What can I Do to Support an Arising Consciousness?

What can I do to support this arising consciousness of Love in our politics, our economics, our world, ourselves?

It’s a question I ask myself often, especially as we here in Canada and the U.S. enter an election season where it’s easy to be swayed by all the emotional turbulence. The response, without fail, is usually:

Stop judging!

Stop judging the person. The situation. The emotions they evoke in you. Your thoughts.

Better yet, stay in a field of Love, and extend that field out to people you strongly disagree with, and situations that are beyond your control.

Oh, is that all?! LOL

Sure, it’s easy to extend Love in meditation or prayer, but how do you do that when interacting with the world?

That is, by far, the greatest challenge of my spiritual journey. It’s also the most rewarding when I manage to do it, even for a few moments.

I don’t have an easy answer, but I do have one practice that I consistently go to that keeps me anchored in Love.

As I go about my day, in the back of my mind, I have trained myself to repeat the words:

THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.

Over and over and over again.

It’s like a non-stop record. I repeat both phrases – or just one – upon waking, in the shower, when I’m driving, before I go into a meeting, before I speak or write. I especially repeat them before, during and after the news!

Who am I saying them to? No one. And every one!

To myself. To the Universal Consciousness. To my family. Passersby. The cashier. The barista. The coffee. The trees. The sun. The sky. The rain. The earth. My feet. My body. My eyes. The sidewalk. The room. The buildings. The city. The country. The car. The person who cuts me off. The helpers and the builders. The deniers and the dividers. The lovers and the haters. The emotions (anger, fear, sadness, disbelief) that are still there even as I write these words. The thoughts of futility that still interject themselves.

To ALL of it, I say:

THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.

Along with deep breathing, these words bring me a sense of deep calm: mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. A sense that all is OK. When I do speak, I feel I am speaking from a place of greater inspiration. When I do act, it feels like I’m doing exactly what I need to do in that moment. I feel less rushed, more in flow, more connected to that field of Love and Wisdom, confident that it’s doing its thing through me and that all is Perfect.

Yes, I still get angry. I still lose my patience. I still judge. But I also get back to that field of Love a lot more quickly than I ever used to.

If each one of us was able to do this, imagine the transformations that would take place within us: in our minds, hearts and spirits. Imagine how those ripples of energy would change our world.

May these words serve you in your journeys. I’d love to hear what you do to also stay in consciousness.

Shine on!
Mony

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Art by A. Wyron on unsplash.com.

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#monydojeiji #walkingforpeace #consciousness #love #politics #loveinpolitics #peace #lightworkers #dailypractice #thankyou #iloveyou #gratitude #hooponopono #iamawake

A Conscious Politics

One of the most profound and authentic conversations that I see taking place these days is from this woman: Marianne Williamson.

Marianne Williamson (Image from NY Times Magazine article)

 It’s not even about her run for the American presidency, but the deep truths that she’s speaking.

It’s about the consciousness she represents, where LOVE – for each other, for the planet, for our highest ideals – is at the core of all that we as individuals (and collectively as societies and governments) do.

She puts forth the “radical” notion that individuals are here to thrive;

That we have the right to fully realize our potential;

That we are here to be unburdened emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually – liberated from these slaveries, so that our creative brilliance may shine through and raise the world in which we live.

As we have all witnessed – in the US and beyond – fear has been harnessed to divide us. Love, humanity, compassion are all too often derided and dismissed as naïve and sentimental, lacking the power to create any lasting change.

But I say it is ONLY LOVE that will transform us. It is ONLY LOVE that will unite us. It is ONLY LOVE that will guide us.

And that journey must begin in the heart of each and every one of us.

It takes courage to embark on this journey. We must be willing to look deeply into the shadows of our own souls – our fears, our prejudices, our helplessness – and shine a light upon them. The lamp we carry is LOVE.  

ONLY LOVE can transform our deep pains and traumas into peace.

ONLY LOVE can transform our thoughts and beliefs into inspiration.

For LOVE is the greatest Liberator.

Until we can know that God is Love, and that Love is our true nature, then we will ridicule what we don’t know and crucify those who challenge us in our beliefs.

What gives me incredible hope is a certainty that people are waking up to this deep truth and that the wave that has now begun cannot be stopped.

Her website is a fountain of knowledge, and ideas that make me think even deeper. I encourage you to check it out. marianne2020.com.

This is a recent article about her from the NY Times Magazine https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/magazine/marianne-williamson-2020.html.

May we all walk forward together in consciousness and unity.

~Mony

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#monydojeiji #walkingforpeace #consciousness #loveinpolitics #mariannewilliamson #marianne2020 #marianneforpresident #love #transformation #bigtruth #wisdom

Marianne Williamson - A Politics of Love

It’s very easy to speak your full spiritual truth with people who understand you.

It’s a whole other game completely to stand in the fullness of that truth before the world, naked, before those who do not.

To speak about the Way of Love in perhaps the most divisive of arenas: politics.

I’ve read many of Marianne Williamson’s books, and believe in the message she shares. The fact that she was able to articulate that message – and that she got to that stage at all – speaks to the awakening of that consciousness that is taking root in our world.

I also see it as a testament to the consistent inner work that I – and millions around the world – are doing of cleaning up and transforming the beliefs, programs, traumas, paradigms and FEARS deeply entrenched in my own psyche; of showing up every day, every moment, and facing those fears with LOVE; standing steadfastly in that Love so that moments like Marianne on that stage can reveal themselves to me/us.

She is an outer manifestation of the inner work (meditations, peace walks, yoga, etc.) that each of us is consistently doing, day in day out, in the stillness and anonymity of our own hearts.

I take great courage from her example; to not only continue the inner work myself, but to (in my own way) articulate what it means to walk the Way of Love, and to walk it fully.

Mony 💜

P.S. If interested, this is a 3-minute clip of her speaking from the Democratic Debates yesterday.

https://time.com/5616722/marianne-williamson-2020-democratic-debate/.

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#monydojeiji #albertoagraso #consciousness #walkingforpeace #marianne2020 #mariannewilliamson #politicsoflove #loveistheway #awakening #courage #BigTruth

Inquiry into MMIWG - Healing the Soul of a Nation

Digital Art by Janelle Richardson

Last week in Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) presented its report to Canadian government officials. This Inquiry was set up to understand why indigenous women are so disproportionately affected by violence, why so many go missing or are murdered, and why the justice system has failed them at every turn. They called the events a genocide.

I watched the presentation, and felt witness to a watershed moment in Canadian history. When faced with painful Truth, I’ve observed that the mind either denies and attacks, or bows to the calling of the heart to heal. Those who immediately focused on the word “genocide”, arguing whether its use was legal or correct, showed they were incapable of bowing to that call to heal, yet. Their hearts aren’t ready.

But I believe the vast majority of Canadians are ready. They simply don’t know how.

We are a good, kind and decent people, who try to do the right thing, so it’s difficult for us to conceive of this happening in our own country; that our own elected officials and the laws they enacted enabled this. But until we are willing to acknowledge what happened, and the well of emotions this Truth has now evoked, then we will perpetuate this trauma and inhibit our ability to move forward as this great united nation we claim ourselves to be. It is a deep, painful, collective memory we all share. It is in our collective psyche as Canadians.

But it can be healed. It can be transformed, and become powerful wisdom to guide us forward as a nation. It takes courage, which I know we have. Our courage to do this work will liberate us and all involved from this trauma. It is only then that creative, inspired solutions for reparations can be considered. Only then can we become the “True North, strong and free.”

We have before us an opportunity (and obligation, I feel) to heal the soul of a country harmed by actions inspired by ignorance and fear, and power exercised without wisdom or compassion.

This is all inner work, which means we each have the power to do this. Now, we only have to be willing. :-)

What can I do? That’s usually the question. I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t here when all this happened. The government has the report. They’ll work on the laws and policies that need changing. They’ll pay whatever needs to be paid.

But reconciliation has nothing to do with money. This is not a financial matter, but an emotional, mental and spiritual one. We each have a role to play to liberate these energies within us.

How do we do this? What I share with you now is the inner work that I'm doing, what I'm saying to myself:

I take 100% responsibility for having this shared memory in my psyche. I may not have personally committed these acts, but I take responsibility for the fact that they happened in my country, in my history, by officials elected by me or my ancestors to create laws and policies that represented my values as a Canadian.

I take responsibility for the suffering they inflicted, despite the fact that this “was the accepted thinking of the time.”

I take responsibility for every mother, sister, aunt, daughter and child murdered or missing as a result of these laws. I take responsibility for all that they could have been… and never were.

I take responsibility for every disparaging thought and judgment I’ve had about indigenous people. I take responsibility for every moment I walked past anyone in need or looked the other way.

I take responsibility for the depth of emotions this has evoked in me, and wanting to bury them or ignore them.

That is my part in all of this.

Until we can see each and every one of these women as OUR FAMILY, our beloveds, then we will not grasp the heart calling to make this right.

I cannot change what was, but I have it within me to change what is… WITHIN ME.

These words I speak right now:

* To every emotion * running through me right now, from guilt, shame, horror, rage, disbelief, denial, helplessness…I see you. I see each and every one of you. This Inquiry is allowing me to see you, and for that, I say thank you for showing yourself to me. You are in me, so you are my emotions, no one else’s. I take responsibility for you, and say I am sorry. I love you. Thank you for the chance to liberate you. Thank you for the opportunity to be at peace, to have the chambers of my heart filled with peace. Thank you for the opportunity to now bring this peace into the world as inspired action, inspired words, inspired thoughts.

* To this memory * buried in my psyche that I share with all Canadians – a memory that is within me because I am Canadian – I say I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you are in me, in my country, in its people, in my land. Please forgive me, and all those who acted in my name, who had a hand in creating you. I know you don’t want to remain this heavy, dark shadow within me, lurking and unseen. You want to be in the light too. You want to be free. You want to shine. Thank you for the opportunity to free you, to bring you healing, to bring you peace. I see you. I love you.

I know I am connected to every other Canadian and human being on this planet and, in doing this work, I am not only freeing you within me, but doing my part to free you inside each and every person who has this memory in them too. In Canada, and around the world.

* To each and every indigenous * woman, girl and all her relations… to every victim… I am sorry for the pain that we inflicted upon you. I am sorry for all the wrong that we did to you. I’m sorry that we didn’t know any better. Without even realizing it, in harming you, we were also harming ourselves. We were losing our humanity. Please forgive us.

* My Creator *, I know I don’t need to ask your forgiveness because I am always loved, but I am sorry for my part in having this memory within me. I didn’t know any better. We didn’t know any better. I alone can’t do this work of transforming and liberating this trauma. I know you seek our highest good, and our continued growth into ever-greater versions of Love. I love you.

Thank you for liberating this memory within me, and all who may harbour it, in this country or another, this lifetime or another.

Thank you for this opportunity to grow in wisdom, love and compassion. Thank you the opportunity to apply this wisdom and love in service to all Canadians, to care for all, love all, and serve all, so that we may move forward as “the True North, strong and free” that we truly are.

Love is the most powerful force in the Universe and, with Love lighting the way, this is done.

And so it is. 💖🙏💖
~Mony

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Image by digital artist Janelle Richardson. She’s a member of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and was born in Whitehorse, Y.T.to the parents Dorothy Washpan and Alvin Washpan. She was separated from her other 4 sisters who were all part of the 60's scoop era. She currently resides in the State of Georgia where she earned a Bachelors. Her youngest sister Tina Washpan a.k.a. Cindy Burke was one of the MMIWG of the Yukon. She dedicates this logo to her sister Tina, whom she never had the opportunity to meet, but will forever be in Janelle's heart.

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#monydojeiji #consciousness #walkingforpeace #peace #love #reconciliation#MMIWG #Canada #Canadian #healing #transformation #trauma#loveistheonlytruth #wisdom #indigenous #truth #bigtruth

Day 3 of my 5-day water and broth Fast

So, here I am on day 3 of my 5-day water and broth fast.

I had done this fast last year, and shared with you my day-by-day reflections. This time, I felt the call to be more silent and so have tried, with mixed success, to disconnect from the outer world and focus inwards.

One of the big themes that has come up in these days is:

Where does true nourishment come from?

Is it from what you consume, or from what nourishes your spirit, your heart, your soul?

Is this nourishment (of and from the spirit) enough to sustain you on all levels?

The growling in my stomach pulls me in one direction, while the stillness pulls me in another.

In the stillness, I feel a warmth seeping into every atom of my being, and wish only to remain there. The hunger and mental chatter dissipate, and in that moment, I know the true source of my nourishment.

The work is to stay there, of course. That's the practice and discipline I'm developing.

I'm going offline again and will see you on day 5, Friday evening, when I break my fast.

Have a great week!
Mony

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#monydojeiji #consciousness #walkingforpeace #fasting #power #courage #love #food #MindBodySpirit #nourishment #Spirit 

I'm Doing the Best I Can

What can I do?

This was a question that was asked often during the Indigenous Youth conference, and was answered beautifully by this story from keynote speaker Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard:

A huge forest was being consumed by fire. All the animals were transfixed, watching the forest burning, and feeling overwhelmed and powerless.

Except the little hummingbird.

It flew to the nearest stream, took a drop of water, put it on the fire, and went back for more, over and again, as fast as it could.

In the meantime, larger animals such as the elephants with trunks that could bring much more water, simply stood there watching, also feeling helpless. And they said to the hummingbird,

"This fire is too big. You are too small. Your wings are tiny and your beak can barely hold a drop of water at a time. It's even evaporating before it gets to the fire."

Without missing a beat, the hummingbird responded,

"I am doing the best I can."

This obviously applies to any situation in life that makes us feel overwhelmed or helpless.

So, wherever you are, be that single drop of water that quenches even the tiniest part of that raging fire.

Be the first to listen with an open heart and mind.

Be the one who makes amends.

Be the bringer of laughter and joy.

Be the carrier of goodwill and compassion.

Be the hand that reaches out.

Be the bridge-builder.

Be the love and peace you wish to see in the world.

~Mony <3

Image by Randall Ruiz on unsplash.com
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#peace #love #consciousness #reconciliation #truthandreconciliation #TRC #BetheLove #BethePeace #indigenous #BetheChange #wisdom #humminbird #storiesthatinspire 

Reaching Indigenous Youth Conference

Driving home tonight, my heart felt both heavy and hopeful.

I was at an all-day conference called “Reaching Indigenous Youth”, attended by Elders, Wisdom Keepers, MPs, Senators and so many individuals and organizations working for peace and reconciliation on all levels.

Words like genocide and apartheid are difficult to hear and evoke images of far-away lands, of peoples other than your own. To learn about what this country did to its indigenous population over the centuries - and to experience it through an activity called the "blanket exercise" - left me feeling shaken, outraged, ashamed.

It would’ve been easy to stay there, but the voices of the builders gave me hope.

Talk of healing of the Spirit lifted me.

Aspirations to a higher consciousness, where Love is the foundation of how we move forward together, united, as brothers and sisters sharing this land… made my heart sing.

There is much to be done to rebuild the broken trust, and the journey, as in any relationship, is fraught with perils…but at least we are on the path, walking together, moving into action – and that’s what matters.

Let there be reconciliation in the land, and let it begin within my own heart.

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#peace #love #consciousness #letitbeginwithme #indigenous #peacebuilding #innerpeaceouterpeace #reconciliation #truthandreconciliation #anewrelationship #anewstory #hopeful 

Courage over Fear

It is in these moments of despair and outrage that I believe we are called to choose from the deepest place of love within us.

And that requires courage…

To stand for what we believe, unswayed by all that we see.

To declare another way, one that begins with me.

To BE the helpers, the builders, the change-makers, the way-showers, the light-workers.

Let it begin with me.

~Mony


#consciousness #love #courage #lightworkers #faith #lovetrumpsall #light #loveandlight  #loveoverfear #walkthetalk

Pointing the Way

I’ve recently been introduced to the work and magnificence that was Nikola Tesla. A man truly ahead of his time. This particular quote got me thinking…

Of course, the comments don’t apply to scientists only, but to any and all who choose a vision for themselves and the world that doesn’t fit into the mainstream.

There will always be those tweaking the systems and structures we hold dear; and then there will be those who upend them altogether to show another way.

Many of you reading this, I know, consider yourselves to be light-workers, bringing a vision of our world and a consciousness that is grounded in love and Oneness. I count myself among them. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that we can’t change anything because the traditional, often fear-based, systems appear too strongly entrenched.

This quote from Tesla, however, breathed new life into me.

Our work is to show the way. Paint a vision of how we can be, and how our societies can be. It may sound Utopian, but we are here for no less a task than to mark a path.

I believe the technology exists today to eradicate poverty, hunger, illness. Free energy, free WIFI, free communications, free education, universal basic income, the right to contribute your highest without worrying about economic contribution… by today’s models, all these are considered utopian and unattainable.

But just because today’s models don’t support these ideas doesn’t invalidate them. It doesn't mean we give up.

Enter the dreamers, the artists, the poets, the healers, the visionaries, the misfits, the compassionate ones, the quantum physicists, and all those who dwell in the realm of possibility.

Your ideas may not be taken up today, but no matter. Our sacred task as souls on a journey of exploration and expansion is to lay down the foundation anyways for those to come, and point the way.

Ever onwards. <3 
~Mony


#consciousness #Love #WayofLove #Wayshower #peace #builder #dreamer #visionary #tesla #creator #light #lightworker #myfuture #myworld #souljourney #souls #theway 

Courage is taking one step...

Courage: We often think of it in grand terms, as giant feats of heroism; but I’ve come to appreciate that true courage involves listening to our intuition and taking one purposeful step in the direction of our highest truth.

I have many experiences to draw from, but I will share with you the story of what happened when I left Microsoft, not knowing my next steps and not having a clear direction for my life.

The decision didn’t happen overnight. It took several years, as I flitted from job to job within the company, waiting for each new job to fill the tremendous void of dissatisfaction and fatigue I was feeling. The initial enthusiasm and challenge would inevitably wane, and I would once again begin to feel restless; but I wasn't ready to give up my career, my identity or my livelihood.

At the same time, a powerful shift was happening within me.

My intuition was awakening. Until then, if I couldn't see or touch a thing, it didn't exist. Logic won over instinct every time. But I was seeing how those little hunches, those tiny feelings that carried absolute knowing, were bringing me to places of healing and comprehension. I began listening to them.

I felt connected to a greatness that extended beyond my concepts of love; and I felt it close to me, encouraging me to act on all the coincidences that were presenting themselves. Even though my logic protested at the absurdity of following a coincidence, I did it anyways, and found myself in situations that brought clarity and insight.

I also felt as if all of Creation was awaiting my moment of decision, so that they too could move with me.

Let me tell you what happened when I finally made my decision to quit.

I had left Canada, and was now working at the Microsoft’s head office in Washington. I finally worked up the resolve, and walked into my manager's office to tell her the news. She knew I was unhappy and so, before I could speak, began to describe a new job opportunity that would have me be the liaison between Corporate office in the U.S. with the offices in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It would be a relationship-building job where I would travel the region, sharing best practices with them and taking back to Corporate the practices that were working well locally that we could incorporate into international programs.

Could there be a better job?! To travel, meet people, share stories, and get paid for it?!

I was paralyzed by indecision, shutting down what I knew to be my truth and beginning to convince myself that THIS new job would bring me the inner peace and fulfillment I was seeking...until a friend and mentor at Microsoft sat me down and said:

“You need great courage to take one small step in the direction of your heart and its yearning, even when you don't know where that step will lead you exactly. Do you have that courage?”

I decided that I did. When I finally quit, the floodgates that had been holding the precious clarity I sought opened up. They led me to a retreat in the mountains a few hours from my home where I would serendipitously meet my eagle, and begin my pilgrimages and travels.

One small step. One committed act towards self-love and inner peace. One act of faith in myself and all the forces of Love that I knew were rooting for me!

And knowing that behind that leap, Love has my back!

That's all it took.

May your courage reveal the next step in your journey.
~Mony

#courage #love #selflove #innerpeace #intuition #pilgrimage #pilgrims #spirituality #sacredjourney #transformation #CaminodeSantiago #speaker #inspirational #inspirationalspeaker

International Women's Day - Reflections on Feminine and Masculine

Duality, by intuitive artist Alberto Agraso (http://albertoagraso.blogspot.com)

I have always a hard time with this day because I feel the pressure to honour and celebrate only women.

I understand the history and significance of this day, and in no way wish to diminish its importance or the courage and merit of the women who fought for civil rights and who change the world in magnificent ways every day. And, of course, there is still work to do to bring about full equality on all levels.

Today, however, I wish to reflect on the path we are walking together as men and women.

Compassion, nurturing, love, inclusion…why are these the exclusive terrain of women?

Power, dominance, assertiveness, independence… why are these the exclusive terrain of men?

I know women who would be considered “masculine”. Should I celebrate them exclusively because they are women?

I know men who embody the “feminine”. Should I exclude them, just because they are men?

I believe it’s abuse of power that we need to reflect on, independent of gender or sexual orientation.

As a woman, I have suffered abuse of power at the hands of other women, and I have seen them exercise that power over men. I understand that we live in a patriarchal society, and we have seen their abuses; but I have also seen men be the shining lights of love and compassion.

And that abuse and discrimination can be seen not only between men and women, but between races, religions, sexual orientation, economic status, social status, and so many more examples.

We all carry the principles we call feminine inside of us, along with the masculine. The harmonizing and marriage of those energies, to me, is the journey. It is from that marriage – that sacred union – that true power arises and the magnificence of creation is unleashed.

So this is my celebration today: the awakening of the feminine in all, and the continuing journey of men and women to bring into harmony the masculine and feminine energies within them, and to use them in service for the highest good of all.

This painting by @AlbertoAgraso is called "Duality" and I believe speaks beautifully to this message.

#InternationalWomensDay #EqualityMatters #love #equality #duality #consciousness #women #feminine #masculine #energy #ArtoftheSpirit #gender 

“I will believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is"

"I believe in my power
to transform indifference into love.

I believe I have an amazing gift
to keep hope alive in the face of despair.

I believe I have the remarkable skill
of deleting bitterness from my life.

I believe in my budding potential
to live with a nonviolent heart.

I believe in my passion to speak the truth
even when it isn’t popular.

I believe I have the strength of will
to be peace in a world of violence.

I believe in my miraculous capacity
for unconditional love.

I will believe the truth about myself
no matter how beautiful it is.”
~Macrina Wiederkehr

#love #consciousness #peace #power #truth #iamenough 

"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him."~MLK

If there were to be a manifesto for this moment in time, it would be captured in these words:

Let no person pull you low enough to hate them.

Because in the moment that they do, then YOU have lost your power:

Your power to choose what to think.

Your power to choose what to believe.

Your power to choose how to act.

Your power to stand in the grace of who you are.

Your power to choose love, especially for those who demonstrate the lack of it.

Your power to choose understanding, even while others act from ignorance.

Your power to choose unity, even while the words of others create separation.

Your power to choose to listen with your heart, to hear the unspoken words and glimpse the wounds
desperate to heal.

No one can control how you feel, what you think, and how you respond. That is the ultimate power you, and we, all possess.

My choice is clear. Despite all the outer noise and distractions, now more than ever, I stand for love.

And I especially weigh it down like an anchor in the hearts of those – my brothers and sisters on this journey – who cannot yet do it for themselves, and who have temporarily forgotten who they are.

One pilgrim step at a time. <3

#MLK #consciousness #love #peace #inspiration #heart #unity #understanding #power #mychoice #icontrolmythoughts #icontrolmyactions #courage #walkingforpeace

PODCAST and VIDEO Pilgrim Story Hour - Courage

When I began walking alone, many people said, "Wow, you're so brave! Aren't you scared?"

Of course, a certain amount of courage is required to embark on any journey into the unknown, but I have come to appreciate that it's the small, moment-by-moment choices that we make about who we are as individuals that define true courage.

And sometimes, courage fails us.

On this episode, I share a story that took place in Syria and Lebanon, when my courage should have carried me, but didn't.


This AUDIO podcast, and the entire series, is on:

- SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/mony-dojeiji and
- iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/pilgrim-story-hour/id1138028764

Thanks for tuning in. Please feel free to Like and Share.
~Mony~

#pilgrimage #pilgrims #CaminodeSantiago #Camino #WayofStJames #Caminostory #storytelling #storiesthattransform #journeysthattransform #travel #adventure #walkingforpeace #walking #innerjourney #RometoJerusalem #consciousness #Ottawa #monydojeiji #PilgrimStoryHour #podcast #video

Mony Moment: Life Lesson Learned from Helping Others

I was raised with the teaching that you always help those in need, especially your family and close friends. That, of course, included giving them money if they needed it.

I have recently had to revisit the wisdom of that teaching.

Many years ago, I loaned a sum of money to individuals who were like family to me. I didn’t formalize the loan with any legal documents, and trusted in their word and integrity to pay it back.

It came as a slap in the face to be told that, not only could they not pay back the loan, but that they considered what I had given them to be a gift.

I’ve spent the last few months doing a lot of inner work (especially self-forgiveness and Ho’oponopono) to deal with the anger, the betrayal and the humiliation. I’ve felt stupid, naïve and, above all else, terribly wounded.

Of course, I’ve taken legal action; but those of you who follow my writings know that I try to look upon these situations from the lens of Spirit, and to use them as opportunities for growth on all levels.

It would be easy to stay in the role of victim, and not examine my contributions, no matter how unconscious, to this drama. When I can finally come to the place of stillness and non-judgment, I begin to see that, perhaps, I created this scenario so that, at the highest levels, I expand my understanding of what it means to help another.

I believed I was doing the right thing by helping. I believed I was being understanding and compassionate.

But was I being wise?

I understand now that I wasn’t.

In my rush to fix my friends’ money problems and not see them suffer, I neglected to ask myself whether giving money would truly solve the deeper questions of their lives that they needed to address.

In my rush to be a saviour, helper and good friend, I neglected to see them as wise individuals capable of finding creative solutions to their self-made problems. I didn’t give them the chance to make difficult, values-based decisions, or to flex their problem-solving muscles.

Without meaning to, I disempowered them.

All parents understand this lesson well. It’s easy to step in and do everything for our children, but we know that in so doing, we take away their power to develop those all-important abilities to rationalize, to intuit, to reach beyond their known limits. There is power in the struggle, in the wrestling with ideas and feelings, in the arriving to a more confident place of understanding and wisdom.

But I didn’t have that wisdom then… :-)

Now, before offering to help or fix a situation, with money or time, I ask myself:

Why am I doing this? Are my actions in service to the highest within me? Within them? Or am I simply assuaging my guilt?

Do my actions empower them, or keep them as victims?

How am I seeing them? As incapable and in-need? Or fully capable and creative beings?

These are not easy questions to answer, for they force ME to wrestle and struggle with what I believe and with who I am as an individual.

But isn’t that what we’re all ultimately here for?

One of the techniques that has helped me move on from this situation, and gain a measure of peace, is a practice popularized by the Christian mystic Emmett Fox. It goes something like this:

“I now affirm and acknowledge the presence of Divine Truth, and only Truth, in them, in me and in this situation. It is the only consciousness at work. It arises in them and me, standing in full dominion, giving us each the courage to act with wisdom and love, rather than fear. And through Divine Power and Intelligence, I know that this situation is resolving itself for the highest good of all. I choose now to only allow those energies to manifest and be at play. A higher mind than mine is now working here, and I allow it to do its work.”

Or something like that, it depends on the moment!

The point is to only allow that consciousness, that energy, those words to permeate my thinking at all times.

I don’t always pull it off; but, when I do, I feel a tremendous power within me. I feel as if I’m not alone on this path, and that I am healing us and this situation on levels I can’t even begin to imagine.

Above all, I feel that I have honoured the spiritual path I am walking, to the best of my abilities today and now.

I hope this experience serves you in your life journeys.
Much love,
Mony

The Current of Creativity: a podcast with Mony Dojeiji

The Current of Creativity with Mony Dojeiji:

"We didn't come here to keep this beautiful energy [of creativity] to ourselves." ~Mony

It's not very often that I get to speak about creativity and how it manifests in my life as a writer, so my thanks goes to Elizabeth Johnston from "Own your Creativity" for giving me the opportunity to do so on her podcast.

Enjoy!