We all want to change for the better and be truly happy, but how do we do it? By diving deep. Naturally, when faced with pain or a problem, we’d like an easy solution. We want to move past an uncomfortable experience as quickly as possible. But real change occurs when we dive deep, leaning into our difficult thoughts and feelings. It’s like learning to ski. We’re taught to lean forward and downhill, which seems initially counter intuitive. It may be a little scary at first, but in time it feels right.

 

The idea of going deeper and the experience of it are very different. Staying with our feelings and being in the present moment means to face what’s right in front of us. We don’t face everything at once, and we gradually go deeper, a step at a time. We face a thought, emotion or reaction and follow where it leads. Even as we tread this deeper path, we can experience our Wholeness in any moment. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, and we don’t have to be perfect. We do our best and remember our goal is progress, not perfection.

 

Commitment and consistency are essential, of course, but we must also be kind and forgiving toward ourselves to receive the deepest healing and change. There will be difficult and painful moments at times, but we choose this path because it’s the straightest, surest road to freedom, happiness and success. Going deeper doesn't’t mean the same thing for everyone, but when we stay on our cutting edge–becoming more awake, aware and alive in every moment–we’re so much happier and at peace.

 

In our Western culture we’re attached to speed. We want to change quickly. Many excellent energy psychologies and spiritual healing systems help people transform in nearly a moment, but does this shift last? Many systems teach us to release what seems difficult for us, which can be great and just the breather we need in that moment. However a helpful question to consider is: Are we releasing to escape our difficult feelings and thoughts without developing the ability to more fully be with our experience of life? Our quickness can actually feed our anxiety and hunger, rather than calm or eliminate them. We can be left spinning our wheels instead of meeting our goals.

 

When we go deeper, it doesn't’t mean life becomes more complicated and difficult. It actually simplifies our lives as we give up our resistance and can be real with it. We’re more fully present in the moment, facing whatever arises, rather than using our energy to move quickly beyond it. We develop the ability to look at things from different perspectives, not just the obvious point of view. We cultivate the willingness to stay with an issue until it shifts, which might be an instant or longer. If we need to, we can stay put until we see movement or insight. Living consciously becomes a way of life, not just a 20 minute daily practice.

 

Why dive deeper? Because when we do we know that change is always possible, even on long held issues. It gives us the hope and energy we need to do the work that provides real, lasting change. Our relationships improve. We can handle whatever comes up with more presence and less stress. We can identify, work through, or let go of whatever gets in our way. Diving deep transforms our experience of life as we journey through it, revealing hidden depths of happiness and meaning along the way. It’s how we become stronger, happier, and free.