Waking up first happens on the physical level. I have a light breakfast and come into the dining room to write an essay.

It also happens on the emotional level. If I am honest about what is going on in my feelings, they are usually rather “blah.” Below that level, I can find feelings of edginess and dread. On the mental level, the mind is rather silent. It is Monday morning and the events of the day are just getting started. Soon the emotional body will begin to feel helpless to stave off negative thoughts. To sum it all up, the personal being that goes by your name is always in some kind of torment, be it big or small.

If it is our karma, we now turn to spiritual teachings to feed and nurture us through each day on Planet Earth.

The earth is not in good shape and neither are we. It is necessary to see how weak we are.

The sun comes up and now we are faced with filling the day in one way or another. I will have snacks and absorb a bit of the Work. It is an impersonal force that can aid in one’s awakening.

I study how useless I feel and along with that comes the desire to rise above it. But the mind is not an instrument for spiritual change. Then what is? The True Self is doing its work relentlessly, but we must tune into it. That is our only job.

Tuning into the spirit, we remember how nourishing it is to become silent on every level. To still the body, mind and emotions. They tend to be reactive and spoiled.

I sit at the feet of the Master and sink into silence.

I let it be.

I begin to follow my breath rather than my thoughts. The body relaxes a bit. And then another thought or feeling arises and I forget how much I need the teachings.

If we can allow ourselves to become a listener rather than a reactor, we are doing the Work of awakening.

The light will lead the way as long as we abandon the idea of having to do anything oneself.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride. When it gets bumpy, try letting it be. And so it is that letting it be becomes our truest guide to returning home. When we see that we ourselves are the home we seek, God smiles down on us and we radiate peace instead of passion.

Vicki Woodyard