Chakra Balancing

The chakras are portal or structures which help to channel and integrate subtle energies into the physical body. The body has 7 primary chakras but over 2000 secondary ones which help to direct and hold the integrity of our 3 main elements – mind, body and spirit. Since the flow of this triad is always shifting, directed by our intent and consciousness, so too must the chakra system recalibrate and find new points of balance which each shift. In other words, just as our thinking, communication, perspectives and intentions change, so do the requirements of our chakra systems.

The chakra system deals mainly with subtle energy and so for the most part this energy is able to move through subtle shifts of tension within the physical body. With enough subtle tension however, the flow of energy will slow and even stop. The result is that the body, mind and emotions will begin receiving less and less information. Information will result in less understanding and less understanding will lead to less ability. Usually this does not happen in a dramatic way, it may take years, the same way that plumbing can take years to clog up and eventually block the flow of water.

Depending on which chakras are blocked or limited, the physical and mental consciousness will exhibit various manifestations. Blockages in the solar plexus for instance can result in a lack of will or strong intent to take action. This will be experienced in the body as a lessening of the bio-chemicals that create the sensation or emotion of will and purpose. Emotionally and mentally this will be experienced in corresponding mind states such as apathy or boredom. Blockages in the crown chakra will result in a disconnection from the Higher Self, as well as a difficulty connecting to the bigger picture in ones life. Just as with the solar plexus chakra, specific bio-chemicals will correspond to this particular blockage.

The link between the energy of the chakra and the bio-chemistry of the body is simply about information. There is nothing mysterious about it at all. Our whole being exists and survives because of information. There is information between the heart and the brain, information between organs and enzymes, hormones and blood, oxygen and lungs, as well as information from the outside world such as people, books, trees, the sun, the moon, gravity and electricity. Information is influence and expression, through connecting with this information a communication happens. This is the same communication that occurs between the energy of the chakras and the physical body.

The foundation ‘foot in the door’ principles to any type of chakra balancing should begin with simply spending time at the chakra location. Forget about what is written in books, references or even here for that matter. Nothing will compare to actual ‘sit down’ time with your own chakras. Its like spending time with a loved one, kids, friends and so on – we can go out and seek advanced knowledge and professional advice, but sometimes what is really needed is simply to spend time with them. It’s the same deal with the chakras. An amazing amount of communication will open up when we just listen and observe – and in this listening a great deal of balancing and integration will just happen. The results will be seen in the way the physical body feels, the mind thinks, the emotions move and the spirit flows through us.

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Astral Consciousness – Exploring New Worlds and Dimensions

The Astral plane exists here and now simultaneously with the physical. Similarly, part of our consciousness is connecting to the astral right here and now. Understanding and experiencing this part of consciousness is all about training the mind to be aware of it. Deeper levels of projection simply require training of the mind to shift more energy into the aspects of consciousness that are already connected to the astral.

The ability of projection begins with the development of awareness. It is like the difference between being aware of a door or not being aware of a door. Awareness provides the opportunity to move through while ignorance hides the door completely.

It is necessary then to train the mind to first become aware that the astral exists right here and now. This must be achieved through experience. The mind must be observant to itself, to feeling for and noticing the aspects of itself which are tuned into the astral.

These openings are the keys to deeper travel.

Experienced astral projectors no longer require a deep level of relaxation to project. They simply tune into the astral plane and through focus and mind control, enter directly. The higher and subtler planes too, exist here and now and are accessed by tuning into the aspects of mind that are already connected. The subtler and higher the planes are, the ‘further’ or ‘fainter’ they will seem from our awareness.

Difficulties shifting into subtler planes or even astral projecting in the first place occur because the consciousness is attached to the densities of emotion, thought and the physical. The more that we get these under control, the ‘closer’ the subtler and higher planes will be perceived by our consciousness. A full shift occurs when we have control over the specific densities, those being emotions, thoughts and sensations that would prevent us from moving deeper. In could be compared in some ways to an air filled balloon resting on the ground. It may wish to go higher, but it is only when it is filled with a lighter gas such as helium or hydrogen that it will.

Various temples, monasteries and places of learning exist within the astral and these also can only be accessed if the right frequency is met. These frequencies cannot be bought or sold. They are simply requirements of consciousness that when met allow entry. If the frequency is not met then most likely these places will not even be perceived at all. The same requirements exist for meeting certain teachers and masters.

It is interesting to note that the same energetic shifts in consciousness required to project into and within the astral hold to the same principles required for emotional mastery, psychic communication and manifestation. The complexity lies within deciphering the unique laws of each plane and dimension. Just as in the physical however, we are fortunate that knowledge and teachings are always available – we simply need to be willing to seek and to ask.

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The Way of Astral Projection

Astral projection is the ability to move the consciousness deliberately into the plane of reality known as the ‘astral.’ This plane exists at a subtler level than the physical and so in this plane it is easier to create and receive mental manifestations. If for example we wish to see a particular person we can move to them instantly, without the usual physical process of getting transport to meet them, or making sure that they are home. Knowledge and information too is created at a faster speed without the friction of the physical to slow it down.

The planes of the astral work in densities. The higher planes have a lesser density and the lower planes have a heavier density. This is the reason why mastery of the mind and emotions is important for higher level astral work. All thoughts and emotions have a particular density and form. These forms act quite literally as obstacles to moving into the subtler realms. The harder that we push, the more impatient and ‘power’ that we try to muster, the more these realms elude us. The impatience, tension and force that we create has a density that prevents us from entry. Ironically it is by diminishing the effects of desire, impatience and force that we enter these gates. This principle holds true all the way from the most simple astral projection to the most deep and subtle.

The main pre-requisites to astral projection are relaxation and focus, although in truth all that is really required is focus. In the beginning we learn to control our bodies to the extent that we can effect a complete and deep relaxation. The body literally falls asleep, yet part of the mind remains conscious and awake. This is simply a shift from what we normally do, which is to allow the mind to move into the sleep state with the body. In this case we are training the mind to be awake while the body sleeps. This simple practice develops aspects of mind control in that the mind must learn to not fall asleep and instead focus. Each time the mind tries to fall asleep with the body, we will it remain conscious.

It is interesting that many modern people are not actually ‘embodied.’ So much of our lives are spent thinking and living in the future of possibilities or in the past of happenings, thoughts and emotions. What is interesting about this is that when it comes to splitting the consciousness from the body a reaction sets in that seeks to prevent us from projecting or leaving. It is not so much an intellectual fear as a primal one, yet it is not at the unconscious level as much as at the conscious and subconscious.

Our bodies do quite well with out the interference of the conscious mind. Our heart beats, our lungs breathe, our immune systems fight off disease – none of these require our direction ~ they simply does what they do. The fear that we will die if we leave our body does not come from the fear that our body will die. It comes from fear of the unknown. Of what will happen to our mind if we leave our body. The more that we face this threshold, the more that we face this fear, the easier it becomes to cross it. Slowly, like babies we venture further and further until we realize that we are in fact safer leaving our bodies as we are safe to leave the house.

What is also interesting is that we all leave our bodies every night that we sleep. It is just that we are unconscious of this and we do not remember. Our subconscious plays out its reactions and interactions within the astral realm which is why dreams can be so crazy. Flying pink elephants can and will appear instantly if this is what is required in a dream. The difference between the dream and astral projection is being conscious. Being consciousness in the astral just as in life is what provides the opportunity for deliberate choice and intention.

The importance of being conscious ties right back to the foundational process required to astral project. At the moment the body sleeps, if we lose consciousness then we lose deliberate choice and intention. If we remain conscious then we keep choice and intention. This is the difference between simply falling asleep and astral projection.

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Psychic Ability and Spirituality – Transcending the Physical Body and Mind – Entering the Higher Dimensions

Psychic ability is simply the ability to communicate with weaves of energy that are above the ‘normal’ level of physical reality. Reading future events, past events, spiritual knowledge and channeling the ‘dead’ are symptoms of connecting to specific weaves of energy. The term ‘psychic’ has become an umbrella term to encompass many skills and abilities that are considered paranormal or metaphysical. To expand on this all of these skills can really be classed under ‘communication.’

It makes the topic of spirituality far clearer when we understand that ‘spirituality’ is really a communication with spirit. It always has been and probably always will. The various definitions of ‘spirit’ change from religion to religion and belief to belief, but the essence is the same. It is about communication with spirit. The most accurate communication is always going to be direct communication. It is the same with any verbal communication with another person. Being there and doing the actual speaking is always going to be more accurate than second hand information. This is where psychic ability comes in.

Psychic ability is simply an expansion of our set of communication tools. Where there may have been no conduit with which to listen and speak to spirit or other energetic entities, psychic abilities help to open up these paths. Having said this, psychic ability in and of itself does not equal spiritual communication. Spiritual communication like any communication requires an intention to connect – in this case to spirit. The language and faculties of connection are then used and developed to gain fluency and understanding.

A surrendering of the ego’s desires is necessary when learning to communicate psychically to spirit. This process is supported by guides and entities that hold the path open at specific planes and dimensions. For example while some may be at least able to fathom the infinite spirit, most will have difficulty with moving fully into infinite consciousness. This is simply because the energetic pattern of the mind is too strong. The older or more experienced we are, the more crystallized these patterns become. Getting around this requires dedicated practice, subtlety and a constant will to refine and understand self-mastery. The modern world has a habit of getting people addicted to semantics and this too is something that we must let go of. Semantics and words become useless eventually, only the true meaning that words and concepts point to hold real empowerment and understanding. This is where psychic ability provides a powerful opportunity. Psychic ability allows us to see deeply beyond words and concepts to the source. In shapes, scents, sounds and forms these weaves of energy expand and deepen, leading us through their paths and removing us through our own. The channel that is formed becomes stronger and clearer than the organic body we live in could ever be. This becomes our conduit to the spirit, our connection and our communication. It is here that we come to see spirit with our own eyes, hear spirit with our own ears and feel spirit with our own heart.

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Dedicated Spirituality

Dedicated spirituality is living spirituality. This means that abilities and skills are honed and refined continuously in daily life. Dedicated spirituality means revolving the rest of our lives around our spiritual practice and not the other way around. It is not for everyone, just as becoming an Olympic athlete is not for everyone, but achieving high levels of ability in any field will always require dedication.

The path of dedication will leave many of us behind. It will require many sacrifices, but to those of us with true intent and commitment, these sacrifices will be as little as dust. Dedication will leave behind all the illusions of spirituality, all the “should” and “should nots” will fade as we pursue real experience to define the way of true meaning and value. Our choices and actions will begin to frighten the spiritual “hobbyists” not because of any true moral slights, but because we bring light to illusions which they would otherwise hold on to. This is true power. While some would have us believe that power exists in denying fear and insecurity, we find it in facing and conquering fear, at first with trembling hands and eventually with hearts so strong that fear flees at first contact.

This is what the masters meant when they reminded us that what we truly fear is not our weakness, but our true power. We fear it because it separates us. It separates us not in truth, but in perception and it is this perception of separation, of being apart from others that frightens us. This perception is the “closed mind.” It is the outcast, the hermit, the isolated, the lonely and the alone. It is our weakness when it controls us, but when we are in control, then it is our strength. It becomes our commitment, our discipline, our dedication and purpose. This meaning and value becomes a power in itself, it inspires and gives us reason to be who we are. We change from a person who is scared to utter one word out of line, to a being who lives to be who they are.

Each and every facet of life changes through our dedication. At the same time each and every facet of our life must be faced and observed critically in order to be dedicated. Life is a succession of moments, each moment is a test of our integrity. And what is integrity? It is a being that is aligned with itself. It is a being that walks its talk. Each time that we act in a way that we feel at any level is not true or right or within our value system, we can feel our own energetic, mental and physical integrity distort. Likewise when we act in a way, that is aligned and congruent with our values and meaning then we will feel our spiritual, mental and physical integrity strengthen.

When we put off implementing and acting on what is true and right for us, then we are affirming that these inner values are not important enough right now – and so they manifest exactly as such. The will becomes weaker, clarity less so, the mind and emotions create lower energy states that help to manifest and affirm these limiting belief. It is exactly what was ordered! On the other hand when we pursue and implement our inner most values with dedication and commitment we manifest the strength to integrated these into the world, the expression to make certain that we are not ignored, the clarity to achieve the highest vision possible and the energy to match the expansion of mind and body that we are commanding.

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The Closed Mind – Mastering Inner Strength and Control

The idea of the open mind has been responsible for much misdirection on the spiritual journey. It has even been used as an insult: “You have such a closed mind.” The truth is that a closed mind is one of the most powerful tools for accelerating spiritual growth, and for that matter any development at all.

Developing a closed mind is about developing inner control. By learning to close the mind to many opportunities, the mind learns to focus on just those opportunities that are of value and meaning. Instead of embracing everything and its dog, we become critical of what is worth embracing and what is not.

This requires not just judging aspects of reality at face value, but also investigating “what works.” In other words, while we may not consider certain experiences to have value, we may not be able to get out of dealing with them anyhow. A true critical mind must acknowledge this and recognize that conscious growth is as much about directing our evolution as it is about understanding where we are right now.

The closed mind is what grabs all the loose ends and draws them together. Without a closed mind we will allow everything else to be as it is, but we will fail to integrate these aspects into our own purpose and direction.

A closed mind is the mind that enables us to resist those things which would lead us off the path of truth. It is the mind that is vigilant to what is of value and meaning. Dedication is the essence of the closed mind, for it is dedication to a cause or direction which puts this value above and beyond other aspects of reality. Commitment too is congruent with the closed mind, for it is commitment that focuses purely on the goal ahead, remaining unattached to all that is of lesser priority.

By filtering out what is of no use to our main purpose, we refine that which is of real power and value. Concepts and ideas develop into techniques and abilities. Metaphors and theories become actions and realities. Each aspect of the closed mind offers an opportunity for opening at a deeper level. It is the same depth that an Olympic athlete earns when they decide to dedicate themselves to their art, forgoing many experiences that others of our world would have. It is the same depth that an adept at metaphysical manipulation gains when they shut themselves off from distraction in order to hone their skills.

The more passionate and inspired we become about a direction or purpose, the more that we choose to become dedicated and committed. This is a law of the universe. Following this law is what allows us to experience deep and real meaning in our lives. In the beginning it is learning that closing or opening the mind is not about right or wrong, but rather about appropriateness. Through the course of development from beginning to mastery, we come to understand and experience that there is in truth no absolute closure or openings. Each closure presents the opportunity for opening and each opening closes other doors. The closed mind is a choice to halt those experiences that we believe limit our development and to maximize those experiences that would support and accelerate us. In the end however, this will ultimately lead to a continual inner opening, deeper and yet deeper, until all the openings are occurring within the field of our truest meaning and purpose.

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Surrender – Opening your Mind, Spirit and Heart

In any communication there is a balance of listening and expression. The deeper our ability to listen, the more effective our ability to express becomes. Listening allows us to understand the essence of what is being conveyed to us and to reciprocate with precision and clarity. This is essentially what surrender is all about. Surrender is a yielding in order to gain understanding – and understanding is everything. It is the knowledge that allows us to act with intention and purpose. It is the ability that allows us to create empowerment, it is conscious transformation and it is mastery.

When the channel between the Higher Self and the consciousness has been opened, it takes about 14 days to make this connection permanent. Depending on the thickness of the channel, spiritual information will either trickle or pour like a waterfall interacting with the mind and physical body. The more willing we are to surrender and at least for the time being ‘give up’ our own expression and simply “listen,” the more information and knowledge we will absorb and integrate into ourselves. As each channel becomes open to receive it clears the way for knowledge and energy to come through. In a sense it is like having many water hoses. As long as we are pushing our expression through, it is difficult to receive energy coming the other way. When we surrender, we stop for a time pushing out our own essence and listen to what else is there. Ironically, what comes back is our own essence but so much more also.

The Higher Self has the ability to encompass what we are because its plane of existence is multi-dimensional. Integration of the Higher Self into the body trains the body to increase its perception of dimensional planes. This is what lifts the body from a 3 dimensional state to 4, then 5 and more planes of existence. This is what it means to “ascend.” Spiritual power can only exist at a limited level at the 3rd dimension, simply because the 3rd dimension has its own set of laws. As the body is trained to connect to higher dimensions it is no longer just in the 3rd dimension, and so it gains the experience and ability to use and call on a broader range of spiritual power. This only occurs if the practice includes the physical body. Meditations and practices that exclude the physical are splitting the mind from the body and so they do not gain this benefit of integration. This is also the reason why many spiritual masters have developed physical health problems. Their higher plane bodies became so powerful and full of higher energies, but their physical bodies could not hold or maintain these levels and so they overloaded, short circuited and their physical bodies died. Interestingly, many masters who had ascended and split from their bodies before, have chosen to come back to this plane to learn how to fully ascend inclusive of the physical.

Another thing that is important to note is that full integration of the physical plane with the higher planes will allow us to manifest and “fit in” to this world, so to speak. This avoids all the pit falls of spirituality that is insubstantial or full of “fluff” so to speak. Spiritual power becomes manifest not just in life philosophy and attitude but in the very way that we connect with physical reality. The structures that are our physical bodies and minds pour in higher dimensional energies. These are integrated using our physical bodies as “converters.” Through this channel the multiple dimensions can meet without hindrance or obstacle. This is the essence of “surrender.”

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Meditation Mastery – Developing High Level Elite Meditation

Meditation is the practice of understanding. It is training the mind and the body to observe and gain knowledge about specific energies and aspects of consciousness. As the body and mind becomes familiar with the language of these energies, a communication is realized and formed. This communication is the catalyst to understanding.

Often understanding is perceived to merely mean intellectual realizations. In truth understanding can be defined as ‘knowing.’ It is knowing how ‘cause’ relates to ‘effect,’ and it is also knowing how to influence “cause” and “effect.” Deep understanding means an intrinsic, intuitive knowledge of how to create effect or result. It becomes as basic as simply reaching out and taking a glass of water. No thought, theory or concept needs to be understood to take the water – the ‘knowing’ is so deep and cellular that our body and mind has the perfect coordination and knowledge to simply reach out and take it. This is ability and skill. It may not be recognized for a task such as this, but this is because we have reached a high level of skill. It is simply taken for granted. This is the direction of mastery. It is tuning our abilities to such a high level that ‘intention’ can become ‘reality’ at our will. This level of mastery only occurs through progressive practice.

For many people spiritual practice does not move much deeper than the intellectual level. The intellectual level is the level of thought, concepts, philosophy and theory. This is the level where we make our plans and understand the ‘map’ to creating deeper skill. The fact of the matter is that without deeper practice we do not have the opportunity to control cause and effect. Using the example of taking a glass of water for instance, as babies we were unable to manifest this effect at will. Even through watching and gaining instruction it took practice and time to entrain these abilities into our bodies. It took even more time to develop this ability to the level where we could do it without thought.

The training of the mind and body to coordinate and follow intention in this way is meditation. Mastery of meditation is the development of all the skills required to move, direct and control the mind in all its facets. Where the basic meditation will form fewer aspects of focus and skill, mastery is able to flow from one to another at will. The difference is like needing to think hard about reaching out and taking a glass of water, all the while concentrating intensely – and simply reaching out and taking it.

The speed of ‘thought’ is fast indeed, but it pales in comparison to the speed of knowing. Mastery is the training of our abilities into body and mind so that this deep coordination of consciousness just ‘knows’. ‘Thought’ needs to interpret and process experience, then apply the necessary level of consciousness. ‘Knowing’ simply creates experience directly. The higher the level of ability and skill, the less thought is required. It is like taking the glass of water – we simply reach out and connect. There is no dispute, doubt or argument about the fact that we can simply reach out. We just do it. This is what ability and skill does for us. This is also the reason why intellectualization, concept and theory leaves so much room for arguments, dispute and doubt. None of this however matters when we develop real skill. It becomes completely irrelevant when we develop mastery.

Training towards meditation mastery develops the ability to connect to spiritual experience without requiring intellectual concepts or theory. The experience just happens as a result of the ability and skill. Our understanding of spirit, the Higher Self and metaphysics changes completely, because instead of working with theories and thinking “what if?”, we get to actually try out our ‘what if?’ ideas within the realm of experience.

Where theories would discuss whether spirit of the Higher Self exists, ability demonstrates existence beyond a shadow of a doubt. More than this, experience moves us into a more constructive phase such as viewing discussing methods of evolving with Ascended Masters, astral projecting into mystic libraries of spiritual knowledge and communing with the Higher Self or God force.

Mastery is a path that is created when we dedicate ourselves to developing a high level of skill. Through this path, purpose and meaning are made apparent – empowerment is made apparent. Ideas that were concepts become experiences within our reality. Mastery at this point is no longer simply an idea, dream or ideal. It is refined ability and skill. Correct meditation, the art of understanding and communication is the most direct path of training to bringing these skills of consciousness to mastery.

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Spiritual Growth – Achieving Real Spiritual Evolution

The state of spiritual growth as a whole on this planet is in a shambles. Contributing to this is the lack of or inappropriate teachings, but the worst of the lot are the philosophies proposing that we have nothing to learn at all. It is this idea that halts growth in its tracks. It may provide moments if not minutes of inspiration and the odd fantasy that everything is all right and we need not do anything – but in effect it is asking us to stop being critical and seek ignorance.

The most technically gifted masters among us have already long left our company, having realized that most of us simply do not care enough to truly gain from the teachings. This leaves much of the modern world speculating about the true nature of ideas like enlightenment, empowerment and so on. In the mean time these Savants walk through the levels of consciousness as easily as one would walk through an open door.

While modern day intellectuals would debate the existence of enlightenment and the meaning of empowerment, the masters are evolving and refining their methods for evolving the actual practice. It is understood that not all beings are on the direct path to enlightenment, the universe is fully capable of encompassing those that are actively choosing other roads. It is for this reason that the masters do not agitate over teaching, rather they understand the energetic momentum that the planet as a whole will gain from their own growth.

Being caught in the flow of beings powerful enough to influence entire planets with their consciousness is simply an indication of lack of self-mastery. It is not a moral condemnation, simply an observation of fact. It is similar to being caught in an ocean storm. Only the most effective swimmers can break free from its grip. This in itself is about training for real ability and skill.

If we are too weak to influence our own direction, then we are caught with the waves. Perhaps even unaware of what is occurring. If we wait for masters to give us strength, then we will wait forever, for true strength cannot be given, only earned through facing our weaknesses.

It comes back to us to remain critical. Critical of ourselves and critical of what we have and are creating. It is in this that we gain the opportunity to evolve with intent, meaning, reason and purpose. There is so much more to be known. Spiritual growth initiates when we acknowledge this. Concepts and ideas only reach fruition through sustained action and practice. Ideals such as love and compassion only become what they are through testing our connection to them in the heat of real life and experience. Principles such as those of manifestation and purification are only entrained into our bodies and minds through vigilantly aligning our spiritual understanding with our physical and mental being.

It is not difficult to see that spiritual growth as a whole is floundering. It is only difficult when we refuse to be critical. When we are objective we can see the vast amounts of incongruent knowledge and information. We can see the struggle to understand and find clarity within this knowledge. We can see how this lack of clarity has come to limit expansive spiritual vision and potential. We can see how protecting this lack of answers has led to fear and aversion to having a truly critical mind.

We only fear the critical mind when we choose to cling to blind belief, but no answer will be forthcoming from blind belief. The myths within the spiritual arena are legion, but this also means that the opportunity for truth is massive. Potential for growth lies in these opportunities, but without taking them there is no real power or conscious growth. The intellect must move beyond the comfortable appraisal that potential lies out there somewhere. It must look to the heart and see why we are not moving stridently toward our potential right now. It may not be pretty, it may not be in the current trend of “spiritual speak,” but it is true. Movement between two points of consciousness only occurs because of the choice to move. This choice is made when we understand critically the reason for our new destination.

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Expanding Awareness – Evolution of the Mind, Body and Consciousness

Awareness is understanding, the expansion of awareness is the expansion and deepening of understanding. Generating the forms of mind required to deepen awareness is about ability and skill. Without ability and skill the same patterns of awareness will repeat themselves. Deepening awareness requires the ability to first recognize the gates, then to recognize the key required to open the gate, and lastly the skill to move through the portal that is formed. In opposition will be the magnetism of old patterns of awareness. It is for this reason that self-discipline has always been the first key to mental mastery. Self-discipline is the strength to keep the mind to the grindstone.

As the mind initially enters each space of awareness it must learn to adjust its tension. Each shift will seem like a stretching, as if no more can be encompassed and yet we must seek the spaces where more openings can be found. This can only be accomplished through working each form into the mind. Each time we walk this “groove” with our mind, it learns through intense observation the communication that exists within this space of awareness. Without the skills to “listen” and communicate with the energies that exist here, we will not gain the keys to further expansion. Pure strength and will is not enough, because where one gate will require rigid strength, another will absorb this type of strength like a sponge, instead requiring a formula or an intelligent communication. It is recognition of these keys that students and seekers have classically come to masters for, however there must be a balance between blindly accepting keys and the process of learning to recognize keys on our own. While simply taking and training in a key will open up the experience for us, we will pass by the vital opportunity to develop the sensitivity required to recognize within our own consciousness. Without this sensitivity we may gain spiritual and metaphysical experiences, but we will lack the ability to choose and direct those experiences.

This can be likened to the difference between being told the exact words required to enact a conversation and being taught how to express communication with conscious influence and direction. Ultimately learning how to communicate through our own consciousness is what is important, however neglecting the understanding of exact words or keys would be foolhardy. Just as we need to learn etiquettes to communicate within the external world, understanding language within the world of consciousness is vital. Eventually our grasp of the language becomes fluent and we can critically decide what parts to lose and what to keep. At this point we have learnt how to express meaning with less and less importance placed on form or etiquette. However this state can only be achieved through first mastering the form. It is again similar to verbal communication in that exact phrases and such are very useful when learning a language. Then when fluency is achieved forms can be restructured in order to refine the meaning and expression within. By learning to observe the effect of a ‘phrase’ or ‘word’ we understand the meaning behind the form. It is this energy or influence behind the form that is most important. This is what unlocks dormant awareness. It is through this process of unlocking, observing, stretching and alert focus that awareness is expanded.

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