Free Will

When I first contemplated sharing my story of personal transformation, I slammed into a fair bit of resistance:  “Don’t write a book about enlightenment - everyone does that when they first awaken.” “How do you know you have awakened? Maybe your ego just wants to tell its story.”  “Leave well enough alone. Everyone will awaken in their own time.” 

Trying to deliver a guided message of peace and hope without any support felt like pushing a boulder uphill.  And yet, I persisted.  It would have been impossible not to, given the power of my experience, the strength of my faith in the life-saving potential of personal transformation, and the simple fact that I had never been happier in my life. The relief I felt at the moment of transcendence was deeply liberating. I felt safe for the first time in my life. I felt whole, and well, and wonderful.  And…as I struggled to temper an overwhelming urge to drag all of my loved ones out of human suffering…I asked myself, “Who wouldn’t want inner peace?  Who wouldn’t want to share a gift like this with the world?”  

That being said, there is such a thing as free will.  I agree with the spiritual ideal that every soul has a sovereign right - perhaps even a deeper reason - to follow its own path. Each of us has a role to play in this lifetime, one intricately woven into the fabric of universal consciousness.  I also resonate with respected spiritual teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, who believe that humanity is gradually shifting toward higher consciousness, and that more people will be experiencing spontaneous spiritual awakenings. 

But, what if time is running out? What if the Universe is looking for faster ways to wake people up? Perhaps my life’s purpose was to act as both guinea pig and trail blazer? 

Whether higher powers nominated me or my soul volunteered to give it a whirl, I did my best to pave a path that is safe to follow - regardless of religion, spirituality, culture, race, gender, age, etc.  Trailblazing is lonely work, but the choice was mine:  endure a human existence until the end, or choose a different path? Write a book, or keep the experience to myself? 

Everyone has free will, including me, but I also have hindsight, and I wish I’d known decades ago that there was a better way to live. 

My greatest wish is that you may benefit from my experience. Exercise your free will.  Choose a path that transcends the ordinary - and then tell everyone how wonderful it feels!  

D  🩵