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For those who see life as a Mystical AdventureArchive for Meditation Focus
Daily Meditation Focus 12NOV2009
Humility
In an age of materialism 
and supercharged egos, the notion of humility may be quickly discarded or dismissed. While it is true that most continue to learn, evolve and expand throughout life, many attribute acquired knowledge and experience to conquest or equate material possession as power and discard humility in the face of their fellow humanity.
I must admit, I struggle daily with the internalization of humility. For those on the path, certain truths are imparted and states of mind expand to reveal higher principles and orders at work in the space we inhabit. There are times when I quite frankly want to grab the people around me by their consciousness and say “can’t you see that?”, but of course the typical response is for them to nod their heads aloofly and stare into the closest advertisement or television and comment on the latest artificial intelligence enabled smoothie maker or $1200 Christian Louboutin shoes.
Humility comes into play heavily when we begin to see the relationships of consciousness to the hierarchies of existence. We all exist as extensions of each other and to the higher realms of consciousness. In seeing others as reflections of ourselves we begin to see how the ‘inner’ profoundly effects the ‘outer’, which is largely illusory. To be the consummate student, to learn and ‘see’ how service to others reflects certain higher compassions and assists the higher nature of our ‘selves’ is to internalize humility. The way ‘out’ or ‘up’, is to embrace the illusion, learn from it and love it.
Just as we can not see radio waves or gamma rays, there are conscious realms that do exist which we can not, in this current state, access. They exist above and below and for the most part, are ascended aspects of our evolved consciousness in, for lack of a better term, our futures. To believe we are completed or ‘finished’ in this fallen realm of matter is to place ourselves above what have been called the ‘better angels of our nature’. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the relationship of humility to meditation and how do we assist ourselves and those around us by internalizing humility?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Exile and Exodus
It wasn’t until just today that I really meditated on this concept and now here it is, gathered around me like a weird shadowy cloud, spinning slowly within the large space I sit in, confronting me with ghosts of past battles, urging me on to send these words to the ether.
When a person of clarity, or sound judgement, strength of being or just plain will of mind threatens the status quo or the cushy and tranquil lies of illusion of those around them, something happens. A quiet, assuredly not spoken consensus to quietly close doors, harden hearts once glowing with friendship or approval and the slow extension of imaginary arms begin to silently keep the beast at bay.
For a person it is exile… Exit..I Leave… or better yet, go and be gone. For a mass of people with garnered and conjoined aims, it become Exodus… the Exit of Us…screw it, we’re out of here and best of luck.
I was watching this documentary recently about the Holy Grail bloodline or something along those seemingly occulted lines, I don’t seriously pay attention to the mash of shit they call documentaries today, but I remember this guy talking about the temporal line of esoteric knowledge passed down…that Underground Stream of wisdom and how at any given point, in any geographical place, a person can see and comprehend the truths, flowing like a weird X-ray that worms its way through everything in its path and that person can make a stand in their place on the Path and reach upwards. This vertical, blinding column of awareness can occur at any time, at any place and as can be expected…it pisses everyone off around them. The transcendence of a person or group causes everyone and everything around them to stop and ultimately, look inside of themselves. It need not be spiritual, although I can see how phenomenal talent, or the will to do the right thing could be the onset of loftier attainment, far down that lonely, lightning ridden desert of minds and experiences future.
To have to face your inner world, with all of its sick and shattered patchworks of the foundation of ego, can be unforgiving. Worse yet, it causes the ripples in the waters of quaint, formal and adolescent cultural contrivances that people grip exhaustively to sustain some remnant of an experienced pinnacle of acceptance, that has long since evaporated. Enough of these ripples eventually become monstrous, twisted and fanged looming waves that seem to stack up in the cold and violent seas of the uninitiated mind.
It is not hard to see why people exile a peer or why a group can commit to exodus from the populace they inhabit. People and groups build inner monuments to their spectacular glory and ‘awesomeness’ and need, not just want, but need to be reinforced by other hand raised salutes of illusory victory of those around them. Ironically, the ones typically exiled were never competing or challenged by them in the first place. They simply wanted to be ‘there’, co-creating and sharing experiences along side them in the great adventure we call life.
It must suck to be afraid of ones own shadow and not have the awareness of its source.
Daily Meditation Focus 18SEP2009
The Role of Thought – “Thinking for Yourself”
I have no idea how many times I’ve heard that saying, “Think for Yourself”. We all have. It actually wasn’t until much later in life, that I began to understand that adage.
Just this morning, I got a call from a good friend of mine in California. He wanted some advice on handling a somewhat political issue, as a result of dealing with some interesting people problems. We spoke for a while and it became clear that the issues he was discussing are all too common in business and corporations, even families and churches, any assembled group of humans really. When the normal daily routine is disturbed for a continuing amount of time, people will create drama, they will go to the point of actually creating conflict where there is none (in some cases, people do this when everything is fine as well). Rumor get manufactured, cliques get established and mob mentality settles in. At this point, people are not thinking for themselves.
We go through life, dependent on others for information. We have limited senses and our bodies can not function very well in modern society without guidance. When we are very young, we are quite literally dependent on those around us for everything. As we get older, we learn to do things for ourselves, but amazingly, many continue to rely on others for thought. I am astonished by the volume of quotes, rehashed newspaper or television commentary I hear daily by those around me. In many cases, the people regurgitating the information to me think they have the thought that they are conveying to me, even though I know, it came from someone else.
There are certain truths on this plane which need to be experienced to be thoroughly understood. They are important ones too, and in order to get to the point where one starts to become aware of them , it is necessary for one to think for themself. Jed McKenna has a great quote which is very apropos here: “Think for yourself and figure out what’s true. That’s it. Ask yourself what’s true, until you know”.
The esoteric orders, the Mystery Schools, to some point, even some of the mainstream religions, have at their core, great teachings which help one to move forward with tools and knowledge to allow themselves to functionally think for themselves. This is about our own journey, our personal adventure here and now. When we take someone else’s adventure and internalize it and try to make it our own, we experience conflict, we get the schizophrenic state that so many succumb to in this age. Our own stories are what are important and our own experience is what we learn from best.
By accepting another persons truth we limit our selves. By accepting dogmatic teachings and authoritative notions from government, or religion, a boss, a person of status or someone you admire, you degrade our own worth and devalue the experiences in your life. Be yourself and think for yourself and the world will reward you with riches and wonder and you will experience an amazing life. I usually end these with some text in blue and a thought for the day.. today, I’d just like you to think..for yourself. =)
Your experience is the truth.
Daily Meditation Focus 17SEP2009
Balance and Harmony
We live in a world of excess and increasing demand for our personal resources. There is no doubt that our present cultural environment in the West gives rise to illness, neurological disorders and emotional strife.
Many seek to find solace and well being through the collecting of material possessions, a partner in a relationship, a pet or job title, but these additions to ones external life neither balance, nor give lasting results within. Our well-being and inner peace are not determined by exterior forces..we know this by now (man, I hope so). While there are many aspects to inner peace and a healthy life, we will focus on a few simple aspects in this short piece today.
Sometimes the smallest actions can bring about large gains in ones life, if a person just stops to think. Getting proper rest once in a while, or eating a balanced diet can have significant results in a short period of time. If we move to bring the needs of the body into balance, the reflection in the mind will be impacting. I know..the body exists in the mind, but not everyone has expanded to the point of “knowing” that, and until they do, there is no need to make the journey more difficult for oneself.
Taking time to breathe properly or spending time outside in a natural environment will provide great benefit to the mind and the body. As one begins to see the connection between body and mind, the concept of “harmony” becomes internalized and understood. Balance and Harmony are key principles in Universal laws..the underlying stuff of the world around us.. the operation of the physical world. Not surprisingly, they are key principles in the operation of ourselves too. I find that more times than not, others will take notice when someone around them breaks from the norm and internalizes some aspect of their life that brings balance or harmony to them in some way. We see the value intuitively, even though we may not be following the principle ourselves. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the relationship of balance and harmony to meditation and how do we assist others with these principles of life?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 16SEP2009
Unity and Separation
We all have our relationships in life that play out in various ways. Our bankers handle our funds, dentists clean and repair our teeth, family members and friends support our well being etc. In the western world we live in a mode of separation.. church and state, employer and employee, science and spirituality. As the scientific method and industry evolved into what they are today, the notions of compartmentalization and reductionism began to infiltrate our way of thought. In a sense, these divisionary concepts are our models of how we view the world around us, when the fundamental truth is quite opposite.
While our social structure has been hierarchical for some time, our mode of thought has not. When we see ourselves as separate from everything and everyone around us, we limit ourselves greatly and perpetuate a constant internal state of conflict. Although there are times when we want to reach out, to express ourselves and really connect with others, we often times don’t because of these constructed divisions. We create excuses (illusions)…that person is too ______ or I am not _______ enough. Where exactly do you think these thoughts are coming from?
As one begins to see the similarities, the patterns, principles and universal laws that exist in the world around us, it starts to become clear that everything is related. Shared existence is intrinsic to the entire fabric of reality..not separation. As Above, so Below.. or as Within, so Without. Things in the world are not separate.. we perceive them to be, so it appears to us as that they are. This is a very simple concept yet is causes a life of anguish and suffering for so very many people. Separation is the child of ego and while you and I seem worlds apart, we are not. We are limited and separated by our egos, not by our true selves. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the relationship of unity to meditation and how do we overcome separation at all levels?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what roles do the standing temples and pyramids, left by the ancients, play in our present day Mystery Schools and what lessons are to be learned from them?Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 15SEP2009
Temples and Pyramids 
Throughout the world, remnants and ruins of previous cultures and epochs have become destinations for travelers and sight-seerers since they were constructed. In modern times, these architectural structures are seen in more of a historical light and few who gaze upon these temples and structures see the care or thought, the underlying meaning or teaching left by that earlier man. They see instead, a photo-op or a physical representation of a picture they have kept in their head. People move about these living monuments, waiting for the tour to be over, so they can buy a shirt or book and then stop off at some welcoming establishment for their next Mai-Tai or beer.
Going back to a piece I wrote in this blog a few days ago, I referenced a trip to Washington D.C., taken by a Freemason (Symbol – Part III). In that experience, the prepared Mason can see the wondrous imagery in his mind, brought to life by the symbols carved, graved and sculpted by other Masons from the past. Even though it may be decades, centuries or even millennia later, the message is clear to those who can see.
The Great Pyramid stands now as it has stood for thousands of years. People visit it, climb it and photograph it without giving much thought to the work except how it was built. In the Egyptian Book of the Dead (Book of the Coming Forth of Day; Book of What is in the Duat), the Great Pyramid was known as the Temple of Amun/Amen which means the Secret House of the Hidden One. The word Pyramid comes from the Greek “pyra”, meaning Fire or Light and “midos”, meaning Measure…purimmiddoh, or “Light-Measures” (Fire in the Middle). The length of each side of the Great Pyramid is 9,131 Pyramid inches or Polar inches in length. If you add the sides’ lengths, you get 36,524 Polar Inches. Adding the standard 2/10 of an inch for measurement error, you have 36,524.2, or 100 times the length of each year: 365.242 days. As we look further we find that the height of the Great Pyramid is equal to radius of the circle of solar cycle. The deeper aspect to this geometrical construct, is that in order to properly calculate the verified Pyramid Inch, the Pyramid builders would have had to have known the exact diameter of the Earth. As you can see, there is often more thought put into these ancient works, than is usually seen with the eye.
It may be that time has erased our references to those builders and the messages they left in the great temples and pyramids, or it may be that we, in our present state, may be too absorbed in self, in the material world, to see those things left to us from the past, in spirit and in mind. The notion that previous cultures translate as ‘primitive’ or unenlightened, may be incorrect. The fact may be that the ability to transcend; to comprehend and internalize the outer world, may have not only been present in previous cultures, but that previous epochs of man may have been well beyond the current range of comprehension as we know it now. As Obi-Wan (or maybe George Lucas) said, “Your focus determines your reality’. If one were to focus outwards just a bit and open their minds to new possibilities, instead of relying on what they “know”, they may find reality to be something much different than they knew it to be. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what roles do the standing temples and pyramids, left by the ancients, play in our present day Mystery Schools and what lessons are to be learned from them?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 14SEP2009
Acceptance
We interact with many people in the course of a day or week and see the many roles and actions associated with those around us.. people working, shopping, playing, crying, praying or just enjoying time on a park bench.
We experience life more fully, not by our actions but through our perceptions of what we are experiencing. I’ve seen the quote: We are not humans doing, we are humans being”. While that may be humorous or simply amusing, there is great truth in it.
We experience suffering when we create conflict between the world out “there” and what we experience internally. We exist here to experience life… from the slightest breeze to the most violent earthquakes. Instead of just accepting the experience we sometimes bring the outside, “inside” and we begin to craft a story about ourselves, which is totally imagined..always. Did you catch that? Apparently not…and that’s the point. Instead of partaking in the moments and allowing the message and wisdom that abounds in every act of nature, to teach and enlighten us, we were busily engrossed in creating our own illusory storyline.
We create an illusion to satisfy the ego even though it does nothing for us. As we invest energy in these illusory connections, these attachments, we diminish our power and create another anchor that will need to be hoisted later. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, how does acceptance relate to compassion and why do our attachments degrade our interpersonal relationships?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 13SEP2009
Procrastination and Distraction
Today, we will shift gears a bit regarding our focus topic. Many years ago, when I first began actively researching and studying metaphysical and occult texts, I focused on the classic tomes, penned prior to the 20th century. A few of the earliest compendiums added to my later, burgeoning collection were The Grimoire of Pope Honorious, Demonographia, Malleus Maleficarum and De Plancy’s classic, Dictionaire Infernal. A more common foray to the Path, than some may think.
As my private studies and later, more formal instruction, led me to to see parallels between the classic view of demonology and modern psychological theories, I took the next step and become quite interested in the relationships of esoteric allegory to aspects of evolving consciousness. Much more recently, I had a great conversation with my mentor of 20+ years, who mentioned in passing, that he now only identifies two demons: procrastination and distraction. I chuckled and nodded at first and then actually thought about it.
While character flaws, vices and the like plague many people, regardless of spiritual alignment, these two ego-driven aspects of consciousness can prove formidable opponents in any situation, at any step along the path. I speak of this not in terms of simple hinderances in obtaining the awareness of certain fundamental truths regarding the natures of reality and our present consciousness, but also in regards to preparations for Transition. I’ve heard it said several times over the years, that once a person is on the Path, the only obstacle that prevents them completing the Great Work in that lifetime, is themselves. In that respect, these two constructs of ego accomplish their jobs quite well. Anyone reading this text, as published, understands the draw of the Internet and now, people can tweet, blog, shop and amuse themselves with a growing array of digital delicacies that will not likely slow soon.
Since beginning our ongoing adventure within this blog, we have covered a broad range of topics and concepts, and while it is one thing to experience and internalize them during our meditation sessions, it is quite another to maintain a focussed state of mind, depth of consciousness and overall awareness during the rest of our active daily lives. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what roles do procrastination and distraction play in aiding our progress on the path?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 12SEP2009
The Role of Silence
– “Silence is Golden”
We’ve all heard the saying: Silence is Golden (Speech is Silver) but not many think about that age old axiom. Meditation has been called the “creation in the silence” by many and references to isolation and the removal of exterior influences abound in the meditation texts for over 4,000 years. While the esoteric references to the subject of gold are too numerous to mention in this brief text, a few dovetail nicely for our needs today. We will look at some additional background information pertaining to some intriguing aspects of a few of these references as well.
The first and most widely referenced allegorical golden symbol is the sun, our provider, nourisher and catalyst for creation on Earth. Its constant energetic action is reflected in the mind’s constant awareness, even in sleep and the seemingly never ending internal chatter of thought. We’ve recently touched upon the symbol of the sun as it relates to the chakra system(See Daily Focus Meditation from 9SEP2009). Although seldom documented, the chakra system is closely tied to the endocrine system. Each chakra corresponds to a gland in the body. NOTE: If there is enough interest, I will explore these
relationships in detail at a future time. Additionally, each gland has an affinity or pairing with a specific noble metal, in this case the pineal gland has correspondence with gold as a physical analogue to the esoteric evolution and perfection of consciousness; both the Philosopher’s Stone of the Middle Ages. As you begin to understand sacred sciences and the unified teaching of Pharaonic Egypt, you will see how our differentiated sciences were once an integrated set of teachings. In short, there are relationships between mathematics, chemistry, music, physics and other disciplines which are not expressed in the modern scientific models for various reasons. Concepts such as shared resonance and harmonic proportion, in this instance there are analogous tendencies in say, the orbitals and vibrational harmonics of the gold atom which correspond to the composition, function, vibrational nature and structure of the pineal gland in a mutually beneficial way. These interactions can effect the spin or state of the gold atoms and conversely, the activity of the pineal gland, which relates to the third eye (see series on Symbol) or mind’s eye (6th chakra); a key component in the meditation act. The fact that the practice of alchemy concerns the transmutation of base elements into gold (see today’s Book Review) is another well known association to this metal that most alive today are aware of. We now have a very basic connection between gold and silence, in the context of meditation and alchemy.
It is in the silence or stillness that one is brought face to face with their own emotions and thoughts. During meditation, we access an inner realm which ceases to exist solely in either physical or non-physical manifest realities, yet shares aspects of both. The union of the above and the below; the higher and lower. I recently heard it said (see Movie Review from today), that the crucifixion scene itself, is a
pointer to the mechanics and mysteries of mediation and the Inner tradition. As the Master teacher’s hands were nailed down, or pinned (we also see a veiled astrotheological reference, as the stasis is in space and time as well; A “fixed-point” neither on earth or in the heavens) we see the pointer to stillness and reckoning with the internal. As one sits with themselves and begins to delve into their own being, their own recesses of consciousness and identity, their emotional constructs of the ego, the mediation process begins.
As we learn to slowly push away the constant inner dialog of the ego and begin to bear witness to our own thoughts as they appear and dissolve, we open the inner dialogue with the higher self and the Alchemical Great Work commences. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the relationship of silence to consciousness and how does silence aid us in our non-meditative states?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 11SEP2009
The Role of Human Action
Over the past week we have looked at various aspects and roles related to meditation. Today I’d like to shift our focus slightly to the role of human action as it relates to a participatory society. In ancient Egypt, the culture was driven by a lofty goal which can scarcely be comprehended by the majority of minds alive today, yet they lived with a sense of purpose and their contributions to the culture they took part in were an integral part of who they were. Imagine a culture where everyone understood the cycle of reincarnation, lived without the massive gravity of overfed egos, were comfortable with who and what they were and saw their life as an expression of the divine principles and laws of nature. A Culture where status, money, title and race had nothing to do with a daily grind and quality of life, sharing, laughter and an overwhelming sense of unity was the norm.
The principle of love was discussed in this forum a few days ago and we will touch on that principle again briefly. As we move along this path, most of us will we eventually begin to see the world as it is, as illusion. At some point, we see the overwhelming evidence of this for ourselves and our life
is never the same. It is at that point, that we understand our roles as creators and see the unity of ourselves, our fellow mankind and the Cosmic. As we deal with the people in the Game of Life, our Mystical Adventure, we always have the option to embrace the world around us and through our actions, partake in the many roles and dramas that we become aware of, or we can simple become part of the status-quo and try to forget. To embrace love, or embrace the construct of ego, fear.
It is in our actions, the participation in the human drama, that we see ourselves reflected in others and the world around us. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, how do our actions benefit the Illusion; the world around us and what is the role of love in our experience here on Earth?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 10SEP2009
The Role of Breath
The relationship of air, the opening of the vital pathways in the body and respiration in general, is an integral theme to the global body of esoteric knowledge going
back to the beginning of the teachings themselves. It is often the case that discourses in breathing, are frequently the first step in mystical lessons, healing arts and in many of the meditation practices.
It is often noted that in our breathing, we take in the vital life force surrounding our planet, to animate our bodies 
as we inhale and to expel waste energy and purify them as we exhale. The practice of Pranayama, or “control of the life force” is said to be more than 3,000 years old. This practice teaches control of, and specific uses for, various breathing techniques for the purposes of prolonging life, curing illness and attaining rarified states of mind.
In the ancient Egyptian temple of Luxor, the large hall of columns in the section of the temple representing the human chest and lungs (see part III of the series on Symbol), has elaborate carvings of the cycles of the moon at the base of each of the columns that correlate to not just the rising and falling of tides and the human chest cavity, but specific intervals of breath to induce altered states of mind as well. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, how does our ability to control the function of breath (the only vital function we are able to consciously control) relate to its purpose and use and how is this advantageous to those of us on the path?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 9SEP2009
The Role of the Heart
Today our meditation will focus on the heart. While this subject could easily fill volumes, we will concern ourselves with a reduced scope and keep it simple. In regards to
esoteric anatomy, the body is seen as a analogue to the universe and our solar system. Mankind reflected within the Cosmos; the human body is the anthropocosm of Pythagoras which acts as a conduit between heaven and earth to receive the Song of the Cosmos. One an octave of another and in tune with each other. Just as Pythagoras envisioned each of the 12 influencing zodiac houses 
resonating 12 unique tones (the heart chakra is described as having 12 undulations) to be received by the Earth and transmitted to mankind, an Egyptian principle emphasizes the Sun’s role in establishing an ever evolving rhythm for the Earth which is resonated in the human heart. The heart is referred to as the Inner Sun (glowing golden color of the heart chakra). We experience the world through resonance, through vibration. Color, sound, heat, even the manifest physical reality around us are expressions of vibration and resonance.
As we express emotion, particularly love, it emanates from the heart as does ego-less emotions such as compassion, understanding, generosity; all traits which by nature, give or provide for some function lacking in others. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the role of heart in meditation and how does our meditation benefit others?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 8SEP2009
Meditation and Prayer
A few months ago I watch a documentary on sacred science and the relationship of mind and
feeling to the world around us that I’d like to share with you. In the video, the narrator explains how he and a very good friend of his, a native american from the US southwest, visited an ancient stone circle in the desert, so that his good friend could pray for rain. It hadn’t rained in months. They walked very, 
very far and got to the circle, his friend walked into the center and stood there for a minute or two and then walked out and said “Ok, let’s go”. The narrator was stunned to not see some ceremony or ritual performed and asked his friend what had happened? His friend explained, that it wasn’t about asking for rain or even some deep tribal secret, he simply imagined the feelings and smells of what it was like when it rained in his pueblo.. the mud between his toes, the feeling of rain on his skin, the smell of wet adobe, the cool dampness in the air. Later that night it rained. It rained hard and continued through to the next day.
Our relationship to the world around us and our feelings have much greater effect than 
is presently acknowledged. In a sense, it appears as though we have seemingly lost this knowledge or to some degree are re-acquiring it as a whole. Our relationship and understanding of prayer has gone from a deep, intuitive knowledge of ourselves and the world around us to a disconnected and often repressive and isolating experience. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what is the relationship of mediation to prayer and what role do our feelings, states of mind and emotions play in these acts?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 7SEP2009
The Union of Opposites
In regards to the collective esoteric schools of thought and occult laws, the concept of opposites, specifically, the union of opposites, is a key and essential element in most aspects of their teachings. Duality and conflict will give rise to union and resolution if the opposing forces or principles can be reconciled wisely.
Today’s focus for mediation deals with the intertwined relationship of seemingly opposite, or polar, concepts.
The alchemical theme of the Androgyne is regarded as a highly prized achievement or principle attainment for Adepts pursuing the alchemical Work. The androgyne signifies the integration of disparate elements into a more perfected state than either of the individual components could achieve alone. In the context of thought, specifically opposing aspects of thought such as intuition and logic, a union of opposites brings forth an entirely new reality of thought as well as expanded states of consciousness.
This union allows for normally static or linear thought processes to become animated; to allow the faculties of creation, sight, reason and vision to work together in a new way. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, how would the union of reason and intuition assist us, to better understand natural or cosmic laws, principles and phenomena?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
Daily Meditation Focus 6SEP2009
Severity and Mercy
Moving forward, I’ll be posting daily articles on topics and concepts that may be used as “food for thought” for your own meditation practices. The act and discipline of mediation is the foundation of the Inner Tradition.
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Today’s topic concerns the two pillars of the alchemical Great Work.. Severity and Mercy. Also seen as the two symbolic outer Sephirothic columns in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and the Masonic Jachin and Boaz. These are opposing principles and are expressed as the terrestrial and celestial, masculine and feminine, dark and light, Yin and Yang. The are paradoxical polarities to be ‘reconciled’ and unified in order to expand consciousness and initiate awareness. Today I’d like to focus conceptually on Severity and Mercy; the expression of our inner posture in regards to our relationship to others and situations in our lives.
The Master teacher Jesus often referred to Mercy, that expression of compassion and our innate relationship spiritually, to others. In today’s western culture, the trend is toward that of Severity. The themes of retribution, exacting revenge or doling out “righteous justice” are often portrayed in the media, discussed socially or even condoned in religious context. In regards to our journey on the path and seeing the physical experience as a mystical adventure, what roles do Severity and Mercy play in our personal advancement and how do our choices in regards to each, assist us or deter our advances on the Path?
Please feel free to post any comments or feedback regarding this topic or share your meditation experience with our community in the Comments section below.
OUR DAILY BREAD - a blog for esoteric living 
The Reconciliation of Religion
October 22, 2009 at 12:48 PM · Filed under Esoteric Commentary, Meditation Focus
The esoteric and inner tradition has been carried and protected by countless people and groups through the ages. Many gave their lives and many sacrificed all they had to keep the lamp burning when it flickered and dimly glowed during the darkest corners of human history. In preserving the wisdom, we have brought forward from the recesses of time, a remnant and a technology of sorts which surely floated with the Ark on the waters and passed down with the Ark of gold and wood. The wisdom belongs to all faiths, to all races and to all in need. It was protected by the Egyptians, by Islam, by Templars, by Tibetans, by Initiatic Orders long forgotten, by every color of man and woman and by those with no conscripted religion. It is in fact, a kind of quality of ‘being’ and thought, an awareness and conscious state that transcends all boundaries and separation and is the great uniter of all things. It is timeless, impossible to speak out loud and is both a tangible and intangible thing beyond all value.
There is an aspect of all beings that ascends to its higher nature and dissolves all realized boundaries at times of need. As we move into a new age of Earth, the troubles and problems appear to be unsolvable and surely headed towards cataclysmic end, but this is not the case. It is within the esoteric traditions that humanity carries its pinnacles of being. That light exists on behalf of all things and with it, our solutions to the ‘unsolvable’ become elegantly solved.
I see the televised broadcasts of the Middle East…Israel and Palestine, the gnashing, constant turmoil and suffering being perpetuated. The reconciliation of both religion and illusory separation can be obtained though only one mean. This is a Work to be done by a few and achieved by many. The time is at hand to begin actualizing peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. Through the Inner work it will be accomplished and through the wisdom of unified minds it shall begin to propagate throughout the collective mind of humanity. This is one of the secrets of the Invisible College. This conflict is not about land nor religion nor is it about retribution. It is about the lie of ‘self’. The time is now at hand to look inside not only our selves, but our fellow man; to experience the reflection of ourselves in others. Gone will be the days when common ground is found and then ‘lost’ by a few who withdraw within their own illusions of separation. We are beginning to see this now and no human will truly able to hide their inner lies no more than a small child attempting to take visible refuge behind a chair or blanket is seen by its parents. We all are becoming able to see it and it is through this all penetrating and all seeing ‘light’, that the illusory kingdoms of those who have ‘fallen’ completely into the material world shall be exposed and through this compassionate and unifying work, all shall be accomplished. As one becomes aware of their illusions and constructed gilded cages, through the gaze of this inner light, a change begins. You most certainly know exactly what I am referring to and have for some time.
This is our future and our Work. Everything exists on many levels and it is through the reconciliation of the seemingly disparate that we find our union and our peace.
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