meditation
by howiemac 13 Mar 10
To meditate on something means lingering over it, devoting attention to it, for more time than usual. In spirituality, meditation means voluntary and relaxed contemplation. The intent is to increase spiritual presence, over a sustained period of time. The meditative state is a natural state which we encounter between sleep and wakefulness. In meditation, unlike in sleep, this state is induced voluntarily and consciously.
You start by focussing attention on being alert and aware, in the present moment. You aim to quieten the chattering of your mind, and to intensify the feeling of awareness or spiritual presence. The ultimate aim of meditation is enlightenment, or union with the divine.
A beginner may aim simply to calm the mind for a few minutes. You sit at peace, focus on your breathing and awareness of your body, and aim to replace the chatter of the mind with a positive mantra or visualisation. ....(more)
meditation - going beyond thoughts
by howiemac 13 Mar 10
Our aim, when meditating, is to transcend thought. This is easier said than done, and itself needs some thought! Avi Sion's article "Observe the mechanisms of though" provides some useful insight, and here is my own adaptation of what he is saying (quotes are from the article):
To the beginner in the art of introspection, thought seems almost uncontrollable. But, with experience, we learn to analyse our thought processes in various ways.
By "thought" we mean any consciousness other than direct experiences of matter, mind or self. Thoughts include verbal sentences - whether inside the head or spoken aloud - and non verbal visualisations and imaginations. Many of ou ....(more)
It is normal for thoughts to arise during meditation. Look upon your thoughts with a non-judgmental, benevolent attitude, to begin with; you do not want to get into conflicts with them. You want to get to understand thinking, before you can hope to master it.
To the beginner in the art of introspection, thought seems almost uncontrollable. But, with experience, we learn to analyse our thought processes in various ways.
By "thought" we mean any consciousness other than direct experiences of matter, mind or self. Thoughts include verbal sentences - whether inside the head or spoken aloud - and non verbal visualisations and imaginations. Many of ou ....(more)
be strong, and radiate
by howiemac 20 Feb 10
As we progress spiritually - towards union with the divine - we gain spiritual power. At the same time the temptations of the material world test us more extremely. Why is this? We are clearing our karmic balances. The stronger we are, the more we are able to face. We are being taught to stand on our own feet. We are experiencing the truth of the adage: "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
When we are in tune with our true selves (the soul), we radiate high frequency spiritual energy (light). Darkness flees from the light. So, all we have to do, to protect ourselves, is to remain focused spiritually, to remain in the moment, in tune with the soul and not the false self (ego). When we do this, all obstacles disappear, and the temptations of the material world are seen clearly as empty and hollow - we are not tempted.
We have spiritual guides and teachers who look out for us, and look after us. We have to seek their help - we have to invoke it - they will not push themselves ....(more)
When we are in tune with our true selves (the soul), we radiate high frequency spiritual energy (light). Darkness flees from the light. So, all we have to do, to protect ourselves, is to remain focused spiritually, to remain in the moment, in tune with the soul and not the false self (ego). When we do this, all obstacles disappear, and the temptations of the material world are seen clearly as empty and hollow - we are not tempted.
We have spiritual guides and teachers who look out for us, and look after us. We have to seek their help - we have to invoke it - they will not push themselves ....(more)
be happy
by howiemac 20 Feb 10
To be spiritual is to be truly and deeply happy.
When we are in a spiritual consciousness - connected with our true selves, and present in the moment - we are in bliss and our faces shine. The face of one who is content and happy - one who is not thinking too much - such a face is beautiful, like a blossoming flower - an inspiration to others. ....(more)
When we are in a spiritual consciousness - connected with our true selves, and present in the moment - we are in bliss and our faces shine. The face of one who is content and happy - one who is not thinking too much - such a face is beautiful, like a blossoming flower - an inspiration to others. ....(more)
Experiencing God
by howiemac 31 Jan 10
"Megh" at spiritual-experiences.com posted an account of experiencing God, and as her description resonates with my own experiences, I have adapted it here:
"One day I was reading a book on "solitude"… It was a fresh morning. I was alone in the house. Slowly...slowly...my mind became calm and relaxed, and I went into a heightened state of awareness where everything was seeming one... everything was connected to everything else. A sort of immense bliss was streaming throughout my entire being. I was feeling extreme love for everyone. My consciousness had become totally radiant and alive. It was great inner silence. Thoughts were there, but not so frantic as they used to be. Everything was seeming so beautiful... so clear... as if I had got a new vision, never experienced before. It was like a child looking at the world for the first time... the fog of ego lifted up and the truth was revealed. It was an experie ....(more)
"One day I was reading a book on "solitude"… It was a fresh morning. I was alone in the house. Slowly...slowly...my mind became calm and relaxed, and I went into a heightened state of awareness where everything was seeming one... everything was connected to everything else. A sort of immense bliss was streaming throughout my entire being. I was feeling extreme love for everyone. My consciousness had become totally radiant and alive. It was great inner silence. Thoughts were there, but not so frantic as they used to be. Everything was seeming so beautiful... so clear... as if I had got a new vision, never experienced before. It was like a child looking at the world for the first time... the fog of ego lifted up and the truth was revealed. It was an experie ....(more)
latest update 11 Jan 10
emptiness and fullness
by howiemac 10 Jan 10
Some spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, describe the essence of being as emptiness. It is true that when we enter our natural state of union with the divine, our minds become still, and we experience complete peace. This is often described as "going into silence", and this silence means much more than just the absence of sound and mental chatter: it is complete stillness, a one-ness with the divine and a one-ness with the universe. However, those of us who have experienced such "emptiness" or "silence" know that this peace and stillness brings with it a blissful feeling of absolute contentment: we are bathed in a golden light of love energy, and we radiate this golden energy from ourselves. We then know that, in our essence as spiritual beings, we are the embodiment of love and golden light. We feel anything but empty!
It is not unreasonable to describe the experience of stillness and peace as emptiness - it does feel like that, as all the clutter and confusion of materia ....(more)
conscious self transformation
by Central Sun 09 Jan 10
In his essay The Transformational Imperative, Shunyamurti urges us to transform ourselves into the full manifestation of our higher selves:
"Existence has become unmanageable for the human species. At every level, from individual emotional stability to couple and family relationships to global politics, life is in deadlock. There is no solution to our problems—or even the possibility to will a solution—so long as human consciousness remains at its current level of incomplete development... Our addiction to the drives and pleasures of the ego—to its nasty attributes like narcissism, greed, hatred, prejudice, aggression, deception, venality, and denial—is destroying our collective existence.
If we are going to survive, we must evolve rapidly to higher levels of consciousness. This has been the deepest yearning of humanity since the dawn of recorded time, the rais ....(more)
"Existence has become unmanageable for the human species. At every level, from individual emotional stability to couple and family relationships to global politics, life is in deadlock. There is no solution to our problems—or even the possibility to will a solution—so long as human consciousness remains at its current level of incomplete development... Our addiction to the drives and pleasures of the ego—to its nasty attributes like narcissism, greed, hatred, prejudice, aggression, deception, venality, and denial—is destroying our collective existence.
If we are going to survive, we must evolve rapidly to higher levels of consciousness. This has been the deepest yearning of humanity since the dawn of recorded time, the rais ....(more)
self mastery
by howiemac 07 Oct 09
Ego is often treated as a sin, but ego just means the individual self. Without an ego we cannot exist as humans: we can only be beings. As spiritual beings, we are naturally united and in union with each other, and with all of creation. But we have incarnated in these bodies in order to experience individuality and separateness. To destroy or suppress the ego means to deny this human experience. The ego is often called the false self. The true self is the inner self, the spiritual being, or soul. The false self (ego) causes us problems when it dominates the true spiritual self, as it is inclined to do, being selfish and domineering in nature. The true self is humble in nature and will not fight the ego, nor seek to dominate it, and so the ego easily gains the upper hand. So we do have to deal with our egos, but instead of suppressing the ego, or seeking to destroy this false self, we should teach it to surrender to the true spiritual self. The ego must become the servant of the spiri ....(more)
spiritual evolution
by howiemac 19 Sep 09
We are on a spiritual journey. Our aim is to evolve from earthbound materialistic humans into self realized beings, at one with divinity (God). We work on ourselves to move from the darkness of the ego towards the light of divinity. We often speak of spiritual awareness in terms of "higher" and "lower": the higher our spiritual level, the greater is the amount of divinity ("God principle") manifest in us, and the lesser the influence of ego. We can see "higher" as heavenly and "lower" as earthly. Alternative terminology is "inner" and "outer": we "go within" to transcend the mundane "outer" world.
Whatever terminology we use, spiritual transformation requires that we follow with determination a personal spiritual path, which leads us through many experiences and initiations, as we gradually increase our spiritual awareness.
We can see ourselves as eternal divine souls, radiating golden spiritual light energy, surrounded by layer upon layer of lower energy forms, which are the res ....(more)
latest update 09 Jan 10
the ultimate reality
by Central Sun 03 Aug 09
Here is another section from Shunyamurti's talk, "an introduction to the ultimate reality":
"
We face the greatest challenge that our species has ever faced and we want to meet it with absolutely open hearts and open minds and to face the consequences of our own human misbehavior on the collective level and heal that, starting from within, and developing outward a new relationship to one another and to our sacred planet.
The basic skill that is required in doing this is the capacity to silence your mind. This is the first stage of meditation. Once we silence the mind, we find out “Who am I?” We learn to recognize the Self that lies deeper than the mind. What we learn when we begin to meditate is that “I” the Self, am not the physical body, because the physical body is only a vehicle that I am operating.
And I am not the mind. The mind is operating without my will. It’s producing thoughts I don’t even want to be there; it’s operating autonomously. I am not the mind but t ....(more)
"
We face the greatest challenge that our species has ever faced and we want to meet it with absolutely open hearts and open minds and to face the consequences of our own human misbehavior on the collective level and heal that, starting from within, and developing outward a new relationship to one another and to our sacred planet.
The basic skill that is required in doing this is the capacity to silence your mind. This is the first stage of meditation. Once we silence the mind, we find out “Who am I?” We learn to recognize the Self that lies deeper than the mind. What we learn when we begin to meditate is that “I” the Self, am not the physical body, because the physical body is only a vehicle that I am operating.
And I am not the mind. The mind is operating without my will. It’s producing thoughts I don’t even want to be there; it’s operating autonomously. I am not the mind but t ....(more)
latest update 09 Jan 10
union with our essence
by Central Sun 03 Aug 09
Here is a section from Shunyamurti's talk, "an introduction to the ultimate reality":
"
Namaste... “Namaste” means “I greet you from the heart and recognize your real Self, which is the Holy Spirit.” Holy means pure. Pure means undefiled, uncorrupted, unconditioned. A state of innocence and a state of love. The unborn, uncreated Self; this is the core of everyone’s being.
It’s important to recognize that there is a deeper part of our Self than is most often recognized in our daily life.... usually we have to have a lot of defense mechanisms up... we forget who we really are, and we close our heart because the world would mistreat our heart.
When we are living from the Real Self, and resonating from the core of our Being, there is a state of peace and serenity; there is an absence of anxiety. And this enables the mind to become very clear, very open, and very wise. These are the immediate benefits of centering ourselves. ....(more)
"
Namaste... “Namaste” means “I greet you from the heart and recognize your real Self, which is the Holy Spirit.” Holy means pure. Pure means undefiled, uncorrupted, unconditioned. A state of innocence and a state of love. The unborn, uncreated Self; this is the core of everyone’s being.
It’s important to recognize that there is a deeper part of our Self than is most often recognized in our daily life.... usually we have to have a lot of defense mechanisms up... we forget who we really are, and we close our heart because the world would mistreat our heart.
When we are living from the Real Self, and resonating from the core of our Being, there is a state of peace and serenity; there is an absence of anxiety. And this enables the mind to become very clear, very open, and very wise. These are the immediate benefits of centering ourselves. ....(more)
coping with transition
by howiemac 23 Mar 09
We are now undergoing many transformations, as we transition from the old paradigm to the new.
Our bodies are changing - we may experience aches and pains, especially in the neck, shoulder and back, as the divinity awakens within. We may have feelings of deep inner sadness for no apparent reason, as we release our past from this and other lifetimes. It is a sadness of leaving behind the memories, energy and experiences of the old. We may cry for no apparent reason: it is good and healthy to let the tears flow - this helps to release the old energy from within.
At times we will feel very ungrounded, and physically disoriented, as our body lags behind our consciousness in moving into the new energy. We may feel as if we cannot put our two feet on the ground, or as if we are walking between two worlds.
Our left and right brain are merging. Our tastes - our likes and dislikes - are changing. Our earthly desires pull us in one direction, while our minds pull us in another direction, and ....(more)
Our bodies are changing - we may experience aches and pains, especially in the neck, shoulder and back, as the divinity awakens within. We may have feelings of deep inner sadness for no apparent reason, as we release our past from this and other lifetimes. It is a sadness of leaving behind the memories, energy and experiences of the old. We may cry for no apparent reason: it is good and healthy to let the tears flow - this helps to release the old energy from within.
At times we will feel very ungrounded, and physically disoriented, as our body lags behind our consciousness in moving into the new energy. We may feel as if we cannot put our two feet on the ground, or as if we are walking between two worlds.
Our left and right brain are merging. Our tastes - our likes and dislikes - are changing. Our earthly desires pull us in one direction, while our minds pull us in another direction, and ....(more)
the power of love
by howiemac 21 Mar 09
inspired by http://www.crystallotus.com/2009TransitionTrasformation/102.htmLove is misunderstood. Love is not an emotion, it is a force, a power. Love cannot be explained, but must be experienced. Our relationships undergo many upheavals because we demand "love" from each other, but true love is undemanding - love is something we give, and it comes from within. When we learn to appreciate and acknowledge our own magnificence, then we love our selves, and our love flows out to others.
If we do not respect our selves, we cannot truly appreciate others. We have to respect and love our selves, and this empowers us to donate our love to others. Giving love means to wrap others with our loving energy field: if we have not generated the necessary love vibration within ourselves, then we cannot project it to others.
We should not feel anxious about the changes that are now happening in the world, but rather we should embrace these changes. We must start with the heart, and love our s ....(more)
a time of vibrancy
by howiemac 21 Mar 09
Now is the most exciting time ever to be in a human body... in the words of crystallotus.com:
We are now feeling the shift from the old electromagnetic energy to the new cosmic energy that is flooding us in torrents, and affecting every aspect of life on Earth. Collectively we have chosen to draw thus new "life force energy" to the planet: this new energy takes us into the next dimension, allowing we humans to return towards our original blueprint.
Many of us feel anxious, fearful, or depressed: our bodies are experienc ....(more)
an incredible change is taking place: the electromagnetic grid is aligning with the Crystalline Grid. The electromagnetic is the old grid. It holds us in place in matter. Now, it has moved into alignment with the Crystalline Grid, the new grid of the new world that has been formed. The clearing, activation, and setting of the Crystalline Grid began in March 2003. Completion will continue until 2012.
We are now feeling the shift from the old electromagnetic energy to the new cosmic energy that is flooding us in torrents, and affecting every aspect of life on Earth. Collectively we have chosen to draw thus new "life force energy" to the planet: this new energy takes us into the next dimension, allowing we humans to return towards our original blueprint.
Many of us feel anxious, fearful, or depressed: our bodies are experienc ....(more)
The Centre of the Wheel
by howiemac 09 Mar 09
Property alone will confer rank, wealth will be the only source of devotion, passion will be the sole bond of union between sexes, falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation, and women will be the objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated only for its mineral treasures; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence, menace and presumption will be the subterfuge for learning, liberality will be devotion, simple ablution will be purification, mutual assent will be marriage, fine clothes will be dignity.Vishnu Purana
Does this sound familiar?
We are spiritual beings inhabiting human bodies. At the centre of our existence we are divine consciousness - that is the nature of our being, our souls. When we see ourselves as individuals, and we identify with our physical bodies, we are artificially disconnected from our true inner strength. In cosmic terms the inner being is all that truly exists: physical manifestation is an illusion, a gam ....(more)
latest update 11 Dec 08
Tantra
by howiemac 11 Dec 08
The true goal of all Tantric ritual is union, merger, oneness.People are created with dualistic natures. We think in terms of male/female, joy/sorrow, light/dark, etc. This causes much grief, as we often feel caught in a world and circumstances that we have no control over. Many yogis solve this problem by withdrawing from "the material world" physically, isolating themselves, and practicing severe physical hardships to "kill" their physical desires. Tantra, however, recognizes this world as a gateway to other realms, and acknowledges human nature, fleshly pleasures, and human emotions as valid. Tantra does not say "withdraw from the world - flesh is evil - all is Maya". Rather, we seek liberation, with a sincere and pure heart. We seek to enjoy the pleasures of the world we live in, always keeping alive the spiritual intent. We seek thus to live in the bliss of pure being: "I and my father are one", or "thou art that".
We were created with physical instincts, natural urges and actu ....(more)
the power of the Self
by howiemac 08 Jun 08
Love is our innermost essence, our nature, and our fulfillment. Love is the very life energy of our being. But our innate love is hidden by a false consciousness that developed in childhood, and by subsequent constraints imposed by the norms and ideology of human society. In self-transformation, we aim to free our minds from such constraints, and to open our intellects and hearts to our vast untapped potential, as individuals and as a united community of divine beings.
We can create a harmonious world. We have the intelligence to solve all the current problems the world is facing. The obstacle is the dominance of the human ego. To realise our true potential, we have to tame the ego: this takes courage, truthfulness, knowledge, skill, and humility.
Primitive ego consciousness manifests as fear and helplessness: we are withdrawn, needy, helpless, and infantile, while at the same time furious, greedy, possessive, domineering, ruthless, and tyrannical. This combination of fear and anger ....(more)
We can create a harmonious world. We have the intelligence to solve all the current problems the world is facing. The obstacle is the dominance of the human ego. To realise our true potential, we have to tame the ego: this takes courage, truthfulness, knowledge, skill, and humility.
Primitive ego consciousness manifests as fear and helplessness: we are withdrawn, needy, helpless, and infantile, while at the same time furious, greedy, possessive, domineering, ruthless, and tyrannical. This combination of fear and anger ....(more)
Transformation
by howiemac 08 Jun 08
(based on The Path of Transformation by Shakti Gawain ISBN 1-57731-154-X)
In the Eastern philosophical and spiritual tradition, there is a greater understanding of the process of change and growth than we have in the west. In Hinduism there is a trinity of three main gods, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. This represents a profound understanding of the natural polarities of life - that life includes death and rebirth, and that old forms are being destroyed constantly, making way for the new. Shiva, the destroyer, is called the cosmic dancer - the god of music, dance, and the arts - and it is said his dance keeps the universe in motion.
In the Eastern philosophical and spiritual tradition, there is a greater understanding of the process of change and growth than we have in the west. In Hinduism there is a trinity of three main gods, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. This represents a profound understanding of the natural polarities of life - that life includes death and rebirth, and that old forms are being destroyed constantly, making way for the new. Shiva, the destroyer, is called the cosmic dancer - the god of music, dance, and the arts - and it is said his dance keeps the universe in motion.
The Path of the Material World
Down through history, most human beings have been focussing on the physical realm - lets call their journey the Path of the Material World: the process of learning to survive and succeed in the physical realm. ....(more)
latest update 13 Mar 08
harmony among all spiritual beings (nature)
by Al 12 Mar 08
Lets start out by saying that this is a story and not a meditation experience being reported. I don't want to sound like I am looking for the hit/ credit.
I was not meditating in a deliberate way but kind of contemplating while doing nothing. I don't meditate much at the moment, and when I do, it is self orientated and certainly not usually upon nature.
The image of a whales eye came to my mind. It was looking at me. A whales eye as with a pig, ape, dolphin, you know there is someone in there, it is similar to the human eye.
It just looked at me, like the eye of a wise old man. I could only see the eye, which took a few moments to get used to, it was slightly unnerving even. I wondered why. If there was a vibe, if it was saying anything to me, it was ' help, they are killing us '. ....(more)
I was not meditating in a deliberate way but kind of contemplating while doing nothing. I don't meditate much at the moment, and when I do, it is self orientated and certainly not usually upon nature.
The image of a whales eye came to my mind. It was looking at me. A whales eye as with a pig, ape, dolphin, you know there is someone in there, it is similar to the human eye.
It just looked at me, like the eye of a wise old man. I could only see the eye, which took a few moments to get used to, it was slightly unnerving even. I wondered why. If there was a vibe, if it was saying anything to me, it was ' help, they are killing us '. ....(more)
latest update 08 Mar 08
wanting
by howiemac 07 Mar 08
(based on: The Promise of Perfection by Andrew Cohen)
One of the most difficult things in human life is to be able to see things clearly, to see things as they are. Even the most sincere seekers struggle with this. If we want to be free, and to know the truth, and to express that depth in our everyday lives, then we have to be able to see things as they actually are.
Most of us live much of our lives lost in psychological and sensual experiences that have no independent reality outside of our own perception. We create these experiences, an illusory stream of thoughts and sense perceptions, from an endless craving for personal gratification. This is very simple, and may seem obvious, but it is also very profound, and potentially liberating. To understand what it really means, we have to go deep, beyond intellectual understanding, and experience our own self in the moment. When the endless wanting for the self ceases, we experience perfect peace, ....(more)
One of the most difficult things in human life is to be able to see things clearly, to see things as they are. Even the most sincere seekers struggle with this. If we want to be free, and to know the truth, and to express that depth in our everyday lives, then we have to be able to see things as they actually are.
Most of us live much of our lives lost in psychological and sensual experiences that have no independent reality outside of our own perception. We create these experiences, an illusory stream of thoughts and sense perceptions, from an endless craving for personal gratification. This is very simple, and may seem obvious, but it is also very profound, and potentially liberating. To understand what it really means, we have to go deep, beyond intellectual understanding, and experience our own self in the moment. When the endless wanting for the self ceases, we experience perfect peace, ....(more)