The Only Authority That Matters

Hello Empowered Wayers!We are still at the beginning of the year (even though it feels as if it is flying by). Recently, on the Mystic Misfits Podcast, I spoke about the importance of being aware of your identity.Not your name, occupation, sexual orientation, or family origins, but who you are being in each moment.Identity springs from authority.Who or what do you accept as your authority? What energy guides you? Where is the edge of your fear?These questions are basic identity markers, the answers to which mold your identity, beliefs, and ultimately, your reality.What are the sources of authority?“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us." - Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson studied A Course in Miracles for many years and it is the foundation of her teaching and books. Her words highlight that we came from love, but learned to fear as we move in the world.The Course is a spiritual self-study “designed to to awaken us to the truth of our oneness with God and Love.” Throughout the Course, the same theme emerges: We are Love who has learned fear. There are only two sources of authority: Love or fear.Let’s explore the differencesFear is rampant now. ICE protests, New York City nurses striking, fraud, Iran burning. The list goes on and on. Underneath the chaos and destruction is pervasive fear: judgment, condemnation, anger, and violence. None of these energetic ways of being are based in Love. If they were, they would look radically different.Love isn’t an emotion or Valentine’s Day card. Love is much deeper and wider than how we use the word to apply to everything from a great meal or a cute dog. Love is the connection you allow with your higher being, God, Yahweh, or the Universe. As you connect, communicate, and allow Love to flow through you, you step out of fear into a state of consciousness that is eternal.Fear or Love is always availableOne fact that every human must accept at some point in their life: it is impossible to live from fear or Love in the same moment. When you are in fear, it becomes your authority and your identity. Love is pushed off the stage of your internal sense of yourself. Your body tells you instantly when you are in fear. Shallow breaths, narrow vision, a sense of dread or anger rising in your chest or gut. These are some of the ways your body registers fear. As you become aware of when you are living from fear, you can rescue yourself. Your breath is the gateway back to Love. Taking several long, slow, deep intentional breaths calms your nervous system and brings you back to center.As you practice moving from fear back to Love, your awareness of your energetic state heightens and becomes stronger. You develop a new spiritual muscle, the ability to move through fear and re-connect with your source.The choice is yours in every momentAre you beginning to see the impact of your choice to live from either fear or love? Your identity in each moment is defined by whether you are in fear or Love.The 15th Century Persian Poet Hafiz wrote:“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.”The first time I discovered this quote was in Paris, France. I had stepped into the famous bookstore, “Shakespeare & Co.” and walked toward the back of the store. There was a red staircase leading to the second floor, and as I stood in front of it, I saw it. My hope is that this short article has made you aware of the “astonishing light of your own being.” Only you can discover it, remember who you are beneath the noise of the world, and make the decision to live as Love.On your journey back to Self, take comfort in this quote from the Course:If you knew Who walked beside you at all times; On this Path that you have chosen; You could never experience fear or doubt again.Blessings,KathrynP.S. Please share this newsletter with someone who is overwhelmed or deep in fear. Knowing there is a way out of fear is the first step. Empowered Way is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit empoweredway.substack.com