of us sees the world through our own unique filter. The ego then attaches to a perception, labeling it as “right” and will fight to the death to defend it. When one does not do their own work – healing emotional wounds, addressing their shadow self, accepting responsibility for their life experience – they try to get others to change in order to feel more secure.
Over time, the awakening soul creates a sacred space of balance and empowerment. This inner peace cultivates the ability to accept others unconditionally and feels no fear when faced by those who see the world differently.
Your interpretation of life reveals who you are. For those caught in the lower levels of shame, fear, hatred, pride and judgment, life is a frightening place indeed. The realm of empowerment is expressed through courage, willingness, acceptance, love and joy. Your spirit seeks to explore these beautiful levels of awareness.

A New Perception

“The moment you feel joy, the moment you laugh and change your perception, you change your immunity, your body chemistry, and your whole well-being.”
~Debasish Mridha~
A few months ago my father left the planet to begin his next adventure. I had the opportunity to take my mom to Yosemite thinking that the quiet power of the mountains might assist her at the beginning of her grieving process. It was lovely to see her have moments of connection as she began the new phase of her own journey.
She purchased the jewelry above, initially referring to it as a “broken heart” necklace. Honoring her perception and experience, I gently offered another interpretation and simply said, “How beautiful. I see it as a complete heart. The love is still whole, the two sides are just in different form. Like you and dad.” Her energy simply shifted and she mentioned that she really liked how I see things.
Grief ebbs and flows. It was nice to be able to provide another point of view and, in that moment, nice to see that it was helpful. Many things are true simultaneously and we can choose how to interpret our experience. When faced with your own challenges, see how many differing interpretations you can accept. A change in perception changes everything.

Higher Perspectives

View others as unfolding beings in their journey toward higher consciousness.
~Ken Keyes Jr.~
The higher your state of consciousness, the greater your perception. As we awaken, we cultivate the ability to interpret life from many different levels. Consciousness is the journey of expansion into all dimensions, the discovery of broader perspectives and the integration of all that we have learned.
Reactivity is an automated response that is driven by the ego. Observe how you face the challenges in your life. As you awaken, it’s likely that you’ll notice the intensity and duration of reactivity decrease.
Periodically bring your awareness to your state of consciousness. Are you fully present? Can your purposely shift your thoughts in ways that are empowering? How often do you show yourself love and compassion?
And finally, consider this: The person who challenges you the most on the physical plane loves you the most on the spiritual plane. They are willing to risk losing your love and affection in this life to aid you in your soul’s growth and development. There is no greater gift than playing a role that stimulates awakening. When you view your challenges from this higher perspective, you’ll discover that this is true.

Empowerment

“The next thing you think, the next action you take, will either create a new possibility for you, or it will repeat the past.”
Deepak Chopra

Each thought, word, and action creates a powerful momentum that is ultimately experienced in the world of form and it’s important to ensure that all are in alignment. For instance, choosing to apply for a job and then immediately saying to yourself, “…I probably won’t get it anyway…” negates the action. Dieting while hating your body is another example of contradictory energy, as is tying to solve relationship problems by telling the story of how you were wronged again and again to all who will listen.

When all aspects of the personality are in harmony, it can be surprising how powerfully and quickly things can move. Take the time to be mindful of your thoughts and allow your actions to be led by joy.

Enthusiasm, gratitude and appreciation spark an expansion of conscious energy throughout your life experience. Your perception of the world is a reflection of your level of awareness; therefore, practice maintaining a conscious, empowered interpretation of the events, lessons and interactions you experience. Life will respond accordingly.

Be True to Yourself

“Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you, and always be true to yourself.”
~Maya Angelou~

Each of us is responsible for our own joy. It’s not the obligation of our partners, parents, children, boss or life circumstances to “make” us feel happy and fulfilled. Rather, happiness comes from developing our own inner richness and spiritual maturity. This infinite wellspring of energy, once discovered, flows through us, changing the way we receive the gifts that life has to offer.

Relationships provide us with the tools and experiences that we need in order to release old patterns and programming. The more clear you become, the less intense your emotional reactions will be. Peacefulness then becomes a way of life as we learn to interpret circumstances through this enlightened and expanded perception.

This is the moment to realize your true nature and to be a loving witness to the sacred energy and potential within you. Joy is the path of your destiny. Take the time to pause and breathe in this present moment – what are you creating right now? Transcend the ordinary and seek wholeness with all existence. Infinite heights, depths and expansion await your discovery.

Walking Your Unique Path

“I have not always chosen the safest path. I’ve made my mistakes, plenty of them. I sometimes jump too soon and fail to appreciate the consequences. But I’ve learned something important along the way: I’ve learned to heed the call of my heart. I’ve learned that the safest path is not always the best path and I’ve learned that the voice of fear is not always to be trusted.”
~Steve Goodier~

As we interact with one another, discover new perceptions and learn from the valuable reflections that show us the way, it’s important to allow your path to be unique – not one that you’ve read about and are emulating and certainly not one built from societal or parental expectations. There is freedom to be found. Ultimately, we learn how to be comfortable with the unknown while becoming conscious of what we are choosing to create.

Awareness enhances the beauty, passion and intensity within you. It releases you from the entrapment of the ego – possessiveness, jealously, greed and fear – and each moment strengthens your knowledge of the connection between you and the Divine. This movement toward wholeness is the natural state of your being. Though we may feel lost at times, it waits patiently within the stillness of your heart.

Find ways to show love, to serve and be compassionate. You cannot walk in the light of love and remain unchanged. Authentic acts of kindness impact the energy of all those involved. Be love, and watch the journey unfold.

Participation

“There is more than one road to spiritual salvation. We discover a philosophical way of living by encountering the world, culling knowledge from all available resources, and thinking reverently about life.”
~Kilroy J. Oldster~

The goal is to bring higher consciousness into your day-to-day life experiences. As you grow in awareness, you may discover that life will often provide an opportunity to see the new concepts that you have learned in motion. When you express a desire to cultivate your ability to love unconditionally, invariably  someone difficult to love will enter your life. This isn’t an obstacle, it’s a response to the awakening of your soul. Know that you already have the tools you need to navigate your life situations.

Practice allows you to strengthen your spiritual tools. The more you participate in life, the more empowered you become. Allow the give and take of energy to be your guide.

They say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. This is because everything and everyone is your teacher. The only change is that you now have the ability to recognize the gifts that surround you. The veil that clouded your perception dissipates allowing you to see more clearly.