Advent Reflections: Awakening to Divinity Within in This Lifetime

Living the Spiritual Teachings: Beyond Worldliness

Awakening in this lifetime transcends worldly entanglements. While challenges and regrets may still exist, their hold over us diminishes as our consciousness expands. The true essence of awakening is aligning our lives with the inner Christ light, shifting our focus from worldly concerns to spiritual fulfillment.

As the year draws to a close, many are drawn into contemplation, reflecting on life, God, and self. This introspection often reveals the various 'roommates' of our mind – the unresolved issues, regrets, and imperfections. Spiritual awakening doesn't remove these aspects of life but changes our relationship with them. The bad roommates of the mind, those lingering doubts, and regrets, no longer dominate. Instead, they are seen in the light of expanded consciousness.

In Kriya Yoga, this spiritual awakening is not just an isolated event but a continuous journey of expanding consciousness, where every aspect of self – from the basest instincts to the highest spiritual aspirations – aligns with the divine. The imagery of the Nativity scene, where all elements focus on the Christ child at the center, embodies this state of awakening. Here, the lower drives and instincts coexist with higher inspirations and wisdom, all serving the divine self within.

The scripture from John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it," is especially poignant. It suggests that despite the presence of fear, doubt, pride, lust, anger, and other human conditions, they no longer rule our lives in the face of spiritual awakening. The darkness of ego and the false self cannot overcome the light of Christ consciousness, the true self.

Awakening brings a paradoxical sense of completion without the need for closure. It allows us to live in peace and bliss amidst life's complexities because our happiness and contentment are no longer tied to external outcomes. This realization transforms our orientation towards life; we see clearly that life is an expression of divine love, wisdom, and grace.

In this awakened state, the pursuit of love and blessing shifts. We no longer search outside ourselves but recognize that we live within and are an embodiment of divine love. This realization leads to an active expression of love in the world, as we learn to surrender to and embody the divine presence within us. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord," becomes a declaration of our willingness to serve as vessels of divine love.

Awakening in this lifetime is about embracing the journey of spiritual growth, recognizing the light within, and living in harmony with the divine essence that permeates all of life. It is a transformative journey, leading to a life lived in the fullness of divine love and grace.