Awakening Inner Knowing

Q: People have been on spiritual quests from the beginning of recorded history and likely before that. But what is it today that describes what people are looking for when it comes to spirituality?

While there are many in pursuit of the enlightenment experience, it seems that more are looking for something on a smaller scale, something that feels more controllable and doable.

So the goal becomes how to help them to achieve concrete results. To help them learn to … Read More

Many of us fall into the trap of believing happiness lies somewhere off in the future… When I get that promotion. When I find my true love.

We live in a culture that promotes this mindset, and it’s deeply ingrained in many of us. It’s part of the mistaken belief that gets promoted about how happiness lies in external achievements – wealth, relationships, fame, and recognition. It’s a belief that makes us think that changing our external circumstances will bring … Read More

As spiritual seekers, most of us feel that we can benefit from finding a good teacher. I’d agree. But which type of teacher is best for you? Do you look for a spiritual guide or a spiritual scout? Because they’re not the same.

Spiritual scouts don’t make good guides because they don’t really want to be with people. They don’t want to be held back by slow people and they’re not interested in staying with the group. They want to … Read More

Could you tell the time if you had no watch or cell phone?

Most of us would think, well sure, I could roughly guestimate the time from where the sun is in the sky.

But what about when it’s a cloudy day?

Our ancestors had the ability to take that one step further, not only by observing the sun’s path but also by using their sense of smell.

Yes, their sense of smell. And so can you with a little … Read More

“What’s in a name?

That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.”

Let me answer that, Mr. Shakespeare: “Quite a lot, actually.”

I remember back in college, this philosophy professor who could never get my name right. Drove me nuts. No matter how many times I corrected him, he continued to call me by this other name. A name I didn’t think fit me at all.

Anyway, I’d raise my hand in class, and … Read More

Signs, signals, and omens are the universe’s way of communicating with us. By paying attention and interpreting these messages, we can navigate life with greater awareness and insight. Whether it’s through a personal sign, a general trend, or a spiritual encounter with nature, these experiences remind us that we are not separate from the universe but a part of its intricate web.

Each carries its own weight and message, often guiding us through the unseen energy fields that connect all … Read More

Q: Why is it that we’ve advanced so far in scientific and technological knowledge and not so much in personal relationships and communities?

How far science has advanced is a subject for another day. As far as knowing ourselves goes, we’re trying to use knowledge to change our behavior from the outside in: use this app to track how many steps you take, use that app to meditate for five minutes, use another app to measure heart rate and breathing … Read More

Q: In reading Master of Self-Realization by Shri Sadguru Siddharameshwar Maharaj, I find that his answer to everything is that we are experiencing an illusion. We need to let go and just stop caring about whatever it is. That’s all there is to it. But for me, it’s not helpful to be told to just let go. What am I missing?

This is one of the reasons why Eastern spirituality can be tricky for Westerners. The Advaita Vedanta teachings do … Read More