Taming The Invisible Dragon™ | Healing, Happiness & Self-Realization
Author, Sloan Rawlins
I read a book several years ago, entitled “The Aspiring Mystic.” I was very impressed by the book but more so by its author, Carl McColman. He explained that he had named the book “The Aspiring Mystic” because that title actually described him very well. He did not claim to be “enlightened” or a mystic. He was aspiring, however, to become both. I believe it would be fair to say that I am an aspirant, as well.
I aspire to become fully enlightened, although I am not 100% certain exactly what that means. I aspire to fully understand all that I can about who and what I am. I aspire to be completely healed of every malady, complex, or other imperfection that inhibits me. I am finding that these aspirations are a life-work, but I can imagine no more satisfying work than this.
Mahatma Gandhi once challenged us all to “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That statement requires a lot of us. We cannot change anything we do not understand. We cannot understand anything without changing. Through my own personal journey, I have come to understand much about healing, happiness, and what the “peace that passes understanding” actually means. Those understandings have changed the course and path of my life; and my heart is filled with gratitude.
I would like to say there was one moment when it all came together, and I saw everything clearly. But that was not the case. My redemption did not come in an instant. Self-realization and healing are processes that rarely occur over night. The journey within that leads to healing and growth is still, very much, ongoing for me. The difference for me now is that, when I find myself feeling lost and afraid, I know how to find my way back to the place of refuge that lies within me.
Just as importantly, I now have a foundation of authentic happiness (one built on positive thinking and a gratitude attitude) that promotes the healing process and is helping me with my personal transformation into all that I am capable of becoming.
Over the last few years, I have had a lot of encouragement and support from friends and loved ones; but I have also had the support and encouragement of strangers I never met — people who shared a little bit of themselves and their experiences with me through the written word. We are all students and teachers alike. My hope is that I can give a little something back to Life and to anyone who needs a little encouragement and support as they travel along on their own personal journey of healing, happiness, and self-realization.
Every experience we have in humanity affects the soul’s evolution. There are many ways to have experiences with other people in Life. This site is just one of them.
There is, indeed, nothing new under the sun. But there are different ways of telling it.
I invite you to browse around the site and to comment freely. If you enjoy what you find here and would like to receive copies of new posts via email, simply enter your email address in the “Follow” box on the left. You will be able to manage your subscription and can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sloan
© 12/26/12
Meditation Photo By Ervin Bacik
Portrait By Matthew de Lellis
Well I just read your introduction. So many facets I can relate to. You taking the time to write, document, blog means so much to many, and especially to me. To learn, and respect what you learn, is an amazing feat in ones lifetime. I stay happy and enjoy life because there are people like you teaching me new things every day. I’ll be following so keep writing xx
Thank you so much for your kind words and support.
Blessings
Sloan
Sloan, I read the AMS Daily blog, and read your comment for today, which lead me to your blog. What you write about yourself, and the journey we take in life is really beautifully said and shared. I certainly will be taking a look around your blog. Thank you for your inspiring words. Blessings, Erin, Bella Bleue
I am grateful our paths crossed, as well. You are a beautiful spirit!
Blessings
Sloan
Great site!
Thank you!
Thank You for following my blog, Sloan. I am very much enjoying yours as well. You are very inspiring.
Much Love <3
Stephanie
Stephanie, I was looking over the site; and it seems like I missed responding to your thoughtful and kind comment. Please accept my apology. Thank you, so very much, for reading and commenting. May you have a beautifully blessed and joy-filled day, today and every day!
Love & Light,
Sloan
Hi Sloan! I am so blessed to have crossed paths with you
I so enjoy reading what you have to share and wanted to thank you with the Reader Appreciation Award. I also am so grateful for the support you offer me and want to share with you the Sisterhood of the World Blogger’s Award. Congratulations! It is fun to share this with you! http://bellableue.com/2012/06/11/gratitude-for-wonderful-bloggers-and-appreciation-for-awards/ Blessings always, Erin
Thank you so very much, Erin! I’ve shared the excitement at my other blogsite http://fibrohappiness and will be passing on the awards to my nominees soon on this site. You are a treasure!
Blessings,
Sloan
I just came across your site after seeing you mentioned in my twitter feed – I’ve just started to blog but as a photographer it is more a photography blog of my work. Photography has given me the ability to connect with myself but also share these connections and visions with others, it’s a passion to share what others may not see or take for granted. I wish you the best and I’ll be following along
Thanks Ed! The next time you stop by, consider subscribing for new posts via email (Follow box on left). I took a look at your site. Such beautiful photos! You have an incredible gift. I encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at your work. http://02809photo.com/
I hope to be in a position to acquire one of the prints myself soon.
Many blessings,
Sloan
Thank you Sloan I will be sure to do that, I book marked the site as well. Thank you for the kind words, just a real connection to my work and love having the ability to share it with everyone. Thanks again and I’ll be clicking for updates. Enjoy the day
Thank you for following and sharing your blog with me. I’m always inspired by other people digging deeper into their spiritual journeys! If we can spread caring, love, understanding, and a deeper spirituality, maybe little by little we can heal and change the world.
Well said! Many blessings, S
I found your blog really interesting,your some thoughts are similar to mine..good to read it.
Thank you so much! Many blessings, S
Sloan, not sure how I got here but how lucky for me. What a thoughtful writer you are. I’ll be following. Tom
Tom, thank you; and I have to say, “Lucky me,” as well. I just stopped by your site http://onlyhereonlynow.wordpress.com and felt like I was sitting down for coffee with an old friend. You can bet I’ll be following and looking forward to buying your book one day soon. Many blessings, Sloan
Sloan, So glad we’re connected. Tom
wonderful !
Thank You for stopping by and connecting! Many blessings, Sloan
you are welcome Sloan
hi ma’am thank you for liking some of my posts! you have a very good blog. God bless ma’am
hope we could get to know more 
Thank you, as well. Blessings, love and light, Sloan
welcome ma’am. God bless you too
Sloan, thanks for the good word! I’m so happy that you found The Aspiring Mystic helpful. Many blessings to you on your continued journey.
Thank you so very much, kind sir, for ALL that you do and the difference you make! Blessings, love & light, Sloan
You write some pretty interesting stuff here, and I’ll definitely be around!
Thanks! Have a wonderful upcoming weekend!
Very inspiring blog theme! The source of inspirational thoughts emanate from your own experience – as such they are authentic and transformational.
Will explore more of your writings with interest. Thank you.
Regards,
Dilip
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind and supportive comments! Enjoy taking a look around and hope to connect again. Many blessings, love & light, Sloan
Congratulations! I’ve passed the So Sweet Blog award to you, because I love your blog.
Paste this link back somewhere in your post
http://breathofgreenair.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/so-sweet-blog-award/
and nominate some blogs you love, with links to the sites.
copy the uRL from the award image in my side bar and put it in yours!
Thank you so much for your kind support! While I am humbled and grateful for the nomination, I stopped accepting blog awards some time ago. However, congratulations to you on your much deserved nomination! The other blogs you nominated look very interesting and I would like to help pass them along to readers. As such, I’ll be reblogging your post on my other site, Fibrohappiness, for all to read and enjoy! Blessings, love & light, Sloan
It’s a wonderful experience reading the words of people who have realized themselves. I too am slowly realizing myself and your blog inspires me to take it to perfection.
I am so glad you stopped by and that you have enjoyed what you’ve found. Many blessings to you and all you do as you carry the light of love out into the world and inspire those with whom you come in contact. Namaste, Sloan
I love what you have going here Sloan. I look forward to reading more and watching your blog grow.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! Look forward to having you back soon! Many Blessings, Sloan
Hi Sloan, you have such a beautiful blog, thank you for sharing it widely with us all! I’ll be back!
Thank you, Julianne! I appreciate your kind support and look forward to seeing you around the site again. Many blessings, Sloan
It is time – Awards ,prize giveaways and donation please download our here with love maxima enchanted with the beauty of your blogs. I say. You deserve more
Stefan,
Thank you, so very much, for this much needed and timely affirmation that I am still on the right path. My heart is filled with joy, and my spirit infused with renewed inspiration.
Many Blessings to you! And thanks again!
Sloan
Wonderful to meet you, Sloan. I loved your introduction and the blog as well! So pleased to meet you. Thank you for following! Love, Linda
Linda, thanks for stopping by and commenting! I’m glad to have made the connection with you, as well. Have a blessed and beautiful day! Sloan
Sloan,
It is a journey, isn’t it? I developed chronic pain 18 years ago which has prodded me toward a journey toward enlightenment. The very thing which should have created depression eased mine, nudging me toward a greater understanding of myself and the Universe. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Sherry, someone told me once that “by the time our body gets sick, it’s too late to ignore what really ails us.” It is a beautiful thing to be able to take what others might see as tragedy and turn it into something fruitful. I’m grateful for the connection we now have and hope to see you back soon. Blessings, love & light, Sloan
Hey Miss Sloan, I was finally able to accept your award on today’s blog. I apologize that it’s not the usual format. Thank you so much for thinking of me. Blessings to you in the New Year.
And a fabulous, beautiful, and blessed New Year to you, Lori! Keep letting your Glow Flow, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your blog,very nice words.
Thank you, very much, for stopping by and reading! Blessings, Sloan
Thank you for following my blog. ‘The island’? Where am I? Which island?
As you may have gathered, I specialize in Norway and Norwegian nature, and I hope you’ll be pleased with what I’m about to show you over the next weeks and months. Take care!
Looking forward to it! Thanks for stopping by!
I love your writing…you seem to be very intelligent, thoughtful and positive!! ~Sherry~
Well, that certainly put a smile on my face! I love your site, as well. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. You are a Beautiful Soul! Many blessings, S
Sloan, it is great to know there are still positive people in the world.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! There are a lot of people out there who are positive; and there are many who are in transition. The old paradigms simply aren’t working anymore; and, collectively, we’re ready for a new attitude. If you’re interested, I maintain another blogsite — Fibrohappiness (www.fibrohappiness.com), which provides a great format for me to share the work of some like-minded, positive, insightful, and inspirational blogger buddies. Also, there’s always something positive on the Facebook Fan Page. Again, thank you for your kind support; and hope to see you back soon!
Blessings, Love, & Light,
Sloan
Lovely Blog Sloan.
I’m a student of Yeshua, the mystical Jewish Nazarene, aka Jesus Christ. Christianity has unfortunately denied its own mystical roots and past.
Folk are so yearning for reconnection to and the wholeness of Divine Love.
May those who visit here be inspired on their journey!
Blessings
Dylan
Thank you, Dylan, for visiting and for your beautiful insights. Blessings, Love, & Light to you! Sloan
Another excellent reflection. You have done much work on yourself, yet as we expand, there is always another level. The challenge is to be happy with who we are at the moment yet still striving to improve. It sounds as if you practice that realization.
Blessings.
Well said, Sherry! The journey is always ongoing. I suppose that is what makes Life such an adventure. I always appreciate your insightful and kind comments. Thanks for stopping by today! Blessings, Love, & Light, Sloan
Thanks for connecting me; I was only going to say thanks then felt your energy and had to open your blog & have a look.
If I just read your intro I may have surmised you haven’t been on this journey to long but I felt this wasn’t right, now I see you have been exploring a long time.
Personal work is worth it isn’t it? Great touching base.
David, thank you for stopping by, reading, and commenting. We do all learn, as we Live. And sharing as we go is a great way to avoid the self-deception that so often accompanies hindsight. Being students and teachers alike, we are of the greatest service to one another when we dare to reveal our humanity. I enjoyed your post “WE All Make Mistakes” (http://www.consciousactivations.com/we-all-make-huge-mistakes/#.UQP3a79fAYQ).
I look forward to learning more from you and your experiences as you continue sharing your humanity with all of Us.
Namaste, Sloan
lovely to meet you Sloan! its wonderful knowing your journey!
Thank you! And I am so glad we’ve made the connection! Hope to see you back soon; and I’ll be following your blog for more beautiful poetry. Love & Light, Sloan
welcome Sloan! And I wish you write more of your wonderful lines,that you wrote in form of verses regarding your experiences.
I do enjoy the poetry; and I will likely write more in the future. Your encouragement is inspiring! We shall see how it all unfolds. Have a beautiful week! S
Thank you! extremely interesting….
Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad you enjoyed it. Many blessings to you! S
I am about to publish a book of poetry (believe it or not some crazy people still publish poetry, even mine). Love to read yours…
That’s wonderful! I believe there should be more poetry in the world today. Please let me know when your book will be available. I read some of your work on your site; and you certainly have a gift for turning words into art. A few of my poems are on the poetry page here; and I have a few poems posted on Yahoo contributor. My book will be finished soon; and I plan to spend some time creating more poetry. Thank you for your interest and encouragement. I sincerely appreciate it. Have a beautifully blessed day!
Dear friend, I will do that as soon as it will be out and I am eager to read your creation as well…
and of course let me register with you of my delight in your kinds words regarding my writings!
Thank you!
Dear Friend, thank you so much for your kind words regarding some of my writing!
I will be eager to read your creation as well!
Thank You!
Have a beautifully blessed day! Namaste, S
My truth of enlightenment, is when we arrive at that place, where the imperfections of the world no longer affect us. Where we are in Our alignment with Source Energy or God. “Our alignment” meaning, surrounding one’s self good feelings, happy people and situations… where heaven on earth is a state of mind, and you’ve entered it. Everything perceived, comes through that lens. This to me is enlightenment.
Blessings…
Beautifully spoken, Christopher! Thank you, so much, for stopping by and leaving such lovely and inspiring comments. Hope to see you back soon.
Love & Light,
Sloan
I too aspire. As I walk my journey I seek to understand all that I can, and the biggest lesson I have learned so far is learning to look within. Awareness in general, actually is key. Learning to see the signs, the symbolism as I bravely peel back the layers that are me.
Thank you, I look forward to following you.
Beautiful comments! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your lovely wisdom. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Love & Light, Sloan
yo tambien estoy en esa busqueda estoy en el proceso de ser iluminado y sanado gracias, por que estamos en lo mismo pero primero tengo que irradiar luz me gustan muchos estos temos nuevamente gracias
Gracias por visitar este sitio y hacer comentarios. Todos estamos en el proceso de la iluminación, y aprendemos a medida que avanzamos. Espero que las cosas aquí que te ayudarán en tu viaje, y espero que usted comparta con los demás, a medida que crecen y se transforman en todo lo que son capaces de ser. En Amor y Luz, Sloan
A very inspiring welcome. Thank you. I love the quote by Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Thank you, Steve! I’m glad you stopped by and commented. Hope to see you back soon! Many Blessings, S
Hi Sloan,
I just dropped by to say thank you for following http://www.postsofhypnoticsuggestion.wordpress.com, It’s much appreciated.
I really like what your doing here, so I’ve followed as well
Wishing you all the best
Tony
Glad we’ve connected, Tony. Have a beautifully blessed weekend! Sloan
Well this is certainly a blog I’ll keep an eye on! Your layout it beautiful, your background looks splendid and you seem like you’re going to offer a lot of philosophical and “outside the box” posts.
Thank you, Wesley! I’m glad you stopped by and liked what you found. Hope to see you back soon. Many Blessings, Sloan
Hi Sloan..
your blog is very interesting and your words are very thoughtful..i love your work…:)
- harsimran
Thank you, so much! I’m glad you visited and enjoyed what you found here. I’m on a break for now, but I hope you’ll consider subscribing so that you can receive future posts when I return. In the interim, have a beautifully blessed day – today and every day. Sloan
I nominated you for a Most influential blogger My sincerest congratulations to you ,Have nice day
Maxima
Thank you, so much, Stefan! You’re wonderful! Have a beautifully blessed day, my friend!
Just reading your introduction is so uplifting, Sloan. I know I need to write more to help get rid of my anger issues. Right now, it’s hard with a small toddler but I wouldn’t change a thing! Since I’m not writing, I look to writers such as yourself who inspire me, so thank you!
Thank you, Heather. I’m glad you found something here that you enjoyed. I’m on a short break, but there are plenty of posts up. I hope you’ll browse around. I also hope to see you around the site again. Many blessings to you and your little Angel! Do what makes your soul sing, whatever that might be.
Love & Light, Sloan
I enjoyed reading this page of yours and I share similar goals to you regarding enlightenment, healing, and understanding.
And I love the title of your blog!
Thank you, Lila, for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed what you found here, and I hope to see you back soon. Many Blessings, Sloan
Good Meet Sloan! I offer my gratitude for your coming by my blog today and your “like” on my post. I am just as glad to have been led to your blog too. I look forward to poking around and reading! We have a great deal in common…and I hope to see you around my blog as well. It is wonderful to find another of like mind. May your day bring you Many Blessings!
Thank you, very much, for stopping by, reading, and commenting! I’m happy we’ve connected and will be following your blog too. Have a beautifully blessed day! Sloan