The Change Teacher ™

The change that is upon us now is not optional. It’s turning our institutions, our lives, our jobs, and our perceived futures inside out and upside down. The state of flux and change in our global society is deep and fast. It is life altering. We’re in a period of time described as “Jump Time” by Jean Houston, PhD. A period of time called by many names, but described by many futurists, spiritual leaders, leading-edge scientists and millions of awakening individuals as: profound, titanic, tectonic and as a time of breakdown and breakthrough.  Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t count the times or the situations in my life where I have asked silently and out loud, “When is this going to turn around?  What am I doing wrong?” Sound familiar? It is our human nature to want things, and to want them now. However, much to our chagrin at times, partnering with the God of our understanding, by whatever name we call the Divine, is a process of becoming all we are meant to be and do.

It is an evolution—not a horse race.

If we consider the fact that the Universe itself is multibillions of years old, then our average lifetimes for this go-round are just nanoseconds on God’s clock. What seems like a snail’s pace to us is perfectly ordered and orchestrated for maximum results. With that said, our biggest challenge to the process of becoming is to learn to embody faith and trust. Not just say we have or practice them—but embody them.

The road back to a focused on-purpose life is littered with cast off control issues, other people’s dreams for us, our own preconceived notions of what is perfect for us, and everything else that no longer serves us on our new journey.

When you look back on the events of your life from a new and higher view, the timing and the events you review will have been perfect. Some you still may not understand, because you are not supposed to. That’s ok; in fact, it’s perfect.

Abraham Lincoln’s story is a great example of the process of becoming. Lincoln was an amazing man according to most history books. He also experienced many difficulties and tragedies on his way to his own greatness, learning something from everything and becoming stronger through very difficult circumstances. Lincoln had his own set of roadblocks and train wrecks.

It took Lincoln thirty years to achieve his dream of becoming president. Over a period of forty-four years he went through what many of us can relate to. He was forced to work at age seven after his family lost their home. His mother died when he was nine; he was nearly killed when kicked in the head by a horse; his business failed [he spent seventeen years paying back money he had borrowed from friends]; he was defeated for the legislature; he lost his job and failed to get into law school. This was followed by a personal and business bankruptcy, several more legislative defeats, the death of his sweetheart, a nervous breakdown, multiple bouts of melancholy and deep depression, and a failed run at the Vice Presidency. All of this happened before he won the presidency of the United States in 1860. Lincoln also suffered through the death of ten out of his twelve children and the ever-present  “melancholia” of his wife Mary Todd.

When you partner with your Higher Self, some things will happen very quickly. Others will take much more time. On a Universal or Cosmic level, things need to be developed, put in place, and made available for your great new life. People need to be brought into your life and you into theirs. There may be skills you need to learn. A house may need to be built or a job developed that doesn’t even exist yet. Or maybe you need to be fired, experience betrayal, overcome an addiction or lose your money, or all of these things. Your faith may need to be made stronger and your trust absolute. Your character may need bolstering. And you’ll need to develop great listening and visual skills, the kind that sees and hears Spirit everywhere and in every living thing, including most importantly—within you.

What is the inner work? This is the work that creates real change-and prepares you for your best outer work. This may involve prayer, meditation, processing the dark places including memories and fears-and here’s the biggie—letting go. Letting go of attachments to things, people, ideas and fears-anything that has kept you from being or becoming all you were meant to be—is the most important piece of inner work you will do.

It’s where the spiritual-rubber-meets-the-road. It’s where most people don’t want to go-it’s too scary or they believe it will lessen their lives, rather than what it does-set you free—totally and completely free. 

 It’s not easy though. And it’s a process that takes time and dedication. The spiritual path is not easy. It is, however, the most important journey you can take. And once you begin, there is no turning back, for your inner self won’t let you.

 In this section we’ll discuss the inner work and the many ways one can mine the path to the Inner Self

Fear will do its best to derail your efforts to change. Most of our fears are dark shadows from our past. Stuffed beliefs about ourselves from childhood and onward through the stages of life. These are the fears that tell us we’re not good enough, smart enough, likeable enough, rich enough, good looking enough or deserving enough for whatever we dream to be.

It’s the voice that pops into our head that says, “You’ve got to be kidding. You? Of course you can’t do that.” It may replicate what you heard as a child or in an adult relationship. Maybe it tells you you’re too stupid–or that only the born rich get all the advantages.

These fears come disguised in many ways, including an underlying anxiety that you get so used to carrying around with you, you think it’s normal.

These are the dark places that control us until we say, “enough is enough” and dare to stand still and become the watcher–the witness to these life-chokers. It takes much more than pretending they aren’t there. You’ve got to process them in a way that peels away the layers if necessary.

It’s easy–but requires your attention. We’ll talk more about this here–in The Fear Gorilla, including giving you examples of how it has worked with me, and other resources to read.