Traversing Our Own Sacred Spiral of Growth

I am traversing a sacred spiral staircase of ever more willingness and action
         for awareness, knowing and acceptance.
I come again full circle to the next place in my life,
        arriving with a slightly different perspective-a more aware point of view.
My willingness and action, even in fits, stops and starts
        grows me into more Me.
I ascend the spiral staircase to Great Mystery, Divine Source.
This is Good Orderly Direction, an acronym for G.O.D.

Self Reflection: With good orderly direction, I can trust my path in life

Living in the Sacred Spiral of Awareness, Knowing and the Choice of Acceptance

Carolyn Shares:  I feel blessed to have some of the wise members of our moon circle community occasionally author posts.  The wisdom they share inspires and guides me-sometimes pointing out a new point of view or awareness.  When Lisa shared her mandala for March, I found myself in synchronicity with both the visual of the mandala and Lisa's thoughts.  I was touched by Sara's post on awareness and taking time for the depth and truth of knowing to sink in and the prayer she shared.

This is the poem on awareness, choice, patience and change that came through me when I saw the spiraling nature of Lisa's March mandala.

This Cycle to Know and Accept Truth

I know and accept it is a cycle of many cycles.

It has it's own purpose and teaching, one of many.

It has a rhythm and flow.

I begin with an awareness of what I know

Then awareness of accepting (or not) what I know

Then awareness of how my acceptance or non-acceptance 

FEELS in my being [body, emotions, mind and spirit]

Then another level of knowing

and awareness

and accepting (or not).

I am traversing a sacred spiral 

Coming to know

the Truth of my being and my purpose

in the ebb and flow

in the rhythm and cycle of

Knowing/Awareness/Acceptance (or not).

Self Reflection: 

Know/Aware/Accept/Aware/Know

Aware/Accept/Aware/Know/Aware

Accept/Aware/Know/Aware/Accept

Aware/Know/Aware/Accept/Aware

Know/Accept

Aware

Prayer for the Courage to Know My Real Self

I ask to be willing to continue my journey to know and accept who I am.

To accept who I am in the core of my being, as the person I am created to be, my Real and True Self.

Keep me solid in my sense of excitement and possibility for what I discover

as I stay in willingness to know myself better.

Keep the illusions of images and roles, mistakes and humiliation at bay.

Remind me these illusions can overpower my ability to sense what it Truth.

Steady me as I begin to feel the hope and freedom of truthful knowing 

that comes with accepting this new awareness of myself.

Keep me in the place of hope and possibility as I ask:
"What if I really could be...?"

"What if I really could do...?"

"What if I really am...?"

Keep me in present time, the only time there is, where I embrace possibility as reality.

Self Reflection: I ask to be willing to know and accept the Truth who I am.

Awareness and Change

Awareness is the beginning of change. Just being aware begins the process of change. We must have awareness before we can know and accept.

Be aware of your choices and accept the consequences of those choices. From this place of full and honest knowing, action will flow when you are ready; when it is what you truly desire.

Sometimes, we need to sit with the knowing a while, before we are ready, before we truly desire. Have compassion for yourself in this time. As long as you stay in awareness, the change is incubating. Alignment and right action will eventually follow.

Self Reflection: Am I aware of my awareness?

on not hanging on to our present idea of good

When what we know and accept about ourselves feels like it is good enough, or that we are a finished product, or that we have finally arrived, we are likely entering the realm of illusion--once more time. When we keep striving to improve our lives and ourselves, to get to where we think we want to go, it is easy to forget there is no end point. We forget life is an ever-transforming journey. 
This journey is not to be feared, but embraced as we are ever evolving, ever more becoming, ever more being the person we were created to become. When we finally surrender to this process, we then experience the transforming joy of truth.  

He who binds to himself a joy 

Does the winged life destroy; 

But he who kisses the joy as it flies

 Lives in eternity's sun rise. 

William Blake

Self Reflection: I set my self free for transformation and joy!

Shedding Old Beliefs

New ways of thinking, doing, and being come through conscious awareness.
We consciously trade in our current knowledge for greater Wisdom and knowing.
This knowing is much deeper, more grounded in truth, and more expansive than 'knowledge'.
'Knowledge' is connected with our personality, ego and 'book-learning' and the self-protective interpretations of our experiences.
Knowledge is frequently rooted in fears.
This kind of self-knowledge is what habituates into false beliefs.
It is easy to cling to the beliefs we have about ourselves, especially if those beliefs are self-critical.

Self Reflection:  Do my interpretations and beliefs about my life come more from my fears or from the Knowing which comes through connecting to Divine Guidance?

Lisa Sharing on Her Mandala and Wisdom for March's Moon

Spiraling in, expanding out,

ordering thoughts.

Digging, burying,

un/covering earthy understandings.

Overlapping intentions:

Accepting the truth.

 March Full Moon Mandala 

detail, March Full Moon Mandala

copyright, 2016 Lisa Kay

8 " x 9 " Mixed media (pastels, paint) and found objects 

( beads, buttons, charms, Grandma Annie's bracelet, wisteria seed pods) on matt board.

 

Slow Down and Know the Truth

To grow ourselves to be in our full human stature does require some shifts in the way we 'do' our daily life.
First- the process of coming to know and accept the core Truth of our being (which is goodness) happens over time. And as the cycles of the moon continually remind us, these awareness and changes happen in ebbs and flows.  It is the ebbing and flowing which allows what is Truth to plant deep and sustainable roots within our being.
Slow down, if you want to able to sense clearly what is Truth.
Slow down your breath,
Slow down your thoughts
Slow down your actions
Slow down, be conscious of your prayers
Slow down your smiles
Slow down your looking
Slow down your listening
Slow down your eating
Slow down brushing your teeth
Slow down waking up
Slow down putting yourself to bed.
Slow down everything, except perhaps your willingness to love ALL.
This slowing down practise becomes a space for Truth to take root.
Imagine slowing down as a habit.

Self Reflection: I consciously slow down my day to sense what is Truth in my life.

Moon Cycles as Reflections of Our Soul's Growth

These moon cycles are really teachings for our soul.
The moon symbolizes the rhythmic journey of our soul's growth.
We receive and reflect the light of Source, then going within, taking time to reflect in darkness,
         and then, becoming visible, we are reflected in the light.
There is always this dependable pattern:
         receiving and taking in, integrating and reflecting out.
What we are taking in is Light.
Light, symbolizing the good that is ALL of Creation, us included.

Self-Reflection:  I am a receiver of the light of Creation.  I reflect what I am able to receive.

We Are Invited to Know Ourselves Better

Carolyn Shares:  I know we are months past Christmas, but this morning I found myself thinking about Dickens's Christmas Carol. There is a part in the story where the Ghost of Christmas Present invites Scrooge to "Come close and know me better."  This is the phrase I heard as I sat in contemplation about this full moon message:  This cycle to Know and Accept Truth is  an invitation to come close to ourselves so that we can know ever more clearly the truth of who we really are and to accept the wonderment of this 'hidden' self. Through our relationship with the rest of creation, we come to know more about who we are and why we are here, now, at this time in the history of the world.  We all have a purpose, often hidden from our awareness until we are ready to accept our possibility and potential.  I was also reminded today that, often, our willingness to accept our true self requires healing and restoration, and for that relationship with others is key.  This morning a blogger I follow wrote a wonderful tale of how this healing through relationship happens.  You can read dr.kelly flanagan 's blog post.

For the waning phase of March Moon the Daily Inspirations will focus on ways to open to the truth of our gifts, strengths and journey.

Self Reflection: I commit to opening to my true gifts during the Second half of this moon cycle.

The Light of the Full Moon Shines Light on the Many Facets of Truth

Being willing to Know Truth, regardless of how it may change our belief or point of view, brings us remarkable freedom.  We no longer have to be afraid of what we don’t know,

The Elders teach that by accepting Truth the seeker finds doors open to more wisdom and to more possibility to live the lives she or he are designed to live. 

This Truth the Elders speak of, is not the truth of intellectual knowledge, but a knowing which surpasses the understanding of the mind.  We comprehend this kind of knowing through our heart.  

Self Reflection: Trust that you already possess this kind of knowing, because all human beings do.  

Trust this Truth and fear less.

Reflections On the Waxing Moon

As the waxing moon moves toward fullness and the second half of this powerful moon cycle,
remember these are the qualities of the Wise Discerner:
Facing uncomfortable truths,
Knowing and accepting strengths and weaknesses,
Seeing ALL with clarity of heart,
Compassionate acceptance of mistakes,
(all for both self and others).

Self Reflection: As I move through the last days of the waxing moon,
I reflect on the waxing moon directives:
What are the uncomfortable truths I became willing to face?
What self-worth and talent have I come to accept in the last two weeks?
What clarity have I come to know/accept, about myself/about others?
What mistakes have I come to accept and hold in heartfelt compassion, for myself/for others?

The Relationship Between Truth and Fear

Over time we absorb more truth about ourselves, about our world,
           and about what amazing creation is STILL being created;
                     For us,
                     Through us,
                     By us.
We show up and tune in to the rhythm of the moon cycles.
We come into sync with the world around us.
Over time, we will come into sync with our own being.
Over time, we will live in sync with Truth.

Being aware of (and honoring) our own personal rhythms is an antidote for fear.
Living in alignment with our personal rhythm is an essential step for discerning
          what is real from what is  F.E.A.R (false evidence appearing real).
To Know and Accept Truth is an antidote to fear.

Self Reflection: This moon cycle invites awareness of my personal rhythms, an essential step to know and accept the Truth of my self, to know and accept the Truth of fear.

Becoming Willing to Know and Accept

This Moon Cycle asks us to become willing to Know and to Accept Truth.

We are asked to know and accept without any promise of what the outcome will be
           when we know more of our Self,
           when we accept more of our Self.
We are so much more than who we currently know ourselves to be
We are so far beyond the limited acceptability we claim for ourselves.
When we sit in judgment of our perceived strengths and weakness
          we limit our ability to use our perceived strengths for good and
          we limit our ability to avoid the pitfalls of our perceived weakness.
To move from judgment to discernment means we are able to allow for what we don't know and cannot accept. Acknowledging our judgment and prejudice (non-acceptance) is a giant step toward deeper knowing and deeper acceptance and this will lead us to knowing and accepting the deeper and wondrous Truth of ourselves, of others, of our world.

Self reflection:
Am I willing to know what I don't know?
Am I willing to accept what will make itself known to me?
Without conditions?
If not, what would I need to be able to step into this way of being in the world?

Oh to Discern like Cats and Dogs

We all have strengths. We all have weaknesses.  The questions which are asked of us for wiser knowing and more sweeping awareness are these:
How do we know that what we claim as our strengths are really strengths?
How do we know that what we shame ourselves for as weakness really is weakness?
How do we know?
How?
Do we sit and gather evidence to prove OUR perspective right?
Do we compare and contrast ourselves with others?

Let us ask for the kind of discernment that our animal friends have with their discerning sense of smell.  Science tell us the cats and dogs have at least 75 million (cats) to 295 million (dogs) more smell receptors than us humans.   Ah that we could have that kind of discernment about the Truth of who we are.

Self Reflection:  I ask Creator for guidance to develop discernment--for wiser 'knowing' and expansive 'awareness'.

Feelings Are Real, But They Might Not be Reality

A woman of wise counsel tells Carolyn; "Remember that feelings are real; but they may not be reality."
Our feelings are real.  They frequently determine our decisions- both our action and our inaction.

In discerning, we honor that the feelings we have are the feelings we have. We can't say --"I'm not going to have XYZ feelings" and expect that 'poof', our feelings just won't be there.  To live with this expectation would be living in denial, or self-delusion, or living in a lie.

When our feelings won't leave us alone, we can be pretty sure these feelings are out of alignment with Truth.  Whether these feelings are of shame or feelings of superiority, it is likely these feelings are not based in reality.

How do we begin to weigh the truth of our feelings? Begin with awareness of feeling, and (over time) we begin to be able to 'sniff out' what is true and is is misguided. Our feelings will come in alignment with that Truth.

Self-Reflection: Begin with, be with this awareness.  Refrain from self-judgment. That is all I need do for now.

March New Moon: The Cycle of Know/Accept Truth (Discernment)

It is the New Moon for March and the Truth Cycle of Know/Accept Truth
This cycle to know/accept Truth teaches us the elements of discernment, a skill and tool necessary for becoming and living as a wise and just person.

New moons invite the resetting or refinement of our vision.  An ability to know and to accept (elements necessary for discernment) help us to know a bigger vision, We are no different than the tiny mustard seed or the little acorn.  Our potential to become something magnificent is held within each of us.  It is our task to open to the vision of what is within, and yes, this does require a great deal of discernment--but there is a whole month for that!

For now, Take time during the hours of the  new moon  to invite your inner vision for your life to make it self known to you.. Envision your life at it's fullest. Envision all the support--both from the inside, from Creator/God/Great Mystery, from the world around you.  What does this support look like?  Don't worry about from where it comes, just that all the support you might possibly need shows up for you. Write it all down. Write a job description for 'God'--what you would want 'God' to do in terms of supporting your commitment to living fully.

This can and should be a fun exercise, don't hold back.  It may not be an easy exercise, many of us have difficulty allowing ourselves to know our vision and to accept it.  We have a whole month to explore what is Truth for this vision for our selves, and to accept what we come to know.

Self Reflection: Do you see one tiny intention from what comes forward for this month that is calling for your attention?  What support would be needed to commit to this intention?

Knowing and Accepting the Truth for the Creative Aspect of My Life.

This poem came to me as I sat in my morning contemplation:

Oh, that I would be the lily of the field,

Or the bird on the wing,

Or the seed in the soil,

Or Jumping Mouse!!!

How would I be if I were these?

Life would flow from me,

              and through me,

                             and in me.

I would be both the river and the river bed.

How is it that I am not that now?

I am rather the dam that stops the flow of me,

              of Grace through me out into the world.

To know and accept the Truth as it is in my creative life, [my work, how I spend my leisure time (if in fact I consciously give myself play time), my attention to my finances, and my philanthropy] requires willingness to know Truth, no matter what I fear Truth might be (I do confess it is never, ever as bad as I fear it will be.).   Harder yet, is to accept the immense creative fullness of Truth as creator has ordained it for me, for all of us. 

I pray for the willingness and grace to know and accept the Truth of my creative, abundant being;  remove my dam, let my life flow.  

Reviewing Relationships as Offerings and Gifts

Every relationship in life is an offering and a gift to other from me; and to me from the other. Taking each element of the Relationship Self, what person first comes to mind when sitting with each of these elements: Friends and Colleagues, Partner, Family, Children.

What are the gifts and offerings between us?

As I move forward in my life, which of these relationships calls most strongly to me to pay attention to through the remainder of this year?

When I am able to Know and Accept Truth in my relationships, I am able to receive them as the life enriching Gift and Offering they are. 

Knowing and Accepting Truth and Our Sense of Smell

I was first confused when I tried to understand the relationship between our olfactory sense and cycle of Know and Accept Truth.   As I sat in my morning contemplation, a visual image came to me like a video looping through my mind.  I first, saw one dog, running paces in a field.  It was then joined by two more dogs. They ran a systematic pattern across the field, sniffing intently one side to the next. I could see nothing out of the ordinary about the field, grass and prairie flowers, and a few trees at the edge. As I watched, I saw that the dogs kept going back to the same area and circling around.   Leaving and coming back again.

“Ah hah”, I thought.  We use our olfactory sense to sniff things out in our life. We have phrases we use that refer to finding out a truth, like ‘something smells fishy’.  Our sense of smell tells us if something is pleasing or repulsive.  It also influences how food tastes, even whether food has a taste at all.   The sense of smell is probably the second sense experienced by an infant after birth.  Indeed, most mammals and birds bond with their parent figures through their olfactory senses.  I began to understand how the deeper discriminating qualities of our olfactory sense can support us in our knowing and accepting of the Truth of our life.