“Enlightenment through suffering – the way of the cross – means to be forced into the kingdom of heaven kicking and screaming.”   Eckhart Tolle

“A significant portion of the earth’s population will soon recognize, if they haven’t already done so, that humanity is now faced with a stark choice: Evolve or die.”   Eckhart Tolle 

“Spirituality is not about being sweet and nice. It is about being genuine and honest.”   Diana Cooper

Trigger Warning: Those of you abused by a Church or other Religious Institution or Government  – may wish to avoid reading this blog as you may find it disturbing!

This blog today was inspired by Mother Mary, Queen of Angels, (who honoured me with a visitation in 2007) and also contemporary spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle. Tolle, as most of you know, is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition although he refers in his teachings to Christianity and Buddhism.  His teachings recommend that we leave our analytical mind behind and live in the NOW. Most of you will have read Tolle’s book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.

I was frequently tortured as a child, so living in the NOW (which children do) was often not a great place to be, and until I was in my mid-thirties, and training to be a psychotherapist (I became an Angel Therapist(R) instead down the road, unplanned! ) I tended to live in the future, for obvious reasons. Hatha Yoga and Jungian Therapy brought me back into my body and the present moment – as much as most of us are able to continuously live in the present moment. At each stage though, when my suffering was at its worst, it was either Jesus (clairvoyant visions of Jesus and subsequent visitations from Jesus began at 4 years of age) Mother Mary or the Angels who appeared in-person lifted me up.

Tolle himself had a very unhappy childhood. His parents separated after a lot of arguing, and he was made to study things that did not interest him. Even though he got a scholarship to study at Cambridge and looked very successful on the outside, he was full of pain on the inside. He went into a deep depression and was suicidal. Sitting on a bench one day – he had what I have heard him call an “inner transformation” and what I have heard others call “a spontaneous awakening.” Ever since then he has been helping others to find a way out of suffering and into peace.

So many people are suffering right now as we go through what some call the Great Shift (one of many names). Climate change, Covid-19, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, erupting volcanos, famine, animals going extinct, strange new diseases and the ever-present domestic abuse and child abuse – which has really increased with the pandemic as everyone isolates at home. Is this the way of the cross? Tolle says: “The way of the cross … is the old way to enlightenment, and until recently it was the only way. But don’t dismiss it or underestimate its efficacy. It still works.” He goes on to state:

“At this time, as far as the unconscious majority of humans is concerned, the

way of the cross is still the only way. They will only awaken through further suffering,

and enlightenment as a collective phenomenon will be predictably preceded by vast

upheavals. This process reflects the workings of certain universal laws that govern the growth

of consciousness and thus was foreseen by some seers. It is described, among other places,

in the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse, though cloaked in obscure and sometimes

impenetrable symbology. This suffering is inflicted not by God but by humans on

themselves and on each other, as well as by certain defensive measures that the Earth,

which is a living, intelligent organism, is going to take to protect herself from the onslaught of

human madness.”  ( The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle)

Tolle reminds us that if we are able to relinquish our attachment to both past and future, and make the NOW the focus of our lives, we do not need the way of the cross to become enlightened. A conditioned mind, though, has no choice and therefore Tolle is quick to dismiss “choose”, a favourite New Age term, in some (not all!) contexts. “Choice implies consciousness – a high degree of consciousness. Without it – you have no choice. Choice begins the moment you disidentify from the mind, and its conditioned patterns, the moment you become present. Until you reach that point, you are unconscious – spiritually speaking. This means that you are compelled to think, feel, and act in certain ways according to the conditioning of your mind. That is why Jesus said: “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This is not related to intelligence in the conventional sense of the word. I have known many highly intelligent and educated people who were also completely unconscious, which is to say completely identified with their mind…” (pgs 226-227)

Meditating on Tolle’s teachings can produce meaningful insights. Justin Brown has gathered together 75 enlightening quotes which you can read on the internet should you be interested. Tolle asks that you use suffering as a teacher and reflects that had he not suffered – his teachings would not exist.

My visitation from Mother Mary in 2007 was life-changing. How could it not be? Yes, she was compassionate and loving as always presented. But, it was Her strength and no-nonsense attitude while She bustled around my room in all Her Glory in a manner that surprised me. Anything but docile. Lovely, yes, but in a robust way, a take-charge way. Nothing felt meek about her. My experience with Mother Mary is confirmed by one of my teachers Dr. Doreen Virtue in her book Archangels & Ascended Masters. …”behind her gentleness, there’s a firm “mother bear” who lovingly warns us to shape up.”  It makes sense does it not?  Mother Mary lived a difficult life struggling to raise enough money for food and taxes and trying to keep Herself and family safe through constant military and political uprisings. Mother Mary is particularly involved in helping children. In fact, during my Angel Therapy(R) training in 2006, my mediumship skills allowed me to communicate with a young close friend of my daughter’s, also named Mary, who died of meningitis at 19 years of age. She contacted me to let my daughter know that she is in Heaven and received an assignment from Mother Mary that allows her to help children as they cross over. She helps Mother Mary with her work. Mary, our young Mary, always wore a cross and was a devout Christian. Although, we do not need to belong to any religion to receive Mother Mary’s attention and help. Mother Mary is known to be particularly involved in helping the Indigo, Crystal and Rainbow kids entering our planet with gifts of our salvation if we pay attention and who are seen as ‘different.’ She will assist anyone whose life purpose involves helping these children and especially assists those who are trying to keep harmful chemicals and additives out of their systems as well as psychoactive medications such as Ritalin. Mother Mary sees the fearful child in all of us and comes to each of us who calls Her with compassion and assistance.

I just asked Mother Mary what her message is for all of you today and pulled a card from Doreen’s deck Mary, Queen of Angels. It is “OPTIMISM: I expect good things to happen, and they do! ” The image on the card has Mother Mary at the center and with a dove above her. She is risen above the medieval village scene below, where Jesus is hanging on the Cross and Angels by his side. This oracle message reminds us to look for the blessings within our current situation/s no matter what they are. No matter how dire. What have you learned?  Are you (getting) stronger? Optimism is a form of faith and trust in God/Creator. We are reminded that we can develop this trait, should we lack it, by praying, ” God, please let me see this situation through Your eyes.”    Amen.

Our future, as we know, is created by our moment to moment decisions and actions. We are all doing the best that we can. Ask for the Angels to assist you and miracles can happen.

Love & Light,   Monica/Aurora