“Within each of us lies a universe, vast and waiting to be explored. It's in our deepest questions that we find the path to our truest answers.” - Awakening Together Blog Series

Our life’s journeys often begin with a foundation of established beliefs, yet it's through challenges – be they loss, financial hardships, addiction, or strained relationships – that we find opportunities for profound spiritual growth. They don’t always begin by choice.  My journey to comprehend the universe and our role within it began from a foundation rooted within the Roman Catholic religion, a path that provided both comfort and guidance throughout my life.

I know that not everyone has a path of love and light when it comes to religion. Dogma (a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true) can get in the way of an individual's

spiritual journey. Strict rules and judgments often imposed by dogmatic beliefs can sometimes stifle personal growth and hinder the exploration of one's own spiritual truths. It's important to recognize that spirituality is a deeply personal experience, unique to each individual. Breaking free from the constraints of dogma allows us to embark on a more authentic and fulfilling spiritual path, one that embraces curiosity, open-mindedness, and a direct connection with the divine as we understand it. In this journey, we find not only deeper understanding but also a more profound sense of peace and connection with the universe.

I was quite fortunate to have had a positive experience with the Church, encountering priests who interpreted the Bible not as a rigid set of rules, but as a living guide filled with lessons applicable to modern life. For me, church was an opportunity for introspection and connection with what I now understand as my higher self. My faith was the foundation of my moral compass during times when I needed direction most.

Yet, even with a sturdy spiritual foundation, the events of 2004 would challenge and expand my perspectives in ways I never anticipated.

 A Turning Point: The Day That Changed Everything

It was the day before my 24th birthday when the fabric of my reality was altered irrevocably. My father, a constant figure in my life, passed away suddenly. The shock and grief that followed were not just about the loss of a loved one; they sparked a cascade of questions that would lead me down a path of deep cosmic and spiritual inquiry.

Where does the energy of "love" go when someone passes? Is there a continuity of existence beyond what we perceive as life and death? Growing up Catholic, it was ingrained in me that there was heaven and hell.  So, absolutely, there was a continuity of existence as a general rule.  I guess this goes against “faith” but I needed to understand how our physical reality was intertwined with a spiritual realm. These questions were not just philosophical musings but a deep need to understand the mysteries of life and our place in it as humans.

A Moment of Premonition

On that life-changing day, while immersed in my routine, I experienced a powerful premonition, an inexplicable urge to travel to Maine, where my father was, but I didn’t remember he was there in that moment. This sensation, so overwhelming and vivid, seemed to transcend the physical boundaries of my being. It was a moment that not only coincided with my father’s passing but also a moment that would lead me to question the nature of our connection with the universe. Clearly there was some type of higher consciousness, spirit guides or angels, but I had to know how it all fit together.

The Beginning of a Cosmic Quest

This event set me on a 20-year journey to explore the universe from perspectives that intertwined science with spirituality beyond traditional religious teachings. I delved into theories that spoke of a universe vast and full of mysteries, the probability of other forms of intelligence, and dimensions beyond our physical reach.

I became particularly fascinated with the idea of the multiverse – an infinite number of universes, some like ours and some vastly different. The concept that tiny vibrating strands of energy (the frequency of the vibration making the string what it was physically) might transcend our known space and time opened my mind to possibilities that extended beyond conventional understanding. If these tiny pieces of ourselves, at the quantum level, could go into different dimensions, were pieces of us living in different dimensions as well?

Understanding Life, Death, and Beyond

My exploration led me to consider the nature of consciousness and its existence beyond physical boundaries. If our brains function on electrical impulses, could it be that our consciousness, akin to electricity, has the potential to transcend physical reality? This thought was a paradigm shift, challenging the traditional notions of life and existence. I think most religions have some concept of a soul or transfer of energy from one dimension to another, but I had never thought of it scientifically until this moment.  

This journey was not merely about learning the science but about reconciling and expanding religious beliefs with the revelations I was discovering about the nature of consciousness and its existence beyond physical boundaries. The notion that scientifically our consciousness could potentially transcend our physical reality opened a new dimension of thought, one that bridged my Catholic understanding of the soul with a broader, cosmic perspective of life and existence.

In addition to the science, I started studying the philosophy of it all.  Oprah Winfrey had a wonderful series called Super Soul Sunday.  This dug deep into the meaning of life and our place in it.  Wayne Dyer, one of my absolute favorites, Deepak Chopra, Joel Osteen, Brené Brown and countless others’ philosophies began changing the way I thought about our physical existence and what it meant to live life fully.

What began as a quest born from personal loss has evolved into a transformative exploration of life, death, and the universe. This journey has reshaped my understanding of existence and spirituality, leading me to a more expansive view of our place in the cosmos. As I continue to explore these profound questions, I invite you to join me in this journey of discovery by subscribing to this blog.

In the next part of this series, I'll share how life unfolded in the ensuing 20 years, including how a resurgence of interest in cosmic phenomena rekindled my quest for understanding.

The Power of Community

One of the most underutilized resources working moms on a spiritual journey is the strength and understanding of a like-minded community. Sharing experiences, tips, and even frustrations with those in similar shoes can be both cathartic and enlightening. In these moments, the Mindfully MomMe community stands as a beacon.

Mindfully MomMe isn’t just a platform; it’s a lifeline. It's a safe space where working moms unite, sharing their holiday triumphs and tribulations. It's where empathy meets practicality, creating a treasure trove of shared experiences and actionable advice.

As we embark on this festive journey, know that with the Mindfully MomMe community by your side, you're never alone. You're part of a collective, a group of incredible moms navigating the holiday season together. Let's embrace the festivities, supported by a community that truly gets it!

If you found value in this article, please click HERE for the other posts in the series: Awakening Together: Guiding Families Through Spiritual Discovery.

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