An uncut diamond appears like a rough stone. It needs to be specially cut and polished in order to reveal the brilliant, shimmering diamond treasure that it is. Individuals are like diamonds in the rough. They, too, have an untapped potential and need to undergo a process of refinement to discover and to shine their truest, most unique and beautiful Self.
The ego is the rough exterior that is in the limelight most of the time; it is what is expressed and what others see. This rough exterior can be understood as negative thoughts, limiting habits and programs of unworthiness that drive one toward actions and their consequences. Creating life in this unconscious way leads to dis-ease and challenge on the individual and the collective levels.
To cultivate more conscious awareness, the external environment can be seen as an ally, providing the challenges and struggles that force one to chisel away that which isn’t real, and find what is true and meaningful. As the pressure builds on the outside, instead of fighting what is happening, one can turn the attention inward to Self, to transform the troubling thoughts and beliefs that are ultimately creating this reality. Indeed, this is the only thing that can ever transform how life is experienced. The mind only reflects what is in it, so if the attention is on the woes and challenges in life, there will be more of that. The diamond is the innate, essence of life; it is a breath away, existing purely in the present moment. The goal is for the mind to reflect the true brilliance of this Diamond essence that is who the individual truly is.
Training the mind inward toward greater perspective is a continual practice. The ego demands mental energy in the form of worries and concerns for self-preservation. It can be tricked, in a way, by giving it thoughts of praise, gratitude and love instead. Using the Attitudes and then letting whatever happens, happen, facilitates an effortless letting go. The Ascension Attitudes are a tool to be used to deepen the connection to the Source that is beyond thought – in each moment! This enables pure consciousness to shine through. Therefore, the outer turmoil and concurrent worries and concerns become inconsequential compared to the resilience and strength of the Diamond within.
Rising Beyond 