Back in May I received one of my daily Bowl of Saki email and over the past few months it has really stuck with me. If you aren't familiar with the Bowl of Saki emails, they typically consist of a single quote that is broken down and explored in depth by Hazrat Inayat Khan (I read this is how Oprah starts her mornings so I wanted to see what it was all about). The quote I am referring to read this, followed by the explanation:
"Those who have given deep thoughts to the world are those who have controlled the activity of their minds."
He is thoughtful whose mind is directed by his will, whose mind fulfills his intentions, whose mind is under the control of his intention. Only those who have controlled the activity of their minds have given deep thoughts to the world. Those whose minds are working mechanically like a machine, or just reflecting the activity of those around them, may appear to be living beings, but the mystic would say differently; for it is not till a person has gained mastery over his mind, till he is above this activity, that he is a ruling power, a true person.
When we think about it, we find that all the things that are accomplished in this world are accomplished by the power of mind. Whatever man creates in science, in art, in phenomena or wonder making, in poetry, in music, in pictures, in everything that he brings into being, is all achieved by the power of mind. If he does not control his mind, he is not a master but a slave. It lies with his own mind whether he shall be master, or whether he shall be slave. He is slave when he neglects to be master; he is master if he cares to be master.
Mastery lies not merely in stilling the mind, but in directing it towards whatever point we desire, in allowing it to be active as far as we wish, in using it to fulfill our purpose, in causing it to be still when we want to still it. He who has come to this has created his heaven within himself; he has no need to wait for a heaven in the hereafter, for he has produced it within his own mind now.
That last sentence really hits me in my feels. It so blatantly illuminates the simple truth that most of us are willing to wait until we die to experience bliss instead of creating it right here, in this very moment.
Why are we content with that?
With every pulse of your heart there is joy to be had, abundance to be received, and love to shared, you just have to the create space for it. It is time to realize that you are co-creating with God/Source/The Universe, and everything you desire is available to you.
What is your version of heaven?
For me, heaven is a place where laughter is abundant, money is endless, and authenticity guides me. I have committed to adding a level of intention to every area of my life, in hopes of mastering my mind and unleashing it's potential. Some days it's sunshine and rainbows. Some days I can't even stand to look at my affirmation list because it makes me want to scream. But through it all, trying (and often failing) always feels better than being complacent. Creating, regardless of the outcome, always brings me a sense of satisfaction.
When was the last time you created something in your life?
To live a life a magic, abundance, and prosperity, you must first become the leader within yourself. As you begin to take charge of your life and make the commitment to engage with conscious decisions that are connected with your goals, a heaven more beautiful than you could ever imagine will become present within you. No matter where you go or what you do, heaven will follow.