Three Pathways to Illumination

Recently, I prepared a Reiki Masters class for a wonderful group of very gifted students. It is so exciting and humbling to be part of the process of their illumination that an attunement (shift in consciousness) creates. This is a group of spiritual warriors - willing to experience anything, without resistance, in the interest of transmuting all limiting beliefs and fears, to raise their Light vibration (energy of wholeness) and the quality of their lives. It is the divine alchemy of their intention to conquer their own fears and limiting beliefs that is creating wholeness through self change. At the end of the class, we engaged in an interesting discussion on illumination that I would like to share with you.

I have great respect for and honor Native American spiritual teachings. In these teachings, they speak of the prophecy of the coming of the Fifth World of Illumination, a world of peace. It is the time when humans come into balance, when we understand the divine connection between ourselves, each other and the Divine Oneness of All That Is. It reminds us of a deep desire to create new realms of experience; a new way of being that constitutes peace. Even reading this article, you are amongst those who are opening their hearts and moving beyond the barriers of disconnection.

What is Illumination and how do you get there? Illumination is the clarity that leads to all levels of awareness and understanding. It is perpetual and limitless in its teachings. Although there are many wonderful pathways and methods for illumination, I would like to share these three, simple paths with you.

First Path to Illumination

I believe we have two divine purposes as part of our divine path in this life. The first is to identify our special gift and talent. The second is to share it with everyone. Your talent was created as part of the common mission we all share, to become whole and One with All That Is. It exists to be shared. It is important for you to understand this because it was given to you for a purpose, and to connect you with All That Is. Whenever you use any talent or creativity you have, you will know illumination.

I had met a psychic development teacher by coincidence (Ha!) who had created a small group of gifted psychic mediums in training. One of the five in this close-knit group was leaving and she asked me to take her place. I considered it an honor to do so. I had known I had strong intuitive abilities and had been studying the ancient symbology of the tarot for over 7 years. I had never worked with a teacher before. In my first class, she sat on a chair in the middle of the living room and asked me to perform what I now know was Reiki. I was to determine what area of her body had a weakness or illness. I had never done this before and was a little nervous at what appeared to be a test. With all eyes on me, I visualized white light and called in the Master Jesus to guide me. I told him how important this was and that I needed to do a good job and would he kindly help me. In my minds eye, my hands became mittens of white light and as I moved my hands about two inches away from her body I could feel different degrees of stress and temperatures. I held my hands to send white light to the areas I thought needed healing, whatever that was. When completed, I announced that she had a problem with her kidneys, particularly the left one as well as recurring neck pain. All became silent, with mouths open. I was correct. Yahoo, I thought, and silently gave humble gratitude for the gift the Master Jesus had blessed me with. After the class, the teacher came up to me and said that I was a gifted healer and should pursue this. She told me that after I did the healing on her, her back where her kidneys were remained hot for over one hour. Cool, but I didn't want to be a healer; I didn't know anything about being a healer except that it sounded boring. I wanted to pursue other areas, like clarivoyance and denied my gift at that time. I continued with this first teacher and unfortunately ran into difficulties with her integrity and teaching style and left. I continued on my own path, learning as I went and continued to develop my intuitive abilities and spiritual philosophies. Then, one fateful day, I was introduced to a new teacher who was teaching her first Canadian class in sound energy healing. A friend suggested we go to the introductory class which had about 10 students. It was interesting but I was skeptical, how could singing tones heal people? I attended a couple more classes still feeling the same way and was thinking of leaving, then one day, something clicked. I made the decision to commit to this program and gave it my all. This teacher was selfless in her teaching and I am very grateful. During two years of intense study and practice, I humbly excelled to the point where I was teaching, others including my teacher. This was my lesson about denying my gifts, which came full circle. I express gratitude every day for the illumination of my gifts, it has changed my life. I hope through you own path of self discovery you will persist in finding yours.

Our talents are specific to the evolution and expansion of the human consciousness for which we are all responsible and connected to. Talents can be the expression of your gift of compassion, of empathy, creating art for others to enjoy or be inspired by, creating music that brings joy and unity, or cooking a great meal that nourishes the body. All gifts are important and we all have them. Look deep inside, without the ego's self doubt chattering away, without judgment that you are not good enough. Perhaps you can ask a trusted friend what they think is special about you, and then, here is your part –BELIEVE THEM. Gifts come in all forms, shapes and sizes, waiting to be discovered and expressed. Honor your truth by Being your best, and walking your truth by doing your best in all things; this is something to strive for.

Second Path to Illumination

This second pathway is about using adversity and transmuting its effects into an opportunity for learning and growth. It is a rugged path and we all have the courage inside us to conquer it. It is about making a decision to commit to a new philosophy of living, new guiding principles for you to live by that create the best of you. It could be something like giving up sugar, or a commitment to forgive and let go of all negative attitudes, beliefs and effects from the past.

For me, I do not judge an experience as good or bad but rather neutralize its effects by understanding that, what may appear as a tough circumstance, is really a lesson, here to teach me something I need to learn to move forward. Their arrival reminds us to keep seeking the root of why we attract experiences that are stressful or challenging and heal them. When we do this, we create habits of self reflection and become more aware of how we react to things so we can behave the way that reflects the good person we are. It is the ability to transmute pain to gain. It is remembering the unconditional love we have for ourselves that can be the source of our courage to vanquish our fears through the willingness to face and heal anything without resistance or judgment. I believe we need to heal ourselves before we heal others; it starts inside you, rather than outside of you. Nourish yourself from the "well of peace, understanding and self love" before you nourish others.

Third Path to Illumination

So many people have been afflicted with the fear of scarcity, the fear of lack, the fear of being taken or used, especially these days when we are reminded to do more with less. Proper use of energy exchange is performed by givers and receivers exchanging in a balanced way. Energy can take the form of money. An example of a distortion of this energy is felt through the fear of not having enough, cheating someone for your gain, hoarding, or greed. Energy is also love, compassion, and sharing. Here the understanding of how all things are connected, how they are experienced in your life and the sharing of that understanding with others are to be balanced.

The golden door of illumination and new beginnings is available to us all, now. The opportunity for each of us to be in a place where suddenly things start to fit together and make sense is here. If you have been confused, now is the time to put order in your life. Order can be making lists of things to do, finishing up old projects, healing negative thoughts, and releasing the past. When we create order, we become receptive to a higher level of clarity entering our beings - with clarity comes illumination.

I encourage you to make just one change in your beliefs or behavior that aligns itself to a better way of being for you. To acknowledge just one talent or gift that helps yourself and others. And finally, help someone else to see their light by sharing yours.

May the positive energy of many "A-Ha!" moments abound in your life, offering clarity through the rebirth of illumination for all your endeavors. Be creative, daring and stretch yourself beyond the limiting beliefs of who you are to understand how magnificent you are really capable of being. Listen to your intuition, your Higher Self. Be it now.

Catherine Varga