Enlightenment

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
~Rumi~
Enlightenment is ongoing. Layer by layer we release old energy and limiting patterns and step ever closer toward the fullness of who we are. This slow, transformative process is simultaneously both unique and universal. We must each walk our own path.
Trust the processes of your awakening. What you require for your transformation is what is unfolding in this moment. Resist nothing. Instead, turn toward the object of your frustration and embrace it with an open heart and you will be transformed.
As you awaken, you will naturally do things differently. Spiritual maturity arises through consistent practice and one day, you’ll observe that you respond to old triggers in a completely new way.
Your ability to see through the mechanisms of the ego creates opportunities to be less reactive and more mindful in your daily interactions.  This is what is meant by being in the world but not of it. Living at a different level of awareness, we cease to contribute to the dysfunction of our collective experience and can ultimately lead by example. Peace begins within.

Embrace This Moment

“We wish for people to accept us as we are, but in so doing we reject them for who they are.”
~Ezra Bayda~
The awakened heart sees beauty and potential. In a world where many struggle in darkness, we must cultivate the ability to shine the light of consciousness in order to assist with the collective awakening of which we are all a part. Never doubt the difference your light can bring to a situation.
Old souls see the life from a higher perspective, and while your voice may seem to be in the minority, part of your journey is to learn how to maintain your faith in the face of opposition.
Sometimes it may be challenging to bring your grace, optimism and light to the present moment. Begin by being the change you wish to see. Operate from love and allow your conscious actions and measured responses to demonstrate a different way of being. Choose to see the perfection in the imperfection.
Gratitude opens our ability to see clearly. Appreciate the beauty that is around you with the knowledge that your energy will enhance whatever it is focused upon.

You Are Beautiful

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
~Gandi~

Empty yourself of the things that block your light. Beyond the stories of the ego, beyond perceived mistakes and crystallized beliefs, lies the infinite, loving energy of the Divine.

Life is simply a series of opportunities to observe and release the heavy energies of limitation. Choose to observe yourself without judgment or expectation. Discard what you no longer need and embrace what brings you joy.

Awakening is a process. There are moments of breakthrough, new vision, empowerment and freedom, sometimes followed by resistance, apathy and the resurgence of old patterns. Don’t allow the ego to tell you that it’s all for naught – you are not broken or wrong. Instead, focus upon the light which shines from within, illuminating the garden of your soul, heart and spirit. You are a master in the process of awakening.

Allow joy to guide you and open your consciousness to the expansion of life. Be gentle with yourself as you grow and change. When you really love yourself, you set the stage where you can explore the vastness of peace, empowerment, growth and transformation. You are beautiful.

Explore the Mystery

“Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the mystery, unique and not to be judged.”
~Rumi~
Look beyond the role you play. Look beyond the physical appearance you have chosen. See beyond the stories of the mind. Breathe in the breath of life… slowly, mindfully, sacredly… and just be. Bask in the radiance of present moment. When you can quiet the mind, you can begin to tap into the infinite potential of the Divine.
You are an infinite being. There are endless facets for you to explore, worlds to experience, levels of consciousness to discover. The role that you play in this lifetime is simply that – a role that is utilized as just another way for you explore the contrasts and perceived separation this planet has to offer.
When you quiet the mind, it becomes possible to merge with the energies of the sky, a tree, the ocean or music. Allow yourself to enter the realms of limitless possibility, if only for a moment. Visualize that each breath you take draws in the love, light and laughter of the Universe while each exhale causes the barriers of the mind to dissipate.
Just be. Explore Oneness with the world around you. The more expansive your vision, the more able you’ll be to see beyond the roles and limited perception of others.

Embrace the Now

“Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don’t claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.”
~Rumi~

The present moment is filled with countless miracles. When you truly immerse yourself within the Now, life becomes sacred. Everything is a reflection of the light of the Divine, adding to the mystery and the perfection of your experience. With each breath, you become one with life.

The mental patterns and frustrations of our humanness are nothing more than outmoded conditioning. The spiritual seeker breaks free from desire and societal imprinting and chooses to live purposely at a higher level of consciousness. This is the light that awakens the light in others.

When we seek only to learn from and love one another, something miraculous occurs… there is an effortless blending of energies that creates something entirely different. And from this new place of compassion, insight and experience a world of infinite potential opens and we can step through the doorway with an open heart.

Be Kind

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”
~Rumi~
Every moment offers opportunities to be kind to yourself, to one another, animals, the planet, and future generations. When we bring the practice of compassion to the forefront of our life situation, we become integral aspects in the dance of creation.
Sometimes the ego seeks immediate gratification through reminding another of their shortfalls (as we perceive them), getting in a snarky comeback or simply expounding opinions. That sort of response feeds more negativity into a situation and is a missed opportunity to bring a higher level of consciousness to the present moment.
We are called upon to be channels for Divine energy. Release the need to blame anyone and instead, choose to accept people as they are. There are no enemies – simply souls playing various roles in our collective awakening. Those who are still asleep need your love, not your judgment.
See every experience as an opportunity to cultivate a greater understanding of your life’s purpose. Kindness is never wasted.

You Are Loved

“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
~Rumi~ 
We learn by experiencing contrast. A life filled with love is typically discovered by rising above fear. When you are willing to face the shadows of the soul, you will emerge changed, empowered and courageous. Your consciousness and your love awakens life’s symphony.
Everything plays a role in your journey of transformation. Each step you take is supported, loved and guided, even (especially!) in those moments when guidance and peace feel distant. The Universe celebrates the journey of your soul and when you can open your heart to receive, magic awakens in your life.

Karmic cycles and challenges are meant to open you to receive greater love and balance. Seek only to fall in love with life. It is a miracle. You are a miracle, and your light brings something new and beautiful to the world.

The Power of Love

“While the mind sees only boundaries,
Love knows the secret way there.”
~Rumi~

Ego-driven love is filled with fear. The mind doesn’t feel fulfilled or complete so it attaches to another person and, for a time, gets a glimpse of communion. Relationships will always act as your greatest teachers. They eventually bring old wounds to the surface and then the ego says “You’re not who I thought you were!” or “You’ve changed” …and we begin to play the roles required for one another’s growth.

To experience healthy, supportive relationships, one must begin within. The amount of love we have for ourselves determines the amount of love we are willing to receive. As we mature spiritually, we no longer expect someone else to be anything different than who they are. We enter into authentic communion – accepting, supportive, fearless, empowered. The person on the receiving end of such energy feels free to grow. Together you walk the path of transformation and your love simply lights the way.

Any moment can be the catalyst of your awakening. When we can see only love, the Now becomes a doorway into a new way of being. There is nothing to fear – step into the light.

Soul Connections

“We all are so deeply interconnected; we have no option but to love all. Be kind and do good for any one and that will be reflected. The ripples of the kind heart are the highest blessings of the Universe.”
~Amit Ray~

When we meet someone with whom our soul has shared history, there’s a powerful moment of recognition and attraction. There is an immediate response and we feel the need to interact with one another.  Pay attention to these soul connections – they often portend the beginning of a karmic contract.

Love resides at the core of the relationships, dramas and stories that we experience, though at times it can be hard to recognize. When someone is excessively challenging, when you’re engaged in loss or struggle, the immediate visceral response feels much stronger than a loving soul connection, but it is there nonetheless. As we process the lesson and discover our strengths, we will have a better understanding of the roles played by those who have challenged us and a greater appreciation for the nuances and beauty of our unique journey.

Those who challenge you the most on the physical plane love you the most on a soul level. They are willing to risk losing your affection and goodwill in this lifetime in order to spark expanded consciousness and awareness.

Wisdom

“Wisdom consists in doing the next thing you have to do, doing it with your whole heart and find delight in doing it.”  
~Meister Eckhart~  

The dance of awakening is a beautiful synergy of opposites. We learn to navigate the illusion of the physical world while integrating the limitless possibility of the spiritual. Honor the movement of awareness as it weaves its magic in your experience. Learn to be comfortable with the unknown. Your true sacred nature resides within that field of limitless potential.

Our human experience is one of paradox – everything is messed up, yet everything is ok. When we pull back from the stories of the mind and become loving observers, we discover the ability to live consciously within the paradox.
We are One, yet each of us has a unique path of awakening and each of us must do our own work. Contrasts are required: there is no love without hate, no light without the darkness, no awakening without sleep.
Learn to see the value in everything. See yourself as an infinite source of energy experiencing the illusion of separation. Know that your journey is infinite and that you will never stop learning. But also, know that you are Divine, a master in the process of remembering. Human perception is small and limited… life and love are immense.