External Illusions:

Your Expansion is Unlimited.

Don't let anyone's reflection of you be any indication of your potential brilliance.

Do not wait to treat yourself as sacred

The illusion of the future is VERY deceiving

NOW is the only time:

Maintaining Concentration:

Even in the middle of pain, challenge, and adversity...

Integrity and Concentration can be maintained

The Process of Discernment:

Sometimes, even though certain things might seem closed off to us, our curious and searching heart still moves us towards it.

The mind often attaches to a possible outcome that does not yet exist.

As we continue to do practice we develop more wisdom and discernment and we become more present and more refined in our actions.

It is a process.

  The Necessity and Illusion of the Physical :

If you haven't noticed the physical body changes quickly.

Good or not so good, its health is a temporary state that is guaranteed to fluctuate.

The awareness that we are our bodies is an illusion.

Yet we are still existing within it.

It is the home for consciousness yet not consciousness itself...

And since we are presently living "through it", living in a healthy state is essential for potential future experiences, good or bad.

Healthy food, healthy relationships, healthy community, all are important components for healthy existence.

On an individual level, Mind/Body practice is essential.

Thankfully, there are methods to cultivate physical health and mental calm while also cultivating spiritual and energetic vitality.

Chi Gung [literal translation: energy work ] the Yogas and Meditation are key elements in maintaining health and cultivating longevity.

The Taoists believe that there were many skills, energies, and awarenesses to cultivate.

So, longevity was the primary focus, as the longer the period of time the vehicle was healthy, the more time and opportunity there was to cultivate one's awareness and skills.

This is especially true for the Mystical.

So much magic and wonder are available to us if we look at the correct things.

As the lifespan of the physical vehicle lessens, the awareness of spirit and energy increases.

The ability to release and forgive becomes natural and the level of love and compassion expands greatly.

When one is in the last stage of the physical, the only thing that is left is the desire to love and the sweetness of consciousness itself.

That is when one truly sees the illusion of the physical body and time itself.

Do Not Be Confused :

LOVE has always been the essence of consciousness.

Once again, Impermanence informs us deeply.

The Tao of Energy [ and emotions]:

Contraction and Tightness do not allow for Expansion.

Therefore:   No Space....No Movement

The Nature of Practice: [and humans]

To be honest with ourselves about our patterns and our fluctuations is really one part of fully embracing the nature of practice itself.

Sometimes strong and even, other times not.

That is the nature of Yin and Yang and continuous fluctuation.

It is exactly as it is supposed to be.

It is an important realization to embrace.

Then, we tend to be kinder and easier on ourselves and focus more on the benefits and the practice itself, as opposed to the results and the fluctuations

Perfect Grace...

If we don't have JOY what is all the inner work for?

It is one thing to want to cultivate deeper skills, meditative practices, and inner power yet if we cant translate all of that into happy and graceful living what is the point?

If we cant let go of the bondage of self and the depleting stories of unworthiness, low self-esteem and inadequacy then all the internal practice is for nothing

Easeful and joyful are worthwhile qualities in themselves.

A state of Perfect Grace is available..

Yet it is not about the Attainment...

It is about the Letting Go

Gateway to Freedom:

The gateway to freedom will open naturally, as long as a practitioner can let go of his/her self-centered mind.

As long as one clings to fixed ideas and is bound to external conditions to fulfill self, suffering and illusion will continue.

One must reside in the understanding of impermanence and continuous change and yet, still be kind and loving in the process.

That clarity is the path to wisdom and freedom.

Right Alignment:

When I hold myself accountable for my own work and my own actions, that's how I actually come into proper balance,  better alignment and find my true power.

 And it has nothing to do with external conditions or response from people.

It has to do with me knowing what's right in my Heart.

The True Openness:

Sometimes there is a moment, a being, an experience or a teaching that creates a SHIFT that has not come before.

It is the moment when one receives new information and a new perspective and it shatters previous knowledge and challenges previous wisdom.

It is expressed so purely and penetrates one so deeply that they become willing and vulnerable and humble like a child.

Receptive like a hungry student and eager to travel new paths like an explorer into the realms of wonder, they revel in the experience.

This breakthrough goes beyond willingness...

It is True Openness.

It is often transmitted through the experiences of going through the hell realms and coming out the other side.

When one goes through this transformation there is a humility and openness like no other.

A level of awareness like nothing before, a passion for experience and knowledge like one has never known.

And a DEEP level of gratitude that is truly unexplainable.
                    

THIS is when we are truly teachable.

the Healthy Path:

Many beings think about and search for, a path to live within or a set of practices to dedicate themselves to.

Personal discipline, solitude, self-examination and sometimes renunciation can be part of them, trying to find the right formula or best method for themselves to adhere to.

But the key is:

What is one actually trying to accomplish?

What is the desired goal?

Different paths require a different focus and different methods resulting in different desired results.

There is no ONE better way for all beings on their many different paths.

Yet...there are healthy attitudes and intentions which set the tone and direction of one's focus and decisions.

The Taoists call this "wholesome inner values", the Buddhists refer to it as the "path of non-harming".

Once a commitment has been firmly made to follow a particular path, there are inherent guidelines within.

It is the nature of that particular path.

If one does not believe in or like those particular guidelines, no problem, then they should try another path that suits them.

It's All Good.

Just respect All paths and ALL beings in the process.

We are all trying our best here.

The Lesson:

Impermanence teaches that all things arise and disappear.

We do not control the fluctuations in the universe.

Do not try to.

Necessary Awakening:

There is so much external distraction, misdirected, and misused energy in the world today and there are so many things we can do nothing about ..BUT..

We CAN make a decision to be mindful, inspiring and "medicine" in the world while we are still here.

Do not wait to be Kind.

Do not hesitate to be Radiant.

Do not wait for a better time to Love.

And most certainly ;

Do NOT wait for a better time to let go of your Anger...there is no better time.

As my Master used to tell me:

"Anger depletes the Chi, shatters the spirit and fragments the heart.

Activating one's spirit is one thing but anger is entirely different.

Do Not misdirect your mind or waste your energy in unhealthy practices "

Let us focus on what we CAN do instead of what we cant.

Success is rooted in service, kindness, and realistic progress.

True inspiration comes from the heart...not the mind.

The Shift :

Every now and then there is a shift in the force.

Then,  even the old become young.

The stiff become flexible.

The intolerant become understanding and the self-righteous become humble.

The Master becomes the student and the student becomes the Teacher.

The parent becomes the child and the child becomes the parent.

This life is always evolving...

Evolve with it...or be stuck in the past.

Firm yet loving Clarity:

Stay in your heart,

Stay out of your head,

and stay away from the beings who do not serve your highest good.

And if you can't avoid them ...

Just BREATHE...and let them spin out on their own.

Sometimes the kindest thing to do is to just leave people to their own devices and let them find their own realization, while you maintain a steadfast, balanced position of Love.

This is not weak. It is actually very powerful.