Living In The Light

When I first started my spiritual journey, I was 16 years old, and for some reason, the call to embrace that side of myself became the predominant force in my life.

I started my path with research in a variety of religions, looking for the deep sense of fulfillment that the world that I knew at that time did not offer, however, deep inside my soul, I could feel that the truth that I was looking for was ever present and all around me, it just felt at that time as though it was slightly out of reach. I came across Wicca a little ways into my spiritual research, and it began to explain so many of the mysteries that seemed to be normal occurrences in my everyday reality, and I would have to say that this is where I took the leap from reading and taking in the information, to actually applying what I had learned.

Knowledge is something that we are always taking in, form the most minor and minute details, to the most grandiose ideas that the mind can conceive of, whether these things are generated from our own consciousness, or from that of another, there is not one moment of this life, that passes by, that our minds are not assimilating information into our subconscious, even though in a large part, we are oblivious to this.

When committing to shadow work, it is very necessary to understand that the entire process is something that causes the spirit to awaken, a little bit at a time, as our perception begins to broaden, and our ability to connect different pieces of information to one another, creates a Big picture perspective, but as I said, this is something that does not happen overnight. Some people do have instances of instant Enlightenment, and this is something that from my understanding is not too terribly common, however the goal and purpose of shadow work, is to cast light into our own subconscious shadows, so that we may cast aside any thoughts of fear, in regards to experiences we have been through, so we may take the refined form of knowledge gained from these experiences, and utilize them to better ourselves, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I have come to the realization that while shadow work is something that can be engaged on a conscious level, it may sometimes take place without us even expecting it to, and these experiences are known as Dark Nights of The Soul. When these occurrences take place, it can feel very disorienting, and as though you have completely lost your center, which can cause one's life to take on a somewhat Alien sensation, as though you no longer fit in, or that you are in the wrong place, the wrong time, or that can sometimes make you feel as though you were placed here by accident.

Do not allow these moments of turbulence to weigh heavy on your spirit, for these instances are opportunities for growth in a profound and substantial way, that will allow you to transform into the person that you have always wanted to be. When we take on the task of delving into our shadows, it is a conscious act, that can have subconscious ramifications, meaning that while the initial act may be a choice made at the time, the results of that choice may manifest in ways that you least expect, or when you least expect them, but just know that no matter when the intensity of this work becomes heightened, the process is most certainly for your greater good, although at times, it may not feel that way.

In order for coal to be transformed into a diamond, extreme amounts of pressure, and heat are necessary to transform what used to be very frail, fragile and dark, into that which embodies Strength, Beauty, and the ability to refract light, in a way that only increases the amount and intensity of beauty that is ever present in the world, but remains by many, seldomly seen, spiritually speaking.

We just like diamonds are refined and strengthened by the pressure and intensity of the challenges which we face, but in order for this to happen, we must persevere in the face of the trials which we may face, as long as we see these moments in this life, for what they are, opportunities for growth, instead of divine punishments. Nothing that happens in this life, is not the result of a choice which either we have made, or that someone else has made, and the result of every choice/cause, is an effect, however, if one practices discernment and the application of wisdom, gained from refined knowledge, the effects of any choice be seen, in the myriad ways, in which they are able to present themselves.

Do not allow the Dark Nights of The Soul, or the process of Shadow Work, to cause your heart to grow cold, instead, embrace the practice of present centered attention, and compassion, melded with mindfulness, to allow the greatest amount of progress to be made, as the journey is undertaken.

Always remember as you transition into higher states of consciousness, that with great power, comes great responsibility, and by all means, allow Love and Light to guide your way.

Brightest Blessings.