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January-April, 2024

I Am the Light of the World…?

Rev. Holly Honorato, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

I don’t know about you, but I forget about this at least a hundred times a day (if not more).

What is it about life that gets in the way of this realization? Sure, it’s easy to remember when we’re in church, sweat lodge ceremony, or in a study group, but once we step into the ‘lab’ or the real world our light often dims and it can be very frustrating.

Usually, for me, it’s others’ inability to recognize or appreciate my light that dulls it, because, at the end of the day, we are all mirrors. Many times we reflect back on what is directed at us (commonly referred to as projection). While studying the Course assists us on our journey, I often wonder why it’s so hard to practice.

Here are some pointers to staying illuminated:

1. Remember that others are operating from their own capacity and that’s okay (not everyone is capable of doing such deep, inner work).

2. Observe how you are feeling throughout the day. In times of calm and distress, notice your breathing, heartbeat, and other bodily sensations. I often like to make a game of noticing the moments when I am totally FINE or content, not thirsty, hungry, etc.

3. Practice the Pause, because that’s where our power lies. Especially when something upsetting happens, or we’re triggered. Remember, you can always ‘shelve it’ and return to it later, when you have ample time to process it fully (usually by sitting in meditation or walking in nature). Not everything requires a response and that itself is powerful.

4. Return to the lesson of the day, or other spiritual text or music, several times throughout the day. There are always messages in there that seem to fit exactly what we’re going through.

5. Cultivate daily AM and PM rituals (preferably ones devoid of social media, shopping, drinking/using substances, or mindlessly scrolling online). Also referred to as ‘bookending’ our day, or beginning and ending each day with practices that remind us who we are and nourish our soul, such as journaling, yoga, art, dance, etc.

6. Meditate or simply practice radical acceptance or surrendering to what Is. Resist the urge to fix everything or even talk about it, which only keeps the ‘story’ going, giving it more energy (which could be used for other tasks).

Knowledge is power and the first step is always just observing how you are feeling and noticing the sensations present in your body. That’s how we know it’s time for a quick reset.

Personally, my daily meditation practice is my life raft, and without it, I’m really off-center. Taking the time to just breathe deeply does wonders and best of all, it doesn’t cost anything. It’s always up to me to surrender the fact that life is not always pleasant or easy, but I have tools to combat the darkness. At the end of the day, it’s my breath, my best friend and confidant, that moves energy or feelings of stuckness. It’s truly a gift worth celebrating more often.

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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