Category: loving-awareness,forgiveness,kindness

Offering of Kindness to oneself first

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“That I feed the hungry, forgive an insult, and love my enemy…. these are great virtues. But what if I should discover that the poorest of the beggars and the most impudent of offenders are all within me, and that I stand in need of the alms of my own kindness; that I myself am the enemy who must be loved? What then?”~~~~~~~~ Carl Jung

“one who looks outwards….dreams,one who looks inwards……awakens!”~~~~ Carl Jung

The person most in need of kindness and compassion is oneself.If we ourselves do not awaken from superficial identification with worldly fantasies, egocentric delusions, childishness,immaturity and spiritual lack,how are we to be joyful of our innate beauteous qualities and show genuine kindness to others?

There might be a time when we felt empathy and sadness to see a loved one,friend,others suffering/struggling or battling an illness,in financial difficulty,etc.Perhaps we would be touched to lend a hand,say a kind word, offer prayers,visit with food along or simply feel a quiet compassion within and do nothing.Similarly,we could offer the same sentiments to ourselves by being quiet and holding the self in kindness and tenderness for acknowledging the pain and discomforts that we might/are going through.This practice of holding ourselves in compassion and kindness opens up the path to loving and honouring ourselves and then outwards to others.

http://www.celestehoedenauthor.com

Self-Introspection

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There are so many challenges being promoted over the media for various reasons and tasks.Could we try to undertake a spiritual challenge,a simple task…..making an effort to sit with/by yourself in quietude for 3-5 minutes a day,to truly practice honest self -reflection.Perhaps to make an effort to learn going deeper into meditation.Will it be hard to try to reach within the Self and get to know thyself?Honest questioning of oneself leads to the answers that one seeks.

http://www.celestehoedenauthor.com

Author of the book ‘To Resurrect the True Self’

The Power of Amazing Grace

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In that moment of grace,it feels like the door of ‘heaven’ opens up to allow us a glimpse of our sacredness and goodness within.It is a time when we are actually touching the inner chamber of the heart(soul,spirit,God,etc…)This is what is meant by the grace-filled moment.It is when we do not run away from either the profundity of intense pain or wondrous bliss but instead look directly into its compelling mysterious force which could make us act spontaneously with tenderness,softness,gentleness and humble courage.We surrender to the power of letting go(relinquishing sense of control),allowing what is to be will be! Grace usually acts with and in kindness to do something benevolent and beneficial for spiritual evolution and human betterment for self and others.This is truly the most beautiful experience on the stage in the journey to find our True Self!

In humility we might fall to our knees simply by hearing a word such as ‘love’,peace’,’kindness’,’God’and be overwhelmed with gratitude.In these moments,the barriers that we have been so conditioned to barricade the heart with might start its shattering process to allow the heart to break completely open in order to be purified!

We are all being called quietly within,not one human being will be exempted or deprived of this moment of Grace if we allow ourselves to listen attentively away from the noise.

In my experience of Grace, was when I was crying on the plane non-stop during the very long flight from Jeddah,Saudi Arabia back home to Vancouver,Canada (Novemeber 1998).I was shamefully feeling like a failure,worthless and broken,lost in life.Yet despite that dark period, I felt a sense of sacred surrendering overwhelming me,asking of me to let go to the goodness, the humility,the whatever I had to face.It felt like I could see a tiny spark of Light at the end of the tunnel.I could feel my heart breaking,tearing apart immensely which I believed was the shattering process of the walls of my heart beginning to crumble down warranting a complete fearless opening to face myself.

It is the power of Grace that gives us the clarity to see the truth that for a long time we had been blinded by and how lost we are in the illusory world.

http://www.celestehoedeauthor.com

Author of the book To Resurrect the True Self

Crisis in the desert calling me to come home!

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In 1998,I was going through a terribly depressing time while working at the emergency department at the National Guard Hospital in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.The weather was scorching hot,even the air-conditioning in the apartment was blowing warm air.It was becoming increasingly unbearable and my restlessness was escalating.It came to a point where I went through a crisis that could have caused me to lose my sanity! I could not sleep for one whole week,not a wink!Each time I tried to lay down in bed, I was so tormented that I had to get up…this went on day and night for seven straight days.I still had to function the 12-hour shift at the emergency department despite the sleep deprivation.

I tried every remedy,sleeping pills,teas,etc.still no sleep came.Maggie, my flatmate was concerned,she suggested,I go see the emergency doctor for an injection to help sleep.So I went after 7 nights and days without sleep,almost at the tip of a breakdown.Before I could see the doctor, the emergency room Head nurse saw me and asked what I was doing at the department.She called me in to her office and told me that the management were happy with me and that there was a possibility of making me clinical nurse instructor of ER.That even frightened me further.I told her that I was not happy and wanted to hand in my resignation,giving one month’s notice.She seemed offended and asked that I leave with immediate effect,so I did!

After going around the hospital getting signatures from various departments in order to get my passport and salary released to buy a ticket back home to Vancouver.After completing all the necessary arrangements for resignation,I went back to the apartment….dead tired,in extreme exhaustion,mentally,emotionally,physically and psychologically depleted of any more energy to function,I fell down immediately to sleep but with a sense of relief of the decision made to leave Saudi with immediate effect.Not long after falling into a deep sleep,I was awakened by a voice clearly calling out my name “Celeste” three times.It sounded so close like as though someone was calling directly into my ear! I woke up immediately to see who it was waking me up! I actually got up and walked round the huge apartment from corner to corner searching for that voice!From that moment,I knew I had to come home to face the unknown and that my life will change radically! A short few days later,I was on the plane,crying all the way on that long flight back home.Underneath all that feeling of distraught was a sense of seeming joy awaiting my arrival Home.

A New Beginning was being prepared as I had to wake up for the fearless journey of Inner Revolution into myself….to listen,to pay loving attention and witness the True Light beckoning from Within!There was no more fighting against Life….I had began learning from what Life wanted to teach and open out for me!

http://www.celestehoedenauthor.com

author of the book To Resurrect the True Self

Discerning the Truth

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Deep within the heart, the self,we are all(yes, every single human being irregardless of religion, race, creed,gender,etc.)we are already on the spiritual path,each one is already awake and enlightened and is truly able to practice, to live in the way of truth and unconditional love,to exercise wisdom and peacefulness,to enjoy and rejoice in works of kindness and charity and to be an asset to humanity,to be creators of harmony!

Why do we not experience this truth?

The spirit/the true self is blocked,drowned by the variety of seductive noises of the world,by the hurdles we dare not jump over,the doors of favourable selfless opportunities that we are afraid to open,the taunting pressure of others that threaten the courage of opening to the truth and by the ego-centric desires/attachment to remain in the ‘comfort-zone’of falsehood.Therefore how do we hear the still small voice of Truth calling from Within?

Whose voice are you willing to pay important attention to?The world/others or to your own Truth Within?Are we willing to live in the illusion of ‘false hope’ or the courage to live our lives facing and living in the Truth?

http://www.celestehoedenauthor.com

Author of ‘To Resurrect the True Self’

Waking Up to Spiritual Consciousness

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What do we witness,when we look externally,outwardly,away from ourselves?We see the world in chaos which includes the pain and suffering of those we are intimate with,close to,within our family,friends and social circles.Are we being aware of it or do we take it for granted that there is nothing we can do!

Honestly,are we being affected adversely,influenced negatively and drowning quietly,as though struggling against the strong current of confusion,self-doubt,self-limitations,hatred, resentments,anger,fear and depression.Somehow, we may feel that by engaging and getting caught up with the distractions of the world and standing by helplessly/hopelessly seeing the pain of others it gives us a sense of temporary relief from witnessing our own inner pain.

Without us touching and exposing our inner pain,how do we find resolutions for true healing,peaceful states and living in a conducive loving environment?If we first don’t find healing and peace within ourselves,how do we bring,teach,speak and share peace and compassion to and for others?How will the world begin to find healing and peace?We can start with ourselves first,to look honestly within and then we bring that healing out into the world as however little or much.

How beautiful and magnificent it is when a soul wakes up from deep slumber to listen to the call of its own voice of Truth.Not only does it wake up,it wakes up to wake up the ‘unconsciousness’ of others as well.

Please do visit my webpage https://www.celestehoedenauthor.com to know more about me and my book To Resurrect the True Self and a preview of the book with the link below.https://www.amazon.com/Resurr…/dp/B08512M7X1/ref=sr_1_1

Thank you!

Opening the Eyes of Consciousness

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When I see through the eyes of Love, I see no enemies…

When I see through the eyes of Peace, I learn to forgive and let go of past wrongdoings…

When I see through the eyes of Charity, I cultivate understanding and respect for the helpless and those hurting…

When I see through the eyes of Joy,my Heart flutters with kindness to give comfort and ease…

When I see through the eyes of Humility,I allow myself the courage and strength to be opened to responsibilities instead of blame…

When I see through the eyes of Mercy and Forgiveness,I admit my own mistakes and that of others…

When I see through the eyes of Patience,I come to surrender being in the Moment,to learn and to accept…

When I see through the eyes of Faith and Trust,everything becomes an experience without resistence,denial and defense…

When I see through the eyes of Compassionate Wisdom,I learn to not be fearful to the Truth…

When I see through the eyes of Awareness,I see myself One with the Whole of Creation!

https;//www.celestehoedenauthor.com

We are the True Shining Star

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In the time of Jesus, there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the night and asked,”how can a man be born when he is old?”Jesus replied,”I tell you the truth,no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is Born again.”~~~~ Gospel of John chapter 3:verse 3 New International Version~~~~~

Silent night,Holy nightAll is calm,all is bright!Sleep in Heavenly Peace!

Within the silence of each our minds and hearts, a sublime revolution is taking place.Within the womb of our being,male or female,we are each pregnant with Divine Love.We await the Birth of the Christ/God Consciousness or in Buddhism the Buddha Nature.In this Birth, The True Self and Luminous Awareness become the Bright Shining Star projecting from the depths of our Being out into the world for all to see!We truly rest in Heavenly Peace in the knowledge of our True Nature that awaits to be born anew…

So how are we to be born again as Jesus had said so that we may see that kingdom of God?___

___when we change,transform from the old habituated self/unwholesome life patterns___

___when we die to selfishness/egocentric identification into selflessness and virtuous practices___

___when we awake from unconsciousness(ignorance) into Consciousness(Awareness)

___when we remove the blindfolds of falsehood and fearfulness to courageously live in the Light of Truth___

___when we cease following the crowd and walk through the narrow gate inwardly into the self____

There is no other kingdom of Heaven/God(somewhere in the future or destination) but the only one we each carry within ourselves Now in this very moment,yes we can give birth potentially to be the Light of Love to offer as our gift to the world!

Spend a silent time with ourselves in sacred wonder!

Peace and positive changes begin with each of us!The world is changing,the world is being blessed with so much gifts and bestowment of graciousness despite all the chaos that is happening and has happened.

Within each of us,if we dare to look deeply and truthfully,we find that we are spiritually evolving…we cannot remain the same, untouched,unmoved or stuck in a negative way permanently.

Every moment, truth and goodness are surfacing awaiting for us to act upon.We are the True Bright Shining Star that the world needs for healing and peaceful resolutions….we start with each of us opening up to live in the awareness of love and kindness in our own lives,in our family, in our society,thus permeating and radiating out to the world!

Christians and non-Christians alike we count-down to this special day called Christmas—The story of a very physically pregnant Mary,her betrothed named Joseph and their travel to a town called Bethlehem in Israel.How they faced hardships,humility, rejections and various anxieties on their journey…to eventually joyfully give birth to a boy child who would bring Light to the world through his enlightened teachings.

Are we honestly counting down to merely enjoy ourselves in the festivities of Christmas or is there a a deeper truth waiting to give birth?

Author of To resurrect the True Self

A Compassionate Sharing of the Heart

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I resonate with all those who are suffering severely in this winter months.My heart opens in compassion for the lonely(those who have lost loved and dear ones,to those about to lose loved ones through terminal illnesses)the heartbroken,the disabled,the seniors,the sick,the poor,the homeless,the mentally challenged,victims of bully and hatred,anger and violence,to those women,children and victims of war-torn countries….how much of suffering they endure in the worst of terrorized circumstances.To all of us tormented by fear and our lives disrupted by the dreaded spread of covid-19.I sit in quietness and breathe in and out offering sincere good wishes(prayers)for all our safety and protection and end of suffering.May all beings be free of suffering.

Most endearing to my heart is the remembrance of my time walking on the streets of Eastside Downtown Vancouver especially so in this cold,windy,rainy and sometimes snowy times of the winter months where I would walk for 4-5 nights a week being with women and men as well,who would sell and abuse their bodies,intoxicate themselves with heavy drug usage and have no inkling about life or death.These winter months are the worst for them….to stand in the cold and be drenched in rain/snow…..almost inhuman,how and what they subject themselves into just to make some money to feed their various hardcore cravings. Underneath all those atrocities and sufferings….there is a human heart filled with a potential to open to Love.Although they might be condemned or judged for their own mistakes and faults and transgressions….we too share the same transgressions to a much more contained extent.They are mothers,wives, sisters,daughters,sons,fathers and loved ones,left downtrodden,homeless and forgotten.Most of them have/had scarred their bodies so grotesquely.Most lost their teeth,their bodies ravaged by needle marks and scabs and infected wounds,some were beautiful(thru photos they kept and shown to me)and now unrecognizable!No matter what, the Christmas season is always painful for them. The sadness they faced of being separated from children and loved ones,owning up to their follies and mistakes but too caught up with the addictions.Not being able to celebrate the festive season,they talk of their unworthiness and self-loathing, low esteem.There are also the hardened cynical ones who would speak crudely of the Christmas festivities.As I walked,tears would sometimes run down my cheeks….there was nothing I could do……..I brought along my opened heart,to give hugs,a kiss,a hand to hold and caress,a listening ear,my shoulders to cry on,a few words of comfort,my stilled presence and a quiet inner compassionate disposition.

I share a story of Alice,known for her violence and had assualted someone with a pair of scissors.During my walk on the streets, I noticed Alice(after a while,I got to know most of them personally) with a big infected boil the size of a grape on one of her wrist.I offered to take her to emergency.She reluctantly agreed,so I told her to wait for me after I have completed my routine walk.She was waiting for me as I had told her surprisingly.As soon as she came into my car,she demanded for a certain sum of money.I calmly declined.She was escalating and kept demanding angrily, refusing to go to the emergency as planned.I saw in her hand she had a sharp-edged hairbrush.I remained collected and declined to give any money.She threatened to beat someone to get money, she also shouted that she was going to rob a store to get the money.By then, she was banging hard on the dashboard,screaming/shouting profanities insisting for money.I told her that she could do whatever she wanted to do but I am not going to give her any money to buy drugs.I gently reminded her that I cared for her and promised to take her to emergency to help treat her infected wrist.I was aware she had the hairbrush in her hand.Soon tears flowed down my face and she could see my sadness,that I was adamant to not give her money despite her fury.She stopped and walked out my car banging the door so hard upon exit.I drove away crying as usual for both our sufferings.

One day after a few weeks of not seeing her on the streets,she was standing at her usual corner and approached me,gave me a hug and a handmade rosary.What joy that brought to my heart.She later left for another location and I never saw her again.

https;//www.celestehoedenauthor.com