Category Archives: Spirit

Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Meditation, Spirit, Unlimited Mind

Spiritual 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, Mastery, Realization, Spirit, Unlimited Mind

The Spiral Path – Unlocking the Mysteries of our Karma and Past Lives

Becoming masters of our own spiritual destiny requires just that – that we be masters. This means moving our consciousness more and more in the direction of listening to our own inner voice, developing our psychic senses, knowledge and wisdom – all the faculties that provide us with the ability to make our own choices. It’s about being responsible for our own choices, progress, knowledge and intuiting. It means being in control of seeking.

It’s important to differentiate between learning and acknowledging teachers and placing all our faith in teachers and outside knowledge. It needs to be remembered that all beings have their own path and even when this path is one of teaching and sharing knowledge, it is expressed in a particular way that is specific to that being’s own journey. Tools and techniques can be given and knowledge can be imparted on how to integrate information, however the feeling of it must be done and experienced ourselves. Furthermore it is the actual process of learning to trust our own power and wisdom that opens the way for communication and a relationship with our true self. During this process we develop the ability to listen and speak, mutual trust born from learning to give and take and understanding and respect.

For a “teacher” to transcend their own ego’s need for adoration from students they must recognize that a “student” is only passing through. In this the teacher gains the opportunity to confront their own ego at the juncture where it is most powerful and in moving through the illusion of this power they find real empowerment.

At the same time as the student learns that no teacher or being can bring them liberation if they do not take the steps themselves, the teacher is also learning that no student or being can bring them power if they do not realize this power themselves. This journey of learning is a weaving and twisting, shape shifting movement of mind, body and spirit that at its depths reveals the true teacher which is always within ourselves. In looking for the lessons in every moment and place we follow the leads, the flows and spaces and find this inner teacher. For a time consciousness makes sense. Then it is lost as a new expansion occurs and the grasping mind recognizes that the unknown has met what was for a time familiar. Stretching the mind once again we come to know the unknown intimately and once again there is integration. This weave of chaos becoming order then back again is a gift that allows us to understand the real essence of integration, unity and connectedness. The journey at times may seem infinite, but realization occurs to the one taking the journey, not the journey itself. As our consciousness learns to see itself, it begins to understand that each step has removed a thread of division that separates perception from truth. The journey has come full circle.

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Spirit, Truth

The Cost of Spirituality – Simone Simpson (13 Year Old Apprentice)

A healer that I knew was once was asked a question about money and spirituality that went something like this: “How can you, a spiritual healer charge money for spiritual healing?”

The healer replied: “Because my creditors still charge me even though I’m a spiritual healer!”

This notion that spirituality and money should not mix has been an odd one. Spiritual people and teachers still eat, they often live in houses, pay bills and live in the world – and the last time I checked these things cost money.

So why do some people believe that spirituality and money should not mix?

Now let’s see…the church is not poor, so it can’t be as a result of one of the leading religious groups setting the example.

Perhaps it is because these people believe that spirituality is not important enough…but if this was the case then why would they care at all?

It could be the opposite…it could be that spirituality is too important and so it becomes priceless…but being undercharged would hardly be a reason for complaint so that doesn’t make sense either.

This is something that I’ve had trouble understanding ever since I began studying the healing and spiritual arts. My only conclusion is that many people still believe that money is wrong or evil and so it shouldn’t be associated with spirituality. But once again this begs the question: “How are healers and spiritual teachers supposed to eat and live?”

When friends found out that I needed to pay for my spiritual learning a few exclaimed indignantly: “But if your teachers are truly spiritual then they wouldn’t be charging you!!”

When I asked them “Why?” no one could come up with an explanation other than: “Well true spiritual people aren’t interested in money.”

It gets more and more intriguing.

I pointed out: “Money is a means to create opportunities. Some of those opportunities include things like eating, having shelter and paying the bills. So why wouldn’t true spiritual people be interested in those things?”

Blank stares.

So I continued: “We pay pretty much everyone else a wage, actors get paid enormous amounts to make movies that are not so important to us…so why do you think that spiritual people should starve?”

More blank stares as my friends began to look at me a bit weird.

To this day I still can’t understand this mentality…I mean if people weren’t allowed to receive money for spiritual healings and teachings then this would mean that they would need to get work doing something non-spiritual. Which would mean that they spent a lot less time doing spiritual work and practice, which would mean that they may well know less about spiritual matters and would probably have less time to teach also – which would end up meaning that their overall spiritual contribution to the world could quite possibly be a lot less!
How can this be a good thing?

Beats me!

Simone Simpson