Change Your Lipstick Shade, Change Your Life: A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Last Thursday I was walking past a Sephora at the mall when I was pulled in like a magnet.  Without being mentally aware of where I was going within the store, I found myself standing in front of a plethora of makeup and I suddenly become aware of a compelling desire...no, it was a need...a compelling need for a new, bright, happy lipstick shade.

"MUST HAVE," I thought.  And so the search began.

My eyes moved quickly over the various shades of lipstick in their diverse array of tubes of different widths and lengths.  I was delighted by the numerous options before me but I didn't see what I was looking for just yet.  I continued along the lovely smorgasboard of makeup when I saw one jump out at me.  If it were a snake, it would have bit me.

On that day I went from this shade of lipstick:

To this shade of lipstick:

I was so thrilled about my new lipstick shade that I put it on right there in the store.  I was reminded that this is how my meditation practice often occurs for me.  I LOVE to meditate.  I mean LOVE it!  Sometimes I am drawn like a magnet to take that time out just for me to go within.  I realize that as I sit down to go within I never know how deep or far I will go with my meditation until I am in the midst of it.  I always go with an intention though, and it is usually to strengthen the muscle of non-attachment, surrender, or release, such that I can be more present in each moment, which always leads to greater peace and happiness for me.

My new lipstick shade had an impact on everyone I came in contact with that day, including myself.  That's right, my attitude was a little more cheery because I knew that I was wearing a new, bright shade, and it was a noticeable, beautiful color.

I have heard that if we want things to be different, we've got to do things differently.  When we first awaken to the Truth of our existence, we are careful with the thoughts we think, as they become our words.  As awakened beings who continue to evolve and blossom ever more each day like a flower, we have the awareness that our actions are a result of the thoughts we have had and the words we have spoken.  Now we can use our actions to altar, boost, or enhance our thinking (or mental attitude) which is a fun spiritual tool.  So ladies, as you travel along the path of enlightenment,  and you find yourself stuck, or lacking the enthusiasm you were used to once having, a new lipstick shade is just what you need.

Change your lipstick shade, change your life.

Much LOVE & Many Blessings,

Rev, Elizabeth Rowley

The Benefits of Spiritual Coaching: Clarifying Confusion

Change your thinking, change your life you heard one day.  Ok, great, you thought to yourself, I am ready.  You took CSL101, Foundations class and became a member of the Center.  Then you took the Power of Your Word course and began to use our form of affirmative prayer, praying and praying often, for yourself and others.  Ultimately, you began to spend more time consciously aware of your communion with the Divine through prayer in all areas of your life.

One of my teachers, Adyashanti, is a big proponent of meditation, and for extended periods of time too!  He once told me that meditation is easy when you’re on “the cushion,” in the privacy of your own home without the distractions of the external world.  Your REAL meditation begins “off the cushion,” out in the world. So there it is!

I have found the same to be true for prayer.  In my conscious and sacred time of communion (on the cushion) with the Divine, prayer is deliciously different.  REAL prayer begins when I am out in the world (off the cushion), still delicious and an entirely different experience.  Can I access that sacred, prayerful state in all that I think, in all that I say and in all that I do?  Even in the face of adversity?  Even in the face of THAT?  Yes, especially in the face of THAT.

Onto one of the pitfalls, or common areas of confusion that I have discovered on my own and in the lives of others who I have coached on the spiritual path.  And that is in thinking that we need only pray, and then wait.  Here’s the absurdity with that...if your prayer includes the desire for transformation in relationship, maybe you are seeking that right and perfect romantic partner, your soulmate.  So you pray and then spend your spare time sitting on the couch in front of the television or reading a book alone...thinking the soulmate is going to materialize in your living room or come knocking on your door.  I’m not saying that is not a possibility, or that it cannot happen that way.  I am saying that there may be work for you to do out in the world, off the cushion, as it were.  Such as saying yes to attend a party your friend is throwing or attending other events you are drawn to say yes to attending and then being open to the possibilities the Universe provides.  

And believe me, the Universe ALWAYS provides.

We have a saying that you may have heard in Religious Science as follows: “treat and move your feet.”  This is to say pray, and then do the work necessary to create an environment wherein your prayers may be answered.  If you wanted to grow corn, you wouldn’t plant your seeds in the carpet of your living room.

Go get ‘em!  Much Love to you on your path.