Obstacles To Enlightenment

As I re-read Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now, this phrase leaps out at me; "Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle they need to overcome."   Of course, now that the thought is in my consciousness, I also have an awareness of how this shows up in my day-to-day life.

I notice how in the present moment at the grocery store people rush to park and shop and get back out.

I notice how in the present moment at the gym, there is a rush to get on the treadmill, get through the workout and rush on to the next activity of the day.

I notice how in the present moment, a man walking his dog is distracted by his phone, nose down and pulling on the dog to keep going.

And, I am guilty of that same thing.  I push to get through work so I can get to the store, then go home and walk the dog, then cook dinner, then catch up on email and Facebook and Pinterest...and on and on.

In an instant, I see that mindfulness doesn't fit neatly into my 15 minutes of meditation a day.  Mindfulness and being in the present moment are something that is practiced each day in every moment.

So, I've begun again to slow down a bit and give my attention to the present moment.

Walking up the stairs, I enjoy the strength in my legs that let me easily climb up to my bedroom.

Cooking dinner, I inhale the aroma of delicious flavors and give thanks for the food about to grace my table.

Walking the dog, I watch as his ears flop up and down, and his nose twitches as he explores the green grass of a neighbors lawn.

I am remembering to treat the present moment as Life itself, something to savor and experience, filled with beauty and joy, expanding with good beyond my imagination.

Today, I set the intention to surrender to the present moment and embrace it as Life itself as I journey toward enlightenment.  

"Always say 'yes' to the present moment...surrender to what is.  

Say 'yes' to life - and see how life starts suddenly

 to start working for you rather than against you."  

~Eckhart Tolle 

"Enlightenment, joy and peace can never be

 given to you by another.  The well is inside you."  

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Affirmative Prayer:
Sitting in a space of gratitude, there is the recognition of the One Divine Intelligence that is kindness and compassion, beauty and joy, shining light and love over all of creation.  One God.  One Power.  One Presence.  One Life

This One Power and One Presence is made manifest with my life.  It seeks expression through me.  Its beauty flows around me.  Its elegance lives as me.  I am pure bliss and light itself.

I embrace the truth that no matter what, I am fully supported in all that I do.  I accept that I am unique, traveling a path that is mine alone.  I graciously accept the bounty of miracles and blessings that flow into my life daily.  I welcome the expansion into ever-increasing good that comes as I take divine right action.  And, I affirm that as I bring my full awareness to the present moment, a feeling of joy and serenity overtakes me and reminds me that I am the beloved of God.

I am grateful for the clarity of my thoughts and actions as I remain in the present.  I give thanks for the love that surrounds me, even in the smallest of ways - a song that makes me smile, a bird singing in the trees, the moonlight shining through my window.  And, I say Thank You, Sweet Spirit, for the peace that surrounds me in every moment of mindfulness.

From a place of peace and joy, I release my prayer to the Law of Mind, surrendering and letting God take care of the 'how'.  It is done now in amazing ways.  Life is good.  Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Ilker Ender/Flickr

You Got What You Wanted....Don't Panic

At the beginning of this year, I chose four affirmations I wanted to focus on and started writing them down daily to invoke the feeling of having them.  As I wrote them again today, I realized that one of them has manifested.

I now have the financial means and freedom to travel to beautiful resorts six weeks out of the year.

What I've discovered today is that perhaps six weeks out of the year is too much for me.  Kevin and I just returned from staying for a week at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans and this Friday, we leave again - this time to stay in Palm Desert at another very nice resort.

I mention this because it started with a simple, small intention.  I love travel and figured six weeks a year was perfect.  And, I really enjoy staying at a resort where everything you need is at hand and you get that wonderful, pampered feeling.

But - I love my home too.  And I miss my dog when I'm gone, worrying about his care even though he's with my daughter and an awesome dog walker.

I believe this is very likely the dilemma for a lot of us.  As we use the creative process, knowing that our thoughts and feelings and words are directing our life, we sometimes create things that aren't quite as on the mark as we thought.  We got what we wanted - or at least, what we THOUGHT we wanted.

That's especially true for me with my ambitious nature and readiness to go 'all in' on the things I enjoy.  What shows up, then, is that my intentions have gotten ahead of me and my imagination has me moving through experience after experience after experience with no time to savor the simpler, beautiful things I have created.

So, as the year-end gets closer, I'm re-evaluating my affirmations and declarations.  I still want the experience of traveling, however, I think five times per year would be plenty enough.  And, it might be fun to mix it up.  I love resort-style getaways but I'm open to trying some luxe camping or bed & breakfasts where you meet the innkeeper and enjoy the company of others.

Above all, I'm celebrating the fact that I see the evidence of my imagination come to life.  I have co-created, with the Universe, a life that is in alignment with my desires.   Now, I can expand on that, checking in with my soul and deciding if I need to pull in the reigns OR affirm something even bigger than what I have been declaring.

Of course, that's after Palm Desert AND Cabo San Lucas AND Ireland AND Germany....  :-)

So, where are YOU seeing evidence in your life of what your thoughts have created?  And, are they still in alignment with what you desire?

Today, I set the intention to rethink my affirmations, choosing words and thoughts that are in alignment with what I now desire, and based on what I have created previously.

"You who breathe mindfully, you know that you're alive, that life is a miracle, 

that you're living that miracle in the here and now."  

~Thich Nhat Hanh

"There is something within us that can lead us and direct us if we will but let it...

it is in the integrity of our own mind, in the silence of our own solitude, 

in the immediate presence of that Divine Being inhabiting us and the Universe."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
Immersing myself in Life, I see clearly that Divine Spirit is everywhere present, infinite and unbound.  It is love and joy, empowering and healing, perfect and whole and complete.

In the greatness of this knowing, I am supported always by the indwelling presence of Divine Spirit.  My life is impacted in big and powerful ways as the thought of Oneness with Source becomes so very clear.  The reality is that I can never be separate from the good of Life which is always available in every moment of the day.

Despite the churning of the waves of the ocean, there is a calmness in simply going with flow, wherever it leads.  As I go with the flow of Life, I claim joy despite outer circumstances.  I co-create with Spirit through my feelings and I am at choice as the evidence of my thoughts become manifest.  I celebrate that I can always make a new choice, living from my heart's desire and my soul's calling.  I am guided into so much good, I accept the powerful possibilities available to me.  There is a magnificence that calls my name and I simply open my arms and welcome it home.

Cultivating my magnificence, I give thanks that life is so good as I simply live it the best I know how.  I am grateful that joy is at the center of my being as I choose thoughts and feelings that reveal good health, beautiful relationships and solid finances.  I focus on gratitude and my life is transformed.  Thank you, Spirit, for the daily reminders of how deeply I am loved.

From this place of greater awareness, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I celebrate my Oneness with Spirit.  I open my heart.  I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Tipton/Flickr