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Tuesday, May 8, 2018

IN SEARCH OF YOURSELF: VISION QUEST

Have you ever gone in search of yourself, a vision quest wondering what your purpose is in this life? You have had expectations placed on you by your family, your friends, even yourself and yet you are unsure… Perhaps you have considered a vision quest to better connect with your purpose. A successful vision quest often comes full circle and leads you to the answer you have somehow already known, deep inside.

Some people will look outside themselves for their answers and ask the questions regarding their purpose and their future. They consult an oracle like a “psychic” or the “cards” (ie Tarot cards,) or the palm reader or tea leaves or other forms of mysticism. Some people use hypnosis or a pendulum to explore the subconscious mind’s wisdom. And, when you use any of these methods your egoic mind may ask if you “trust” the information which you are given in this phase of your vision quest. The problem with the “egoic mind” is that it thinks it knows stuff which it can not possibly know. The mind has limitations and can only see in three dimensions. This does not account for vision which can go beyond these three dimensions and may include Divine Guidance.

Have you ever had that “unexplainable feeling” deep in your gut that warns you of danger or attracts you to a special person or incredible experience. Perhaps there is no “rational” reason but when you follow this “guidance” you find the amazing awakening or protection or experience of love. Your vision quest comes from this unconscious realm and seeks to find the light of consciousness you can most benefit from experiencing. In my life, I have come to the crossroads many times and wound up following the most beneficial path. (Not always the easiest or least challenging, but the best path for me to travel.)

Deep within YOU dwells the answers you seek. Most of the people you may bump into seem to keep their heads down not looking to the horizon and so missing out on the experiences they most need to have. You must prepare yourself and quiet the fears of the egoic mind so you can “Feel” and then “Know” the answers. Your vision quest comes from the gift of spiritual guidance and your connection to the collective wisdom of the divine. You must become quiet and allow this wisdom to bubble up in the most respectful way. Your meditation will allow you to connect with the seemingly subtle source of your divinity. When you do awaken, you will feel that the answer is familiar and a sensation of “remembering” this wisdom will enter your consciousness (because deep inside you already know…)

I was given a book by my dear friends, Curt and Mary, which speaks very clearly regarding the Native American tradition of the Vision Quest. “Quest: A Guide for Creating Your Own Vision Quest,” by Denise and Meadow Linn (and published by Hay House,) offers you many ways to best prepare yourself and then to create a special experience which will allow you to access the information you seek. There are other books on this topic or which touch on this topic but this recent gift is in the very front of my consciousness. (Amazon link to this book: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Guide-Creating-Your-Vision/dp/1401938779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525460557&sr=8-1&keywords=quest+a+guide+for+creating+your+own+vision+quest

One of your main challenges in this life is to become the most conscious soul you can be and then to share the wisdom of your journey to assist fellow pilgrims.

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

SECRET TO ENLIGHTENMENT: BE PRESENT!

Yup, YOU being Present is the secret. It has been said before and came up again today. Be fully present and you will connect better and serve better! Your presence has great value to our Universe. Why and how do you do this? So much of the time, we dwell in the emotions from the past or apprehension (fear) of the future. When you are genuine and fully present, you will participate in our world (universe) with less judgement AND the people you interact with will feel that they are more fully “heard.” This is therapeutic (for all people.) Yes, just really listening, without judgement, is emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healing. You honor and show your respect for the person whom you are engaged in conversation with when you listen totally while remaining “present.”

Think of the times when you were involved in a satisfying conversation. Your partner(s) can be found listening and asking great questions. They are probably not interrupting to tell their story about themselves and so discounting your sense of value. Sure you need to know your limits and not go on too long so they can share their story but you can feel satisfied with being heard… If you are insecure and demonstrate this by telling your story too long or cutting your partner off then your lack of respect will often be reciprocated. We are all important, and perfect, and masters whom deserve to be loved and respected for who we are. (EVEN when we are struggling with the imperfections and challenges which we are born to learn from.)

Now the difficult part. How do you BE PRESENT? You might start by taking a deep slow breath, pausing a moment after you inhale, and then slowly release your breath with thoughts and nervous energy flowing out with your exhale. Learn to clear your mind so you can be “open” to the story you will be told. Release your need to argue with or even judge the speaker. This experience and this receiving of information is happening for a reason. Though it may be unclear or even different than what you might think you know, you are having this interaction with this soul to help YOU with YOUR lesson. AND, you will be of service to your partner by allowing them the respect of your full attention and listening. Yes, you might be triggered or bored but there is some purpose for this shared experience.

Your spiritual consciousness leading to your enlightenment includes being present and listening without judgement. Again, this is easier said than done AND this is what we are “shooting” (or striving) for in this incarnation. The act of listening and being fully present is the gift you have to offer this world/universe. Appreciate and love each creation, for the divine spirit dwells within every molecule you bump into. When you can fully love, allow, and serve, you will remember, and then live, in your pure divine spirit. At the deepest level, this is where we are headed as individual souls within the “oneness” of the universal divine. We are each unique AND a part of the larger, perfect universe.

If you are READY to be present 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.

CONSCIOUSNESS: WHAT IS THE POINT?

Why bother to strive for consciousness? Who cares if you are conscious or unconscious or even alive? Is your purpose in life to develop your consciousness to the point where you “remember” who you are and the Divine Spirit from which you came?

Merriam-Webster’s
Definition of consciousness

1 a: the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself
b: the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact
c: awareness; especially: concern for some social or political cause The organization aims to raise the political consciousness of teenagers.
2: the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : mind
3: the totality of conscious states of an individual
4: the normal state of conscious life regained consciousness
5: the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes

Let’s focus on being more conscious from the #1 definition since this blog is written to create greater awareness of spiritual consciousness. Self-awareness and the learned ability to remember who we are and where we came from seems to be a goal to pursue in this life, for all of us. Eventually, we strive to remember that we are an essential piece of a much larger Universe. We are a hologram of an all encompassing spiritual lifeform. The Mind of God can not exist without us nor we without all living things (perhaps just, all things…)

Most of us spend our time in isolation, separated from other souls by the limited, 3 dimensional view that our mind has projected regarding our lives. We tend to survive and work to protect ourselves by judging other people. We do not easily tend to remember that WE are all in this together. We tend to forget that every other person is “perfect” in their own way and going about the process of learning their lessons from the imperfections we have come into this world possessing. Our flaws are the beautiful challenges we learn from. We can move forward by being consciously aware of these seeming imperfections and ultimately remember that we are here to support every soul we bump into. Why? Because we can not move into the highest realms of consciousness until we all go together. The thought that Heaven is only for the people who believe as we believe makes no sense, unless you are selling fear and separation in the name of religion.

Over physical survival is protected by fear. And, 100% of us will die. Our mortality is not preventable nor can we side step it. We have died many times and keep coming back because we are not done learning (and remembering) what we are supposed to learn. Death is not the enemy. A lack of consciousness is the enemy or, more correctly state, our challenge. Sooner or later we will remember. Lets make this happen sooner… I am judgmental and impatient! This is my challenge to change this into acceptance and gratitude. I have a long way to travel… But, YOU are a blessing!

YOU are not alone. We are ALL one and in this soup of life, together!
(Consider my video regarding the River of Life experience at: https://youtu.be/frEBqz7VMrY

Your soul moves on forever. No death eliminates the soul. Your body, mind, and ego do fight to survive and are not everlasting, no matter what. Letting go of your attachment to physical survival can be a helpful lesson, at some point. Remembering where we came from and then knowing our oneness and connection to the Divine Spirit is a definition of “Enlightenment.”

JUDGING THE JUDGE WITHIN

Judging others is a well developed skill I possess. Being a judge seems to give my ego a sense of power. “I am better than….” whoever…. But, there is a major flaw in the process of judging. Judgements can stand in my way. Judging creates separation. It creates a path for blaming.

My judgements demonstrate a lack of acceptance. These judgements do not allow for mistakes or perceived imperfections which are normal, natural, and part of the human condition. (Also, if we are always looking for “flaws,” imperfections, or weaknesses, we may miss the beauties and the uniqueness of the person standing in front of us.)

Since we learn from our mistakes, and we all have made mistakes, then we must allow for the flaws or imperfections which we deem to be present. From a different perspective, all perceived flaws and imperfections are actually perfect. This perspective would allow acceptance to be the guiding principle.

The perspective of acceptance can also lead to enlightened view of “Oneness” with its complete lack of separation. This consciousness suggests that we, all life forms, are interconnected in the Divine Spirit, connected, intertwined, and as one universal spirit. Perhaps this is what God had in mind when we are allowed to remember this concept in the current incarnation we are here to live. Our challenges on the path toward enlightenment include releasing separation and judging. Instead finding connection in Oneness.

If this is correct, then we must be viewing the person or experience which “triggers” us as different and yet “perfect” in their way of being. Instead of judging, perhaps we can find an acceptance as we ask, “What happened to this person?” to better explain why they might appear to be engaged in their behaviors or beliefs. This does mean that we have to like behaviors which run counter to what we feel create separation, fear, or blocks to acceptance. But, we are not better than the next soul. We are all equal, connected, and perfect in our own way.

Boy, I love to make judgements. I am good at it. I like to do what I am good at…BUT, this does make it the best behavior for moving me along my path toward consciousness. It appears to be my challenge. If I start judging myself about the judgements I am making, it does become an entertaining circle which I am running.

The Divine Spirit loves us all. Judging our different paths toward remembering and then our enlightenment may be opposite in direction to where we want to end up. But, it to is strangely perfect as a lesson. Even with your developed skill of judging, YOU are loved and YOU are perfect! Consider reaching out in acceptance and supporting, if not assisting, the next soul on their unique path toward enlightenment.

If you have ever considered the act of becoming “enlightened,” know that by some understandings, “enlightenment” is actually the act of accepting and then “knowing” the oneness of connection with all lifeforms.