Lynne Herod-DeVerges, founder Center of Light Miracles
It’s Spring Time! And…Easter just passed. Both represent renewal and new beginnings. During springtime, flowers bloom, trees burst forth with fruit, and animals come to life. But spring is also the time of year to celebrate a “Divine Son” who rose from the dead [demonstrating how we can rise to a higher state of our light self]. Spring is indicative of awakening on every level: in the flora and fauna of nature, in one’s self personally, and in society as a whole.
On a personal level, the qualities of spring can be correlated to the phrase “Awakening to a Higher Consciousness.” But what does this phrase mean? We can examine it word by word or look at its overall meaning. An initial interpretation might suggest the dawning of a new thought, idea, understanding, or way of taking action that elevates one’s character or behavior. It may also suggest the awareness of an ability to choose a better way of living and rise above one’s present circumstances. We might define it as the “Ah-ha” moment. But, if we look past this broader perspective and examine each word of the phrase, we might derive an even deeper meaning.
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE = SHIFTING CONSCIOUSNESS
Moving into a higher consciousness means elevating beyond what your beliefs are. For instance, shifting from the view of an undesired experience as bad to being grateful for that same experience is rising to a higher consciousness. It’s simply a matter of shifting perspectives. You have the choice to see any one situation from hundreds of different perspectives, as in the example below.
The experience of being bullied may be seen from any one of the following perspectives:
- A series of bad traumatic experiences ~ The experience of being picked on or taken advantage of can feel horrible and traumatizing. And, while it’s never pleasant on any level, perceiving the experience as only “bad” could limit, and even stifle, your ability to contemplate how you might derive other, more desired possibilities from this same experience.
- An opportunity to learn how to forgive ~ Forgiveness allows you to be free. It is not the other person who needs forgiveness. You are the one who needs to release any ill feelings, and consequently, ill will toward the person or persons bullying you. Holding onto anger or hatred keeps you stuck in your own private mental hell, while the bullies continue living on with their lives.
- An opportunity to discover survival tactics ~ When bullied enough times, you learn different methods of survival. Each tactic of survival you use teaches you something new, allowing you to elevate your thinking and action to higher and higher places. No one method is right or wrong. What matters is the series of affirmative actions you take toward reaching your goal, the process of self-discovery that comes from it, and the level of character forged out of this process of survival.
- An excuse used to block personal success ~ Being bullied is the perfect excuse for believing you can’t do, will never make, should never think, or attempt to try anything that creates success in your life. Not in relationships, career, health, lifestyle or any other area. And, if you attempted to achieve success but failed along the way, being bullied is a good reason why to believe it didn’t happen. Blaming situations and circumstances as well as blaming those who bullied you becomes the temporary soothing balm that’s needed, or so you think. But it only keeps you stuck in your own sense of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
- An opportunity to become courageous ~ Being bullied can call out the lion in you, if you chose that perspective. What better way to find your nerve than to take action by doing something unexpected when you’re in the middle of being bullied. To stand up in the face of feeling intense fear is the very definition of courage. It takes strength to do that, and that kind of mindset raises your consciousness.
The example above is only one scenario in which consciousness flows from perspective. Where perspective becomes a belief demonstrated in action, consciousness is formed.
HE HAS RISEN!
This phrase is one repeated regularly in Christian worship services. It refers to Jesus Christ rising from the dead after being crucified on the cross. But, the meaning of this phrase goes so much deeper than that.
For many Christians, Jesus was the Son of God. However, for several others, the man Jesus had a tremendously elevated energetic vibration and the ability to channel an extremely powerful energy known as “The Christ”. It is for this reason that he is so highly regarded as one of the greatest avatars and spiritual teachers (or rabbis) that ever existed. His teachings from over two thousand years ago are as relevant today as they were then. The only difference between now and then is that the consciousness of the world has risen to meet a greater portion of the consciousness he held. He emphasized Divine love, inner peace, and most importantly, the reality of spirit (instead of the body) as one’s true essence. When Jesus’ physical body went missing from his tomb three days after his death, the disappearance became proof of his spiritual teachings.
Jesus was the demonstration that there is more to life than primal impulses tying us to the body and its emotions, and principally fear. His level of awareness represented an elevated consciousness for yesterday and today. Regardless of how you think about or identify Jesus the Christ, he was the prime example of what awakening to a higher consciousness unto self, of spirit, and from Divine Source is all about.
RAISING YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS
Following the actual teachings of Jesus is one way to awaken your consciousness. A variety of spiritual and scientific disciplines from the Middle and Far East can have the same effect. While the New Testament Bible is one source documenting the teachings of Jesus, there are other books and written works as well that promulgate his same messages and how to obtain your own personal awakening. In fact, pick up any spiritual text from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and New Age teachings. You’ll discover many of the concepts and principles that Jesus spoke about, including:
- Forgive yourself and others.
- Be present at all times.
- Everything is energy.
- Do not judge yourself or others.
- Hold divine love, compassion and kindness in your heart for all people.
- You own nothing as you are only the steward of what you use; therefore, be willing to share with others.
- There is no duality.
- Remember who you are as spirit.
- You are a divine spiritual being capable of doing everything you believe when you remember who you are in Divine Source.
And these are only a few.
Studying these concepts and using any number of disciplines to bring these concepts alive within you is how you will experience new belief systems, thoughts, feelings, and behavioral practices. In these ways, your own personal awakening is realized and your consciousness raised – hence the “Awakening to a Higher Consciousness.”
However, even though the word ‘higher’ is used in the phrase “Awakening to a Higher Consciousness”, it does not mean this consciousness is higher or better than the consciousness that came before it. “Higher” only means a consciousness that better serves you in the manner of your truest desires. Awakening to your next level of consciousness, in the way described, is like the promise of a beautiful sunrise lighting upon the Earth and welcoming a new day.
Who do you turn to when you get stuck in a rut? Don’t know what your purpose is? Want to know the future state of the world or your life? Go to ASK-LYNNE and find out the answers!