What we believe matters. Our worldview, beliefs and values largely shape our actions and the ways that we show up in the world. For those of us with a passion to seek an absolute Truth, that pursuit can be a struggle.  With a seemingly endless cacophony of mixed messaging, opposing sides and contradictory information, how could a person ever come to rest on one timeless, eternal Truth? My intention today is not to share necessarily the Truths I have come to adapt, but instead to explore and to give testimony to the ways in which I approach Truth.  As a seeker, I have an innate passion for searching out what is true in an intentional, and at times vigorous way.  

Curiosity is etched into my soul like the fingerprints on my hand, I have always had a knack for questioning everything and often (to the dismay of my mother) challenging ideas or widely accepted approaches to life that seemed nonsensical to me.  Quickly I learned that there are about as many approaches to life as there are humans on the planet, and each person holds his or her own perspectives and beliefs about the nature of reality, whether consciously or unconscious to that fact. At around the age of 20 I became super conscious of my relationship with reality and Truth, and so began my intentional, purposeful quest in discovering it.  You see, our values and what we hold to be true will greatly shape the ways we move in the world. What we hold true can cause us to be a magnanimous force for good, or cause us to instill division, hatred and fear. A person can look at the same text or paragraph and interpret its content in such a way that promotes either love or fear. To me, the ultimate Truth is Love. 

I came across one of my earliest conflicts around discerning truth in a rather benign context. I had in my early 20s devoured all of the Harry Potter books and found them to be an engrossing story of the power of Love overcoming evil and fear. As a spiritually awakening young woman, this series had an almost religious significance to me, as it felt so close to the heart of the Jesus I was growing to know and love.  I had, at this point in time, not really questioned my perspective on this cult classic.  Fast forward to my early 30s, when in a Bible study, I was told to burn all of my Harry Potter books because the witchcraft in its pages is offensive to God. So which is it? Aligned with the Love and goodness of the Creator, or evil work of literature destined to corrupt the hearts and minds of all who read it? As silly as it sounds, this issue caused me a great deal of angst, as it matters most to me that I am in alignment with the Divine.  This conflict is but a tiny example of a vast array of issues that arise in today's age of division and polarization. Black Lives Matter or Blue Lives Matter? Vaccines save lives, vaccines hurt people? Bodily autonomy, right to life? Liberal, conservative? Israel, Palestine? Fox news, CNN? Fake tree, real tree? In a world with endless information and the overwhelming number of opinions and perspectives accessible at all hours of the day, how on Earth are we supposed to wade through it all and sift out the truth from the lies. 

Many Christian friends of mine would share that the only way to know the real Truth is to find it in the Bible, the buck stops there. And while that does resonate, it doesn't answer the question on how spiritually masterful people practicing other faiths --Gandhi, Ram Das, Rumi and teachers like Wim Hof ---have arrived at Truth and wisdom without consulting the Bible. It also doesn't account for the thousands of denominations within Christendom that each interpret the Good Book in their own, unique, often contradicting, individual way. The Bible is one of the richest, most poetic, wise, prominent and important texts in our world. But wouldn't a Muslim say the same about the Kuran? Or a Hindu say that about the Bhagavad Gita? How do we know *for sure* that our particular line of thinking, and the texts and teaching we are placing our faith and hope in are actually the Truth? How do we know if we should be a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Muslim, an Atheist, an Agnostic, a Catholic, a Unitarian, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Latter Day Saint and the list could go on forever? To someone like me, who burns with a relentless pursuit of Truth and wisdom, and who loves God, discerning these things has taken on utmost importance.

My process for forming beliefs about the world is intentional, with a spirit of humility, recognizing that any belief or worldview I might hold is likely greatly distorted, given my flawed human nature. Scripture even tells us that our human minds are incapable of holding and understanding the whole Truth regarding the nature of reality and the Creator, as in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." There is a veil that shields us from the Ultimate Reality. And until that veil is completely lifted, either by death or a radical shift in consciousness, we are only able to graze the coattails of Truth. And so, even though I do hold certain unwavering convictions, I am tolerant and accepting of viewpoints opposed to mine. We are all just humans doing our best to walk each other home--even if we aren't hip to that fact. 

So what is my process? I've come to trust my inner knowing first and foremost. Intuition is a God given gift. You can call it the presence of the Holy Spirit, you can call it Prana or Chi, but ultimately--that life force that flows within me, and all beings, is the lifeforce that gifts spiritual sight, commonly called intuition. Inner knowing is not the same as egoic knowing in the mind, and it can take some time to develop the muscle of intuition, and the ability to tell the difference between egoic thought and intuitive nudges.  I have arrived at the conclusion that all people are born with this innate ability to speak the language of God. When presented within an idea or teaching, I pay attention most to how it feels within the body. And this of course requires a certain level of sensitivity.  Engaging in certain ways of thinking and being will dull this sensitivity, and likewise, living in alignment with the Spirit, or Divine will heighten this Awareness and develop this muscle.  I experience this in my own life regularly, and when my sensitivity feels dull, I know that some shifting in habits, beliefs and behaviors may be in order. So--what are the actual, physical sensations that cue what is True for me? 

1. Truth Bumps--also called 'goosebumps,' these tingles will happen when I encounter and am in the presence of a great Truth.

2. Emotion--when I sense something is True I will often have a spontaneous emotional experience. I will well up with tears, feel sorrow or joy. Feelings beyond the everyday range, but more intense and timeless.

3. Expansiveness--when I am weighing something within myself, to discern whether it is True or in alignment with the Creator, I will come to a quiet place in my heart and mind and determine whether a particular perspective gives me a feeling of expansiveness or contraction in my chest and solar plexus region. The Truth always 'sets you free' as the saying goes and will yield a sense of vastness and expansion, while fear will lead to a shrinking and contracting sensation.  
 
Many of my dearest friends will seek Truth in the Bible and then form their beliefs based on what they have read. That approach does not naturally flow from my heart or work for me. While I do regard the Bible as the primary literary source of Truth in my life, I typically tune in to the resonance within my body first, and then refer to the wisdom found in Scripture to test what I am feeling. I have never had an intuitive nudge that was counter to what Scripture shares. That being said, there is wisdom and Truth to be found in many texts, works of fiction, other religious texts and works of scientific discovery. To me the Truth is the Truth, no matter where you find it. Many Christians might take offense to the idea that I might find Truth in sources outside of Christianity or the Bible, they may even think it heretical, and that is okay too. We are all navigating this Reality the best we know how.  For me, intuition and critical thought are the cornerstones of teasing out Truth, and the Scriptures entrusted to us are meant to be supportive to those faculties, not the other way around. With the Holy Spirit alive in me, God gifts me with the ability to hear His voice and know His Truth, and that is a spiritual gift I treasure above all else.

With this Spirit I can detect and discern the presence of the Source of all Life regardless of human labels. God's magnitude could never be contained within the pages of a book, even a book filled with Truth and wisdom like the Bible. The Book is beautiful and a tremendously valuable resource and map for right living, but its human authors are flawed conduits attempting to convey the supernatural via human hands and minds--seeing as if through a mirror dimly.  Even Jesus called into question Moses and his earlier interpretation of God's will when He cast doubt on the doctrine of divorce.  Jesus was approached by the Pharisees as they attempted to test and trip Him up. They interrogated Him on the Old Testament teaching that a husband could divorce his wife. And Jesus responded "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning" Matthew 19:8. More than a teaching on divorce, this teaching shows my heart that even the authors of Scripture are flawed humans, reinforcing my belief that tuning in to the presence and will of the Holy Spirit is the first step in discerning what is True. In a future entry, I will share some of my favorite ways to tune in to the moving of the Holy Spirit, and some common pitfalls that may dull your spiritual sight and make it more challenging to connect to the Creator and the higher aspects of yourself. I hope this post blesses and inspires you. If you are a new seeker, or wanting to refine and hone your intuition, we have some great tools and tips for you. Click the button below to contact us so that we can partner together as you traverse the winding Path of awakening. Namaste and God bless <3

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At our homeschooling co-op this past week it was our family's turn for presentations and devotion. Admittedly, I was nervous to stand up in front of the group and speak. But not necessarily because I was concerned about people judging, making a mistake, or even feeling uncomfortable speaking in front of people in general. No, what I was nervous about was creating a devotion that would be meaningful, relevant and shared in a way that conveys the magnitude, splendor and gravity of our Creator. It came to me several times throughout the week that exploring this theme of 'busy-ness' might be something worth looking at more closely. Busy-ness is something I have struggled with for quite some time, and so it felt like a fitting topic to both dive deeper into, and then share what I discovered. See, God is so good--that even when there are aspects of our lives that distract us from relentlessly pursuing Him, he does not react in anger. Instead, he is like a patient, loving parent. Gently guiding and showing us our challenges and nudging us in the direction of greater edification. Here is what I learned in that week of preparation for this devotion:

What are we busy with? Anything and everything. The endless to-do lists, appointments, the housework, driving to all the kids' activities, making time for friends and family, keeping ourselves health, exercise, careers, side hustles. You name it. As a mother and human being living in the 21st century, busy is a way of life--sometimes even glorified. Having a full social calendar is often treated like a badge of honor. Checking off endless tasks on your never-ending to-do list giving a sense of self-worth and importance. But as children of God, we are not called to find our worth and value in outward accomplishments and filled up calendars. We have inherent value because we were created by a loving God, and at the most basic element of our nature we are Love. How easy it is to forget this! But scripture tells us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." (Mathew 6:33) If we are so busy that we forget to connect with our Source of being, then all we do loses its effectiveness. How much harder is it to keep the peace while moving through all of these daily activities and tasks without the supernatural peace that passes understanding. Taking a moment to remember God in all that we do, is the beginning of a life well-lived. Checking in with the Holy Spirit, praying for discernment on which activity will actually serve our highest and the good of all, before springing into action--is the lesson I am learning and re-learning at the moment.

So why the busy-ness and struggle in this area? Spirit revealed in my inner being 3 contributing factors that lead me to worship a full schedule, rather than aligning myself to the will of God in my day:

Avoidance
Maybe I am feeling guilty about something, maybe there's a sin that hasn't been dealt with--something I know I should have given up, or should have done differently, that leads me to hide from my Maker. Maybe there's unprocessed trauma within which makes it really uncomfortable to sit in stillness. Maybe I don't feel worthy or good enough to stand in the presence of the Almighty being that breathes galaxies into being. Maybe that level of might and power and goodness just feels intimidating. Or maybe it's some variation or combination of all of these. Avoiding the stillness and presence of our Source for any of these reasons is a lie of the lower mind, or the Enemy-- which wishes to keep us in separation, need and lack. 

Apathy
When we feel like our prayers, intentions and will make no difference, what is the incentive to pray? What is the incentive to pray if we feel like our prayers aren't being heard or aren't effective anyway? Jumping into action without first connecting to the Source of our being is like a tree cut off from its roots.

Anxiety
This area was probably my biggest aha throughout the week. I jump into action, and carry so much of the burden--especially when it comes to my kids, because I am anxious for their futures. Constantly asking myself what activities should they be involved in to ensure they are set up for success in their future? If we don't do this activity or this curriculum or swim in this social circle could they be royally screwed when they grow up? This doesn't only apply to children. If we carry the anxiety of our future success and happiness on our own shoulders, the outcome just may be over-activity and burnout. But to finish that verse from Matthew..."But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." In other words, if we entrust our futures, and the future success of our children to God, knowing that He has "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11), then we have the freedom to let go of the pressure of excess activity and outward motion.   

There's no doubt that activity is an aspect of life as a human. But how we choose to move through that activity, and the things we choose to do with our time make all the difference in the world. Throughout this week of self-reflection I have been reminded to "cast all my anxiety on Him because He cares for me (1Peter 5:7)." Whatever plans God has for me and my children will happen and He will make a way just like He always has. What a relief! So what are some of the practices that support us in carrying this awareness with us throughout our day-to-day? Some of the things that work for me:

Mindful breathing
Scripture
Getting out in nature
Conversing with the Creator
Connecting with the Higher Self
(that aspect of our selves that is always at one with the Creator)
Journal
High vibe/worship music
Taking a pause
Prayer

There's lists and reminders posted all over my office, in my car, in my wallet, on my bathroom mirror you get the picture. I intend to keep this list close and reflect on it often. After all, I don't have time to waste on busy-ness. Presence sounds like a much more appealing modus operandi. How will you connect with your center and keep your eyes fixed on your Creator this week?

With everything going on in the world. In the news, on tv, social media and closer to home-- at gas stations, grocery stores, driving on the road, car line at after school pick up, the parking lot...it is easy to feel hopeless, that peace is an impossible dream of the naive few who dare to dream it. But with a subtle shift in perspective, one arrives at the conclusion that of course, peace is readily available to all who seek it and understand where to find it. 

If you are looking for peace in the external--in another person, at the end of the next reel or short, in the myriad of entertainment options available on a multitude of streaming services, on a date with a beloved, while enjoying a piece of chocolate cake or anything else you might experience 'out there,' you will likely be waiting a while. If you are yearning for the end of a world at war, conflicts of all kind and a ceasing of the sort of trouble we see in the endless 24-hour news cycle, and you are hoping for some external event to come and fix it all--you had better be patient. Waiting for this kind of peace is futile. Sure, you might enjoy a dopamine fix or a rush of good feelings trying to fix things 'out there.' But as far as peace goes, real peace--a deep and lasting peace can only come from within. Now I know some may be reading this and thinking to themselves, hold on. Peace comes from above. It is Heavenly. It comes from my Father, from my guides, from any other higher power to whom we have entrusted our faith and hope.  And while this may be true...only the deposit of these heavenly qualities has been placed within us. It is up to us, the individual seeker, to nurture, cultivate and develop this gift of peace from within.

Paul the Apostle, the great creator of most of the Christian doctrine we refer to as the Bible, wrote of peace, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" Romans 12:18. Well easy for him to say. He wasn't being bombarded by keyboard pirates on social media, horrible news on constant replay streaming right into his pocket, his great aunt wasn't sitting across the table from him wearing a MAGA hat and his nephew wasn't an LGBTQ activist questioning his gender identity.  And these would be accurate statements. The troubles of his time were indeed much different, yet there were definitely troubles. In fact, Paul wrote most of the New Testament from a Roman prison. Nothing like the prison we conjure in our mind's eye today. No this would have been brutal, inhuman living conditions. And yet, he also writes "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. So yes, in this way, peace--true and lasting peace is a gift from God. However, there are things we must do--both things listed in the verse above, and additional practices that support us in our efforts to bring this peace into its full expression and maturity.  

While I may not have endured imprisonment in a Roman jail cell, I've experienced a different kind of prison. I've been in the pit of despair, hopeless, godless, fretful, anxious, addicted, envious, and downright confused. By the grace of God I have been scooped out of those experiences by and large, but also by my own actions. Inspired actions I have been led to take by that Spirit that is eternal, timeless and infinite. Prayer, the practice of yoga, EFT tapping, alternative therapies like EMDR and hypnosis, a regular meditation practice, journaling and an unquenchable thirst to seek the Truth from the essence of my Soul. All of these have continued to cultivate this good and beautiful deposit of peace within me. 

One of my favorite things to say while leading a yoga class through a series of standing balance poses is that 'a seasoned yogi would be able to stand in tree pose, totally undisturbed, maintaining their Drishti or inner focus, anywhere--even in the middle of Times Square.' How much practice and devotion would that level of inner focus require? This is what is required of us all. Imagine for a moment what the world might be like if each of us were able to access that level of inner peace--no matter what disturbances might be happening around us. This is our work. To discover for ourselves the practices and tools that support us each in our path to acquire this level of peace anew each morning. I encourage you to reflect on yours. And if you are wanting a little extra support for your journey visit our Offerings section to explore the ways we might be able to partner together. The majority of us humans are hurting by what is happening and has been happening for millennia on this planet. Let NOW be the time we take the reins and responsibility for our own little corner of time and space. Let us all recognize the great power we have within us to BE the change we wish to see in the world.

If you're anything like me, within seconds of turning on the TV you are overwhelmed by the images of violence, destruction and conflict you see.  Watching the news is out of the question if I hope to maintain a sense of calm and centeredness in my brain.  But even in the most benign of television shows it can feel like we are bombarded with negativity.  Apart from the occasional inspiring viral video about puppies who save their owners' lives or orphans who create a charity to feed other poor malnourished orphans, social media may be the scariest place of all.  We live in trying times my friends.  With all the war, hunger, famine, drought, disease, terrorism, corruption, death, strife, natural disasters, refugees, politics and conflict.  Sometimes all the noise can get so loud that it is easy to forget that things have always been this way.  Actually, if you study up on your history it probably won't take long for you to find a time in human history admittedly more trying than the present.  For as long as human beings have existed on this planet, problems such as these have existed.  

I am not trying to suggest that our time isn't plagued with ills of its own.  Nor do I wish to downplay the grave struggles that a great deal of people are facing. The struggle is real people, this we know.  Just maybe not as cataclysmic as we may believe in our fear addicted minds.  Frightening world events and local tragedies are not happening on a more frequent basis.  We are just exposed to them exponentially more in this day and age.  The availability and cosumption of mass media is so pervasive that many of us in the developed world are dizzied by the horrors we are met with each time we tune in, log on and connect.  This constant connectivity and unceasing coverage of events near and far leaves us in a mental tailspin, susceptible to anxiety, depression and great depths of despair.  At times I am left wanting to bury my head in the sand.  I even feel hypocritical telling my son he has no reason to be afraid of bad guys.  Heck, sometimes I'm really afraid of the bad guys.  Just like anything else though, I have to choose sanity over insanity, faith over fear.  Seeing as the status quo won't be changing any time soon, I've borrowed a line from the serenity prayer and learned to accept that which I cannot change.  How do I do that?  Well I've contemplated the process and broken it down into 3 easy and repeatable steps.

​1. Maybe I'm weird...okay I am definitely weird.  But I find comfort in allowing my mind to go to the worst case scenario.  So I am stuck in a movie theater with a gunman on a rampage.  A mass pandemic sweeps the nation and I contract the deadly disease.  There's an Earthquake and my house is sucked down deep into the core of the Earth.  In 2020 Miley Cyrus runs for president AND wins.  What is the worst case scenario?  I die.  Or even worse...a loved one dies.  Or worse still, Miley Cyrus becomes president.  (I kid, I kid...figured the post just needed some levity after all that tragedy) The point is, all of these travesties have no power over you when you confront the real fear behind the tragedy--death and suffering.

​2. So how to overcome the fear of death and suffering?  Faith!  Have faith that no matter what bad things may happen, as long as I keep connected to God, He will give me the peace, comfort and strength to withstand anything.  I know this because He has.  He has always lived up to His promise, even beyond anything I could have asked for or believed possible.  The key is in having an intimate relationship with the Creator.  Not sure how to do this?  Talk to Him, Her, It.  Whatever feels natural for you.  Once you have the relationship thing down, God can then act as the Great comforter, the redeemer, the healer, provider of peace that passes all human understanding.

​3. Looking for a more practical application here?  Good, I've got that for you too.  Come back to the present moment.  Where am I right now?  Am I safe?  Am I hungry?  In pain, or comfortable?  This is most certainly easier said than done.  The human condition is such that we are constantly wallowing in our past and anxiously anticipating our future.  A simple tool we yogis use to come back to the present moment is focusing on the breath.  Bringing awareness to the breath not only cultivates mindfulness, but it can also be used to calm your senses, or heighten them, depending on how you breathe.  Even when the present moment is uncomfortable, it is the only one that truly exists.  When we dive in and surrender to each present moment, that is where our true life lives.
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​We no doubt live in scary times, but we do not need to live in fear.  Any time I feel fear and insecurity creeping in I remember these words: "So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

​If you are struggling with what to make of this mad world we live in, I encourage you to reach out to a counseling professional, or at least the comfort of a good friend.  I am also available for yoga infused lifestyle consultations to ease your struggle.  Leave a comment or fill out the contact form to schedule yours today.   Blessings to you and yours.  Namaste (Originally posted January of 2017)

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