Heaven and Brimstone

Seeing Beauty Where None Is Expected

To see burning brimstone as beautiful gems is not a naive optimism but a profound reorientation of perception. The alchemy of consciousness transforms what is often labelled as suffering or undesirable into something sacred, even divine. The journey to this realization does not lie in escaping difficulties but fully meeting them, unguarded and undefended.

Most spend their lives seeking an idealized heaven, a utopia where pain, conflict, and discomfort are absent. Yet, what if the true heaven is not a destination but a shift in how reality is experienced? What if heaven emerges not when circumstances change, but when the mind stops resisting the circumstances it once fled?

Burning brimstone evokes images of torment, the archetypal inferno of spiritual suffering. Yet, fire has always been dual. It consumes, but it also purifies. It destroys, yet it forges. The very flames that sear can illuminate. To see gems within the fire is to recognize the transformative power hidden in every difficulty, every discomfort, every perceived flaw.

This is the paradox of awakening: the world remains the same, yet nothing is the same. The raw intensity of existence, with all its chaos and unpredictability, becomes a source of wonder. Heaven, then, is not an escape but an embrace. It is not found elsewhere but revealed here, in the present, when we are willing to see clearly.

How Do We Begin?

Drop the Narrative: Pain and suffering often intensify because of the stories we weave around them. Without the narrative, fire is just fire. Burnt bridges are just opportunities for new paths. The mind’s interpretation makes them unbearable.

Engage Curiosity: Rather than judging experiences, approach them with curiosity. What is this discomfort teaching? What lies beneath the surface? Gems rarely rest in plain sight; they are unearthed through inquiry.

Surrender Control: Heaven is realized not by controlling life but by allowing life to be what it is. This surrender is not weakness; it is the strength to flow with life rather than against it.

Through these practices, what once seemed like burning brimstone—the unbearable weight of human suffering—may transform into beautiful gems. This is not a denial of the challenges but a recognition that all of existence, even the painful parts, is imbued with beauty and meaning when approached with the eyes of wisdom.

The question is not whether heaven exists but whether you are willing to see it, even amid flames.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Soul’s Infinite Expression

We tend to anchor our identity in the physical body, perceiving it as the centre of our existence. From birth, the body is celebrated, measured, and scrutinized, reinforcing the illusion that it defines who we are. This fixation on the body as the ultimate reality obscures a deeper truth: the physical form is merely one facet of an expansive, multidimensional soul.

Your soul expresses itself across layers of existence, many of which are beyond ordinary perception. The body serves as a temporary vessel, a focal point through which the infinite interacts with the finite. While it appears solid and tangible, the body is a fleeting projection of the soul’s boundless energy, a transient ripple in the vast ocean of your being.

The Illusion of Exclusivity

Viewing the body as the entirety of selfhood limits understanding of existence. The physical realm, with its sensory experiences, feels undeniably real. Yet, when closely examined, the body is revealed to be impermanent, constantly changing, and inseparable from the environment around it. The cells within it are born and die in a perpetual cycle, mirroring the patterns of nature. Nothing about the body is fixed—except the awareness of witnessing its fluctuations.

This awareness belongs not to the body but to the soul. The soul uses the physical form to engage with this dimension of reality, much like light passing through a prism creates a spectrum of colours. The body is one colour, but the spectrum of the soul contains infinite hues.

The Multidimensional Self

Beyond the physical, there are layers of existence where your soul expresses itself. Subtle energy fields, emotional resonances, and realms of thought and intention all flow from the same source. These facets interact with the body, shaping experiences in ways often unnoticed. A sudden intuition, a deep emotional release, or a spontaneous surge of creativity are glimpses of the soul’s reach beyond the material.

The soul is not confined by linear time or space. The body moves through time, aging and decaying, while the soul exists in a timeless state, simultaneously influencing and being influenced by multiple dimensions of reality. To recognize this is to understand that your physical form is not the limit of your being, but a doorway into the infinite.

Why the Physical Body Matters

Acknowledging the body as one facet of the soul does not diminish its importance. The physical form is the ground where spiritual experiences take shape, where the formless soul engages directly with the tangible world. Every breath, movement, and sensation is an opportunity to express the soul’s essence in a way no other dimension allows.

Honouring the body as an extension of the soul transforms the way you relate to it. Instead of obsessing over appearances or fearing its eventual decline, you begin to see the body as sacred—a fleeting but essential aspect of your journey. Caring for it becomes an act of devotion, not out of attachment, but a way to honour the soul’s choice to experience this dimension.

Living Beyond the Body’s Facade

Recognizing that the physical body is only one aspect of the self brings profound liberation. Fear of death diminishes because the soul’s existence does not hinge on the body’s survival. Identity expands beyond the physical, allowing you to live with a sense of wholeness and interconnection.

When you stop identifying solely with the body, relationships transform. You no longer see others as separate entities defined by their forms. Instead, you recognize the shared essence flowing through every individual, a unified soul expressing itself in infinite ways. This awareness fosters deep compassion and an intuitive understanding of the interconnectedness of all life.

Your physical body is not a prison or limitation; it is a reflection of your soul’s creative power. To live fully means to embrace this perspective, allowing the soul to shine through every aspect of your existence, both seen and unseen.

 Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Nothing Exists

The Witness Alone Remains

Every belief we hold about reality begins with a fundamental assumption: that something exists. Objects, thoughts, emotions, and even the concept of the self are taken as undeniable truths. But when we look closer, reality reveals itself to be far less solid. Strip away perceptions, dismantle the narratives, and what remains? Nothing. Not the nothing of absence, but a profound, living nothingness that holds the potential for everything.

The paradox lies here: if nothing truly exists, then what is aware of this nothing? What observes the rise and fall of sensations, thoughts, and forms? The answer is the witness—pure awareness, untouched by the shifting currents of existence. It is not an object that can be grasped, but the context in which all objects appear.

What Is the Witness?

The witness is not the thinking mind or the personality you’ve constructed through years of conditioning. It is that which observes even the mind itself. The witness is silent, still, and ever-present. It is not bound by time, nor does it possess a location. While the body and thoughts belong to the world of form, the witness transcends it entirely.

When you recognize the witness, the illusion of existence begins to unravel. The objects of your awareness—whether external events or internal thoughts—are revealed to be fleeting, momentary phenomena. They appear, they shift, and they dissolve, leaving no trace of permanence. The witness alone remains unchanged, untouched by the dance of creation and destruction.

Nothingness as Freedom

The recognition that nothing exists liberates you from attachment. If everything is transient, then clinging to any experience, belief, or identity is an exercise in futility. This does not mean rejecting the world but meeting it with openness, seeing it for what it is: a play of appearances arising within the vastness of nothingness.

This nothingness is not cold or lifeless. It is the fertile void from which all existence springs, a source of infinite creativity and potential. The witness watches the unfolding of this creative process, yet remains uninvolved, free from entanglement.

Who Experiences Existence?

The ultimate question arises: if nothing exists, how can existence be experienced at all? The witness is both the perceiver and the essence of existence itself. It is through the act of witnessing that “existence” takes on meaning. Without the witness, there is no one to perceive existence. The world, as we know it, cannot exist independently of the awareness observing it.

This insight has profound implications. The separation between the experiencer and the experienced dissolves. Reality is no longer something “out there” to be analyzed or controlled; it is a dynamic flow that arises within you, as you. The witness is not apart from existence—it is existence, recognizing itself through the illusion of separation.

Living as the Witness

To live as the witness does not mean rejecting the world or detaching from life. It means fully engaging with reality while knowing its true nature. You move through life with clarity, seeing that every thought, every sensation, and every moment arises from nothing and returns to nothing. The recognition of this emptiness brings freedom—not a withdrawal from life, but a deeper immersion in its sacredness.

When the witness becomes your anchor, suffering loses its grip. Challenges and emotions no longer define you; they are simply waves in the ocean of awareness. Relationships deepen, as you no longer seek validation or fulfillment from others. The peace of the witness is enough.

This realization is not a conclusion but an ongoing experience. Every moment offers an opportunity to rest in the witness, to see through the illusions of existence, and to marvel at the profound simplicity of being.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Self You’ve Disowned

We often approach the idea of God as something external—an omniscient force watching from a distance, a transcendent creator who governs the cosmos. Yet this perspective keeps us trapped in separation, perpetually seeking something outside ourselves to fill a void or grant us salvation. What if the very concept of God points to an aspect of our being, an ultimate reflection of the self we’ve denied?

This disowned self isn’t the egoic identity that clings to its limitations. We have forgotten how to access the essence of boundless awareness, a space of infinite potential and wisdom. To disown something is to exile it from consciousness. And what has been exiled? The unconditioned self is the aspect of us that sees through the illusions of individuality and recognizes its oneness with all existence.

When we strip away the layers of attachment, fear, and identification with form, what remains? The answer is not a void in the nihilistic sense but a fertile emptiness where the fullness of life reveals itself. This is the realm where the divine resides, not as a being separate from you, but as the highest level of yourself—a self too vast, too luminous, to fit into the confines of your limited perception.

The Psychology of Disowning God

Many disown this ultimate self because embracing it requires the dissolution of the ego. We cling to roles, stories, and identities because they provide a sense of control. Yet these constructs are fragile, built on the shifting sands of impermanence. To own the highest self—the God-self—is to release the need for control, to step into the unknown with trust.

This is why the concept of God can evoke discomfort or skepticism. It forces us to confront the parts of ourselves that resist unity. The fragmented mind would rather see divinity as “out there” than face the profound responsibility of embodying it. To own the God-self is to accept that you are both the creator and the created, the ocean and the wave.

Reclaiming the Disowned Self

Reclaiming this aspect of the self is not about achieving something new. It is about remembering. This remembering begins with stillness—a radical turning inward that allows you to see the divine as the very ground of your being. It is the quiet realization that you are not a seeker in search of God; you are God, awakening to itself.

This journey requires profound courage. To reclaim the self you’ve disowned is to face the shadows you’ve avoided, to embrace the paradoxes of existence. It is to see that what you once called “God” and what you once called “self” are not separate, but one.

This realization does not inflate the ego. On the contrary, it dissolves it. When you live from the awareness of the highest self, every action becomes an expression of divine will. Compassion flows naturally because you recognize every being as another facet of the same essence. Suffering transforms into a teacher, guiding you back to wholeness.

Living from the God-Self

To live from this understanding is to inhabit life with clarity and grace. Challenges no longer feel like punishments but invitations to deepen your alignment with the divine within. Relationships are no longer transactional but become mirrors reflecting the infinite back to you. Every moment becomes sacred—not because of what it contains, but because of who you are as you experience it.

This is the ultimate paradox: God is not something you find; it is something you become by realizing you were never anything else.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Neutrality of Being

Beyond Preference and Bias

Human experience revolves around preferences—good versus bad, desirable versus undesirable. From a young age, we are conditioned to label moments, objects, and relationships based on our likes or dislikes, shaping a world of duality. Yet, something remarkable may begin to unfold for those who experience a profound spiritual awakening. The intensity of preferences softens, and the once-compelling narratives around right and wrong, beautiful and ugly, start to lose their grip.

This shift isn’t forced or rehearsed; it arises organically as consciousness deepens. It’s not about suppressing preferences or pretending they don’t exist. Rather, it’s about witnessing them without attachment. You might still notice that one meal tastes better than another, or that one kind of weather feels more comfortable, but the emotional charge—the bias for or against—diminishes.

This state of neutrality doesn’t negate the ability to express feelings about situations or objects. Joy, sadness, appreciation, or aversion may still arise naturally. However, the inner dialogue changes. An object once deemed essential for happiness may now appear as just an object. A situation that would have previously elicited anger or frustration may no longer hold the same power.

Neutrality is not numbness or indifference; it is the ultimate expression of freedom. When bias fades, life’s experiences are not judged as lacking or sufficient—they simply are. This perspective offers a profound sense of peace. When preferences no longer dominate the mind, the heart is free to engage with reality exactly as it unfolds.

This state isn’t something that needs to be chased or consciously cultivated. It arises as a natural byproduct of deep inner awakening. The realization that all phenomena are transient allows one to meet life with equanimity. Dualities are not eradicated but are seen for what they are—part of the play of existence, neither to be clung to nor rejected.

If you’re on the path of spiritual exploration, allow yourself to relax into the flow of awareness. Don’t try to force neutrality; simply observe the moments when it arises. Over time, you may notice that this spacious, bias-free perspective becomes less of an exception and more of your default state of being.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Mirage of Paradise

Why Many Turn Away From the Path

Paradise often appears as a shimmering promise on the horizon—a space of unbroken peace, eternal joy, and infinite understanding. Yet, when the steps to reach it feel many, slow, or arduous, even the most sincere seekers may find themselves questioning the journey. Why does the promise lose its lustre when effort is required? Why do we often choose comfort over truth or familiarity over freedom?

The answer lies not in paradise but in our relationship with it.

The Illusion of Arrival

The mind, conditioned by a lifetime of instant gratification and linear progress, believes paradise must be attainable within a predictable framework. When the path to enlightenment stretches beyond its comfort zone, the mind rebels. It whispers doubts, offers shortcuts, or fabricates reasons to abandon the pursuit altogether.

Yet, true awakening does not follow a predictable roadmap. It cannot be squeezed into the limited constructs of time or effort. Enlightenment is not about arriving somewhere—it is about dissolving the illusion of the one who seeks. This is the paradox that discourages many: the realization that the paradise sought is not something to be reached but something to be uncovered within.

The Fear of Letting Go

Another reason many step away from the path is the fear of surrender. Enlightenment demands more than perseverance; it requires the complete letting go of the self we believe ourselves to be. For those deeply identified with their roles, beliefs, or desires, this can feel like annihilation. What lies beyond the familiar can seem less appealing than the comfort of staying as we are.

But surrender is not a loss; it is an opening. It is stepping into the unknown with trust and willingness, allowing paradise to reveal itself not as a destination but as the ever-present reality beneath all appearances.

Walking Without Steps

Paradise cannot be reached because it is not elsewhere. It is not at the end of many steps or behind layers of effort. Those who walk away often believe the steps are external—practices, rituals, or milestones to achieve. The truth is, that the steps are inward, subtle, and immediate. They require no distance travelled, only the courage to turn within and meet the present moment fully.

Each step dissolves the illusion that there is somewhere else to go. Each step reveals that paradise was never absent. The question is not whether enlightenment is too far but whether we are willing to abandon the belief that it lies anywhere but here.

Remaining Open to the Journey

For those who feel the pull to turn back, perhaps the greatest teaching is this: paradise is not reserved for those who walk a perfect path. It embraces even the wanderer, the doubter, and the one who stumbles. The journey is not about reaching paradise but about waking up to its presence at every turn.

Instead of asking how far we have to go, ask this: What illusions am I willing to release today? What layers of resistance, fear, or expectation can I dissolve now? Every step, no matter how small, is a step into paradise itself.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Birth and Death of Inner Universes

A Perspective on Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual awakening is not merely a personal transformation; it is an intimate cosmic event. Each moment of awakening dismantles the boundaries of identity and creates a vast, living expanse within. This unfolding is as paradoxical as it is profound—a universe arises within, brimming with potential, only to dissolve as swiftly as it appeared.

The creation of this inner cosmos mirrors the nature of existence itself. A moment arises where the self perceives its infinite nature, birthing dimensions of awareness that feel eternal. This universe, however, does not exist to linger. It serves a purpose: to illuminate, to expand, and ultimately to dissolve back into the nothingness from which it came.

Such a process reveals a truth that eludes language. What is born within us during these moments is not separate from what is destroyed. The arising and vanishing are inseparable aspects of the same eternal dance. Within this rhythm, one discovers the impermanence of form and the timeless essence of being.

This creation and destruction shatter attachments to identity, beliefs, and the false security of permanence. It is not an annihilation to fear, but a liberation to embrace. As the mind relinquishes its grip, awareness expands, offering a glimpse into a state where nothing and everything coexist seamlessly.

The universe within is both an expression of the infinite and a reflection of the impermanent. It reminds us that awakening is not a destination but an ever-unfolding realization. Each birth and death within brings clarity to the timeless truth that all is interconnected, arising and subsiding within the boundless field of consciousness.

This experience shifts perception, encouraging a life lived with greater ease, grace, and compassion. As one awakens to the cyclical nature of inner universes, the external world begins to reflect this understanding. The mundane becomes sacred, the transient becomes meaningful, and the self becomes a vessel for the infinite.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Finding True Happiness

Embracing the Wholeness of Emotions

Happiness, as it is often pursued, can feel like a fleeting dream—a constant chase for experiences that promise joy while running away from anything that feels uncomfortable. Yet, this pursuit can leave us fragmented, perpetually seeking and never arriving. The paradox of true happiness lies in the radical act of embracing all feelings, not just the pleasant ones.

Contentment is not the absence of discomfort; it is the presence of wholeness. Life offers a vast spectrum of emotions, each carrying its wisdom and significance. Joy and sorrow, hope and despair, love and fear—none exist in isolation. To deny one is to diminish the richness of the other. True happiness begins not when we suppress pain but fully meet it without resistance.

Imagine standing during a thunderstorm. Most would run for shelter, seeking safety from the discomfort of the rain. But what if, instead, you stood still, feeling the rain on your skin, hearing the rhythm of its fall, and witnessing its cleansing power? Embracing emotions is like this: a willingness to be with what is, not wishing it away but seeing its beauty and necessity.

When joy arises, celebrate it without clinging. When sadness visits, honour its presence without judgment. Anger, fear, excitement, and serenity all have their place in the dance of existence. Each emotion becomes a teacher, guiding us to deeper self-awareness and authenticity.

The secret is to observe emotions without becoming consumed by them. Like waves in the ocean, they rise and fall, but the essence of who we are—vast, still, and unshaken—remains constant. This shift in perspective transforms the way we experience life. Happiness is no longer a fleeting feeling tied to circumstances but an enduring sense of contentment rooted in presence.

When we no longer resist the full range of our humanity, happiness is no longer conditional. It becomes a state of being that arises from accepting life as it is—unfiltered, raw, and real. In this acceptance, a profound peace unfolds, transcending temporary highs and lows.

The journey to true happiness begins by welcoming all parts of ourselves. In every moment, every feeling, and every breath, there is an invitation to return to wholeness.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Birth of Purpose

Unveiling the “Why” of Your Life

Mark Twain’s poignant observation—that our lives are defined by the day we are born and the day we discover why—speaks to a universal quest for meaning. Birth introduces us to the world, but it is purpose that gives our existence depth and significance. This discovery transforms a mere life into a profound journey.

The search for one’s purpose often feels elusive, like chasing shadows in the dark. It demands more than intellectual effort; it requires us to pause, reflect, and confront the silence beneath our everyday noise. Purpose rarely presents itself in grand revelations. Instead, it whispers in moments of clarity, when life’s chaos subsides and we sense an alignment between who we are and what we do.

For some, this purpose is tied to service—offering a helping hand or inspiring others to rise. For others, it is found in the relentless pursuit of a dream, an expression of creativity, or simply being present and whole. Whatever the form, discovering purpose feels less like an addition to life and more like the peeling away of layers, revealing what was always there.

However, the question arises: How do we find it?

The process begins with self-awareness. Quiet observation of one’s passions, strengths, and values can illuminate the direction toward purpose. Those moments when time seems to dissolve when you feel most alive and authentic, hold clues. Follow them. Trust them. They are markers on the path.

Another step is embracing uncertainty. Searching for “why” does not always yield immediate answers. Life’s purpose evolves as you do, shifting with growth and perspective. What feels meaningful today may expand or transform tomorrow. Purpose is not a destination but an ongoing inquiry, a question to be lived rather than solved.

The most profound realization about purpose may be this: it is less about finding a specific role or mission and more about being attuned to the present. Purposeful living is born not from monumental achievements but from how we engage with each moment, each relationship, and each opportunity to learn and grow.

When we shift our focus from doing to being, from achieving to experiencing, we realize that purpose is not a far-off goal but something we cultivate daily. The journey becomes its reward. And in those rare, luminous moments when we connect with our “why,” we find ourselves not only alive but truly living.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Full Realization of Divine Grandeur

The human experience often feels like a journey through shifting sands, where clarity and certainty seem elusive. Yet, beneath the surface lies a profound truth—one so vast that it escapes the bounds of the intellect. This truth is the realization of divine grandeur, an unshakable awareness of the infinite essence that we are and have always been.

This grandeur is not something acquired; it is unveiled. It is the silent, unchanging awareness behind all fleeting moments of life. To recognize it is not to add something new to oneself but to peel back the illusions of limitation. Divine grandeur does not belong to a distant deity or a select few; it is the source and substance of all existence.

To fully realize this truth, one must transcend the conditioned mind, which is mired in stories of separation, lack, and striving. Every moment of suffering, every perceived obstacle, serves as an invitation to remember the wholeness that already is. Challenges dissolve in the light of this realization, not because they disappear, but because they are seen for what they truly are—manifestations of the same boundless essence.

This recognition does not negate the human experience; it enhances it. When the divine is seen in every face, every leaf, and every breath, life transforms into an expression of sacredness. There is no need to seek meaning, for meaning is inherent in all that is. This understanding is not an escape from the world but an embrace of it. It is to know that the divine is not found outside but radiates through all of existence.

Realizing divine grandeur does not require renouncing life. It requires living fully, and engaging with the world while remaining rooted in the unshakable awareness of one’s true nature. This balance, where the eternal meets the temporal, reveals a beauty beyond words.

The grandeur of the divine is not an object to be attained but the very essence of being. It is realized in stillness and silence, yet its echoes resound in every act of kindness, every expression of love, every moment of presence. When this truth is known—not as a concept but as an undeniable reality—life becomes a dance of infinite grace.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith