The spiritual path is very much like springtime in Colorado—very bipolar and all over the place. One day we may have perfect blue bird 75-degree weather for 10 days straight and then 2 days of snow.   We can have snow in the morning and get sunburned later that day.  This path is so utterly unpredictable in every way. Sometimes we are supported by Grace, other times we find ourselves face down in the mud, looking at our struggling ego have a tantrum. One day we might be floating in heaven, the next day we might find ourselves in hell. This is a normal human experience on the path.

Lately a number of folks have been complaining about the nature of spiritual awakening, “Isn’t there a time when you just feel good forever?”

“Nope” is my answer.   There are certainly wonderful, immense, profound states of bliss and freedom that can last for great periods of time. Our inner consciousness may be free in profound ways. But as long as you have a body, and have friends and family, a vocation, or job there will be challenges and periods of pain.

Suffering is a part of life here on Earth. As long as you have a body and have a heart, you will feel all kinds of things on the path.  Some of us have an idea that Enlightenment means we come to a point on path when we no longer ever experience any kind of pain.  It is impossible not to feel pain of some kind, if you have a heart and a body.   Even if you happen to be in perfect health and experience great freedom in your consciousness, all those who you love, at some point will become sick and one day die and so will each of us!  Our ego wants to live in a spa, where we never experience pain or discomfort.  This is one of the many immature fantasies of the spiritual path.

Enlightenment is a perspective. A perspective that includes all feelings. A perspective that responds to this difficult world with Love, Peace, Compassion, Strength, Clarity and Freedom. The response depends on the moment.  Enlightenment is a superpower, a power of perspective, a different outlook on Life. An outlook of both Love and Freedom, which says Yes to the wildness of change… Yes to fear, Yes to heartache, Yes to Beauty, Yes to Love and loss, Yes to Life.

Being human is messy, fun, exciting, confusing and heartbreakingly tragic at times.

The question of Enlightenment is a question of both being and response.  Being Freedom and Being Love in action.   As humans we must resist the temptation to demand absolutes in a relative world. We will never attain perfection. But with humility we can offer ourselves again and again on this path of Love.

If you want to be free, I ask you:

  • How could you give of yourself this day?
  • What limiting beliefs are imprisoning you in needless suffering?
  • What greater Truth wants to come forward?
  • Who do I need to forgive?
  • What unconscious forces are still driving my Life?
  • Do I have greater faith in my Divinity or my shadow?
  • What work do I need to do to heal and integrate my shadow?
  • And my favorite question from the Sedona Retreat: Do you know how Beautiful You are?
  • Do know that in Truth you are a Goddess, a Buddha?

Looking forward to connecting with your heart on this path,

May the Grace of Love support us,

Blessings,

-c