“Oh, wandering One, if you are in search of the greatest treasure, don’t look outside. Look within, and seek That.”
– Rumi
Awakening is discovery of the sacred source of truth, wisdom, and love within. Each of us has this amazing source of light and power deep inside of us, which I like to call our Essential Self. Finding it requires that we shift our focus from OUTWARD – toward the many stresses and distractions all around us – to INWARD, within our own consciousness.
To start the process of awakening, find at least one method that allows you to quiet your active mind and relax. The methods that quiet your active mind also allow you to hear your voice of intuition, which comes from your Essential Self. Choose something you enjoy and that isn’t difficult to do for at least a few minutes every day. A handful of excellent examples include*:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Walking outside
- Tarot
Once you establish a method (or multiple) for slowing your over-active mind and hearing your intuitive voice, you will have discovered your means of going within. Congratulations; you are on the path toward awakening. Practice daily, and soon you will have regular access to your personal source of deep wisdom that transforms your life.
Don’t expect miracles immediately. As busy adults, most of us are very unaccustomed to going within and hearing our intuitive voice. That’s why a committed daily practice of using these intuitive methods is so important. There may not be noticeable results right away, especially if you demand them of yourself. Yet they are likely to come quickly if you have fewer expectations. It’s like learning to build up a muscle that is very weak. It takes time and patience before you get any noticeable results. But once you do, you’ll be amazed by the change.
Here’s another analogy that I find useful for understanding the awakening process. Have you ever thought about where roads came from?
Many roads that we drive on everyday started as simple footpaths, used hundreds of years ago by native peoples as hunting routes or migratory passages.
At one time that trail was only brush. Some paths became cleared only through the great efforts of people clearing thick areas of foliage using the tools available at the time. Over time and repeated usage, these paths slowly became established. Eventually, what had once been a difficult and treacherous route became settled and navigable. Those who traveled it did so more easily and confidently.
After many years some of those paths became the roads of modern times; and some of those roads eventually became the massive highways we have today. The people who first started those paths had no idea what would become of them. They were trailblazers, leading the way toward new frontiers.
Those who are awakening are forging paths similar to those made by those people long ago. Only your paths go within, to the depths of your Essential Self.
Before the paths become established and trusted, however, you will need to clear the brush. The paths into your Essential Self are overgrown with mental chatter and busyness. Until you take time out of each day away from distractions like those so easily found on your phone, those paths within won’t yet be cleared and easy to navigate. The path of awakening takes some commitment and effort initially. Once those paths begin, however, you will travel them more often, and with greater ease and confidence.
Eventually, those well-worn paths will become roads leading within. You will drive on them very quickly and effectively and access your divine inner source with greater ease. It won’t take thousands or even hundreds of years, either. It will likely happen very quickly to those who show the greatest patience and commitment to their daily practice.
That daily practice can include whatever methods you like to quiet your mind and allow you to be present. Whatever works for you, do it each day, even just for a few minutes. As you do, you forge the paths within. You will gain deeper and easier access to the incredible gift that is within you.
You will awaken to the immense source of truth, wisdom, and love inside of you.
*For more ideas of methods for intuition development, you are welcome to download a free copy of 10 Tools for Your Mid-Life Awakening at www.TarotAwakenings.com.
Photos:
Pixabay
Chandrakanth Elancheran, Prasanth Inturi from Pexels
