Let Go

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

There is nothing wrong with having preferences; however, when we allow those preferences crystallize into absolute requirements, we suffer. One way to determine your level of attachment around something is to observe the level of disappointment experienced when you don’t get what you want. Some people are terribly reactive to even the slightest imposition and have to endure constant self-induced turmoil.

Others see life as a playground. They strive and play with equal pleasure, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but always finding the joy in the adventure. This detachment creates a peaceful foundation from which to experience life. This is not to say challenges do not arise, but they feel less intense and are released more quickly.

Choose to be at ease where you are. Take one more conscious step forward while honoring the process of your awakening. Make detachment one aspect of your daily practice and observe what happens. It’s likely that you will feel more empowered and peaceful in this moment… and that’s all that matters.

Consciousness

“You are an explorer, and you represent our species, and the greatest good you can do is to bring back a new idea, because our world is endangered by the absence of good ideas. Our world is in crisis because of the absence of consciousness.”

~Terence McKenna~

Both collective and personal, all chaos or conflict is caused by a lack of consciousness. Our state of consciousness matters whether anyone bears witness to it or not. The energy that we emit contributes to the whole – always. Understanding this, the awakening master purposely tends to consciousness first, and then acts.

Observe how you choose to respond to life. How often are you reactive rather than composed? Do you notice any patterns that trigger temporary unconsciousness? The most powerful tool to increase consciousness is to consistently set the tone for your day by utilizing meditation, gratitude or mindfulness. Choose to step into empowerment rather than waiting for outside factors to dictate your level of happiness.

Every moment offers opportunities to practice Presence. Use whatever is in front of you and purposefully approach it from the highest level possible. Infuse the Now with compassion, acceptance, love, joy and peace. Your state of consciousness matters.

A Journey of Discovery

“When you regain a sense of your life as a journey of discovery, you return to rhythm with yourself. When you take the time to travel with reverence, a richer life unfolds before you. Moments of beauty begin to braid your days.”

~John O’Donohue~

Walk forward and allow yourself to be drawn by a sense of wonder into the unknown. When you learn to trust the processes of your awakening, it becomes easier to experience life as an adventure. Leaving behind the need for plans and a mapped out future, we explore with the exhilarating freedom which comes from being open and vulnerable.

Discovering your inner truth comes through experience. Nothing is guaranteed, but the search helps us to grow. Allow yourself to be insecure, to face adversity and accept the challenges that the unknown has to offer. Much of spiritual awakening is prompted by the realization that there are vast levels yet to explore.

Life is here to offer whatever is needed in order for you to explore your unlimited potential. Taking one step at a time and giving your complete attention to the Now can bring new passion, creativity and clarity in to all that you do.

Mindfulness and Transformation

“Each place is the right place–the place where I now am can be a sacred space.”

~Ravi Ravindra~

The way to create space for transformation is mindfulness. Make inner peace and balanced health your first priority – quiet the mind, meditate, and spend a few moments completely free of distractions each day.

When we focus on making conscious choices and make an effort to only use words which support our intentions and desires, we set the stage for a shift in consciousness. Everything is energy and has a collective impact upon your personal vibration.

If mindfulness is something which gets lost in the busy and changeable world of your existence, start small. Choose one hour to be completely mindful in all that you do – in your work, while cleaning house, preparing dinner or petting your dog – choose to be fully present. Any activity can be used as part of your spiritual practice. As you become well versed in mindfulness, extend the time longer and longer throughout your day.

There is nothing new you need to add to your store of knowledge. Mindfulness is simply a removal of the distractions and negativity that block you from connecting to your source. You can do this now, there is nothing to be gained by waiting.

Patterns of Energy

“You never know how and when any life experience will appear. You never know when a coincidence will lead to the opportunity of a lifetime.”
~Deepak Chopra~

At any given moment, infinite patterns are developing because you are constantly sending energy out into the Universe. This “behind the scenes” movement of energy  often takes some time to be revealed, recognized and appreciated. Walk forward with the knowledge that life is constantly working on your behalf.

When you start paying attention, you’ll discover threads that weave the tapestry of your life. Learn how to participate by being fully present, notice what you hear, feel, smell, touch and see. Turn off the mind and simply notice what is around you. Recognize that whatever you place your attention upon becomes more prominent in your experience.
Notice coincidences. The more unusual, the stronger the message. Observe your life. Journal about your experiences or replay your day as you fall asleep. Watch it like a movie – no judgment, just be the witness. Your dreams may connect the dots and provide more insight.
You are a vibrant participant in the dance of existence and there is far more to life than meets the eye. Live with an open heart and know that you can create the life of your dreams.

Everything is Energy

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”

~Nikola Tesla~

In every moment we are creating our reality by amplifying certain things, thoughts and experiences in our energetic field. Pay attention to what you are choosing to enhance in your life situation. A slight shift from focusing on a problem to focusing on a solution makes all the difference in the world.

Some people doom-scroll, looking for negative current events as a form of relaxation or out of boredom. The ego mind creates a story that one is being informed and that it’s important; however, it takes one’s energy on a downward spiral. This is not to say that you must pretend that all is well and that we have no collective problems. If there is truly something that you need to know, it will make itself known to you – there is no need to seek out negativity.

You have more power than you realize. The key is to maintain an awareness of how certain choices impact your quality of life. Focus first upon your immediate surroundings. Immerse yourself within Presence, find your peace and bring joy into the Now. From that state of connectedness, your processing of challenges will be purposeful rather than reactive.

 

Walk Gently

“Peace is found not through seeking peace, but through residing completely in what is.”
~Ezra Bayda~

The awakened spirit walks gently through life, seeking to be present and peaceful. This creates a powerful blending of the spiritual and the mundane.

Living a spiritual life is not some perfection that you will experience at some point in the future. It is the consistent practice of bringing a sense of peace and inner purpose to your journey as best as you can, from where you are with what you have. As we awaken, we naturally cultivate more tools and a greater ability to navigate through the challenges and beauty of life.
Listen to the prompting of your inner guidance. Celebrate your breakthroughs while learning from the challenges that arise. Everything works toward your highest good – always. With this in mind, fear departs as we take a greater role in what we choose to create and how we interpret the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Trust your inner wisdom. You will draw in the teachers and experiences that are most appropriate for your journey. See each moment only as an opportunity to shine. Infinite gifts of love are waiting to be discovered. 

 

The Wonder of Nature

“A monk asks: Is there anything more miraculous than the wonders of nature?

The master answers: Yes, your awareness of the wonders of nature.”

~Angelus Silesius~

Sometimes the smallest things can capture our attention and add bits of magic to our life experience. On my daily gratitude walk, I enjoy seeking out things that are smile-inducing. Time stops as I watch the clouds form ever-evolving pictures that gently move with the breeze. My imagination is inspired while listening to duck dramas play out on the lake.

As we walk through summer towards autumn we can choose to appreciate the way the sun lights up the morning sky. The artistry of life is fleeting and all too often, we sleepwalk right through it. Awareness is a powerful way to immerse oneself deeply into Presence. Just a moment of consciousness, a deep anchoring breath, or a feeling of universal love opens the doorway into the timeless Now.

This is your point of power: this feeling, so immense, yet so meaningless… from here, anything is possible. We are the bridge between the sacred and the mundane. Allow your light to sparkle with wonder and openness as you reside in the fullness of this moment.

Everything Changes

“Look around you. Everything changes. everything on this earth is in a continuous state of evolving, refining, improving, adapting, enhancing, and changing. You were not put on this earth to remain stagnant.”

~Dr. Steve Maraboli~

Greet each day with an open heart. When we view life as an ever-evolving, active participant in our awakening, we create a playful movement of energy. Instead of resisting change, we seek expansion as we navigate the fields of discovery. Experiences are then transformed into opportunities to grow.

Change prompts us to explore new aspects of ourselves and the resulting seeds of wisdom become stepping stones to new levels of understanding. Be led by intuition, joy, passion, and wonder, and you will find your own rhythms in the ebb and flow of life.

Seek to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment. Deeply immerse yourself within the Now and the future will take care of itself. Presence indicates that we are calm, clear-sighted and conscious with whatever task is at hand. Spiritual maturity is simply the growing ability to trust the processes of life. Conscious action is a wonderful by-product of awakened living.

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.