“The offering up or cleaning up ego stuff is called purification. Purification is the act of letting go. This is done out of discriminative awareness. That is, you understand that you are an entity passing through a life in which the entire drama is an offering for your awakening.” – Ram Dass

An interesting phenomenon happens when you commit to being more loving in your life: Out of nowhere, it seems, your mouth can speak unkind words or your brain can think angry thoughts. It’s not your imagination. And it’s all part of the healing process.

Whenever we declare our highest intention, unwanted emotions show up to be healed. Unless we are aware of this fact, our experience can be discouraging and disappointing. The process is a type of spiritual purification–cleaning out the old feelings so our new intention can shine through. 

The first time I declared joy as my purpose, I cried at least once a day for 60 days. I felt so frustrated until I understood the process. I finally let myself grieve and released all the pent-up pain and suffering. The crying eventually stopped and the quiet presence of joy filled my heart.

Author Toko-pa Turner says, “Learning to welcome our dark guests is a source of great personal potency, but it also changes the way we move in the world.” She says as we learn to love all aspects of ourselves, we come into greater compassion for others.

Claim a divine ideal for yourself—joy, love, peace, harmony, clarity, unity or wholeness. Know that this ideal is already working its way into your thinking, speaking and into the cells of your body. Just be patient. It has to do a little spring cleaning first. 

Affirm: Love flows through my very being, touching everyone I meet.