Navigating the Paradox

“It’s the paradox of the true spiritual path, but the more conscious we become of what limits us, the more limitless becomes our life.”
~Guy Finley~

Don’t try to change, simply be aware… awareness begins the process of transformation. Spiritual practice is often a blend of paradox – confusion and clarity, separation and wholeness, detachment and presence. The word paradox itself comes from the Greek para dokien which means beyond thought. See yourself as a physical expression of the Divine who wishes to experience life in it’s various forms. Teach yourself how to see through the illusion while acting consciously within the present moment. Eventually the illusion becomes easier to navigate on the path toward Oneness.

Be gentle with yourself and remain open to the potential that joy brings. No matter what teachings you embrace, you must ultimately trust your own divine nature in order to align with your truth and integrity. Give yourself permission to live consciously within the paradox without dissecting or analyzing it.

The same energy, knowledge and peace discovered by all the masters who have walked the Path of Transformation awaits you within the openness of your own heart. For all our searching, the answers lie within.

Divine Wisdom

“The heart that seeks to awaken, to live genuinely, is more real than anything. That nameless drive calls you to be who you most truly are.”
~Ezra Bayda
~

Sometimes you are closer to your divine wisdom than you realize. On those occasions the Universe tends to send confirmation – the perfect book falls into your hands, you repeatedly hear the same message, knowledge makes itself known to you – it can be a delight to watch how the synchronicities unfold.

Our conditioning often leads us to place more faith in validation from others than in ourselves. These loving messages from the Divine are meant to strengthen your unique vision so that you can more easily follow the inner prompting of your heart. For many, this begins an incredible transformation that reverberates throughout their life experience.

You will awaken in whatever way best serves your evolution. Apparent losses and challenges are simply part of the game of awakening in which we are all engaged. Whether someone is consciously seeking awareness or not, their soul is still propelling them forward in the most appropriate way for the unfoldment of their journey. As we tend to our own awakening, this loving energy impacts everything and everyone around us.

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.

Intuition

“There is a universal, intelligent life force that exists within everyone and everything. It resides within each one of us as a deep wisdom, an inner knowing. We can access this wonderful source of knowledge and wisdom through intuition, an inner sense that tells us what feels right and true for us at any given moment.”
~Shakti Gawain~

To cultivate your intuition, explore aspects of yourself that are less developed. If you are typically a person of action, practice waiting and listening. Spend time in nature or send your focus inward. If you are normally good at going with the flow while allowing the world to unfold, practice setting new things in motion. Don’t wait for your world to have an implosion before you practice new ways of being, you can grow without needing to manifest disruptive energy that forces you into new directions.

To live a passionate, awakened life, we must be willing to trust the messages we receive from the Universe. Sometimes we are called to jump into the unknown and if we stop to rationalize or plan, we may miss a window of opportunity. Utilize the rational mind as a servant rather than a master and trust that the way forward will make itself known.

Vision Quest

“In the silence of the mountain there is much you can learn.”

~Dennis McKay~

It’s powerful to treat yourself to periods of mindful solitude so that you can tune into your inner wisdom. Within these vision quest moments, you will discover how to hear. Notice any tension you may be holding and where it is located in the body. Quietly go inward, listen and be still.

Sometimes life will present messages in the midst of new experiences that prompt Presence to emerge. If nothing else, new experiences remind us that there is much yet to learn. Humility can be accessed when we realize how little we know. We stand at the precipice of the unknown and must access inner courage to proceed.

In solitude, we can experience greater depths of insight without distraction. If you keep a journal, periodically go back and revisit musings from the various phases of your journey. You may notice patterns and potential that can be built upon.

Open yourself to the mysteries of the universe. Through conscious exploration, you will discover new facets that are ready to shine. Let the journey take you where it will and you will return transformed. All of life supports your awakening.

Movement

To live without limitation means that you allow room for surprises, movement and passion. The Tao speaks of purposefully being like a river – endlessly moving, flowing with ease, alive to life itself. When life is too predictable, there is no dynamism and we become stagnant; therefore, the soul craves and creates movement to ensure that we are consistently in the process of allowing consciousness to express itself through us.

Wisdom lies within the contrasts of all that we experience. As we awaken, we change how we respond, how we think and act, and how we process new information. Those who are still unconscious have no knowledge of this ability – their life experiences keep them in a constant state of reaction, fear or regret.

As we discover inner mastery, we step into the realm of unlimited movement. No matter where you are on the journey, take a moment to observe how far you have come. Life mirrors what is happening within us and the more centered and expansive we become, the less we are affected by externals.

Visualize light and energy forming around a thought. See it expand as it flows out into the Universe. Sparks of joy merge with the life-force and love of the Divine… how big can it get? How far can it go? Movement is the dance of consciousness.

Intuition

“There is a universal, intelligent life force that exists within everyone and everything. It resides within each one of us as a deep wisdom, an inner knowing. We can access this wonderful source of knowledge and wisdom through intuition, an inner sense that tells us what feels right and true for us at any given moment.”
~Shakti Gawain~

To cultivate your intuition, allow yourself to explore aspects of yourself that are less developed. If you are typically a person of action, practice waiting and listening. Spend time in nature or send your focus inward. If you are normally good at going with the flow while allowing the world to unfold, practice setting new things in motion. Don’t wait for your world to have an implosion before you practice new ways of being, you can grow without needing to manifest disruptive energy that forces you into new directions.

Intuition is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes and the easier it is to access. Pay attention to the rhythms of your soul and trust your inner wisdom. To live a passionate, awakened life, we must be willing to act upon the messages we receive. You are safe, loved and supported each and every step of the way.

The Power of Stillness

“When you enter a place of stillness, you awaken the divinity within you.”

~Peggy Sealfon~

These are extraordinary times and you are an extraordinary being. It’s important to remember that you will always benefit from re-balancing your energy with moments of quietude and mindfulness. In this space of awareness we have the opportunity to touch ancient wisdom.

When aligned with your true nature, you’ll discover that there is nothing to fight. There is only love. In compassion, we can meet one another in the field of form. In kindness, we have the strength to extend a hand and lift someone from the throes of darkness. Our words of hope plant seeds that can transform the consciousness of those with whom we come into contract.

It’s important to consider that you have chosen to be here in this time and space for a specific reason. Your unique perception and abilities are integral aspects of the tapestry we weave together. The lessons you learn or facilitate in others shape the rising consciousness of humanity. Together we can discover how to see past the limitations of the mind and step into infinite possibility.

Enter Into Stillness

“Whenever you deeply accept this moment as it is — no matter what form it takes — you are still, you are at peace.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

This moment is the gateway to enlightenment. In the midst of hyperbole and distraction lies an infinite well of peace from which you can drink. Honor your journey as sacred by drinking deeply of the love, light and laughter of the universe.

Periodically choose to detach from worldly limitation and enter into the stillness of infinite possibility. Within the gap between words, breaths, heartbeats or movement we can catch a glimpse of  life’s limitless potential. There is no need to fill it that silence with analytical thought or action. Just be present. Your conscious awareness activates inner wisdom and peace.

Some call this the space of no mind. Detachment allows us to observe all that unfolds with greater clarity. From the vantage point of awareness, you may discover greater compassion, especially for those who are momentarily caught in the mechanisms of the mind. Your light is transformative, not only for yourself, but also for those around you.

Engage life’s magic through stillness. Consciousness seeks to experience itself through you. When distractions are removed, what remains? Love.

Intuition

In a world filled with overwhelming sensations and distractions, the ego-mind has cultivated a collective script that results in continued conflict and dysfunction. As we awaken, we begin to break free from the overwhelming cacophony to once again enter the stillness of being.

In that space of stillness, we can access our inner wisdom. Rather than being reactive, we are able to consciously respond to life from a higher level of consciousness. Our ability to slow down and go within creates a secure foundation which supports our journey of awakening.

Strengthen the intuitive aspect of your experience by trusting your instincts. When the voice of ego begins its repetitive mantra of fearful “what ifs?” simply recognize it, observe it and slow down. Ask how you can bring light, kindness or compassion to the situation. Most often you’ll discover that the voice of your heart directs you to do the exact opposite of what the ego insists is the right course of action. Acting on your instincts builds a pathway of energy that grows stronger over time.

The great miracle of awareness is that it transforms the mundane into the sacred. There is much more to life than meets the eye.