Are you faced with tough choices in life?
Recently I've found myself having to make some seemingly very difficult decisions in life. As I look more widely around me it strikes me that we're all going to be faced with some tough choices as the global economy moves into increasingly troubled waters. Of course at the highest level we create our reality including especially those difficult decisions. So why do we create such experiences? Are we having some great cosmic joke at our own expense? How can we make it more easy for ourselves to decide and find the best pathway forwards in life?

Is it possible to live every momment as a miracle?
It seems we are constantly reminded these days that the universe we think is real is merely an illusion that is shaped by our consciousness; that matter is not really matter at all but a vibrating wave of energy that arises out of the background field of consciousness when we bring our attention to something. So how might we use this expanded awareness to bring more magic to our lives?

Although (at least in my truth) it is absolutely true to say that we shape our reality according to our beliefs about that reality, it is not as simple as trying to change our thoughts in order to change the nature of the fabric of life. In order to really achieve that, we would have to believe it through every cell of our being...

How are we helped and opposed in our spiritual unfolding?
As we unfold spiritually and step onto the path of self realisation, the veils of limited reality are peeled away and our consciousness expands into multiple realms of existence. Whilst the centre of our consciousness and therefore frame of reference remains in this realm, we begin to experience increased psychic sensitivity; higher synchronistic activity and greater intuitive capability. We seem to automatically access a place of higher knowing...

Do you know the difference between a challenge and an obstacle?
Once we have surrendered direction in our lives to the governance of the soul - expressed through a deep authentic inner longing - we begin to see, feel and intuit a natural pathway unfolding before us; the one of ‘right action’ which expresses our highest truth. But it is not all plain sailing (as if we expected it to be!). We encounter many resistance's on the path. These resistances fall into two categories. Some are challenges inviting us to release attachment and unfold yet an even greater sense of genuine beingness. Others are obstacles which are not meant to be traversed. How do we know the difference between the two?...

Is there a hidden danger in manifesting our desires?
There is much wonderful work out there at the moment exposing the illusion that we are separate from one another and from the awesome creative power of the universe. It is demonstrating that we shape and change our reality by our inner state of being. We are each like a cinema projector, creating the movie of our lives by our state of consciousness. However it seems that some teachings would also advise us to try to manifest a new more desirable reality by bringing our consciousness to it. Is this true wisdom?...

Finding the harmony between the divine masculine and feminine
Here at Openhand we frequently speak of the importance of internally non efforting to unfold the authentic way of life we are meant to live. So how does this philosophy relate to purpose? Can purpose be achieved effortlessly? How can we be relaxed, open and expanded even when we experience the strong pull to do something?...

How may we achieve joy and happiness in life?
Joy and happiness in life arise by making the right choices. So how do we make the right choices? How can we avoid being the victims of the 'wrong' outcomes in life and instead become the masters of all circumstances?

To me the key to answering these questions lies first in understanding that each moment is pre configured to invite us to make choices. We are not subjected to hap hazard seemingly random events. No. Hard as it may be to believe, each moment is chosen to reveal something...

Too much not enough?
In a recent Openhand meditation, the words ‘too much is not enough’ came into my mind. I wasn't immediately clear what it referred to but, instead of struggling to understand and tightening up inside - the sure way to no answer at all - I relaxed, breathed deeply and allowed ideas to flow. Then sure enough the answer began to materialise...

How much of your time do you spend thinking about your future goals?
We live a world of seemingly endless goals, appointments, schedules and ambitions. Frequently these goals emanate from recognising an inner pull to be moving in a certain direction, as one with our path. However, could it be the risk of holding these objectives too tightly is to tend to live in the future and not the present?

If this was the case, wouldn't it be dangerous to our smooth unfolding?...

Do you find yourself facing ‘problems’ in your life?
In many motivational and spiritual teachings, the word ‘problem’ seems to have become ‘politically incorrect’. Instead they prefer the term ‘issues’ that we are ‘processing’. However, whether you call them issues or problems, we all encounter them in our lives and the key question is how do we approach and resolve them?...