A CoCreative Path begins with Awareness – the path of Authenticity.
Through Awareness we grow in our connection and alignment with our most authentic sense of self. As in most contemplative paths of spirituality, Awareness practices are the first step to the unfolding of the true self, dropping an ego driven identity to embrace the essence of our heart centered Authenticity. Awareness is the path of Authenticity, and the foundation for connecting authentically with others, the earth, and with All that is beyond.
We often struggle with life direction and relationships, wondering if we should follow the intuition from our heart or the logic and practicality of our head. We know intuitively that our heart offers answers that are not always compatible with what logically seems to be in our best interests. We are often afraid of letting our heart lead.
There are many misconceptions about the heart, and we certainly aren’t taught to cultivate the empowerment that comes from alignment of our head and heart. Many people connect the heart to unstable emotion, and tend to give predominance to the logic of our brain. Most of us understand little about the function of the heart / brain connection, or how to cultivate and harness its energy.
In western culture, we are taught to make decisions based on fear, competition, scarcity, and other socially induced factors. We are taught to measure success by our position and wealth. We are not given the education or tools to understand the functions of our brain, and certainly not the connection with our heart. We are not taught the balance of intuition and reason.
We live mostly in an illusion, the story in our head shaped by the perceptions, judgments, and beliefs formed through family and cultural conditioning. Neuroscience has now provided much insight to how the various parts of our brain interact, and how neural pathways become well worn ruts from our experiences and conditioned reactions to life. It has also provided insight on how mindful awareness practices help to shift our thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns.
In addition, the study of heart intelligence has brought insight into the neural pathways of the heart, and the potential of personal and collective coherence. Studies have shown that a focus on slow breathing along with values like gratitude and compassion creates measurable coherence between the brain and heart, a harmony capable of personal and collective shifts in consciousness. It has qualified what contemplative spirituality has taught through the ages, connecting us to a path of personal, relational, and social transformation.
We need practices that increase our Awareness of the present moment, cultivate gratitude, and help us to see the filters that shape our perspective and limiting beliefs. We need a commitment to practices that shape a new story and clear intention for the life and world we wish to create.
Awareness practices of mindfulness and heartfulness are the path to the ongoing awakening and unfolding of our most authentic self. They are the path to growth in emotional and social intelligence. They are the empowerment to pursue the authentic Connection and Belonging that we long for.