Category: exploration
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Last week, my autobiographical short story was released to read for free on T.W.N. I hope readers find it encouraging and enlightening. I’m not used to putting out personal content – therefore, it was a challenge for me. I’m glad I did it, though, and am happy that I can cross yet another writing project off my to-do list!
Stay tuned for a new life update, literary news, and more entries in “The True Sacred Space” series.
- E.W.
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This post came at a perfect time for me. I hope it helps others feel they aren’t alone, as well.
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During my time studying with Alura, She has encouraged the use of transcendental meditation. I can definitely attest to how essential it is. Setting up a regular meditation schedule and sticking to it is something I’ve had to do, and now it’s become more vital than ever. If I don’t do it, I notice the effects.
This also plays into an important lesson I’ve been learning: perseverance. Without going into too much detail, many things in life have gotten me down. Contrary to what New Age kept promoting, the spiritual path is not a bowl of cherries. There will always be obstacles – both of your own making and some from opposing forces – but do you know the real reason(s) they are there? Are they lessons? Tests? Prompts to get to you to go deeper? It’s nearly impossible to tell if you don’t have someone to help you or if you reject the idea that you need help and try to be your own “god”.
Speaking from personal experience, that’s never a wise idea. A wise person admits they need genuine help and asks for it. What is there to lose? Pride is not all it’s cracked up to be. I had to make a decision to value my soul over my pride, and I continue to make that choice each day. It’s the best choice I ever could have made.
Of course, one of the main obstacles to getting that help was financial because humans have created a society that places money above everything else. However, that just meant I had to plan to become more independent – which I’m supposed to do anyway. This was an added incentive. In the meantime, I take full advantage of all the posts, advice, and information my mentor puts out for free and try to follow as much of it as possible. Staying connected to people in our private Facebook group and other online platforms helps a great deal, too.
When I say “clear the air”, I suppose I should also add “clear the water” – since they say water represents emotions. When you truly put effort into following the advice and taking a leap of faith every now and then, you’ll eventually find yourself in a better emotional state. Meditation can seem like a struggle at first, but I know that’s either opposition or the natural result of something that can be used to stop me from going further. And since I’m empathic, not all the emotions I feel are necessarily my own. That can be hard to remember when you’re in the middle of it, but I try.
I struggle with motivation and anxiety just as others do, but I choose to use this as an opportunity to do something with them. I have to make the decision to seek help when needed and distract myself away from worldly distractions and refocus on the goals that probably aren’t as distant as they seem. Prayer is a great help, too. I pray multiple times a day – no set number, no fancy ceremony. I just talk to the Heavens.
Taking a break to physically exercise, spending time at my shrines or altar, and being with family are also vitally important to my well-being. It’s good to focus on the needs of someone other than yourself, too – family, friends, strangers who are having a tough time, as well. My mother has always said, “There’s always somebody who has it worse than you.” I’ve met some of them, and it makes me grateful for what I have and have done with my life. It also encourages me to keep aiming for my goals so I can one day help others more effectively. For now, kind words and a little extra effort are enough; and they can go a long way.
Learning the deeper truth about yourself and facing the “ugly parts” can be difficult, but perhaps we over-emphasize how difficult it can be. If the struggle is what you focus on, then that’s all you’ll see/feel/experience. I’m trying not to judge, only observe. Adopting that mindset has made a huge difference in my stress levels lately. Eventually, I see why I’ve been the way I have been and can learn, forgive, let go, an move on. The change happens almost automatically.
Yes, the obstacles will still come up. Yes, there are going to be days when you feel stuck; but it’s not the end of the world. Heaven takes care of those who truly believe and desire to grow the right way. My mentor has never given up on me because that’s the way Heaven is. One day, I hope I’ll be as unconditional. Meanwhile, I’m in training. That’s what my human life is for. So, I’m not going to panic if I get something wrong or give in to the temptation to pull away. No matter what the world decides to do, I can always work with God to make the air a little clearer.
- E.W.
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After taking a break from Superlative Deviation last week, a multi-part installment of “The True Sacred Space” will be released this coming Tuesday. Be sure to check back then.
- E.W.
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As previously mentioned, having a physical space dedicated to spending one-on-one time with Spirit can be very important and uplifting. I’ve had some kind of shrine devoted to my relationship with God and Heaven for many years now.
I decided to dedicate this post to my friend, Toby, as well as others who might find it difficult or impractical to set aside such a space. Having spent many closeted years, I can say it’s not really as hard as it might seem to make your own outward sacred space. You just need to get a bit more flexible and creative than others do.
Personally, I don’t think there’s a “wrong way” to go about making your own shrine, especially in the beginning. The best ones I’ve used have all been portable and easy to conceal. A while back, I was in a situation that required me to be very covert about my spirituality. However, I desperately needed to see an image of something to motivate myself and maintain a sense of continuity. So, I used an empty breath mint tin to store small trinkets that served as reminders of what I was striving for.
This was extra special and unique because everything I used was something I found in the surrounding environment. I would keep the tin in my pocket or purse and take it out at night before bed. I focused on breathing, talking to Heaven in prayer, and thanking nature for providing what I needed. The next morning, I’d take a few minutes or even seconds to sit with my little shrine again and ask for help in the day ahead.
As far as what to use in/on your sacred space, it’s really up to you. Because of my own understanding of how God makes and organizes the physical reality, I began by collecting representations of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. A small stone I picked up on a walk represented earth. I originally used a leaf for air, if I recall correctly; but it was easily damaged. Instead, I used a scrap of paper. For fire, I used an acorn. And for water, I used a thin, blue ribbon that had come off an old piece of clothing and was about to be discarded.
While I don’t like sharing photos of my spaces online, I will share images related to various portable or easily-concealable shrines on my instagram over the next week or so. Be sure to take a look! I may also include a few pictures in part two, where I’ll give additional ideas based on setups I’ve used over time. Feel free to adapt them to suit your tastes and needs.
- E.W.
(Featured image found online. No copyright violation intended.)
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When people talk about sacred space, they invariably use the term to mean something very stereotypical – a church building, a circle, an altar, a shrine. While those are all nice to look at, what are they truly? Stuff.
My mentor Alura has always taught that the spiritual journey is not part of life; life is the spiritual journey. If you’ve taken Her courses, you have a better idea of just how deep this saying goes. Therefore (in my considered opinion), sacred space isn’t a thing. It’s a person, a spirit, a soul. It’s you.
What is it that we’re taught about places that are sacred? There are things you don’t bring to them, do in them, or use them for. Profanity, nearly all modern music, inappropriate dress and behavior, and impure thoughts and feelings are just a few of the big no-nos. Yet what do we see in people’s lives? All of the above and more. If life is the spiritual journey and you are the sacred space, then is it any wonder so few of us are truly happy? Look at what we’re letting in!
Another thing I learned with Alura is that what you put into your consciousness goes with you, both in life and after you die. All that information – be it visual, emotional, mental, spiritual, psychological, etc. – will be used for something at some point in one way or another. What do you think it’s going to be used for?
Many people say they want to learn the truth, but how many really mean it? Learning the truth means you can no longer live the way you used to. You have no excuse to behave the way you did before, and you can’t just go out and party, drink, gossip, make yourself “feel good”, treat others like trash, or talk bad about your family anymore. You start to see all things as lessons, exercises in faith and perseverance, chances to make someone else’s world a little brighter, and opportunities to improve yourself and let go.
I will say, however, that having a physical space or object in your life to act as a focal point during your time alone with Spirit can be of enormous benefit. I was unable to have a clearly defined altar for most of my life. Only in the last six years was I finally in a position to be open about my path in my own home, but before that, there were still things I did to stay connected. Over the course of this series, I’ll share some of my own tips and ideas, including what I do on a daily basis now to keep myself in a better place.
This series is a compliment to the previously shared info from Alura Cein that can be found here. Having Her as my mentor was the best decision I could have made, and I continue to work with Her as regularly as possible. I highly recommend using Her tips in that post and will add my own testimonials and new habits, as well, in a future entry.
There are positives in the negatives and negatives in the positives. And through it all, you grow. Let’s take a look at ways to bring a little more purity and fun into our lives.
- E.W.
Superlative Deviation: Life With Meaning, Life With Joy 