1) Self Worth - A Treasure Beyond All Measure
2) Returning to the Essence
3) The Way of Trust
4) Divine Sovereignty
5) The Calling - Loves invitation
6) Global Peace - A point of view
7) Accept Loving Kindness Only
8) Hide and Seek
1) Self Worth - A Treasure Beyond All Measure
Dispelling the unseen shades of fear; illuminating the shadow of forgetfulness; we untie the self-created knot of unworthiness. Through the courage to be vulnerable, to be real, to be authentic … our sense of worthiness to be in existence with all the uniqueness and individuality life has given us, deepens unimaginably. Unconditional acceptance of whatever has happened in the past and what is happening moment by moment, then becomes the milieu of our life. A healthy self-worth will give us the ability to respond to life, rather than leaving us with an indifferent or detached personality. Whether living a poverty stricken, middle class or wealthy life-style, discovering and reclaiming ones true self-worth is a treasure beyond all measure.
How do we measure the value of anything or what is valuable and what is not though? Do we evaluate the worth of our time and energy; the worth of our skills, talents or gifts; the worth of things, experiences or life lessons; the worth of family, friends and loved ones; the worth of the world of mind versus the way of the heart, based on our own intelligent determination and truly demonstrate this in our everyday life? Or do we “talk the talk” but then find ourselves unconsciously going along with the crowd and accepting the consensus agreement of “whatever value is given by the master, is acceptable by the slave” kind of attitude? The master: meaning that which is defining and governing our sense of self-worth. Depending upon the evolutionary stage of our emotional development, we are either dependent upon the security of control and protection by a superior authority and force or we are sufficiently mature enough to surrender to and trust in the inner intelligence and power of life.
Do we really have the ability to value our inmost “self” or the “soul”, above all else then? What is it really worth to us, in comparison to all the other goals in life we have been programmed to believe in and follow with such passion? And all in the name of “success” in order to prove that “I am somebody who is worth something”. Even if it is just praise for the ego, in the name of love, acting as a consoling balm and band aid for soothing the wound of all wounds. On some level, no matter how deeply buried, we all know that this is what is happening globally, on a daily basis, at the expense of forgetting and losing the greatest treasure as a human being … that which lies within … Self-Worth !
The wound of losing touch with ones sense of self-worth has gone so deep that it is almost “beyond measure” also. Yes, we can and have risen above this wound, perhaps many times and seemingly for good, again and again. For many who have worked consistently on their healing and awakening process … numerous spiritual, metaphysical and psychological insights, attitudinal shifts and consciousness transforming experiences have occurred. Yet, how integrated and whole are we really as a healthy human being? You know, the one who is capable of expressing its highly valued and self-esteemed ideals of unconditional love, kindness and compassion! How unconditional is your giving and receiving? Does it reflect your “Self-Worth”? Are you living and sharing your inner life as an absolute treasure beyond all measure?
2) Returning to the Essence
To bring about a significant and transformational change in one’s life, it is necessary to have our consciousness brought into the present moment, into an awareness of being consciously present within this timeless presence. The purpose for such a focus is to step out of the process of habitual thinking and emoting that not only creates a false identity, but keeps our attention distracted from the living presence of real life, here and now. The necessity of such focus for awakening the truth, is absolute, for our essential being exists as the embodiment of true life in this one and only moment called “Here-Now”.
Hence the effortless flow of life and love we experience when we are riveted in those moments of conscious awareness ... absorbed in the joy of being, for the sake of being absorbed in joy.
Do I have your attention yet? Are you with me in a quality of absorption whereby you have for a moment become oblivious to the past and future? If you have, then welcome home to the sanctuary that your heart truly recognizes as home. Now take refuge, even if only for a brief moment, in this sacred space that has and always will remain untouched by the world, in spite of the attempts by our mind to convince us otherwise.
We have been collectively trained to compromise and abide by consensus agreement to pass over the reigns to the mind and do what we are told, fueled by the force of fear, deceived by the illusion that it was our idea in the first place, anyhow. You could ask "How is it possible to focus on the spiritual though, when one is undergoing the duress of survival, either individually or as part of a culture experiencing famine, destitution, torture or even genocide?
I would reply in this way ... Could it be that this is the degree of pressure required for consciousness to awaken itself? Is this pressure ultimately being applied by the “Universal Intelligence" through compassion, even though it appears to be completely irrational and void of love? Could it be that the “One” consciousness is simply awakening itself from its self-imposed dreaming of infinite dreams and nightmares?
As we return to the essence we see the perfection in all things and the perfection of wholeness flowering from the seed of crisis.
3) The Way of Trust
We begin this life in absolute vulnerability, with no knowledge and no trust. Hopefully we will find the courage and intelligence to welcome the opportunity of returning to this original state of absolute vulnerability, no knowledge and no trust in this lifetime.
But why would I speak of "no" trust when the title of this article is the "Way of Trust?
Because with no knowledge, trust is unnecessary. Returning to our original innocence, like that of a newborn child, the path of knowledge is ultimately relinquished, replaced by an intuitive knowing which arises out of the formless space of "not knowing" and ultimately absorbed by an "acceptance" of seeing that which is … is!
The very word and concept of “Trust” has become a nebulous phenomenon. Over time we have used it and abused it and misconstrued it to the point where we have truly lost touch with its essence. Trust is the ability to surrender to Divine Will ... to accept what is ... to respond to the events and circumstances of living with an open-mindedness, receptivity of the heart and an intelligence free from the reactive tendency of labeling and judging. The events of life may not be unfolding in such a way that we desired or imagined, so trying to do just the right thing, making sure that there are no mistakes so that everything goes according to plan ... might not be THE PLAN. OK?
Trust expands us beyond our boundaries of beliefs, concepts and comfort zone of security. When we expand beyond that which defines our sense of former identity, we learn to accept and respond to those moments throughout our life when we are challenged to grow, especially when we may not have any knowledge of the potential outcome. Trust teaches us how to shift our consciousness from one dimension of perceptivity and functioning to another paradigm altogether different from what was previously the assumed reality.
The way of trust that I am speaking of is the virtue and the spiritual practice that is most needed, not control. Trust will carry us into a new-borne adventure of self-discovery and the awakening of the spiritual heart, free from fear and suffering. The way of trust is “the way” for consciousness to go beyond its self. It is transcendence of the old and a birthing of the new.
4) Divine Sovereignty
An area of life we often neglect, ignore or out-rightly deny the need for healing, lies in the realm of money, survival and sovereignty. We have by default, contracted on a soul level with the commercial game of the world and in so doing, have unwittingly undermined our capacity to anchor our sovereign essence within the commercial governing paradigm of this world. I think we all know what has happened on a personal, collective and global level through fear, compromise and counteracting our weakened condition with empowering the false-self or attempting to escape the world.
The solution: to re-establish the sacred realm of "COVENANT", which preceded "CONTRACT", by reclaiming our God-given birthright to Sovereignty. A birthright through which we are granted the breath of life every moment of our incarnation, free of any permit and license to live. For the breath is that which births our consciousness into existence, enlivening and nurturing our growth throughout life. Covenant is first established in our soul blueprint, by the Supreme "Giver of Life", prior to becoming engaged in the realm of human exchange and commercial activity.
The inmost realm of covenant reveals itself not only through study and self-knowledge, but also the ancient art of meditation, which truly is medicine for the soul; the healing agent which guides us back to wholeness. Therefore, the reawakening of our inherent unalienable sovereignty from the core of divine essence, immediately renders our "aboriginal" status in truth. A status which is in alignment with the source of all life. In so doing, we return to an innate knowing of the principle of interdependence and the recognition that “Life gives unto Life”.
The by-product: True Authority is reinstated! True Jurisdiction is remembered! True Royalty is reclaimed! Divine Sovereignty is realized!
Reawakening the knowing of this unspoken covenant and reinstating the truth of it through the power of the spoken word, simultaneously reinstates an unconditional Treaty with all other Sovereign Living Souls. What greater healing could we ask for in these uncertain times of increasing global conflict, separativeness and chaos? Regardless of whether our body, mind, speech or identity has been captured by the illusion of freedom, veils of false knowledge or the cunning control of a de-facto authority, such as the mind, the sovereignty of our living soul remains intact, untouched and pure. Our “Divine Sovereignty” continues to invite us home.
5) The Calling - Loves invitation
To me, "The Calling" always has been and always will be 'Loves' invitation to return home. It is an invitation from 'the beyond', the ‘Great Mystery’, presented to us countless times within our everyday living to experience the essence of life, the gift of love and the opportunity to remember who and what we essentially are. In truth, the calling is from the "One" to the "One", from the one consciousness to the one consciousness through the seeming "many". It is a clarion call through the veils of forgetfulness and ignorance, for the true One to remember its indefeasible "Oneness" within the dance of life. As this unfathomable intelligence awakens within the dream reality we call "life on earth” and evolves its self-reflected awareness through the experience of being human, what an adventure and celebration we are offered as we joyfully respond to love’s invitation.
This is the fundamental message and contribution (in one way or another) of all spiritual teachers, visionaries, light-workers, healers and emissaries of peace, regardless of their personal practice, methods of teaching or religious and cultural heritage. Within this invitation, there is also the consideration that the global peace we collectively long for can only be discovered and established through the cultivation of inner peace. This realm of "inner peace" then reveals to us that it is simply a by-product of intelligence returning home to the sanctuary of consciousness, whereby the reinstating of love releases a fragrance which is beyond understanding. This fragrance truly is the most precious treasure on earth.
For humanity to experience global peace, however, the Universal Law of Interdependence must also be abided by. A law that governs all of life and reminds us that there only is "Life giving unto Life”, a compassionate weaving of the thread of love throughout the entire tapestry of existence.
As with all spiritual laws, however, no human being can be forced to understand, let alone live in accordance with such a fundamental principle of life. We are only ever invited by life and in turn, can only invite one another to live together in harmony and unity. This is why I refer to the "The Calling" as an invitation, not a demand. How we respond to this calling will determine the quality of our life and whether or not we have fulfilled our purpose on this sacred earth.
6) Global Peace - A point of view
GLOBAL PEACE is absolutely dependent upon humanity abiding by the Universal Law of Interdependence. No amount of inspirational talking, aspirational ideas or religious and political agendas will ever make up for it. Interdependence is the principle behind the hidden harmony and interconnectedness of all that is. It is the Compassionate Weaving of the thread of love throughout the entire tapestry of life. It is love in action! It is "Life giving unto Life"! This is the underlying fundamental message of all Spiritual Teachers, Visionaries, Lightworkers and Emissaries of Peace, regardless of their personal practice, methods of teaching or religious and cultural heritage; the underlying message that Global Peace arises out of the cultivation of Inner Peace.
"Before there can be Global Peace, there must also be a global intention towards holistic healing and regeneration - Globally !"
"Before there can be Global healing and regeneration, there must be an awakening of compassion - Globally !"
"Before there can be a Global awakening of compassion, there must be a valuing of unity and harmony - Globally !"
"Before there can be Global unity and harmony, there must be an embracing of the life principle of Interdependence - Globally !"
Without the earth being treated as "Sacred", how can we fulfill the universal dream of Global Peace?
Without taking care of one another and treating all of life as "Sacred", how can we be in harmony with our mother earth?
Without discovering what it means to be whole and treating our inner and outer ecology as "Sacred", how can we know what unity is?
As with all spiritual laws, however, no human being can be made to understand, let alone forced to live in accordance with an existential principle of life such as "Interdependence". We are only ever invited by the intelligence of life and in turn, can only invite one another to live together in harmony and unity.
7) Accept Loving Kindness Only
Loving Kindness has nothing to do with Control
Loving Kindness has nothing to do with Protection
Loving Kindness has nothing to do with Rules or Demands
Loving Kindness has nothing to do with the need of a Regulator
Loving Kindness needs "Love" as the mediator;
Loving Kindness needs "Kindness" as the solution ...
To activate a consciousness revolution,
To free the soul from emotional pollution.
Loving Kindness needs to be recognized, to be responded to, to be reinstated as the Supreme Law and fundamental ethic which governs all affairs, from the commercial world of human exchange to the psychological domain of the mind and the spiritual realm of the soul.
ACCEPT LOVING KINDNESS ONLY!
8) Hide and Seek
It all boils down to this ...
The cosmic game of "HIDE AND SEEK" !
CONSCIOUSNESS (the one without a second) chose to identify with its self-created existence, thus entering a journey of "forgetfulness". In doing so, it contracted in order to contract with the inevitable illusion of separation, as it gave birth to the infinite reflection and manifestation of its "self". It still retains, however, the paradoxical capacity to identify with being the original source and true reality, behind the appearance of separation. It is from this capacity, which arises the adventure of awakening and remembrance.
This is the perfection of the game though, as it is eternally played out ... hiding and seeking and finding!
Such is the leela (divine play) of the Great Mystery!
The key is in the process of "contract" ... meaning consciousness chose to identify and contract with that which is not Truth, by relinquishing its "covenant" with the original Truth.
Translated into the realm of human existence and so-called interpersonal exchange ... we are bound to the process and law of contract until we remember, return to and reinstate our original covenant with Truth. Meaning the truth of consciousness, which is that there is Only One Consciousness! There is no other, never has been and never will be.
When this is remembered, we are then automatically and immediately presented with the ultimate choice of either accepting and living in accordance with the original covenant or we refuse its invitation, in order to remain in bondage to the adopted contract. If we refuse to return to the covenant with truth, then we will remain bound to a contract with illusion, until the intelligence of consciousness has awakened sufficiently enough to say “NO MORE”! No more of suffering the assumed obligation to the adopted contract ... no more contraction ... enough is enough!
When consciousness is ready to stop identifying with ignorance (ignoring the truth), then the awakening power of its true nature ... LOVE ... reveals the innate harmony and unblemished, untouched perfection of life. The force of contract may and can seduce, coerce, threaten our awareness into submitting to illusion, but it does not make it the power to turn illusion into reality. No matter how convincing or how much force is within the contracting and binding process of illusion through contraction ... LOVE remains the one and only power to expand our awareness beyond the game of Hide and Seek.
The question is though, do we have an unspoken or secret investment in contracting? Is there a “payoff” that could be possibly considered worth more than anything else? Is it really worth protecting or fighting for, in the light that it is only part of the karmic process and temporal illusion of existence to begin with? Or is it simply an unconscious habitual pattern arising out of the sleepiness of forgetfulness?
