Awake in the World

“For me, there is no real power without spiritual power. A power that comes from the core of who you are and reflects all that you were meant to be. A power that’s connected to the source of things.” – Oprah Winfrey

Oprah is one of the world’s great contemporary inspirations. She expresses her power and voice through TV, in “O” Magazine and via radio. She is a creative powerhouse who empowers, energizes and inspires others through her uplifting messages. An author I know who was privileged to be interviewed by her remarked on her tremendous presence and spiritual energy.

Everyone has some form of power. Breathing is a power. Thinking is a power.  Choosing to expand and be love is a power. This combination of powers helps to create our lives and make them full (or not). Women in particular may find it easier to connect with this creative source or power, though we don’t always (or often) feel free to express it. For millennia and even today around the globe, we’re held back by the voices and attitudes of men and women who hold views that diminishes the feminine nature. But even worse, we are restrained by ourselves and worried about what others will think, say, or do if we choose to be true to our soul’s intentions.

Every life has a purpose and a meaning. When we connect with our soul’s intention and live it, magic happens. Things fall into place in beautiful and graceful ways that we might not have ever imagined on our own. The entire universe comes to support the soul that is seeking to find its expression and be of service to others. It helps that individual light to shine regardless of the dark nights and the trails that prevail.

No path is easy. Every path we choose will have tests and obstacles. This is the way of the world. It’s a way to test determination and strengthen us for tougher tests. Without the tests, we would not appreciate the joys and have the satisfaction of our accomplishments. When we begin to find our voice, some friends, family and mates may not like it. The choices we make about whether to continue in our path or let them hold us down with their attitudes and prejudices will make all the difference to the world. What will you choose?

Take a moment today and reflect on your spiritual power. What is your soul whispering to you to do to grow and express yourself? Dare to make a leap of faith. Jump and watch the universe open your parachute and carry you into a new way of life.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.debramoffitt.com and http://www.awakeintheworld.com.

The kitchen offers one of the best and most creative places for practicing mindfulness. Many mindfulness practices are done in yoga studios or meditation rooms where everything is designed to be calm and peaceful. This is a nice way to begin the practice of meditation, but real meditation starts to take place when it’s intimately integrated into daily life. What better place to start than in the kitchen?!

Turning a meal into a meditation experience can be a beneficial way to observe the mind, explore challenges and also sow love into a meal designed for yourself, your family or a friend. When viewed as play, it can also bring fun into the practice and keep it light and joyful rather than dour and serious. But more than that it can be an opportunity to consciously cook with love.

Walter Danzer, founder of Soyana, a natural foods company located in Switzerland takes the ancient practices to heart. Food cooked with love provides nutrition for body, mind and spirit. It gives the added “soul nutrients” that don’t come from factory made, processed foods. Ever have that longing for mom’s homemade dishes? Baked, sweet yams, persimmon pudding, cheesecake or even simple corn on the cob? Sometimes the store brought varieties can be found, but they still leave an unsatisfied feeling. Danzer and his employees realize the importance of peaceful surroundings for food preparation. All of Soyana’s employees meditate regularly and consciously bring the energy of love into their work and food handling. The result has been a successful company that exports to Germany and continues to expand with new product lines and creative ideas.

In ancient traditions it’s said that the cook transmits subtle properties of his or her thoughts and emotions into the food. To avoid being contaminated by the world, monks would cook their own food or take something with them when they traveled away from the monastery. Danzer said he and his staff experienced this first hand when they all ate a meal at a restaurant and all of them awoke with nightmares. From that time Danzer dedicated himself to providing foods made in the most uplifting environment.

With these reflections in mind, try making a conscious meal and bringing in that delectable energy of love. Chop the zucchini with careful attention. The mind will want to wander to other things, but gently bring it back. Enjoy the creative joy of being present in the kitchen.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.debramoffitt.com and http://www.awakeintheworld.com.

When one tugs at a single thing in Nature, he finds it hitched to the rest of the universe.” — John Muir

While BBQ ribs, burgers, hotdogs and steaks may be part of the summer grill-out fun, try something different. Go vegetarian for a day. It’s a way to be kind to Mother Earth, cut down on costs and practice non-violence. This radical idea is something that is not new. Since ancient times cultures around the world have encouraged vegetarian practices as a way to deepen spirituality. In India, vegetarianism is a way of life. Dhal (Indian lentils) with rice, vegetable kormas, and curry dishes are part of a wide array of ways to eat vegetarian that are both exquisitely tasty and also respectful to the environment and animals.

The Vegetarian Times study conducted in 2008 stated that 7.3 million Americans follow vegetarian diets. Another 22 million eat a “vegetarian inclined diet” many of them to support health and wellness. Some famous vegetarians include Stella McCartney, fashion designer and daughter of Beatle, Paul; rock singer, Alanis Morisette; Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy and Indian practitioner of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi.

Many of us disconnect the meat on plates at restaurants from the actual animals we see in fields and on farms. That cute calf that we take our child or grandchild to pet at the petting zoo is the same veal that ends up on the plate. While we wouldn’t think of killing that calf and couldn’t bear to see it happen before our eyes, when we go out to dinner, we forget the bigger picture and forget the pain caused in putting meat or fish on a plate.

Trying a vegetarian diet for one day is a good spiritual practice. Turn it into an adventure and use it as a way to open the mind. Explore alternative ways to eat that don’t include meat. Asian restaurants and innovative vegetarian and vegan options are popping up everywhere. Grains like quinoa and amaranth make for interesting and tasty salads. Risottos, omelets and Mediteraen dishes like babaganoush and pitas with falafel may add flair to your table.

Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives in national service. The ideals of service to others comes from deep wisdom traditions that extend across the world. Seva (in Sanskrit) or selfless service teaches high ideals that value others over one’s self. Selfless service is a way to self-realization and joy. Through serving others we become more connected to the deep source of life that is within all of us and we begin to share the tears and fears of others. Some people find the best way to do seva is by serving their families. Others do seva by doing their jobs well and giving the time and quality of energy necessary to make it worth the pay.

Selfless service for some extends to doing volunteer work. I recently met a young woman, Alyson, who spent time working in Uganda. Her non-profit organization, Lovegrows.org, is made up of a group of young men and women inspired to volunteer their time, resources and money to help build wells and serve underprivileged children in Africa. “It was an eye opener for me,” the Alyson said. She glows with joy and has found the experience both eye and heartopening.

Even though it may be a holiday, consider in what way you might serve someone today. Sometimes a smile is enough to lift someone’s spirits and change the entire mood of a situation.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.debramoffitt.com and http://www.awakeintheworld.com.