Spirituality...if that word spooks you or sends up a proverbial warning flag, hang with me for a bit longer as I take you away from what most readers will expect to be a blog post about religion.
Far from it...
The essence of why I ever started the Introspection series rests with my desire to raise a "spiritual" level of awareness of the connectivity we have with a higher plane of consciousness we all possess, whether we know it yet or not.
Our subconscious is connected to a powerful source of energy that allows us to disconnect from the daily "noise" that dominates, diffuses and competes for our attention. The source is a place where that still, small voice of reason and wisdom resides. Some call it God—hence the religious implications—while others refer to it as the Higher Self, Chi, the Universe, Superconsciousness, or the Center. What you personally call it isn't as important or as relevant as the fact that it is very real and very powerful.
Your Center is something you can access at will. It is highly sensitive to the universal flow of energy we call life. It is a container of many sublime virtues, some of which are; joy, creativity, intuition, trust, love, integrity, compassion, and aspiration to name just a few.
Far too many of us are searching for something outside ourselves in an effort to satisfy an internal deficiency. We feel alienated, lonely, empty...incomplete. This feeling should serve as a clear indicator that we are out of synch or off course with our true and intended purpose and that a course correction is in order. Our typical first reaction is to look outside ourselves for solutions—a new car, a new mate, a better job—all of which typically result in only temporary and/or hollow satisfaction at best.
One of the best ways to address an internal deficiency is with an internal approach—an introspection. Simply defined, an introspection is an honest examination or observation of our innermost self from both a conscious and emotional perspective. "Great," you may say, "So how do I go about conducting an introspection?" Good question...
In order to hear the quiet leading of that still, small voice we must enlist the faculties of our Higher Self, or our spirit. The best way to go about doing that is to seek wisdom through meditation, prayer, or contemplative mindful awareness. Unfortunately, society continually bombards us with "conscious overload" placing a high emphasis on conscious and physical interactions that are designed to "stimulate" us and provide fulfillment. Yet, I think we can all agree that despite the array of options we have to achieve that objective, something remains amiss. That something lies at the center of who we truly are.
You may have heard the terms "body, mind, and spirit," yet, there are few sources that teach anything having to do with the imbalance that exists by the absence of a focus on the spiritual. Sure, one could argue that there are religious sources designed to address the spiritual aspect, but as a reminder, this article is not so much about the spirit from a religious point of view as it is from the broader context of a higher plane of consciousness that connects us with the divine resources of love, wisdom, knowledge, happiness...and to one another.
A powerful sense of peace and wisdom exists as we connect with our Center. So how do we access it? An overly simplistic answer can be found through the practice of meditation. Our Center contains a veritable storehouse of valuable insight the likes of which can only be found within a deeper level of consciousness. Meditation allows us to connect with our Center in such a way that connects us with infinite wisdom. Keeping things simple, you should find a quiet place to spend a few moments each day solely for the purpose of introspection through meditation or prayer or mindful awareness. Focus on your breathing while remaining alert to stray thoughts that distract you from being fully present, or aware, in the moment. The benefits of introspection are life-altering. Whatever answers or solace you seek is already an inherent part of you and will be there waiting for you in some form or fashion. All you have to do is make an effort to discover the prize that awaits.
It is true that life will bring us exactly what we ask of it. That which connects us with a higher power of consciousness lies at the Center of who we are and drives us to act according to its leading. So, be careful what you ask while knowing that whatever you ask, you shall indeed receive.
Until next time!
-G-
"Your Center is that place where your story lies...that place where the truest essence of you resides." ~ G. Westfal
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