Do YOU Need a Spiritual Teacher?

A Teacher, a Guide, a Guru, a Spiritual Leader? Are any of these “right” or needed by you? We all need teachers. In fact, in my mind, every person and experience I bump into is a “Teacher.” But, do I need to sign up for a special person or persons to train me in spiritual consciousness development? Some days I wake up and say “Yes.” Some days I wake up from a night of dreams which were offered to me by my guidance and I say “No” I do not need an external teacher.

Recently, I join in an internet debate regarding the appropriate need or use of external teachers. Some spiritual “practices” request, even demand, that you search for and find the Guru or “Spiritually Developed” person to give you the initiation and practices to join them in their belief system. This often seems like a religious mind-control practice to me, but I am often oppositional in behavior and thought. I have had some of the most profound spiritual awakenings up in the mountains above timber line and as close to “God” as I have been able to get and not a single spiritual “leader” in sight. Maybe due to low oxygen levels or the Zen meditation I performed as I marched high up the trail leaving human chaos far below, I found “insights” and awakening on my own (if you are ever on your own.)

However, I have also sought out people whom I know have held spiritual practices for decades longer than me in my attempt to have some of their knowledge, experience, and wisdom rub off on me. In conversation or just witnessing their stories, my perspective has been stretched and the sparks of consciousness fanned into a bright glow. The causal encounters with people or situations which fill me with Joy have also triggered, not the corrupt thought, but the delightful energy of unconditionally shared love. There is one such “Earth Angel” That I am blessed to get a hug and a smile from, weekly. Her name is Ellen. She is the personification of LOVE and a survivor of Nazi held Norway in the second world war. I hope your life is blessed with the occasional encounters with your own “Earth Angels.”

My Rant: Every person is a miracle. Your interactions with other “Miracles” can produce insights you may be blessed to have, if you are paying attention. Are you fully present and available to this insight? YOU are a Blessing and Perfect the way you are! Your spiritual teaching comes from each interaction you have. Sometimes it brings you amazement and Joy. Sometimes it “triggers you” and you are learning what you would NOT want to do (or to demonstrate to others.)

Living without Judgement and being “open” to the fellow Miracles who cross your path demonstrates your growth in consciousness. (Even if you do not always agree with certain behaviors, these interactions are here for a reason.) Look to be of service as you support your fellow travelers. Every person is a composite of what they bring into this life and the experiences they have found. How they use these foundational backgrounds becomes their unique set of “gifts” they have to offer. Every moment is your teacher!!! Like in school, if you are paying attention you may receive the gift you have been awaiting (maybe more quickly than if you were not paying attention.)

Being available and “in the moment” (mindful) allows necessary learning to occur. For some individuals, at certain times, life learning is enhanced by time and interaction with a highly developed spiritual master who can assist with raising your vibrational patterns. But consider your unique path to avoid the eddy of a cult doctrine which may not be the best learning experience for you. Since we are all “Masters” and have the ingrained wisdom from the Divine within, life experience can help us to “Remember” and can serve as a model for how we can behave in the world in this incarnation.

No matter whether you seek a “teacher” or not, allow your Divine Guidance to create the interactions that raise consciousness and spiritual vibrations throughout our Universe. (And beyond.)

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.

You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

The Surrender Experiment

Michael Singer has written a book entitled: “The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life’s Perfection.” Michael Singer is also the author of the best selling, “Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself.” Interesting that both are his personal story about his “Journey” and I have recently written about the process of living, “the Journey,” as more important than the outcome. But that is not what this blog is about.

In his recent book, Michael writes about “Surrender” to what life and Guidance throws at you. He describes many acts of Surrender as he moves through his life to become a multi-millionaire, meditating hippy. It is a true story and I loved reading it. BUT, some people are willing to actually take the next step and to clear their mind of Judgements and surrender to what Guidance throws at them. My friend and mentor, Rodger Ruge, and I engaged in this experiment. In our own way, we are taking what presents itself (from “Guidance”) and then agreeing to work on these projects to the best we can do. Rodger has taken on healing our first responders, law enforcement personnel, emergency services, and military to assist our “Heroes” to maintain health and wellness and to minimize the impact o PTSD on their lives. His project, “HeroTalk,” offers great service for our Vets and law enforcement Heroes. I have taken on this project called Masters of the Journey (there is that word again) to build a supportive community around consciousness development. Recently, I seem to be taking on another Guidance driven role of “Healer.”

Rodger and I both agree that the surrender to these projects is amazing, nurturing for our souls, and a challenge which we do not understand where this will lead us in our lives. This commitment feels great and, of course, challenging. Are you open and available to act on guidance? Are you willing to find life satisfaction even if you are moving into a very different life focus and direction? Read Michael Singer’s book and consider releasing judgement so you can surrender to your adventure of the lifetime. Perhaps, you think that this is not possible for you RIGHT NOW. But, this will open doors for you to consider how to be happier in your life!

If you think that this does not apply to you or that you would never follow a path less travelled, then you missed your adolescence, romance, adventure travel, and many things which create the “stories” which give your life depth and substance. If so, I am wishing that some day you live your life instead of watching from the couch or the sidelines! YES, that is a Judgement, but I hope it gets you motivated to jump in and swim with more of the beauties life has to offer. YOU deserve it. WE need YOU!

Secret, but not a spoiler, Michael Singer pushes meditation to quiet the mind and to reduce the strength of “Judgement.” You can “Say Yes” to life and find satisfaction in completely life course changing ways. This perspective is wonderful.

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

Walking Your Sacred Path

We are born into our present incarnations to follow our sacred path moving ever closer to “Enlightenment.” Along the way we are challenged by interactions and experiences which are there to teach us lessons we require to move further along our path. Each of us is unique and must walk our sacred pilgrimage in our own way. Know you are NOT alone. You are a part of the Divine Spirit but your distinct path will guide you to special learnings designed to assist you and to share with other pilgrims you encounter. As we are “one,” we are here to take the hands of the fellow travelers to aid them in their distinctive sacred path.

When we feel lonely, we are caught in a trap of separation which our mind and our egos create. At times like these, we can attempt to remember that our role is to support other seekers and reach out to share our story. The perspective that you offer as you share your success or failure (and failure does not really exist) offers your witness a chance to learn from your travails. You are a Master. No one else can be who you are and perfect in your own way. Share your story AND be available to witness the telling of your communication partner’s story. You give a great gift by allowing them to give to you in sharing their wisdom…

If you can remain “present” and “mindful” with each step you take on your sacred journey, you will reach your most important learnings most quickly. This is easier said than done but avoiding the traps of dwelling in the past or feeling the fear and anxiety surrounding the unknown future, you will live and learn most gracefully. Detachment and less judgement will add to your mastery. Again, this important lesson is easier said than done…

A wise mentor has encouraged me to walk my sacred path from my heart and avoid the limitations created by my mind. For me, this means that I listen to my intuition and allow my guides to assist me to make course corrections along my sacred path. Guidance has been most helpful and supportive for me. I have learned to acknowledge and trust that small voice which I “know” creates the messages I feel in my soul/heart. Along the way, I must let go of the “toxic memories” from painful past experiences so I can move forward into new adventures. So, hear the “truth” with your heart not the altered thoughts and judgements from your mind! (You are NOT a victim. At some level you have been part of the “plan” which includes those difficult experiences, which we learn most from.)

Where ever possible, “be the voice of forgiveness.” Learn to say, “I forgive you AND I love YOU!” The world needs so much more of this consciousness and this will expedite your travels along your sacred path. You are a Blessing!

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Pleas

It’s Time to Connect with Guidance

Now, More Than Ever Before, Its Time to Connect with Guidance!

Where does your Guidance come from? What are your sources for the most important news and information? Do you watch news on Television or on your smartphone? Do you read articles, or blogs, or books? Do you “TRUST” your sources of news, guidance, and information or do you commonly check more deeply into the background of what you are being told? If you do not “TRUST” the sources of information and news, where can you go for the TRUTH?

In our American culture, especially, since 2016, we have become more skeptical regarding sources of news and information. If we are lazy, we do not investigate what is being said. We may not look deeply into the “agenda” or background of the source. Since the internet became widely used in the 1990’s, we have been exposed to unedited, un-fact checked information from biased and unreliable sources who may claim their facts or their truths are accurate. No other time in human history have we been subjected to more “Fake News” or “Alternative Facts!” We are now believing the “Source” of the news without the common sense to check the agenda and background of the “sources” we have come to rely on and believe. In an under educated, time pressured, and lazy society, it is very easy to make stuff up and pass it off as facts to justify our behaviors or the decisions which our leadership make.

Actually, this is not new. We have been manipulated and lied to throughout human history by leaders and organizations which are determined to maintain their control over the populace. The difference that exists now relates to the modern technology which would not only start a religious war, or a race war, or a nationalism war but the current ability to destroy all of humanity with the current weapons of technology. Now, we are living on the razor’s edge with little buffer to protect us from ourselves.

This brings us to the point, as we exist on the edge of massively changing the course of life on our planet, whose Guidance do YOU trust? Our minds and our egos may be invested in “factual” presentations though these facts are subject to change. Example, in the 1400’s the facts told us by the church and our leaders was that the Earth was flat and we were the center of the Universe. Pluto used to be a planet and now doubt of its existence is suggested. Smoking and drinking alcohol were once considered healthy and tools for relaxation. Spanking children was good discipline. We were told we could trust news sources and our political leaders because they would never lie to us. We were told to work hard and our companies would “take care of us.” Now, some of our leaders say that there is no such thing as Global Warming and petrochemicals are safe in our environment. Even our religions have told us that only if we believe in, and practice, their traditions could we possibly make it to heaven.

Well, if you have any common sense, you have some doubts regarding our current sources of “rational” information and news. “Alternative Truth” can exist for humans who choose to believe ego flawed statements and agenda driven belief systems. For me, it is fun watching the “drama” unfold and my ego getting caught up to supporting one side of the perceived truths or the other. Our challenge today is to remember that more than 7 billion souls have showed up on planet Earth in human form to watch the “Train Wreck” which is happening. It is way past any doubt that the world our children and grandchildren will have to grow up in and will be way different than the world we have known. Both physically and politically, we have soiled the nest and we have to take responsibility for the destruction of life as we know it. When the dinosaurs went extinct, it was not from the poor decisions they made. Yes, we are not even as smart as dinosaurs when it comes to seeing our own extinction (of life as we know it.) Humans are not very good at learning from past mistakes, especially the leaders in power.

Now, more ever before, we can benefit looking beyond our egos and our mental reasonings. Not to stop thinking or problem solving, but to look deeper and perhaps listen to the small, quiet voices from guidance. Quantum physics suggests that there are unexplainable (so far) energies and consciousness which exist and have existed since the formation of our Universe, and beyond. Not the traditionally believed religious dogma which was meant to control the masses but more love based consciousness that accepts all souls and the learning path toward consciousness that we are pursuing. (This consciousness is very neutral regarding our survival drama due to “free choice” and realization that our so called reality is an illusion.) But how do we connect with this Guidance and source of universal truth? Often we have to shut off our mind and feel with our hearts (and souls.) Meditation helps a great deal. Being more “present” in the moment, not living in the past or future, can assist Guidance to enter into our consciousness. Less judgement and more acceptance and listening helps. Rather than separation and isolation, which our culture seems to preach, perhaps we can build real community where we connect and find the divine perfection in the souls we bump into. Yes, even the ones we would disagree with. AND, sharing our experiences in an act of service to assist the people around us. We are all pilgrims on the path toward awakening and remembering our divinity. We are all connected and can benefit from assisting others. Guidance can allow us to accept the difficult lessons which we have come to Earth to experience and to learn from.

The bottom line, you are a perfect manifestation of the Divine Spirit, whether you know this or not. Consider separating yourself, not from other struggling souls, but from the drama and the dis-information we find in our leaders and sources of news. Your heart and your Guidance will lead you through this lifetime and through your future travels beyond the veil.

You do not have to cut yourself off from news or the media, just filter what you see and hear. You do not have to join a new age cult or become a quantum physicist. But, perhaps you might be present, meditate more, and read or learn from materials related to spirituality, near death encounters, and some timeless teachings from Buddhist, Hindu, or Taoist traditions. Look for many sources until you can “feel” the correct path for you to assist you to remember your perfection and connection with the Divine Spirit.

Live your Truth!
Find YOUR Bliss!
Love, Serve and Remember!

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

PS: This blog will be sent to on Thanksgiving Day, 2018 (November 22). I will be traveling out of the country and will miss posting next week’s blog. Sorry. I have sincere hopes that all the people of our planet will find in these holidays peace and a renewal for humanity. Hopefully, some common sense and Divine Spiritual insights will find a way to guide humanity. Please find a way, dig deep, to support through Love all the souls you are blessed to meet. Peace…!!!

Guidance, Grace and the Pilgrimage

You are blessed to have Guidance! Guidance which you may not have even been aware of at those moments in your life when you chose a direction to move. Maybe it was a hunch or a “Gut Feeling.” Perhaps your decision was not a “rational” one and made no sense to others, or even to possibly yourself, but YOU went with it… AND, it turned out to be an interesting challenge or life experience. You were ment to follow THAT path and you did. Sometimes, if it did not work out as expected, you second guessed yourself. Maybe you did not want to take responsibility for your choice, or the choice Guidance “encouraged” you to take. It may have been the trip, or the job, or the relationship, or whatever… that was “interesting” AND, looking back, you learned something which you would not have learned if you had followed the other path (choice.)

Our lives are filled with these moments when we chose a direction, perhaps even the road less traveled, and then found a rich experience. Often we make seemingly “rational decisions” which made “sense” at the time. The “easy” path is not always, if ever, the best path to choose. After all, life is an adventure and you gotta jump in and get your feet wet if you want the rewards of learning and growing even when it may have been a questionable decision.

And, there are the times in your life when Guidance allowed you to move in a certain direction which became a “peak experience” possibly leading to remembering what the state of Grace feels like…!!! The amazing but rare experience where you “know” what your connection to the Divine Spirit feels like. Perhaps a time when you were set free from the limitations of time and space. The time when you remembered the “Oneness” and connections with all other lifeforms and spirits. The gift of YOUR Pilgrimage through this life is that if you take the risks, open yourself up, you may be blessed with this re-connection with the source of all wisdom. You may remember that you are perfect, even with your perceived weaknesses and flaws (Which make you PERFECT.)

No matter what, cherish every moment of your adventure through life! Take off your blinders. Try to limit your focus by not multi-tasking during the most enchanting experiences… And, do not miss an opportunity to share your love! ALWAYS find time to connect with your fellow pilgrims. You never know which person has stumbled into your life to inspire the experience and the lesson you have come here to have. Every encounter is sacred. Every fellow traveler you gaze upon is a spirit sent from the Divine. (Though you may never be fully conscious as to the “WHY,” never the less, you were meant to share this experience.) If you close yourself off to a shared experience, you may have to return to it again…

Find Joy. Live fully. Challenge yourself to live in service! You are on the “Right” path toward your highest consciousness, so step up and embrace your adventure! Guidance has lead you to this article and to your perfect path!

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

The “Supposed” To Do Life Activities

Have you ever felt like you were Supposed to do something in your life? Have you ever been told that you were Supposed to do a certain thing? Did this “Supposed” to do… come from your mind/ego OR from an external source? Was this an internal expectation or were you “guided” by the Divine Spirit to a “Calling?”

There is a difference and a dilemma to the “Supposed” to do activities in your life. If your mind and ego tell you that you are supposed to do this or that, or to be this or that, should you comply? If your “gut” tells you through your intuition and a spiritual guidance to “show up” a certain way, do you follow through or do you ignore this divine request? AND, how can you tell the difference between an ego driven expectation and a message from the Universe?

An example comes from my life experience. In the Summer of 2015, I moved to Bellingham, WA. My gut told me me to build a “community” where people could connect around non-religious spiritual consciousness. My previous life experience in this area was non-existent however I was “guided” to work on this project. My “life’s work” began to look more than weird to people who knew me because I was not a religious or overtly spiritual person. The work was satisfying and compelling. With assistance, I worked on a website, a blog, and began scheduling meetings. The people I met were invited and many came to our Masters of the Journey community. Why? Because we were all “supposed” to create a supportive community which honors each and every human as a “Master” based on the life experience and wisdom gained from the experience of moving consciously through life. This was not something I knew or chose to do. I was compelled and driven to fulfill this “dream” of community.

Another example is from Bill Hart. Watch his short video, “Shoulder Taps.” Available on YouTube at: https://www.facebook.com/bill.hart.338/videos
Bill shares his story regarding being compelled, “supposed,” to connect with another person in a story with relevance to this discussion.

You have come to the crossroads in your life when you needed to make a choice and you have been driven to follow the path less traveled. It was probably not a “rational” thought but, if you took responsibility for your action/decision, you look back on your choice and realize that this was the thing you were “supposed” to do at that time. Sure it may have been challenging or seemingly an unsuccessful attempt at whatever, but you learned from this experience and you were compelled to follow that particular path… You life has been richer because you followed your heart/gut.

When your mind came up with a new scheme to invest money or to find a more “profitable” endeavor did your gut tell you to do this or did you look around and decided that you “should do” this or that. If you connected with feeling and not just the thought, you may have wondered why you were following this path. Sometimes it works out well, sometimes it works out to be an important lesson of what to do or what to avoid in the future. But, if you were driven and passionate about this new direction then perhaps you were supposed to follow this direction. We have all had these feelings which seemed to overcome our rational thoughts. Following your passion can get you to move your life in strange or unusual directions and these often lead to important discoveries and powerful moments in your life. You are richer for taking these risks and living your passion. (Without following these “Shoulder Taps” or gut feelings, you may not have found your relationship, your career, your life changing travel experience, or even your moment of “awakening!”)

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

Vision Quest in Yellowstone, Unexpected Results

My unexpected Vision Quest came spontaneously while camping in Yellowstone National Park. The experience was not set up like the quest I had read about. In fact, it was kind of an accident, a freak of nature. Let me explain. I traveled of to Colorado in search of my soul. Maybe that is a bit dramatic. Actually, I wanted to get out town for awhile and visit some friends and meet some new people and visit places I had not yet visited. So off I went.

Have you ever taken a road trip??? Well the first week was more than I had bargained for with my car breaking down near Boise, ID. But, I am graced with guidance and protection so besides being inconvenient, and expensive, I was back on the road only 1/2 day later than I had planned. Some of my “coach surfing” expectations were not quite met and my schedule got changed by uncontrollable circumstances. Still I had good visits with my Colorado friends and a very rewarding experience in Boulder, CO and with Rodger in Nederland, CO.

But that is not what this story is about. Thanks for bearing with me. I had been drawn to visit Yellowstone and I made camping reservations for three nights. The park is amazing and beautiful and the weather was unpredictable. During the day I viewed the wonders of the park and at night I spent some time hiding in my tent from the rainy evenings. This is where my story gets to the point. In a “Vision Quest,” there is often a ceremony of creating a medicine wheel circle to focus the visions energy. My flimsy tent became my unexpected vision circle. I read from two books (include: “Earth School 101”) while spending time avoiding the rain drops and the lightening/thunder. And, I was triggered to meditate to regain my focus. Finding my way back into the “Present” through my reading and meditation, my consciousness lightened to the power of the Divine Spirit and to my connection with all of the Universe (and the realms beyond.) To punctuate this re-learning, a clap of thunder graced my meditation. Not a far off clap of thunder but very near, within a half of a mile. (Not a scary experience but for those who know me, I might miss “subtle.” So this was NOT subtle…)

So many other experiences came up from my surroundings which also gave me reason to focus and celebrate. My Guidance protected me and offered me Non-subtle signals that even I could understand. Out of my disconnected, less highly spiritual ego survival state, I once again found deep connection at a “spirit” level. My tent seemed like a medicine wheel which protected me and help me to focus on the lesson of my time alone in my quest. Even if this story does not seem profound for you, I know it was for me. And, unexpected… You never know when or where your profound spiritual experiences are going to happen. Consciousness sneaks up on you when you are NOT expecting it. SO, keep your heart open for those moments when insights explode into your life.

For a more formal and worthwhile read regarding preparing for and experiencing a Vision Quest consider the following book which speaks very clearly regarding the Native American tradition of the Vision Quest. “Quest: A Guide for Creating Your Own Vision Quest,” by Denise and Meadow Linn (and published by Hay House,) offers you many ways to best prepare yourself and then to create a special experience which will allow you to access the information you seek. There are other books on this topic or which touch on this topic but this recent gift is in the very front of my consciousness. (Amazon link to this book: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Guide-Creating-Your-Vision/dp/1401938779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525460557&sr=8-1&keywords=quest+a+guide+for+creating+your+own+vision+quest

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

A Clear Path

There comes a time when the obvious direction appears and the path is clear to be considered and taken…
Sometimes the pain in life motivates this change in path…

This is what our life’s lessons are all about. Learning from life experience and this often comes from learnings which are difficult if not painful. Such is the nature of change. We did not come here for a vacation of fun and joy which lasts a lifetime. It is a blessing to be challenged and to stretch beyond our normal lives, and comfort zones, into the experiences which catch our attention. Sometimes we are “triggered” by an interaction with another person/soul to know what we need to forgive, accept, and bless from the difficult judgements we make. You must ask yourself, what is not resolved within you that created this triggered response. When you judge another person, it often speaks about a judgement of yourself or an unresolved challenge within.

As we search for our path in life, we sometimes come to the difficult realization that we must accept and change ourselves… You have experienced (or are now experiencing) when it was time to leave home or end a relationship or find a new job/career. It may not have been “rational” but you do not have a choice, like you have to drop out of UCLA during the Vietnam War and go traveling though you do not know where this will lead you! This was a moment for me, born out of anger, frustration, and despair AND it was the best difficult decision I ever made. Of course, guidance played a role and this experience lead me into an environment where I could experience the foundation of a career of service which I have loved and never doubted…

With myself as the example, I have found that my “attachment disorder” has led me to the difficulty in relationship break ups which have caused me to suffer. My insecurities wanted me to hold on to a known relationship rather stepping into the unknown “loneliness.” Yet, this process of letting go has also led me to important life learnings such as when my path moved me to Bellingham in the Pacific Northwest to invest my energy into starting the Masters of the Journey. (Relationship changes were at the core of this movement.) Again, my pain created the motivation to leave my old life and then guidance directed me into the position of honoring spirit and creating a supportive community.

Hell, I bet you are reading this blog right now because you have a pain and you were guided to read these words. Yes, you may even take responsibility for your life and make the change in direction which you need to make, now or soon. Your only future regret should be that you did not follow your heart and jump into the experience which you knew you had to take… So do not let your fear of change get in your way. You are a blessing with much to share and you need to find your way to serve by sharing your wisdom gained from your experiences. AND, by the way, you are “Perfect” and a Master though your self image and judgement get in the way of “Remembering Your Divinity.”

As a reminder, YOU are loved! You are an important part of the fabric of all life and consciousness… Sure, these words may ring hollow if you are insecure or judging yourself harshly, BUT this does not change the truth you will remember when you are not so limited by your ego and the 3 dimensional world we have chosen to live this life within…

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

The Power of Witnessing

Recently I heard Gregg Braden discuss the “Power of Witnessing.” My interest was peaked immediately because it sounded like he was discussing the basic premise that Masters of the Journey is based upon. Connecting with people and really listening, without judgement, can have a very important benefit for both the storyteller and the witness. In a bit we can discuss how to be a witness.

What Gregg Braden said, which really helped me, was the perspective that by listening – witnessing another person’s experience of consciousness, awakening, or remembering, YOU, the listener, can broaden your perspective regarding what is possible. As he said, “you can expand your belief system.” When I hear a story based on a Near Death Experience (NDE), it makes me think, and to be open, to the possibilities that there is life after life or at the very least that death is not the scary enemy…
More than that, be prepared for witnessing a “Miracle” in the shared story that will offer you the blessing of perspective which may save you life times (more incarnations to return to the Earthly plane to learn your lessons…)

When Paula Forget, the author of “Guided to a Higher Realms,” shares her story regarding meditations which take her to the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th chakras, I knew that I have not been aware of these additional chakras and can that maybe I can go there. Paula says “sure” (I can visit these higher realms) and teaches you how she does it. Wow, my perspective changed regarding what is possible. By the way, I know and trust Paula. She does not exaggerate or lie. So when she shares amazing stories, my perspective on what is possible in consciousness takes a radical leap.

When Brother Bob Trask talks about being the captain on a ship in a hurricane who has run out of safe options and calls upon the Divine for Guidance, I know he had an experience with Divine Guidance and Protection. I also know Brother Bob does not make his stories up and this sharing changes my view on what is possible.

Even seemingly normal or mundane stories, when you listen between the words, without judgement, can become amazing tales of surviving in life’s mine fields. Shared stories of travel to different cultures, parenting travails, health challenges, intuition experiences, even problem solving reviews can all offer you perspective on your life and what you might do differently. Being “open” and using focused listening skills enables these miracles to come alive for you!

In past blogs, I have channelled messages regarding interacting with other people from the true feeling of Namaste. When you look into a person’s eyes and then into their souls and remember that they are perfect and fully connected to you in the sharing, at the deepest levels, of the Divine Spirit, you listen more openly and with the respect that you would give God (because they are a manifestation of God) or as the Master that deep inside, they actually are. Listen fully, at all levels, and without judgement. Their story, their lesson, can prove useful to YOU! That is why they appeared in your life, at this moment, to share their wisdom with YOU… Sure, you can ignore them, pass them by, but you may be missing an amazing opportunity to awaken in perspective to the wisdom you may need. Consider in the wonderment of the “Beginners Mind” what the deepest purpose of an interaction might actually be in YOUR service and what value this experience has for YOUR lesson in this life.

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master! Your wisdom from your life experience can have great value to other pilgrims on the path toward awakening and enlightenment.

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog

Following Guidance or Forced to Change?

Some of us listen to Guidance and follow it. Some of us have learned to trust Guidance. More of us fear change and argue or deny what Guidance has to offer.

First, what do I mean as I write this blog about Guidance. This is not from an external teacher, parent, or “Guidance Counselor.” It is a message in some sort of feeling which quietly (or possibly loudly) bubbles up from our soul or spirit which is connect to the Divine Spirit. Its soft voice can be difficult to hear and the directions may seem scattered. You may ask why should I listen? Why should I follow the obscure directions of Guidance? As I type this blog, which is coming from a source which is more feeling than from past training, I wonder why I am typing out the words that find their way to the page…???

More difficult are the times and experiences which we have had where strong emotions seem to force us to follow what Guidance can suggest. Often I have found myself in a negative mood, perhaps angry or fearful, and I consider that I absolutely NEED to change. Change does not often come easily. I like what I know better than what I might find out through change. Familiar “Pain” seems better than unfamiliar directions or experience which Guidance might lead. CHANGE is difficult! If we are strongly attracted to something, we might screw up the courage to go after this new shiny “thing” or person or job or…??? More often change HAPPENS when we are so desperate, we HAVE to find the new way to live or to develop our new consciousness.

Example. When I was 19 years old and pre-med at UCLA, I discovered that this dream of going into medicine, that I had passionate held since 7 years of age, was not going to happen. I could not focus at school and my grades were not medical school allowing. I was broken hearted. I was angry. I was frustrated. My alternatives even included taking my anger and frustration and signing up for the Army, which Guidance steered me away from…. and, into a better but unknown and scary option. For no “good” reason I and no clear plan, I dropped out of UCLA, worked 3 jobs, saved money for 6 months and went to Europe. I turned 20 years old in Strasbourg, France and along the way had the life changing experience of perspective on what was not working in my old life in Southern California. When I returned, I left my life in Southern California again in 2 weeks and moved to Northern California into the best possible situation for me. I returned to college and worked for my BA and MA in Psychology, accidentally finding Biofeedback and Psychophysiology along the way. Two years past my MA, I woke one morning and Guidance told me to start a private practice in Biofeedback and Psychophysiology with medically referred clients. I received training and certification and worked in Doctor’s offices and Chronic Pain clinics until I open the Stress Education Center in 1978. I never knew where I was headed in 1970 when I dropped out of UCLA and would NEVER have found the ideal professional career for myself if I had not acted on this message from Guidance. I am Blessed!

Strong emotions like fear and frustration “drove” me to follow Guidance and into the perfect life, for me. Now, I meditate regularly and sit in front of the computer, when I “feel” the need, and channel blogs that are filled with spiritual consciousness that I would not have written, or even considered, 3 years ago. Guidance has offered me a new life purpose and I wake excited everyday to follow this new direction. (New for me…)

What will trigger YOU to listen to Guidance and be led to the experiences in this life you were invited to have…???

If you feel fearful, angry, frustrated, or sad, perhaps consider these “Gifts” which are there to help motivate you to find the better path. If nothing else, you will have a great story to share regarding the challenging lessons you came here to learn. Accept the Love and the Connection with Divine Spirit and find Joy in growing in consciousness from seemingly frustrating life experiences. I am sorry this is so difficult, but we sometimes need to learn from the “trial by fire” called our lives. For me, living with my wife of 28 years through her terminal treatment for Ovarian Cancer and then her Transition at the end of her lifetime, was so traumatic I would never wish this on anyone else. But, I would never trade this experience or the lessons I have learned… It was a Blessing. A pain filled series of experiences which have opened me up to so many beautiful new relationships and spiritual experiences. As I have said before, I have been Blessed! If you have read this far, YOU have been Guided here and Blessed to share this growth in consciousness, mine and yours. Thank you!

Whether you follow Guidance or are Forced to change, please appreciate, at least retrospectively, the amazing adventure you are on and the unexpected lessons you are here to learn…

Taking responsibility for the choices you make throughout your life is very difficult but the alternative of being a “victim” to the challenges life provides may keep you from moving forward, more quickly… Live and choose to celebrate ALL the challenges you may encounter…!!!

If you are READY and looking for a supportive community where you can share your story, your wisdom, and grow spiritually in a non-religious environment, consider Masters of the Journey.
You are a Blessing! You are a Master!

The Masters of the Journey has events which are updated on our Facebook page which is found at: www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney Please comment on this blog and share, if appropriate. More of our blogs are based on spiritual consciousness and can be found at www.dstress.com/blog