Our instincts have been created over a very long period of evolution. They are: the essence of intelligence, the story of our past life experiences, and what we have learned from all of the experiences our souls have ever had. Therefore, we can also say that our fear exists because of what we still have yet to fully learn. Yes, what a journey.

Lifetime after lifetime these instincts are refined through the effort we make to process our feelings, our judgements, our hopes, our desires, and so much more. To risk following our instincts at those important junctions where life changing decisions need to be made is living with courage and trust in ourselves inwardly and ultimately in a Mysterious Force. Not only are we regularly benefiting from the guidance of this precious wisdom, but we are also engaging in the strengthening of these instincts each time we risk trusting their guidance.

The greatest obstruction to “living intuitively” is a lack of self-knowledge.  The more we know ourselves, the more free we are to consciously identify the great difference between EGO-centered fear or mind driven distractions, and this pure instinctive Knowing activated by our SOUL. However today, I want to go past this common conflict and open up a deeper conversation that will take us into a  Sacred process, Love’s Path.

As you read the following poem keep in mind a man who died at the age of 49...wrote it about 450 years ago. This poem is a perfect example of a Mystic speaking to us of his inner life experience of God’s Embrace. It is absolutely accurate, it is filled with nothing but Truth. See if it makes sense to you. Mystical language does not speak to us metaphorically; it speaks directly to us about inner life in simple ways. Occasionally revealing to us why we might want to continue to aspire up the spiral staircase toward Illumination.

We face the daily struggles of inner conflict, inner doubt, negative self judgement, and endless inner dramas. It is exhausting. Often we are overwhelmed by inner appetites of random wanting that will never be satiated. It can lead us to believe that this is all there is within us. Blah, Bhah, Blah. Not so. Not so. Not so!

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing more of these magnificent Mystics and what they left behind to encourage us as we journey in their footsteps at the foothills of the great mountain they’ve climbed. So.... read it slowly, think about the words, what is he teaching us... teaching you... teaching anyone who will take the time to contemplate his story of a VERY real experience... This is the story of Spiritual Freedom, of Inner Peace, of Absolute Devotion, of True Joy.....

The following poem was written by Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)

To learn more of this great man, who was a contemporary of St. Teresa of Avila (also a Mystic). He was her confessor, she was his Teacher. 

Links to learn more of them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_the_Cross

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila

He begins intimately, telling us that he is sitting quietly, eyes closed to this material world while in deep contemplation...

I entered where there is no knowing,
and unknowing I remained,
all knowledge there transcending.

I

Where no knowing is I entered,
yet when I my own self saw there
without knowing where I rested
great things I understood there,
yet cannot say what I felt there,
since I rested in unknowing,
all knowledge there transcending.

II

Of peace and of holy good
there was perfect knowing,
in profoundest solitude
the only true way seeing,
yet so secret is the thing
that I was left here stammering,
all knowledge there transcending.

III

Iwas left there so absorbed,

so entranced, and so removed,
that my senses were abroad,
robbed of all sensation proved,
and my spirit then was moved
with an unknown knowing,
all knowledge there transcending.

IV

He who reaches there in truth
from himself is parted though,
and all that before he knew
seems to him but base below,
his knowledge increases so
that knowledge has an ending,
all knowledge there transcending.

V

The higher he climbs however
the less he’ll ever understand,
because the cloud grows darker
that lit the night on every hand:
whoever visits this dark land
rests forever in unknowing,
all knowledge there transcending.

VI

This knowledge of unknowing
is of so profound a power
that no wise men arguing
will ever supersede its hour:
their wisdom cannot reach the tower
where knowing has an ending,
all knowledge there transcending.

VII

It is of such true excellence
this highest understanding,
no science, no human sense,
has it in its grasping,
yet he who, by self-conquering
grasps knowing in unknowing,
goes evermore transcending.

VIII

And in the deepest sense,
this highest knowledge lies,
of the divine essence,
if you would be wise:
his mercy so it does comprise,
each one leaving in unknowing,
all knowledge there transcending.

Shhhhhhh..... just let this sit within you without the mind trying to do anything with it....  Truth grows without any intention upon our part. Quieting the mind is essential.

More soon ♡ ~ Cynthia