The ABC Path toward True Wisdom

EXCERPT FROM PART I: INTRODUCTION: Women’s wisdom is revealed when we engage our body, mind and emotions to hear the voice of Divine Wisdom, a voice that emerges from deep within our experience as women with a clarity that moves us to action.  When we take time to reflect on what is happening in our lives and tune in to what we are feeling, this inner voice of true wisdom surfaces.  Just as a small seed contains the complete blueprint for growth into a magnificent tree, we each come into this world with a blueprint for our growth into wholeness and well-being.  Inherent in our design is the ability to receive wisdom for our journey when we quiet our mind chatter and listen intentionally for the voice guiding us from this blueprint.  I personify this voice of clarity as a feminine source, Divine Wisdom, to indicate the insights we receive are coming from our personal experience as a woman, the collective experience of generations of women, and the imprint of the evolution of what it means to be female. 

EXCERPTS FROM PART II: FOLLOW THE ABC PATH: Establish a Time and Place.  The single most important step you can take to listen for the voice of Divine Wisdom is to set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day for uninterrupted solitude in a place where you feel completely free to express your true self. Designate a space in your home and a time of day when you are available to engage Divine Wisdom on a regular basis. In that space create a sense of welcome by setting a table or shelf with a candle, fresh flowers or a plant, an inspirational card or book, and anything that you feel defines this as your sacred space and sacred time.   Engage Your Senses - our senses participate in programming our memory cells without our conscious awareness, especially around emotionally charged experiences. Then when we least expect it, an aroma, a flavor, a color, a texture, or a song unlocks that memory with an emotional wallop. Knowing this we can consciously engage our senses as allies to create a sensate memory of an experience we want to be able to recall.  For example, choose a particular aroma to permeate the room while you engage in listening for the voice of Divine Wisdom. You can use a scented candle, scented oils, or earthy elements from nature that carry the aroma of the season. Over time the aromas you choose will become associated with the positive feeling you get when you are in your contemplative space. 

EXCERPTS FROM THE ABC CHAPTERS: Evoking Emotions - when we open to our full range of emotions, we summon Divine Wisdom to reveal the truth of what we are experiencing and the response that is needed. The body is a powerful personal diary of our squelched emotions and hidden truths.  Evoking Emotion is a pathway for reclaiming parts of ourselves that were censored to fit the little girl model of “sugar and spice and everything nice”. Learning to be assertive, honest, and true to ourselves releases the emotions imprisoned in our body and aligns them as allies for creating a life that more fully supports our growth and well-being.  Women’s emotions are a pathway to Divine Wisdom and we can access them by tuning into the sensations in our body. Just as the vibrations of a tuning fork can identify what piano keys need attention, our physical reactions can attune us to the messages our emotions are signaling. For those of us raised to squelch our strong and powerful emotions as unladylike, acknowledging the full range of our reactions reclaims their power to communicate both warning and wonder. Are you ready to access your emotions as a pathway toward true wisdom?  You will need…  Justified Joy- the experience of real joy follows those moments of truth when our courage prevails and we take responsibility for the way we live in the world. By challenging beliefs that trap us into thinking we are powerless, by discovering truths hidden behind external controls, and by learning to trust our innate wisdom – what we know in our heart is true - we free our spirit to experience life to the fullest with Justified Joy.  Are you ready to explore your favorite fairy tale for insight on your journey toward true wisdom and joy?  You will need: a favorite fairy tale, comfy chair, and blanket.  Instructions: 1. Light a candle and put on music in your sacred space.  Nestle into your comfy chair, pull the blanket around you and open your heart with a prayer of gratitude for this favorite childhood story.  2. Begin reading and as you turn the pages…