It may seem like “enlightenment” is a place far far away – one that requires us to struggle and suffer to even get close. It may seem like in order to take this “path towards enlightenment” seriously, we need to have the right clothes, buy the right crystals, wear the right pendants, pay for the right courses and follow the right practices. According to these ideas, an enlightened person should look like this:

Enlightenment has become the new “promised land” of spirituality, the state that guarantees peace, happiness, joy and the fulfillment of all desires. It is often portrayed as the “guru” life, one where people will look up to you and consider you as “better” and “wiser” than them. To put it simply, enlightenment can become quite the obstacle to enlightenment.

Dear Ones, do you know what brings you joy? What you are passionate about? What makes your heart sing? Sadly, many of you have been so consumed with duty and caring for others, that your own joyful activities have gone by the wayside.

If you do not know what brings you joy, it is your sacred mission, right now, to figure that out. An easy way to get some clarity is to go to a book store or library and browse up and down every aisle. Where you linger the longest is an indicator of where your interests lay. This is an excellent way of discovering what draws you without investing a large amount of money and time.

We encourage you to decide right now, before the start of a new year, to actively pursue pastimes that make your heart happy, allow you to feel fully present, and honour your own interests. If you understand that following your passions puts you into alignment with your soul and Source energy, there is no such thing as being too busy do so.

Don’t pressure yourself to find the perfect activity or to excel at it. Enjoyment is the indicator of success in this situation, so try many things and if you don’t like something, try something else! It is a embarking on grand voyage of self discovery and joyful expansion, that you simply cannot get wrong. ~Archangel Gabriel

http://trinityesoterics.com/2015/12/14/daily-message-monday-december-14-2015/

What do you think I am?
I am the quiet voice of encouragement when you need it most.
I am the feeling of love that comes over you when no one else is around.
I am the forgiveness you finally allow yourself.
I am the joy in the connection with others.
I am the laughter that comes from nowhere.
I am that moment of accomplishment during what you feel is your worst day.
Notice, embrace and know I am with you always. ~ Creator

https://thecreatorwritings.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/what-am-i/

By Stephen John O’Connor
Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Not A ‘Normal’ Journey

I have been on a journey for most of my life. Not a normal journey, but one of the soul, the spirit – of the one behind the one who I thought I was. Something or someone has been propelling me through this lifetime as though I am a passenger on a fate-bound mystical train with no way to look forward and only a view of where I have been.

Since I was very young, I felt urged toward uncovering the occult secrets of the Masters from the past. I read and I discovered. First, came the Western Esoteric Tradition. It started with the College of Esoteric Studies out of Barbados. Then, The Rosicrucian Order A.M.O.R.C., where I became Master of the Lodge. Continuing my search, I read Ouspensky, Gurdjieff, Wei Wu Wei, and Harold Percival. All pretty heady stuff. I felt like I was making progress, but to where?