The Path to Empowered Enlightenment
We are all searching for Enlightenment but what is it? Enlightenment means to be full of light. In the state of enlightenment we are free of darkness and blindness, not only in our eyes but in our heart. It is a process of growth in which we awaken to who we really are. When we are enlightened every cell and fiber of our being knows its connection to the light. Enlightenment is not always an easy road. Sometimes it can be very painful, but we survive, we will always survive.
This remembering, reconnecting, brings us peace, joy and balance. Healing and intuitive abilities are heightened and love is felt more strongly than ever.
Our growth can be compared to a long ladder. We pass through stages from the realization that something has to change - the bottom rung of the ladder - to the acceptance that change means work and sacrifice. As we climb the ladder of enlightenment, we have moments of intuition and feeling moments of sheer bliss. They are very short and very infrequent as we progress, but they are there. You finally know if only for a moment, that you are spirit and one with everything. You have almost made it to the top rung of the ladder.
You can feel love for everyone, if only for a minute, and then it’s gone. Then your doubts or anger overwhelm you and your ego makes you forget who you are and sends you right back down to the first rung. This is normal and most of us experience spiritual growth this way. But, as time goes by, you slowly climb another rung of the ladder, until you feel you are half way there. Being half way there means those fleeting moments of bliss are coming more frequently and you find you won’t fall down the rungs as often as you used to. Your life is making a noticeable change. Good things are starting to happen to you without putting in the effort it used to take.
If you made it to the top rung you don’t THINK you are one with God or the Universe, you KNOW it. Deep within your heart, you know it. You remember who you are; you feel love for everyone and have the need to help others. Your intuition guides you to do the right thing and you use your new intuitive skills to help others.
A truly enlightened individual is pure love. Enlightened individuals do not have perfect lives. They still experience stress and pain. The difference is they don’t feel upset about it, because they know there are only two emotions; love and fear, and they have chosen love. They know to follow their intuition in a crisis and trust they will receive the correct answer. They know how to release their problems to a higher authority. They know how to wait patiently for an answer. Tragedy to them is a chance, to learn, to become spiritually strong.
Many people assume that just because someone is enlightened, whether they are a saint, healer or mystic, they are perfect and have certain powers and usually die of old age. This is a myth. Many famous healers have died of very painful diseases. For example, Sri Ramana Maharshi, a saint residing in India, died of stomach cancer. Jiddu Krishnamurti, a famous spiritual teacher, died of pancreatic cancer. Aimee Semple McPherson, a very powerful healer, not only suffered from debilitating arthritis but died of an accidental overdose of painkillers. The Buddha himself, died of food poisoning. Not a dignified way to cross over.
What lesson do we learn from this? It helps to realize that although we are spirit, we are still in this body and suffer from the limitations of the body. We must learn to take care of our bodies as well as out spirit. It’s amazing to think that one who is sick themselves can actually heal soon else and yet it happened frequently. Consider a mother and child, both sick with the flu. The mother manages to fund the strength to comfort her child even through her own illness.
Many people are under the impression that in order to obtain enlightenment, they must place their bodies under tremendous stress and strain. This is not true. IN fact, many intuitive know that in order to stay open to intuitive knowledge, they must eat a healthy balanced diet, preferably with no red meat. They need to exercise everyday and learn how to heal with their stress or they feel blocked from their intuitive flow.
“Harming the body is a roadblock to the path of spiritual wisdom.”
Every single one of us has the potential for enlightenment. The seeker can choose two paths to get there. Live in fear, blame society for what ails you, and suffer for a very long time, or put some time aside each day to take responsibility for who you are and where you want to be in life, living through ups and downs, but not nearly as dramatic as the first path, and all the time knowing it is all going to be ok. This second path takes times, patience, practice, consistency, and commitment. Sometimes it takes a shift in perspective, or a release of old worn out unconscious patterns and emotions or a shift in the energy flow of the body, through the meridians or chakras. If you spend at least one hour a day on spiritual study you will begin to change your thoughts an energy for the better. This will being you closer to the Divine and that is the goal of this portion of the course. To enhance the natural gifts of healing and intuitive ability and live a life of peace and joy, bringing healing to everyone! In order to reach your goal, there are
Natural Laws of The Universe
There are natural laws that govern all of creation. If studied and followed diligently, it can lead to a life-altering perspective on the road to enlightenment. Once we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with these natural laws, we will experience a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life, and increased psychic and healing abilities. All we desire will come to us easily and effortlessly.
We start our study with these natural laws as they are the basis of all spiritual study. Filled with timeless wisdom, reflective exercises, and good old common sense, these principles can be applied through out ones life time bringing joy and peace to all who follow the Universe’s wisdom.
Balance
Balance is required in all phases of life. We must give ample time to work, play, spirituality, and physical exercise. If any one of these is neglected, we will fall out of balance. Every decision you make should be made from a pint of balance. Only then, can you be sure you are making the right one. Every decision made from a point of imbalance, will lead you off the path of your truth.
Balance is not a process, but a way of life. If you don’t know what it feels like to be balance, think of a time when you felt everything just seemed to flow so effortlessly for you, or perhaps you felt really relaxed and clear minded. Try to remember what this feels lie so you can use this memory to bring Yourself back to that reference point when you need to. Regardless of if you have a memory of this or not, let’s pause of a moment to do a short relaxation meditation.
MEDITATION PRACTICE:
Take a moment, wherever you are. No need
to come to a certain seat or be in a space,
just STOP. Breath in deep - 6 full seconds
—— -Hold for 3 seconds —- exhale deeply -
- - - 6 full seconds ——- Continue this
practice for a round of 3 - as you do this,
notice any tension in your body. Relax all
your muscles. Imagine them feeling light and
fluid. Examine your entire body, noticing any tension and breathe the tension away. Once you become relaxed this way, remember this feeling. Hold on to it. It will be your reference point for balance.
Another exercise you can practice to help you remember the feeling of balance is to stand up straight and lift one leg off the ground. You may lose your balance at first, but as you keep trying you will find the right way to stand which feels the most comfortable to you. This is being in balance. Remember this feeling. When you are balanced, where do you feel it in your body? Many people feel it in their solar plexus area or heart area. Others don’t feel it anywhere specific; They experience it as an overall feeling of wellness throughout their body, a sense of normalcy or even safety. You want to be so comfortable with this state of balance, that you can call upon it at will.
You also want a balanced lifestyle. Reflect openly to the following questions:
• What is a balanced lifestyle to you?
• Are your eating habits balanced?
• Do you drink enough water per day?
• Do you have healthy relationships?
• Do you have a fulfilling career?
• How often do you exercise?
• What do you do for fun?
• How often do you laugh?
• Do you have a tendency to hold your emotions in?
• Do you live in a safe environment?
• Do you experience nature on a daily basis?
• Do you make enough money to meet your basic needs?
• What did you do for ‘you’ today?
• How often do you feel balanced?
We are all spirit but we live in a body and must maintain our body through healthy living. It’s important for each of us to be in an environment that enhances our well- being. What type of environment would you like to live in? Some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, others like the quiet, serene country life. Some enjoy the mountain, lakes or ocean.
If you can’t be in the environment you like can you find something in nature that you enjoy? For instance, if you live in the city and you would rather be in the country, can you find a tree that you can enjoy gazing at from time to time or perhaps you can take a drive to the country to enjoy the scenery?
If you like the ocean but don’t live near the seashore, maybe you can have pictures of the ocean in your home or sound effect units that sound like the ocean. You can even find a screen saver of the ocean scenes for your phone or computer. Its important to do this, so that you are able to feel balanced when you need to.
When you are fully balanced you will be able to progress freely in your spiritual development, you will grow spiritually without effort or tension and move closer to your spiritual enlightenment.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1: BEING BALANCED
How can you be more balanced in your day to day life? Make a list of at least two things in your life you are willing to change in order to be more balanced.
Example:
1. Exercise regularly.
2. Spend more time in nature.
Commit to your two choices and be willing to change right now.
