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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

The Seven Hermetic Principals

The Seven Hermetic Principals

"The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these,
understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the
Doors of the Temple fly open". -The Kybalion"

The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic
Philosophy is based, are as follows:

1 The principle of mentalism.

2 The principle of correspondence

3 The principle of vibration

4 The principle of polarity

8 The principle of rhythm

6 The principle of cause and effect

7 The principle of gender

These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed
with these lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well
be given at this point

1 The principle of mentalism

"The All is Mind; The Universe is Mental."-The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that "All is Mind." It explains that
The All (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward
manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of "The
Material Universe"; the "Phenomena of Life"; "Matter"; "Energy"; and,
in short, all that is apparent to our material senses) is spirit which
in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered
and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, Infinite, LIVING mind. It also
explains that all the phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental
Creation of The All, subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that
the universe, as a whole, and in its parts or units, has its existence
in the Mind of The All, in which Mind we "live and move and have our
being." This Principle, by establishing the Mental Nature of the
Universe, easly explains all of the varied mental and psychic
phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the public attention,
and which, without such explanation, are non-understandable and defy
scientific treatment. An understanding of this great Hermetic
Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the
laws of the Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being
and advancement. The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply
intelligently the great Mental Laws, instead of using them in a
haphazard manner. With the Master-Key in his possession, the student.
may unlock the many doors of the mental and psychic temple of
knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently. This Principle
explains the true nature of "Energy," "Power," and "Matter," and why
and how all these are subordinate to the Mastery of Mind. One of the
old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: "He who grasps the truth of
the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on The Path to
Mastery." And these words are as true to-day as at the time they were
first written. Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and the
student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple.

2 The principle of correspondence

"As above, so below; as below, so above."-The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a
Correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of
Being and Life. The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: "As above,
so below; as below, so above." and the grasping of this Principle
gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret
of Nature. There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the
Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much
that would otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of
universal application and manifestation, on the various planes of the
material, mental, and spiritual universe-it is an Universal Law. The
ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most
important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the
obstacles which hid from view the Unknown. Its use even tore aside the
Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess
might be caught. Just as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry
enables man to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated
in his observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence
enables Man to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown.
Studying the monad, he understands the archangel.

3 The principle of vibration

"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." -The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is in motion";
"everything vibrates"; "nothing is at rest"; facts which Modern
Science endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to
verify. And yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of
years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains
that the differences between different manifestations of Matter,
Energy, Mind, and even Spirit, result largely from varying rates of
Vibration. From The All, which is Pure Spirit, down to the grossest
form of Matter, all is in vibration-the higher the vibration, the
higher the position in the scale. The vibration of Spirit is at such
an infinite rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at
rest-just as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be motionless. And at the
other end of the scale, there are gross forms of matter whose
vibrations are so low as to seem at rest. Between these poles, there
are millions upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From
corpuscle and electron, atom and molecule, to worlds and universes,
everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true on the planes of
energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration); and
also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations); and
even on to the spiritual planes. An understanding of this Principle,
with the appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students to control
their own mental vibrations as well as those of others. The Masters
also apply this Principle to the conquering of Natural phenomena, in
various ways. "He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has
grasped the sceptre of power," says one of the old writers.

4 The principle of polarity

"Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of
opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in
nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but
half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled."-The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is dual";
"everything has two poles"; "everything has its pair of opposites,"
all of which were old Hermetic axioms. It explains the old paradoxes,
that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows:
"Thesis and antithesis are identical in nature, but different in
degree"; "opposites are the same, differing only in degree"; "the
pairs of opposites may be reconciled"; "extremes meet"; "everything is
and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but half truths"; "every
truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to everything," etc., etc.,
etc. It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite
aspects, and that "opposites" are really only the two extremes of the
same thing, with many varying degrees between them. To illustrate:
Heat and Cold, although "opposites," are really the same thing, the
differences consisting merely of degrees of the same thing. Look at
your thermometer and see if you can discover where "heat" terminates
and "cold" beginsl There is no such thing as "absolute heat" or
"absolute cold"-the two terms "heat" and "cold" simply indicate
varying degrees of the same thing, and that 'same thing" which
manifests as "heat' and 'cold" is merely a form, variety, and rate of
Vibration. So "heat" and "cold" are simply the "two poles' of that
which we call "Heat"-and the phenomena attendant thereupon are
manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle
manifests in the case of "Light and Darkness," which are the same
thing, the difference consisting of varying degrees between the two
poles of the phenomena. Where does "darkness" leave off, and "light"
begin? What is the difference between "Large and Small"? Between "Hard
and Soft"? Between "Black and White"? Between "Sharp and Dull"?
Between "Noise and Quiet"? Between "High and Low"? Between "Positive
and Negative"? The Principle of Polarity explains these paradoxes, and
no other Principle can supersede it. The same Principle operates on
the Mental Plane. Let us take a radical and extreme example-that of
"Love and Hate," two mental states apparently totally different. And
yet there are degrees of Hate and degrees of Love, and a middle point
in which we use the terms "Like or Dislike," which shade into each
other so gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we
"like" or "dislike" or "neither." And all are simply degrees of the
same thing, as you will see if you will but think a moment. And, more
than this (and considered of more importance by the Hermetists), it is
possible to change the vibrations of Hate to the vibrations of Love,
in one's own mind, and in the minds of others. Many of you, who read
these lines, have had personal experiences of the involuntary rapid
transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own case and
that of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this
being accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of the Hermetic
formulas. "Good and Evil" are but the poles of the same thing, and the
Hermetist understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by means
of an application of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the "Art of
Polarization becomes a phase of "Mental Alchemy" known and practiced
by the ancient and modern Hermetic Masters. An understanding of the
Principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that
of others, if he will devote the time and study necessary to master
the art.

5 The principle of rhythm

"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things
rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure
of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left;
rhythm compensates."-The Kybalion

This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is
manifested a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing
backward and forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and
flow; a high-tide and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in
accordance with the Principle of Polarity described a moment ago.
There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a
rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the Universe, suns,
worlds, men, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is manifest
in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of
nations; in the life of all things; and finally in the mental states
of Man (and it is with this latter that the Hermetists find the
understanding of the Principle most important). The Hermetists have
grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have
also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in themselves by
the use of the appropriate formulas and methods. They apply the Mental
Law of Neutralization. They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to
cease its operation, but they have learned how to escape its effects
upon themselves to a certain degree depending upon the Mastery of the
Principle. They have learned how to USE it, instead of being USED BY
it. In this and similar methods, consist the Art of the Hermetists.
The Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at the point at which he
desires to rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing of the
pendulum which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All
individuals who have attained any degree of Self-Mastery do this to a
certain degree, more or less unconsciously, but the Master does this
consciously, and by the use of his Will, and attains a degree of Poise
and Mental Firmness almost impossible of belief on the part of the
masses who are swung backward and forward like a pendulum. This
Principle and that of Polarity have been closely studied by the
Hermetists, and the methods of counteracting, neutralizing, and USING
them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental Alchemy

6 The principle of cause and effect

"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything
happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized;
there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law."-The
Kybalion

This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every
Effect; an Effect from every Cause. It explains that: "Everything
Happens according to Law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that
there is no such thing as Chance; that while there are various planes
of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating- the lower planes, still
nothing ever entirely escapes the Law. The Hermetists understand the
art and methods of rising above the ordinary plane of Cause and
Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a higher plane
they become Causers instead of Effects. The masses of people are
carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and desires of
others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other
outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life.
But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods,
characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment
surrounding them, and become Movers instead of pawns. They help to
play The Game of Life, instead of being played and moved about by
other wills and environment. They use the Principle instead of being
its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the higher planes, but
they help to rule on their own plane. In this statement there is
condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge-let him read who can.

7 The principle of gender

"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine
Principles; Gender manifests on all planes." -The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that there is gender manifested in
everything-the Masculine and Feminine Principles ever at work. This is
true not only of the Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the
Spiritual Planes. On the Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as
sex, on the higher planes it takes higher forms, but the Principle is
ever the same. No creation, physical, mental or spiritual, is possible
without this Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light
on many a subject that has perplexed the minds of men. The Principle
of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration, and
creation. Everything, and every person, contains the two Elements or
Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male
thing has the Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male
Principle. If you would understand the philosophy of Mental and
Spiritual Creation, Generation, and Re-generation, you must understand
and study this Hermetic Principle. It contains the solution of many
mysteries of Life. We caution you that this Principle has no reference
to the many base, pernicious and degrading lustful theories, teachings
and practices, which are taught under fanciful titles, and which are a
prostitution of the great natural principle of Gender. Such base
revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism tend to ruin
mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the
warning note against these degraded teachings which tend toward lust,
licentiousness, and perversion of Nature's principles. If you seek
such teachings, you must go elsewhere for them-Hermeticism contains
nothing for you along these lines. To the pure, all things are pure;
to the base, all things are base.

interesting post by Bluedigits of Purple forumwise

Friday, August 25, 2006

Synchronicity and the universe

Carl Jung, my favorite psychologist, once came up with the term synchronicity when one time, while his patient was consulting with him about her dream about scarabs then suddenly he saw a beatle fly through his window. Synchronicity is explained as meaningful coincidence and is often associated with the universe. I often think that some coincidences in life is one way of knowing that we are on the right path of our journey in life. That somehow, the universe is guiding us to be where we ought to be. If we stand back and reassess how we are currently and try to connect the past, we will notice how one thing leads to another and in the end, we are taught lessons in life that makes us stronger. I often see obstacles as lessons to be learned rather than big stroke of jinx.

In Deepak Chopra's book, he said that our body is part of the universe. We are the universe...we are part of the whole. This collective unconscious, as Jung called it, is an access to archetypes that are often present in our lives. Notice how some stories in movies, books from different cultures, lives have a pattern. They are often seen in stories in mythology.

An example of an archetype :

"The Anima Or Animus

The second most prevalent potential patterning is that of the Soul (Anima is the male name for soul; Animus is the female name for soul). Here we meet our inner opposite. Males meet their Anima; females their Animus. The Anima may appear as an exotic dancing girl or a weathered old hag--the form generally reflects either the condition or the needs of our soul presently. Remember the wicked witch encountered by Hanzel and Gretel. The Animus may appear as an exotic, sensual, young man or as an old grouch. Remember the Great Oz who ran the Emerald City? There is always Simon Legree who took in Little Eva. Consider Super Man and Lois Lane. Clark Kent is the inferior, shadow side of Super Man, but he is also closer to ordinary people. Lois Lane has no interest in Clark. She is infatuated with Super Man, her Animus; the masculine completion of her personality. Wonder Woman offers us an example of the Anima in action." source: Jung's archetypes

If you need to assess your life, analyze your journal and take note of prevalent patterns that seems to emerge from your life experience. This way, you are aware of what's happening and take control of your life. Sometimes, we're too keen on the small things that we don't notice the bigger picture ahead.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Karma and astrology


Here's an interesting article about the relationship of astrology and karma:

The reason that each of us inherits a unique natal chart is that the higher self selects a particular Astrological imprint, to experience certain events, and learn specific lessons. From this, an evolution occurs by processing karmic situations for optimum benefit. Situations, people and events in our life catalyze karmic growth, but the Karma lies within oneself, inside the Soul. The Soul is destined to be pulled to a particular birth, time and place.

The body is like billions of tiny solar systems. When you are born, every cell in your body adheres to the frozen picture of the planets at birth. It's like a circuit imprint that's formed at birth to be a reflection of one's Dharma (purpose and destiny) and Karma (debt).

We are all one with the Universe. The Universe beats from our point of view. The moving solar system allows for the Source to design its uniqueness in each one of us, and we absorb this imprint at birth. This solar imprint at birth is actually akin to tiny little solar systems in every one of our bodies.

Physiologically, at the moment of birth, the neurons of the brain form a specific pattern, which has been scientifically documented, and this sets up the personality of the individual.

So when you are born into any particular lifetime, you are born with a particular cosmic charge. This occurs upon inhaling that first breath, and reflects the planetary locations (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto), and the zodiacal sign that is rising in the East from your birthplace. These elements are the things that Astrologers can examine in a your chart and identify what your Karma is. For example, any square aspect you have, when planets are at right angles to each other, indicates your karmic debt.

Planetary placements that involve squares (right angles), oppositions (180 degrees) or inconjunct (150 degrees) and by house position will reveal a lesson area, an area where pain maybe experienced showing a pay back of karmic situations. The Karma that you have with yourself may concern money, love, relationships, career, business, goals, health, home, security of self, independence, enemies and all kinds of things. If you have squares in your life, this implies a debt, so the challenge is to overcome certain lessons we failed to learn in previous lives. Oppositions mean that you are born into a situation where you can create unrealistic goals, or, show catalyzing situations where you would create people in your life that may also manifest pain and karmic growth for you.

Understanding Astrology, by getting your chart produced, and tuning into things such as Karma and learning what the words square and opposition means, will help you understand which area of pain may focus the hardest with you. Your biggest Karma may be childhood, just fighting your way out of it, or trying to get along with brutal parents. This could be a way to understand where the peace needs to be made, and subsequently processed. It could be with your emotions, with your mother, friends, or with all of your relationships. It could also be with goals, career, communication, and finances. Astrology will help to identify your own personal map of Karma and it is a great way to rebirth into the Spirit.

Afflicted planets in a chart are those that form specific aspects, or angles, such as squares. A square depicts two planets, at right angles, with the Earth in the center (as center focus). Oppositions are when two planets are exactly opposite each other, with the Earth in the middle. You could be torn with the Moon in one point of the sky, and if you drew a straight line from the Moon to the Earth, and all the way threw the Earth to the other side, you might find the Sun. This would be a Moon opposition Sun. These might be planetary aspects that you're born with. With squares, or oppositions, these diagrams are Karma, or the debts we owe for a particular lifetime. Everybody has Karma whether your born Karma free or not. Without any squares or oppositions in your chart, the moving planets form squares and other aspects to the fixed position of natal planets during ones' life (which is the basis of forecasting). This daily movement with respect to the natal chart is known as transits.

The signs of the Zodiac are magnificent stellar constellations. When we say that you have Mercury in Cancer or Gemini, that means that Mercury is located in space in the stellar constellation or grouping known as Cancer or Gemini. That's how we identify energies at birth, freezing the planets that are moving in space, through the signs, during your birth. There are all kinds of stellar constellations out there in space; The Sun, Moon and the planets, follow an orbit called the Ecliptic—which is a flat orbit. The Earth also orbits the Sun along the Ecliptic, so the planets including the Sun and Moon, do not wander beyond the twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

One of the main factors in distinguishing a karmic lesson is Saturn, as this planet is the lord of Karma. If Saturn signifies obstacles and limitations in life, it is because either your desired goal was incorrect, or a karmic reaction has been imposed. As such, Saturn's placement in your chart can indicate the areas in life that one needs to work on. Saturn's movement with time, through your natal chart, induces various scenarios to force growth in certain directions. When we ignore our real goals, certain crises' can occur in adulthood as Saturn orbits the Zodiac forming particular stressful aspects to the natal chart. Therefore, if you fail to conform to certain ways in this life, Saturn is always there to induce a karmic lesson, either immediately or in the future.

Saturn remains in one Zodiac sign for an average of two and a half years, so a whole karmic generation of Saturn people enter life during that two and a half year period. For example, people with major karmic lessons concerning Sagittarius energy and forces (meaning freedom happiness, philosophy, travel, sometimes sports, and animals) form a Karma here. It takes Saturn about twenty-nine years to circle the Sun, from our point of view, covering all twelve signs of the Zodiac. The type of Karma that each baby will have during the two and a half years of Saturn in any sign, although similar, will further depend on its aspects to other planets, the location of the house, and whether it's retrograde or not (Saturn retrograde tends to open up the energies of Uranus).


Read more on : Karma and astrology

My personal opinion on this:
Lately, I've been thinking about karma and how it can affect our life. I do believe that somehow, there's a reason we are what we are right now and it's not because of some random pickings from above. Some believe that our soul have chosen this path in this lifetime...others seem to think that our life is like a tabula, that all we have is now, and we should live by the moment. Astrology and karma do seem to be connected. As complicated as it is, I don't usually dwell on it too much nor try to research for the causes of what I am right now...I prefer moving forward. Knowing is already a privilege I appreciate.

I believe that somehow our soul have chosen this lifepath for a purpose...and it is hard to distinguish now...maybe when we become wiser...if we open our minds and see possibilities, lessons rather than obstructions and hardship, we can see the wider view of life. There is also freewill, we are not stuck in this string of complications at all...we always have a choice and the good news is...we control our life. Even if we're slaves or mere workers, we chose to follow...but we can also choose not to. The hardest part is taking the blame for our own actions. I guess it is a natural reaction because it does affect our psychological being. So I worry about people who think that they can't change what they are now and they cannot do anything about it....If we dream and strive hard to achieve them, we can.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

What are Chakra's



Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel, or vortex, and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of which our consciousness, our energy system, is composed.

These chakras, or energy centers, function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of energy through our energy system. The functioning of the chakras reflects decisions we make concerning how we choose to respond to conditions in our life. We open and close these valves when we decide what to think, and what to feel, and through which perceptual filter we choose to experience the world around us.

The chakras are not physical. They are aspects of consciousness in the same way that the auras are aspects of consciousness. They interact with the physical body through two major vehicles, the endocrine system and the nervous system. Each of the seven chakras is associated with one of the seven endocrine glands, and also with a group of nerves called a plexus. Thus, each chakra can be associated with particular parts of the body and particular functions within the body controlled by that plexus or that endocrine gland associated with that chakra.

All of your senses, all of your perceptions, all of your possible states of awareness, everything it is possible for you to experience, can be divided into seven categories. Each category can be associated with a particular chakra. Thus, the chakras represent not only particular parts of your physical body, but also particular parts of your consciousness.

When you feel tension in your consciousness, you feel it in the chakra associated with that part of your consciousness experiencing the stress, and in the parts of the physical body associated with that chakra. Where you feel the stress depends upon why you feel the stress. The tension in the chakra is detected by the nerves of the plexus associated with that chakra, and transmitted to the parts of the body controlled by that plexus. When the tension continues over a period of time, or to a particular level of intensity, the person creates a symptom on the physical level.

The symptom speaks a language that reflects the idea that we each create our reality, and the metaphoric significance of the symptom becomes apparent when the symptom is described from that point of view. Thus, rather than saying, "I can't see," the person would describe it as keeping themselves from seeing something. "I can't walk," means the person has been keeping themselves from walking away from a situation in which they are unhappy. And so on.

The symptom served to communicate to the person through their body what they had been doing to themselves in their consciousness. When the person changes something about their way of being, getting the message communicated by the symptom, the symptom has no further reason for being, and it can be released, according to whatever the person allows themselves to believe is possible.

We believe everything is possible. We believe that anything can be healed. It's just a question of how to do it.

Understanding the chakras allows you to understand the relationship between your consciousness and your body, and to thus see your body as a map of your consciousness. It gives you a better understanding of yourself and those around you.

Source: FriendshipsWithSpirits@msn.groups.com


Here's a more precise description of the different chakras:
Chakra Energy (with chakra test)
Crystal Link

Friday, August 11, 2006

Karma and Reincarnation

Karma and reincarnation are closely related in many belief systems. Karma is the universal discipline or law, of cause and effect. Reincarnation is the rebirth of our souls to learn, grow and release any accumulated negative karma. As the saying goes, 'as you sow, so shall you reap'. This means: if we perform kind and positive acts toward others with no thought of renumeration of any kind, that produces good or positive karma. If we perform cruel or hateful acts or deeds toward another, (with the intent to hurt or cause them harm), that in turn produces bad or negative karma. Intent is the key. If you unintentionally hurt someone/something this will still have karmic effects on your soul, but it will be noted that the act was unintentional. The karmic debt wont be as severe as it would be, when the intent was to purely hurt or harm. Karma applies toward deeds committed against both humans and animals.
Throughout our lifetimes we accumulate karma. It depends upon our actions in that given life whether it is positive or negative karma. In any lifetime, if we have accumulated negative karma, we will have the option to 'work it off' in our next incarnation. This cycle repeats until we have removed the negative karma from our souls.

Once our physical bodies die, our souls are released and return Home to Heaven. We have a 'cooling off' period, where our soul adjusts to the death of the physical body. When we have adjusted, we are taken to a viewing room where we have a review of the life which we have just had. We see our actions both positive and negative here. We also view our life from the perspective of everyone we have interacted with in both positive and negative actions, and, how it effected them. Once this review has ended, we are taken to a counselor who helps us deal with what we have witnessed in the review. We then spend time in spirit, working on our souls and doing things for the Highest and Best good of our own souls, and, for the aid other souls in spirit. We are given jobs which aid in our souls growth. No one is exempt from working, we all have jobs to do.

When we have spent a period of time in spirit, we are given a choice. We can return to earth and work off any karmic debts we have accumulated, or stay in spirit a while longer. The quickest way to work off karmic debts is to reincarnate, although some do decide to stay for longer. There is no pressure on us to reincarnate, however we eventually do return to earth. Although it is good for the soul to release any karma here on earth, as it has the benefit of incurring positive karma, we can work our karma off in spirit too. This takes a longer time than if we reincarnate. The 'down side' to reincarnation is we can also incur more negative karma too.
If we decide to reincarnate we are charged with writing out a life plan. Once again counselors help us in the writing and planning of our life plans. The purpose of the life plan is to have the lessons we need to release our karma, and to allow our souls to grow.

It takes several months to write and organize our life plans as there are many factors to take into account. We need to decide which family we are to be born into, and they need to agree (this is decided between ourselves and members of our soul family, and friends in spirit). We also need to decide which religion and country we are to be born into. The planning is very meticulous, we decide what lessons would be beneficial to us in order to learn our lessons and release karmic debt. We are in control of the planning of our life plans, although if someone disagrees with our choice of partner for example, another has to be sought. It is also overseen by and needs the approval of God before we reincarnate.
When all of the details are in place, our parents have incarnated and we are ready to be born, we review our life plans to make sure that we are still have the same goals and lessons to learn, that we had when it was written. If things have changed in any small way, ie: the spirit who agreed to the partnership changes his/her mind our 'second' choice will be asked if they will incarnate with us. Once everything is in place, we are then reincarnated into the family that we chose, and the karmic and reincarnation cycle begins once more.


Free will plays just as big a role in spirit as it does here on earth. If we live our lives in peace and always try to do our best for both others and ourselves, karma can be released and we can ascend to the beings we are in truth. Once we are those beings, there is no need to reincarnate as we have no karmic debts whatsoever.

Source: talkingToHeaven@groups.msn.com

Sunday, August 06, 2006

All about reiki

What is Reiki?
Reiki is one of the more widely known forms of energy healing. Energy Healing involves direct application of Chi for the purpose of strengthening the clients energy system (aura). Chi is the term used by the Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying force the Universe is made of. Mystics in all cultures have talked about the physical universe being made of an underlying form of something, much as modern physics research is now coming to understand the Universe is made of energy which is subject to (or affected by) thought. Just as modern physics says this energy is affected by thought the mystics also say this underlying form is affected by thought, going so far as to claim we create our own reality from our thinking and the thoughts we share between each of us every day.

Stop and reflect for a moment. Imagine the implications of the universe around us made from energy which can be shaped and manipulated by thoughts. This is the implication of both Quantum Physics and ancient Metaphysics. Might this make some diseases easier to explain, especially those which have no apparent physical cause? Might this make miraculous cures easier to explain? For example there was research study done a couple years ago showing that prayer improves the health of those who are prayed for, the focus of intent in prayer sends thoughts out in the form of "I wish such-and-so to happen", so if the world is energy subject to the power of thought then prayers must work (depending on how clearly and carefully you hold and elaborate on the prayers or thoughts). Remember this while reading here about Reiki.

Reiki is very easily learned, very simple to use, and beneficial for all. It is one of many forms of healing through the use of the natural forces which were given the name Chi by ancient chinese mystics. Some forms of healing using Chi energy forces are Chi Gong, Pranic Healing, Chelation (as taught by Brabara Brennan and Rosalyn Bruyere), and Polarity Balancing. All (apparently) use the same energies, with the difference being techniques of application and an energy quality commonly known as vibration. (This term vibration is widely used in the "New Age" community to refer to the range in experience between the dense or low vibration of the physical world to the high vibration of the highest spiritual expression; while the term is inadequate to truly describe the differences, and while Reality is probably not a simple bipolar scale of experience, the term is descriptive of how the energy feels). I'm reluctant to definitively say Reiki uses Chi because I am not an expert on what the Chinese mean by this word. To my eye the force referred to with the name Chi is the same as Prana, Orgone, Odic, they are all names for the same force.

Since the word Reiki means Universal Life Force Energy, it (strictly speaking) refers to the energy and not the specific techniques taught by Reiki Masters. The techniques are more properly called the Usui System of Natural Healing after the founder of the system, Dr. Mikao Usui. However as Reiki is the common name, and a fine name at that, this is the name we will use here.

A Reiki healing is very simply performed. The practitioner places his or her hands upon the person to be healed with the intent for healing to occur, and then the energy begins flowing. The Reiki energy is smart since the Universe is a very smart place indeed. The energy knows where to go, and what to do once it gets there, or else is being directed by a higher intelligence. The energy manages its own flow to and within the recipient. It draws through the healer exactly that amount of energy which the recipient needs. All this happens without direct conscious intervention by the healer. The healers job is to get out of the way, to keep the healing space open, and to watch/listen for signs of what to do next.

Reiki's Capabilities
Reiki is capable of healing anything because it works at very fundamental levels of reality. Even though the capability is there, this is not what always happens. The limits to Reiki seem to be in the recipients willingness to cast off old habits and patters, to accept change and to accept healing. The level of reality where Reiki operates is the underlying energy structure of matter, as the physical matter we see around us is a solidified form of energy (Remember Einsteins famous equation which says that each unit of mass is equivalent to a certain amount of energy). At the level where Reiki functions, anything can be changed because all is fluidlike and is very malleable. Or so is the theory and so is the experience of Reiki practitioners. Emotional difficulties are just as healable as physical ones since emotional issues are even more directly present in the energy structures.

In this context, the word Healing has a somewhat different meaning from the widely accepted meaning. The widely accepted meaning for healing seems to be curing of symptoms, for that seems to be what medical doctors and the like look to do in their practice. The other meaning for healing, used in the practice of Reiki as well as other related areas, is the return to greater wholeness. There is an ideal form each of us has, this ideal form being the highest and clearest expression of who we are. Pain or disease comes from any deviation between the persons current form in the 3D physical world and this ideal form. Healing, then, is to bring this physical form into closer alignment with the ideal form.

The way we aquire deviations from our ideal form is to accept limitations into our life. Most of this comes from early childhood because that is the phase of life where we are the most open and inquisitive about life. A limitation may be a parent yelling "BE QUIET!!" enough times that the child learns to not speak. Another limitation may be a limp that continues longer after the physical injury has healed, maybe with phantom pains. These limitations are behavior patterns, eating patterns, physical limitations, imagined physical limitations, psychological, mental, or emotional ways of being, living, expressing or loving that is not in alignment with our personal highest expression.

In any healing the goal is to find the limitation, recognize the pattern, recognize where it came from, and let it http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifgo. Reiki accomplishes this by providing the recipient enough energy to step above (metaphorically) to see all that and have the courage to let go. This usually does not happen consciously as a result of Reiki, but sometimes it does happen that Reiki gives the recipient the conscious awareness of the pattern and recognizing where it came from. Our lives are a constant flow of patterns of activity (such as the pattern used to accomplish eating breakfast) and it is our choice to have these patterns remain stuck in limited expression, or to release the old patterns and try on new and shinier ones.

Reiki is also a gateway shining pure love into the universe. It is this love which allows us to transcend our wounds and help us remember our true nature.

Source: http://reiki.7gen.com/

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Art of meditation

"Meditation, according to those studying the science of spirituality, is a process by which we withdraw our attention from the world outside and concentrate it at a point between and behind the two eyebrows. By focusing our attention there, we come in contact with currents of Light and Sound which will lead us from our physical consciousness into higher consciousness, into the beyond."

(Excerpt from "The Art of Meditation" by Sant Rajinder Singh.)


Meditation clears the mind off all the fivolties and worries. It's connecting body and soul into a peaceful trance. Doing this once a day can have positive effects in all levels of the body: physical, physiological, emotional, psychological. I usually set a schedule of my daily meditation. I do this mostly at night, when I won't be easily disturbed. It's better if you don't have any musical background while meditating to keep away from any kind of distractions.

"The Latin root of the word meditation is similar to the root for medical or medicate and implies the sense of “attending to” or “paying attention to” something. In meditation, you pay attention to your own deepest, innermost levels—dimensions of yourself which are seldom known. These deeper levels are more profound than the processes of thinking, analyzing, daydreaming, or experiencing emotions or memories. Meditation involves a type of inner attention that is quiet, concentrated, and, at the same time, relaxed. There is nothing difficult or strenuous about creating this inner attention; in fact, you will find that the process of meditation is restful for the mind. In the beginning, however, the greatest difficulty is that the mind has not been trained to create this inner attention." Swami Rama

Simple steps in meditation:
1. Sit down in a quiet place, away from possible distractions like TV, radio, people.
2. You can sit on a chair or on the floor. When sitting down, your spine should be right up, the pressure must be on the lower spine
3. Breathe through your stomach. Imagine breathing while you are lying on the floor, it is the normal way of breathing, not through your chest.
4. Clear your mind off all problems, imagine yourself in a beach or terrace where you feel the air, the breeze, the waves of energy inside and outside yourself.
5. Imagine a bright light surrounding you..focus on your breathing