Posts Tagged ‘ancient wisdom’

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Numerology and the Power in Numbers
is the theme for Explore Your Spirit this week.

This week on Explore Your Spirit with Kala, Radio, Kala speaks with Kari Samuels about numerology. According to Kari, numerology is an ancient tool that is easy to understand. By learning the universal language of numbers, you can find more information about what your birth date reveals about your gifts, talents, and abilities, karmic lessons, fate and destiny and the best timing for important events. Kari Samuels is an Intuitive Counselor, Numerologist, Theta Healing practitioner and creator of the upcoming CDs “Beautiful Morning, Sweet Dreams” and “Meeting Your Future Self”. She specializes in helping people release their limiting subconscious patterns so they can manifest their greatest potential. She has helped hundreds of students reclaim their innate gifts, and continues to teach intuitive development classes around the country. It is her joy to assist others to awakening to their divine purpose.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW ON EYS RADIO

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Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Ócháni Lele, author of seven books, including the topic of our discussion here – Teachings of the Santeria Gods: The Spirit of the Odu.

Kala: Ócháni, many people are not aware of Santeria and what its philosophy and teachings share. Can you briefly explain to our readers the origin and core principles of Santeria?

Ócháni: While the Lucumí faith is a modern religion flourishing on American soil, it is heavily rooted in the past, a surviving, spiritual evolution of ancient Yoruba beliefs. The Yoruba were a proud nation of warriors who occupied southwestern Nigeria, an area in which their modern day descendants still thrive. These Africans developed a religious city-state system whose brilliance in some ways exceeded the systems of classical Greek and Roman empires, for while those ancient European civilizations are no more, the Yoruba culture lives on. History tells us that they were founded by one holy man, Odúduwa, the ancestor who established the first holy city at Ilé Ifé.

From his work they grew; the tribes flourished and a religious nation formed. As the ethnic group spread, entire city-states sprang around the worship of various orishas, the gods of the tribes. Ilé Ifé belonged to Obatalá, Oyó was governed by Shangó, Ilobu was Inle’s, Ketu to the orisha Ochosi, Inisa to the orisha Otín, and Ilesa (Ijesa region, Iwo and Edo) to the orisha Logun Ede. Each city-state had its own priesthood. To whom a priest served depended on the spirit protecting the city. Thus, initiates in Ilé Ifé were brought into the mysteries of Obatalá, while those who entered the priesthood in Oyó received Shangó. Ketu priests were bound to Ochosi. Overlapping of priesthoods did occur for political reasons when ties between sub-tribes needed strengthening. Uniting all these city-states no matter the god served were three concepts: that of Odúduwa, the common ancestor, Olódumare, the supreme God, and Elegguá, the orisha who opens the doors from our world to that of the divine. While each individual province had its own orisha to worship, with Odúduwa in their blood, Elegguá at their feet, and Olódumare in their heaven, all were one nation.

The religion, whether one speaks of the ancient Yoruba , the modern Yoruba, or the Cuban-American Lucumí (Santería), is a faith teaching that the ultimate creative force, Olódumare (“owner of the womb”), divided itself into innumerable aspects – the orishas. Each force is a living, spiritual personification of limited ashé (a word translating loosely into power, grace, and life). The ashé of an orisha depends on the aspect of Olódumare from which it spawned. Obatalá, a deity who can be either male or female, comes from the vastest and wisest aspects of God; he was known as the “King of White Cloth,” the cloth itself being the pure, white light from which all things coalesced.

Yemayá is the sweet, life-giving, mothering principle of unknowable deity; and like a mother, she is swift to protect and defend her children. Ochosi is the hunter, the one who not only hunts to feed God, but also to feed his people; he taught humans how to hunt for food, thus representing the aspect of Olódumare who created the concept that to live, life must feed on life.

Olokun, the hermaphroditic deity ruling the depths of the ocean, draws her ashé from the part of Olódumare that is secret, mysterious, and unknown; hence her home is in the depths of the ocean where none may descend while living in the flesh. Ainá, mistress of flame and constant companion to Shangó, is the limitless fire of Olódumare’s existence. Too vast to be known as a whole, Olódumare is made knowable through the religion’s myriad deities. We believe that it is only by worshiping and studying each force that one slowly acquires greater knowledge of the divine.

Kala: The ancient stories are called “patakís” and are connected to the 16 odu (principal creative forces of Santeria). They were originally shared by the Yoruba people of ancient Africa in an oral tradition. How are the patakís shared today, has the process evolved from ancient times?

Ócháni: Even today, the patakís’ main mode of transmission is oral; however, Santería is experiencing a geometric growth best described as explosive. My own godfather, for example, has 25 crowned heads (godchildren who are initiated as priests), and he cares for an ilé ocha that has about 200 uncrowned heads (aborishas – worshippers). In Orlando we have an incredible priestess with Oyá done, Nina, who has dozens and dozens of crowned heads, and probably hundreds of religious godchildren who are not crowned. It is impossible for any one person to instruct all these godchildren orally – there are not enough hours in the day. Faced with such explosive growth, oral training is strained at best.

Over the years there has been a gradual transition from oral teaching to written teaching. One can see it on the internet primarily; in various newsgroups, priests and priestesses are instructing others about the orishas in written, electronic medium. This is a huge diversion from what has been, traditionally, an oral medium. A lot of my instruction for my own godchildren is done in a private newsgroup. And now we have books . . . well . . . a book (mine) that has moved from private online instruction into a more expansive form. I think this will be a future trend. As the years go by, more priests and priestesses will pen books of patakís and other teachings that have been primarily oral for centuries.

Kala: Your book is the first to chronicle these stories in English and shares over 100 of the ancient parables. What led you to the decision that it was the time to write about Santeria and the Odu?

Ócháni: Throughout my private studies I’ve been an avid note taker; and, as I took notes I catalogued everything I learned according to the odu of the diloggún. It was a process that took years. Before I knew it I was writing a book – it was a process that just snuck up on me! My first manuscript, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination, almost got shelved. When it was done I read it and thought, “I can’t publish this!” It was a huge change from tradition. So I put it away.

Not long after I went to a tambour (sacred drum and dance party) for the orishas, and the orisha Oyá came down. To make a long story short, she demanded that I continue my work and she gave me a pen name to use. She promised that as long as I wrote to educate, she would protect me and bless my work. After that tambour I had a renewed sense of purpose, and since then I’ve been writing fearlessly and unashamedly about the orishas and our religion.

Kala: How has the spiritual practice of Lucumí graced you in this lifetime and what have you learned the most during this time?

Ócháni: The orishas gave me a life when I had none, to be honest. I was born into this tiny rural town, a “hick” by anyone’s standards. The religion opened my eyes to a greater world, one filled with light, love, magic, and infinite possibilities. It brought me wisdom and grace; and it led me to some wonderful people who I consider my spiritual family. It’s amazing the people the orishas bring together – writers, artists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, musicians, actors, and singers – people from all walks of life come together to work and worship and pray. That in itself is very magical, and very humbling.

Kala: Of all the stories you shared in the book, which is your favorite and why?

Ócháni: It’s very hard to pick a single story that I consider my “favorite.” As I brought the volume together, I picked stories that were my favorites, tales that moved me or inspired me in some way. Right now, however, I’m really into The Story of Iré and Osogbo found in chapter 10. I have a god-brother in L.A. named Andreas who has been having “Story Time with Uncle Stewie” nights with his godchildren (it happens right after Sunday dinner and the Sunday night airing of ‘True Blood’) and they’ve had hours and hours of discussions from just that one patakí. It teaches an essential truth of this religion, or any religion, really – we are not defined by how we act in the good times. Instead, we are defined by our actions in bad times; and those misfortunes we face force us to evolve, to become something greater than we once were. It’s a simple story, but one that has dozens of interpretations and practical applications in our lives.

Kala: Ócháni, thank you for joining me here on Kala’s Quick Five. More about Ócháni and the Teachings of the Santeria Gods book can be found at Destiny Books.

Ócháni: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure! And, please, check out my latest book Teachings of the Santería Gods. It’s a wonderful collection of short stories based on the patakís of Santería.

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom.

Kala’s new book Ghost Hunting North Carolina will be available in 2011.
More information about Kala at: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com
Information on Intuitive readings and consultations with Kala available at:
http://www.exploreyourspirit.com/psychic.html

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Originally published in 1928, Manly P. Hall’s, The Secret Teachings of All Ages was previously only available in a handsomely bound, large size and expensive edition. Though certainly a collector’s item and treasure for any library, I was happy to discover that Penguin with the Philosophical Research Society has republished the book in a paperback version, making it affordable for the masses.

Hall’s ‘encyclopedia’ covers the esoteric mysteries from around the world, including ancient occult traditions, esoteric mystery schools and temples, religion and philosophy, ancient symbols and myths, and offers a glimpse into a vast library of teachings including Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrusian symbolic philosophy.

From the Druidic mysteries of ancient Britain, to the Gnostics, Mithras, the Eleusinian Mysteries, and Plato’s ponderings, to the Oracle of Delphi, Pythagorus, and Egypt, the 755 page tome answers many questions for the aspiring occult or esoteric student and includes illustrations.

Author Manly P. Hall (1901-1990) was widely regarded as a a sage and teacher, steeped in the wisdom of antiquity and one of the leading esoteric scholars of the twentieth century. In 1934, he founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, which continues to publish Hall’s many works and pursue his educational mission.

More information about Manly P. Hall and his work can be found here in this video below:

Manly P Hall

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). More information about Kala at: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

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Edgar Cayce founded the non-profit Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) in 1931, to explore spirituality, holistic health, intuition, dream interpretation, psychic development, reincarnation, and ancient mysteries-all subjects that frequently came up in the more than 14,000 documented psychic readings given by Cayce, who died in 1945. A.R.E.’s publishing arm, A.R.E. Press, has been publishing books since 1931 as well, with the mission of furthering the work of the A.R.E. by publishing books, DVDs, and CDs to support the organization’s goal of helping people change their lives for the better.

In 2009, A.R.E. Press launched its second imprint, 4th Dimension Press. While A.R.E. Press features topics related to the work of Edgar Cayce in the fields of spirituality, intuition, psychic abilities, ancient mysteries, philosophy, comparative religious studies, personal and spiritual development, and holistic health, 4th Dimension Press expands the publishing efforts further with like-minded and expansive explorations into the mysteries and spirituality of our existence.

The ancient wisdom of the Kabbalah and how its lessons can be applied today is A.R.E.’s latest release – Edgar Cayce and the Kabbalah: A Resource for Soulful Living by John Van Auken. This is the first of its kind in addressing wisdom from the psychic readings of Edgar Cayce as it relates to the spiritual teachings of the Kabbalah. Van Auken combines his love of Kabbalah with his 40 years of studying the Cayce readings to guide readers on a mind-expanding journey through creation and the higher levels of consciousness. Van Auken’s explores the concepts in Kabbalah including the five divisions of being, the four planes of existence, the seven heavens, the 10 emanations, and the 22 channels of the Infinite Creative Consciousness.

Author John Van Auken is an internationally renowned speaker, longtime staff member, and current director at Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. A popular leader of A.R.E.’s life-changing tours to Egypt and other sacred sites, he is also the author of several best-selling books, including Edgar Cayce on the Revelation, Toward a Deeper Meditation, and Ancient Egyptian Mysticism. In addition he is a regular contributor to Venture Inward magazine and the Venture Inward Newsletter. His extensive knowledge of the Cayce readings, the Bible, world religions, Gnosticism, and ancient Egyptian mysticism is combined with years of experience as a teacher and meditation retreat leader, to bring a deeper understanding of this ancient mystical tradition that enhances the understanding and skill of today’s spiritual seeker. Van Auken will be presenting a program on the Kabbalah March 12-13 at A.R.E. Headquarters (details available at EdgarCayce.org/conferences).

About more about Kala’s Bohemian Blog and Who Is Kala Ambrose…

Intuitive, Priestess, Muse and Oracle – Kala Ambrose is an intuitive empath, inspirational speaker and voice of the highly acclaimed “The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show.” She is the award-winning author of 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled, creator of a trilogy of sacred site meditation CDs and the National Metaphysical Spirituality writer for the Examiner.

As an intuitive, she provides Egyptian Akashic Auracle Readings. Auracle Readings are the combination of aura readings and oracle readings by Kala Ambrose. Kala begins by reading your aura, going over the colors currently present in your aura. From there, she shares symbols, signs and energetic impressions in your aura that are imprinted there from your Akashic records. The process reveals the challenges you are facing today, the spiritual gifts presented to you in this lifetime and the importance of your spiritual journey as it continues from previous lifetimes to the present. More information at www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all. For more articles by Kala Ambrose, visit her main page at National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner

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