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Shine

October 23, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Each of us is extraordinary and unique. Each of us was made to be different from everyone else. We were born to shine our original talents upon the world.

You bring a radiant light all your own that is essential to our human experience. We need you, and now is the time.

I believe that we are sparks of God, created as divinely perfect, and yet we are born to ever evolve. We are of God, and are connected to each other as one, and yet we are meant to shine as individuals. And we do a pretty amazing job navigating through this most difficult school – this human journey that is a dramatic chance to shine brighter. In fact, you are so incredibly brave to be here.

We are here to mature in responsibility and to become caretakers of life. We are learning from our tremendous challenges, but these lives are not who we are. They are simply obstacles designed to help us grow higher, but they are not our identity. So let go of these identifications, for it is like taking a test and letting the test define you. When these brief, challenging lives of duality have been lived, the perspectives gained and the brave spirits we learn them with will be what remain. As will the radiant, one-of-a-kind and ever-growing soul of you.

Oscar Wilde famously said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Let us not compare or imitate, or aspire to be anyone other than who we are at the core. Let us celebrate originality and lead ourselves strongly with our own intuitive power. Be true to yourself! Be true to the authentic and steadfast you that resonates from within. This true self is meant to be in charge of your life rather than the ego.

The ego wants you to win with rules that bind your spirit. It will try to convince you to emulate homogeneous ranks, but your true you wants to shine the spectacular light that is your birthright.

Author Mary Lane illuminates so beautifully that we often lessen our greatness in front of others. She says, “I have dimmed my fire all my life so I would be accepted.” She reminds me that I intrinsically belong here in my unique-ness, not in spite of it. She cheers me on, saying, “Allow your fire to burn brightly” and with no apologies! I am envisioning a glorious world where we each shine in this way.

At the end of this human journey, you will be the one who evaluates your life, so make it what you want it to be. Believe in yourself, and others will too! And embrace your invaluable worth. The universe has been trying to tell you how amazing you are your whole life. Know this as you steer steadily towards your dreams and what you came here to do.

Listen to what your heart truly desires so that you can follow your unique path and no one else’s – so that you can build an inspired reality all your own that creates each day with authenticity. This means focusing on how things feel from your soul instead of how they might look to others. It means purging anything you have taken on that isn’t you. So be pure in yourself and let your life sing out with integrity.

Love the sacred spark of God you are and watch your spirit soar! If you only knew just how much you are loved in God’s universe – it is beyond what one can fathom on this earthly journey. Let your heart illuminate our world with this love that transforms. Own your vital light and help our collective cause – our rising consciousness. Your shining soul is on this human road of metamorphosis, finding its way to flourish beneath the stars. Shine on bright soul! Shine on.

Posted in Self | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Let Go

October 16, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Living spiritually is all about letting go, but what a challenge it can be! We often hold on to our experiences, and this blocks the spiritual flow of life. These blockages create unhealthiness. They keep us from living fully, but we have the power to let them go.

I have found that when I act separately from the universe by controlling, expecting, and even wanting things, I experience frustration and struggle. When I plan too much, I lose the spontaneity that makes life work.

As writer Guy Finley states, “Anything you have to control controls you” taking away your natural freedom. Control creates a false sense of security that doesn’t satisfy the soul. And it actually wears you down. As teacher Christine Day says, “The effort and energy used to hold on are exhausting you.”

Letting go is the answer. But how do we do this? We have to feel what we’ve been holding on to and then let it go from our beings. We release it and leave it behind.

Instead of creating stress in the future, we can choose to honor ourselves. We can work with the universe instead of fighting it.

I have noticed that when I simply experience life without holding on so tightly, everything seems to work out effortlessly. This became obvious to me as a new mother who couldn’t do it all. I found that it was impossible to plan the day, but if I let go, everything fell into place. I found that when I stopped having expectations, things became more spectacular than I imagined.

It’s ironic that we have more control over fulfilling lives when we let go of control. And when we let go of the weight of the past and future – with all their endless stories and definitions – we free ourselves immensely. Letting go of past wounds and emotions can be very difficult, but it affords immense healing. Forgiveness is the key, and it helps us to remove blame. It gives us clarity for our own sake. Forgiveness enables us to let go of the need to be right even if we were very wronged. It releases our hold on others and allows us to fully accept everyone, exactly as we are.

I have noticed that the beauty in people becomes obvious when we let them go. By letting everything go, we rediscover our trust in the universe and in our deepest spiritual selves. Just thinking about this prompts me to ask, “Am I willing to let go at any moment of all that I’m clinging to?” I have so much to let go of, and when I catch myself feeling tense, I try to remember how it was to be a child running freely outside, laughing, playing and interacting with other children, without a single expectation or obligation. I try to become undefined once again and open to the present moment, where the magic of life resides.

Letting go is a vital part of the creative process. So often we hold onto what we create because it doesn’t feel completely finished or “perfect,” and so we continue to trap it in our minds.  When we are ready to give our work to the world, we must detach from it so that it can be received by others. This is a similar concept to giving one’s dreams and problems up to God, for how can God help us with something if we are still holding onto it?

Last night, I had a dream about letting go. I dreamt that I gathered people around a small and deep swimming pool that was half-filled with water. I stood with my back to the pool and took a long fall backwards into the depths as my strongest voice asserted “Let Go!” The observers applauded and I felt truly liberated. I want to carry this symbol of letting go with me walking forward into life.

Posted in Present | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Judgment

October 9, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Our dear friend Françoise recently shared on this blog that how we perceive our personal challenges can lead to internal suffering. She illuminated the idea for me that misperception is entwined with judgment. It stems from the self, making a prison of our own design.

To quote Francoise: “We are meaning-making machines, and when we judge anything to be bad or good, we only define ourselves.” I think this is so true. we are trained in our society to be for or against situations, ourselves, and each other. We separate what we see into good and bad, making one person right and another wrong. We form negative and positive judgments that include one human only to exclude  the other – hero versus villain, golden child vs. black sheep, and us vs. them. Neither position sits well with the soul.

Peace mediator Dr. Marshall Rosenberg writes: “Sadly, we’ve been educated for all these years in this world of moralistic judgments; of retributive justice; of punishment, reward, and “deserve.” We’ve internalized this language of judgments, and it’s hard for us to stay connected to the beauty of what we are within that framework.” In this way, judgment perpetuates conflict.

Many schools of wisdom teach us to embody compassion, or the opposite of judgment, so that we can live in spiritual peace. They teach us to take charge of our thoughts and stop reactive thinking. Because when we think about anything and categorize it into our minds, we tend to form opinions. We begin to make assumptions that reflect our own desires and issues. And our egos believe they are the truth.

Our judgments gain momentum as we get emotionally attached to what we tell ourselves. And pretty soon, we start criticizing others in order to defend our misperceptions. This is how judgment takes flight in our conversations and relationships, and how it causes suffering. But judgment is only a creation of the mind and a projection of the self.

I believe that self-judgment is responsible for the judgments we place on others, but self-love provides the solution. By learning to fully love every part of ourselves, we lose the desire to hurt ourselves. This means we no longer need to hurt others. We then know how to empathize completely with the people we encounter and no longer find the need to judge them. We recognize judgment and choose to disengage.

It’s important to realize that when we judge, we are asking others to fulfill our judgments. We are closing our hearts and narrowing our experience, and this disconnects us from our fellow humans and from divine possibilities of joy and illumination. When we judge, we suffer, adding to the conflict on our planet.

You see, every time that I compare one human to another, and especially to myself, I limit myself with judgement. But how can we compare when we are each one of a kind? We are growing in diverse ways and will never find sameness. Instead, we can accept and respect each person in their entirety, allowing them to be exactly as they are. We can notice their unique abilities and gifts. We can recognize the spiritual beauty within everyone.

The conditional love of judgment creates inhuman standards. We will never be able to meet them. But our judgments are not us. As shaman Dr. Don Miguel Ruiz teaches, they are simply stories, and we have the power to let them go.

When we recognize another’s conditioning and see our own judgment in turn, we find that judgment is only a charade. We become more responsible with our energy by choosing to appreciate rather than criticize.

Ruiz tells us that love is the antidote to judgment. It is the real reality beyond rampant thoughts. Love reminds us to simply observe with acceptance instead of exchanging judgment.

Letting go of judgment brings incredible freedom. When we remove judgment from our lives, we become open to unconditional love. I believe that this is what we are here to learn from this challenging human experience.

Posted in Shadow | Tagged , , | 9 Comments »

Gratitude

October 2, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

The spiritual concept that comes most easily to me is gratitude. Gratitude feels natural and authentic, and creates a beautiful view. It gives me a kind of heaven on earth amidst my human lessons.

Gratitude builds a light filled world that renews itself every time I appreciate life. Gratitude is my dearest teacher on this journey, and I keep her close always.

I have so much to be grateful for, and remembering this opens my perspective and lightens my step. I find myself sincerely amazed at all that people do to give of themselves, and from my heart I want to thank them. This thankfulness allows me to recognize what really matters. It shows me that there is so much more than just my story and my wants. It reminds me that the positive is always beside the negative; abundance always lies beneath appearances of lack.

Gratitude builds upon itself and provides an endless reservoir. It brings grace and love to challenging days. It has the power to cleanse the past, to teach us to rise above our fears, and to transform life beyond what we think it can be. Most of all, gratitude strengthens our connection to each other.

So often, the jobs that we do for others go unacknowledged or are just expected, but with gratitude, we pause to say thank you. We remember to appreciate one another through life’s trials, amidst our personal embarrassments and triumphs. This is all that really matters.

Gratitude holds unfathomable depths. Last week, I experienced them when my eight year old son had emergency surgery. All through a long uncharted night, my husband and I felt the most intensifying gratitude for our child. On the hospital stretcher, surrounded by the sights and smells of his newborn days, our son looked so much like the baby we had welcomed to the world – the infant we had fallen in love with. I was reminded a hundred times what an honor it is to take care of him, but he was in immense pain that our hands could not fix. When he came out of surgery safely headed for a full recovery, our spirits soared in gratitude! I gathered flowers from my garden for his hospital room, to celebrate all that he is, and tears fell shining in the September sun. My heart overflowed with thankfulness for gifts I could only begin to understand, and for the omnipresence of love. Gratitude held my hand that quiet afternoon and healed a thousand worries with the radiance of one soul – the light of my child, the brightest in my heaven on earth.

Carrying this gratitude with me, I see the sacredness of life. I feel the connections that echo what an honor it is to be given each light that walks among us. With a grateful heart, I say thank you God for each other, for benevolence and mercy, for thankfulness unbounded, and most of all for love. May I walk forward appreciating these immeasurable gifts.

Posted in Exchange, Love | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments »

Materialism

September 18, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

More and more, I am seeing that detaching from materialism is vital to humanity’s evolution. Materialism is a symptom of our disconnect from ourselves and from nature, and it defines the world through limitation – that things must be proven in order to be believed. We are taught to rely on the five senses which perceive only 1% of the greater spiritual reality. We are made to feel foolish if we believe otherwise.

Materialism gives our power away by putting tremendous worth into objects that are outside of ourselves, instead of the truth within each of us. Our rules and possessions sneakily become our identity, and we use them to feed the ego.

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene advises, “Attachment to matter gives rise to passion against nature. Thus trouble arises in the whole body,” and this seems to sum up exactly what humanity is experiencing. In modern society, those of us at the “top” acquire far more than is needed. This creates disastrous imbalance.

Director Tom Shadyac illuminates this concept in his film “I Am.” He tells the story of a healthy tribe of people who take care of each other and live harmoniously. In this tribe, everyone’s needs are met. Suddenly, one of the strongest hunters starts hoarding his kill, and this spirals as more hunters do the same. Balance becomes lost and the “weak” are no longer cared for. Life becomes a contest of winning and acquiring in perpetual, frantic cycle, while others suffer in neglect. We are that tribe.

With hoarding comes a lack of concern for all else. We need only look at how we’ve treated our earth and each other for proof. We have gone against our home, our neighbors, and ourselves, and called it progress.

Greed has been taught to us by those at the absolute top because it feeds them. It has been sold to look glamorous, successful, and desirable. We have become distracted and imbalanced by money in this rat race that runs up and down the ladder.

But I don’t want to blame any more. I want to face this disease that I too am a part of and heal. And of course, I don’t want to overlook the unhappiness that comes from a lack of necessities. With gratitude, I recognize the incredible comforts and freeing abundance I have been blessed to experience in this life. But what my soul seeks more and more is healthy material detachment coupled with conscientious behavior. I believe that things are meant to be enjoyed and are part of fully experiencing life, but not at the expense of others. We each deserve generosity, beauty, and even luxury, but not of an elitist nature.

Elitism is born out of fear ,and it keeps us in materialism. We are afraid that we’re not worthy, successful or good enough – that we are nothing without our stuff and that can’t live without it. And so, we overcompensate through exclusivity. Our things then feed us like a numbing medicine or a fleeting buzz, and they become addictive.

Although material attachment can bring a sense of safety, in the words of the poet Tagore, all that we really accomplish is “my little hoard gleaned through the years.” It is time to put the stuff down and get reconnected to who we really are. Within the problem lies the solution, for when we let go of our physical attachments, we heal and see our true selves. When we shed our cocoons of baggage, we find that we were in fact born to fly.

Humanity is at a crossroads. Will we choose harmony or trinkets? The more liberating choice comes naturally when we reconnect with our spiritual selves and with nature.

The Mayan Elders implore us to restore balance to our world, and I think that we can start by not buying things that harm and choosing alternatives that help. But we must push ourselves to do far more than this. We must strive to take care of all human beings. We must recreate balanced systems to live by and seek creative innovations. It is time to detach from the materialism that has bound us so tightly. This giant step will help us to welcome our spiritual metamorphosis.

Posted in Nature, Shadow | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments »

Listen

September 11, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

We all need to be heard, but how many of us are really listening? I am trying to work on my own listening skills, and I’m realizing just how challenging this is.

When I am talking with someone about their life, I find myself wanting to relate to their issues and show that I understand – I want to ease their struggles and even fix their problems, but these are my desires, not theirs. When I jump in to share a similar story or to offer advice, I’m not really helping another. I am speculating about things that only they can solve.

What I think this person needs most is to be heard and valued within the safety of compassion. They certainly don’t need words or interjections. You see, we can communicate so much without saying a thing.

A healthy conversation seems to strike that harmonious balance between giving voice to our authentic selves while truly hearing what others have to say. Listening and being heard then become a kind of mindful exchange. I have been so blessed with friendships that are loving and therapeutic, and what works so well is that we speak from the heart with gentle offerings, not impositions. We give empathy and encouragement, and we are truly listening to each other.

I love the way my dear friend Rosary says that we are holding the space to be present with another. Let us cherish the time with our loved ones by simply listening to the moment rather than letting it slip away amidst distraction. September 11th is such a poignant reminder of this.

But, what about listening that involves negativity? I think it is vital to be discerning about the energy we give and receive, and to strive for the highest exchange possible. If it doesn’t feel elevating, don’t be a co-creator of it (note to self!).

And it’s so important to be aware of ego competition when talking with others, something Garth Stein points out beautifully in his endearing book The Art of Racing in the Rain. He writes from the perspective of a beloved dog who sees that humans continually interrupt one another. We often deflect what others are saying and we steal each other’s stories. Stein reminds us of the importance of being silent so that another can fully express themselves. We are there for them rather than thinking about how our own problems relate. It’s about being secure in knowing that our issues are as important, instead of trying to prove it.

With listening comes the sacred quality of silence, something that I truly crave. We are so crazed in this modern world with our noisy busy-ness, talking endlessly as we move from one stimulus to another. We are swimming in a sea of constant interruption. I want to be more still, and in that stillness, to hear the spiritual world. I want to receive the present moment and pay attention to what God is trying to tell me.

So often, life-changing messages are delivered by the people we encounter, if only we make ourselves open to them. Let us quiet the chatter of our minds so that we can listen to these messages with our hearts rather than our heads. Let us also listen to ourselves by putting the practice of meditation into our lives. We can find peace within this hectic society by stopping to hear our own compassionate voices. This is how we receive the wisdom of our ancient souls.

Posted in Exchange, Present | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments »

Detach

September 4, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Last year, I read about an inspiring Native American “Give Away Ceremony.” In the ceremony, the participants permanently give up a cherished belonging, and subsequently, experience tremendous growth.

Spiritual teacher Drunvalo Melchizedek describes the purpose of releasing something we feel we can’t live without: “because we place so much value on our possessions, and because our emotional body is also often connected to these possessions, profound healings can occur.” The participants in the book each give a sentimental keepsake away and feel deeply changed by what is accomplished. It is a simple exercise that becomes transformational.

While reading this, I thought of my most prized belonging. It is a gold ring that my parents gave me for Christmas at 14. The ring is a simple vintage wedding band, and I’ve worn it for 27 years. Over the years, it has become a kind of symbol to always be true to myself.

This ring bridges my past with my future. Along the way, it has become a token of parental love, self-respect, and consistency. Such is the emotional attachment I have given to this object. And I have felt that I could never, ever part with it.

Well, six months ago in a bout of pre-travel frenzy, I accidentally threw the ring out. Now of course, I didn’t purposefully give my possession away in a beautiful ceremony. I mistakenly sent it to the garbage dump. But I did have to let it go. Consequently, I experienced some invaluable growth.

Material things can largely be replaced, but the emotions that we attach to them are very hard to say goodbye to. At first, I mourned the loss of my little belonging – I’d been through a lot while wearing this ring, but in some ways it held me captive there. My emotions quickly turned into release, and I began to feel a break from the past – from old patterns and expectations, from self-evaluations and limits, and all I’d long associated with it. I began to mentally detach from other objects too – my home, my possessions, and so many things that I used to hold on to very tightly that made me feel safe. All this from a little piece of jewelry.

I became grateful for the unfolding lesson and felt motivated to reinvent myself beyond prior definitions. I realized that I don’t need anything, and especially not a ring so that I can be true to myself.

Our possessions limit us, and losing them can be liberating. The energy once focused on the material becomes available for higher purpose.

Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron teaches that life is constant change and there’s nothing we can cling to for long. We hold onto our things because they offer a sense of permanency. Of course, this goes way beyond the material. We cling to people, experiences, emotions and places. We want something and we try to keep it for our own, but this creates imbalance. Attachment takes us outside of self fulfillment and we become dependent upon things that can never provide what we seek. When we detach, we free ourselves from the cage we have made.

And yet, how do we love something on earth without wanting a part of it for ourselves? I can’t imagine a full experience of life without attachment. I think it is the wanting and releasing that teach us so much. We literally rise above the past and all of our experiences, and we are stronger.

I feel such overwhelming gratitude for my loved ones and beloved pets who have taught me these lessons – who have shown me the spiritual in life through letting go. Love will always survive our desires.

The ring that carried such nostalgia has no meaning to me now. But, what does remain and shine out exponentially is the incredible love for my parents and the self-respect that was symbolized. Love will always transcend our attachments.

Posted in Being | 9 Comments »

Shift

August 28, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Change is on the way. We are in the midst of an evolutionary shift in consciousness, and it requires a break from the past. Because humanity is being given a golden opportunity to live a more loving and enlightened existence.

And so, we are healing our old ways. We are grappling with how materialism has affected us and how we have treated our planet. We are experiencing chaos with our climate, with disease, with the economy, and with violence, so that we can choose sustainability, liberation, an increasing concern for others, and personal realizations that really matter. We are receiving higher and higher consciousness as we grow to 7 billion people, and this means that we’re moving from a survival mode to compassion.

We are also realizing that we create what we think, and this is why it is so important to choose love over fear. You see, you have tremendous spiritual power to overcome what meets the eye.

My personal advice for these times is to focus on the spiritual. To me, this is what it’s all about. Follow your spiritual curiosity that brings a higher and lightened perspective amidst change. Focus on feelings of gratitude, love, and peace within, and practice this all the time, for you can take it with you anywhere you go. Fortify your own inner sense of peace amidst any chaos and maintain a grounded center.

Tap into the limitlessness of your heart – your incredibly powerful connection to the loving spiritual reality. It is possible that our transition will be somewhat gradual and natural, but we must also take positive physical action to prepare for change. Be awake and aware, prepared and empowered, and take charge rather than following in fear. Find out what’s going on for yourself instead of doing what you’re told. Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by negativity. And if you witness erratic behavior, choose to be peaceful instead of contributing to it. Help each other through this change, and in doing so, rediscover our natural unity. Reconnect with nature and Mother Earth, and make conscientious choices to live more harmoniously. These are all things to live by during any age.

This shift is about remembering that we are spiritual and that we are one. We are detaching from the the past, from feeling separate, and from ego based materialism so that we can embrace the new, the now, and togetherness. Humanity is waking up from systems of control that have kept us in a master and servant, reward and punishment mindset. We have been taught to follow authority, but what we need to do is follow our own spiritual guidance. Please share your guidance about these times with us here.

Mine is reminding me that we are not alone. We’re each surrounded by tremendous help from above, and we are so strong at heart. You can handle change, and you will know what to do. We are spiritual warriors on the front lines to make earth the beautiful place it was always intended to be.

We have the ability to stop clinging to what doesn’t work any more. I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy, but if we have enough people centered in the spiritual, we can shift together. Let us walk away from the manic craze of our modern world and step into the peaceful, spiritual flow that’s been here all along. Use your power to live in the highest level of energy you can. It’s about time we all shifted into a more loving reality, and I think we are ready. This is the opportunity of the ages and each one of us can make all the difference.

Posted in Transition | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Laugh

August 21, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

Blah blah blah, life blah blah, compassion blah grow… blah blah blah.

How freeing it is to poke fun at my search for meaning! How light it feels to laugh at oneself, at life, and at all the petty seriousness. There is a magic to humor that transforms everything – that liberates the mind and bonds us to one another. Struggle becomes lightness and obstacles melt away. What we think is insurmountable becomes but a little hill to climb; what we feel is so important becomes nothing at all.

Humor is the grand equalizer. It has the power to dissolve fear and judgment and to break down barriers. It creates  a universal experience that reminds us that we are all in this same boat.

Humor can unite us in the most positive ways. It takes the seriousness and criticism out of relationships. We can be struggling endlessly, and suddenly overcome our frustration in a single moment through laughter. To me, this laughter says, “Isn’t this funny – this thing that we call life?” Laughter is a breakthrough, a release, and a gift from God.

Humor is so often born out of tragedy, allowing us to cope and to mend. It holds tremendous power to heal. Laughter can literally cure our bodies and is instantly restorative. We are then reminded to enjoy life and to live our moments more fully.

Humor celebrates the spontaneity of presence and is always here for us to enjoy. When the day bogs us down, or when we find ourselves stuck with a problem, we can try to see the humor and notice how the situation becomes lightened. We see how to not take our worries so seriously, but to laugh at them instead. Humor helps us to handle our endless mistakes and our humanity. When we make ourselves open to its possibility and its perspective, everything becomes elevated.

Of course, with this gift comes responsibility, and it goes without saying that humor isn’t meant to exclude or make fun at another’s expense. It is obvious when this happens – when things just don’t sit well or feel right, and another person or group is made separate. We know in our hearts that we must strive to use humor with reverence, and to be compassionate to others, even when we disagree with them.

I think of the Dalai Lama smiling, and I see his beautiful use of humor to communicate peace, compassion, and love. I see how children are the greatest messengers of laughter of all. When I hear my little boys laugh with all of their beings, it brings a kind of therapy to the whole house that is uplifting and contagious. I think about how children arrive here so recently from God’s presence, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find that humor abounds in heaven.

It seems to me that laughter aligns us with the divine. I think it is a gateway to love – that transcendent fabric of the universe. And I believe it can deliver us to a higher, more golden existence.

Posted in Humor, Present | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments »

Bootcamp Earth

August 14, 2011 by Suzanne M. Baker

It’s often said that life is hard, and I believe it’s designed to be this way. I think life supposed to be difficult so that our souls can truly evolve. You see, we are forever striving for our divine potential, and this is best achieved through human lessons. That is why we come to this challenging place.

Recently, I have come to look at life as enlistment at Bootcamp Earth – where the most brutal training grounds exist with the toughest courses available. Here, we embody personal traits that are at odds with each other, and these push us from day to day. Our lessons are built in, and we can’t ignore them.

We constantly make mistakes here, which can bring an underlying belief that we’re not doing things right, but we are supposed to get life all wrong because this is how we grow. Our muddy challenges act as a constant teaching mechanism, frustrating us continually, until we see that the only solution is to grow rather than to struggle. Every difficult moment is here for us to learn.

Each one of us is incredibly brave for signing up for this bootcamp – for planning difficult lives. You see, the human experience is so different from the blissful place we come from. And we feel the loss of our true home, making life all the more tough. When we come here, we are accompanied by just a few people from our spiritual core group, so we often feel like we don’t belong or aren’t truly loved. But, we are able to really test ourselves in this land of negativity, and to gain experience of the full scope of creation.

The truth is that our souls yearn to grow, and to reach higher towards God. And so we find ourselves again at Bootcamp Earth.

If I’m to be completely honest, I will say that I’m upset about the endless suffering I see at this bootcamp. Of course, I can’t begin to fathom God’s all-encompassing love and scope, and I feel gratitude for my many blessings. But, I will share that I don’t understand the incessant violence of our rough world, especially considering pre-birth amnesia, the ignorance of youth, and dark systems of control. In my own limiting amnesia, I find myself asking: “Why are the atrocities here allowed to perpetuate?” Even the goals that we are each born with get obscured by extreme duality – by imbalance and heartbreaking circumstances, and in my own heart I see the possibility of learning through more positive means.

Doreen Virtue tells us that, “peace leads to even bigger growth spurts.” Orin and Sanaya Roman write, “You do not have to go through pain and struggle to grow.” I consider how children flourish when treated with love and a positive environment. Might this also apply to seasoned spirits? Can we make this training ground more like the loving place we come from, and start by granting awareness?

I have been told that in the future, safeguards will be put in place to prevent the kind suffering that has unfolded here. I think this might be what earth ascension is all about, and I believe that we are getting unprecedented help from above to make it happen.

For now, I will champion positivity, while also embracing duality. I will reach spiritually higher and end the violence in myself. I will cease my reactive anger and judgment.

For now, I will find the greater purpose behind my challenges and look at everyone as fellow students on the path. If life is supposed to be hard for good reason, then everything makes more sense, and I am learning to appreciate this giant opportunity rather than fight against it. Considering all that we go through, I think it’s vital to be very kind to each other and to enjoy what’s possible in this temporal play. Amidst our eternal progress, life can be a gift of human connection, moving beauty and spiritual growth. And so, I remain inspired to stop and smell the precious roses of this our Bootcamp Earth.

Posted in Being, Shadow | Tagged , , | 10 Comments »

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