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Not only are society’s outdated beliefs changing about the “sanctity” of relationships, how we behave and define ourselves in them is also shifting. Whether you were the first one in your family to move in with your sweetheart prior to marriage, or you’ve been in a loving same-sex partnership for decades, or have elected to bow out of monogamous relationships all together, you are likely a completely different person than you were when you had your first date. Over the course of our lives, and particularly during our cosmic shift, our maturity and spiritual evolution have expanded us beyond the parameters of who we thought we were or believed we should be. Not only can this be disconcerting inwardly, it can be strenuous on a relationship. Though all healthy relationships grow and change as the individuals do, the more subtle and profound spiritual transformations we experience can leave us feeling indefinable and, therefore, incapable of upholding our previous roles in our ongoing relationships. Our expectations begin to shift as well, even though we may not be able to articulate our new perspectives to those we endear. Instead, we end up feeling lost and wondering how to relate in ways we barely understand – ways that honor who we are while keeping our loyalty and love intact. Imagine telling your husband, “Honey, I love you dearly, but I need my space to do some deep inner searching. It may take me a year or two, and my intention is to continue to love you, but we’ll see what happens when I emerge. I’ll be sleeping in the room down the hall until then.” Ha! Can you imagine how well that would go over!? Yet, it may be the most honest and important sentence you utter to him as you discover your true self. During this discovery period of “Who am I really?” we may realize that we have always identified ourselves in regards to each of our relationships – daughter or son, sister or brother, friend, companion, beloved, wife or husband, parent, grandparent and so on. What often happens after the dissolution of an important relationship is we redefine who we are. Yet, who we truly are has nothing to do with our relationships. Our true essence experiences our relationships as an exchange of energy and an opportunity to discover “other” and “self” and how the two seemingly separate beings relate. Our essence has no need to have our relationships define us. Our ego, on the other hand, uses relationships as the foundation of its structure. Thus as we embark, consciously or not, on the journey to our essential self one of the most intense shifts we encounter happens in our relationships. At some point, the Universe seems to bring us face-to-face with our beliefs about our identity as reflected in our cherished relationships – not to mention how we behave in them. For example, do you consider yourself a “good partner?” Those two words alone create such strong parameters which are fashioned from our beliefs; beliefs about what each word means individually, as well as when coupled together. Moreover, they are infused with all the stories associated with “good partner” from generations past. If you believe you are a good partner, or want to uphold that commitment, then anything you do that is outside of that structure of beliefs has the potential to shake the foundation of your identity as well as the relationship you want to be a “good partner” in. Once shaken, we begin to question ourselves, our worth, our relationships and fear can set in. From fear the ego goes to fight or flight, right? Arguments erupt, blame flies, hurt happens, and retreats to safety become inevitable. But from what are we really seeking safety? Ironically, as we desperately desire love in each of our relationships, the tenderness its purity offers our hearts can be too intense for our fragile egoic selves. In our efforts to feel safe, we retreat from the love we crave. Yet in our collective awakening, it is true love we are revealing and so begins a deliberate dissolving of the protective ego – a releasing of all the identities of who we thought we were that keep us from experiencing it. So is it possible to release these identities and keep our beloved relationships? Absolutely. Millions of people on the planet are experiencing great inner shifts at this time. If we understand this on a global scale, we realize that our inner currents are ebbing and flowing, to some degree, with the collective tide. Rather than retreating in isolation and fear, we can empower ourselves with self-compassion and make room for ourselves to grow. By giving yourself permission to discover what’s beneath the masks of relationship-defined identities, you will likely need some space, both inwardly and in your relationships. For example, inner space would mean making room for a shift in your beliefs. “How does ‘good’ relate to my life, and what other definitions can it imply for me?” Space in your relationships may mean setting boundaries so you can evaluate how you relate to others and how you let them define you. “What if we choose not to have sex so I can practice retaining my own energy and not fall into the habit of pleasing you?” And what about new relationships? Can they really form healthily in spite of all the changes we are going through? Of course, they can. As each ego identity – or mask – releases, you change and become more of your authentic self. For a moment, imagine yourself spinning round and round at a masquerade ball with a room full of potential partners who are also twirling. The music stops and you find yourself facing another dancer. The two of you instantly connect because you are each wearing similar masks. Perhaps you share a few dances together. Then, the spinning resumes and your mask flies off only to reveal another mask. When the music stops again, what is the likelihood of you facing or finding the same dance partner? It’s possible, but if you are seeking someone whose mask is no longer recognizable or has been lost altogether, it makes the “match game” quite difficult, doesn’t it? Yet, if we seek to connect with those without masks and have released our own, the relations we create are founded on authenticity, rather than superficial matches. As long as we are hooked into relationships that are dependent on another person’s ego-created identity or our projections, we will not only risk the loss of the relationship as we or our partners grow, we are missing a profound opportunity to connect deeply with the other person’s true essence... which is pure Love. More significantly, our masks and projections will keep us from our own essence and experiencing the Love within and around us at all times.
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What is your relationship with media? As a media-oriented culture, many don't think twice about the flickering screens in banks, restaurants,salons and now at gas station pumps. In modern society, nearly every living room boasts a television larger than the family portrait, along with several more to enhance each bedroom. And, for convenience, most folks have a hefty array of media devices to fill in all the spaces in between. We compulsively turn on and tune in to the sounds, pictures and stories that emit from these frequency transmitters with very little consciousness. Yet, as our bodies and minds expand to harmonize with more refined states of consciousness, it is natural to want to align with resonant frequencies, and many times the information offered by the media broadcasters isn't compatible with who we truly are... with Love Consciousness. Instead of automatically filling your home and energy field with media, perhaps you pause and ask, "What truly resonates with me? What do I want to experience right now?" If you are bored and "need stimulation," be willing to discover what kind of activity might engage your body and senses to awaken. If you wish to "just relax and veg-out," then maybe sitting on the front porch watching the sunset is a blissful option. Start to pay attention to how you fill up the sacred spaces in which you place yourself and learn to make more mindful decisions about your allowance of media into your space. Though you may experience initial pangs of media withdrawal, your true self will thank you for doing so! Just when we think we have an area of our lives dialed in, some spiritual guru will remind us, “the only constant is change.” Even if our ducks aren’t exactly in a row, the thought of change will often ruffle our mama-duck feathers as we worry about a whole host of “what if’s.” Our steadfast egos like constant constant, not constant change! But, alas, we are ever-evolving, ever-shifting; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The transformations may be great or miniscule, but they are always there moving us along our journey of life. As humans, there are times when our changes are so great that we clearly identify and acknowledge them. Physically speaking, our major transitions are the touchpoints of our development. Everything you want to know about What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Your Growing Child, Adolescent Development, and Aging Well can be answered in a multitude of books. Emotional people, like children, can go from laughter to tears in a matter of minutes, then bounce right back to joy. Those who aren’t as fluid in their emotional bodies may not experience such extremes, but their subtleties can feel equally stirring to them. Then there are our varying thoughts! Like flashes of lightening, sometimes we seek them out to illuminate us with their brightness. Other times we long for quietude in the endless, thunderous rumbling in our minds. Although the soul is timeless and infinite, our human selves experience spiritual changes that affect our lives just as profoundly as the material ones, if not more so. For most people, these shifts may not be easy to identify, much less understand. What can be confusing is that our spiritual development can cause fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation. Rather than feeling bliss or oneness, as one might expect, we can find ourselves experiencing apathy and frustration toward everything. It can be heartening to learn that these experiences, as we shift spiritually, are quite typical. Imagine starting your first period, or experiencing your first “wet dream,” without anyone telling you that this was a normal part of adolescent development. Knowing that we are experiencing something that is common not only reduces our anxiety, it opens the door to connecting with others who have experienced the same thing. Like learning about our sexual development from our adolescent friends, sometimes we can be misinformed about our spiritual development, which only causes more anxiety. Similar to the boy who wants to boast about his sexual (usually fantasy) experiences to impress his friends, spiritual teachers (who are often seeking clients) will share how wonderful their lives are, and how everything came together when they learned mindfulness, to manifest, to control their thoughts, how to connect with their angel guides, and so on. Rarely will the stories of impotency, pain, awkwardness and dissatisfaction come forth isolating those who’ve had such experiences. Today there are masses of people experiencing major shifts into higher states of consciousness as our collective belief in our separation from our spiritual Source dissolves. As a result, phrases such as the “New Age” or “The Shift” have merged into mainstream culture. We have witnessed an explosion of resources related to our spiritual evolution. Books such as A New Earth and the Conversations With God series have given millions of people a new perspective. The list of spiritually-focused movies, YouTube videos and websites grows exponentially as people seek to understand and participate in our collective movement to become enlightened, whatever the individual’s spiritual path or practice may be. Since most of the resources are aimed to reach the awakening masses, the information can feel elementary or incomplete to the highly evolved soul. Most spiritual seekers have come to the conscious awareness that we actively participate in the unfoldment of our lives. They recognize that we aren’t just victims of life’s whims and woes, with a certain and unwavering destiny ahead of us. Those who have discovered “The Secret” have heartily experimented with positive thoughts with varying degrees of success. Understanding that life still happens, seekers who have developed a conscious relationship with their spirituality soon realize that there isn’t a panacea out there, so have learned to gather an array of tools to cultivate their spiritual growth and happiness. Yet, it’s important to note that our current spiritual evolution includes the emergence of many masters and mystics. And, as odd as it may seem, some of these lightbearers have yet to see, believe or embrace their significant spiritual part in the upliftment of humanity’s consciousness. Unaware, these masters and mystics look and act like the rest of us, but have grown bored of the pursuit of happiness, become disinterested in spiritual seeking, and perhaps have lost their ability to manifest. They are wise beyond books, have felt “different” from the time they were young, and have guided people in some way most of their lives. Whether or not they are aware of their role, they are experiencing higher states of spiritual development as the collective continues to expand. As such, these experiences of disconnection, disinterest, and not desiring to fully recognize who they are is a very normal part of their journey. It is prompting them to do something… to step in to who they really are! These masters have walked a long, often hard, and conscious road across many lifetimes and dimensions and they are getting weary and/or bored. They have released much along the way – belief systems, excuses, negative behaviors, and limiting perspectives – yet they still grapple with their seeming imperfections. They feel an unidentifiable restlessness in their souls. As human-spiritual beings, we are ready to expand and experience our whole selves more fully, which includes our spiritual development. And, similar to physical growth, most people experience major changes in their lives as they move from one stage to another. Moving into the stage of awakening to your masterhood (regardless of practical spiritual study) or your mysticism (even if you don’t yet recognize your powers) can be uncomfortable and a somewhat lonely. It can poke at your feelings of unworthiness, even though you know you have good self-esteem.
Although we may not want to admit it, most of us have some kind of resistance to owning our truth, power and joy. In spite of our striving, we often settle for far less and become comfortable with good enough. However, as a collective, we are opening to deeper parts of ourselves than ever before. Globally and individually, we are discovering there are significant consequences to whether we choose to reject or accept ourselves. With rejection, we experience blocks, depression, feelings of worthlessness, confusion and a general emptiness in our lives, and our actions reflect even the most subtlest of our rejections. Aligning with authenticity, self-empowerment and joy, on the other hand, drives our actions to support a promising world and meaningful lives. In centuries past, living with mediocrity was accepted as status quo with only a minority seeking and cultivating truly fulfilling lives. Rejection of self and joy was considered humble, and even holy, while power was limited to a select few who usually misused it. Unfortunately, some of these limiting patterns are deeply embedded in our consciousness. Thankfully though, as we've evolved, not only have we recognized that the individual has worth, we've deemed the pursuit of happiness to be a fundamental right, as is personal empowerment. Yet, declaring such values and living them may not always go hand in hand. With financial demands, social constraints, and a plethora of obligations, we often find ourselves unconsciously disconnected from our truth, power and joy even when we believe we are pursuing them. As we navigate our way through the bombardment of have-to’s, limiting rules and beliefs, and our occasional bouts of unworthiness, we may find ourselves living within the confines of partial-truth, just-enough-empowerment, and semi-joy. Yet, our soul’s tolerance for mere survival and unsatisfactory living has reached its limit. As conscious individuals, we came here to enlighten the world and mediocrity is no longer an option. Our personal disappointments, whether or not we believe we’ve contributed to them, stem from our rejection of, or misalignment with, our essential truth, power and joy. Fortunately, since we have been collectively resisting who we are and are now ready to awaken and realign with our true nature, millions of people are seeking ways to heal these misperceptions, and various tools have become available to us. As practical individuals, many of us benefit from step-by-step guidance or outside assistance to overcome our obstacles. Yet, as we embark on this journey to connect with our essence, we will increasingly experience the layers, dimensions, and formlessness of our souls, as well as our perceived obstacles. We will see, and perhaps appreciate, the multifaceted complexity we face. We can let this overwhelm or stop us from clearing old patterns and realigning with our core, or we can delight in awe over the incredible interplay of spirit and matter. The complexity of our soul, as well as the issues we face, are indications of our incredible nature. If we think of our blocks as protective veils that have been put into place by our higher selves to preserve us for grander times, it helps dissolve the shame and blame that our egos might want to seize and use against us. We can recognize the forces our spirit had to employ to make us believe we are anything less than holy. As well, we can use those same forces to release this fundamental misconception. In reality, our veils are as thin as light and can be released at any time. For a moment, let’s look at the basic ways we avoid – consciously or not – our truth, power or joy:
Fortunately, it really can be that simple! Acknowledging your challenges, opening to their gifts and offering them Love are the simplest ways to integrate your truth, power and joy. Whether you choose to seek support from another person, find resources to guide you, or take an individual approach, it is important to incorporate Love. Not necessarily easy or instant, the bottom line is that pure, unconditional Love changes everything. Are you ready to let Love help you align with your Truth, Power and Joy? You can take these suggestions in and contemplate them over a period of days or weeks, or focus your attention on one area of your life and use them as the foundation of a dedicated processing session you offer yourself: Recognize your essence is Truth, Power and Joy. Though your ego may forget, or your circumstances may look otherwise, you are Divine, Perfect Love – right now and always… and in all ways – and are simply experiencing the interesting parameters of being human. Observe your “shortcomings” with neutrality. Whether you feel inadequate, are frustrated with a particular area of your life, or have come across a confusing obstacle, learn to sit and be with the situation, including your feelings about it, with neutral wonder. Become aware of the obstacle. Observe it. Feel what comes up for you. Notice and allow. Look deeper. Open yourself to exploring the “whys” beneath the surface. Were you shamed as a child? Does having power frighten you? Do you feel guilty when you’re happy? As you discover the obstacles, ask, “Why is this here? What do I have to gain from this?” Explore your questions with wonder. Hold space for your revelations. You don’t need to chase your “whys” down a rabbit hole, but once you discover the underlying causes, again sit with them. Allow them to expand, feel into the stories and concerns, let them become a tsunami and wash over you. Feel, watch, and allow your issues to become as deep and expansive as your soul. Stay with your experience for as long as you can. Discover the need. If you imagine every aspect of you craving recognition, you may also notice all the former attempts at communication. Was your body growing sick or weary? Do you keep falling into the same pit? As you become keenly in tune with the core energies that keep you from your truth, power or joy, ask if there are any messages that wish to be conveyed, or needs that yearn to be met. Listen with an open heart. Bring the information your blocks are trying to convey into your conscious awareness.
As a being of Love, when you return to it, you recognize that your truth, power and joy begin and end with Love.
What do you find Beautiful? Whether you find beauty in art, Nature, your partner's or child's face, or in various objects, beauty awakens our soul. It reminds us of who we are. In the simplest forms, beauty radiates from an exquisite dance of physical, energetic and emotional forces, that draws us in. Rather than wait to discover beauty by chance, we can learn to cultivate beauty and make it a part of our daily lives. From the objects we bring into our home, to the way we lay out our garden, to the styles we choose to adorn ourselves with, to how we arrange the food on our plates, beauty can be created everywhere. In the world of Design, one of the fundamental rules is "Form follows function." Yes, things need to be functional, but form is what makes us love it! How will you bring Beauty into your life today? As much as visualization, meditation, Reiki and other similar modalities are coming into mainstream awareness, they are still dancing along the fringes of society trying to get noticed for their worth. And, as they do, our personal impulses may be dancing right alongside them wondering if we are being led astray. Not just because we are beginning to notice our own “woo-woo” tendencies and worried what that might mean, but moving to the fringe – though it may seem wild and free – can also feel uncomfortably edgy. Accepting others as gifted, or experimenting with guided imagery or holistic health care in the privacy of our own home or Naturopath’s office is one thing, but publicly dancing along the outskirts may be more than we wish to exhibit. Yet, the pull to see what lies beyond the boundaries can be undeniably alluring. Perhaps the fabric of our lives has started to wear thin and we are seeking ways to create it anew. Many turn to alternative support when convention ceases to have adequate answers. Whether we discover unconventional methodologies out of desperation, curiosity or our desire for growth, it often stirs in us our own supernatural abilities. As the collective consciousness awakens, individuals awaken as well, and part of our evolution includes an awareness of our metaphysical capacities… and we all have them! For some this can be exciting, and for others a bit intimidating. Although we may not necessarily want to become the next Medium or spook ourselves too much by inviting in unwanted Paranormal Activity, it may seem as if our Sixth Sense is evolving, whether we want it to or not. Since our intuitive nature is still a mystery to us as a culture, our media plays on that uncertainty. It has mastered how to make millions off our fears, ignorance and addiction to drama. As well, when our full capacities are utilized, we become more conscious of our choices, which empowers us. At this point in our societal timeline, empowered people haven’t always been met with open arms. They rock the boat, change things that are “just fine” and lead people into uncharted territories… yeah, that edge! And, fortunately, each time one person empowers many, the framework in which a society comfortably lives expands. In terms of metaphysics, we are broadening our peripheral vision, seeing more clearly – which is what clairvoyance actually means – and becoming acutely aware of realities beyond our physical senses. Although the mystical is becoming more accessible, your personal interest is probably piqued by your own “inner woo-woo” desiring to come out! Whether for your own personal empowerment, or to expand your gifts to serve many, it’s probably no accident you are reading this article. Hmmm… serendipity, karma, an angelic message? Call it whatever you want, but keep reading if you’re ready to unfold to your potential! So how, exactly, does one discover, cultivate and embrace the “inner woo-woo”… and maybe even let it out to play amongst the fringe? Learn more about your gifts. It is important to note that our metaphysical gifts are so natural to us, and as they have been disregarded since childhood, they can be hard to discern. Yet, you can discover them in many ways. Seek insights from an intuitive. Invite your friends to share their thoughts and observations. Make a list of things that come easy to you. Pay attention to the physical sense you rely on most (it is likely your most refined metaphysical sense). Look behind your shortcomings to the opposite side of the coin. Ask Divine guidance to show you your inherent gifts. Seek and ye shall find! Play. Like you would with any new interest, have fun with your discovery process. Think of it as a treasure hunt. Put on your coolest explorer’s costume and let your “inner woo-woo” be your enthusiastic compass! The more you stress about what you have or don’t have – or question the value of what you will find – the deeper your treasures will be buried. As the treasures are yours, no one else can retrieve them for you, but you can certainly invite them to help you excavate. Sharpen your skills. Even if you haven’t discovered “your thing,” you can sharpen any skill of your choice. Take classes or read books that interest you. From Astrology to Zen Meditation, you can explore an array of written material and can often find local or online classes. You may be surprised to learn that Adult Ed isn’t just about watercolor or web design anymore! Your intention and pursuit will serve you. Seek supportive environments. Oftentimes when we are apprehensive about trying something new, we share it with those who will criticize it – don’t! Not only do you want to avoid having people burst your auric-bubble, you want to seek out others who will actually support your endeavors. Whether you fill your Facebook wall with like-minded friends, MeetUp with an ongoing group in your area, or instigate a gathering of your own, creating a supportive network can help ease the feelings of being too far off the beaten path. (By the way, the reception out there isn’t so great, so it’s best if you leave behind that restraining television.) Play some more. As your skills develop (or even if they don’t seem to) try to keep it light and joyful. If you get discouraged, accessorize your latest costume with some rosy-colored glasses. If you start to feel confined to one amusement, mix it up! As well, maybe you invite others to play along. Unless you’re worried about missing the next gypsy caravan, there’s really nothing to fret. Own it! Whether you get intuitive hits, are a natural healer, talk to animals, or are great at manifesting, allow yourself to acknowledge and integrate your gifts. Bless your strengths and welcome the opportunities your weaknesses offer you. Write affirmative statements about your capabilities. Tell others you trust about what you can do and what you still wish to incorporate. Practice, practice, practice! Share your gifts with others. Once you establish a talent to a point just past beginner, allow yourself to share and practice with others. Invite folks to an evening of energy healing. Offer free aura readings. Divulge your secrets of manifesting with your book group. Share your insights and wisdom about your topic on YouTube (you can even set your upload to “unlisted”). Whatever your gifts are, sharing them may feel vulnerable, but it will be incredibly freeing. Your “inner woo-woo” will be happy to be out! In time, all of this worry about being too “out there” will dissolve along with everyone else’s mainstream fabric. Our collective awakening is happening because we are ready. The veils are thinning and our mystical senses are sensing it – some are simply tuning in sooner than others are.
Being busy has become such a norm in our society that we often find ourselves feeling bad about what we are not doing, rather than taking a larger look at the societal imbalances. Whether we are students, employees, entrepreneurs, or at-home parents, there are usually more to-do’s on our list than there is time to do them. So we try to adapt with less sleep, more caffeine, synchronizing calendars, task-managing apps, coordinated carpools and anything else that might help us get things done more efficiently. And, for those of us on a spiritually conscious path, we squeeze in a morning meditation or rush off to unwind at a yoga class at the end of the day. In our efforts to seek balance, we sprinkle in the rest and relaxation time, but rarely feel comfortable examining our deeper impulses to keep on going. As our bodies become more exhausted, our souls begin to seek refuge. But are we really ready to release the busyness? There are many reasons we chase time and fill our calendars. Beyond keeping a roof over our heads and bellies filled, we want to enjoy certain comforts, please others, do the right thing, and fit in with our communities. Letting go of the have-to’s can seem detrimental to these fundamental needs and desires. Thankfully, we don’t have to become monastery monks to slow down. Though not always comfortable, we can learn to loosen our stronghold on our perceived obligations. Becoming aware of our essential ties to why we do what we do is an instrumental part of making a change. If you outline your average daily and weekly obligatory tasks, whether in a list or schedule format, you get a clearer picture of just how busy you are and why you’ve been longing for more breathing room. As well, what if you inserted the mound of other “shoulds” that you don’t have time for, but feel guilty about not doing? Yes, go ahead and pencil those in, too. Once your busy life is charted in front of you, meditate, journal and gently observe your underpinning.
Getting adjusted to a slower, more simplified lifestyle isn’t quite so easy. Our needs, beliefs, loyalties and fears can be so powerful that breaking free can cause inner anguish as well as judgment from others, especially if your change in commitment affects them.
As you grow more intuitive and open, you may find that you are more sensitive to external influences. Though I believe we are all sensitive beings, I have discovered that some people are more sensitive than others (think allergies), while many others have had to desensitize themselves in order to function in an incompatible environment (think our very dense world). Whether a day job is heavy with "negative" people, or media feels too harsh to handle, or foods just don't seem to sit well in your belly these days, you are likely becoming ultra sensitive with your spiritual growth. Rather than ignore these aggravations which drain your system, you can implement a few practices:
Our reality, in the third dimensional realm, is rooted in the concept of space and time. Our physical bodies are formed within a specific space, we are born at a certain time and, as humans, our lives continue to unfold along this linear pattern. As third dimensional beings, in order to live on planet Earth, we must agree to the time-space continuum. Though confined to some degree by our physicality in this dimension, we know our spiritual essence is eternal and constant, which defies both time and space as well as any particular dimension. Our thoughts, feelings and other non-physical aspects of ourselves are already engaged in other dimensions, namely the fourth and fifth, but we often don’t recognize these dimensions as such. Instead we “densify” our non-physical energies by habitually incorporating them; or we disregard them altogether. Yet, at this time in our human-spiritual evolution, our awareness of our multi-dimensionality is expanding. We are ready to move beyond the third dimension and consciously explore higher realms beyond mere thoughts and feelings. For many, the idea of higher dimensions can be intriguing, overwhelming or incomprehensible – or a little of each! Though simple in the practical sense, living a third dimensional life, unconscious of the other realms, is becoming more unsatisfying for the masses of awakening people. Whether one has a sense of “something more,” wants to experience greater meaning and purpose in life, or has decided to follow a specific spiritual path, the need to pursue deeper aspects of “being” is gaining popularity. As we begin to reflect on our state of being, we expand beyond the knowing of self into a grander awareness; one which touches on the vastness of infinite dimensions. Though the awareness gained may not be detected by our conscious mind, or understood fully, the experience opens patterns within us to allow for deeper connections to these other realms. Even without personal effort, since our collective consciousness is evolving so quickly, we are each becoming more aligned with higher dimensions. Of course, we can catapult our personal awareness with focus and inner work. In our interest and quest, we may wonder where these higher dimensions are or how we can get to them, as our linear minds try to grasp something tangible. However, these other dimensions – as we can experience somewhat with our thoughts and feelings – aren’t actually in a location at all. Yet, we can imagine their existence in a field around our physical bodies similar to our emotional, mental and spiritual bodies, or that of our chakra system. In terms of accessing these dimensions, we can first realize that we already experience them on a daily basis – we dream, think, imagine, love, and so on. Clearly, just like our dreams, we can choose to deepen our conscious connections. To learn to sense other dimensions more keenly, you can practice tuning into the more etheric, yet familiar, fields and observe what’s there with greater neutrality. For example, you can pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without engaging in them. You can set the intention to dream more vividly and record your dreams without having to interpret them. You can practice “sensing” your chakras and notice their qualities. The more you connect with and observe these aspects of yourself, the more open you become to dimensions beyond them. As you practice and evolve, you can then develop a means of interpretation or understanding which will bring greater awareness about yourself as well as the energetic fields you encounter. Allowing the awareness of your emotions to be indicators of deeper energies, rather than reacting to them, brings an equilibrium which opens your ability to explore higher dimensions. If you’ve discovered that your dreams are guiding you to be more self-loving – and you take action to do so – not only will you experience positive results, you learn to trust your dreams and your relationship to this realm. Paying attention to your chakras and working to keep them clear and balanced also greatly improves your spiritual awareness. For serious seekers, a mystical practice can take you into realms beyond everyday comprehension. Deep meditation, shamanic journeying, intense breathwork and spiritual fasting can open your body, mind and spirit to realms that are indescribable, profound and even life altering. In time, these states can become integrated into daily life and the need to use extreme means to access them becomes irrelevant. At this time, many are excited and wondering about when the fourth or fifth dimensions will become realities on planet Earth. Just like our individual range of energy fields, all dimensions already exist in the fields around the Earth; we simply need to create a relationship with them. As each of us tunes in and utilizes the information from other dimensions, we simultaneously open the patterns in the collective. And, of course, the more of us who consciously access the higher realms, the more incorporated – and natural – it becomes for our earthly experiences. With awareness, trust and practice, each of us can create our own reality shift into higher dimensions. From the basics of third dimensional living, to neutral observations of thoughts and feelings, to deeper interpretations of dreams and patterns, to the more mystical experiences of higher states, we are ready, here and now, to explore and expand. Just think, in the reality without time or space, we are already there! Imagine yourself as an infinite energy field of Love. Imagine moving freely through the universe – the movement of formlessness. Now notice an impulse. It is curious. You feel its pull into more curiosity. You follow the curiosity and begin to sense form. Another impulse of wonder and the pull toward form grows stronger. As expressions of infinite Love energy, we are powerful beyond measure. Our Divine creation is both miraculous and exquisite. Miraculous because, as humans, we are filled with wonder about our being, our world and the universe, as if they are mysteries. Exquisite because at a cosmic level we know everything is in perfect order. When we reconnect with the truth of being Divine Love energy experiencing form and consciousness, we open the door to the magnitude of our true power. For thousands of years humanity has experienced countless examples of power and powerlessness. Playing out the polarities has become an addictive game of “good vs. evil.” Erroneous beliefs and endless abuses associated with power are passed down from one generation to the next, and our sense of power has become so shaded that we not only misunderstand it, we fear it. At one end, we identify power with oppression and abuse and don’t want anything to do with it. At the other end, we have a clear sense of our incredible power, but are afraid it is too much for us or the world to handle. We worry that we will either hurt others or lose relationships if we step into our power. Whether our fears about power stem from our life’s experiences, our collective beliefs, or are lodged deep in our cellular memories, in order to become completely free – including giving ourselves permission to live in unbounded joy – we must release our fears and align with our power. Though it takes courage to face and transmute our fears, it takes an open and willing heart to reclaim our power with integrity. For some people, courage comes easily; they are natural warriors ready to take on any challenge with fervor. Yet, it is the open and willing heart which guides our authentic selves to emerge, and allows us to embrace our innate power with Love Consciousness. Interestingly enough, pure freedom and joy may not sound so tantalizing to some. “Why ask for more when I have relative independence and suitable contentment? After all, I’m not miserable.” Many may not even believe in complete freedom or unbounded bliss, or perhaps they struggle with feelings of unworthiness. Where do you stand? Are you centered firmly in your powerful self, living freely and joyfully? We may feel fine and dandy basking in the warmth of tolerable with our very long tethers, but for many walking a spiritual path, the wisdom of our soul is now reminding us of the sacred agreements we made before birth. As conscious individuals, we came here to enlighten the world and mediocrity is no longer an option. We cannot raise our own frequency, the vibration of the planet or realize heaven on earth if we continue to squelch our inherent power which limits our joy. Our own restrictions will continue to tighten around us until we suffocate under their constraint or emerge into our true, powerful selves. Though we are always at free will, our souls are hard-wired for expansion. We can slow down our progress, if we choose, but that can become a painful illusion. Whether our life force is depleted quietly, or our rug gets pulled out from beneath us, it is hard to ignore the urging of our soul to evolve and get back on course. Like our own birth, there comes a point when a process is impossible to stop. Regardless of due dates, suppressive drugs, or the availability of doctors, your birth was inevitable; your powerful will to be born was not prevented. You are here, now, and reading this for a reason. Are there any parts of your life to which you feel bound? Where in your life have you settled? Are you still withholding your gifts – or the amazing you – from the world? Likely you are confident and generally happy, have loved ones in your life, enjoy your spiritual awareness and insights, and have harnessed a few fabulous gifts. What is also very likely is that you grapple with substandard compromises to which you feel obliged, habitually crash into resistant walls you’ve built, or experience ongoing frustrations or apathy about a particular area of your life. Perhaps you’ve closed the door on a dream. From your powerful spiritual essence to the will of your incarnation to the incredible gifts and consciousness you embody to the dreams dancing around the edge of your comfort zone, you are well on your way to full empowerment. It is now time to walk through the door and reclaim all of your power – unequivocally and without apology. Envision your life through the eyes of Love. Scan your health, money, relationships, work... Do you feel fully empowered? Do each of these areas resonate with joy? Is there something you wish to change or refine? Observe and notice with as much neutrality as possible. In what ways, subtle or obvious, do you relinquish your power?
Reclaiming all of our power has many implications. First, by understanding what true power is and releasing false beliefs, we restore its essence within our own consciousness as well as the collective. By viewing power with a new perspective, we can let go of our resistance to aligning with it. Consciously connecting to our Source of power helps us stay energized and clear, and we learn to trust our guidance. We learn to make peace with ourselves and become less critical. Owning our power allows us to recognize our choices, take responsibility, and direct our energy to manifest the life and world we want. Our creativity grows exponentially, bringing more joy to our lives and the lives of others. By reclaiming all of our power, we anchor its pure frequency into the planet and become a living example of integrated love, power and joy.
The Mission Most of us want to feel as if we have some kind of purpose. Part of this desire has to do with our insecurities of our own worthiness, but in essence, we desire a purpose because we sense there really was a soul intention behind our incarnation. Some people incarnate to experience life, welling from a fundamental “I want to try THAT” impulse. Others come to clear karmic debts, so to speak; their purpose may be to create balance from previous incarnations. Then there are the willing students (or maybe not so willing) who’ve decided to learn or advance in a particular lesson or even get their master’s degree. The intention of the masters – those who have gained a “higher” degree of spiritual consciousness – was to incarnate to fulfill a specific spiritual mission. Almost everyone has incarnated with a combination of intentions – experiential, karmic, educational, and spiritual. For example, the experiential traveler will encounter several lessons along his path, while the spiritual master may have some final karmic debts to complete as she embarks on her mission. If we look at the core of a soul’s intention with a more linear perspective, we can discern the “stage” of consciousness of the soul based on its fundamental life intention. Of course, when we recognize everything as vibration, we can release judgment, know there really are no “levels”, and can observe all things with neutrality. Yet, by seeing the soul’s evolution through a hierarchal lens, we gain understanding about our soul’s original intention as well as our life path. This helps us make peace with our path, its perceived obstacles, and can be the impetus we need to forge ahead with open hearts! With the birth of the New Age our planet welcomed an unprecedented influx of spiritual masters. Likely, you are one of them and you are here on a spiritual mission. The Master The majority of spiritual masters begin with fairly ordinary lives. As children, they may have felt “different” or simply “knew”, “saw” or “felt” things that they didn’t understand. Though we all have access to our intuitive senses, spiritual masters usually incarnate with well-evolved skills, as well as a clear sense of Divine Source, however they interpret it. As part of their life experiences, most people have learned to suppress, hide and overlook their intuitive gifts, soul mastery and, therefore, their mission. With the collective spiritual awakening, many masters have spent numerous years trying to understand who they are and why they are here. Many have made significant progress in their quest, though most continue to hide behind layers of old tapes, fears and confusion as they press through the bustle of their daily lives. Even those who have discovered that they are indeed masters have resisted fully aligning with their mission. Why is this? Basically, recognizing one’s masterhood can be quite difficult. Most people have spent a good portion of their lives protectively hiding themselves. In fact, they have mastered this so well that they have surrounded themselves with others who cannot truly see them, including their parents, friends, and even spouses. Couple this with a societal frown on being “too big for your britches” and it’s no wonder spiritual masters are afraid to become who they really are! Now add to the mix the forgetting of spiritual gifts. Since gifts come so easily and naturally to people, they don’t realize that others don’t have them, or that their gifts are particularly enhanced. In other words, if one cannot identify any “special gifts”, then recognizing his or her masterhood is nearly impossible. The good thing about gifts, thankfully, is that they are inherent, though sometimes they may need a little polishing up. Fortunately, there are many willing masters who are stepping out to be seen and accepted, and are eagerly integrating their gifts into their work. Brave and ready, they repeatedly stumble over obstacles of fear and resistance in perfectly human ways. As such, these masters believe they are on their path because they are serving humanity in some way. Perhaps they are working in the holistic, healing or intuitive arts and are pretty darned good at what they do. What they don’t realize, however, is that their work and expertise are actually training grounds for their next spiritual step. Even the more awake spiritual masters may not realize they are still withholding their true, mystical gifts. They are not fully aligning with their fundamental spiritual mission. The Mystic As we expand and attain greater states of consciousness, it is easy to feel that we’ve arrived. If we perceive that we’ve achieved a state that is equal to or greater than those around us, then why not be good with that? Regardless of how spiritually expanded we believe we are, our soul will continue to nag at us to align with more. More of who we are, more of our inner power and knowing, and more of our mysticism. Though we may be “greater” than we were before, or exhibit wisdom beyond the average spiritual seeker, our souls will continue to direct us to our deep-seated mission – one that is immensely significant because it shifts ourselves as well as the planet. If we quiet our master minds, we will remember that the underlying intention of our mission is to become the mystic. Oxford Dictionaries defines a mystic as a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute. Moreover, a mystic understands and reveals spiritual truths that are beyond the intellect – that are beyond third dimensional reality. Today’s mystic may not need to walk on water, but the mystical path may seem almost as daunting. Stepping into a new dimension isn’t easy when we have two feet firmly planted in human experiences. Yet, in order to shift our personal and collective paradigms, we must harness, cultivate and channel our higher dimensional gifts. It is time to fully embody our mysticism and apply it to everything we do, freely and unapologetically. Most masters have moved well beyond the basics of metaphysics, have gained clarity and direction about their general path, but still feel as if “something is missing.” Perhaps they’ve hit the same frustrating wall, or wonder why they keep tripping over those unseen blocks in the road. In spite of knowing their power and abilities, they haven’t figured out how to unleash them with precision and joy. In essence, these are the masters who’ve been hanging out in their old classrooms – and most likely teaching others – while unconsciously avoiding their true, mystical selves. They are withholding who they are, what they know or what they can do in order to fit in, please others or pacify fears. At this time, with the energetic frequencies of change and expansion so palpable, we can significantly restructure the old patterns to co-create our world. We can continue to feel spiritually “superior” to the average being and make small ripples with our work, occasionally utilizing our spiritual gifts and dreaming of the impact we’ll make one day. Or, we can listen deeply to the wisdom of our soul and say yes – right now – to our mission, whatever specific form it takes. By becoming mystics, we can apply the magnitude of who we are to everything we do. In this way, we actually create the quantum leap that we have envisioned for so long. Keep in mind, the mystic – the one who surrenders to merge with the Divine – has moved beyond the third dimensional realm of egoic limitations, embodying and demonstrating “with God all things are possible.” Each of us incarnated with an intention. Each has been born with specific gifts to help fulfill our purpose. Though we may have come in at different stages of soul development, any of us can make a quantum leap in our spiritual evolution at any time. In other words, anyone can move beyond masterhood and become the mystic. The purpose and processes of our individual and collective spiritual work are not to ascend and leave this planet. Our spiritual ascension simply opens us to merge into the state of Divine Oneness here on Earth. In doing so, we create a new world as human mystics living in an enlightened age. For the next several years, we will continue to make quantum leaps, both collectively and individually, in our manifestation of higher-consciousness living. Though there may be times you feel stagnant or stuck, if you take a moment to examine where you were energetically just a year or two ago, you'll say, "Wow!" And, in terms of the collective, just look around at who's waking up and you'll likely be surprised by the changes you've seen in the people you know. Of course, there are those who don't seem to be going anywhere, and that includes those really "dense" parts of ourselves, which can make a quantum leap seem more like a miracle. And, in essence, it is a miracle! We are living miracles! Allow yourself to join in this cosmic leap in humanity. We've come to our Earth to share, assist, watch and play as she and her inhabitants co-create a whole new world. Our incarnation was miraculous, as are our awakening and our shifts. And, just as they are miracles, they are absolutely ordinary. The beauty of the more awakened state of consciousness is that we can integrate the paradox; we can allow What Is without separating everything into duality. At this time in your life, notice the paradoxes. Look at ways in which you do "have it all." The more comfortable you are with paradox, the easier your body will adapt to the physical changes occurring in the quantum leap. In short, your spiritual self is fully enlightened, your mind simply has a hard time understanding that fundamental truth, and your body is simply working through a slower transition to become the physical manifestation of full alignment. In this respect, time is our friend. It helps the mind and body adjust with greater ease. Therefore, it is wise to be patient with all aspects of yourself as you make your personal quantum leaps into the ordinary miracle of who you are. One of the hardest things for many of us to do is take time each day to connect with Nature. Many live in an urban density or a neighboring suburb and the closest thing to Nature is a household plant. Others are busy with day to day activities that, although they live in a more rural area, keep them at arm's length from dropping in to her bosom. Nature, however, is literally everywhere. Therefore, if our time is spent disconnected from direct access to grasses, trees or rivers, we can still make an effort to connect with what is available... naturally. Yes, water those plants joyfully and bring even more into your home or garden. Take time to breathe in the natural air. Roll down your windows or open that sun roof. Allow water to flow. Drink plenty of fresh spring water (even if it is store bought) and take long, nurturing baths with sea salts and essential oils. Let spring showers wash over your face. As the spring mornings still chill the air, build a wood and kindling fire in your fireplace. Caress your animal companions with reverence and gratitude for offering you their bridge to the natural world. And - ideally, if possible - slow down and find time to immerse yourself in Nature. Take a walk, drink in the sunrise, dig your gloveless hands in the dirt, and really smell those roses! Nature is our reminder that we are whole, perfect and in alignment with a grander order. At this time of seasonal and cosmic change, we certainly can use some beautiful reminders of our own Perfection. One of the fundamental laws we experience when we incarnate on Earth is the law of gravity. As we physically develop in the waters of our mother’s womb, we blossom from formlessness into form as gravity gains its pull. In fact, it’s gravity that helps us descend into the birth canal as our due date approaches. Though we live within the law of gravity, many explore experiences which seemingly defy it. From parasailing, to underwater endeavors, to floating in anti-gravity spaces, humans are clearly interested in having more freedom than the law of gravity allows. And what about those outlaws: the highly evolved spiritual masters who have levitated, walked on water or bent spoons with their minds? Third dimensional laws didn’t impede these amazing feats! As metaphysics becomes more popular in the main stream, a fundamental spiritual law that most will be taught is that our thoughts create our reality. But do they? Who’s thoughts are creating the reality for the brainless embryo which is developing within the mother-to-be who doesn’t yet know she is pregnant? Our thoughts alone do not create our reality. Most of us can identify a compulsive worrier and see that this law doesn’t seem to apply. Likewise, we can name more spiritually evolved individuals who’ve died of cancer, or experienced some other undesired aspect – like crucifixion, perhaps. And, within the spectrum, we can find a range of human experiences which includes negative people with challenging lives and positive people with joyful lives. With these examples, this spiritual law seems more like a suggestion. As very complex beings living in a multidimensional universe, there is no one law that rules or dictates every one of our lives. As human-spiritual beings we are working with an interesting array of factors – including math. Math? Though we trust that math is a Universal truth, interestingly enough there is debate about whether or not zero has value, and whether zero to the zero power equals zero or equals one. Why does this matter? Spiritual truths, like math, are simply parameters or thought-forms. Both are useful tools to find a common thread of communication and understanding in an infinite Universe; both help us live within a structure. But do we want to be bound to a simple filament within the vast firmament? What if zero to the zero power equals zero and equals one? One would think that by indicating that spiritual truths are thought-forms, we do indeed create our reality with our thoughts. In the grander scheme of things, the “cosmic we” does. However, the Cosmic We isn’t easily accessible to the average incarnated human, and most human thoughts come from the vibrationally-challenged construct known as the ego. Our upbringing and environment contribute to our reality’s patterning, while our actions, emotions and beliefs are major factors in its creation. Even more significant are our Soul’s intentions, which can be revealed through astrology, numerology, “Human Design” or other illuminating systems. In addition to having countless factors and impulses, we exist within a matrix of form. This construct has been agreed to by a collective; a "greater" body of consciousness which includes all beings and the cosmos, otherwise known as the Cosmic We. This structure has "laws" – or guidelines, really – which the Cosmic We have established. For the most part, we have agreed to the "terms of use” and abide by these agreements. Yet, as egoic human thoughts are a much smaller formations within the larger matrix, we are thinking inside a massive box and thus do not have complete freedom to create with thoughts alone. Generally speaking, thoughts are "light" and fleeting and must be “densified” to take form. Repeated thought-forms, emotions and habits add density. As well, the densification ability grows exponentially with the advancement of the soul – until it becomes null and void, that is. Newer souls on the human-spiritual journey operate from a vibrational patterning that differs greatly from an advanced soul, thus their thought-impact will also differ. Principally, newer souls with a “quieter” vibrational tone are not able to manifest with thoughts alone. Spiritually awake individuals – which happen to be the majority of people attracted to the New Age movement – find resonance and results with this method of manifesting and this is why “our thoughts create our reality” is considered a spiritual law by most. However, advanced souls are charting new territories. Beyond the matrix, there is another realm (infinite realms, actually) in which thoughts are mere flecks within the void. As we ascend into higher realms of consciousness, the void becomes more prominent and thoughts marginal. The newer paradigm – the one which the Cosmic We is now embarking into – has more "space" within it. We are expanding and experiencing more of the void, the emptiness. We are discovering the nothingness as well as the value of zero, where both realities co-exist harmoniously. In this more refined state of consciousness, we are releasing judgments, forms and laws, and transforming into newer, more fluid expressions which are not as dense or rigid as the old structures. In the emptiness – where “no thing” exists – laws become irrelevant. For those trying to find their way within the form, while energetically vibrating in the void, this lawlessness can be quite confusing. Additionally, whether aware or not, the spiritually expanded being usually incarnates with a significant “mission” and often cannot separate his or her sense of self from this undertaking. With limited access to highly advanced earthly teachers as guides, the spiritual master hopelessly relies on basic metaphysics for direction. The master may not remember that the mission, which essentially is united with the Soul, is a force field in and of itself. This field is the pathway to Source, and works within a grander collective. In essence, the mission-Soul field resonates with the Cosmic We to such a high degree that the human self is practically extraneous. Thus, trying to create a personal reality from an egoic thought-form is like trying to stop the sun from rising by closing your eyes! The sun is in alignment with its divine mission; its thoughts don't matter, it simply Is. Of course, the grander mission-Soul workings are also not confined to laws either. Like individuals, they are operating within the balance of agreements and free will. It is important to note that this idea is not meant to bind anyone, or be intellectually dissected or manipulated by the ego. Fortunately, it can’t be; it’s simply a spacious thought-form of the void, which is unattainable by the ego. Yet, with this lightly painted picture, you may understand why your thoughts alone are no longer (or may never have been) creating your reality. As you continue to experience expanded states of consciousness where thoughts feel less relevant or influential, you can remember that by binding to the belief that your thoughts are creating your reality, you are not only staying within the limited matrix, you are allowing your ego to build cells within it. Perhaps it is time to stop thinking, tune into your divine mission and allow it to flow through you. Here are ten ways to direct your energy as you co-create your reality in the new, more expansive paradigm:
When we experience things that are not physically visible, we may wonder if they are real or actually affect us. For example, when our hormones are wreaking havoc on our systems – as they do for teens and pregnant women – we don’t always identify what is really going on. Rather, we react with the impact of this unseen force, sometimes subtly and other times quite intensely. Like hormones, energy is a powerful, unseen force that affects all of us. Although the sun didn’t stop shining and the earth didn’t collapse around us on December 21, 2012, the impact of the energetic shifts we are experiencing is enormous. Like the teen or mother-to-be, collectively we have entered a huge evolutionary transition. Spiritually and humanly, we are becoming a grander being. And, unfortunately, like the hormonal surges we’ve all experienced during times of major physical growth and change, these energetic surges can affect our emotions as well as our other bodies. We may find ourselves feeling uncertain, angry, lost, blissed-out, weepy – sometimes all at once – at the drop of a hat. Energetically we are experiencing a “divide” within us. This can feel like a great loss, as if we are grieving. Simultaneously, there is also a “quickening.” Excitement, anticipation and even anxiety can well up within us for no perceivable reason. As we expand into greater awarenesses, things begin to feel like a paradox, which only adds confusion – of course! Simply acknowledging the unseen forces and their notable affects will help ease the intensity. Although there may not be visible signs, you can rest assured that you are not imagining the energetic shifts of our times. It’s extremely helpful to recognize that you, as well as our planet, are in transition. Knowing you’re not alone is not only comforting; it can make it easier to find information and resources. It’s also nice to note that transitions, by definition, imply a phase. This transition is temporary. By remembering “this too shall pass,” you can put whatever is going on in perspective. Although we can generally predict a pregnancy to last nine months and the teen years to last, well, during the teen years, it’s not so easy to predict how long this transition will last. First, each of us is an individual and we have our own paths and soul intentions. Second, the human collective acts as sort of an energetic unit that greatly influences the individuals within it. However, this collective unit is expanding, which – in essence – is creating “more space” in which each individual can create his or her own reality more easily. In other words, there’s more room to grow and accelerate your personal transition.
One of the challenges of waking up before the masses was the sense of being different or alone. As we continue to move into the new energies, we are finding "our people." Most "lightbearers" have been shining their wisdom for others from "above." In this New Age, not only are our lights becoming brighter, they are connecting with the lights of others - we are coming together! As such, it is time to come down from our sacred mountaintop and reconnect with other lightbearers as well as our "soul families." Much of the work we have been doing has supported the shift and by communing and working with others, we create even greater miracles for the whole. Set your intention to find "your people," open your heart, and create ways to commune, collaborate and simply enjoy each other! As one year ends and another begins, it's easy to fast forward into determining our goals and desires for the new year.... to focus on those resolutions. Instead, why not take time for reflections? In our go, go, go world we can forget to stop, rest and reflect. Whether you spend a day journaling your personal highlights of 2012 or set the intention to be in a reflective state in your next meditation, allowing the emptiness between what was and what may be can be both insightful and rejuvenating. Here are a few ways to create the space for reflection:
There is nothing wrong with resolutions (unless you use them as an excuse to beat yourself up) but making room for reflections can not only give us the time and space for contemplation, but we can - just might - discover gratitude in the process. Regardless of the current economy, many people have struggled with money matters throughout their lives, trying to discover the "secret" to financial success only to come up a dollar short. Interestingly enough, many of these adults consider themselves "lightworkers,” but have not consciously made any vows of poverty. Why is it that a spiritually centered, bright person – even one who has learned the tools of manifesting – still struggles with creating financial abundance or security in this age of enlightenment? It is not coincidental that many awake beings have incarnated with this "issue.” In actuality, it is part of the shift. We know that children being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are on the rise. Spiritual leaders often see them as "indigo" or "crystal" children who have come in with new ways of being to help change the world. Indigos have been incarnating for decades. These trailblazing adults have spent much of their lives struggling with, adapting to, and sometimes changing society’s linear structures and misaligned systems. In some cases they, too, may have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD; or perhaps they have found themselves in the artistic or social areas of the workforce, including the healing arts and services, which are usually not as well paid as the left-brained jobs. Whether they are indigo, ADD, artistic or simply have incarnated with a pattern that doesn’t fit society’s standard mold, many spiritual-human beings have conformed to the demands of the financial structure, hunkering down into unsatisfying jobs. Unfortunately, their spiritual desires to be true to themselves have given way to their human needs to survive. The frequencies of the new paradigm, significantly clearer and more joyful than mere survival, are illuminating our way out of the structures that no longer serve. The task at this time, admittedly challenging due to our shaky economy, is to continue to walk in truth and joy as we usher in the new realms within ourselves and for the planet. Patterns that are deeply woven into a worldly structure cannot be shifted by a chosen few, especially if the few submit to the system. To change a paradigm significantly we need the masses to create new energies. Fortunately, a mass of spiritual-human beings have incarnated with some very human patterns. From addictions to relationship problems to learning disabilities to health sensitivities to money issues, each of the significant challenges in the human patterning has been taken on by lightworkers to help heal them. What if your soul intended to experience and heal the financial imbalances for the planet? In a meditative state, ask yourself or your guides if this is a possibility. As well, here are some questions you can answer:
Of course, these questions and even the notion of right versus left- brain work is not to imply that any of it is good or bad, or to even exaggerate duality, but rather to help those who’ve had money challenges gain clarity about the possible underlying energy. Beyond the challenges of financial strains, many spiritual-human beings have faced the darkness of doubt, which has kept them bound in negativity around their worthiness and ability to make money. For one, they have doubted their abilities to function in the practical world in spite of their efforts to “Get a solid education and a good paying job!” Additionally, they have felt inadequate in the “new age” circles after repeated attempts to “Visualize it and do the inner work!” Lack of success and support from both ends have left them feeling isolated and answerless. Unlike the books emerging to offer a different perspective and supportive solutions for the new children, most books and offerings about financial abundance focus most of the energies on adapting to the system in some way, even if it’s spiritually based. Thankfully, there is a new surge of energy focused on changing the economic system itself. In the meantime, how do we know what to do to shift from survive to thrive? As our Highest Self is always in alignment, our minds can be challenged to know which areas of our lives we can improve upon and which are about learning to surrender. Do we desire change to replace our feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness? Are we exactly where we need to be and our task is to embrace and shift the perceptions about our flaws? Do these deeper questions matter when we get the note or call reminding us, “Your bill is past due!”? By standing clearly in the center of you, balancing on the fulcrum point between the bill-job world and the enlighten-manifest realm, you claim your power by recognizing your true self, as well as your patterns, intentions and agreements. With understanding of your soul’s makeup or intention, you can make conscious choices about your path. When we make peace with who we are and view our shortcomings with a loving perspective, we can beam forth from a firm foundation. In reality, our shadows and shortcomings are simply a small and vague depiction of our approaching grander selves! Fortunately, the frequencies of Love Consciousness are aligned with grace and ease, which are becoming more accessible as we open to our grandness. Thus, connecting to and bringing forth our true selves is becoming easier. In fact, the more firmly we stand in our loving truth, the more effortless the energies of change will seem. When we walk in truth, keeping an eye on the ideals we envision – no matter what the state of the economy – we bring that energy to the world. In other words, if our true calling is to change a suppressive system, we make changes by staying true to ourselves, allowing the system to conform to us, rather than vice versa! As the new continues to unfold, in order to make ends meet we may need to take on jobs and do things that bring in money. Yet, if we do these things with integrity and joy as we undoubtedly walk toward a new paradigm, one that supports each of us doing what we love, then we become the change we want to see in the world! Financially thriving may or may not be the result of standing in our truth. As spiritual-human beings, we have chosen to seek truth anyway. And, we are growing tired of struggling. If we are struggling, it indicates that we are fighting or resisting. More than the systems, we are fighting and resisting ourselves and it is time to make peace. We don’t do this by surrendering who we are to something that doesn’t resonate with our truth. We surrender to our truth, which is rooted in love and joy. By making conscious choices, staying centered in truth, and continuing to cultivate love and joy in all we do, we can’t help but thrive. When we thrive as individuals, the system in which we live no longer matters. And, as more and more individuals choose to thrive, old, suppressive systems will dissolve allowing new ways to emerge. Trailblazing new paths isn’t always easy. Take to heart that no matter how others may perceive you and your efforts, your vision, courage and undeniable worthiness are the source of your strength and grandness and know you are doing what you came here to do. Likely you are finding yourself extra sensitive these days. Perhaps there are many serendiptous events, your awareness is heightened and you are having many notable dreams. A simple practice to help your expansion and integration process is to dream with intention. Rather than making too much of our dreams - for example, by spending a lot of time trying to analyze them - we can simply allow them to unfold, but with an intention of bringing alignment and clearing. We are so well guided by our Higher Selves that we can allow our dreamtime to be our "automatic pilot" as we navigate through our awakening process. Like our GPS tools, it helps if we actually set an intention for where we want to go! If deep meditation isn't your thing, no worries. Simply take a few deep breaths as you lay flat on your back in bed. Relax and focus on your heart. Let your thoughts slow down and bring your intention into focus. Your intention can be simple, such as "Help me align with Love Consciousness while I sleep." You can also ask to have your guides work with you in your dream state. If your dreams happen to catch your attention, allow yourself to reflect on them, but don't worry if they didn't make sense. Writing them down helps capture the highlights, and perhaps the subconscious information offered within the dream will reveal nuggets at some point, but know it may not be necessarily for the mind to understand. Rather, simply invite your awareness to take in the energy and essence the dreams infused in you while you slept. For many of us, the last three months of each year can feel like a countdown of holidays that peak at Christmas and offer a sigh of relief as we watch the ball drop in New York City (that's if we stay awake late enough to see it). Each passing day seems to bring us many more to do's than we can gracefully handle. Though there is an abundance of festive joy ringing in the malls and adding sparkle to our neighborhoods, we can often feel overwhelmed and obligated. If you begin to feel frazzled, remember to tune into the simplicity of the season. Getting through the holidays, with grace and joy, is mindfully possible:
However you spend your holy days, remember to invite peace into your heart and keep your actions within the essence of that intention. One of the most challenging things for us to understand is that we are valuable beings simply because we exist. Many of us get our self worth from the messages we were given as children, "Who do you think you are?" or we base our value on the things we do. Work and money are often at the heart of how we feel about ourselves. We may look at our bank account or our actions to determine our worthiness. In fact, our society will agree with us most of the time. We place ourselves and others somewhere along a gauge ranging from bad to good. How can we stop chasing this inherently flawed belief? How can we recognize our undeniable value? This month, and perhaps beyond, find ways to help you believe that you count! Whether you read inspirational books, listen to meditative messages, utter positive affirmations, or take self-loving actions, you can consciously connect to your worthiness. No matter who you are or what you've done to make you feel bad about yourself, you are a divine and sacred being and YOU COUNT! As the Winter Solstice nears, many of us wonder what is going to happen. Will there be an end of our world, of us, of time, or something else? What, if anything, is going to change? Though there have been many predictions of events or energetic shifts, no one is fully clear about the specifics. What is clear, however, is that we are in the midst of great change, and those changes are noticed both inwardly as well as in the world. Before we look at the changes, we might first be compelled to look at what hasn’t changed. For one thing, our ego’s need for consistency and reliability helps keep us sure that we, and our world, are okay. In general, we can look at the past few years and see that things are fundamentally the same. In America, our economy is still shaky, the unemployment rate is about the same, we re-elected the same president, and we haven’t experienced too many major upheavals. Many other countries have experienced a similar pattern. Good or bad, most of us would agree “things are basically the same.” Yet, if we look at this same area using a larger chunk of time, we notice that things have significantly changed over the last decade or so. As we look to worldly events, we can certainly identify radical movements of change in numerous nations. What’s clearly noticeable for many of us is our personal lives have shifted pretty dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Many of us have experienced huge losses, some of which are directly mirroring the greater picture; almost everyone knows someone who’s lost a job or home. Additionally, significant changes are rampant; marriages and close relationships have dissolved, major illnesses have arisen, people have made unexpected moves, and personal crises have created noteworthy changes that have nothing to do with who’s president. When we look at the patterns that are common to so many people, we can see there is something shifting and for those who are intuitively in-tune with higher, cosmic energies, we are certain that this shift is monumental. What is changing? Most notably, we are changing. The economy, job rates and election results are merely a manifestation of the inner changes we are experiencing. In other words, these vast changes – conscious or not – have began within us years ago and are growing rapidly. We, in our agreement to incarnate at this time on planet earth, have embarked on a huge evolutionary mission. We are changing the world by allowing our divine essence to shine through our human bodies. This is the fundamental collective impulse of the New Age and its manifestation is taking various forms. For most of us we have relied heavily on the rules, structure, and suppressing forces imposed on our lives as a constant, even comfortable, construct. We have incarnated into families with issues to help us form patterns of lack, insecurity, anger and so on. We’ve adhered to the rules and directions of our society, trusting that if we behaved accordingly, we would ultimately be happy and successful. Unfortunately, many of us have hit that dead end of the rat maze to realize there is no cheese! Either we’ve discovered that this is a game and we’ve been running around for the sake of some illusionary goal, or we beat ourselves up and try even harder to find it, never allowing ourselves to leave the maze. For those of us who’ve rejected the rules, we’ve experienced self-doubt, isolation, and fear and in so doing, have often found ourselves so far outside the construct of the game that we’ve struggled to survive. We waffle between being part of it all and completely denouncing the whole system. And in spite of our own fears, we know that those who’ve played the game right, still aren’t living joyfully and empowered. The fact is, the majority of humans experience negative feelings because they are the holding pattern of the ego. Thus, our mission is to transform old, limiting patterns and free ourselves from the ego’s grasp. Individually and collectively, this is why patterns of suppression, rules, and conformity are crumbling. For those who are experiencing crisis, it’s the resistance to these changes that are manifesting loud and clear. If we want true freedom and joy, it is up to each of us to listen to our soul’s calling. How do we listen to our higher calling? The problem with all the issues that have been collected by our egos, compounded by the suppressions of our society, is that we believe the game is real and we are powerless. At this time, the game is very real, but we are not powerless. It is time to claim our power and release our constrictive beliefs. First, we can realize that we are all intuitive and have access to our own guidance. Whether we connect best with angels, guides, a specific deity, or what we refer to as Source doesn’t matter. What matters is that we reconnect with this energy and practice listening. The easiest way to connect is through the heart and avoid the chatter of the mind. Practice journaling with a question and answer format and see what comes. If the words are critical or fearful, they are from the ego. If they are uplifting and filled with love for you, they are offered as guidance. Next, connect with others on a similar spiritual path; one that allows you to embrace your power, not deny it. The idea is to make positive connections on both the physical and spiritual planes making it easier to find clarity. What is our part in the shift? All of us are playing a part. As humans, we are part of the cosmic shift because we are here. As this energetic shift is essentially about becoming who we truly are, then this is the bottom line for taking on our personal task. What can be confusing, unfortunately, is that we have been playing roles that are so out of alignment – roles that have kept us out of our power or joy – that we may not know what else we should or could be doing. Self-care is a crucial step in participating in the shift and illuminating our way. For instance, if we are caregivers who do too much for others, our personal empowerment will not unfold by continuing this unhealthy pattern. Therefore, we would probably not be guided to do more service for others; our attention will be focused on nourishing self care. If we have been playing small and are afraid of our power, our struggles with trying to hide and dodge our own light will intensify to the point that we will either surrender or die from the battle – at least in the egoic sense. Though there may be urges to contribute to the greater collective as we shift, the reality is that this is an inner shift which will then manifest outwardly. By acknowledging and taking care of our divine selves, we are doing our part. What about 2012 worldly changes? Whether we look to December 21, 2012 with excitement or fear, we are setting the stage for what to expect. In other words, if a woman is frightened about experiencing pain while giving birth, her body will be tense and contribute to any physical pains. On the other hand, if she has been working toward a conscious, prepared birth, her experience will likely be one in which mindful breathing and loving support guide her through the experience, thus minimizing both fear and pain. Yet, this is not to say that she won’t feel pain, or her work will guarantee a simple, normal birth. And, of course, the fearful woman can choose to be knocked out with drugs to avoid the whole thing. Hence, the real question is “What tools to do you have to stay centered during life’s ups and downs?” Regardless of what comes in December, or any other time, we can choose to rely on our centeredness or bend with fear. With a rocky economy, looming unemployment and political stagnation across the red and blue isles, we can feel the wave of tensions and easily get washed away. Moreover, if personal changes have blasted your life, the need to cope feels like a matter of survival. Again, personal self-care as well as conscious connection to Source and community are vital components of an empowered, joy-filled life. Additionally, mindful breathing, meditation, and yoga are simple and effective ways to find our center. There are many other methods, of course, and it is always in our best interest to learn and practice methods which offer inner peace. Regardless of what we can or cannot control outwardly, we empower ourselves by learning to maintain our centeredness of heart. Imagine what will happen if, on the Winter Solstice, each one of us spends the entire day staying centered in our heart? Have you always been intuitive? After an impressive reading, people will often ask me this question. I have to say, "Yes, and I decided to develop it." Of course, I am never short-winded, so I may go in to the story of why or how, and explain that they, too, can develop their own intuition. From the time I was little, my mom assured me, "We're all psychic." Then, ironically, our 'family psychic' (and therefore the rest of the family) would note how intuitive my cousin was and how she'd probably grow up to be a psychic. First, I want to say thatI generally avoid the word 'psychic' because it can imply someone who knows how to read minds, or a gift that has been bestowed upon a chosen few. I feel the word 'intuitive' opens the door for all of us to recognize what we already 'know.' When I get information, I don't try to confine it to any means - I hear, see, 'get', feel, sense or simply know the information. And, with years of practice with strangers, I have become highly skilled in this area. Part of re-collecting our whole selves includes developing our intuition. Just as we have our senses on the physical realm, we have similar senses in the ethers. Similar to dreaming, we can experience a world where words, pictures and thoughts are just as real - at least in the moment - as our everyday lives. And, with practice, we can learn to integrate this state of being into our everyday lives; soon our skills become refined and what once seemed difficult becomes second nature. When we learn to actively receive the information we need, we find clarity of purpose and deepen our connection with self and, if willing, with Source. Our intuition is not simply a means to know what others might be feeling or thinking, it is a way to know our expanded selves and communicate with realms that offer us a greater, more loving perspective of the world.
Although the 2012 hype can be frightening - the predictions, the uncertainties, and yes, even the notable worldly events - it can also mark a time of significant endings that we can collectively celebrate. Most of us can welcome the ending of "bad" things, and are certain they couldn't have come a moment too soon! However, losing a home to foreclosure, a marriage dissolving, or the death of a loved one are not generally something we celebrate. And, although there are those moments of acceptance (usually well after the fact) when we can see the "reason" or "gift" of an ending of something we hold dear, facing it as it approaches or surrounds us can be quite uncomfortable. Yet, what if, in a whirlwind of changes we remain completely open to endings - or any other phase of life cycles - without knowing their specific outcomes, or the gifts that might one day emerge from them? As we awaken to Divine Consciousness, we begin to experience more trust, allowing and presence - all factors in releasing our fear of endings. Rather than struggle to accept What Is, or force ourselves to make peace with endings, our time would be better be spent on engaging in our own awakening process which inherently offers such gifts in their own time. As we evolve and learn to hold space for natural cycles, we will eventually recognize that the only thing we need to end is our tie to living a non-joyful life. Spiritually speaking, the Autumn Equinox introduced a huge wave of cosmic energies to help our physical bodies adjust and ascend with the 2012 shift. These extremely high vibrational frequencies didn’t just penetrate our body’s auric field, they elevated the human system allowing our DNA to “open” and “upgrade.” Though there are many spiritual-scientists working to prove the existence of quantum mechanics in our DNA, there is much to learn on this linear plane. The Universe, however, has nothing to learn and is doing what it does regardless of whether or not we have understood or proven anything. The energetic shifts of 2012 are happening and it’s the spiritual-intuitives who are tuning in to, and bringing us information about, these changes. Thus, as spiritual-human beings, we are learning to find balance in this life experience; relying comfortably on the left-brained practice of science and reason while growing exponentially in the skills and conviction of our intuition – both collective and individual. It is through meditative and heart-opening practices, as well as a dedicated intention to follow our spiritual paths, that we can feel and know inwardly a spiritual Truth when one emerges. (And, as we align more closely with Truth, paradoxically, we recognize the illusion of any Truth being absolute!) The Equinox energies could be described as exhausting, to say the least. Most of us slept and dragged ourselves through the first Fall weekend. Insights, ideas and confusion have been plummeting our minds ever since, while our bodies have felt an urge to either collapse on the couch or unite with some kind of loving movement and take on a new approach to radical self care. For simplicity’s sake, it would be beneficial to refrain from over-doing, forceful trying or deep intellectualizing about ourselves, our lives, or our next big move. Rather, if we imagine the Fall Equinox as a pouring of grace and ease from our cosmic Being into our human bodies we can feel the hugeness of this merging. With this picture, it makes sense to allow for down time and simplicity as we adjust. As October unfolds, and we edge closer to the Winter Solstice of 2012, we will discover an onslaught of choices and changes. If we align with our cosmic gifts, these choices and changes – infused with grace and ease – will guide us toward a more ascended state of being, expressed (relatively smoothly) in human form. Throughout humanity, many spiritual masters have incarnated or been initiated into a state of enlightenment. To help relieve our (perceptions of) human suffering, the masters have illuminated our way. Unfortunately, the tools and skills have often been unattainable for most humans; they were either too ascetic, rigid or simply did not energetically match the human’s biological system. This is not to say that the average human couldn’t attain enlightenment, but rather that the methods were often incompatible on many levels, including physical, making enlightenment very difficult. In the New Age our intention as a collective has been twofold: we desire enlightenment for the masses, and we want the body and our humanness to enjoy higher states of consciousness as well. In other words, what is the point of enlightenment for the singular human being if the being has to sit isolated on the mountaintop without the juiciness of living on such an extraordinary planet? Today’s ascension is for the whole being – soul, mind and body. In this age there are many striving for their own spiritual evolution and in so doing, their work resounds and supports the spiritual evolution of the collective. Concurrently, cosmic forces are bringing us closer to a spiritual consciousness which is aligned with bliss and pure Love. This could be described as heaven if you worked only on the spiritual planes. Bringing these forces into our physical bodies is how we can live in heaven while still on Earth. Ascension of the human body is a key element in this work at this time. The high frequency cosmic forces offered in the Equinox are forces of Love. To “upgrade” our human bodies so our infinite spiritual abilities can manifest on the physical plane, Love Consciousness is being infused into the core of our DNA. These energies are changing the patterns, blocks and programming that kept us confined, simultaneously revealing our incredible gifts. We can sense it, feel it and with special attention to the care of our bodies help nurture it. Gentle kindness is the best choice we can make during these system upgrades (though there are some of us who learn from harsher life experiences, which is always an option, of course). With that in mind, allow your October focus to be around grace and ease for your body. A critical mind does not help your body feel loved; do your best to tap into Love Consciousness and act and think accordingly. Likely, you will naturally feel inclined to take care of your body, but resistances may arise. This is okay; Love the resistances and move gently forward on your body care path. When it comes to body care, it is imperative you listen to the wisdom of your own body. As this Autumn unfolds, here are some suggestions for gentle body care:
Incidentally, isn’t it Divine timing to receive such gifts for our bodies at a time when we are reaping the abundances of our Earthly harvest and our instincts are aligned with the gathering of resources to take care of our bodies? |
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