How do you know when you're on the right path?

Our lives unfold because of the choices we make. And the choices we make carve out the unique paths that we walk. So when we speak about "the right path", we must be speaking about right choices, right? Well, I have come to understand that there are no right or wrong choices, only choices. Not that we don't make immoral or unethical choices, because we are certainly more than capable. The point is, even immoral and unethical choices can be objectively perceived as not "wrong" if one views them from the (higher) perspective that sees all choices as inherently guiding us in the direction of understanding, in the direction of perfect Unity and Oneness with the Source of life and with each other (same thing, of course!).

That said, might there perhaps be another way to define "the right path"? For instance, what if "the right path" has nothing to do with right and wrong, but simply refers to the shortest path between the point at which we stand today and the perfect Unity I have spoken of (or at least, as perfect a Unity as a human being can possibly attain). Rather than calling this path "the right path", how about we call it the path of the Highest Good -- because as I understand it, such a path does indeed exist for each and every one of us.

Okay, so, assuming there really is such a path, how does one know that one is walking it?

Well, if you are walking around in a state of inner peace, joy and contentment at all times, regardless of what is happening in your life or in the world around you -- congratulations -- you are walking that path. Then again, you might be delusional, LOL.

So, for those of us who are not delusional, and for those of us who are not yet walking around in a permanent state of bliss, here's my best attempt to outline the five sure-fire steps to the path of the Highest Good:

Step One: You have to truly and sincerely know your heart. Because if you are prone to lying to yourself and/or to others, each layer of deception you create adds layers of complexity to the choices you will ultimately have to make to walk the path of the Highest Good. So, for starters, stop lying and start facing your truths -- warts and all. And I guarantee you, even though these choices to be truthful might be some of the most difficult ones you will ever make, the end result  (once the dust settles, naturally) will be very rewarding. And then you will be ready for --

Step Two: Approaching the path that emerges as a result of your honesty and sincerity with openness. I say "openness" because once you commit yourself to walking the path of the Highest Good, anything is possible for you. This is because your honestly and sincerity quite naturally create the most direct path to the life of your dreams -- or more likely, the path that surpasses your dreams. Your job is to stay out of your way by remaining open enough at all times to know when to say "yes" and when to say "no" -- and you will know because the process of practicing sincerity and honesty trains your heart to recognise and discern the difference. And as you remain open, you will find in time that you will embrace --

Step Three: Fearlessness. Because, an integral part of walking the path of the Highest Good is overcoming your fears. And not because someone tells you to, but because you want to. And you will. And by fears, I'm not talking about fears that are rightfully in place to protect you from real dangers. I mean fears that are irrational -- fears that stop you from doing those things that you could and probably should be doing, but you don't do because you have fears -- fears of failure, fears of success, fears of making a fool of yourself, fears of public speaking -- you get the idea. Well, the more you practice being truthful to yourself and others, and the more you remain open to the path that unfolds before you, the more that life will give you opportunities to face your irrational fears -- the lies -- and overcome them -- not by fighting against them, but by acknowledging their un-truth, and in so doing, taking back the power you once gave them (even though you probably never realized you did). Nevertheless, the more you practice fearlessness, the more you will be led  to --
 
Step Four: Shadow work. Shadow work is where you allow your buried negative conditioning to come to the surface where you can forgive it and release it. We all have these shadows. They develop as a result of our pain and suffering, and they take many forms. And often, because these shadows first develop in our formative years, they have been long buried and hidden in our subconscious minds. Thus, facing these "holes in our souls" as I like to call them is not without feeling some of the pain and suffering that created them in the first place -- but oh so worth it in the end! Because by fixing your holes you make yourself whole! And when you are whole, you will be ready and able to embrace --

Step Five: Being loving at all times. And by this I mean, kind, compassionate, forgiving, accepting, and patient. And by being so, I don't mean you allow everyone to trample all over you. Knowing when to say "no" is something that comes in time, the more we speak our truths, the more we follow our hearts, the more we face our fears and the more we allow shadow work to unfold. And there you have it -- how to know you are on the "right" path. Easy huh? Many blessings to you all!