The Art of Peace

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
~Jimi Hendrix~

In every moment we have an opportunity to practice the art of peace. When we align with divine love, we understand the Oneness that connects us. Each of us must nurture the aspects within ourselves that honor all living things as sacred. By dropping judgment and taking the purposeful stance of conscious awareness, we are transformed.

All of earth, the stars and sky and all that reside within, are our brothers and sisters. We are responsible for the well-being of one another. Peacefulness is an art. It is a consistent practice that we are called upon to bring into our daily experience. Learn the value of non-reactivity. We become invincible when we choose to fight with nothing.

Rise above the illusion and you will calmly discover how to walk the way of the peaceful warrior through any challenge. Each level of your growth builds upon the last and sets a foundation for the next. What harms one, harms all. What heals one, heals all; therefore, set off into the world with the desire to enlighten, to expand and to show what love looks like in motion. This is where your true power lies.

Vision

“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
This moment is filled with limitless possibility. It offers a new beginning and a new way of being. We must become aware of and disconnect from the patterns, thoughts and behaviors that distract us from seeing clearly. Mind-made burdens often keep us from recognizing the sacredness that is within us and all around us.
As we learn to rise above the mechanisms of the ego, we bring a new vision to life. There is vast potential within you and all around you. Surrender to the present moment, seek to honor its perfection and discover the joy and empowerment that acceptance brings. Choose to recognize the sacredness in all that you see.
When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. Seeing with the heart transforms everything in your experience. A sense of awe and wonder is the result of living an awakened life. Knowing this, it becomes possible to interact with one another consciously and our experience is transformed.

The Magic We Create

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
~Roald Dahl~

A magical life is one that sparkles with light, love and laughter. Our choices set energy in motion and we have the ability to consciously direct it in myriad ways. The higher your vibration, the more expanded your perception; therefore, it stands to reason that as you evolve, it becomes easier to recognize the impact your state of consciousness has on the present moment.

When faced with a challenge or disappointment, observe any inner scripts that begin to run. If you notice a pattern or reaction that feels limiting, ask yourself if that problem is more important than your joy. Utilizing this koan will help you remember that you are a powerful co-creator in your life experience.

Gossamer threads of light weave webs of playfulness throughout the journey. As energy emanates from you, it travels along that grid of energy impacting every other being on the planet. See what you can create, how you can demonstrate love and what you can contribute. We are blessed by your Presence.

Enjoy, Simplify, Love, Be

“If you are simple deeply simple in yourself you will discover something extraordinary.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

Sometimes life’s beauty gets lost in the details of being too busy. We run from one problem to the next, always searching for something to fix. This is not to say that we should ignore life’s challenges, but the key to happiness is in how we approach them.

There are many ways to bring joy into your experience. Appreciation adds flavor and texture to the journey. Within the souls desire to awaken there is a spark of love that seeks expression. Quiet the mind and go deeply into the Now. Be present with what is. In the stillness we can tap into the heartbeat of sacred mother earth.

What you place your focus upon grows stronger in your life; therefore, be mindful of how you utilize your energy. See if you can enjoy the dance within the flow between the sacred and the mundane. Your unique physical experience ultimately facilitates the awareness that is arising within you.

Approach life with a sense of wonder and for you, life will be transformed into something magical, extraordinary. This expanded perception adds something beautiful into the world.

The Pilgrimage

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

The journey is more important than the destination. The path that you walk is a sacred place, filled with adventure, new discoveries and old friends. As you move from one place to the next, growth is assured. There is no need to struggle or plan too much (though if you choose to do so that’s ok too…). Consider embracing the new with an openness and acceptance that will allow you to learn whatever your soul is ready to learn.

This attitude of openness ensures that new opportunities, friendships and experiences will enter your life. The journey is ever-changing and life is about walking the pilgrimage with joy.

No matter where you reside on the Path of Transformation, search your life for the evidence of the hard-won truths you can claim as your own. There is great power in being courageous enough to take responsibility for who you are as you live aligned with your true nature.

People are often afraid of the own divinity. They find it easier to see their perceived flows and faults than to allow their limitless potential to be expressed.

Live in communion with life. Become one with the experiences that come your way and walk the path with humility. Look deeply into the eyes of another – a loved one, a child, a friend, or simply hug a tree and realize that the love is returned. The sacred works through all forms and calls you home again and again.

Recognizing the Sacred

“When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment.”
~Pema Chödrön~
Imagine having the ability to send love out to all living beings in order to facilitate a space of enlightenment and wisdom. Imagine planting seeds that have the potential to shift our collective experience in such a way that we are all transformed. Imagine waves of energy emanating from you, little sparkles of light traveling through a grid of consciousness which enfolds us all.
During your next meditative moment, consider visualizing how such an action would look and feel to you. Would the energy emanate from your hands or your heart chakra, or perhaps an expansion of your auric field? What colors would represent healing? When you imagine it, it is already in motion.
The root cause of all harm is unconsciousness. We have the opportunity and ability to emit wisdom and light into the world, creating a space in which transformation can occur. Empowerment is purposely choosing to participate in our collective experience in a way that lifts one another up.

Honoring the Sacred

“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.”
~Khalil Gibran~
In each life there comes at least one moment which, if recognized and seized, transforms the course of that life forever. The awakening spirit brings a vitality of consciousness into each and every moment. When we approach life with the intention of honoring the sacred, the Divine is able to make itself known in miraculous ways.
Every path is unique. There is no guaranteed road-map to enlightenment; however, as you delve into the infinite, your path will certainly make itself known. Wisdom comes through exploration. Practice generosity, sharing mind, body and spirit without reservation or expectation and you will open portals of new experience.
Bring a sense of inner awareness to this moment and you will discover that the rising of consciousness changes how you view the world. The journey is a sacred place and by honoring the Now, we consciously move through the beautiful landscape of our souls awakening. Whenever you enter periods of movement and change, embrace the experience with a sense of adventure and discovery. This is your pilgrimage.

Love Who You Are

Live as if you had purposely chosen every aspect of your life. All of your experiences have set the stage for your awakening.

Far too many people carry the energy of self-hatred which creates a filter that warps all that they see. This is self induced torture. Unfortunately, this energy is compounded by the outward projection of hatred and judgment of others, often triggering others to return it in kind, and a loop of entrapment is created.
Self love, conversely, brings out laughter and the joy of being. It celebrates. It’s silly. It’s innocent and free and expansive. We purposely arranged every aspect of our life experience in order to facilitate the quickest spiritual awakening possible; therefore, embrace your quirkiness, for it is sacred.
What would life be like if there was nothing to complain about? How would you use all the excess energy that is no longer being wasted? There are no limitations. Observe how self-love and celebration transform the present moment. You are a spark of eternity having a unique physical experience. Celebrate it! We’ll be off on a new adventure soon enough.

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.

 

Conscious Awareness

“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~

Hold yourself to a higher standard. If approached consciously, this can be a time of inspiration and growth. Everything depends upon how we view ourselves, how we conduct ourselves in the world, and our willingness to stand in our integrity. There may be times when you need to step back, observe and take a few moments to breathe prior to taking action – taking mindful pauses allow us to bring a higher level of consciousness to our interactions.

Treat each person you meet as sacred. Offer them dignity and choose to remain mindful and balanced throughout your interaction. Yes, this calls upon you to consistently bring the best version of yourself to your relationships. Most people, expecting dysfunction or judgment, will have to learn to adjust to your loving way of being. After moments of confusion, they will begin to feel the safe atmosphere which promotes growth and awareness. Act with integrity, do your best, accept what is… You are contributing to the awakening collective consciousness of us all.