The Call of the Soul is that inexorable pull over the course of our lives to return home, to our soul, to who we really are. For me, the call has been getting louder lately, clearer and more compelling. How bout you? Do you hear it? Do you feel it? How is this showing up in your life, or not showing up?
When we learn to accept ourselves as we truly are, express ourselves authentically and live life accordingly, life gets much simpler and more joyous. And when we are disconnected from our true selves, it tends to be more painful, difficult, and dysfunctional.
It seems like a no brainer to be true to ourselves, but it’s not always easy. We may give a lot of weight to what others expect of us, or to appearing a certain way. We may have resistance to letting go of this. The parts of us that are invested in our stories and old wounds are, well, invested. Our wounds may cause suffering but they are familiar.
The important thing to know is that when we are ready to move forward — when our suffering becomes too great, too unbearable, when we desperately need relief — a path will rise up to meet us. In the case of forgiveness, it provides a structure, an incremental method to release the painful past, so shifting to a new way of being is less overwhelming.
Forgiveness challenges the limited beliefs and false identities that give rise to our stories and our suffering. On the other side of our false narratives, is the true Self, who we really are. As the past is released, we are better able to hear the voice of our true self, the call of our soul.
Spiritual teacher Gangaji says this is the great awakening of our life, and of our time:
If we are willing to take responsibility for our own depth of awakening, for our own peace … then we can actually be available to effect bigger change. Then at least this one place [you] are at peace, is free. Whenever any of us chooses peace within our mind and heart, an enormous force of energy is freed. To be peace is to offer peace. Only then will we see what can truly arise on this earth. …
You are not alone in this awakening. There are people all over the world at this very moment with the same commitment. Without denying the waves of terror and suffering on our planet, we can recognize that right now there is a great wave of support for awakening for the whole human race to shift its perspective of war, terror and hatred to one of openness and acceptance. Each one of us is essential.