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Spiritual
Awakening
One man with courage Makes a majority
~Andrew jackson ~
So everyone is talking about "Spirituality" and
"Enlightenment", and you have decided that you want to find out more... but
where do you start?
As the old saying goes "start at the very beginning...", and that ,for you,
means your life's journey. Start where you are in your life right now; what do
you know, what answers are you seeking, what don't you know, what are you
pretending you don't know, and what have you forgotten?
You firstly need to understand that you are alone on your "soul journey", but
are also part of the "whole"; at one with everything and everyone in the
Universe, a Divine Being and part of "all that is".
Know that all
that has gone in your life before this moment has brought you to where you are
right now; that there is a purpose for everything that happens. Rejoice in every
obstacle you are faced with in your lifetime, understanding that it is both a
gift and an opportunity, all of which have enabled you to grow.
Understand that the only thing that is holding you back from attaining your
heart's desire is you. Know that every moment is an opportunity to create a new
reality, now and in every moment of your life. Base this on the unlimited
possibilities of what can be, not on your fears of what has happened in your
past.
Your successes and your happiness is limited only by what you believe is
possible. The range of possibilities is only restricted by limited human
understanding. Trust the universe, it will show you the answers when you are
open to receive them.
If you are a sceptic you will probably think that this is a load of nonsense,
but try it out for yourself, and as you progress with your journey of
enlightenment and self-discovery you may find that certain things that may
currently make no sense will reveal themselves and become possible.
The most important thing is that you apply yourself with an open mind and an
open heart. Do not summarily reject things because they seem to make no sense or
seem to be out of your hands ~ that will not lead to spiritual understanding or
enlightenment.
I cannot tell you exactly what to do, as what works for one does not necessarily
work for another; everyone's path is different and their journey takes on a
different form and is not time-bound. Just because you and someone else are not
on the same level does not mean that you are doing things wrong or that you are
going too slowly ~ give yourself time to enjoy the journey at the pace that
suits you and your lifestyle.
Spiritual
awakening is about understanding your higher consciousness. It means letting go
of old beliefs and fears, releasing old ways of being, and doing and thinking in
ways in which you feel comfortable. It means accepting responsibility for your
life and accepting the power you have. This means not placing your power over
others but using that power on yourself.
The main thing that could be a
barrier to your spiritual growth is your own mind ~ experience your life, don't
contemplate it! Look deep within yourself, find those things that are holding
you in your past, face up to them and you will find that once you face your
fears you will be able to let go and move on.
At times the journey will get very uncomfortable and you will want to give up
and run away, but there is no growth, without risk and enlightenment cannot work
without growth, love, trust understanding and compassion. Remember, you are a
divine being, but to grow in love and light you will need to place yourself or
be placed in situations that may be uncomfortable for you.
Just remember that this is a very personal journey and although you may feel
uncomfortable, nobody else is... There may come a time when you have to face up
to some very unpleasant truths, but it is by working through these truths that
freedom, enlightenment and growth will come.
You are your own
teacher in this journey and must remember that to receive you need to give, to
be loved you need to love, to have acceptance you need to accept, and to be
forgiven you need to forgive.
The most important thing to remember is to love, respect, and honour, and
forgive yourself as well as others.
———§———
Here is a
lovely little story which I came across whilst on my journey; I thought you may
enjoy it too...
Water bugs
and Dragonflies
by Doris Stickney
Down below the surface of a quiet pond lives a little colony of waterbugs.
They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they
were very busty, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond.
They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose
interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily,
it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more. “Look” said one of the
water bugs to another. One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do
you suppose she is going?
Up, up, up it went slowly. Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from
sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return.
"That’s funny"! Said one water bug to another.
"Wasn’t she happy here?" Asked a second water bug.
"Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third.
No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.
Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends
together "I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must
promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why."
"We promise to", they said solemnly.
One spring day not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan
found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew
what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water, and fallen
onto the broad green lily pad above.
When he awoke he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A
startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver
wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled he felt an impulse to move his
wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved
his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a
dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves he flew through the air. He felt
exhilarated in the new atmosphere.
By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was
by chance he looked below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his
old friends the water bugs! There they were, scurrying about, just as he had
been doing some time before.
Then the dragonfly remembered the promise: "The next one of us who climbs up the
lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why.
Without thinking the dragonfly darted to reach the bottom. Suddenly he hit the
surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no
longer go into the water.
"I can’t return!" he said in dismay. "At least I tried but I can’t keep my
promise. Even if I could go back not one of the water bugs would know me in my
new body. I guess I will just have to wait until they become dragonflies too.
Then they will understand what happened to me and where I went."
The dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air.
———§———
The journey of
self-discovery and enlightenment can be a very difficult journey, but it is also
one that is thrilling and fulfilling. Enjoy the journey and remember to smell
the flowers along the way.
———§———
Kindness in words creates
profoundness,
kindness in feelings creates love
~Lao-Tzu~
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