It’s All Love

“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”  
~Rumi~

We are here to explore the infinite facets of love in whatever form they may appear. To live with an open heart is not about neediness or desire. It’s an authentic recognition of the sacredness in another as well as within ourselves. Your conscious interaction engages Divine energy and a healing exchange occurs. These preemptive acts of love are a masterful way of gently guiding your day to unfold in the manner you desire.

Kindness is never wasted. Pausing to smile or sharing a loving moment increases your own store of happiness. When you’re fully immersed in the Now, it’s easy to become a channel for the love, light and laughter of the universe. The right words will flow and your loving energy will plant seeds that may take root.

Allow intuition to assist your daily navigation through life. You’ll know the appropriate time for stillness, observation, kindness, action or holding space. One barometer of Presence is the ability to act and move forward without second guessing yourself. Once divine energy has expressed itself through you, the transaction is complete.

Presence

“You are not limited to this body, to this mind, or to this reality—you are a limitless ocean of Consciousness, imbued with infinite potential. You are existence itself.”
~Joseph P. Kauffman~

Presence is achieved by going inward. The ego disappears, roles and life situations become transparent and only empowered silence remains. When you begin to realize that you are much, much more than the stories of the mind, you have planted the seeds of your own spiritual maturity.

Why seek validation from others when all of existence is ready to communicate with us? The Divine seeks expression through you – allow it to flow without limitation.

You have an opportunity to bring a powerful sense of peace and well-being to this moment. Your thoughts create your reality – what are you choosing to create right now? Life presents opportunities to respond to darkness with light, to show kindness to those who seem to reject it the most and to experience the infinite Presence of the Now.

No matter how you choose to connect to the Divine, do it consistently. Let your life be a walking meditation knowing that awareness is your true nature. As you drop old patterns and limiting beliefs, you are left only with the infinite mystery of your being.

Be Peace

“If you understand it, the world is a great device to make you more conscious. Your enemy is your friend, and the curses are blessings, and the misfortunes can be turned into fortunes. It depends only on one thing: If you know the key of awareness.”
~Osho~

You have chosen to follow a path of awakening in a time when many still live in darkness and confusion. More than ever before, it’s important to focus on staying balanced – even in the midst of upheaval – so that you can bring light to the world.

A peaceful heart is created by a peaceful mind. Quieting the ego is a life-long process; however, it is one that has the potential to set you free from the turbulence that plagues so many. Since your perception of the world is a reflection of your inner state of consciousness, your experiences will become more peaceful.

All that unfolds happens for you, not to you. Your life situation provides the opportunity to refine and utilize the spiritual tools you have been cultivating. It allows you to apply your inner wisdom in various scenarios until it becomes the integral aspect of your response to life.

Reflections

Sometimes it can be challenging to see ourselves clearly. One of the most beautiful aspects of the human condition is our ability to reflect truth to one another. Consider setting an intention is to be an authentic, loving reflection of the Presence in others.
When you enjoy someone’s integrity, compassion, kindness or sense of humor, it’s because they are reflecting your own wonderful qualities to you. Likewise, when you see patterns of behavior that frustrate you, it’s important to look within. Turning and facing your shadows makes it easier to release limiting patterns as they arise.
Pay attention to the words you use to describe the people you encounter throughout the day – they will provide tremendous insight. Each of us views life through the filters of our own perception. If there are things you wish to shift or heal, simply do so without any self-judgment or recrimination. Otherwise, honor and own your beautiful qualities and allow them to shine.

Detachment

“It is only in our thoughts that ideas, beliefs, and problems become solid, dark and unyielding. Reality itself is moveable, light, ever-changing. In our minds we seem trapped, in reality we are utterly free.” 
~Ezra Bayda~
Detachment is worlds away from apathy. While apathy says “I don’t care” within a cloak of darkness and despair, detachment allows one to be fully engaged in life without fear or disappointment. This is the secret of happiness and it can only be found within the present moment.
Allow the Divine to express itself through you. In the Now we can participate in life’s dance by choosing to be in harmony with what is. In our free will universe there is always a choice. When in the midst of anger or disruption, we might ask, “Why am I choosing to be angry when I could easily choose to be joyful?” The answer is simple – the stories of the ego have created enough energy to temporarily take over our state of consciousness. The spiritual seeker may be distressed to realize they’ve temporarily dropped to a lower state of consciousness; however, identifying unconsciousness actually indicates that you are awakening.
Step into awareness, breathe deeply and understand that you are free.

Love is All Around You

“Everything in the Universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.”  
~Rumi~ 

This planet is a playground of discovery. On our journey through the veils of illusion we came to believe in only what we see more and more and forgot that there are layers of love and protection all around us. Eventually, the challenges we faced prompted the process of self-examination. Awakening is a process. We drop the layers of illusion one by one until finally, all that remains is love.

It is safe for you to act from the heart and allow circumstances to unfold as they will. Navigating our way through the unknown cultivates the ability to have faith during times of indecision. We are called upon to act with courage and integrity in the present moment and trust that whatever unfolds is working toward the highest good of all involved.

Remind yourself often that all of life is conspiring on your behalf. Seek only to bring the best version of yourself to the Now. As you awaken, you’ll discover that the challenges you face seem more manageable. Reactivity will decrease and a sense of safety will be the grounding force for all that you experience.

Embracing the Experience

“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

In the face of infinity, our lives here are but an instant. Nowhere else can we experience tasting a strawberry or the joy of watching a sunrise. In this realm of separation we dance between polarities of light and dark, learning from contrasts. The human experience is a beautiful blend of challenge and success, love and loss, confusion and strength. We learn from one another.

Embrace whatever life offers. When we drop the narrative that certain experiences are right and others are wrong, we discover the threads of light woven through the heart and mind that create the nuance and depths of humanness.

Cultivate the ability to see through the distractions of the mind. Notice how often you get lost in thought and counteract that very human tendency by purposely going deeper into the Now. Consider utilizing a playful approach by seeking the gift that is inherent in every situation. You may come away with a deeper understanding of compassion and peacefulness.

Enjoy the little things. Savor the flavors that make your taste buds come alive. Appreciate the scents that travel on the winds to find you. See through the eyes of love. This moment is fleeting, yet it is eternity.

Purposeful Consistency

Whatever your spiritual practice, it’s likely that there are things that you do for yourself daily to stay balanced. Simple rituals, moments of peace, meditation, workouts, mindful eating, prayer and intention all have a tremendous impact on your state of consciousness. These can easily get knocked off our to-do list when we travel, get sick or get wrapped up in the busyness of work or holidays; however, that is when they are needed the most.

It’s ok to tweak how you operate from time to time. Consistency is important, as is flowing with what the Now offers. For instance, today as I write I’m listening to the rain but feeling like I need to nurture myself physically in order to keep my immune system at it’s peak. So, rather than walking (or dancing!) in the rain as I normally would for my morning gratitude, I chose instead to lay in bed, Reiki myself, quietly do my gratitude and then consciously drank a glass of water. Each moment precious, engaging, filled with Presence.

The little choices we make set the tone for the day. Each of us is responsible for our own joy in the present moment. Create it anyway that you can.

The Playground of Awakening

“Whenever your relationship is not working, whenever it brings out the ‘madness’ in your and in your partner, be glad. What was unconscious is being brought up to the light. It is an opportunity for salvation.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Our relationships are the playground of spiritual awakening. Whether with lovers, family, co-workers, friends or the frustrating person behind you in line at the store, each plays a significant role in your souls development. When you choose to bring a higher consciousness to your interactions, there is a greater possibility of staying present in the midst of challenging situations rather than becoming reactive.
When you interact with someone who is caught in the pain of unconsciousness, become a source of compassion. Observe what arises for you and hold it in your loving embrace rather than feeding the situation with additional negative energy.
One of the greatest gifts you can give is the ability to hold space for another. The choice to stay present and listen without defensiveness or judgment creates space where a transformation can occur. As long as one person is conscious, new energy has the potential to break through old patterns and limiting beliefs.

Simplicity

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”

~Leo Tolstoy~

Each state of consciousness creates a new reality. There are always new levels to explore and as we awaken, the world around us is transformed. All change begins within. As we reach new levels of understanding our perception expands outward, affecting our words and thoughts, expectations and desires.

When you choose to utilize simplicity, patience and compassion within your life situation, it automatically brings greater mindfulness to the present moment. We find healthier ways of interacting with one another, we make decisions that add to our joy rather than detract from it and we seek Oneness.

All that you seek is already within you. Peace, contentment, fulfillment and happiness are choices that we make every day. You have the power to create the life of your dreams. It is your birthright to express yourself in ways that are deeply fulfilling. No matter what has come before, every moment is a new beginning. Start now, knowing that peace begins with you. The more inner peace you have, the more you have to share with others.