Master of the Journey

Thursday, August 15, 2019

WHO BUILDS THE WALLS?

Posted on April 26, 2019

Walls are built to protect you from scary or dangerous things. Your protection seems like a really good idea because you might get hurt or killed by forces beyond your control and that would seriously jeopardize your life. But can protection from challenging things be a “good” thing, all the time? And, who builds the walls which protect you? What are these walls actually protecting?

This blog is inspired by guidance and a recent reading of chapter 12 of Michael Singer’s book, “Untethered Soul.” The chapter title is “Taking Down the Walls.” If you have not read Michael Singer’s first book, I recommend it for many reasons. Thanks again to my mentor and Michael Singer student, Paula Forget.

The point of putting up walls for protection can isolate you from “outside” influence and potential pain from the changes that interaction with the Divine Universe can provide. It is safer to be insulated in a world where you are comfortable because you think you know it from its familiarity. Because it has been this way for a while, perhaps a long time, it feels safer and must be protected at all cost. The “hoards” are coming at you from all directions and it feels “good (???),” to build that wall so you are locked in the prison of your own building. Wow, did I say “prison of your own building?” Our fragile self-image or our “dated” opinions have powerful history which can make these seem friendly and familiar but actually can hold us back and imprison us in self-limiting beliefs and attitudes.

Michael Singer’s definition of “Enlightenment” includes the recognition of these self-limiting, historically safe, beliefs and then the willingness to “let go” and to move through the painful challenges of non-judgement guiding you into equanimity with the dramas that may surround you. The “Enlightened” soul observes and does not get “triggered” by the experiences and insights which present themselves. The walls you build to protect your ego or self-image are actually YOUR barrier to awareness and your own accepting the state of “Enlightenment.”

This said, there are risks to breaking the barriers to your own “Enlightenment.” The risks include facing the challenges of changing your self-image, placing the Universal Divine ahead of your self protected ego, and expanding into the unconditional connectedness we have with all the energy of the Universe, and beyond. No guarded “Self” and no need for walls as barriers, release your self-imprisoned definition which “protects” you from true “Joy” and your Divine purpose. Walls are used to protect YOUR Fears and are not really the long term solution. They protect you from the inevitable path you must follow, at some point in your developing consciousness, into the “Light” of Unconditional Love, Connection, and Universal Wisdom. These lead you to true Freedom and Joy!

And, what is the “worst” that can happen? You will transition from this incarnation sooner than your ego wants. The ego’s self-preservation builds judgments and walls which dissolve when you die. And, we all die. No way out. Death is NOT the enemy except for the ego… Your Joy is based on the willingness to not take your life too seriously so you have the freedom to really live, untethered…

Your path will lead you to this realization at some auspicious point in your developing consciousness. Ponder these words and thoughts. Do your own research. Find your own awareness of your self-constructed walls and the process you will use to “let go!” No matter where your search leads you, YOU are not alone! You are greater and more powerful than your ego allows you to realize. You are a Miracle. You are a Blessing! And, whether you know this or not, YOU are a Master!

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

KNOWING YOUR WEALTH AND POWER

Posted on April 19, 2019

To Know your Wealth and Power I would like you to play a Cosmic Game with me. It will only take a few minutes and your imagination. Imagine that You are one of the wealthiest, most powerful, people in the world today. Perhaps, Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, or Bill Gates, ex-CEO of Microsoft, or Mark Zuckerberg, or whatever billionaire comes to your mind. Due to your extreme wealth, you are free to do almost anything or you have access to anything. As a person of extreme wealth you might be interested in briefly living the life of a more modestly endowed person. Maybe even a less fortunate member of the world’s socio-economic stratus. For a relatively short amount of time, you could “incarnate” as a less wealthy person. This would mean that you would give up your freedom and the wealth which gives you access to virtually anything possible. Like in the story of Siddhartha Gautama of ancient India, you decide to know more about the struggles of the “real world.”

You choose to live without your wealth and power to learn the lesson from the challenges of a normal mortal existence knowing that you will return to your higher state of conscious living after you have attempted or accomplished your learning from this incarnation. It is an interesting game you are playing as you live the life of a poor, “less fortunate” person. You are kind of competitive and want to do the very best job of living in this life so you can really get the most benefit. (Remember, as a person of wealth you will be able to return to your gifted life after you have attempted the struggle of life as a “limited,” less fortunate person.) You work to master the role you play within this world of limitations. You are very good at being your actor in this play. So good, you could win an Academy Award, or a Tony, and an Emmy for your portrayal of this character. No one could do you better than you can do you in this role.

You take on the strengths and the weakness or flaws of this character to fully experience the challenges of this character in the master play. You can find yourself getting “sucked in” to the drama of this average person’s existence to draw further into the depth of their role in a “life like” way. At the end of this portrayal, you get to transition back from your character’s role into your highest self with all the freedom and power your wealth and spirit allow. You get to return to your “Heavenly” existence or even higher up into your Divine Consciousness. You reflect back on all the other souls you “touched” or who supported and “touched” you. You can review where your lessons led you and even explore the outcomes you might have had if you had chosen a different path in this character’s life.

The game you have just considered is the game you are currently playing. The wealth and power are what you have when you are fully in the Divine Spirit and when you are not limited by the 3 dimensional limitations we face in the incarnated bodies/lives we have chosen to live. You are learning from these lessons and playing the game as well as you can. Remember that every experience you have and every person you meet are there for you or you are there to support another person’s learning. You are Perfect the way you are and free to make choices. At the end of this incarnation you will return to the Freedom, the Wisdom, the Unconditional Love, and the Universal Connection with all other souls in this Universe and beyond.

Thank you for playing this game and doing your role so perfectly. We all need you and the character which you are currently playing. Just do not forget where you have come from and where you will return.

With Love…

Comment from my mentor, Paula:

John,

The idea that we are born in a world of struggles, challenges and suffering, a world that is “less” than the place we came from, is an illusion. This world is behaving in line with its natural laws. It still holds all the magnificence of where we came from. It is our skewed perception that causes us to believe we must compete, that we are poor and less fortunate than in our divine state. Nothing is being done to us. We decide how we want to experience life. We decide how limited we feel and whether we want to suffer from it. We choose our priorities, interests and where we want to focus our energy. Some say, we have already decided on the life experiences we will have, before we were born. All we have to do is show up. It is possible to experience Heaven on Earth. It is not measured by material wealth but by spiritual wealth. Until we realize it, we are bound to return to learn the lesson.

Of course, that’s only my opinion.

Paula

AND, Paula is correct! Our perceptions are our own creations. This “Game” is for people to appreciate how temporary our acting roles in this incarnation seem and to be more aware that when we get “sucked in” to the drama, this is also our choice at some level. Peace be with you! Your radiance is nearly blinding to my mortal eyes. Thank you!

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.

LIVE IN JOY!

Posted on April 13, 2019

How many times have you heard that you should live in Joy? The “should” part makes this a challenging expectation. From external sources, there are very few “shoulds” you “should” do, but “Living in Joy” does sound good…

When life is a bit “rocky” or even worse, how can you find the mindset to Live in Joy? The “mind” in mindset can make this a real test. So let me rephrase the life quest to find and then to live in Joy. How can you find “perfection” and adventure in every moment and every activity? When the Divine Spirit allows you to create a difficult life challenge it does not rush in like a “helicopter parent” to fix things for you. The Divine Spirit celebrates the challenge, your learning process, and the lesson you get to acquire. That IS why we are here, in this present incarnation, to push our limits and gain in consciousness. Even if this lesson is about what you do NOT want to do again, you have learned.

The most conscious people we bump into, and who you are striving to become, know that EVERY opportunity to bump up against the difficult challenges leads to the JOY of discovery and expansion. Yes, your moment of insight into the blessing of living a life with risks and pitfalls is a spectacular opportunity to engage in situations which will test you and assist you to grow.

A tip: if you do NOT take yourself or life TOO seriously and you remember your infinite, perfect soul, you realize that you are just playing YOUR character in a play. Life is a play and everyone you bump into are fellow characters playing their roles. No one can play you better than you. And, you can enjoy the excellent performances you see if an actor you interact with gets sick and dies. They will do it in their own unique way and they serve you by the life performance that they offer. Yes, there is sadness, and fear, and grief, and sometimes, unbridled laughter and Joy. Look for YOUR lesson in the darkest of life’s interactions. What are YOU supposed to learn or experience AND how will this make you a better and more conscious spirit? How will you use this challenging experience to move forward and serve other souls you meet on the your/our path?

It is fun to learn and to grow even from un-fun experiences. Smile and celebrate the Joy of your new learnings. AND, do not miss the opportunity to share your love and your wisdom and joy. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from these. Do avoid the risks or you may be forced to live in the “what if I had done this (or that) mindset which often leads to regrets.

Never forget that YOU are a Miracle! You are perfect, even in your imperfections! And, you are much greater than you allow yourself to realize. You are a manifestation of the Divine Spirit. You are a Blessing! You are Loved!

When a person can be most fully conscious, there is a realization that we are all living in paradise and the perfection of the Divine Spirit which we have chosen to participate within. This realization allows us to find the “Joy” of every moment we have in the miracle life we are living. (It can be a stretch to “know” this but it is a step toward full consciousness. Please, celebrate the Joy of every perfect moment and every perfect soul you meet.

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.

IS IT TIME TO “PUSH THE RIVER?

Posted on April 8, 2019

Long ago, I ran across the philosophy, “You can not Push the River!” Which at the time, meant I should just go with the “flow” and appreciate the present moment. I was assuming that you can not force what does not want to be forced. Since I have rarely been thought of as mellow, by those who know me, or “patient,” the concept of when is it time to push the river has resurfaced for me. Sure, I have learned much by quietly observing but when is it time to “act.” When is it time to “play it Big?” When your heart tells you to jump into the river and NOT play it safe, do you ever Jump In?

Life can reward risk-takers. Life can challenge those who step into something new and push out their own self-limitations. Life is made more satisfying when there are risks taken and the “path less traveled” is followed. The adventure in life is attempting new activities, visiting new places, meeting new people, and pushing to have experiences which expand your consciousness. Sure it is safer not to rock the boat but… All of your life’s best adventures started by the quickening of your heartbeat as you considered a less known option. When your gut told you to try something new, and you did, you have another story to tell.

Consider the bigger risks you have taken. Consider the bigger desires you have wished for but avoided. Do you want to die with regrets for not having challenged yourself? Of course not. We all have regrets but the “not doing” a cherished dream is a sorry bit of unfinished business and a regret that might haunt you. The “what if’s” can come to mind. Our egoic fear and insecurity often keep us from doing what we would love to do. It is ourselves stopping us. The unknown is a challenge and the adventure we seek. What is the worst that can happen??? Will we regret not attempting the “Playing it Big” activity?

Can we come out of the darkness and fear into the celebration of the attempt to do new and different things? Yes, we can! We sometimes need support from within. The support that comes from remembering how great we really are. We are the miracle who has survived all the difficulties we have faced in this life. No one else could fully believe what we have been through, survived, and then thrived. No one else can fully comprehend the trials by fire we have faced. All of these have been the tests which we have passed to get us to where we are now, even with the scars our life can show. The River is there in front of us. It is waiting for us to jump in and then through our willful energy to push it forward.

When you think that you can not do something you really want to do, it is time find the courage within and make your attempt. You will learn from either your success, and even more, from a seeming failure. The “not doing” is the source for regret.

You are not alone. There are many adventurers riding and pushing this river. Acknowledge, love and support them. Is it time to push the river? There is NO time like the present! Sure, you can go with the flow, but you can also press forward into another life adventure. All travels expand you and your consciousness. Be open to the new experiences you were meant to have. Along the way, know that you are a Miracle. You are a perfect piece of the Divine Spirit. You are Loved! You are Blessed!

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.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Posted on April 1, 2019

You THINK you know who you are AND that is the problem. Thinking has limits! If we are lucky, our mind can deal with 2 or 3 or maybe 4 dimensions. This is the limitation on “Egoic” thinking. Many more dimensions exist and these include our “true Home” in the greater realms of the Divine Spirit. The incarnation you are reading this blog within is like a stripped-down version, or cartoon version, of who you really are. Your Soul or Spirit is limitless, beyond space and time. I know this from the feelings experienced in my NDE (my Near Death Experience or perhaps my STE’s (Spiritually Transformative Experiences.)) Maybe you have experience and so “Know” or “Remember” your existence before you came into this life.

Work to Remember where your true Home is within the broader, multi-dimensional Divine Spirit. Your HOME back before this incarnation was full of supportive unconditional love, Wisdom of the Divine, Freedom beyond limiting time and space, and completely “Connected” with everything in the Universe, and beyond. There are no words to describe this most completely.

HOME will be there after this life when you are transforming from the “meat suit” you now wear. AND, your Home is available NOW in the present beyond the limitations of your thinking, Egoic mind. You can feel it with your Heart and by Remembering where you have come from. “We are here for a while and then we move on” into another dimension of the Divine Spirit, says Brother Bob Trask. This is discussed by most NDE (Near Death Experience) survivors who tell their familiar stories from beyond the Veil. We come to our lives to accomplish our dreams and our purpose. We come to learn and to grow AND to support and serve all the other souls we bump into! Whether you know this or not, We are ALL Old Souls who have been around forever, since the beginning of the Divine Spirit’s consciousness (forever.)

Reminder: You are “Perfect” as you are! The character you are “playing” in this life is perfect. You are doing a great job! No one else could be a better YOU! But, please remember that you are not just the necessary, essential character that you are playing out in this incarnation. You are so much more! Grander and Limitless and well beyond the 3 dimensions we have chosen to exist within. Do NOT let anyone convince you that you are not Perfect and an unbelievable Miracle. Thank you for being you! We all need you being the best of who you are. Continue to learn and to grow in consciousness until you remember your Divine Spirit and live more fully in Enlightenment.

All things are Possible if we allow our limitless self to come forward into our “present.” We are tapped into all wisdom, all knowing, limitless power and connection. We can find our way to realize this expansive divine and this is a task all incarnated, conscious souls strive for. You are Amazing and a Miracle! Please be as conscious as possible and do not miss an opportunity to: Love – Serve – Remember who you really are…

Live beyond what you THINK. Remember and Feel the true YOU!

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.

Think beyond your limits. Think with your heart. Think in higher dimensions. Think that you do not have limits.

WHERE ARE YOU “HOME?

Posted on February 28, 2019

“Home is where the Heart is!” More importantly, Where is YOUR Home?

My internet research that gives credit for this statement goes to a Roman philosopher better known as Pliny the Elder (or just Pliny to his friends) said “Home is where the heart is.”

More internet research said that there can be two (or more) meanings to this expression. And the internet offers this opinion.

“Firstly, it can mean that wherever our loved ones are, that is our home. Thus, wherever a person’s heart is will be our true home. Thus, no matter where someone was born or grew up, their real home is the place that they care about most in the world. This place may or may not be the place that they grew up in.

Secondly, it can mean that our love (our ‘heart’) is focused around the family home. A person’s heart will always be at home. This means that their love, affection and fond memories will always be tied to the place that they live.

Note: There are differences of cause and effect in each interpretation. In the first, love makes us feel at home. In the second, home makes us feel love.”

Why did this come up for me? Why is this relevant for you? This past weekend I was engaged in a personal growth seminar conducted by Excellence Northwest. We experienced a Guided Meditation as an exercise for planning for 5 years in the future. We were asked to relax, clear our minds, and to “picture” our home 5 years from now. What did we want to find there? How did it FEEL? So, being a cooperative participant (not really such a common experience for me), I considered the more typical setting.

I pictured a house in the country. In a clearing surrounded by conifer trees like Douglas Firs or Cedars. It was bigger than a small cottage but not a huge, ostentatious house. Lots of wood. Entering into my Home, was a warm and inviting engery with the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven and home made soup in a large pot cooking on the stove. Quiet and calm. The Living room had a fireplace and comfortable furniture. Not just comfortable but wonderfully comfortable chairs and sofas arranged in a circle. Maybe 8 or 9 seats arranged for conversations and interacting with friends, family, and interesting people. This seemed to be the real purpose for this cozy environment. It then dawned on me that my concept of “Home” was not a future House but was a setting for gathering other people to connect with. My fantasy is to feed these visitors. Mind, Body, Emotionally, and Spirit, all nurtured and fed with the love and support which offers deeper connection. Not your standard Home environment. This could happen in lots of places and not be tied down to a house in which to live my life within.

Home can be anywhere which allows the connection of Heart and support. A caring for other souls without any “strings attached.” It might be a place where Gratitude and Acceptance seem to come first. Openness and trust rein supreme. So, let me ask YOU again, Do YOU have a need and a space like this kind of Home? Not as easy to answer. We often have family and, maybe, friends, but not necessarily the unconditional loving, support, and acceptance which would be so nurturing for you and your spirit. This possible environment may come and go. It may not be a permanent part of your life.

There may be times when we get caught in the “Drama” of wanting something which we perceive we do not have. We might even feel like a “victim” to the circumstance which our 3 dimensional lives have led us to experience. We may struggle with the life challenge of adding this unconditional support and love to our lives. BUT, and this is a big but (do not take this wrong), we can find this everywhere and it is NOT external to us. It is a lesson in what we Know and Remember regarding the perfection of the Divine Spirit found within us. If we are willing to look into the eyes and find the perfection of the perfect souls we interact with, we can find this deeper connection and “Home” everywhere!

My Guidance is asking me to write these words for YOU to read. Where do these concepts fit for you and the lessons you are here to learn? Do you remember that we are all connected and can share this bonding connection with every soul who crosses our path through life?

YOU ARE HOME! You are the structure and the atmosphere which extends love and creates the ideal experience of “Home.” Please consider, Knowing it, Feeling it, and Living it!

You are a Miracle! You are a Blessing! You, even with your seeming flaws and imperfections, are Perfect! No one else can be YOU better than YOU! Thank you for being in this World and Open to Connecting.

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.

SPIRITUAL SEEKERS’ QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Posted on February 26, 2019

Questions for a Spiritual Seeker

“If you consider yourself to be on a spiritual path, you must be having conversations with your soul already. During your conversations, pause often and listen carefully. At times, pause to ask questions too.”

By Chandresh Bhardwaj, Contributor

Link to Blog: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/21-questions-for-a-spirit_n_5276120

Chandresh Bhardwaj writes:

“Questions are an important part of life and the spiritual journey as well. One must never stop asking questions. Be it the questions to your guru, teacher or your soul. If you consider yourself to be on a spiritual path, you must be having conversations with your soul already. During your conversations, pause often and listen carefully. At times, pause to ask questions too. When you ask a question to your soul, don’t worry about receiving the perfect answer. Instead, keep all your focus on the questions. Meditation on questions will eventually help you to arrive “home.”

Here are a few questions that I suggest you to ask yourself on your spiritual journey. I avoided adding any explanations to the questions as I don’t wish to interfere or add my bias to the answers/explanations that will come your way when asking these questions. One way to use these questions is to ask them one by one. Don’t rush. Take your time to explore one question and be as unbiased as possible in listening. Don’t manipulate the answers. Don’t try hard to listen to the answer that you want to hear. Just be effortless in listening.

The mind will give you many fancy answers. Especially if you are in the “spiritual market” for a while, it will give you answers such as “you are a divine soul,” “you are love,” you are “forgiveness.” Reject all these answers. The ancient masters used the mantra, Neti Neti, which means “neither this, nor that.” Masters recommended rejecting all answers thrown by mind and only then you will see the layers peeling off.

Do I seek social approval?

Where does my happiness come from?

What do I seek in my prayers?

Do I feel the divine in others?

How conscious am I when I eat?

Do I contribute unconditional love in the life of others?

How often do I lose my temper?

How much power do daily circumstances have over me?

How do I want to be remembered?

How deeply am I connected with my heart?

What is my deepest fear?

Am I connected to Mother Nature around me?

Have I accepted my body as it is?

Have I forgiven myself and others unconditionally?

What does love mean to me?

What is my deepest intention?

Do I listen to my soul attentively?

Do I cry and laugh easily?

How hard it is for me to unblock love?

What is my inspiration?

Who am I?” (End of Chandresh’s Blog)

There are NO right or wrong answers to these questions. The exercise is to ask, then consider, then enhance your self-awareness by attempting this exercise. Some of these questions are so powerful for me to ask of myself. Your most significant questions from this list depend on you and the consciousness you have already worked to achieve.

Namaste

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.