We live in a world of paradox. 
 
In some spiritual traditions, we learn that the world is illusion, and we are taught that our purpose in life is to break free from the illusion.
 
Other spiritual traditions tell us that everything we experience is real and true. We live life as we see it, and pray for something better in the next world.
 
And some traditions mix in the ability to shape our experience through our thoughts, or through our deeds, or through our devotion.
 
So what is true?
 
What if all of it is true? What if my heart tells me that I'm having this human experience to recognize my Divine nature while in a body, and your heart tells you that your soul can only be saved though a master such as Jesus or Allah? What if what our hearts tell us is true even though our hearts speak to us differently?
 
Many authors, far more sophisticated than I, have spent years of study and writing to make sense of these topics. And what if there's nothing to make sense of? What if the experience we've created is just for fun; just to play with our ability to create? 
 
Wouldn't you feel silly taking it all so seriously?
 

Last week I began facilitating a lunchtime meditation at One Heart - One Mind Center for Spiritual Living. The center is in a business area and we're reaching out to people who work nearby, offering space where they can take a restorative meditation break. Some of the folks who have come are curious about meditation and have never tried it before.
 
If you meditate regularly, you know the many benefits. Often people start meditating to help relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. Others have learned that through meditation we can experience deep spiritual connection and a sense of oneness. While many know that meditation is a positive practice, they don't know how to get started or how to stay with it.
 
With that in mind, I started looking for resource material I could give to new meditators. Here are a few links you might find useful, whether you're a newbie or a seasoned meditator:

• http://zenhabits.net/2007/11/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-...
• http://meditationforbeginners.net/
• http://www.meditationforbeginners.info/
• http://meditationtypes.com/
• http://www.project-meditation.org/mt/japa_meditation.html

If you're just getting started with meditation, there a many websites that will give you information, sell you CDs, or want you to try their "scientifically proven" meditation methods. What's important to remember, as Sri Ram Kaa and Kira Raa tell us in the Navigating the Inner Matrix course is that "meditation does not mandate closed eyes or mantras. It is merely a time of connectivity to your Authenticity and a time to receive guidance in whatever form serves you."
 
I find that walking is a wonderful way to meditate. I repeat the Mantra of Self-Ascension as I walk:
I am here.
I am ready.
I am open.
Guide me.
 
Regardless of the style of meditation you choose, a key is to keep the mind focused so that you retrain it to become quiet--you move the mind away from engaging in all of the "stuff" of daily life. Another key is to be gentle with yourself--set aside external pictures of what it means to do it "right." And stay with if, even if just for a few minutes a day. The more you practice, the easier and more fruitful it will become.

*Originally posted August 21, 2009*
 
Recently a friend, Al Nevels, posed the following question in his email newsletter, Creative Consciousness:

...Even if you do not know what the career is right now will you allow yourself to imagine happiness and fulfillment? Will you picture the results of being in a career that thrills you?

Yesterday my wife and I had lunch with a retired airline pilot and his wife. The pilot told us that he never had flying in his mind as a career. But he did say that he always found himself doing what he loved. My question is do you think he could have had that kind of life career experience by always thinking of and imagining what he did not love to do?

Though I had a lot of work to do, the question stopped me. I felt moved to respond. Here is my response:

Yes, I believe the power is in envisioning--and really feeling--the fulfillment and joy itself. From that springs the life work, which may be completely different from the career we might imagine if we said "what work do I want to do in the world."

For many years I was blessed to be able to do what I loved--writing, designing training, and creating online training. The challenge came because I was good at it and I was promoted into positions where I no longer did that work--I oversaw others doing it. While that had its own rewards, it did not offer the fulfillment I sought. In hindsight, I see that these changes brought the "Divine Discontent" that started me down a new path--I began to envision a new life, where my gifts could be of greater service to others and to the spiritual awakening of the planet.

Following my new path required trust and complete surrender. Every day I ask "how can I be of service?" and the Universe responds by offering opportunities that I never could have imagined. Every day that I follow the path of joy brings new levels of depth, richness, and connection to my life.

*Originally posted September 18, 2009*
When we stay connected to our inner wisdom, we allow ourselves to be carried on the tide of a beautiful universal flow.

Sounds nice, doesn't it? Yet so often we get caught up in wanting to understand why things are happening. Or we have a plan in mind and are so rigid in the plan (often without realizing it) that we don't allow our inner wisdom to come though. The thinking mind wants to know why, it wants to understand or follow a pattern.

I can't say that I'm always in the flow and that I always allow that inner wisdom to come through, yet I live in that space most of the time these days. Let me offer a quick illustration.

When I'm going someplace to do healing work, I take a bag of tools: Egyptian Healing Rods, crystals, tuning forks or bowls for sound. Before I leave home, I ask for guidance about what to bring for the healing needs of the client I'm working with. Yesterday, I was a little surprised as I put items in my bag: they were not the tools I normally use with the client I was seeing. I listened to the guidance and put the items in my bag anyway. I was even more surprised when a change of plans meant I didn't work with that client after all.

Later in the afternoon I was in a meeting when a dear friend came in looking pale and shaky; she asked if I could work with her. As I started feeling her energy, I realized that the tools I brought were were exactly what I needed for her. Looking back at the day, I saw that a series of events converged for me to be where I was with the tools I needed to be of highest service.

Following your inner wisdom can take practice. It requires trust. It requires letting go of what the mind thinks should be happening. And when you're in that flow, it's a beautiful, empowering place to be.

I'm co-hosting a free teleclass this Sunday, September 20, at 6pm (PDT). We'll offer some practices and meditations to help you access your inner wisdom and stay in the flow. I invite you to join us. Email me at info@joyful-healing.com to receive the call-in details.