Category Archives: Mastery

The way of effortless effort.

Ascension, Enlightenment, Healing, Mastery, Spirit, Truth, Unlimited Mind

Use Your Illusions ~ Part 1 ~ The Secret of Enlightenment and Meditation

At the true level of self there is no struggle, no craving or aversion, simply a state of being. Consciousness is at peace with all that is, be it pain or pleasure. At this level the mind has realized how to create the ultimate solution to all experience. To meet it exactly as it is, with peace. Within this consciousness the self understands that what it truly seeks is peace, reunion and truth. This understanding has been realized and experienced at the deepest, broadest and subtlest levels of mind, body and spirit. External circumstance and experience has long been let go of as a direct medium for peace. Instead the self has realized that true peace is experienced through bypassing the instability of the external and connecting directly and purely through the internal core and structures of the mind, body and spirit. This is not an ideal that exists simply for philosophical or spiritual ideals, it is a practice that has has been created because it achieves results.

The search for real reunion, peace, true happiness and love allows exploration, but as consciousness expands it becomes more and more fully aware of the flaws of relying on external experience for internal satisfaction. The journey begins with refining external experience, finding ways to limit those that bring dissatisfaction and perpetuate those that deliver satisfaction. Through lifetimes of experience, levels of satisfaction are lived through, refined, observed and judged. We begin to see flaws, impermanence and fallibility. What once brought a level of happiness may now reflect a deeper level of emptiness. The search brings us new clues, and we look and listen to see if these clues will lead to reconciling our inner spaces. More and more the journey leads within. In time we realize without a doubt that all the answers must come from within, because after all, this is where the questions were born.

When full shifts of consciousness occur, experience both past and present become integrated and so make sense. Incongruent realities and inner dimensions are blended and through this union show us through experience how contradiction can live in perfect harmony. Because the experience occurs at the lowest level of being, that of the physical, all higher levels of consciousness are automatically integrated. The same does not occur however when higher levels of consciousness shift first. In these cases it is important to be aware that the physical levels of body and mind need time and practice in order to bring them up to the higher levels of thought and knowledge. This process is facilitated by using illusions.

The lower, denser and physical levels of body and mind will use illusions like a road map to guide them to the higher levels of experience. In this way the process is very similar to using a road map in that the map itself does not directly bring you to the destination, but it shows you a representation of the path.

The internal world of consciousness reaches its destination by becoming the destination. That is, if our destination is to create peace, we get there by becoming peace. The illusion begins its work by observing the landscape within. Then it shapes consciousness to create the illusion of inner peace. These illusions meet our inner experience and communicate through this meeting our intention. Since both illusion and inner experience are in essence aspects of ourselves, both these parts get to understand the destination that we desire. Through learning and mimicking this destination, they become it. When they become it, then we are there.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Unlimited Mind

The Source of All Knowledge ~ Part 1 ~ Awakening Universal Consciousness

Knowledge becomes power when its purpose and meaning become revealed to us. This realization occurs when each level of mind, body and spirit is shown how to shift to the frequency that creates clear communication. In truth unless knowledge is integrated it is for all intents and purposes useless. It is having access to all the books in the world but not being able to read, let alone understand them. Integration is what allows us to use knowledge directly in this reality. It pulls intellectual knowledge into the direct experience of the physical body and mind. Through this connection, theory and concept can become tangible and physically manifested.

One of the clearest ways to observe integration is in our interactions with people. Tuning into higher consciousness we are able to see and hear the energetic relationship that we have with another. We can see why and how our emotions and personalities interact. We can see what is needed to add, subtract and connect to in order to facilitate specific directions in communication. This level of vision is within the first layer of integration.

The second layer of integration is the ability to actually effect the energies so that we not only see what is needed, we are actually able to add, subtract and connect to. We recognize and we have the ability to respond. The movement between the first and the second is the movement between observation and action, yin and yang. This movement becomes the vortex within which our consciousness seeks to find harmony. Some also call this the Tao, the Source or the original Spirit.

It has been written that the Source or Tao cannot truly be grasped and to grasp it would mean that it is not the Tao. Perhaps closer to the truth is that there does exist a mind that cannot grasp the Source, but that there also exists a mind that can grasp the Source. Both exist here and now, and both can be accessed through the same mind.

There is little to gain over arguing about whether the Tao, the Source or the Original Spirit can be grasped. If we do not believe, then we do not act. If we believe, then perhaps we will take the initiative to act. This is the real opportunity. It lies in simply exploring, in trying to grasp and grab hold. It is unimportant how many times we fall, all that matters is that we grasp once. In that moment we integrate knowledge. We make it usable.

The first step is to believe, at least enough so that we initiate and sustain a course of action and practice. The intention must always be to gain clear and usable knowledge. This way each step will reveal paths and doors to the next. Small clues of knowledge will lead to larger deposits, eventually making a whole. Through all of this the Tao, the Source and the Original Spirit will shape, form and re-form, infinite definitions of what we will perceive to be reality. By staying close to this reality, aware and observant, sensitive and open, we learn to grasp without grasping. This is the first step to understanding the source of all knowledge.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Realization, Truth, Unlimited Mind

The Power of Acceleration ~ Pt 2 ~ Expansion and Evolution of the Mind

Accelerated mind states bring profound and dramatic increases in awareness, while at least for the time being, neglect the processes of integration and resolution. Guiding the shape of acceleration to that of a spiral guides the knowledge back through all the spaces and levels that have been missed. Trusting that we can always find ourselves again we leap out into the space of our consciousness. The lines and paths that we take within the spiritual and mental realms are vastly different to those within the physical. In the physical the shortest path between two points is a straight line. In the spiritual and mental dimension points can be opened and connected to within other points, to an infinite degree. For this reason excessive acceleration can lead to problems with integration or “re-entry.” This is one problem that can occur to people who rely on drugs for acceleration and is reason that shamanic traditions that use drugs prepare their bodies through ritual.

Training the mind and body to understand how to consciously accelerate involves the same principles that all meditation and Esoteric Alchemy use. It is all about movement. While integration is about receiving and harmonizing, acceleration is about finding gaps and spaces and moving through these. At the same time we send our consciousness out with the intention of connecting to the source of the knowledge that we seek. This acts as a beacon or thread of intention. By communicating, feeling and seeing this beacon we understand and intuit which paths and spaces will open up further paths and spaces and which will not. Working with intention to direct our journey towards purpose and meaning ensures that our creation of consciousness is congruent with our truth.

It is also important to recognize the way that our higher consciousness communicates with us. For some there will be a leaning toward the visual, others auditory, kinesthetic or one of the other senses. While it is always beneficial to develop a well-rounded set of psychic senses, for the purposes of communication it is better to acknowledge the language that is being spoken.

Acceleration will always bring a sensory increase in one or more areas. If working with the chakras for instance one may see layers of colored energy rippling and peeling open. Or if one is more auditory one may hear tones moving and shifting through frequencies. Thoughts and seemingly random imagery may flash before the eyes and mind. All of these are indications of acceleration, similar to how sights and sounds flash by when we are in a speeding car. In the beginning it is fine to investigate some of these phenomena, but eventually it will be shown that only by staying true to the purpose of our journey will we find the meaning and answers that we seek. There is a literal infinity of sceneries that the consciousness will show us and if we allow it, this slide show can and will continue indefinitely!

The process of gathering knowledge from an accelerated consciousness is usually one of cycles. Each cycles allows us to push a little bit further and understand where we go a little bit more. As is often the case, just as acceleration is an experience that often elicits excitement, it is the return trip, the integration the elicits the understanding and thus the rewards.

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Enlightenment, Healing, Mastery, Unlimited Mind

Healing the Planet ~ Part 2 – Healing the Planet with Meditation and Higher Consciousness

Observing the interaction of the external world with our internal world provides us with the opportunity to see and understand aspects of ourselves that could well go hidden and unnoticed. Interaction with the world, people and external experiences will reflect a constant stream of reactions, emotions and feelings many of which will be familiar, so much so that we often neglect to notice that they have any significance at all. On the contrary these reactions and inter-relations hold an important key for whole and real healing, inner peace, empowerment and connecting with the true self.

It is one thing to connect with love, healing and peace when secluded from the world, the meaning and truth in these experiences is revealed however when we connect with adversity. It is in these moments that we are given the opportunity to stretch and re-discover the boundaries of love, healing and peace. It is easy to find peace when the world and experiences are simple and easy, quite another to develop it when confronted with the madness of the universe. Being dependant on circumstances and experiences for peace and healing means that we are not in control of our direction, where as cultivating a mind where we strive to find peace and healing everywhere is the realization of mastery.

Mastery comes through revelation, that is revealing the parts of ourselves that reflect a need for peace, healing and reunion and then responding with wisdom and understanding. The revealing comes through connection with our consciousness and it is this part that is so easily achieved by meeting the external world. Without the external the mind can very easily become like still waters, they hold the illusion of being still and clear however when stirred the bottom holds many aspects that aspire to healing and peace. The beauty of the external is that this stirring occurs constantly and so with awareness we gain the opportunity to purify and heal within.

As the external helps us understand the internal, healing the internal also heals the external. What happens is that as we learn make peace with the perceptions and reactions that are being stirred up we no longer react in the same way to the external. As we make peace within, we no longer see certain aspects of the external as aversive. This peace is not intellectual it is an actual experience at the sensual level. As our response to the external changes, so too does the external change. It begins to heal. This healing happens because the energies involved are being understood and accepted by our consciousness at every level of their creation.

An interesting thing occurs at a certain level of progression. As the mind realizes that it can direct its own healing and creation of empowerment it shifts from wanting to avoid pain to finding pleasure in healing. This shift directly correlates to the level of skill that our consciousness is able to tap into. That is to say that with a certain level of empowerment we begin to truly gain pleasure from empowering others. We see and feel the direct benefits that we gain from guiding others to realize healing. As our sphere of skill and ability increases so too does the spectrum of what our consciousness is able to meet, understand and heal. Expanded consciousness eventually encompasses the whole planet and those within it. The healing of one becomes the healing of all.

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Enlightenment, Healing, Mastery

Healing the Planet ~ Part 1

A journey of healing begins and ends with healing the self, but as the experience of the self expands so too does the practice of healing. Inevitably and inextricably this path leads to healing all beings and the planet Earth itself.

Human beings move primarily from a core of self-serving necessity. In the beginning this will be realized as providing for our basic survivalist needs – food, shelter, money and so on. Catering for and supplying our emotions and senses is our goal and it is usually when these goals have been saturated to a point that we begin to reflect. This reflection occurs because a space has appeared within our consciousness in between the experiences that had once so enamored us. This space is an awareness of the essential pain, emptiness and fear that we have been trying to fulfill and at the same time run away from. The depth of this space is such that it has an awareness of real depth, as if it has existed for a very long time, and yet there is still an awareness that a solution exists somewhere.

Experiencing inner peace means coming to a real understanding of our pain, emptiness and fear, but we must see with clear eyes what the “self” is before we can hope to be whole and true. Whole healing, peace and the true self are the same peak and any of these paths will lead to these. The reason for this is because when we connect to our true self we perceive through the senses of understanding. Similarly peace occurs when we meet each aspect of our consciousness with understanding and healing in itself is recognition and response which is also understanding. Inner peace is practiced by seeking and exploring each facet of our mind and body and being completely open. Healing is practiced by seeking that which we perceive needs healing and to listen and communicate. Finding the true self is practiced by training the senses and developing focus and concentration. Initially these paths will have distinct signatures. One may seem very disciplined and strict, another may seem open and intuitive and the other still and quiet. Further development tears open the curtains to how we believed the path was meant to go and we are enveloped by new and often contradictory truths.

What is strict and disciplined will need to evolve and change when the purpose of our development changes. To truly explore we must eventually open our minds to new opportunities, this will not occur if we are too rigid and stuck to our path.

The path that is still and quiet must become loud and chaotic if we are too truly find peace, because real peace is found unconditionally and in all things not just in the presence of contrived and created peace.

Open intuition must also know resistance in order to learn how to sustain and direct a path of intention and creation.

The attributes that reflect parts of our consciousness that require understanding, recognition, response and direction are found by connection with our external world and people and observing the connection where it occurs: the physical and mental levels of our mind.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Truth, Unlimited Mind

Practicing Realization ~ Part 3 ~ Awakening Enlightenment Consciousness Through Active Meditation

The experience of realization can be as simple as reading a newspaper and being aware that you are reading the newspaper. This can involve noticing your posture and the way your body turns the pages. It can extend to observing how your mind and emotions react to the news that you read. Moving deeper involves finding dual and contradictory emotions and learning to access them simultaneously, moving back and forth between them, or entering into one so deeply that the other is for the moment seemingly gone. When we are familiar with the flow of consciousness at this level we may seek a deeper or more elusive space and seek it out, entering in, through and expanding into it. All the while we are still fully in the experience of reading the newspaper. Rather than compartmentalizing experiences we are allowing the mind and body to experience multiple layers and levels of consciousness. This is realization.

As long as we compartmentalize various emotional states, feelings and experiences our consciousness sees these states as solid, individual and fairly permanent. By opening up several states within the one we break this illusion, showing ourselves that emotion, feeling and experience is actually occurring on a multiple level of dimensions. The aim of all this is to train consciousness to understand that it does not need to be trapped in any emotion, feeling or experience. It has real and tangible choices.

By choosing a simple exercise such as noticing body sensations, posture or breathing and being aware of them during routine daily life we need to understand their purpose. Without purpose we are simply performing rote exercises and the mind will totally miss the point. Without understanding the purpose and reason integration cannot occur. Without integration there is no empowerment and the experiences will gradually become hollow and meaningless.

Observing the breath is not done simply to observe the breath. This level of understanding will not bring much benefit because how many of us truly wish to live life observing our breath all the time? It’s like speaking but not understanding that speech is a method of communicating with other people! Similarly observing the breath trains the mind to focus and sensitize to a particular frequency and subtlety of energy. Again simply observing this energy may have some benefits such as calming the mind but there is also an opportunity to understand that a language of communication is being developed here. By understanding that this level of observation is a way of listening to the language we open ourselves to the opportunity for communication! There is a big difference between these levels of understanding. While one is simply aware that energy is present, the other is aware that a communication is occurring and because of this awareness is able to create an intention to learn the meaning behind that communication!

Context, understanding, purpose and reason give way to creating real meaning in our experiences. Start with just observing physical sensation. It could be awareness of the tip of your nose. Just be aware of it at times throughout the day and also spend some time really listening and observing its feeling. Notice the various degrees and types of sensations. Explore and move into anyone of these. See what happens when you keep part of your consciousness attuned to these threads during the day. Become familiar with changes and shifts. Listen to the language and find ways to make conversation. Remember the context in which you are practicing and training. Remember why you are practicing – why did you originally start this type of development? How do those reasons fit in with the practices that you are now doing? How can the practices that you are presently doing help teach you within the context of that which you seek?

All these questions lead to the development of solutions that are relevant for our life path.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Realization, Spirit

Practicing Realization ~ Part 2

The first step of practicing realization is always observation. Observation is what allows us to know where we are, and it is only in knowing where we are that we can begin to move. Movement is the essential key for transcending illusion, because through movement of the mind illusion can no longer exist as it was. When the mind becomes aware of that world outside illusion the walls effectively begin to crumble!

Movement begins by focus. It is through focus and concentration that we pull our mind toward a goal and attract that goal toward ourselves. The stronger and more intense our focus the greater our steps toward that goal. The more patient and sustaining our focus the longer we can maintain our journey. Intensity provides depth and patience provides continuity. In the long run patience and persistence by their very nature will bring depth, knowledge and understanding so it is important to develop these abilities even if all others are lacking.

It is important to understand and investigate what movement of the mind is. The truth is that the mind is always moving, however it tends to move within set patterns of thought, emotion and feelings. These patterns are what we know as our personalities and the stronger they are, the more sure we are that we are who we are. The type of movement that we want to develop is one where we are in control. That is to say that the mind does not simply flit back and forth between thoughts and emotions at its own will, but that we are able to directly move and hold it on particular thoughts, feelings, images and sounds as we desire. In the beginning our level of control may well be weak, but through continuous practice all beings are capable of mastery.

In the beginning it is unimportant what methods we use for concentration, but in time if we are to improve we need to assess what it is that our practices are developing in us. For example if we are wishing to develop receptive and sensitive movement and control, we may not gain much from focused and hard breathing exercises. On the other hand if we are seeking to elevate our energy levels we may well choose these. By remaining alert and paying close attention to what and how consciousness is being formed and shape as we practice, we will begin to see the bridges that link any and all meditations. This is essentially what realization is about – finding, crossing and linking spaces, gaps and bridges. This mental and physical development is what allows us to shift from a low energy state to a high energy state or vice versa. It allows us to shift from anger to peace, hatred to love or shame to compassion.

While the ability to shift through emotions is valuable what is of far more worth are the processes and attributes developed by doing so. It’s like training ourselves to ride a bike and in the training finding that not only can we ride, we can fly! Gradually we discover that the faculties and expanded senses that we have developed provide opportunities for knowledge and experiences beyond what we had imagined. Moving into these we find deeper and higher paths of potential. What is being explored and discovered is our own consciousness, and it is the experience and realization of its whole and true nature that brings us empowerment.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Manifestation, Mastery

Recognition and Advanced Manifestation ~ Part 3

Mastery of the skills of manifestation comes through intensive practice and work. We must develop the ability to continuously confront and respond to what is required. This practice must be cultivated until courage, sensitivity and awareness becomes natural.

All masters who have developed the ability to manifest instantly have progressed through the ranks of first expending massive amounts of energy, focus and will in training. The furnace of training involved in this type of practice is what tempers and conditions the consciousness and enables it to move and create. There is no avoiding this if we are to gain these skills. The very fears, doubts, lack of patience and confusion that would prompt us to find an easy route to manifestation are the exact same aspects that will strengthen and develop our consciousness. We need these aspects to develop strength and sensitivity, a type strength and sensitivity that enables us to control our consciousness. This is what manifestation is and requires.

There are types of manifestation that are like puffs of wind and to those of us that can perceive this energy we can see that it is instantly dispersed. There is quite literally not enough energy or effort to hold it in our reality. The type of energy that we need to develop is of the mindset that is resolute and fixed in its determination to achieve its goals. If we have the mindset that we wish to manifest but only if we need not do any real hard work, then this is the exact intention that is expressed and projected. If we have the mindset that we will do whatever is required, that we will find a way and that even if we meet a wall we will climb over or find a way around it – then this is the type of energy and intention that we will manifest. At the mental level this type of consciousness looks for opening and opportunities everywhere. At the physical level the body is prepared and sensitive to respond.

Mastery of manifestation has never been about producing reality effortlessly. This has simply been a byproduct. The aim of manifestation is just that – to manifest exactly what we want, using whatever tools and knowledge we have and can get our hands on. This mindset creates that of an inspired, disciplined and dedicated explorer, on the lookout for new and better ways to do what we do.

It is this mindset that creates effortless power.

By finding ways in which first and foremost we achieve our goals we find better ways to succeed. If we simply seek to find easy ways and forgo making achievement our priority then we will find that what we create are ways of ease but not a lot in the direction of success. Finding ways that lead to our goals provides an opportunity to know and understand the destination. Then we can find paths of lesser resistance and effortless power. The ironic beauty is, that in achieving effortless power we have already transcended the need for it.

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Enlightenment, Mastery, Meditation

Recognition and Advanced Manifestation ~ Part1

Manifestation is the ability to direct our consciousness and intention in a such a way that it affects reality. From the smallest of thoughts and sensations to the largest of experiences and connections, manifestation is the ability to understand the communication of energies at play. It needs to be understood that recognizing these communications of energy and the relationships of cause and effect means more than simply observing. The reason that manifestation has a limited effect for many people is that they do not recognize the communication that is taking place. In the instant that we direct our consciousness and intention there is an effect, this effect begins within our mind and body and creates a response. Listening to this response allows us to understand the cause and effect, that if we use our consciousness in this way then this will happen. Observation alone however allows the opportunity to pass in exactly the same way that it allows us to let go of emotional and energetic blocks. Manifestation is different. With manifestation we are intending to create.

Manifestation requires that we observe the interaction of cause and effect then recognize whether the resulting energies are conducive to our goals or not. If the result is one that is not congruent with our goals then we listen and observe why that is. By communicating within this energetic relationship we come to understand exactly what is needed to effect exact goals and directions we have. Keep in mind that in the beginning manifestation may simply reveal a direction, however the importance of this direction should not be underestimated. Profound changes in life occur because of direction alone, and similarly a lack of direction can lead to a real lack of fulfillment.

Manifestation may require that action is taken at the mental or physical level or both. Recognizing the communication that is occurring when we direct consciousness, understanding what is required then responding to this requirement is what makes manifestation work.

Perhaps the most common obstacle in manifestation is understanding what is required and responding to this requirement. In both instances the ability to recognize allows us to understand and integrate. Recognition is more than observation. It is observation with a purpose to effect a specific direction of consciousness. It may be an understanding that all is going as intended, or it may be an awareness that certain elements need to be altered. In any case once we have recognized we must respond. It is this reciprocation of energy and consciousness that allows that manifestation to take place.

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Mastery, Realization

The Power of Recognition ~ Part 2

The essence of manifesting a life that is meaningful to us is based on a foundation of willingness. It is through sustaining this ability to be willing, to continuously connect with the states of body and mind that will bring us to our destination that ultimately gets us there. The obstacles and challenges that we meet along the way are the different shapes, forms, feelings and sensory experiences of the mind and body. Each of these can and will be transcended by learning to enter into them, take their form and move consciousness through, but at the very first it is willingness that allows us to take any action at all.

Whether through intellectualization , faith, hope or inspiration it is this recognition of something being perhaps worthwhile and meaningful that is the very first step towards any destination. Meaning comes from recognizing the worth of an experience and in recognizing worth we give an experience reason and purpose. The deeper our level of recognition the stronger our willingness for further exploration.

It is important to understand for ourselves the tools that make recognition clear. Without clarity we get glimpses of recognition but may lack the ability to understand the potential. Without clarity we may recognize yet miss the opportunities to work with these opportunities.

Self-discipline is perhaps the most important of the tools. Discipline works whether or not we are inspired or confused, tired or energized, passionate or apathetic. From discipline we can learn to create passion, inspiration, knowledge and wisdom. Discipline needs to be recognized for what it is. It is an engine that will take us where we wish to go, however it needs to be pointed in the right direction. Discipline without a journey of reason and meaning will lead to a life without purpose. The strength of discipline needs to be blended with the softness of reflection, introspection and self-questioning. In this way each step is one of meaning and power.

At the experiential level recognition occurs through sense and feeling. The journey from a surface level of recognition to a deeper level occurs through becoming familiar with the experience of feeling and moving the mind through the various doors, flows and spaces. The development of patience and tolerance is very important here because it is only through tolerance that acceptance can be realized. Being able to keep the mind at any particular place, feeling or emotion for as long as is needed will eventually provide the recognition that is required to move through. There is no getting around this. The only way to truly transcend is to make peace.

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