Observations on the Spiritual Path Awareness Heightens Awareness

Welcoming grace (unwrapping the present of a sacred visitation) involves a paradox. Even if we know that the intended outcome of the revelation is that we change, that we grow, we may not understand exactly how to cooperate with the process. All change is not necessarily good, just as all growth is not necessarily hard. Sometimes we change in the name of making ourselves better people, only to grow into the wisdom that we have bullied our bodies and force-fed our minds in a most uncompassionate way. I often discover that the most profound changes in my character take place almost without my knowledge, even in my sleep! Spiritual growth occurs in its own time, the way flowers unfurl or butterflies emerge.

Divine love, like the light of the sun, gentles us into transforming. It does not force itself on us. So, gently, gradually, we learn to welcome grace simply by noticing its presence, watching and appreciating it, growing ever more curious about it, consistently inquiring into its teachings in whatever form they appear, whether beautiful or terrible or simply neutral.Fair warning: Practicing awareness heightens awareness.

The more you practice, the more you tend to notice. In time your awareness is not limited only to appreciating the ethereal light in the faces of babies or the tender vulnerability of a loved one's heart in an intimate moment. That heightened awareness now also means that when you hear someone threatening another, inside you a surprising change has taken place: your heart breaks on behalf of both of them.

Almost without your permission, your throat catches, and in a split-second you feel the same misery felt by legions of secretly frightened people everywhere. In that moment?an ordinary moment of your ordinary day?you see, feel, and understand that we're all in this together. And your heart aches and expands in compassion for every one of us.

.Ceci Miller is the author of Sacred Visitations: Gifts of Grace that Transform the Heart and Awaken the Soul, endorsed by Chicken Soul Author Marci Shimoff, Mars/Venus author John Gray, and bestselling author John Bradshaw. The book's touching, often magical, stories guide readers beyond mere memoir into the profoundly personal world of their own sacred experiences.

Ceci's workshops teach the 5 Steps of Sacred Awareness. A student of meditation since 1976, Ceci's heartfelt stories of spiritual experience and contemplation--shared in articles, books, and public talks--have inspired meditators and seekers throughout the world. She is the author of two children's books and has co-authored and edited numerous books for adults.

To hear Ceci read an excerpt from Sacred Visitations, or to hear her interviews with people about their spiritual experiences on the Sacred Visitations Podcast, go to http://www.SacredVisitations.com.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ceci_Miller.

By: Ceci Miller

Candles

What is Yoga - Yoga is very much known as the path to enlightenment of the soul.

A Little Kindness Goes Along Way - No matter where you go, someone's going to make you mad.

Cheapskates Stay StressFree - Books - new or used? I vote for used - preferably paperbacks.

Are You Worried Youre Worrying Too Much - We all experience some stress in our lives every day, but if you find yourself worrying so much that you?re losing sleep and having a hard time concentrating at work, then it is time you took action.

Just Do It - If you have ever been like me, anytime in your life, and had struggles with getting things done, or accomplishing those goals you have been putting off and even further can?t find the motivation to even do these things that you want to do then I p.

more...