Lesson 7 In the Flow: How to Receive

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The ability to receive is one many assume is effortless. It is not.

The world tells us the harder we work the greater the rewards. But what if there were a secret system at work that if you learned to tap into you could receive more and actually do less? Learning the laws of the universe and how it operates offers just such an opportunity.

I cringe when I hear people proudly profess they are on the grind, grinding and hustling to reach their goals. It is not only unnecessary but can actually work against creating your ultimate vision and purpose if you demand to be in the driver's seat.

I want to be clear as we discuss receiving, being in the flow; dedicated effort and action are of course necessary. This isn’t about a lazy approach. Quite the opposite. It is the most purposeful approach possible. I am speaking of the exhaustion of relying on only our own efforts versus tapping into the vast universal matrix that is available to us all. You can call it the God-Mind, your higher self – but tapping into that which is The Source if all is an art.

I am also not referring to manifesting in simply a monetary means. We have somewhat prostituted the ideas of the law of attraction and manifestation in recent years by seeing its sole purpose in attaining or achieving more stuff. Our own personal genie in a bottle. 

The true nature of all abundance is Divine. Our definition of success may require reflection if it does not match up with this. All of the possessions in the world are eventually empty tombs if we have not first manifested a deeper sense of connection with the Divine, ourselves and others for the greater good. If we focus on receiving an abundance of spirit with a genuine sincerity to create that which serves all of humanity, the rest will come.

As stated earlier, not only is “grinding” and “hustling” not necessary and wasted energy, it can be counterproductive. And it can cause us to miss out on unfathomable blessings had we trusted the Divine versus focusing on making it happen all on our own.

This brings us to learning to be “in the flow.” Being in the flow is ah so very wondrous...

Developing Your Intuition; Trusting Yourself and the Process is Life
What do you feel you deserve in life? Take the time to contemplate this question on a meditative level, not simply a question and an automatic answer. What do you believe you're capable of creating? These are the most important questions to ponder as you come into greater alignment.

The universe is much like the subconscious mind. It is a servant. The universe has no emotion. It simply serves. Is it a genie in a bottle? Some believe so and treat it as so, often feeling they have a lack within themselves when the genie doesn’t seem to deliver.

I see the universe as created by and governed by a set of laws set in place by the Divine that supports us in creating and producing our purpose/offering, which benefits not only ourselves but for humanity as a whole, far past even our own generation. A vast storage of information, knowledge, wisdom, guidance reaching far past our human mind's capabilities to completely understand, all residing in this miraculous support and creation designed especially for us; the universe. A mystical cosmic miracle.

Your Power House: The Mind
Your mind is a powerful tool. Well trained it can serve you in never before imagined ways. An undisciplined mind, however, will wreak havoc on our lives. Discipline is required or racing thoughts, overthinking and countless forms of chaos will dominate — and that is your brain running you, not you mastering your mind.

Florence Scovel Shinn was a 19th century metaphysical teacher and writer. We are in this game by default being a human on this planet. How we play it is up to us. Either we learn the rules, train and understand them or let life knock us all over the field. It's that simple. To “win” the game of life we have to know what the true prize is, the miraculous journey of it all. After all, what is the purpose of life but to experience creation? We are (co)creators.

Set an Intention to Receive
There's an opening in your soul where you can swing wide the windows and say, “I am ready now! I know I am deserving of the gifts and abundance awaiting me. I claim it, I am ready to receive! And so it is.”

When I first began my own journey into purposefully receiving I set an intention, meditated on it, surrendered to the ways in which it may arrive making myself a blank slate, tabula rasa. I then lit a red candle, the candle just an extension of my intention as a visual, tangible outward expression of my intention. I then released expectation of the how, what, and where staying in a space of fluidity with focus and faith. Within weeks I was amazed at how this intention and faith manifested a remarkable chain of events in my life.

The difference in previous experiences was but one; I let go of control. I surrendered. I continued working the action of my vision but I did not require a blueprint of how, when and where abundance would come to me. I surrender to the Divine design knowing, not simply believing but knowing, what was for me would find its way.

You Can Manifest; But What are You Manifesting
Most who are new to the concept of manifesting are surprised to realize they are already manifesting. The question is, what are you manifesting? Deliberate intention along with the realization we are constantly manifesting is a game changer. We are powerful, this is why our thought world affects all areas of our lives, from relationships, career, and the health of our mind, body and Soul.

If we worry, we are manifesting what we are worrying about. It is a prayer, a prayer for the opposite of what we desire. When that same energy is directed, focused, on what we do want it sends a message of faith to the universe and the Divine while reprogramming our subconscious mind. Is it a guarantee that we will get what we want? Of course not. But it invites the opportunity to receive. It lessens suffering. It brings contentment.

And remember, our body and immune systems are listening to our self-talk. Can you see the impact of the work we have been doing up to now, how the clearing and reprogramming of our mis-thought(s) empowers us to implement and unleash a supernatural Divinely guided force into our lives?

Focusing on the Now Leads to Actualized Dreams: Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the closest thing to magic we have, though the name is a bit of a misnomer. We are actually being aware of the moment outside of the mind. The term Mindfulness often leads people to the idea we are focusing on the mind. In actuality, we are releasing the mind and focusing our awareness and senses on what we are experiencing in the moment.

When we are in this state of complete release of directed thought we enable our body to experience sensations it normally takes for granted and does not appreciate. Something as simple as taking a deep breath in and out while washing dishes allows us to focus on the moment.

The first introduction I had to mindfulness years ago was a well known and easy to understand example of something as simple as washing a coffee mug. Feel the warm sudsy water in your hands. Notice the texture of the washcloth. Feel the curves and structure of the mug you are washing, all while focusing on your breath. The effects of this simple act are evidence of the power our minds hold to be in the present moment and the peace and clarity this stillness brings. Remember when we discussed the autonomic nervous system’s impact on our wellbeing? Mindfulness is a powerful medicine for this!

We spend so much time in our past, which creates a myriad of potentially negative emotions such as rumination of experiences we are working to let go of often leading to depression. If you are remembering a joyful moment from the past, wonderful. Give thanks for it and return to your now.

When we are in the future, other than those moments we are visualizing what we intend to create, we are often authoring thoughts of fear which lead to anxiety. Whether it is a “what if” scenario in our mind or thinking about all the things we have to do if it’s taking us from our present moment it is robbing us of our power: for our power always resides in this moment.

We think of the past, it's a memory. We think of what we hope for the future, it's an illusion we have no guarantees on. What we do indeed have is the now, the everlasting now, this moment.

Trusting the Process is Life
Trusting life's processes and working through emotions that arise knowing “this too shall pass” is a gift of gentleness. As you continue this course and your journey of all it invites imagine the analogy of floating in the ocean. If you lay back and trust, you float. As soon as you tense up or fight the waves you sink. Life is an endless cycle of waves. While we seek and practice balance it is important to understand we do not achieve a sense of complete balance but momentarily. And that’s okay! Life is a pulse, a heartbeat, not a void. Think of a seesaw on a playground. Did you ever stand in the middle and attempt to balance? So you could be centered and the board was straight across. I did. How long did it last? How much energy and strength did it take to maintain it? It was exhausting and frustrating, yet somehow still fun! Life is constant change, it is the very nature of life. So why do we fight it when embracing life when we can much more easily learn to move and flow with it. This is where it's all at – the good stuff.

Continue to be compassionate with yourself Beloveds. Upon this sacred path of growth, there is no due date. Trust the process and yourself.

And remember,

“I affirm the universe is created and governed by a set of laws set in place by the Divine that support me in creating and producing my unique purpose and offering.”

Empowerment Steps
To accelerate and fortify efforts during the course we incorporate Empowerment Steps that can be immediately implemented into action daily.

This week we add a new Empowerment Step as we continue reaffirming the previous week's intentions:

1. I move through the ebbs and flows with ease as I move through the course.
2. I am continually encouraged and lifted up knowing the clearing is preparing me for the next level.
3. I embrace this journey with dedication knowing I will see evidence of enduring change being created with each lesson encounter as they build upon one another.
4. I am patient with myself and the process, taking the time to celebrate each step of forward movement.
5. I accept and acknowledge life is a process of learning and growth is to be enjoyed and savored, not a performance or expectation of perfection.
6. I am a unique and Divine being who has a purpose and special gift to experience individually and to collectively offer the world. I accept this as a universal truth and welcome its ultimate manifestation as it unfolds in my life daily.
7. I have the power to rewrite, reframe, redirect and shape with intention that which I wish to create in my life for I am an active author of my experience and story.
8. I hold the power to create new sacred patterns of self-care in my life knowing it is part of my Soul’s evolution of which I am deserving, knowing it will simultaneously nourish my own personal purpose and ultimately the collective as a whole.
9. I have the power to courageously move through the grief process of forgiving another, and self, creating a peaceful and Loving environment that frees me to fulfill my highest purpose.
10. I affirm the universe is created and governed by a set of laws set in place by the Divine that support me in creating and producing my unique purpose and offering.

Soulwork:
It is vital to continually craft fresh affirmation and intentions. Empowering yourself by learning to craft your own is a wonderful way to engage in empowered intention. Write down three to five new personalized intentions you’ve discovered since you have begun participating in this course. While the journey is universal it is also unique to each of our paths.

Examples: “I receive Divine guidance, my experiences during this course have opened my soul and mind to receiving ultimate abundance.”

“My purpose is clear and I am moving into Divine guidance each day.”

“I am a fortress of inspiration and welcome the experience of being a Divine vessel in this world knowing the unfolding of my purpose and platform await me.”

Associated Energy Exercise:
If you are able this week visit a body of water or simply take a bath. As you are in the water remember the example of moving with the flow of the waves of life. In a state of complete awareness notice the movement of the water, it’s a reflection of light, it’s fluidity and way of moving. Then remember that you too are largely a body of water. It is estimated nearly 75%, or more, of our human body, is comprised of water. The energy of water is entrancing and real. Flow...

Journaling of Progress:
Make a note in your journal of one task you’ve encountered challenges with currently or in the past and are dedicated to overcoming through your experience of the course. Imagine what it will feel like once you have completed this part of your journey. Making progress toward your ultimate mission effortlessly increases your intrinsic motivation and this cycle of reinforcement will propel you toward liftoff. The unleashing of your fierceness is one step closer to ignition!