In many ways it seems that we are still resting in the lull
after the storm of 2012, for there is a stillness and a ‘quiet’ within, and
without; the air feels fresh and clear, and there is a sense of peace that is
hard to deny. Yet, on closer exploration, it seems that within the quiet, a
great deal of activity is occurring, for nothing ever remains the same for long.
As a result, there is an underlying exuberance and buoyancy that is gently
dancing on the waves that continue to lap the shorelines of our souls. It is
hard to put into words, but this exuberance is both tangible and palpable.
For some, the thought of continuing shift and change is
exhausting, but for many there is a growing sense of acceptance that change is
inevitable, for nothing is truly permanent. It is this acceptance that leads
the way now for it is a sign of awakening and being fully conscious and present
in the current moment. Accepting change and becoming One with the flow are not
new concepts, but their application to our lives has shifted away from each of
us trying to seek these out to simply allowing them to be. In other words,
rather than trying to attain a state of awakened consciousness, we are it
already in the present moment.
Such a shift takes courage and strength for it inevitably
means stepping beyond the chatter of the mind and finding the joy in the grace
and the peace within. The mind shapes and rules our lives in many ways, for our
thoughts do shape our lives. Yet, beyond the mind we are no longer conditioned
by the past or lost in the future, we become much more conscious of the present
moment and this is where our true power, strength and vision lies.
Many struggle with this concept for it is hard to remain
centred on the present with external forces (responsibilities, work, love, life
etc) all knocking at the door. However, all of these are outside of ourselves;
they make our lives easier (and often more stressful), but they cannot bring us
what we truly seek: Wholeness. Wholeness has to come from within for it is the
ability to be awake and fully in the present moment that defines Wholeness.
Yet, many get lost in attaining Wholeness for it is often a
case of placing conditions on Wholeness (once I get that job, once I meet Mr/Ms
Right, one I lose weight...), and this means that Wholeness becomes something
in the future rather than something in the present. Beyond the chattering mind
and beyond the storylines that shape our lives, we are already Whole; there is
nothing to chase or attain, for we are it already. This doesn’t mean that in
Wholeness we no longer have dreams or goals, they simply change shape, for they
no longer define our lives, they enhance instead.
So many become fixated by the need to tick off things to do,
people to see and places to go before they can even contemplate that they are
Whole, but this misses the point, for there is nothing external that can create
Wholeness. When we seek these externally we become even more entrenched in the
maze of the mind, for everything in life is conditional on our external
achievements. This way, we can find ourselves chasing Wholeness forever, for we
will always feel a sense of lack; this is akin to trying to chase the horizon,
however hard we try, we never actually get to the horizon, for it is always out
of reach.
However, when we realise that the horizon is already within
us and there is nothing left to chase, everything changes for we shift our
focus away from the future towards the present moment, and this is where wisdom
truly resides.
As the exuberant and buoyant energy continues to dance on
the waves within, there is a sense that the journey of awakening has changed,
for we are now beyond the chatter in so many ways; we are in the space between
the space, and we can feel the joy in those moments where we are not looking
back or looking forward, but where we are conscious in this very moment. As a
result, we can feel the power within rising up and the vibrations of intent and
consciousness expanding as we feel the true joy and grace of being Whole...