As highlighted in last weeks post, a lens of perception that is free of illusions ultimately reveals our essential nature.  This unfolding opens the way towards deep fulfillment and true calling in life, both of which are common goals for all humans.

We all yearn for greater satisfaction in life.  This continual search for contentment is a part of our natural vitality.  Like a beautiful bird with an enormous wing span, we are now able to soar with great confidence regardless the winds and storms of life.

The lens of perception and inner guidance will lead you to your authentic self.  Your essential nature is gradually revealed once you let go of false perceptions.  Free of illusions, truths resonate deeply within thereby aligning your internal and external worlds.  This is the ultimate path of discovery!

An important part of the lens of perception is inner knowing.  Your unique lens is the portal to your core self, that part of you that is authentic and true.  Deep inside each of us reverberates a truth that reveals our core being.  This truth feels ‘right’ and renders feelings of wholeness.  Free of illusions, the lens yields valuable insights.  For instance, if you come across an angry situation, you would immediately know that unconditional love and acceptance are necessary over judgement and reprimand.

Your lens of perception is never static but always changing and evolving. Every interaction and every experience influences the colour of your lens.  When you mindfully choose positive experiences, you add more brightness to your lens. Similarly, when you consciously transform dark experiences, you also add more light to your lens.

Imagine your ideal lens.  What does it look like?  How do you feel wearing this very unique lens you created?

When anger, sadness or fear arises, the lens of perception becomes clouded with darkness. Instead of reacting with old patterns of behaviour, mindfully bring an open heart, unconditional love and acceptance to the forefront.  Stay open to exploring the origins of your pain.  Inevitably you will discover a distant memory that directs you towards self-care.  Perhaps compassion or forgiveness are needed in order to return to wellness. Have patience with yourself and the process of healing.  Like a small child who is soothed by a loving parent, you too can heal from darkness and grow stronger each day.

The lens of perception may be interpreted as consciousness.  Therefore whatever you hold in your conscious mind colours your lens.  Negative thoughts darken the lens while positive thoughts increase light.  Both are normal and natural parts of the human experience.  Both have value and contribute to the whole.

In order to increase light, adopt a neutral stance and become an observer without attachment.  This act alone empowers you in significant ways.  Not only will you detach from negative thoughts but you will also have more space for positive ones.  For instance, if you enjoy art, you might set time aside each day to explore colours, shapes and textures.  If you love music, you might set time aside to explore instruments, song and dance.  These practices alone will naturally enhance light in your lens of perception!

The lens of perception is derived from thoughts, beliefs and memories from within.  Your unique lens holds both positive and negative energies.  Positive energies include love, compassion and acceptance.  Negative energies include anger, fear, and rejection.  Accept and honor both energies within your lens.  Each are important components of the whole lens.  Just as a mountain reveals beauty on its sunny side, there is also beauty hidden in the shaded side.  Stay open to the dark side, bringing a healthy dose of positive energy to your experience.  The dark side holds valuable information on what is needed to amplify light on the sunny side!

Every person has a unique lens in which they perceive and experience the world.  Thoughts, beliefs and memories create this lens, a reflection of one’s inner world.  In order to live your best life possible, care and attention must be placed upon this lens.  Over the next five weeks, there will be tips for developing awareness on the lens of perception.

This weeks tip involves simple awareness that we each have a unique lens.  A great deal of discomfort for most people comes from expecting similar perceptions from others. In reality, no two people view are experience life in exactly the same way.  Acknowledging and accepting our own lens, as well as the lens of others, is vital to overall wellness.  Acceptance naturally leads to reduced judgement and conflict.  Honour your lens of perception and the lens of others for their uniqueness.  Together, we are an integral part of the great ecosystem of life!

Go with your first response.  If you are trying to decide which route to take in life, put yourself in each environment and witness your body’s response.  For instance, in deciding whether to live in a townhouse or condo, make a trip to each place and observe your physical reactions while standing quietly and calmly without mental engagement.  Does a feeling of excitement overcome you?  Do you feel energized and inspired or is there a dulling sensation with negative energy?  Are you feeling open and loving or closed and resistant?  These are all valuable indicators of what your intuition is telling you.

If it is not possible for you to physically put yourself in the environment you wish to test, try to visualize it with as much details as possible using all of your senses.  Imagine yourself standing in each setting.  What do you see?  What do you hear?  What do you smell?  Who is present?  What are you feeling?  Allow yourself to fully experience the setting with an open mind.  After a few minutes of meditation, observe your initial overall response.  If you receive no clear indicators pointing you in a certain direction, let it go and try again another day.  When the time is right, your intuition will provide you with exactly what you need to know in that moment.

Intuition requires a generous amount of love and trust. We must love ourselves enough to trust our inner knowing. When we can accept ourselves without conditions, release self-doubt and mindfully bring our heart to every moment in life, we demonstrate trust in ourself.  Trust is something we must build throughout life.  Trust is something we feel deep within.  Love yourself and build trust within that you can and will make good choices for yourself.