The Power Of Being

In the western world, taking action often appears to be the best solution for many life situations. When you want to expand your business, for example, you might set up a short term plan as well as a long term vision. Each day you take action as you progress toward your chosen goals. Being a well-rounded person, you incorporate creativity and inspiration to achieve the dreams and goals that you desire. You work with others who contribute to accomplishing common aims. After several years, your business is increasing and you enjoy financial and personal success.

Being a person who is confident and has good self-esteem, you feel proud of your accomplishments, as you should. Then one day your inner self whispers a deeper truth.

It is very powerful to simply acknowledge and experience a state of being. Many of us know this truth innately and we spend time meditating, enjoying a beautiful sunset, listening to peaceful music or just relaxing. These are wonderful ways to connect with our soul and with the universe. We feel refreshed, uplifted and renewed during these moments. As we nurture ourselves in this manner, we truly acknowledge who we are instead of solely focusing on what we do.

The power of being takes on a myriad of colors, feelings, and textures. For example, let’s say that someone close to you has just passed away. Suddenly you find yourself experiencing a profound sense of loss and sadness. Maybe you think about the times you spent together and the relationship you enjoyed. Perhaps there were feelings you wished you had expressed, but did not. This period is a state of being. Whatever feelings you have, or express or even deny during this time is your state of being. There is nothing to change or to fix or to plan. Your experience simply “is.”

Feelings of confusion or sadness do not need to be judged as bad or unnecessary. They are simply part of being human. It’s important to take the time to allow ourselves to be human. Ghandi reminds us when he notes that Life is not just about speed.

There are several benefits to acknowledging a state of being:

• We connect to our authenticity. We become aware in a deeper sense of our own consciousness, and that life is a state of consciousness.
• We discover and even relish the truth of the moment. Watching a sunset can bring us closer to a feeling of oneness with the Universal Spirit, for example. The loss of a friend might enable us to be more profoundly aware of how beautiful and precious each of our friendships really is.
• We become more intimately aware of our own intrinsic value. We can learn to enjoy who we are, instead of striving to prove our personal value by constantly doing more.
• We live more fully in the present. We can savor each moment of life, as opposed to always rushing to the next project or situation.
• We learn to be comfortable and to embrace our state of being. Many of us feel that if we aren’t doing something, we are not being productive. At some point we may be afraid of being alone with ourselves. Yet being alone with our awareness can offer us healing, space to breathe, as well as new perspectives.
• We increase our empowerment. By using our senses and our awareness more often in a state of being, we strengthen essential qualities such as our spiritual nature, a deeper sense of meaning in our lives, and true self-esteem based on loving who we are now, not only what we create through our actions.
• We understand that we don’t always have to fix things. We can become more aware of the perfection of our state of being, no matter what is happening.

When is the right time to simply be?

If your body is tired or you are not sleeping, for example, it can be an indication that you are overly active and need peace and relaxation. If you wake up in the morning and remember a dream where you were breathing crisp fresh air while walking on a country road, your message is to take time to be with nature. If you have just successfully completed a long awaited project and you feel elated, allow yourself to revel in this moment of glory, rather than immediately moving on to the next goal.

Use your own best judgment and focus on listening to your inner guidance, to your feelings, or to your body so you can honor the signals to embrace a state of being.

Does this mean that you become less active? Not at all… There is a time for everything. Making changes for personal growth, setting up plans and goals, and actively living your life dreams are all important. Just remember to nurture who you are and to live fully in the present moment, as well as taking the actions you feel are necessary each day.

" Today I am fully aware of my state of consciousness. I take time to enjoy the simple state of being."

Increase your awareness. Notice your environment such as your home and your work environment. How do they support you? Pay attention to your feelings throughout your day. Without judging, sense when you are uplifted, frustrated, calm, or any other feelings that crop up.

At the end of your day, take 5-15 minutes and close your eyes in a quiet place. Gently let go of distracting thoughts as they appear, and focus on your breathing.

Allow yourself to be in a space where there is stillness and no thought. You may also visualize a calm pond of water, for example, to maintain a peaceful awareness.

Don’t be concerned if your thoughts distract you. As you continue to practice, your mind will follow your guidance.