‘Why does it feel worse again?’. This is something people often say as they continue their deepening into awakening and enlightenment. Here I share what I think is going on with it. Does it resonate for you? — When we first wake up out of the illusion of being a separate person, and into the recognition of our essential nature of awareness, there can be a period (to differing degrees) of ease and flow and lightness.

Back in 2018, I had a profound awakening experience, my mind went quiet and I thought that was it. I thought I was done – fully awakened. Here’s what I’ve learnt since. — I wrote about my big awakening in this post here. It was a beautiful, joy-filled experience thanks to a Jenga-style collapse of a whole load of thought, and it was followed by an amazing few months of a quiet mind. It was so easy and effortless in that state!

Last week I wrote to my newsletter crew about the dark night of the soul. The stage of awakening and enlightening that I love supporting and so I loved that it landed with such a ‘yes’ for so many. It’s that phase when “it feels worse than ever before, because you are now conscious of it, yet can’t escape, and you can’t hide or run away.” (Nicky Clinch). It’s when life gives you no choice but to see the seeming s*^t — absent of nail varnish. Then…it went to the next level.

On Monday, at our community birthday celebrations, Pip did a guided visualised constellation with us all — have you ever done one of these? I never had and it was great! It was on the topic of “what you resists persists” — that classic spiritual saying, which really is 100%…

I see this human experience as perfect. It’s 100% perfectly designed to wake us up to the truth of who we are, and to enlighten us from the conditioning we’ve collected. But then — this week — I thought I’d found a flaw! See what you think. — I am always sharing written posts and recorded reflections in my membership community, it’s one of my favourite things to do! And then sometimes, there’s something that’s just too good to keep behind those beautiful doors.

I’d like to share a short poem with you….I think it can be called a poem…I enjoyed the way the words flowed anyway…It’s one to read steadily, so you get to feel it, as you read it. — I am the presence of awareness. Aware presence Awareness. Presence. I am that. And so are you. Do you know that? For sure? For yourself? Who you are. With peace, love and joy; Helen www.thoughtfulraven.co.uk

I thought I was going to be running a six month programme on Conscious Parenting…until… Read and watch for what living a guided life looks like behind the scenes. — Here’s the backstory…In November ‘22 I was at a health spa with a good friend and I’d already received the idea to run a parenting programme. As I lay on the comfy chair, in the cosy room, I tuned in to receive guidance for its design.

Michael Beckwith’s Four Stages of Consciousness provide an amazing map for the territory of awakening and enlightenment. Like all maps it shows us where we are, and recognising where we are is the clarity that enables change. Where are you? — When my colleague and I were meeting to talk about the creation of our new programme, and to set our intentions with it, this model appeared on my Facebook feed, and then a good friend mentioned it that very same day! I love how life sends us messages like this…

With The Conscious Parenting Programme coming up, my posts and newsletters have shifted to that topic, and last week I had the kick-in-the-guts experience of someone saying ‘no’. A kick-in-the-guts which is actually a gift. — It’s Helen here! Back from lovely holidays and with huge love and appreciation for what Pip’s been sharing while I’ve been away (You can see those posts here and here). Those posts really touched my heart. And it seems like they touched yours too as we had loads more replies…