The Darkness and the Light

Last week I sat down for morning prayer. Friday is tied with the Planet Venus and I have noticed that it generates easier access to your heart and feelings of gratitude. It is a great day for a little Bhakti ( devotion in sanskrit). 

On this morning I felt it particularly relevant to side aside around 30 mins to consider my family, my friends, and my home in Mill Valley. I spent time praying, considering each individual, and feeling gratitude for them. It was around 15 minutes in that I realized I still had a pit in my stomach. I, being somewhat stubborn, ignored it and kept praying for the last 15 minutes. I tried to push through something that my body was signaling to me was not right. 

At the end of the meditation I was a distraught to still feel the pit in my stomach even though I had spent time attempting to feel grateful for everything. As I soon realized, the key word that I left out of my meditation was everything. Yes, we can be grateful for the light side of things ( our friends, our family, etc.) but it is the darkness that allows us to be grateful for these things. I.E. the challenges, the hardships, the mud if you will. All the gross stuff that no one wants to talk about. Though, in truth, I have seen through social media a huge influx in people allowing themselves to be vulnerable. I was struck with the insight that it is also the Darkness that we can be grateful for. Because in the end, it is the Darkness that gives our lives meaning and purpose. Challenge helps us appreciate accomplishment and Death helps us appreciate Life. It is all about the experience of being human. We are vulnerable beings. But this is what makes us so unique and beautiful; our appreciation of the Darkness and the Light.

***Disclaimer*** 

In the middle of writing this piece my dog Max yelped at me and I turned around and snapped at him. 

“Not now” I said.

Then it hit me, literally in the middle of the writing. I realized I was doing it again, neglecting a sign! I got up, fed him, and took care of his needs. The Universe can work very, very quickly if you allow it ;).

Integration:

What past challenges are you struggling with?

How can you practice seeing the ‘fruit’ of the situation? 

What does darkness and light mean to you?

In Dedication to the Mama

In Dedication to the Mama

 Memories come flooding in like the fireworks during the fourth of July. Exploding in my mind; when I think of you I can’t help but to weep in pleasure and in pain. That’s what you taught me isn’t it? It wasn’t going to be easy was it. You taught me bravery and courage. You taught me how to surrender. You taught me that there may be a God after all. With your passing I’ve had no choice but to find solace in Faith, however.

Faith. That’s an interesting word. Faith in what I ask? Faith in myself? Faith in something greater? Faith in God? Faith and hope go hand and hand. How about faith that things will work out for the best? What if this was the basis of God? Faith that when we fall, it’s possible to get back up and keep going.

Could it really be that simple? It could. It’s us that makes it so complicated and challenging. It’s painful to fall but it’s us that causes the prolonged suffering. The lingering on how we fell or why we fell. The fear that we will fall again consumes us. Isn’t it funny that this is what makes us human? Having fears, worries, and doubts. Prolonging the suffering with our need for understanding. It’s funny but a tad bit cruel. But let me rephrase; it’s our grand ability to NOT know that makes us human. The search for meaning is an important one but be forewarned, it can consume you. Many people sacrifice their lives looking for the answer when it may have been right in front of them or better yet inside them. The meaning of life is to live it, to experience it. To taste the bitterness and the sweetness knowing fully well that faith is behind it all. To feel all the ups and downs with Faith that everything will come together in the end. That’s the guiding light that illuminates the path and keeps reminding us that even though it can be so damn hard, we are still connected to something bigger, something larger, something that we can put our Faith in.

Love you Mama,

G

Interaction:

What does Faith mean to you?

What do you put your Faith in?

Re-love-ution

Make no mistake we are in the midst of a revolution. This revolution is quite unordinary, however. We will not be fighting this revolution with guns, knives, or fists nor will there be violence. This will be a revolution fought with love, compassion, creativity, and art. The re-love-ution as some are calling it, is a journey that begins with the turning of our attention inwards onto ourselves.

Revolt against blame.

Revolt against negativity.

Revolt against gossip.

We contain the capacity to expand our horizons and to enter a new age. One where Life is not a depressing drag of never ending work to barely scrape by. One where we realize we are all in this together ( including the select few at the ‘top’). One that is commanded by the heart.

Please place your awareness on your heart.

Breathe into it.

Begin to feel joy, compassion, and gratitude.

You just won your first battle. By creating positivity in your mind, body, and spirit you can reverse the effects of stress on your system. When you feel strong and resilient you are better equipped to handle Life and what it has to offer you.

Build resilience and sharpen your focus as often as possible. Nobody said this transition would be easy. Start a meditation practice, get into your local yoga class, or start an art piece.There are a multitude of ways to prepare yourself for this change.

It will feel terrifying, often.

When you make contact with your true self for even just a sweet second it will all be worth it. Soon, you will live from this place of abundance and integration. It is very possible to win this revolution. In fact it is guaranteed. This war will end with the disintegration of separation and the remembrance of Unity with God and your brothers and sisters. It is only a matter of time now. There is no rush but there is a need to stop the suffering. Remember it will begin within you and end without you. Literally translated, there will not be a ‘you’ anymore

Good luck,

G

Introduction to the Path of the Heart

The Path of the Heart 

To introduce you to my version of the Path of the Heart is simple. To understand and walk the Path is much more challenging. The work that we may do together will take longer than the more heavily chosen ‘easy fix’ option. My immediate question for you to answer is this, ‘Would you rather be cured for a month or would you rather be cured for an entire lifetime(s)?’

This path begins with your understanding that though we may walk together for a certain amount of time, ultimately, you will choose and walk your own way while following your own inner light. I simply aim to equip you with basic exercises, daily rituals, and practical knowledge so that you can achieve this with your own self-mastery.

What is the Path of the Heart?

In my perspective, the Path of the Heart is a way to reconnect to the source of all things, achieve enlightenment, and win true freedom from the illusion of this world.

Relaxing is great, reducing stress is even better. But what if your stress and fear were only symptoms of the real problem? I could meditate for thousands of hours and still not get anywhere significant . I need a reason, a why and a what. The vast majority of our society walks around not knowing who they are or what they’re doing here. Do you think that contributes to our happiness level? That at some unknown level we have no idea why the hell we are actually here? What if you could finally answer that question for yourself? Could you be liberated on a level that seems unfeasible right now? That is exactly what the Path of the Heart aims to do, help you answer this question so you can become driven towards your greatest joy while following one goal and one voice. Imagine a world that answers only to their own Hearts? Goodbye crime, see yea pollution, hello freedom. I envision not only a world of peace but one of innovation, where technology and Earth can co-exist together.

What is the greatest problem of our world today?

I hear great answers like lack of empathy, capitalism, genocide, etc. Here is another idea. The true problem and source of all disease of our world is a disconnection from the source. The source being what others may call God, the Universe, Jesus, etc. It doesn’t matter too much what you call it but where you envision it. If you believe what religion preaches, you will imagine perhaps an unforgiving God high above in the clouds. When, in truth, God, the Source, Jesus etc. lives within you. Actually, right in the middle of your being, the illuminated Heart. Hence, the Path of the Heart. By reconnecting to your Heart you connect to the creator of all things. Here’s the catch. You get a choice. You can choose the world that you want to create. A world full of Fear or a world full of Unity.  

So, my friends, it begins and ends with you. It’s not about government or society or ‘them’. It’s about you, your choice, and the realization of how powerful your choice is. It is my hope that you choose the Path of the Heart.

Thank you,

G