How are things for you at this time between Christmas and the New Year?
Do you have a strong feeling about it being the end of the year? Some people do. Maybe because there is a ritual and tradition that has meaning and divides up life into years. Maybe it really is the end of something and the beginning of something. I don’t know.
Today I listened to a podcast from the Leela Foundation. Eli is being interviewed about his life, who he is and how to be free. Eli Jaxon-Bear is the founder of the Leela School of Awakening. He ends the interview with these words:

“Stay true to yourself and what appears will be beyond belief.”

Sounds inspiring, but what does it mean? Those of you who are like me, will be using your mind to figure it out. But it follows on from what he had said earlier in the podcast and sometimes we don’t have to figure it out to gain a deeper understanding of the words. There had been discussion about who he really is – after he was asked to say who he is. He used words like emptiness and fulfilment and happy and open. He is also a spiritual teacher but this is not essentially who HE is. I loved his explanation about oneness and personality. Being one does not mean that we are the same. It’s like light bulbs in the house – different shapes and different levels of energy. We have different personalities but can function in the same energy.

And what does it take to be free? Is it a challenge? Maybe it seems like it when it’s a matter of being vigilant all the time. But it’s a matter of what we truly want and our commitment to this. If we are totally committed then challenge is not the right word. If we are totally committed then the discomfort we experience is a signal that we can be our true self in this moment. It’s not about getting anywhere. It’s about being here, as yourself, now. All is welcome. Because your true self is stable and safe and supporting.

I found this podcast just what I needed today – it steadied me, it calmed my mind, and reminded me of what is truly important to me.
If you are interested, I shared it on my personal FB page and will share to facebook.com/theinnerpathnz

“Stay true to yourself and what appears will be beyond belief”