Awakening to your Sacred Self
By Bob Russo

If we carefully examine many of the sacred texts that exist today and read the writings of mystics both East and West, we will discover a common theme in all.  The theme is that each person, in essence, is divine.  The Bible tells us that we were made “in the image and likeness of God.”  The Vedanta philosophy from India reminds us also that the “real nature” of all human beings is divine. 

The 14th century Christian mystic Meister Eckhart leaves us with his thought, not only on our inherent divinity, but the divinity of all Life.

 “All things are contained in the One, by virtue of the fact that it is one. For all multiplicity is one, and is one thing, and is in and through the One. . . The One is not distinct from all things. Therefore all things in the fullness of being are in the One by virtue of its indistinction and unity.”   [Sermon LW XXIX]

The poet and Sufi mystic, Hafiz, who lived in present day Iran from 1320 – 1389, wrote these profound yet simple words to describe our true essence.

“I wish I could show you,

When you are alone or in darkness,

The Astonishing Light

Of your own Being!”

And, more recently, present spiritual guide for the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, P. Rajagopalachari, affectionately known as Chari, writes in Salient Features of Sahaj Marg.

“Our real nature is that of changeless simplicity, which is the essence of the Absolute itself. The changeless state is always there in us, but we are mostly absorbed with the changeable. The changeless state of being can only be felt when we become subtle our self."

Many enlightened souls who have walked this earth have told us that we are “spiritual beings having a human experience.”  This statement directly contradicts what most of us have been conditioned to believe about ourselves.  Most likely, you were taught that God is somehow apart or distant from you or that your intellect, emotions, desires, likes and dislikes are who you are.  But, if we retreat for a time from the hustle bustle lives we often lead, slow down a bit, and dig a little deeper, we may begin to discover a part or depth of ourselves that we never knew existed.  

Slowing down and looking “within” are primary ingredients on the path of Awakening or Self-discovery.  By Self, I mean our spiritual essence or “soul quality,” our core being that is always connected to God.  It’s that part of us that can feel and taste the Divine essence that lives through and in all living things.  It is revealed in the beauty of a rose, a simple gesture of gratitude, and in the grief we experience upon the death of a loved one.   And, it’s also the vulnerability we experience as we move forward into the field of emptiness, that realm of the divine that can only be experienced and never “known.”  

The journey is not about “following the herd” but awakening to our unique spiritual blueprint that defines our way in the world.  It encourages us to let go of our habitual ways of being that set limits on how we think, and respond to life with a sense of wonderment and newness to life’s experiences.  It offers us life as a “sacrament.”  By sacrament, I mean a doorway through which we come into God’s presence and connect to our very Self.  And, this can happen in a number of ways, each unique to each one of us. 

In a sense, the journey is actually no journey at all but a process of “becoming” whereby we steadily let go of the attitudes, programs, and beliefs that conceal our divine nature.  When I’m not sure of a direction to take when responding to a challenging situation, for example, I simply ask myself, “What response is in alignment with my highest spiritual good?”  You’ll be surprised at the answers you’ll receive! 

Here are a few suggestions for connecting to your inherent Divinity. 

• Develop a meditation practice.  Meditation is simply a process of slowing down and turning our attention within so that we can renew our connection to our Higher Self.  It also enables us to gain greater equanimity and balance in our lives. 
• Spend time in nature.  Connecting with Mother Earth is a great way to let go of stress and revitalize our physical bodies and minds.  Some suggestions include planting a vegetable garden, visiting a nature preserve, or just sitting in the comfort of your own backyard.  But, whatever you do, just be with your surroundings.  Allow yourself to be fully observant.  You may be surprised at what you see!
• Constant remembrance.  This includes remembering the “bigger” picture in life; that life is an expression of the Divine.  Not only are you inherently divine but also are those around you.  One of my favorite forms of remembrance is the greeting “Namaste,” meaning, “'The God in me greets the God in you.”
• Define our values.  Our values represent what is most important to us.  They provide the fuel and will to create relationships and situations that reflect our unique blueprint for living.  They also supply the material for creating healthy boundaries in our lives. 
• Create healthy boundaries.  Healthy boundaries are like a “fence around the crop.”  They protect our inner spirit from unwanted energies or situations that can distract us from our spiritual center.  If you feel drained after a particular interaction with someone or a particular situation, chances are that your personal boundaries were not clearly established.  Healthy boundaries may include taking no business calls after 6 PM, turning off your cell phone when writing in your journal, or putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door when meditating.  It may also include saying “no” to requests that you may have said yes to in the past out of guilt or need for approval.
• Personal Retreats.  Take some time each year for personal quiet time away from your usual surroundings.  This is time set aside for nurturing your soul and connecting to the Divine Presence within you.  Spiritual directors are often available that can help you gain greater insight and awareness into the transformation occurring in your life.  A personal retreat is incredibly invigorating, and music to the soul!
• Stay physically active.  This may include daily yoga or stretching, moderate weight training, walking, or some other form of light aerobic exercise. The options are almost endless.  By staying physically active, we feed our soul and provide ourselves with greater energy and clarity of mind.  

To close, I would like to extend my wholehearted support to you on your Sacred Journey.  And, I ask you to keep in mind that the journey is not about solving some sort of problem but rather about letting go of the mental verbiage and beliefs that have defined us for so long.  It’s like gently sanding a piece of oak furniture and discovering the beautiful grains hidden just beneath the surface, the Divine Self.

I invite you to join and lend support to all people who have made this Sacred Journey a major part of their lives.

Namaste’

Suggested Reading

Open Mind Open Heart by Thomas Keating

The Impact of Awakening by Adyashanti

I Heard God Laughing, Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky

Stand Up For Your Life by Cheryl Richardson