Tag Archives: spiritual enlightenment

There Are Times In Your Life

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There are times in your life when you need to pay attention! There are times in your life when you can easily find happiness and joy. And, there are times in your life when you have to look very deeply to find the “Joy” when you can easily judge this life event as challenging and even painful.

When you were young, you would look at certain events and embrace the expectation of impending happiness. You might look forward to your birthday or to Christmas or to Summer vacation expecting the fun and the happiness of what would come. Perhaps there was a graduation or a certain trip which would trigger expectations of happiness. Perhaps, a “knowing” that a certain gift was coming and your joyful anticipation left you excited and full of happiness. Certainly, there have been major transitions on your calendar which created assumptions of joyful happiness like: family gatherings, weddings, births of your children, and anniversaries of your treasured relationships.

Happiness is different than Joy! Happiness is an emotional response. What triggers happiness is often superficial compared to what might trigger Joy. Joy is the deepest level of celebration in the soul.

There is always a flip side. Not to be viewed or assumed to be dark or negative but major events that challenge you. These events challenge you to find the “Joy,” though maybe bittersweet, in the transition you find yourself. Highly conscious people will search for, and find, the “Joy” in even the most difficult life situation. Consideration of the Joy in the unfortunate times is more than a simple art form, it is critical in learning from the arduous life experiences we survive.

Yes, there is a flip side to most every life experience. Lonely Birthday’s or Birthday’s celebrated late in life can be bittersweet. Reflecting back on the more innocent early times can be a reflection of what constantly changes in our lives. Christmas or holiday times when missing a loved one can be filled with pressured expectations of the happiness which may be more difficult to achieve. As we age, Summer vacations may be more a test for us as we control our anxiety and work to control some of the negative expectations which may haunt us. Even weddings and anniversaries can cause us to pause and reflect on what has changed in our innocence and the way we view our past youthful naivety.

However, even the most difficult life experiences can be viewed with the discovery of “Joy.” Even in the vacuum created by the loss of relationships or even the death of a life partner or friend, you can find the life message that grows out of these challenges and celebrate this difficult lesson for the “Joy” that can come. The appreciation of life and the memories of past experiences are given perspective which can become “teaching moments” and so wisdom to share. Your purpose in coming to this life is to learn and to grow and to serve other souls you meet along the way. If you have survived a challenging time, even of great loss of relationship, there is a message to share. AND, you are here, in this life, to share your wisdom born out the drama you have survived. Find the “Joy” in every moment, even the seemingly “darker” moments and you walk the path of consciousness and “Enlightenment.”

An example from my life… After marriage of nearly 28 years, my life partner transitioned after living with her terminal Ovarian cancer diagnosis for 8+ years. Difficult times for us, our families, our children, and our friends. I would NOT wish this experience on anyone. I would not trade this experience, in retrospect, for some other possible fantasy ending. My wife and I became so much closer. Our love was tested and not only survived, but grew. My lessons as the “survivor” have changed my life and my appreciation of living, and dying. The wisdoms I was forced to learn have been shared with many people AND these acts of service have created a burning light which leads the way for many other souls who have been touched by our story. This is the JOY which is born from life’s challenges. This is the Joy you must seek from the difficult experiences you are surviving.

These challenges are the times in Your life that are there to teach you. By expanding your consciousness and learning, you can find your Joy in sharing your hard earned wisdom…

Do not get me wrong, every moment, yes, every moment is Joyful! You have to sometimes work a bit harder to find the meaning and the Joy in the lesson you are learning. Finding the Joy in the more difficult dramas is the act of Enlightened Living. It is time to “Wake UP!”

May the Blessings of Insights in Consciousness blossom most freely for you and find ways of manifesting in your sweet lives! (A message from Guidance.)

Thanks for your time and consideration. Your insights and experiences are unique and a blessing, so please share these…

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

What Did YOU Get From Meeting a Master?

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Bear with me, please. In 2015, the Masters of the Journey community came to life. The premise for this project came from “Guidance” which indicated that people need ways to connect and to be supported by fellow consciousness seekers. It was also indicated that whether we know, and acknowledge, it or not, we are ALL Masters of our journey through life and into higher consciousness. Our mind/egos like to keep us “small” so we are not targets by standing in the light our brilliance can create… So, YOU are a Master. Like it or not! In many of our community’s gathering we share our stories of personal awareness through a small group interchange called the “Triad Process.” This was indicated by Guidance as a tool for connecting people and focusing upon experiences which have led to higher consciousness. BUT, this is not just a Masters of the Journey formula. It is a formula for connecting with everyone you meet and hopefully, finding the value of this interaction, no matter how subtle…

The Triad Process:
First, it is most important to realize that whomever you meet has a soul which has been around since the dawn of Divine Consciousness. (Though some people may seem like they have stood on the sidelines too much and perhaps have not “jumped into the river of life’s changes” as much as they could have. Jumping in is scary!) When you look into someone’s eyes please remember that they are sacred and Masters of their life. (No one can do their life and be in their role in the drama of life better than they can…) If you “Judge” them, you do yourself a disservice. If you look down on them and consider that they are Not Your equal, you may lose the value of this interaction and demonstrate that your current incarnation has a ways to go for the “Enlightenment” you seek. (This seeking may be a conscious seeking or an unconscious seeking, dependent on how Conscious You are.) If you allow your consciousness to reach its potential, you will understand that there is much to gain from any and every interaction. Even if the interaction “Triggers” you into an upset, this can be a “Learning” experience.

Second, because the individual you are sitting (or standing) in front of is a Master, you can best learn to be the “Witness” who can add most to this interaction by being the listener. Your focus on your speaker, or storyteller, is critical. Consuming this “story” without Judgement or your interruption is a great skill to develop. Why? Because in our culture this “Listening” skill has been bred out of us. We are often taught to interrupt and assert “Our” story so our insecurity can take control of the conversation… Taking this control we often lose the wisdom which is being given to us by our communication partner. We can not “look between the lines” to find the “Lesson” we were meant to experience from this interchange if we interrupt. Please Know that being a “Witness” in respect of the storyteller is one of the Greatest Gifts you can offer another person. Allowing your partner to share their wisdom through their story requires patience and offers the storyteller the opportunity to practice or the reliving of their story/experience which they are gifting you by sharing. This “Respect” is not shared enough by the “Me First” attitude in our culture AND interrupting does not breed respect in return. People LOVE to be heard and this is a great gift!

BTW: With the Holidays, you may find yourself confined in a home with friends and family you have successfully avoided for much of the year. Consider this an opportunity to Give the Gift of witnessing the shared stories that are the family legacies. Yes, even, or especially, if you have heard them told many times. Your gift is being a witness. Your lesson is to learn what it is in these re-tellings that is most important for you to learn and to grow… These are a Blessing! Thanks for listening to these tales yet again…

Third, the act of looking into the “Masters” eyes helps you to focus and demonstrates the respect you have. There may be a need to ask a “Clarifying question” to assist the storyteller, if you are not fully understanding their communication. Please curtail your need to interject your story into this conversation and in so doing, redirect the conversation. YOU are looking for the “Pearls of Wisdom” and insights coming out of this interaction. Remember, if this “Triggers” you then there is an important lesson for YOU in this interaction. Equanimity and non-Judgement are skills to develop along the way toward Enlightenment. Honor the Master in front of you! (If you had trekked high into the mountains to sit in front of a “Holy Person” to gain their Wisdom, you would listen carefully and respectfully. That person may not be wearing robes or a tailored suit but you would honor them. This is the same for the “Holy Person” who sits in front of you even though you have NOT had to trek high into the mountains in search of this wisdom…)

Finally, ask yourself, What is the one thing YOU got out of this engagement? What did YOU find of “VALUE?” Even if this exchange with another Master took the form, only, of a shared smile! There are NO accidents in our Universe, some will say. Each seemingly random interaction, has happened for a reason. Maybe it was for YOU. Maybe it was you participating in a random act to benefit another soul’s learning. You are Essential. You are a Master! Careful respect for every soul you bump into, in the warm drier of life, is there as a service. Honor this!

And, as Abraham Hicks has channelled to us, (Thank you Robert for sharing,) “No one Gets Who You ARE!” Your greatness in following the path you are moving along, is not known by the people you pass. On Earth we are limited by our 3 Dimensional world. In the Higher Realms, everyone knows everyone’s business through instantaneous psychic communication, (there are No Lies (thanks Paula Forget, author of, “Guided to the Higher Realms”)) but here on Earth you have NOT walked a mile in their shoes. You can not fully know what they have been through to get them to the representation of the role they are playing in this life! For you, the lesson is DO NOT Live Your Life for another person’s values. Do NOT try to be something you are Not! Do Not expect to be liked or understood! You are Perfect! You are a Master! Be authentic! Be Your Self! Be the bright light which offers guidance to other souls whose lesson has them looking like they are struggling in the Darkness. Perhaps their seeming struggle is a chance for you to serve them and to experience another of Your lessons.

We are ALL in this together. Reach around and take the hands of the next soul you meet. Let them know that they are NOT alone in a way to support them and their learning. AND, every opportunity you get to bask in the light of passion coming from the person in front of you, honor them and bask in their light and passion. You never fully know what value this will have for YOU, for them, and for the future people you will bump into.

Thanks for your time and consideration. Your insights and experiences are unique and a blessing, so please share these…

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

Grandparents and Elders Wisdom Sharing Project

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For most of human culture, people with experience and wisdom were given respect. People who were able to live to be “older” were valued for the many things they had been witness to and the decisions which they had a part in making for the betterment of their community. They did not always get it right. Their wisdom or experience was not always followed but they were heard and respected. In recent history in North American culture, the wisdom of the elders is not respected in the same way! In youth striving cultures, age has lost respect especially when media and technology strives to worship the “new and shiny” rather than experiencial thinking. In many ways, this is as it should be. Past generations have proven to be conservative and slow to adopt newer technologies. The crisis created in this scenario relates to the youngest of our world being insulated from the spiritual wisdom and the emotional experience of older community members.

In the modern world in North America, older people are herded into “retirement facility” or “retirement communities” where they do not live the day to day struggles with babies, young children, struggling adolescents, or young working adults. How can they be role models of patience or compassion born of experience? How can their epiphanies of living through familiar life struggles be shared in less dramatic and more “real” ways to serve the emotional growth of the youngest community members?

I am not speaking about religion or philosophies or fear born responses to life. I am speaking about Universal truths and wisdom which comes of age and experience. I am speaking of empathy born out of living through similar life challenges. For me, becoming a parent at age 35 opened new doors of empathy for families. I relearned how to shed tears in my new emotional responses and empathy. Now, as a new grandpa, I ask how I can serve my grandson’s hard working parents? What is my role so I can provide insight from my life experience? Especially, I ask myself, what role modeling of spiritual (not religious beliefs) wisdom can I offer to serve the spiritual needs of my grandson? He is still a baby but what can I create for him NOW and for later in his life that will share the lessons I have known and learned from?

Maybe this is not my responsibility. Perhaps this is best left to his busy parents or to school or to his own path through life. I doubt that I can trust the media, technology, or his peers to provide a role model of consciousness development that I can, as an elder, agree would be best for his long term benefit and for the larger world. How can I share with him that he is a miracle and perfect in his life when our culture will want to bully him into conformity and accepting the competitive separateness which our culture seems to worship? How can I convey as a role model or through words and actions that he is a unique piece of the Divine Spirit? How can I share with him that the painful challenges and difficult people he will face are a part of important lessons he is meant to have for his awareness process? And, how can I help him to remember the Divine source from which he comes and where he will return? Perhaps by role modeling, I can show him how to find the joy in grief and other difficult challenges and how to turn these into experiences which will lead to service to our world…

Our culture needs to be reminded of the value of Elders and Grandparents. Elders and Grandparents need to step up, get off their couches and then share their wisdom born from living their lives. Not to be annoying, opinionated, meddling “menschs” but supportive, positive guides. Busy parents need to pay attention to the value of connecting their children with their ancestors and their treasured elders, if these people exist. Respect needs to be re-learned by all sides of this equation.

My current plan is to write spiritual blogs, do interviews with other elders, perhaps write some of my insights, AND to hold my grandson to share my love and to remind him of his perfection and Divinity. If time allows, I will be a role model of acceptance and unconditional love. Maybe my shared stories of the “awakenings” I have experienced will find him when he is able to hear and to benefit from these. I will gather a list of the books, trainings, and experiences which have lead me in positive ways as a possible road map of what is possible. In some way, I hope to encourage his own exploration of consciousness. My gut tells me he will have to find his own way to fight off the bullying of our society to push him to conform to its lowest common denominator.

Please consider and share your reactions. How can the Wisdom keepers share their learnings born of life experience? Most importantly, how can we better serve the Spiritual learning for our youngest members without indoctrinating them into fear based separation and paternally driven philosophies? Celebrate Wisdom and the Divine Spirit!

Thanks for your time and consideration. Your insights and experiences are unique and a blessing, so please share these…

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

YOU are an Important Piece of the Puzzle

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Have ever put a large JigSaw puzzle together? It requires your time, effort, focused concentration, and patience. Have you ever come to the completion of this puzzle and find that a piece is missing? You can see the tiny piece leaves an enormous hole in your project. It is a glaring, attention grabbing hole! This makes you and your project feel incomplete and unsatisfying. It is unfinished and it is obvious.

How does this apply to you and your developing spiritual consciousness? You are a small, unique piece of a much greater puzzle. It is the puzzle called the Divine Spirit. If YOU were really missing, this puzzle would be incomplete. There would be a glaring hole in the fabric of all of consciousness. Scientists have claimed that energy is neither created nor destroyed, it just changes form. The same can be said for matter, which does change form on a regular basis but does not completely disappear. Your physical body is made of matter which constantly changes form and eventually after you die, returns to some other physical form.

Your soul or spirit is energy. Many spiritually conscious people would say that this soul/spirit energy is pure and made of Love. It does not ever disappear but it can change form. You and your consciousness are unique. Your fingerprint is like a snowflake and unique to you. You are made and changed by the experiences and challenges you have faced. You are tested by difficult experiences as you move along your unique path toward higher consciousness. AND, if your spirit was NOT around anymore, the whole of consciousness would suffer and disappear. Whether your ego-mind allows you to Know it or not, you fill a spot in the enormously large Universe. If you were not here, ever again, the hole in the fabric of the Divine would cause the whole balloon to deflate and disappear.

The Universe would collapse without your spirit! Your awareness and consciousness ask you to eventually Know and Remember your Enlightenment and the important role your unique spirit plays in the whole drama called life in the Divine Spirit. Of course, this also creates enormous responsibility for your unique spirit to keep growing and expanding in consciousness because without your progress the whole of Divine Consciousness lacks expansion. You are important! Too bad if you do not like this responsibility for your soul will figure this out in due time… (Though time does not really exist…)

You are Amazing and Unique! You are an important piece of the puzzle which is called the Divine Spirit! Shine brightly and send love and consciousness out to all the other souls you meet! (Another viewpoint: You are a “Hologram” of the Divine Spirit. Every important piece of the spirit energy of this Universe is imprinted into your spirits DNA. You carry the GodForce within your soul… So, consider acting like the GodForce you are…)

You are Amazing and a Miracle! Though unique, you are a perfect piece of the Divine Spirit! You are Loved, Blessed and Cherished! Consider your perfection and connection to the Divine as you look into the eyes, and the souls, of all the beings you come into contact with on your 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

Your Quest to Remember

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Maybe, you know your Divine Purpose in traveling through this life. If you are uncertain then be aware that your quest, in this incarnation, is to seek your Enlightenment by working to Remember, who you are and where you have come from. This may sound difficult or confusing. This may sound easy with your path most clearly marked out for you. There will be distractions and for every answer ten new questions may pop up for you but… You are here to Remember that you have come from the Divine Spirit and there you will return after you have the adventures of this lifetime. Your adventures are the lessons and challenges you have to experience to continue your evolution in consciousness AND to serve the other souls you meet to move them further along their path.

Some not so random questions: What do you like best about your work? What do you like best about the positive relationships you have in this life? Chances are you like being of service and finding the positive and supportive experiences you find along your way. Connecting and supporting others is a reward and assists you in accomplishing your “purpose” of serving other pilgrims.

If you are not finding these positive relationships, then let’s ask another question. Do you feel like you “do not fit in?” Perhaps superficial conversations regarding: the weather, or sports scores, or fashion do little to “float your boat.” You feel like something is missing in your life. Perhaps you know that there is something else you could be doing which is more important or significant you would like to commit yourself to. I ask you to search your own soul as you attempt to remember “where you have come from,” where you will return to, and why have you come here NOW to this life at this time?

If you have read this far into this blog, YOU are on a quest to Remember and then to apply the core wisdom you find within your heart and soul. You must find the courage to follow the path less traveled by many others in our culture. Following your heart into service of the Divine is never the easy path but it is the most satisfying in the long run. You are not asked to proselytize a religion or some mind made philosophical belief. You are asked to live as a positive role model, from your heart, and share love and wisdom you remember from your connection as an essential piece of the Universal Divine.

Maybe you are blessed to be conscious of an “awakening experience” (an STE (Spiritually Transformative Experience.)) A momement or an experience where you felt your deep connection with the Divine Spirit and it has moved you to expand your perception on what is possible and how YOU fit into the Divine Spirit’s plan. It may have been subtle and you may not believe it really happened. Or, it may have been a massive shift where it is not questioned but makes you feel like you have been hit with a “crazy stick!” You are not weird or crazy. You are here to answer the “call.” Your perception of your reality is changed forever. (Like a Near Death Experience survivor lives with no fear of death. And, this changes the way life will be lived…)

Do not think you have not had these experiences of awakening. Perhaps you did not trust them. You may have doubted yourself or the experience, BUT, it does not mean you have not been given the gift, and challenge, of seeing a broader consciousness. Everyone has had these moments of connection with the Divine. Your ego and past religious or cultural training has created denial or the barrier for your growth. At some “right time,” you will be ready to accept your “calling.” Then, your new wisdom will become part of the “message” you are asked to share. Tell your story. The “right” people will be blessed to hear your account of this awakening and this will serve their expanded perception. You are a “GIFT!” You are a Blessing! You are a “Master of Your Journey” and a beacon of light in our world! Shine bright! Light up the path for others to follow!

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

Appreciation Project

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It’s time for appreciation and do not keep this a secret! Find the qualities that you have appreciation for and share these with your partner. No matter what relationship experience you are having, express your “Heart Felt” appreciation in words or actions that are genuine. Though it is difficult to find the words to express your deepest feelings, your sincere energy and intent will wrap your words in the love and the appreciation you are expressing. You may even want to stop and also express sincere “Gratitude” for the moment in time and the lesson you are receiving from this interaction.

Origin of word Appreciation: “To realize/recognize the Value of…” and “to express gratitude/thanks”

This was born from a conversation I was having with my mentor, Robert, who described a request to write a card for his grandsons. These notes of appreciation were requested to create a positive avalanche of “positivity” to overcome the cultural judgements which these boys were subjected to in their lives. We can ALL benefit from an avalanche of positive thoughts AND Feelings. Though feelings are not perfectly conveyed by words, short of excellent poetry, we can bask in the love demonstrated by our attempts at genuine appreciation. Every soul you encounter is a miracle and perfect in their own way. Connect with the benefit which is triggered by your interaction and share your feelings of this benefit.

Judgement and ridicule are way to easy in our culture. We have become masters of the isolating defense mechanism which looks for perceived flaws. Even these flaws can be appreciated for the value these can bring, even if these flaws “push your buttons.” Every interaction is sacred and by celebrating these encounters with your partner, you may offer the gift of the deepest appreciation from the learning you experience. Holding back on sharing what you appreciate reduces the value of you being “present” and in gratitude…

You are a miracle! You are a Blessing! You are Loved! Yes, YOU are a Master, whether you know this consciously or not! Minimize your fears, your ego, and your self-criticism and “Remember” where you came from and where you will return as YOU are an important part of the Divine Spirit! You can even learn to laugh at your self-critical thoughts and learn to accept and then change any imperfection you may feel you have, if you find this necessary. We are here to learn and to grow. We have come to raise our consciousness and move, as gracefully as possible, through the challenges our lives present to us. Looking for the positives to appreciate AND sharing these is an act of “Enlightenment” manifesting in this life…

If you want to start a chain reaction of positivity and support, add acts of appreciation to your daily routine. YES, go out and search for, then find, the qualities you most appreciate in 5 people every single day. Actions speak louder than words, so look to most fully acknowledge an “ACT” you witness. An Act of kindness or an act of unconditional support. Appreciate a teacher, or a parent, or a service provider. Live your enlightenment by sharing love and support through your generous appreciation. Try not to look for a medal or a pat on the back. These will will come anyhow. But, look to serve by your generous offer of appreciation. Make this a game to be copied. Make this a project to encourage the good in the world through sincere appreciation.

Saying “Thank You,” in a sincere way, is an act of service which can ripple across the Universe. Simple for sure… I was told recently from a Near Death Survivor that one of his messages in returning to his body was to remember that the challenges of living are the difficult but important lessons which move us most quickly to full conscious enlightenment. SO, look at the interactions which “trigger” you, appreciate these, and know that you are moving forward in our spiritual development. Share your appreciation and Love where possible!

Can you recognize the Value of the interaction and offer gratitude for this benefit to your learning? This might involve being most fully present without crippling judgement or defensiveness… Add this to your awareness as you bump into other souls throughout your day.

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

Living as an Urban Monk

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A traditional thought of a Monk implies to me a devoted person dressed in robes and spending most of the day in meditation or prayer. Monks are often cloistered in “Monasteries” to protect them from distraction and the temptations of “worldly” existence. Their prayer or meditation is more important than external relationships and more banal activities like working, parenting, sexual relations, or pursuits of material substance. Many Monks are very sincere regarding their studies and their simple existences. They shun the cacophony of modern urban living relishing in the quiet, simple, routines of monastic life.

Can you be an Urban Monk without the trappings of a cloistered monastery? Are there people who choose to live a more modest life, striving for consciousness, and not material excesses? Do you know people who are living quietly amongst us with an eye for Universal service over personal gain?

In our society and modern culture, there are people driven to be of service and seemingly shunning common behaviors like commercialism or watching excessive TV or addiction to fashion. These out-of-place people may be the modern version of the ancient monks. They may not be begging on the street but living on low wages like teachers or child care workers or garbage collectors. Then may be living off of social security or disability payments. They may have chosen the “simple life” because it appears to be more “real” and authentic than chasing the false Gods of money and celebrity. Do you not see or acknowledge these keepers of wisdom? Do you write them off because they do not drive an expensive, updated car? Heck, you may even pass them by as they sit on a bench, or a curb, or on the sidewalk just to be the experience you have carefully avoided but the lesson you need to learn from…

The brightly colored monastic robes may not give away the Urban Monk in our culture. This camouflage is the challenge for you to be more aware of as you hustle through your life. There may be a time when you stop and talk with that Urban Monk and ask how they are and where they came from on their path. They are not as invisible as busy people might think. They, and what they can teach us, is obvious and all we need to do is stop for a few moments and have the interaction with this “Child of God” and this potential spiritual mentor. Consider slowing down enough to visit with these humble monks. They may bless YOU with a pearl of wisdom and insight which you have been too busy to perceive on your own. Perhaps, sit with them and join their perspective on life from the different angle than you might normally visit.

You are in this world to interact because that is where the real work of consciousness and awareness dwells. You do not have to over-think it. You just need to remove your filters and live it as an experience which can lead to gratitude and appreciation, if not some deeper lesson. Do not miss the opportunity to look into the eyes of the miracle of the Divine who may be sitting quietly in front of you. They are there for YOU! (In fact, they ARE another version of you in this Earthbound play are participating in.)

AND, if you are living as an Urban Monk with the conscious desire to serve Universal Consciousness, thank you for being this blessing to us all. Though you may be living a “simple life,” you are a royal role model and much needed in our culture. You and your life are more authentic and real. You are loved and appreciated for all you do!

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

Who Builds the Walls?

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Walls are built to protect you from scary or dangerous things. Your protection seems like a really good idea because you might get hurt or killed by forces beyond your control and that would seriously jeopardize your life. But can protection from challenging things be a “good” thing, all the time? And, who builds the walls which protect you? What are these walls actually protecting?

This blog is inspired by guidance and a recent reading of chapter 12 of Michael Singer’s book, “Untethered Soul.” The chapter title is “Taking Down the Walls.” If you have not read Michael Singer’s first book, I recommend it for many reasons. Thanks again to my mentor and Michael Singer student, Paula Forget.

The point of putting up walls for protection can isolate you from “outside” influence and potential pain from the changes that interaction with the Divine Universe can provide. It is safer to be insulated in a world where you are comfortable because you think you know it from its familiarity. Because it has been this way for a while, perhaps a long time, it feels safer and must be protected at all cost. The “hoards” are coming at you from all directions and it feels “good (???),” to build that wall so you are locked in the prison of your own building. Wow, did I say “prison of your own building?” Our fragile self-image or our “dated” opinions have powerful history which can make these seem friendly and familiar but actually can hold us back and imprison us in self-limiting beliefs and attitudes.

Michael Singer’s definition of “Enlightenment” includes the recognition of these self-limiting, historically safe, beliefs and then the willingness to “let go” and to move through the painful challenges of non-judgement guiding you into equanimity with the dramas that may surround you. The “Enlightened” soul observes and does not get “triggered” by the experiences and insights which present themselves. The walls you build to protect your ego or self-image are actually YOUR barrier to awareness and your own accepting the state of “Enlightenment.”

This said, there are risks to breaking the barriers to your own “Enlightenment.” The risks include facing the challenges of changing your self-image, placing the Universal Divine ahead of your self protected ego, and expanding into the unconditional connectedness we have with all the energy of the Universe, and beyond. No guarded “Self” and no need for walls as barriers, release your self-imprisoned definition which “protects” you from true “Joy” and your Divine purpose. Walls are used to protect YOUR Fears and are not really the long term solution. They protect you from the inevitable path you must follow, at some point in your developing consciousness, into the “Light” of Unconditional Love, Connection, and Universal Wisdom. These lead you to true Freedom and Joy!

And, what is the “worst” that can happen? You will transition from this incarnation sooner than your ego wants. The ego’s self-preservation builds judgements and walls which dissolve when you die. And, we all die. No way out. Death is NOT the enemy except for the ego… Your Joy is based on the willingness to not take your life too seriously so you have the freedom to really live, untethered…

Your path will lead you to this realization at some auspicious point in your developing consciousness. Ponder these words and thoughts. Do your own research. Find your own awareness of your self-constructed walls and the process you will use to “let go!” No matter where your search leads you, YOU are not alone! You are greater and more powerful than your ego allows you to realize. You are a Miracle. You are a Blessing! And, whether you know this or not, YOU are a Master!

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

Live in Joy!

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How many times have you heard that you should live in Joy? The “should” part makes this a challenging expectation. From external sources, there are very few “shoulds” you “should” do, but “Living in Joy” does sound good…

When life is a bit “rocky” or even worse, how can you find the mindset to Live in Joy? The “mind” in mindset can make this a real test. So let me rephrase the life quest to find and then to live in Joy. How can you find the “perfection” and adventure in every moment and every activity? When the Divine Spirit allows you to create a difficult life challenge it does not rush in like a “helicopter parent” to fix things for you. The Divine Spirit celebrates the challenge, your learning process, and the lesson you get to acquire. That IS why we are here, in this present incarnation, to push our limits and gain in consciousness. Even if this lesson is about what you do NOT want to do again, you have learned.

The most conscious people we bump into, and who you are striving to become, know that EVERY opportunity to bump up against the difficult challenges leads to the JOY of discovery and expansion. Yes, your moment of insight into the blessing of living a life with risks and pitfalls is a spectacular opportunity to engage in situations which will test you and assist you to grow.

A tip: if you do NOT take yourself or life TOO seriously and you remember your infinite, perfect soul, you realize that you are just playing YOUR character in a play. Life is a play and everyone you bump into are fellow characters playing their roles. No one can play you better than you. And, you can enjoy the excellent performances you see if an actor you interact with gets sick and dies. They will do it in their own unique way and they serve you by the life performance that they offer. Yes, there is sadness, and fear, and grief, and sometimes, unbridled laughter and Joy. Look for YOUR lesson in the darkest of life’s interactions. What are YOU supposed to learn or experience AND how will this make you a better and more conscious spirit? How will you use this challenging experience to move forward and serve other souls you meet on the your/our path?

It is fun to learn and to grow even from un-fun experiences. Smile and celebrate the Joy of your new learnings. AND, do not miss the opportunity to share your love and your wisdom and joy. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from these. Do avoid the risks or you may be forced to live in the “what if I had done this (or that) mindset which often leads to regrets.

Never forget that YOU are a Miracle! You are perfect, even in your imperfections! And, you are much greater than you allow yourself to realize. You are a manifestation of the Divine Spirit. You are a Blessing! You are Loved!

When a person can be most fully conscious, there is a realization that we are all living in paradise and the perfection of the Divine Spirit which we have chosen to participate within. This realization allows us to find the “Joy” of every moment we have in the miracle life we are living. (It can be a stretch to “know” this but it is a step toward full consciousness. Please, celebrate the Joy of every perfect moment and every perfect soul you meet.

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

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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