pick up our usual defense. Out of this I have formed the supportive practices I refer to as “the pillars of awakening” – a specific synthesis of qualities we can turn toward in daily life that significantly am- plify our capacity for deeper inquiry. Visu- alize yourself standing in a circle. Sur- rounding you are great pillars, and each pillar contains an immense presence representing each of these qualities:
TRUST – in your own fundamental good- ness, in the goodness underlying all existence. This produces courage and true confidence to open into the un- known, trusting that all will be well even if we don’t know how.
LOVE OF TRUTH – for its own sake, whatever it reveals. This produces devo- tion, and dedication and purity of moti- vation so that we are unafraid to open beyond our self-images and taste God.
CURIOSITY – sincere interest to dis- cover what is truly real. This produces open-mindedness and expansion of our conciousness.
NON-ATTACK – the commitment to dis- engage from self attack and inner criti- cism. This cultivates compassion for our humanity, allows space for us to experi- ment and learn, and intercepts the inner critic that so often closes us down.
HUMILITY – recognizing that we do not necessarily know what anything is truly
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for. This pops our ego’s arrogance, and supports capacity to open into the un- known and allow space for grace and guidance.
WILLINGNESS – activates our true desire and turns us away from ego indulgence to our deeper impulses. Together, they form a true container that holds us, birth- ing within us the virtues that make it possible to open into whatever life brings so that everything we experience gets turned into the path of awakening. I have written on some of the pillars in previous articles on my website (the full teachings of each pillar will be in my new book still being penned). In daily life, particu- larly when we find ourself at a stuck place, this is what we can turn towards to stay on track with our deepest intent.
Your spiritual strengths and weaknesses Looking at these qualities, you might
notice that some come more easily to you, while others are much more challenging. Each of us has a relationship with these virtues, unique to our personality structure and history. Since each of these qualities operate synergistically as a unit to create the inner support for awakening, seeing where your spiritual strengths and weak- nesses lie is very helpful information. Just as going to the gym and only exercising your already developed muscles will cre- ate an imbalance, it helps to work with your weaknesses also. You can then inquire into what limits your access to this virtue and what supports it. After a few minutes
of resting undefended with states and feel- ings Angela had spent so much of her life trying to avoid, her state palpably shifted and she began to giggle. I asked her “what’s here now?" She replied “my fear is not real at all. I just feel incredibly peaceful now. Vast and inherently one with everything." I asked her where this peace was coming from. “Within my heart,” she replied. “It was here all the time. I just tend to forget." Don’t we all!
I left her with a new “assignment,” which was:
• Be curious about what exactly causes you to leave your heart. • What helps you remember? • What supports you to abide?
Each day, turn toward what truly supports you. Compassionately investigate the forces that pull you off. Cherish contact with your true heart above all else. It can be that simple.
Miranda Macpherson founded the One- Spirit Interfaith Foundation in London where she trained and ordained over 600 ministers. She is author of “Boundless Love”, “The Heart of Being” mantra CD and countless articles. She offers extensive online programs and retreats internation- ally. She will hold a Surrendering into Grace Retreat in Greensboro on October 6-8 with
WomenandWisdom.com. Visit
www.mirandamacpherson.com to learn more.
Maureen Lamont, ANP-C Maureen Lamont, ANP-C is a
Certified Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapist
Marcelle Hammer 336.768.7000
www.ForsythIntegrativeTherapy.com
www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Maureen Lamont, ANP-C
board certified adult nurse practi- tioner. She has 10 years of clinical experience in addition to many years as a nurse. She is passionate about helping people optimize their health and wellness and she is liv- ing one of her dreams here at RIH. She is welcoming new patients! She will be addressing all of the issues commonly dealt with at RIH.
336.768.3335 MAY 2017 31
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