Tag Archives: mastery

Motivation, Spirit, Unlimited Mind

The Struggle to Awaken – Breaking Free of the Matrix – Part 1

Awakening to spiritual consciousness, realization and self-mastery has always contained within it many potential challenges. Some are fun, some are a real pain in the butt. In the end however the skills developed in learning to move through them are the very skills that we used to move further.

A friend once told me a story: he had taken it upon himself to help a butterfly get out of the cocoon that it seemed to be struggling with. Having a good heart he helped to remove some of the trappings that were keeping the butterfly in. Then he went about his day. It was only a few days later when we related the story that he realized that the very muscles developed when the butterfly broke apart it’s cocoon were the ones which were required to fly. In essence he had killed the butterfly.

A similar thread exist in all struggles. There is always the opportunity to develop our strengths and these strengths allow us to explore higher and vaster realms of ourselves. This article will address several areas that are usually encountered at one stage or another on the path to self-realization.

There is the struggle of moving from the societal collective stream of consciousness, to one of an explorer, branching out to new areas and searching new depths. New paradigms usually go through a process. First there is disbelief, then ridicule, then perhaps reluctant acceptance, and finally it will be accepted as norm. As explorers we are usually exploring aspects outside of the norm, perhaps in the realm of disbelief and ridicule. Moving away from a majority consciousness will often require that we work through a certain amount of energetic and emotional resistance – both from within and without. This new direction can be supported by understanding that regardless of doubt and regardless of confusion a way still exists. The essence of effort is that it is and will find a way given time. Creating a sanctuary both in the physical reality and in our own selves will provide us with the support that we initially need to push out from the collective flow. In time we will develop enough of our own momentum and inner strength to be able to maintain our direction regardless of the flow of the collective stream.

“The greatest sanctuary of all is a disciplined and focused mind.”

There is the struggle of moving from programmed patterns of being into conscious awareness. Patterns of emotion and being have within them a very strong inertia. It is this stream of consciousness that we are meeting when we first make the decision to be aware. Be gentle. Awareness in itself is a powerful step and it is often confronting to observe the inner working of the self.

“Awareness gives us options.”

There is the struggle of moving from consciousness into directing the creation of reality. Awareness alone affects a change but not necessarily the change that we wish. We must understand what we are seeking and direct our consciousness toward the reality that we desire. In a moment of consciousness everything floats for a moment. In this space we can guide our minds to realize that the consciousness we seek exists here and now.

“Energy goes where attention flows. Realize your desires and they will become apparent.”

There is the struggle of doubt. Imagine trying to see the night sky through a brick wall. This is often the experience when we first attempt to connect with new consciousness. In time we may see just one star, but perhaps so faintly that it is easy to dismiss. Doubt can prevent us from ever looking again, however if we continue to look we will eventually realize that there is in fact a brick wall obscuring our vision. With further enquiry we will discover methods to take out bricks, perhaps one by one at first, but eventually many bricks at a time. One day we will gaze unhindered at the full night sky. We will acknowledge that the presence of doubt told no true account of what did indeed lie beyond.

“Argue for your limitations and sure enough you’ll have them.” R. Bach

There is the struggle of pride. The “master’s trap” has always been pride. The more “advanced” we become, the more understanding we gain, the more our ego believes that it is better, “higher” and more worthy of respect and praise. It is a game. The real power of pride comes from knowing that we can bow our heads to the true quest: the quest for realization and self-mastery. The massive trip of false pride gives us the opportunity to find humility, to know that it exists regardless and to be open to learning and growing. In time a glowing and genuine pride is realized, it is one which is honorable to our “highest” self.

“With a beginner’s mind, see things as they are.”

There is the struggle to understanding how to systematically connect with powerful spiritual experiences on a daily basis. Big shifts occur when we have our first powerful spiritual experiences. We often perceive them as dramatic simply because relative to our usual everyday life they are. In time we may wish for our spiritual experience to become the norm, rather than the exception. When we integrate spirit into our everyday life then everyday life becomes spiritual. “Profound” will have different meaning for different people. For some the stillness and silence they receive from simple meditations will be regarded as profound, for others astral projection or meeting their higher self is what is sought. When spirituality becomes truly important in our lives then we will find that not a moment goes by that we do not seek to be aware, observe consciousness and integrate our spiritual practice. We thirst for more and more knowledge, we question, we study and we teach. Then one day we realize that many of the things that we once sought have already happened.

“Before we are seekers mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. When we seek understanding mountains are no longer mountains and rivers are no longer rivers. When we have understanding then mountains are mountains and rivers and rivers.”
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Esoteric Alchemy, Meditation, Realization, Spirit

Principles of Dimensional Shape-Shifting

The mind is the portal through which we can experience all dimensions. This is achieved by training the mind to become the key which is needed to open the doors. Quite literally by shaping our minds in a certain way a shift or realization occurs where we are able to perceive and connect with these dimensions. The value of this is understood when we realize that all mind and body states from emotions to expanded spiritual consciousness are dimensional realities.

An excellent foundation for developing our minds to access dimensions is through the chakras. The chakras are gateways of dimensional energy that the body and mind can easily learn to sense. From this sensory base we learn to move through the illusion that the chakras exists only in a certain location*. By learning to work with the mind in specific exploratory ways we allow it to realize that the chakra can in fact exist anywhere on the body, then extending from this – anywhere at all.

*For locations of chakras please refer to the glossary in the sidebar menu.

We need to understand that a chakra’s location is perceived as existing in specific places simply because the mind and body play into this blueprint. Anywhere on the body and as we will learn later, anywhere at all is a potential chakra or energy gate.

We can for instance feel the energy of the third eye chakra through the middle of our calf or for that matter the dining room table.

Location is an illusion which is dispelled when we teach the mind and body to bridge the gap between what we perceive as separate. In and of itself the experience of oneness is a profound and healing experience. Further advantages of learning how to bridge the gap is that we can connect to any dimension we wish anywhere. This goes for emotional, spiritual, physical, or any energetic dimension. We can use this skill to access knowledge, communicate, dissipate negative emotions, create empowering emotions and enhancing healing faculties.

The initial training of shape-shifting teaches us to bridge the gap between objects. It allows us to experience the unity between things and shatters the illusion of separateness. The practice described here of listening to chakra consciousness then moves us into the realm of communication and inter-dimensional awareness.

Begin with this exercise:

Closing your eyes allow yourself to become aware of the area between your eye brows.

Feel for an energy that exists here in this location.

If you cannot feel it then imagine what it might feel like.

Send your imagination out to listen for anything which might be there.

Any thoughts, sights, sounds, distractions – simply let them be. Let them be as they are.

Allow your focus to be placed only on this location and anything which flows from this location.

Allow all else to be like the water surrounding a gemstone. The water exists but we are focused on the gemstone.

Do not be concerned with whether you are focused properly, whether the exercise is working for you or not. By applying your mind in this way, know that it is finding it’s way.

These descriptions are in fact more than the exercise needs to be. Once you have realized the feeling, all descriptions become extraneous. In the beginning however we need these in order to satisfy our minds that we are doing it right. In truth by simply looking and exploring in this area regularly we will begin to see.

It is important to note that apart from the healing and regulating nature of the chakras, that their energy is also a wisdom of their own. It is one thing to control the energy with our minds – it is another to allow the chakras to express and show their own dimensions to us. It is the difference between telling the chakra what we want and listening to what it is.

This is first allowed to happen by attuning our minds to the energy of the chakra. We can then begin to move into it’s dimension – or rather the two dimensions begin to coordinate together. The mind becomes the focal point where this is able to occur.

There is an important skill that is developed here. By giving permission to others to be all that they can be – we are able to realize their power too. When we believe that we know what is best for others and try to control their path we are unable to be fully open to all that they are. There is a perception that we are right and they are wrong. That we know what is best and they do not. A chakra has an essence as much as a human being has an essence and the same principle applies. In fact the same principle applies for love, happiness, enlightenment, peace, joy and so on.

There is a wisdom and intelligence that can only be realized when we allow the universe to “come as it is.”

Without the filter of our expectation, our control and conditions, we are able to experience what these essences actually mean. As long as we place conditions all we truly hear and feel are our perceptions of truth – a far cry from truth itself.

Through listening and learning to “walk in the shoes” of the chakra’s energy, we are able to understand it’s message – then our coordination with it becomes deeply profound and powerful.

As a race human kind has a tendency to use resources whatever these may be without listening and asking. This goes for the earth, this goes for people, this goes for energy. Even in meditation we try to “control this”, “do that” and “make this happen”. It is part of our evolution that we seek to make ourselves “better” – but sometimes better experiences only come through first listening to the knowledge and wisdom that is already before us.

When we seek happiness and empowerment only in what is to come, we take away the opportunity to find it here and now.

Through listening comes understanding, through understanding comes unity. This is where the gap is bridged.

It is ironic that in our attempts to control others we lose the essence of the very power that we are seeking. In allowing ourselves to connect to them as they are – and learning to open ourselves we realize power.

The level of dimensional mind discussed here is sometimes regarded as more difficult to grasp than the usual chakra or energy work – but in fact it is more simple. It is just that we have created complex barriers in the mind. In truth young children would understand this principle in experience if not in words easier than many of us – but therein lies the method and simplicity.

Observe the areas of the mind that would resist. Observe the areas of the mind that are able to imagine possibilities. The imaginative areas are like flowing water. The resistant areas are like dams. We learn to move the flow into the areas that we wish to explore. Leave the resistance to be as it is.

Work with observing all the chakras. Explore the difference between placing your mind at the chakra and allowing it to come to you. Recognize that it is a communication between you and the energy. Play with it. Spending time with your chakras is like spending time with a child – have fun, observe. Build the trust between yourself and the chakra. Communication can only deepen with trust.

Remember that the imagination is the area of the brain that is able to stretch and this is what we are truly developing here. We are expanding and stretching our minds. In time we will want to begin moving and connecting to energies which are far beyond what we currently imagine. Each step grounds us for the next step and allows us greater insight into what is possible.

Expanded consciousness occurs one step at a time.

Keep finding ways to explore the energy of the chakra’s. Then see if you can find this energy at different areas of your body. Explore how far you can move into the dimension of the chakra. Move in so deeply that you become the chakra looking back at yourself. Work with realizing the energy of chakras existing in external objects.

Some of these may feel like a stretch – and that’s how they are meant to feel.

Remember that we are developing a communication. Communication bridges the gap. It is to listen as well as express. To be sensitive to what the connection would like. Through communication we then gain understanding, and through understanding we realize power.

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Mastery, Meditation

The Beauty of Meditation

Meditation to me simply means the practice of developing the mind. The goals of practice can literally relate to anything, after all how many things are there in life where our mind isn’t present in one form or another? Generally the better we are at coordinating our mind the better results we get from experiences in life. To me that’s the beauty of meditation. I put everything aside for a while and prioritize the aspects of me that I want to develop. It makes integrating personal development principles into daily life a lot easier than trying to do it on the fly.

The focus can be literally anything from healing, spiritual consciousness, mind/body connection, enhanced learning, calming down, energizing up, vision quests, developing the personality, relationships, affinity with the earth, emotional mastery, alchemy, manifestation, music, martial arts, golf – you name it.

Meditation is like training for the big game – the big game in this case being life. I do what I can to break down the myths that meditation has to be done a certain way because I believe that this type of mentality will make some people turn away from developing a skill that in truth is not exclusive to dogma or sectarianism. Meditation is a means to develop the mind – pure and simple. If anyone believes that meditation should only be used for certain purposes they have a right to have this belief – but it doesn’t mean that they are right and it doesn’t mean that anyone else has to abide by this belief.

Meditation is development of the our minds. Let us decide for ourselves what direction we wish to take our own development.

If we keep this in mind then meditation will be inclusive of everyone – not exclusive. It can be used by children to go on grand adventures into outer space, it can be used by students to manifest acing their exams, it can be used by musicians to connect to the genius of Mozart, it can be used by spiritualists to connect to the consciousness of God and the universe.

At the same time when we encourage meditation to be used in this way we begin to embrace the uniqueness of everyone. We are saying that your path is alright too. I’m not the only chosen one. It opens up a courageous heart when we can accept ourselves and our unique individuality regardless of what everyone else is doing. It is in direct opposition to needing to make our path more right, putting ourselves on a pedestal and ragging on other people for doing it “all wrong.” This just affirms our fears and insecurity.

In any case meditation like cooking, will turn out in many forms. Sometimes it tastes like something the cat dragged in, at other times it’s like heaven on earth. What it’s really reflecting is our mind in all it’s creative forms. There’s some stuff we’re good at, some stuff we’re crap at and some stuff that we really don’t have a clue what’s going on with. At the end of the day though it’s a discovery of ourselves no matter how we put it. Sure discovery is something that we get in life regardless – but giving that time, making creative, mental, exploratory expression and practice a priority even for 5 minutes a day, begins to pay dividends big time in the long run.

It’s a conscious and directed work out of the mind. Eventually the split between the work we do in meditation and our every day life becomes seamless. The mind just clicks that this is the way we want things to go – and while I love a good fight and struggle every now and then – there’s nothing like knowing that when I want to go with the flow and make life easy I’ve got a good friend backing me up.

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Glossary

Flow

Flow is the ability to accept on all levels of being the experiences that we are having. This means the experiences of the physical world, the experiences of the emotional and mental worlds and the experiences of the subconscious and unconscious. When we are able to embrace and move with everything that we touch and experience then we are fully in flow. It needs to be remembered however that flow also entails going with the flow of our own desires and needs. Sometimes our own desires will conflict with another person’s desires. The realization of flow within this conflict signifies an expanded level of consciousness and the ability to go our own way while managing conflict, which is a very real part of this world.

Life Purpose, Mastery

How to Realize Life Purpose

At it’s heart Life Purpose is about feeling. We are seeking to find that which gives us the feeling of meaning, reason and purpose. This is the reason why two people can duplicate the same external experiences and yet not attain the same inner experience. We must look within for what truly resonates with us as purpose. We must begin with listening to what makes us as individuals feel purposeful.

It begins with knowing desire.

By listening to what it is that we desire we will find our purpose. This is what something as seemingly simple as a wish list is. A wish list is asking ourselves – what do I want? What do I desire? Then simply writing it all down. Allowing it all to come out, the “good”, the “bad” and the “ugly.” It is listening to what we desire as opposed to telling ourselves what we should desire. This is what allows us to truly know ourselves – and what allows us to know our life purpose which is of course a part of ourselves.

The written word is perhaps one of the quickest and easiest ways of manifesting our expression of desire into the physical world. In mere moments of the desire being acknowledged it is there before our eyes. It is not enough particularly in the beginning to simply connect mentally to our desires and wishes – they can be fast and fleeting – in short forgotten and overlooked. Writing them down and seeing them in physical form makes our conscious mind acknowledge them.

The power of this expression is that it allows us to know – and knowledge is the whole point here.

Connecting to our life purpose is difficult only when we do not know what we desire. Know what we desire and life purpose becomes easy.

Begin writing a wish list – keep it safe, keep it private.

Keep updating and adding to it and see and review what you have after a week, a month and a year. Once we get started it can seem like we have an infinite supply of dreams, wishes and desires – and only through experience and practice can we learn to recognize the ones that are just fleeting and the ones which deeply connect to our purpose.

Remember it is not about saying “no to those desires and wishes that seem too ridiculous or too childish or wrong. It is about connecting to the emotion of desire and purpose in whatever form it may appear. As we learn to connect to the feeling of desire our consciousness will begin to reveal our life purpose.

For most people the main obstacle to starting a wish list will be the belief that it is a ridiculous thing to do. Do it anyway. The results will be found in the experience of it.

Wishes can be anything – just as desire can be anything. Some examples that I’ve heard are:

being really really funny; creating an empire; for the phones to stop ringing for 5 minutes; telling people what to do; learning how to paint; inner peace; world peace; becoming an astronaut; seeing the pyramids; going for a walk on the beach; unlimited wealth; respect; a day off work; true love; knowing absolute happiness; eating chocolate all day;

Just to name a few!

Remember that what is important is not to judge whether this energy, desire or wish is wrong or right – but to simply acknowledge that it is desire. Observe and enjoy the feeling that desire awakens in you.

All the wishes that we express have within them a link to deeper and emotional purpose. If we enjoy telling people what to do perhaps we would make a good director, a project manager or personal development coach. If we wanted to be really funny we could set a goal to tell at least 1o new jokes a day, start noticing the funny side of life or practice laughing! Nasa may or may not accept us becoming an astronaut, but in any case knowing that we are interested in space travel could lead us to writing science fiction, taking up classes in creative visualization or building life size model space ships!

If our wish is to be truly happy we may perceive many of our other wishes and desires to be “superficial” or “frivolous.” The thing is if it is true happiness that we seek, then perhaps we need to consider that the reason we have not found it, is because we have closed ourselves to the echoes of the very thing that we seek. The trick is to learn to recognize it wherever and whenever it appears. When we begin to define when it is appropriate to feel happy and when it is not then we shut ourselves to the experience and reality of it. All our wishes and desires echo and reflect our connection with happiness in some way. Understanding all that we desire is the key to connecting with the deeper and greater well of purpose and life’s desire that dwells within.

How often do we get the opportunity to express our wishes and desires? How often does someone ask us “what do you want out of life?” When we take the opportunity for ourselves then we wait for no one. Take the time right now – open a notepad and right down at least 5 wishes. Write 500 if you wish. Keep adding to it.

As soon as you begin you start a process in your consciousness whereby you are taking action to discover your life’s desire and purpose. Continue and sustain this process and you will eventually come to full understanding. This is the nature of experience.

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Ascension, Enlightenment, Mastery, Unlimited Mind

Way of the Shape Shifter – The Secrets of the Shamans

The power in practicing shape shifting is in training our minds to become more than what they believe they can be. The object of shifting is not so important as much as the experiences learned from the shifting.

For example, to imagine and feel that we are a dog we need to let go of certain attachments. We need to expand and focus our imagination. We need to stretch our mind to areas it is unfamiliar with. We contend with feelings of ridiculousness, feelings of doubt. In the face of these resistances we have the opportunity to train and strengthen our visualization and focus and ability to flow.

Beginners on the spiritual path often say that they want to connect to spirit but don’t know where to start – the way seems to elude them. Why not then start with what eludes us? Shape shifting directs our mind to become what it has trouble fathoming. It is the same with spirit.

There is always something more. The conscious mind believes it has seen it all – it becomes complacent then asks why meaning is lacking or why the answers don’t add up. Stretching the mind is the way to keep the mind growing.

Emotions and feelings are what make us who we are. Our decisions come from the desire to fulfill these emotions and feelings.

All these attachments are like various shapes – they come through us and in order to move through we must make ourselves into the appropriate shape or form – then they can move through.
Remember what mind mastery is. It is the ability to move the mind, stop the mind, focus the mind and imagine. What does shape-shifting teach us? It teaches us these very things.

A mind that has stopped does not believe that it can move beyond what it believes “reality” to be. Shape shifting shows the mind that concentrated imagination can surpass what we believe reality is.

Most people have never tried shape shifting before. The very idea seems ludicrous. A perfect training ground for developing mastery. If we do not learn to move beyond the voices of doubt and ridicule within, then we will never master ourselves. Learn to move past the inner doubt and external world critics will have no power over you either.

The power of shape-shifting comes from learning the principles behind how to become many forms. When we understand the principle, we realize that the form itself is not important and we become formless. Each shape we shift into teaches us to let go of who we currently believe ourselves to be and become something that we have always believed we are not. We train to make the impossible possible.

The exact same principles are used in mastering emotions. We become fixed in emotions because we believe that this is all that is possible. When we understand how to stretch what is possible our belief is changed. It is the same with anything that we believe we can’t do – but once we’ve done it again and again then we know without a doubt that we can.

It is all mind.

Work with this exercise:

Pick an object – any object at all.

Focus on it and imagine yourself becoming it.

Feel how you imagine it feels.

“See” how you imagine it would “see”.

“Hear” how you imagine it would “hear.”

If this is the first time you have done it and this exercise eludes you then this is a good sign! It shows that your mind is striving to comprehend something that it presently cannot – it means you are stretching it. Simply keep going with the exercise. Let your doubts be as they are and just focus on the object. Allow the main bulk of your mind as much as possible to be on the object. What ever your level is with this exercise – it is working. Your imagination is being activated, your focus is being exercised – your mind is learning to move.

Observe the object with all your senses.

What is it’s texture?

How does it’s structure feel?

Move your mind into it. Feel the depth and density of it.

Feel and observe the detail of it.

Observe any images, any impressions that you feel or see. Acknowledge them and continue to observe the object.

Become one with it.

Allow yourself to surrender to the merging.

The more regularly you practice this the easier it will become. Remember that what is important is not your doubts about the exercise but whether you continue to focus and imagine anyway.

We can practice shape shifting anywhere. On the train, bus, sitting at home. I’d suggest not doing it while driving a car – states of consciousness can shift rapidly and dramatically with this technique.

Be creative. Practice with people, inanimate objects, tangible and intangible. It’s about training our mind to realize that it is more than it currently believes. This realization increases our ability to act, to create and manifest in spite of doubts and insecurities.

If you have wondered why certain avenues, opportunities or mind states seemed unavailable to you, the practice of shape shifting will open your eyes and mind to understanding why and furthermore allow you to achieve these things.

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