Articles

Free Yourself From False Suffering
by Ada Porat

Emotional pain can traumatize us long after the event that triggered it. The more traumatizing the event, the more we tend to think about it and so we keep the pain alive.

Why do we do this?

Most often, we simply do not realize the power of our thoughts. We don’t recognize that it is not the traumatic event, but our thinking about that event, that continues to perpetuate the pain.

The mind does not know the difference between actual events and thoughts about them. To the mind, thoughts are as real as the events they represent, and so we keep reliving the painful trauma of past events as long as we replay these thoughts in our minds.

How can we stop this cycle? Breaking free requires that we recognize the process and choose different responses to it. As soon as we stop giving our life energy to memories or events that seemed to be overpowering, those memories lose their illusion of power. In the very moment of choosing differently, we are also released from the belief that we have to suffer for what had happened to us in the past.

Negative memories, states or events do not have an individual, independent existence. We simply allow ourselves to be hurt or tyrannized by memories of the past because we falsely believe that what happened in the past, has power over us now.

Think about it for a moment: in order for the person who broke up with you to still be able to hurt you now, in this moment, they need to be breaking up with you now, at this very moment! In reality, the event has passed and is no longer taking place in your present reality – yet you continue to suffer because you are replaying the details of the event in your mind, allowing the memories to trigger pain each time you think about them!

Nothing, absolutely nothing can have any power over us unless we give it that power. When we truly understand this principle, we can begin to free ourselves from the painful memories of the past.

Instead of seeing ourselves as victims of circumstances beyond our control, we can begin to recognize our innate power to choose what we focus on. And whatever we choose to focus on, becomes our reality.

Our perception produces what we experience. This perception is made up of many different elements, all of which are based on our interpretation of reality – not an objective reality. When we view events through these filters of our perception, we relate to such events through the filters of our desires, expectations and fears.

In other words, it is the filters of our perception that create our view of any given experience and give it meaning. It is not the relationship breakup that causes our current pain, then, but the painful meaning we attached to that memory. Our perception labeled the event as “heart-breaking” or as our “one and only chance at love” or as a “vicious betrayal.”

The event in itself was simply part of the ongoing unfolding of life – it was neither good nor bad. It's only our interpretation of the event that creates the joy or pain we associate with it.

If it is our perception that causes the pain, then, why we don’t just let events happen spontaneously without grabbing onto them and interpreting their ‘meaning’ from our particular viewpoint? Why do we choose to see pain in what has happened?

I believe that we interpret events through the filters of our perception because we have become so used to pain and suffering that we are not sure who we are without something to suffer over. As strange as it may seem, we welcome the familiar pathways of pain because it makes us feel real.

But who is it that needs to feel pain to feel real? It's always the false self - the ego – that thrives on the drama of emotional pain. At the same time, you and I are not just egos; we are spiritual beings who live in human form with the ego as our constant companion.

This is great news for those of us who wish to free ourselves from false suffering and find a higher way of life! It means that the perception of pain did not originate with our true identity as souls; it stems from the ego’s attempts to resist change and maintain the status quo at all costs. All those conditions that seemed so real and painful are the creation of faulty perception as directed by the ego!

It was our misguided belief that the event had the power to hurt us that made it appear painful and propagated its existence. Once we recognize that we can choose to move our focus away from it, the energy around the memories loses its power and we find grace to move on.

We can greatly accelerate this process by bringing some fresh logic to the situation. Everything that is created has both a beginning and an end; therefore, everything we experience over the course of life, eventually passes to make room for new events and experiences. And so, even the most painful events of our lives also pass with time. We can facilitate this process by not keeping the memories of these events going through our own thoughts.

Even if we have suffered for a lifetime because of the way our perception interpreted what happened to us, we no longer need to suffer this pain. Once we see how the process works, we no longer need to be a victim of our own misunderstanding. We can inwardly say to that suffering ego state,

"Ego, you are not the ruling power in my life – you only think you are. The knots in my life that have me all tied up have no power over me outside of my own perception. It is ego’s perception that led me to interpret these events as pain, but now I choose to see things as they really are."

Once we understand that so-called negative events are not powerful in themselves, we can turn away our focus from the ego’s attempts to re-run the painful perception and causing us relentless suffering. Instead, we can turn toward the place of Truth within to release the past and reclaim our peace in this present moment.

When we release the past to the Source of all creation, we become free at last to embrace our eternal birthright of peace in this present moment.

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com
This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

Seeking Answers To WHY
by Ada Porat

Whenever good or bad fortune strikes, most of us spend some time pondering why it happened. We do this because the conditioned mind reasons there must be some meaning to it, just as it seeks to find meaning behind all of life’s events.

The mind always looks for meaning in everything. In fact, it is not the event itself, but the meaning that the mind attaches to an event, that brings either pleasure or suffering. The event may also be thought to reflect either God's favor or disfavor, which further divides our thinking into a sense of pride or of guilt.

However, the meaning that we attach to a situation is by no means an indication of its true content. We see this principle perhaps most clearly demonstrated at a sports event where the winning team’s fans respond to the score with loud cheers, while the supporters of the losing team respond to the same score with alarm, anger, or frustration. Same score, different responses based on the meaning attached to it by the spectators.

The meaning that we attach to events also brings a value judgment into the picture. No longer do we see the game score simply as a score; we now look for why it happened. Sports commentators spend hours discussing the game to determine who did what to whom. “Whose fault was it that the Lakers lost?,” we ask. “Is that good or bad?” By labeling what has happened, we think that we can deal with it better: it will justify our becoming defensive, or angry, or hurt, or victimized.

So it is the meaning that we attach to the passing parade of life’s events that pulls us into emotional turbulence. It drives us toward separation, from where we no longer respond to the event, but we react to the meaning we have attached to the event. No longer is it just another event; it now becomes personalized as a me and a you; a winner and a loser; a victimizer and a victim; my suffering because of your actions. And because we have attached a value judgment to the event, we now feel justified to react to it. This is the classic cycle of duality that leads to ever more suffering, anger and despair.

Meaning is a product of dualistic existence. The human ego does not like feeling that it has no control and will look for anything to give it a sense of power. When something happens, then, our minds attempt to attach some meaning to it in order to feel some sense of control. In fact, the entire self-help industry is fueled by that desire for personal power and our aversion to suffering.

To summarize, we suffer because not everything goes our way. We suffer because we dread doing the things we don’t want to do but have to do. And we suffer because we can’t have or do the things we want to have or do. We see ourselves as individual personalities with desires that conflict with our circumstances and responsibilities, causing untold pain and suffering.

How do we turn this around?

If we want this suffering to end, we need to move our perspective out of identification with our human personality with its ego-based thinking mind and toward identification with our true nature as souls. For emotional suffering to end, we need to turn inward toward the Source of our being, where happiness is independent of external things.

Indian teacher Ramesh Balsekar stated this process eloquently in A Net of Jewels, where he says,

“Essentially, what the average person wants out of life is just one thing: happiness. It is in this quest that he goes through life day after day, believing that he will somehow, someday find final satisfaction through the things and circumstances of his world. There comes a time, however, when man gets utterly tired, physically and mentally, of this constant search because he finds that it never ends. He comes to the startling discovery that every kind of satisfaction has within itself the roots of pain and torment. At this stage his search cannot but take the turn inwards toward that happiness which is independent of external things.”

The essence of manifest existence is continuous change from birth to death. With physical existence comes the will to live, to survive, to resist threat - and this will resides in the ego. The human ego drives the thinking mind and all our misery in the ensuing attempts to avoid the inevitable.

Life presents problems because our ego nature resists the process of life; we don't accept what is there in the present moment. We want to become something other than what we now are, have something other than what we now have and so on.

Suffering, then, is a consequence of identification with the ego self and its physical domain. If we feel that we are limited bodies of protoplasma, we will feel a need to have control over what happens to us.

When we shift our perspective back to our true nature as eternal souls, we realize that we are limitless. We do not need to control or resist what is happening because what is happening out there, cannot threaten our true nature within. As a result, we also don’t need to label, react or judge anything that happens out there any longer.

Birth, life, good fortune, misfortune, and death simply happen, and have no meaning of their own. Any thought about their meaning is just a thought that has no more meaning than any other thought. The Course in Miracles teaches this principle early on because if we want to find inner peace, it is important to learn to distinguish between what happens out there, and the meaning we attach to it. When we can detach from the meaning we have allocated to any given event, we are able to find a place of neutrality.

In the world of spirituality or non-duality, life no longer requires labels to give it meaning. In non-duality, the essence shows forth its truth and requires no meaning or labels. What it is, is self-evident. It makes no sense to ask what the meaning is of Love, Being, Presence, or Awareness. The very essence of non-duality is Love, Being, Presence and Awareness, so the notion of meaning is superfluous.

Spiritual practice is the discipline of undoing the conditioning of the ego and the thinking mind, and learning to align with higher Truth, the principles that guide our souls. A healthy spiritual practice will consist of learning, devotion (prayer, meditation or contemplation), practice (ways in which you implement what you are learning to integrate it) and interaction with like-minded individuals. You may find a fulfilling spiritual practice within a specific religion, order or teaching; or your practice may be more eclectic and ecumenical. Your practice may look different than that of another; and it is not important. What is vitally important, however, is that you commit to some form of spiritual practice consistently over time.

Effective spiritual practice relieves suffering by quieting the thinking mind. This is necessary for the efficient functioning of the working mind. A quiet mind is also an end in itself since it is always accompanied by the peace of pure Awareness. In fact, this can be a guide to distinguish between effective and ineffective practices. If suffering is relieved by a practice, it is worth continuing. If it does not, and especially if suffering increases, it is better to discontinue it.

Effective practices further help us detach from all forms of conditioning. A quieter thinking mind allows unconscious conditioning to rise to the awareness of the conscious mind from where it can be cleared. The thinking mind ordinarily represses unwanted thoughts, urges, and desires, which are the dark side of the ego (the shadow). When repression ceases, the shadow emerges into awareness.

The Indian sage Papaji described this process by saying that, when you begin to awaken, all the gods and demons of your past come to reclaim you. The potential of these forms of unconscious conditioning to destroy one’s peace is minimized by the deepening realization that their release represents the dissolution of the ego-based thinking mind. It is also helpful to keep in mind that these emerging forms are finite in number, even when it feels as if the stack of emotions that arises is endless.

As we do the work of consistently becoming aware of and clearing all limited patterns of conditioning, we grow in understanding of our true nature. The journey of spiritual awareness requires us to be vigilant and earnest in our commitment to Truth, and to trust the flow of life wherever it takes us; not to enjoy or to suffer, but to gain deeper understanding so we can learn. It is this process of learning that provides favorable conditions in which the soul can realize its highest potential. That realization is the highest purpose your soul could strive for – it is the sole purpose for being in the body.

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com
This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

More Choices Than You Can Shake A Stick At
by Ada Porat

When faced with decisions, we often find ourselves at a point between seemingly polar opposites: feeling a need to choose between polar opposites of black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. In our desire to make the “right “ choice, we get so caught up in weighing up the extremes that we never notice all the other options in between.

By allowing our focus to expand from the issue at hand to take in the bigger view, we may discover many more options out there. It is often easy to spot the clear-cut ‘yes’ or ‘no’ - yet there are also many other options in between! Instead of limiting ourselves to the obvious, we could expand our scope to include options that will help us move forward with confidence and joy.

In making decisions, we are best served when we consider the bigger picture first. In this way, we can become aware of other aspects that may not be evident when focusing too closely on the issue. Some questions to consider in choosing the most appropriate course of action, include:

Will this choice make me feel more alive?

When we choose the course of action that makes us feel alive, it nurtures our soul – and that leads to growth, joy and fulfillment at all levels.

Does this choice reflect my inner values?

Every choice that reflects our inner values, steers us in small steps to more effectively align with our life purpose. Over the course of time, these imperceptibly small moves can bring about wonderful results. When we don’t honor our inner values in decision-making, the sum total of such choices can result in us feeling lost and detached from life’s meaning.

Will this choice allow me to move forward without causing direct harm or pain to another?

Some choices in life are not easy – there may be a lot of grey options, and not many clear rights or wrongs.

Our responsibility is always to make the highest choice we are capable of.

That means nobody should compromise their own growth out of fear about what others may say or do. When we hold back our own growth because we are afraid of how it may affect our relationships, everyone loses.

When someone takes responsibility for their own growth, everyone is enriched by that choice.


©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com
This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

The Call To Higher Ground

By Ada Porat

Feeling stuck in life at this time?  Frustrated?

Take a moment to really feel what is going on.  You are not stuck… you are simply constrained.  Yes, the old way of doing things is no longer working, and you are trying to adjust to radical new ways of looking at life, doing things, and even living.

Outside yourself, the whole world is going through a spin cycle.  Deep wounds in the collective psyche of mankind are surfacing, releasing both great horror and amazing opportunity.  Societies hunger not for war or peace, but for Truth to cut through illusion and bring about spiritual healing at the deepest levels of being.

Never before in the history of the planet has there been such a clarion call for healing to avert global destruction. The time for dilly-dallying and empty promises is over. It is time to heal our world – starting with ourselves!

The truth is that, throughout this time of constraint and upheaval, there are unseen forces holding you steady while you learn to run this new kind of energy… the energy of oneness with Divine purpose.  It is your Divine connection, hosted in a human shell.  Long ago, before you ever came into this life, you chose to embody this energy at this time.  It is your contribution to the shift of the ages, and now is your time to fulfill that agreement.

The energy of Divine oneness or unity is the most powerful force in the Universe.  It is powerful enough to constrain you when you try to separate from Divine guidance at your core and assert your human will.

In the old way of life, we learned to accomplish goals by asserting our human, egoic wills in the external reality.  We were conditioned to be willful and determined, wanting whatever we chose to have when we decided to have it.

This way no longer works. When we assert our human, egoic will in the new energy that surrounds us now, there are numerous obstacles constraining us.

To move past these constraints, we have to give up the drive to accomplish things by sheer force of will.  Instead, we need to align with the power of All That Is.  We need to surrender to trust: trust in the Divine, in Higher Guidance, in Spirit, God… whatever you choose to call the essential life force energy.

When we choose to trust, the energy of the ego yields and aligns to a bigger plan - the higher picture of Divine perfection.  From that place of alignment, we are able to flow with creative energies to create a higher reality than we could have ever conceived of before.

It is no longer possible to more forward in ego and still make spiritual progress.  The constraining force of Spirit will block your movement at every turn - the old ways of doing need to be surrendered to embrace higher ways of being.

Spirit will get you through the time of transition, no matter how difficult it feels.  Those same unseen forces that hold you steady now, can and will lift you out of all illusions of despair.  All it takes is for you to let go of the old way of using power, and to embrace the path of alignment, the pathway of trust and allowing.

We are living in a very different reality now than we were in even five years ago.  The old life with its hopes and dreams, has been filed away in the archives of All That Is.  To keep looking for it, merely deters our progress.

Instead, now is the time to embrace what shows up in your life moment by moment.  Look for new ways to reframe things, new tools to do things with.  Go inward.  Drink deep from the wellspring of life.  Let the timeless wisdom and healing energy of sacred teaching wash over you to renew your soul.  Develop a dialogue with Spirit and ask for guidance and clarity.  Stay present in the moment and allow the answers to flow to you through circumstances.

When action is indicated, do it.  When circumstances open up for you, move forward.  And when doors close, don’t try to break through them.  Sometimes, we need to spend a while living in the in-between: learning to let go of the need to control, the need to logically understand.  At times like these, we need to ask ourselves what we really want and why…even as we surrender the need to know how it will come about.  We need to simply align to the Eternal Presence and be present, be patient, and be still.

You don’t lack power.  You are a powerful being.  What you lack is remembrance.  There is nothing wrong with you that complete remembrance will not heal.  Like a survivor who has buried the unbearable agony of trauma beneath a layer of amnesia until they are ready to process it, we have chosen not to remember everything at once.  As we proceed on the path we are shown, more is revealed to us.  Through the integration and healing of each memory that surfaces, we reclaim our wholeness and power.

Powerful new healing modalities and tools for personal growth are emerging at this time to support our transformation.   We are indeed blessed to live at this pivotal time in history – and this blessing carries with it the clarion call to learn, to grow, to heal and to transform our world.  Do you hear it?

For many centuries, mystics lived on the fringe of society.  They did not mix with the masses or participate in affairs of the world.  This has all changed.  Today, the level of consciousness on the planet has tipped the scales to offer potential for unprecedented growth and change.

Spiritually awakened beings are called to participate in this worldwide shift by becoming mystics in the marketplace - not on the mountain or in the monastery.  We are called to be the change we desire to see in the world, as Gandhi said.

To answer the call, you need to learn how to commune with your soul to access the inner guidance that is stirring there.  Every change that you wish to see in society starts with you and the field of consciousness that you are holding.

You are called to be the very change you desire to see in the world, and you change the world around you through the power of your evolving consciousness. As you consciously evolve in response to the Divine nature within, you hold the higher energies of the life force field wherein everyone’s consciousness can evolve.  In a world crying for healing, there is no greater service you can offer!

©Copyright Ada Porat.

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached. Ada Porat is a kinesiologist and life balance coach who uses body/mind/spirit techniques to help clients stand in their truth.  For more information, visit www.AdaPorat.com

Choosing Higher Consciousness

by Ada Porat

Mother Earth has been going through violent birthing pains in recent months as she is cleansing herself, shaking off energies that are no longer needed, and integrating higher frequencies of light on her ascension path.

Things are shifting and changing around us, at times in ways that can seem terrifying.   Nothing seems safe or secure any longer:  natural disasters are striking at unprecedented rates, terrorist actions are flaring up around the world, and even on personal levels, the support of friends and family may be falling away. 

And yet, this time of tumult and upheaval, is the very event we have been waiting for!  It is show time for humanity!  It is the time of greatest opportunity in the history of this planet, the time that was prophesied about for millennia.  It is the time of the great shift as earth embarks on her ascension journey, and we are called upon to become active participants in the process.  

This process of earth’s ascension started with the Harmonic Convergence in 1987.  We are now 18 years into that process with about seven years to go to 2012, and there is no longer any way of denying the reality of what is happening on the planet.  It is not a matter of whether things are shifting, but of how to navigate the shifts that are occurring with ever increasing speed as we approach the end of a 26,000 year cycle on this planet.

Because all of creation is interrelated, everything that happens at the macroscopic level on the planet, ripples out to affect every other life form also.  Dr. Rupert Sheldrake’s research at Cambridge University has shown that in any given three-week period, every life form in our universe exchanges information with every other life form in it.  We are constantly affected by the ripples of events within our solar system, on our planet, and in our lives!

While the magnitude of changes facing us may seem daunting, mankind has been well prepared for this time.  We were endowed with the gift of free choice to decide how things will unfold.  Humanity is standing at the crossroads of unprecedented change and there is a need to choose which way we’ll go. 

The fear of leaving the known behind, of stepping into the unknown, may be tugging at your heart.  Staying put is no longer an option.  Which way will you choose? 

There are three major choices facing us at this cross-roads, yet only one choice embodies viability:

The Pathway of Greed

This is the pathway that lures when we feel desperate; backed into a corner where pure survival instinct takes over.  It is the way of animal instinct, operating on the urge to fight or flee.  In each of us, this instinct is ever present. 

When conditions turn desperate, individuals who feel that they have nothing left to lose, often act in ways that reflect this instinct.  To a bystander, it may appear as sadistic, cruel, primitive or harsh – yet to the perpetrator it is simply a desperate act of survival driven by fear. 

The survival instinct governing this pathway, may justify our actions by telling us that the game of life requires survival of the fittest; that desperate circumstances require desperate measures; that forceful action offers the only solution; that the end justifies the means, that if I don’t grab this opportunity, someone else surely will.  It operates on fear and desperation, and it leads to the loss of integrity and life.

The Pathway of Glamour

This path holds a magical attraction when we want to escape the ugliness of what is happening around us.  When it becomes too painful to see what is happening in our lives and in the world, we may choose to detach.  The stark reality feels so overwhelming that we may turn away to look for comfort and a sense of security elsewhere.  We may go into denial and decide that the world’s problems are not ours to solve; that we can’t make a difference anyway; or that we don’t want to ‘go there.’ 

This act of disconnecting from life outside ourselves also causes a disconnection from our inner knowing.  We may focus on external ways to distract ourselves with things that offer instant gratification.  We may think that a new home, car or lifestyle will heal our sadness and fill the emptiness within.  When the initial rush of excitement wears off, we need another fix to keep going and to distract us from the inner pain. 

This pathway beckons strongly when we are in emotional pain, mental confusion and denial. If followed to the end, it leads to disconnection from our inner knowing, disillusionment, apathy and loss of life.

The Pathway of Growth

This is the pathway of truth and it is not for sissies.  To follow this road, we need to be prepared to face and surmount all obstacles. This is also the pathway of power on the journey home.

To follow this road, we need to stay connected to our hearts, to our inner knowing so that we remain honest with our emotions.  On this pathway we don’t look outside ourselves to blame anyone for the situation we find ourselves in.   We accept that we have participated in creating our current reality, and we are also able to create an alternative. Instead of running from fear or hiding from pain, we choose to face our inner demons.  In the process, we discover that what we were really the most afraid of, was our own power.  We learn that it is when using our power unconsciously, that we create the nightmares of life. 

On the pathway of growth, we find grace to forgive ourselves for our moments of blindness and commit to reclaiming our true identity.  We recognize that we came into this world not to live in slavery to fear but to be emissaries of love, hope and joy. 

We start integrating shadow aspects of ourselves and reclaim our missing fragments to become whole.  Instead of judging ourselves and others, compassion moves us to lend a loving hand to others who may be tired or unsure.  We turn our backs on fear, choosing love and compassion as companions.  We see the love of our Creator in the eyes of everyone – especially those who are in hatred, fear, denial, or pain.  Along the way, we find our own burdens lifted, our own wounds healed, our own joy restored.  We are choosing life. 

The pathway of growth is beckoning us at this time in history.  Never before have we had access to as much support from other realms.  Yet before anything can happen, we need to choose which pathway to follow.  If we don’t choose, the tidal wave of prevailing consciousness around will choose for us and carry us along. 

By choosing growth, we are setting into motion the forces of heaven and earth to generate a powerful attractor field, drawing us inexorably closer to our inner knowing, truth and destiny.  This is the time for deep healing at all levels.  It is time to reclaim our true identity and power to support ourselves and others.  Together, we can bring about profound shifts in consciousness on the planet at this time.

At some level of our being, we chose to be on the planet at this time.  Let’s step up to the plate with faith and conviction, knowing that we are not alone.  There are vast hosts of heavenly beings keenly watching our every step at this time, for the future depends on us.  The choices we make at these crossroads will reverberate throughout the cosmos to create the future our children will inhabit.

Let’s choose to follow the path of love, the path of growth.  Aligned with this creative power, we can create a glorious future for everyone:  a future where there will be no need for violence or war, where humans will learn to live in harmony with all of creation.  It all starts with a single choice!

 

©Copyright Ada Porat.

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached. Further information about Ada's approach to body-mind-spirit healing may be found at http://www.adaporat.com or by dialing US 602-283-4628 (MST). 

Living With Integrity

by Ada Porat

How do we become more effective in life?  How do we gain credibility and power?

Our power as spiritual beings is based on our integrity.  Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as:  “…the state of being whole, entire, undiminished.”   In other words, it is the ability to align all aspects of our being and our truth into a unified, harmonious flow.  When standing in that wholeness, we are able to manifest, create abundance, effect positive outcomes and heal ourselves and others with grace and ease.

When this harmony and power is missing in our lives, there may a subconscious discrepancy among the various levels of integrity.  This discrepancy results in our broadcasting mixed signals which attracts mixed – and often confusing - outcomes. 

To walk in power and flow, we need to have harmony in four areas that collectively make up the integrity of our intention.  There needs to be unity among our thoughts, actions, words and beliefs.  When one or more of these areas is not in harmony with the overall goal, the collective impact of our efforts is diluted. 

How often have you not listened to someone (a public figure, for example) talking about an issue with seeming intensity, yet their emotional appeal did not feel credible to you.  In fact, you may have felt uneasy about it; as if something fishy is up although you cannot name it.  Later, you may realize that the person had paid lip service to a concept that was not backed by congruent action. 

Even children pick up on this discrepancy.  This is one of the reasons why children do not respond well when parents say one thing and do another.  In such communication, there is a discrepancy between words and actions which dilutes the power of the communication. 

Whenever the four areas of integrity - thoughts, actions, words and beliefs - are not aligned in our interaction, communication becomes blurred and others have difficulty understanding, believing or trusting us.  They may feel that something is just slightly off, or that they don’t feel comfortable working with us. 

The first step in restoring integrity, lies in the awareness that something is amiss.  In becoming aware of it, we can run a self-check to clarify our true desires, motives or intentions at all levels. 

If your words or actions seem to backfire, ask yourself a few questions to get clarity on the deeper reasons why.  These reasons lie at the very root of why you chose to speak, act, think or believe in a given way.  Some good questions to answer, include:

• What is it I really wanted?  
• Were my actions and words a conscious expression of the Divine in me (who needs nothing) or were they based on some  deeper need for acceptance, security, status or revenge?
• Did I set up conditions in my mind such as “If I …………… then they will …………….?”
• How did I want the other party to respond?  Why?
• Why did I get upset, hurt or angry when they did not respond the way I wanted them to?

When we have inner expectations for others to behave in a certain way, we ignore their free will and set up ourselves to be hurt and disappointed.   Moreover, we give away our power to others by expecting them to meet our needs.

Instead of diluting our power in that way, we can acknowledge our inner need for acceptance, support, love and security, and then we can start to nurture those needs within ourselves.  Each one of us knows exactly what it will take to meet our heart’s deepest longing, and so we are uniquely qualified to nurture ourselves. 

Once we nurture our inner self - our inner child - with love and compassion, our thoughts, words, beliefs and actions come into harmony and we reclaim our own power.  So give yourself the gift that keeps on giving:  nurture yourself with light and love, support yourself wherever you are at, and enjoy the benefits of harmony, peace and power!

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

Awakening To The Eternal Now

By Ada Porat

Every year-end, prognostications about the future proliferate. Forecasts and forebodings are offered to support any point of view, most of it feeding into the human fear of the unknown.

At one time or another each one of us has thought about what is awaiting around the corner or a few years down the road, and how it will affect us. But if we're going to live joyfully in the present moment, we must recognize that the future is not yet created; it is an illusion beyond our grasp. In the process of worrying anxiously over anticipated outcomes, we actually lose the opportunities of this present moment.

In reality, there is no need to be concerned about what is waiting for us around the corner or a few years down the road because we are sustained by the Presence of the Divine right now. The choices we make now are indeed the only choices that matter, for in the realm of Spirit there exists only the Eternal Now. And so the very sustenance of this moment is available to us every present moment, throughout Eternity.

Advanced spiritual teachers have always taught the folly of worrying over the future. Christ said, “Do not be anxious about what you will eat or what you will drink… but seek the kingdom of God, and all of these things shall be added to you.”

To find freedom from fear, it is of critical importance to realize that we are not victims of time and space. The Course in Miracles teaches that we are limitless spiritual beings, subject only to that which we hold in mind. In other words, whatever we believe in, becomes our destiny! The very belief in the outcome we hold in mind, sets up a powerful attractor field. This field draws resonating outcomes and brings about the creation of what is held in mind, whether we focused on it out of fear or out of faith.

As we let go of the belief that the future is fraught with danger, that the end of the world is looming, or that we are powerless over the destiny of our souls, the manifestation of these outcomes are also averted. Instead, we can choose to embrace the belief that we live in a perfect, harmonious, loving world!

Perception becomes reality. That means we can live in a perfect world by releasing all beliefs or perceptions to the contrary. As we let go of the limiting beliefs about our world, we can move into the higher spiritual awareness that embraces all with peace, abundance, harmony, and right action.

Around the planet, a large segment of the population is already moving into this higher frequency and living there. Their collective act of holding in mind a world unfolding from perfection to perfection, is slowly transforming the dense energies of the physical world to align with that higher spiritual vision.

Spiritual consciousness teaches us that it is God's will for us to live in perfect peace with overflowing joy and happiness. If we truly believe this, it then follows that all things good, true, and beautiful have already been given to us - including the answer to every question and the supply for every need we could possibly ever have. When we live in this consciousness of having everything we need in this present moment, we are able to also see everyone else in this world as having the fullness of Divine provision now.

In the third-dimensional density of life on earth, individuals often get divided or split into the illusion of duality: our language clearly provides this clue in the term in-divid-dual. However, the true basis of our origin is Spirit and not the physical ego. The nature of Spirit is indivisible, always One, always connected to All That Is. I am a part of you, you are part of me, and we are eternally part of the One.

This is why we should never see each other as poor, sick, unfulfilled, fearful, or burdened with guilt. As I see and behold you, I see myself as well. When I see you through the worldly eyes of ego as someone less than perfect, I call forth into manifestation that which is not desired for either of us individually.

Yet when I look at you through the eyes of spirit or love, I see you as perfection continuously unfolding, moment by moment. And by seeing the perfection underlying all, I bring that into reality. This is how miracles happen: when someone focuses on the perfection beneath the illusion of disease, that eternal truth dispels all illusion and becomes their observable reality.

Our reality is God, and we are spiritual beings who exist as aspects of that Divinity. Divine abundance created us rich; divine perfection created us in an eternal state of well-being; divine love created us loved and loving; divine power created us as totally triumphant in every activity of life.

It is the denial of this truth that ensnares us into the trap of lack and worthlessness. There is no need for us to sink into the quagmire of lack and fear! Knowledge of our sacred Self eliminates the illusion of need, for the perfection of Self is the very principle of fulfillment.

Whatever we focus on within, we become. Remember that joy and sadness cannot exist simultaneously. When we choose one, the other cannot be. When we choose joy, we leave the other emotion in the wake.

As you choose your reality in each moment, may you choose:

happiness with no strings attached;

peace of mind that can't be compromised;

relationships without resentments or fear;

an unshakable sense of security;

confidence to accept any challenge life brings;

and a love that leaves no-one out of its embrace.

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com
This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

The Power of Inner Silence

By Ada Porat

People sometimes ask me, “What’s the use of meditation?”  I love to answer that question because it reminds me of the abundance that comes from our alignment to a Higher Purpose.

Prayer, meditation or meditative contemplation are all intended for the same purpose:  stilling the mind and transcending the realms of ego so we can align with our Life Source from within. Indeed, when we approach meditation or prayer from this perspective of entering the silence within, it can make a powerful difference in our every area of lives.  Whether we’re talking about a lasting relationship, the perfect job, or the healing of disease, the principle is the same.

In that silence that ensues, we become aware of the divine Life Force energy that underlies all of creation.  When we align ourselves with that energy, it reflects back to us from all possible probabilities the outcome that is attracted to the feelings we emit!  This is the highest form of prayer:  a silencing within that allows for the highest purpose to unfold within us and within our lives.  

Sometimes it takes a while for us to learn how to still the mind.  Perhaps we are very attached to a certain outcome and that may prevent us from entering the place of silent surrender. 

In true prayer, there is no begging, bargaining or supplication.  Instead, there is the inner surrender to the silence, and the alignment to divine purpose.  Out of that place of peace, a new vision of what could be, may then arise without manipulation from the fear-based ego. 

Our gratitude for the new image of what could be, often re-contextualizes our limited perspective completely.  Instead of bargaining or begging for a solution, we now experience a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation and joy for the possibility we are shown. 

Once we see that possibility, there is a need to consciously and with intention, embrace it as an option, and to give thanks from the heart for it.  When we can feel the joy, gratitude and presence of this new vision in our hearts—not just think it, but also really feel it—then it activates the quantum resonance field and draws into our lives the desired outcome from among all probabilities!

In the vast field of energy that surrounds our universe, there is enough of everything to go around:  there is enough peace, health, abundance, and peace.  When we experience the opposite outcomes, is simply means that we have been focusing on the wrong things.  To attract more of what we desire, then, we need to simply change our focus!

When we approach life from a place of faith, we are able to see past obstacles and limitations to the Essence of what is – the perfection of all, with appreciation and gratitude. By doing so, we open the door to a greater possibility.

Faith draws us into that place of stillness, the void from where all creation originates; and gratitude enables us to translate our faith into practical results.  Meditation or prayer then becomes the vehicle that enables us to accomplish the change we seek in our world, from within. 

 

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

Opportunities For Ascension Abound

by Ada Porat

Given the rapid changes happening on our planet, maintaining inner balance is an accomplishment that eludes many. 

Over recent weeks, I have heard many people complain about feeling off-balance or overwhelmed.  They feel a sense of impending change, have difficulty sleeping, or may experience disturbing physical symptoms.  Changes in the natural world around us can only account for some of the anxiety.  To understand what is really going on, we need to look at the energetic changes taking place on the planet.

The good news first:  during times of upheaval, opportunities for ascension abound!

In recent months, Earth has been undergoing amazing transformations – in short, the planet has embarked on her own journey of ascension, buoyed and led by the critical mass of souls living on her who have reached levels of consciousness high enough to support the process. 

This is a breakthrough of unprecedented proportions – twice before in the ancient history of life in this galaxy, we had attempted to do this and both times, we failed.  The failed experiments resulted in annihilation of all life on the planet.   This time, the souls who are incarnated on the planet at this time have managed to collectively raise the critical level of consciousness on the planet to levels sufficiently elevated to balance the destructive forces of negativity.  In doing so, we are facilitating not only our own ascension process, but that of the planet as well!

While these exciting developments are not readily visible to eyes that are limited to third-dimensional vision, the effects are readily observable to those who look beyond.  Instead of destroying ourselves and the planet, many of the potential timelines and outcomes foreseen by earlier seers such as Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce and the Mayan elders, among others, have been completely changed.  Others have been hugely minimized – we are no longer looking at mass destruction, tearing apart of continents, or loss of major landmasses underwater.  Instead, Earth is accomplishing her highest purpose – ascension and healing – through adjustments that are happening on a much smaller scale. 

While the potential for loss of life and suffering has not been fully averted, it has been greatly reduced.  More than at any other time in history, the future is in our hands.  The potential for ascension or the potential of destruction – both these futures are potentialities along the timelines of life, and the final outcome will be attracted into reality as the accumulative result of choices made on this planet.  These choices are made from moment to moment by each one of us – every thought and every action in our lives activate the potential timelines out there, both on microscopic and on macroscopic levels.  Are we choosing that which sustains and affirms life or are we choosing that which limits and feeds fear?

We are members of the pinnacle generation who chose to live on Earth during this time to facilitate the ultimate ascension journey of the ages.  What an incredible opportunity!  

Like any fine-tuned instrument, our sensitivity is heightened in direct proportion to the level of awareness we are capable of.  This makes us more sensitive to changes in the energy fields around us, whether we’re consciously aware of the shifts or not.

Let’s seize each blip on our radar screens as an opportunity to clear the static, both within us and in our environment.  In doing so, we are facilitating not only our own ascension, but that of the Earth as well.  Dr. David R. Hawkins has found that when one individual reaches the consciousness level of love, that powerful force field offsets the destructive energies of 750,000 individuals who are still lost in the dualistic world of victimization and blame.

When we look at imbalances and upheavals in our lives from this perspective, they become marvelous opportunities for growth and healing.  And indeed, they are!  It is in healing the imbalances in ourselves, that we facilitate the process of healing and ascension for everyone around us, including our Earth. 

The compassion engendered by doing so, continues to radiate out from us, bringing hope, life and healing to countless others we may never know in this lifetime.

 

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.

Meditation As Pathway to The Soul

by Ada Porat

The practice of meditation offers clear physiological, mental and emotional benefits.  It can lower blood pressure, relieve anxiety and depression, aid restorative sleep and promote a general sense of well-being.  Meditation assists with integrating the inner world of peace and joy with the outer world of action and achievement.  This integration produces balance in body, mind and spirit.

The purpose of meditation is to heal and transform; to look deeply within; to listen for messages and guidance, and to realize and accept your wholeness.  In India it is known as 'tethering the drunken monkey,' quelling the babble of thoughts to focus on the profound essence within. It can slow down mental chatter, bringing us back to the present moment from where we can access inner guidance and serenity. 

The process helps us to reclaim inner freedom by letting go, rather than by trying to control our thoughts. Practiced regularly, meditation clarifies the inner voice of truth. It can help you untangle the knots of everyday life and bring about the desired results in life with more ease. 

When coupled with guided imagery, meditation is also used to reprogram thoughts, to provide the body with imagery for healing and to create a new reality to step into.  

Meditation empowers.  With regular practice, our relationship with ourselves and others can become transformed, easier and more joyful. The hopes, desires and manifestations of life all originate from within and shine outward from there. Our hearts show us the truth about ourselves and our potential every time we take the time to see and listen.  As we align with this truth, we discover the guidance, contentment and answers that await within.

Life is the constant unfolding of choices we make.  With regular meditation, we become more attuned to our inner guidance, empowering us to make optimal choices for our highest good.  This can open doors for wonderful things to unfold in our lives. 

While there are many forms of meditation and it may take you a while to find the format that feels most comfortable for you, there are five basic principles common to all forms of meditation.

1. GET GROUNDED

To begin meditation, you must feel that you are wholly in your body. Adopt any comfortable sitting position, preferably with your spine is straight. You should sit solid as a rock, with your centre of gravity low.

2. USE THE BREATH

Allow the mind and body to settle as you sit quietly, by focusing on your breathing and being aware of it. Don't consciously make yourself breathe; rather, become conscious of your natural breathing.

3. BECOME WATCHFUL

While in a state of complete relaxation, it is important to be aware of your thoughts without becoming absorbed by them. Imagine your thoughts like clouds drifting by; watch them and realize that you are not your thoughts.  Become the observer of all.

4. ALLOW THOUGHTS

As random thoughts emerge, don’t resist them.  Resistance feeds opposition; instead, simply acknowledge their presence and allow the thoughts to float across the screen of your mind.  This process can be likened to focusing on the window of a moving car while allowing the scenery to pass by.

5. CONTINUE YOUR PRACTICE

While it is better to meditate for 60 seconds than not at all, the ideal minimum is 20 minutes. Learning is easy; the main reason to keep going is that meditation feels good.

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com

This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.