By Dr. Sandy Islands for Conch Color
After we’ve practiced looking at ourselves for a while, we’re aware enough to notice when we slip into old habits where we feel like victims of the outside world. We let go and ask ourselves, what is my part in this struggle or conflict? People around us comment that something in us has changed but they don’t know what. We’re calmer, more peaceful and we bring a presence to wherever we go that allows others to open up and feel comfortable.
We are like a 4-cylinder car: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. We begin to recognize which cylinder is firing at different times. Our spiritual side is always connected to a Higher Power whether we think we are or not. For some, “God” is “Good Orderly Direction.” Practicing a spiritual path teaches self-discipline. It doesn’t matter what name we use to connect to the Highest Source of Energy in the universe, just that we do connect. When we slow down our busy lives, we experience our highest consciousness within and we enjoy the beauty all around us. It’s a noble purpose to remember our spiritual nature while we are constantly bombarded with the material world. It’s important to find ways to nourish our spiritual hunger. As much as we try to satisfy it in the material world, we are usually left feeling tired, empty and needing more.
We are human beings, not human becomings. We’re asleep when we live in denial of our spiritual presence and the divine beings that we are. We may fear that claiming our divinity is heresy. What if heresy were merely identifying with anything that is not spirit? Our minds fear that looking at ourselves might be too painful. But, self-awareness is always healing. It’s far better to fail at being ourselves than to succeed at imitating others. This does not mean that we avoid conflict. Our natural state is to be peaceful. When conflict arrives we look at our part rather than focusing on the other person. The pain we feel will get our attention so we can change what we’re doing to hurt ourselves. All conflicts are opportunities to raise our consciousness. Pain invites us to look deeper and discover what we need to change in order to live happier lives. In fact, it’s helpful to eliminate the word, “problem,” from our vocabulary. Let’s substitute the words, “project” or “opportunity.” Every great person achieves their mastery not in spite of their challenges, but because of them.
Everything in creation has a purpose. When we find ours, we bring a presence of truth to every thought, word and action that we do. When we release the burdens of understanding and control, we discover that our needs are constantly being met by a Higher Power. Eventually, we quit being spiritual seekers and become spiritual finders. There is no outside authority but there is an inner one ─ the authority of our spirits within us, through us and as us. Happiness is the corridor that leads to other rooms of success. It’s important to stay inspired. When we view others as greater, we belittle ourselves. There’s no guru, teacher, therapist, parent, spouse or friend that is closer to God than we are. G-U-R-U could be an acronym for “Gee, you are you.” The best gurus affirm to their followers that they are simply a presence that allows their followers to discover their true selves. The best teachers make themselves unnecessary. The highest luminaries simply discovered their divine identity and are beckoning us to join them. Let’s live our destiny now by showing up everywhere as the presence that we truly are. Please write to Dr. Sandy Islands at sandyislands@hawaii.rr.com.