Synthia Andrews - The Path of Presence: 8 Awareness-Expanding Energy Practices to Ignite Your Purpose

There are many people to thank for all that went into writing this book. So many have contributed so much to this outcome that thanks must be given by first name, in alphabetical order. Thank you all!

A Place Called Hoperaptor rehabilitators and friends Todd and Christine, who provided the tips for nature lovers in the appendix. Good friends and good people. Check out their incredible work at www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com.

Adriel Infantinomy younger daughter, who brings light to the family through the sweetness of her Presence, keeps us laughing, and reminds me that I dont have to leave my brain at the door in order to engage spirituality.

Barry and Lil Levineowners of Willoughbys Coffee & Tea and Erins employer at the time of her accident. Barry and Lil treated Erin like family, keeping the lunchtime vigil and continuing to pay her salary and health care insurance through the crisis. In addition, they provided me with endless free coffee, and I can say, as a long-time coffee connoisseur and world traveler, Willoughbys is the best coffee anywhere. Fortunately, they sell their self-roasted coffee by mail order! Check them out at www.willo ughbyscoffee.com.

Colin Andrewsmy husband, who accepts with equanimity my rousing the household every morning at 5:00 a.m. as I rise to write before going to work. He is my constant support and holder of my heart. For efficacy, he is not included in much of the writing of Erins journey, but he was there throughout, always being of service (www.colinandrews.net).

Erin Infantinomy older daughter, who opened her heart and let me in. We healed together.

Johanna Sayremy very best friend, who nourishes the seeds, edits the words, and sees the deepest parts of my heart. Thank you, always.

John Whitemy agent, still trying to retire, but rising to the need of every new book.

Joyce Loganthe heart-centered social media wizard helping me emerge in electronic form. www.joyceloganmarketing.com

Meredith Young-Sowersauthor and spiritual leader who wrote the Foreword to this book. I cant thank Meredith enough for her encouragement, understanding, and willingness to give of her time and expertise. Her generous spirit touched my heart and gave me a boost along the way. www.stillpoint.com

Michael Pyeacquisitions editor at New Page Books. When I stared writing the proposal for this book in July 2015, Michael e-mailed. We had not talked in two years. He asked if I had a book for them, which I did. Then came the accident and the book was forgotten. In November, the week I returned to writing, Michael again called out of the blue to ask if the proposal was ready. His psychic percipience let me know I was on track. Thanks, Michael, I really needed that!

Susan Rosatimy favorite kundalini yoga teacher whose Presence permeates this book.

Pillar Gonzaleswho brought her willing spirit and her horse, Annie, to the farm. I dont know where we would be without them!

Tiokasin and Jadinafriends whose in-depth conversation helped fine-tune concepts in this book.

The Ramsby clanmy family of origin. In my parents, siblings and their spouses, and gorgeous nieces is the essence of Presence I try to write about. Each, in their own unique way, brings integrity and intent into struggles in which it is easier to leave them at home.

The team at New Page Booksa fabulous group of people to work with who hold the best of intentions.

The women of Sonis Cottage Workshopsthe extraordinary group of spiritual explorers assembled by teacher Soni Masseur who let me impart the Pillars of Presence for the first time. Their sweet hearts light the path.

Adapted from The Path of Emotions

Awakened Perception

Occasionally, and without warning, the world around me changes: The light is brighter and more alive, streaming in a multitude of colors, shades, and densities into, through, and around objects, trees, animals, people, and me. I am incorporated into this stream of light that is all-that-is. In such moments, I am home.

The change can happen on an in-breath and be gone on the out-breath. The experience is both fleeting and eternal. It does not need repeating to be imprinted in my memory, yet several times I have been graced: once in a yoga class, once in a copse of pine trees, once looking into the eyes of the man who would become my husband, and once as my world fell apart. Twice more it occurred as a prolonged interaction.

In her TED talk, titled My Stroke of Insight, Jill Bolte Taylor eloquently describes a similar experience that occurred during her stroke. Watching her talk, I wondered whether my flashes of self-realization were the result of mini strokes. I concluded they were not. Rather, they were flashes of awakened sight. In those nanoseconds of sentience, seeds were planted whose need to grow directs the course of my life.

These moments of clear sight are not unique to me. Many people have such experiences or feel them just beyond the edge of their consciousness. Perhaps you have had a similar event and appreciate that there is a part of you, outside of your everyday awareness, that operates within this arena of light. That part is your Presence, a reflection of the deeper totality of who you are. It orchestrates your life, instills you with purpose, and works toward your highest good. When you develop Presence, your path is illuminated as your inner self shines.

The conventional view of Presence is that it is a set of qualities you project that influence people to perceive you in a certain way. In this book, Presence is a spiritual force within. It is developed through your relationship with eight specific aspects of being alive: a reflection of how consciously you use the precious force of life.

Presence is the canvass that conveys your essence to the world. It communicates the turmoil or serenity of your thoughts, the turbulence or coherence of your emotions, and the conviction of your truth. It reflects how you process, integrate, and use life-force. Presence carries the force of your spirit to interact with the whole of reality.

As your inner self is reflected outwardly through your Presence, you draw to you everything needed for the lessons and achievements of life. If you pay attention, Presence guides your path and gives you the conviction to pursue your dreams. When tragedy strikes, as it will in every life, Presence provides the grace to meet the challenges with strength, calm, and courage. Through Presence, the continuity between internal and external reality, the continuous flow from one to the other, is experienced.