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The Next Step

How often have you asked: ‘what should I do?’

Soul is the bridge between spirit and form. It is the center of our being. It can only be experienced in the center of time – the present moment – between past and future. This center is also the only place in consciousness where we can exercise our deepest knowing and greatest love. In the expression of this center we are most powerful because we know our purpose and follow it.

When we stand within the consciousness of soul there are only two possible directions in which to look for taking the next step. One direction is toward the form side of reality – our daily life on the physical, emotional and mental planes. One of the significant tasks of soul is to ground the universal energies of spirit, to make them specific and functional. The questions might be:

- Do I need to be more practical, down to earth, efficient, or organized?
- Do I need to learn something about some practical area of life about which I do not have sufficient knowledge in order to act appropriately or make wise decisions?
- Is there some area of my daily life and well-being that I am neglecting – such as health or economy – which are potential hindrances to the smooth functioning of my life?
- Are there emotional issues that keep getting in the way of having loving relationships?
- Am I in denial about some personal realities that I am unwilling to face?
- Do I speak in a way that is constructive and helpful, or do I gossip and express myself negatively?

These kinds of questions are important because they address the areas of life where we need to express our purpose. This side of our life is always demanding our attention in one way or another. It is always asking us to improve relationships with others and with ourselves. This is essential. However, just addressing the form side of life, the practical, is not sufficient.

The next step might be in the direction toward spirit. What this means is that soul might be prompting us to deepen our awareness of the qualitative side of our life. We may be needing to add more quality or express some particular quality in some area of our practical life.

In this case, the questions might be:

- Do I need to focus more on the spiritual side of my life?
- Do I need to be more present?
- How can I manifest more love in this situation?
- What do I need to understand in order to fulfill purpose in this circumstance?
- How can I empower that person?
- What quality can I focus on that will bring about the finest results?
- What attitudes and actions would support my honouring the divine presence in this relationship?

The next step we need to take is always either toward the external and practical, or toward the inner and qualitative dimensions of our life. Every challenge in life, and therefore our purpose, always involves bridging the higher and lower, the inner and outer, the spirit and form that we are. By doing this we engage in the transformation of ourselves and life, we develop soul consciousness and express the soul self that we are. We know what we should do.

Exercises: Practice making more appropriate choices and decisions by using the questions above on specific situations or relationships in your life.

This is one of 150 Soul Perspective articles. For more articles visit Soul Perspectives Index.

Andrew and Bonnie Schneider are now offering personal interactive email coaching for the 4 Level Soul Journey program. Connect weekly with Andrew and Bonnie on how to develop soul consciousness. Read more about this personal coaching from Andrew and Bonnie Schneider by clicking here.