It's All About Joy!

The Unique Gift Awakening Brings

A wonderful friend of mine (well, they’re all wonderful, actually!) gave me a copy of Adyashanti’s The End of Your World on CD last week. I had been hoping to listen to it since March, but wouldn’t have been ready to hear its message until now.

Just like when I listened to Spontaneous Awakening the first time, I can feel a shift happening deep within me.

This particular excerpt offered reassurance on something that until now, I have struggled with:

“…it’s like…life is just waiting to express itself through each being in a totally unique way… And we can never know what…[it is] until we really let go. And in each of us, life is seeking to express itself fully and purely in a way that’s totally unrepeatable… Jesus was not a copy of someone else. Buddha was not a copy of someone else. The great beings that we revere… are not copies of anybody else. They are examples of life freed up from its fixation… and therefore able to express itself through a particular human being and bloom in a totally unique way.

“And somehow we intuitively connect with these beings…  And isn’t it ironic that we’re so drawn to that kind of being…and yet what most of us try to do then is copy them? We try to be like the Buddha. We try to be like Jesus. Which is actually in opposition to everything they…were. Jesus wasn’t like anybody. Buddha wasn’t like somebody else. That’s why they resonate with us. They were pure, undistorted expressions of life, itself. Which is what we’re all called to. And yet our minds are so deeply conditioned… [we] think by copying…I also will discover my own uniqueness… 

“But if we do that… we become the image our mind has…  And any time we are living as an image our mind creates, that life is inherently unfulfilling. It has the essence of fear living in it. And so the fulfillment of the whole journey to awakening – the realizing what we really are – is not simply so that we bask in this wonderful realization of freedom; it’s something far beyond that…  It’s so that finally life can express itself through us.”

Earlier in September, I was fortunate enough to guest blog on The Jungle of Life. In his gracious introduction, Lance referenced a post I wrote in July called Being The One. I was surprised when he mentioned it, since at the time I wrote it I remember thinking, “Is anyone going to connect with this?” I woke up one morning with a foggy mind, and was compelled to just sit down at my computer and start typing. It’s as if (don’t laugh) I was channeling something from an imperceptible part of me. It was then that the post birthed itself, and when I was done I thought, “Well, I’m not sure what anyone will think, but I’ll float it out there anyway.” The day it went live, someone very close to me said they thought it was inspired, and they could tell that I was inspired. Again, it surprised me, but I just sort of let it go.

In reference to the Adyashanti excerpt I shared above, I understand what was happening a bit better now. I didn’t try to overthink that post, or manipulate it into something I thought people would want to read. Instead I simply moved out of the way and let awareness take over my mind and body for awhile.

I guess the reason I’m sharing this is because for me, that post represents what is possible when I allow myself to be a unique expression of life. For a half hour that day, I pushed “me” out of the way, and awareness was given a chance to come to life, irrespective of blog writing best practices or anything I’d ever done before.

Unique, unrepeatable, and authentic; I let life express itself through me in those words.

And so as I sit at times, fearful of whether or not I can cut it as a long-term blog writer, let alone a published book writer, I am now reminded that my future success is not dependent on trying to mold myself after anyone or anything else. All I ever have to do is gently push my conscious mind aside and let the unique gift of awareness bloom in whatever space I allow it, knowing that when I do, I’m fulfilling life’s purpose for me.

And truly, in ways I cannot even describe yet, that makes me incredibly joyful.

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Two great posts I read this past month that I encourage everyone to take a peek at include The Bold Life’s What Really Matters (a phenomenal invitation to think about what’s important and what’s not in life) and The Conservative Buddhist’s What Is It You Want Most From Life (which, admittedly, is from his archives, but a great read nonetheless).

Happy Monday, everyone!

Feeling Prosperous

This is an excerpt from one of my favorite metaphysical books in a long time (and despite the title, it's not just for women!):

"Wealth is a matter of consciousness. The French have a legend giving an example of this. A poor man was walking along a road when he met a traveler, who stopped him and said, 'My good friend, I see you are poor. Take this gold nugget, sell it, and you will be rich all your days.'

"The man was overjoyed at his good fortune and took the nugget home. He immediately found work and became so prosperous that he did not sell the nugget. Years passed, and he became a very rich man. One day he met a poor man on the road. He stopped him and said, 'My good friend, I will give you this gold nugget, which, if you sell, will make you rich for life.' The beggar took the nugget, had it valued, and found it was only brass. So we see, the first man became rich through feeling rich, thinking the nugget was gold."

The Complete Writings of Florence Scovel Shinn for Women: Her Ageless Wisdom for Today

Our Saviors (Quote from Richard Bach)

“We wait all these years to find someone who understands us… someone who accepts us as we are, someone with a wizard's power to melt stone to sunlight, who can bring us happiness in spite of trials, who can face our dragons in the night, who can transform us into the soul we choose to be. Just yesterday I found that magical Someone is the face we see in the mirror. It's us and our homemade masks.” Richard Bach, Running from Safety: An Adventure of the Spirit

An Open Mind is a Powerful Mind (Quote from Byron Katie)

"The gentlest thing in the world is an open mind. Since it doesn't believe what it thinks, it is flexible, porous, without opposition, without defense. Nothing has power over it. Nothing can resist it. Even the hardest thing in the world--a closed mind--can't resist the power of openness. Ultimately the truth flows into it and through it, like water through rock.
 
"When the mind first becomes a student of itself, it learns...everything is for it, everything adds to it, enlightens it, nourishes it, reveals it. It continues to open, because it's in a fearless, undefended state, and it's hungry for knowledge. And when it realizes that it's nothing, it can penetrate everywhere, even when there's no room for it...

"The truly open mind doesn't have a goal or a purpose other than to be what it is. It's not attached to concepts of self or other." Byron Katie, A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are

As many of you know, and thanks to Tess at The Bold Life, I've been having a love affair lately with Byron Katie. After finishing the first book of hers I read called Loving What Is, I had to pick up a second one right away. What I've learned from Katie is that I cannot be sure of anything in this world, except, perhaps, how I feel.

Throughout my life I've held tightly to my ideals and opinions like they were life preservers, believing that whatever I knew at the time was not only right, but ought to be shared with everyone around me.

I now know that's not the case. There is so much I don't know--so much I can't know--that the only way I'm finding I can truly live an authentic life is to say so. I now love to say "I don't know." I might think I know, but truly I never, ever know.

This wisdom has freed me to allow others in my life to be exactly as they are without having to direct them. There was a time when I thought if someone didn't have health insurance, for example, that they were crazy for taking the chance. But after reading Katie's books, I now gently ask myself, "Can I know that for sure?" The answer is no, I cannot. Same goes for friends who partake in various so-called unhealthy behaviors. In the past I'd think, "They're killing themselves and they need to stop." Now I think, "Can I know for certain that what they're doing is killing them? No I can't. Is it their business and theirs alone to take care of themselves as best they know how? Yes it is." I can't tell you how much easier it is to be in this world now that I don't have to run it! <wink>

I enjoy having an open mind is, I guess, what I'm trying to say.

What about you: would you say that your mind is open and accepting, or are you pretty sure of what you know? How does being one way or the other affect your relationships and your life?

** ** ** ** ** **
I'd like to thank everyone who read and/or commented on last week's post about love. The advice you shared and support I received overwhelmed me and I keep going back and rereading what everyone wrote so that it all stays fresh in my mind. From the deepest places in my heart, thank you!

What You Already Are (Quote from Adyashanti)

"The truth is that you already are what you are seeking. You are looking for God with his eyes. The truth is so simple and shocking...that it is easy to miss among your flurry of seeking. You may have heard what I am saying in the past and you may have even believed it, but my question is, have you realized it with your whole being? Are you living it?"

From Adyashanti's book Emptiness Dancing

I really enjoy Adyashanti's wisdom, and reading this was another gentle reminder of something I try to keep in mind, but know I am not yet wholly living: there is nothing and no one outside of this moment I must become in order to be greater than who I already am.

At my very best, I am God.
At my very worst, I am God.
And in the striving to be anything beyond who or what I am right this very second, I am God.

God is so loving and complete in His expression through me that He can be at peace with my struggle, even when I cannot.

And so I keep seeking because I do not know another way... but I trust one is coming.

Thank you for being here today and reflecting with me on this, either silently or aloud. Your energy brings to life answers I couldn't have otherwise conceived of.

The Earth: Teacher of Unconditional Love (Quote from Byron Katie)

“This amazing…earth has been my greatest teacher. She doesn’t budge from what she is. I sit on her and there is no movement, no discussion, no complaint. The earth just gives, without condition, unnoticed, and that’s the proof of love. She doesn’t ever withhold. She doesn’t compromise. The way she speaks is through the wind and the rain, the sand, the rocks, the sounds of her creatures. She just sings her song without meaning, and she continues to give without any expectation of return. She’ll support you all your life, and if you throw a tin can onto her or dump poison into her bloodstream or drop a bomb on her, there is still total, unconditional love. She keeps giving and giving. She’s me awake. She’s you.” Byron Katie, A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are

Must Reads: Bloggers I Love

(Part I in what will likely be a long series!)

The best parts of my mornings are sending and receiving email and reading my favorite blogs. The list keeps growing since there is so much good content out there. Every so often I am compelled to just shout from the rooftops how wonderful I think all these people are who write about joy, love, and spirituality.

So consider this post a rooftop, and here’s me shouting some of my favorites:

Peggy at Serendipity Smiles wrote about overcoming her perfectionist tendencies and had this little gem of encouragement in there: “I don’t have to strive for  perfection today, tomorrow or next week. I’m perfect just as I am…I can be a four today, a five tomorrow, a two on Friday.  It’s all good.”
Click to read Dreaming Perfection

Jodi at Joy Discovered wrote about truth – what it is and what it isn’t (and how we frequently mistake non-truths for truth). If you want an eye-opening read, you absolutely have to check out this post. Here’s a great snippet from it, “…how many times have you recounted an incident, and as much as you try to tell only the truth you realize it is quite impossible; you realize that without the other person about whom you are reporting sitting there with you, recounting her side exactly as she experienced it, you don’t actually know the truth. In those situations you realize there is a difference between facts and perceptions.”
Click to read The Truth Will Set You Free

Positively Present always has a fresh energy in what she writes, and this post, in particular, took me all the way back to childhood. See for yourself how growing up is optional.
Click to read Growing Up Is Optional

Nadia at Happy Lotus writes so compellingly and with such peace and love... From day 1, I've been a fan. She wrote a post about the myth of perfectionism, which I loved since I’m a recovering perfectionist. If you find yourself falling into this category, her post is a must-read.
Click to read My Perfection Myth
 
Liara at Dream Builders Australia had the most fantastic post about dis-ease in our bodies, and how to not only view it differently, but in some cases, undo it. If you’ve suffered anything from a cold to emergency surgery, this post has something in it for you.
Click to read 7 Ways to Re-frame Apparent Dis-ease

Mark at The Naked Soul (love that title, by the way!) dissected the topic of self-worth in this post called “What Is Our Value?” Do we use money, love, or other external circumstances to determine how valuable we are? Or can we go inside and recognize that simply by being alive, we’re more worthwhile than we ever dreamed?
Click to read What Is Our Value?

Tess at The Bold Life had a guest blogger (Jan Lundy) who wrote a fabulous post describing how the first 30 minutes of our day sets the tone for how the rest will go. Did you know that? It made me grateful for my morning routine, which is infused with peacefulness and love. Read this to learn how to make more of your days enjoyable, right from the start. (And PS - Tess is also a brilliant writer... so I'll include one of the posts she wrote on Jan's blog here, as well!)
Click to read Mind Fitness: How About a Workout For a Healthy Mind
Click to read 75 Ways to Make The World a Better Place to Be

Oh my God, I laughed so hard when I first read about Millie on Suzen’s blog Erasing the Bored that I nearly fell off my chair. Millie is old, tells it like it is, and isn’t afraid to fart (that’s right… fart!). Please, please, please read this if you want some amazing “living right” advice and also want to laugh.
Click to read Millie Wisdom: Lessons in Living

Lance at The Jungle of Life writes inspiringly and gently, and quite often so succinctly that I’m awed. I absolutely loved this quote he shared from Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, and was greatly encouraged by it. If you’re looking to do what you love or find more meaning in life, read this!
Click to read Sunday Thought for the Day, June 21

Katie at You Can’t Say That on the Internet! is constantly writing from such a space of love – for both her life and her incredible partner, Patty – that I’m moved to tears. The love Katie and Patty share, and how they keep their love growing, is inspirational. The post Joyful Creators is a great testament to how they live their spirituality and love for one another right out loud, and in doing so, positively affect all of us who share this planet with them. Take a look.
Click to read Joyful Creators

And if you like food – to make or to eat – I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Patty’s site, affectionately called The Joyful Chef. I frequently read her step-by-step posts that are full of the most delicious pictures and think, “now I’m hungry.” Best of all, I’ve met Katie and Patty, who live on the opposite coast as me, and they’re even better and more delicious in-person than they are on their blogs! See what Patty’s been up to by reading her latest.
Click to read The Joyful Chef

There are more – my gosh there are more. So please know that this is just a start. I’ll be doing another “Man I love these bloggers” entry in the future and including even more of the fabulous writers who fuel my days and weeks with their brilliance, insights, and love.

Who We Are (Quote From Adyashanti)

I've been listening to Adyashanti's Spontaneous Awakening recently (see Amazon Favorites in the lower left of the screen to buy), and have just been moved in such a blissfully peaceful way...I almost can't describe it. His voice is buttery, his delivery is heartwarming, and what he says just pierces this egoic exterior and gets to my core.

Here are some snippets from the opening talk:

“Our yearning for truth actually comes from truth."

“What am I, really? The beautiful thing…is nobody can tell us what we are. Nobody can really tell us. Not in a way that’s going to be satisfactory to us. Our true nature is self-authenticating. When we bump into our true nature, it authenticates itself. Something inside us knows. This…is what has been sought for, longed for, looked for. This is it. Usually, it’s not what we expected…"
 
“Nobody can give us what we really already are. Wouldn’t it be terrible if somebody could give you what you really are? …’cause if they could give it to you, they could take it away."

“…nobody can give us what we really are. Everybody has given us what we’re not…that’s on loan…what we appear to be. Our personalities…” Adyashanti, Spontaneous Awakening

If you're someone who's seeking to grow more awakened, Spontaneous Awakening is a wonderful series (also available on iTunes).

Be well & joyful!

Whatever Tomorrow Brings (Quote from "Drive")

This seems rather apropos given today's turn of events, and yes - this is for you! (You so know who you are...!)

"Drive" (Incubus)

Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I can't help but ask myself how much I let the fear
Take the wheel and steer?
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel.

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there,
With open arms and open eyes...

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there...

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive?
It's driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately I'm beginning to find that
When I drive myself my light is found...

On Dealing With Fear

"There is no peace or happiness for a woman until she has erased all fear from the subconscious. Fear is misdirected energy and must be redirected, or transmuted into Faith.

"Jesus Christ said, 'Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? …All things are possible to him that believeth.'

"I am asked so often by my students, 'How can I get rid of fear?' I reply, 'By walking up to the thing you are afraid of.'
 
“'The lion takes its fierceness from your fear.' Walk up to the lion, and he will disappear. Run away, and he runs after you." The Complete Writings of Florence Scovel Shinn for Women (purchase from Amazon using the "I Recommend" tool at the lower left of this page)