Posts Tagged ‘consciousness’

As an intuitive child born in Louisiana, I grew up exposed to a rich variety of cultures. My soul flourished along the running waters of the Mississippi Delta, the Red River and the Gulf Coast, where I spent my childhood with friends who were French, Irish, African, Italian, Scottish and German.

Louisiana is a land known for its food, where a thick roux base mixes with spices, vegetables, seafood, meat and everything else in the kitchen and is thrown into a gumbo pot to the culinary satisfaction of the most discerning soul. This unique, eclectic mixture spills over into the people and their history creating amongst other things, some of the most soulful music the world has ever seen. Home to the Blues and Jazz, which is so powerful that whenever I hear the music playing, I have to stop what I’m doing and dance to the rhythm reaching deep within my soul, connecting me to who I am and to the roots where I come from.

Growing up listening to the stirring sounds of the Blues taught me about hope and about change. The Blues explained that circumstances can wear you down and at times, life can feel so difficult that your only friends appear to be despair and loneliness. While this sounds very sad, the Blues are actually about inner strength, hope and the fact that no matter how challenging things are, nothing remains the same indefinitely, change will always occur. As the talented blues musician Sam Cooke sang… “I know Someday, Change is Gonna Come”.

During this time of my life, change came for me on a daily basis. As my psychic senses began to unfold, my education continued as I studied astrology, tarot and how to read tea leaves like my great-grandmother. My concept of the universe expanded as my experiences with the world and the spirit world grew each day. Through these mystical experiences, I endured great loss, reveled in great love and discovered what anchored me, including my connection with trees to ground my energy and keep me strong and the knowledge that the power of moving water can heal a soul like nothing else I’ve seen.

As I continued my studies, spending half my life in the library reading and the other steeped in the music and culture of this land, I observed how the adults around me viewed life and how some of it differed from the wisdom I had inside my soul. They spoke often about hope; hoping that something would change, hoping a change would come, or a hope for a new tomorrow. While hope is a positive emotion to have, at that tender age, I instinctively knew that hope is just a small step to lead you onto the path of your destiny. Hope for a change, implies that we are powerless to make the change; that instead we must wait for another to bring it forth.

Deep within my soul, I understood a powerful lesson… What we think, we believe and what we believe, we become. I also knew that change is not something that happens outwardly, it begins within, with what we believe is possible.

In this fertile land, surrounded by teachers on this earth plane and the other side, I began my earliest studies of the esoteric teachings and connected with the universal and internal soul wisdom. With the help of my guides, I remembered what I had learned many lifetimes ago, and understood how to access and activate these universal laws, and thus re-discovered that my life would never be the same.

As I have taught in previous lifetimes in the ancient temples of Egypt along the Nile, and connected with again in the rich Louisiana cultural gumbo mix of music, blues, soul food and healing waters, I share here one of the universal laws regarding the power of change, which I speak about in my book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled.

…When We Activate Our Consciousness,
We Become Magical Beings and Can Harness Energy

When we activate our consciousness, it is released outward in a blast of energy. The all seeing eye of the universe senses this energy and looks directly at us! We have broken through a seal and where we once received a daily trickle of water into our system, we are now connected to a mystical endless sea. As we transform and become conscious creators, we become further connected to this ocean of energy and…

In that Moment of Awareness, Everything Changes.

To further explain … Universal energy flows continuously like a waterfall upon the earth plane. As our energy through thoughts, words and actions is released, we interact with this waterfall. Unless we are fully awake, the thoughts and energy we send out only interact for a brief moment with the waterfall, causing an action and reaction and then it dissipates as our attention turns elsewhere. The only way for the energy to expand is to hold on to this thought, continuing to direction our attention to the waterfall, which causes greater action and reaction to happen regarding this particular thought. In our un-awakened state, our lower self sends this energy from our emotional and mental bodies, which drains our energy throughout the day. Basically we send out a lower level desire or impulse and it is reflected back to us and we move from one thought to the next.

However, when we become “Conscious Creators”, we send thoughts from our Higher Selves. We send deliberate, focused energy to this universal waterfall. We are saying, “Now, I See You and You See Me”! “I AM interacting with you and wish to magnify this energy with you to create an outcome”.

As the All Seeing Eye or Universal Energy becomes aware that you are “aware”, its energy quickens and vibrates more excitedly with your energy field and things begin to happen at a faster pace. It has no problem keeping up with you, as quickly as you are willing to progress. At this point, you will just be beginning to see what changes are truly possible in such a magical universe. Indeed as we have said before, the possibilities are endless! However, it must be said, one is better served to first master these  teachings and understand both the concepts and the pitfalls before attempting to work with them. Otherwise consequences can result which are unwanted and the student may not be prepared to handle the resulting outcome. Think of Universal Energy as having the same effect as electricity. Electricity has great power. At first, in its raw unleashed form, it is exhilarating to see, as in a lightening storm. Should this storm approach closer to you and your home, you soon realize that it also has the power to cause great destruction. On the flip side, electricity when properly understood and harnessed can be used in whatever form you wish, including lighting and heating your home, along with many other wonderful forms of focused energy.

Each esoteric teaching contains a series of deeper mysteries to unravel. The path of the esoteric student is to cultivate patience while remaining open to change, and questioning all experiences until discernment is found. Rather than discouraging you from this path, my hope is that it stimulates your mind and stirs your soul, bringing forth long forgotten memories of who you used to be and who you are meant to be again… You have only to ask these questions to the universe, to begin your journey today.

Let me share a teaching regarding conscious creation and the power to change I refer to as, “spinning plates”. Many students and some teachers believe that it takes an extraordinary amount of effort to access this energy. In the beginning, this is true for some people. However, one of the skills students develop over time is how to connect with this energy, creating the outcome (the change) they would like to achieve. Once this connection is established, you need only to check in every so often to make sure it is still vibrating as you desire, recharging it with energy on an occasional basis so that it continues to move. You can see this when you observe a performer twirl plates on sticks. He begins by twirling one plate and then is able to go to the next and the next, until many plates are spinning. He only needs to touch each one gently to keep the momentum going on them. When he tires of the performance and it has lost its appeal, he simply pulls his attention from the plates, and does not give them any further energy, allowing them to come to an ending.

Think about this concept. Where does your energy go and what do you pour your energy into on a daily basis? Are you satisfied with where your energy is going, what plates are spinning over your head right now? Recognize that with each thought, you are making changes, whether you desire to do so or not…

In my work, I meet with many people who tell me of their fear of change. When they tell me this, I know that they have lost their mojo. They are surprised when I remind them that with each thought, word, action and deed, we create a change within ourselves and with each person we interact with. I tell them, the only constant in life is change! Indeed, we are constantly in a flux and sea of change. The goal is to awaken to the fact that we have an active role in what changes come our way. We can awaken to be the Conscious Creators we were always meant to be and by doing so, co-create the changes we wish to see in our lives.

As my co-creation journey unfolds, I continue to tap into what I call my ‘sacred mojo’,
which is the soulful power of water, words and music, begining in my childhood in Louisiana.
As you consider connecting with your mojo to find the power of making changes in your life,
I leave you with this inspirational thought to ponder, from the song, ‘Cool Change’
by the synchronistically named ‘Little River Band’-

…Now that my life is so prearranged, I know that it’s time for a cool change.

Summer Solstice is a three-day celebration of the apex of the Sun’s journey bringing light to the Earth. Though the heat of Summer is just beginning, this date actually begins the ‘metaphorical’ decline of the Sun as it embarks on its journey to the Underworld, which will culminate on December 21st,( the darkest day of the year).

This cycle also represents the stages of life that each person goes through in the physical, the spring of our youth, the summer peak of our adult years, the reaping of wisdom in our golden years of autumn and the return to spirit world in winter.

Ancient cultures including the Egyptians and Druids marked the passage of time in nature and the spirit world. They used the concepts of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine principles found on the earth plane and the higher planes to teach about the circle of life. The story of the Oak King and the Holly King in the Druid lore or the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris are both examples of how the seasons and cycles change.

This celebration is also known as Midsummer, the longest day of the year and the first official day of Summer. On this day, it is said that the Goddess manifests as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. In Celtic lore, it regarded as the best time to see fairies.

How Summer Solstice Is Celebrated

Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate and revel in the light and lighter side of life. In ancient times, most marriages were held during the month of June and the tradition called the ‘Honey Moon’ is a pagan tradition. The word honeymoon, came from the drinking of mead (made of fermented honey), which was used in wedding ceremonies held during MidSummer.

Ancient Celts lit huge bonfires in clearings and on roads to give strength to the sun and keep evil spirits at bay. People wore amulets made with herbs to protect themselves, while others leaped through bonfires for purification, good health and love.

The evening before, during and after the Summer Solstice is the most important time of the year to pay attention to your dreams. It is reported that during this three day period, that what is dreamed of, will come to fruition. It is also the time that the ‘fae’ (faries) bestow good luck upon the people and is considered to be the best day of the year to see a fairy. This magic was best popularized in Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Legends state that in order to see a fairy on MidSummer’s eve, sit quietly outside with your eyes half open and gaze at a spot under a big tree. Fair warning: if you meet a fairy, don’t eat their food or you’ll have to remain with them for seven years, (which could be a lot of fun, but will seriously wreck any plans you have made).

A Wisdom Teaching Ritual for Summer Solstice:

In my work as a wisdom teacher, I share rituals that were used in the ancient temples, while bringing them into modern day practices. The Summer Solstice is a powerful time to visualize any negative thoughts and energy burning away to nothingness.  Here is a Purification/Cleansing ritual for the Summer Solstice:

The first step is to remove any negative thoughts you are holding on to. Write down your negative feelings on paper and then release them by burning them to ash in a safe container.

The second step is to remove negative energy from the home. In order to do this, bundle rosemary and white sage together with white thread and dip the tips into a bowl of spring water and sprinkle about the house to remove negativity and cleanse and purify.

The third step is to purify and cleanse your body and energy fields. Take a shower and while doing so, visualize the water washing your negative energy away and cleansing you. Here is the ritual to say while the water is on you in the shower. Begin by taking three deep breathes, breathing deeply to inhale and removing any stagnant energy when exhaling.

Then say aloud:

Mother Earth grounds me (earth)
This deep breath restores me (air)
The rays of Father Sun nourish me. (fire)
This pure water renews me. (water)
I am filled with Pure Light as I journey forward. (spirit)

Touch your forehead and say…
Let my mind open to the truth. (divine wisdom)

Touch your lips and say….
Let my lips speak the truth. (divine communication)

Touch your heart area and say:
Let my heart seek the ways of pure love, now and always. (divine love)

Touch each palm and say:
Let my hands be gifted to work in healing ways. (divine touch)

Touch the sole of each foot and say:
Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred path. (divine journey)

Exit the shower, wrap yourself up in a robe and find a comfortable place to sit. Light a candle and drink some spring water. When comfortable, begin a 15 minute meditation, asking for your guides to join you and share with you a message they have for you this night.

Author Eve Baumohl Neuhaus studied and worked with Shri Mahant Swami Ganeshanand Saraswati Giri (known to students and friends as Ganesh Baba. Ganesh was initiated through the same Kriya Yoga lineage as Paramahansa Yogananda (see one of my all time favorite books – (Autobiography of a Yogi)

In Eve’s book, The Crazy Wisdom of Ganesh Baba: Psychedelic, Sadhana, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini and the Cosmic Energy in Man, she shares the core principles and teachings of Ganesh Baba including the conscious control of prana and breath, and how to expand the consciousness and connect with universal energy.

Ganesh Baba’s teachings are known as Crea Yoga and evolved from several practices including tantric practices from Kriya Yoga and his life experiences with the Naga Babas and their connection with Lord Shiva.

For Yoga aficionado’s, the book is a wonderful addition to your library, filled with pearls of wisdom and reminders of how daily practice of the body and the mind lead to living in spirit, beyond the illusion of time.

A personal favorite in the book for me is on page 89-90, which discusses the third level of Crea, which is defined as… ‘conscious action. This is the heart of practice: using your free will, your attention, consciously, to the greatest benefit of all’.

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Join Kala in July 2010 as she teaches at the Omega Institute for a weekend workshop entitled:
Energy Anatomy: Exploring and Healing Your Auras and Chakras.

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’s Guided Meditations CD’s include a sacred site trilogy including Spirit of Hawaii, Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine).

‘If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves’. ~C.G. Jung, Integration of the Personality, 1939

As spiritual beings experiencing a human lifetime, we strive to understand the human condition as the soul explores boundaries, challenges and pleasures of being in the human form and living on the earth plane. As conscious creators, we strive in each moment, thought, action and deed to express our passions, loves and desires. There are as I say on the Explore Your Spirit show, ‘many paths, one destination’ and we have the free will to choose how we live in each lifetime, with the exception of a little destiny and karma thrown into the mix along the way.

For many people, an important part of this expression is the choice to have children. Perhaps there is no quicker way to learn who you are and test the boundaries of your patience, competence, wisdom, compassion and unconditional love, than through raising a child. The act of parenthood is a sacred undertaking and when done with love and care, the parent and child enter into a relationship which endures the test of time, providing tremendous benefit to them both along the way. I have often said that my son has been my greatest teacher, for out of the mouth of babes comes the wisdom of the ages. The goal I have always believed, is not to raise the child in a manner of how we think they should be, but rather in the manner of allowing them the safety and encouragement to explore and discover over time, who they are at the soul level. This in turn, allows them to express fully who they are meant to be in this lifetime, providing encouragement as a parent, rather than directives.

In her book, Soul to Soul Parenting, author Annie Burnside provides a guide to raising a family in a spiritually conscious fashion. A mother of three, Annie encourages parents to become ‘…active participants in their children’s awakening as conscious global citizens’. The book advises parents that a multitude of positive messages can be communicated to children helping them discover and reinforce life-afirming attributes within themselves.

In this forthcoming age of Aquarius, humanity is evolving at a rapid pace and the new souls coming through each day require new techniques and guidance in creating their future. In Soul to Soul Parenting, Burnside shares 22 methods for integrating spirituality into daily family life, encompassing a range of techniques including music, spirit mobiles, connecting with nature and specific tools and applications available to parents.

I recommend the book for parents with children of all ages including teens, as it’s packed full of wonderful ideas to bring families closer together to explore their highest potential.

Welcome to ‘The Quick Five’, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Stanton Friedman. Stanton received BSc and MSc degrees in physics from the University of Chicago in 1955 and 1956. He was employed for 14 years as a nuclear physicist for such companies as GE, GM, Westinghouse, TRW Systems, Aerojet General Nucleonics, and McDonnell Douglas on such advanced, classified, eventually cancelled, projects as nuclear aircraft, fission and fusion rockets, and nuclear powerplants for space.

Since 1967 he has lectured on the topic “Flying Saucers ARE Real!” at more than 600 colleges and over 100 professional groups in 50 states, 9 provinces, and 16 other countries. He has published more than 80 UFO papers and appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs. He is the original civilian investigator of the Roswell Incident and co-authored “Crash at Corona: The Definitive Study of the Roswell Incident.” TOP SECRET/MAJIC, his explosive book about the Majestic 12 group established in 1947 to deal with crashed saucers, was published in 1996 and went through 6 printings. He has provided written testimony to Congressional Hearings, appeared twice at the UN, and been a pioneer in many aspects of Ufology including Roswell, Majestic 12, the Betty Hill-Marjorie Fish star map work; analysis of the Delphos, Kansas, physical trace case; crashed saucers, flying saucer technology and challenges to the S.E.T.I. (Silly Effort to Investigate) cultists.

Stanton Friedman takes a clear-cut unambiguous stand that some UFO’s are alien spacecraft, that the subject of flying saucers represents a Cosmic Watergate, that none of the anti-UFO arguments made by a variety of noisy negativists stand up to careful scrutiny, and that we are dealing with the biggest story of the past millennium: visits to Planet Earth by alien spacecraft and the successful coverup by governments of the best data: alien wreckage and bodies recovered in New Mexico, for 63 years. He has spent many weeks at a total of 20 document archives. Stan has successfully taken on many critics of flying saucers, Roswell, Majestic 12, including winning a debate at Oxford University.

Stanton has previously been a guest on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, where I discussed his work and his book, Flying Saucers and Science. The topic of our interview today on the Quick Five is Stanton’s new book, Science Was Wrong: Startling Truths About Cures, Theories, and Inventions They Declared Impossible‘, which was co-authored with Kathleen Marden.

Kala: Stanton, wonderful to speak with you again and welcome to the ‘Quick Five’. Your new book is entitled – Science Was Wrong: Startling Truths About Cures, Theories, and Inventions They Declared Impossible’. What was the most astounding bit of information that you discovered that scientists had wrong and which field of science did you find has the most errors?

Stanton: That is like trying to say which of your children you prefer. The most distressing, frankly, was the terrible Eugenics Movement with its Hitlerian approach to selecting the finest people and keeping others from reproducing. My own grandparents wouldn’t have been allowed in since they could not have passed tests in English when they arrived. Kathleen did an outstanding job on that chapter. There were loads of errors in the space and aviation areas…. False claims made by smart people who knew nothing about the topics at hand

Kala: Several of the chapters in the book deal with medical issues, such as the Hemophilia Holocaust. Can you describe to our readers the relevance and importance of this holocaust? Also what types of medical cures did you find in your research that were proved wrong at a later date?

Stanton: Ten thousand American Hemophiliacs were made HIV positive as a result of the medical community’s advice to keeping using the Factor VIII transfusions because there was only one chance in a million that the virus could be transmitted via transfusion. The factor was made by batch processing of blood using thousands of units. If one was contaminated, all the product would be. Furthermore, it was already know that heat treatment of blood products could eliminate viruses such as Hepatitis C. But that was too expensive! The voices of reason were ignored until it was too late.

Kala: You and the late Carl Sagan were class mates in the physics department at the University of Chicago for three years. You mention in Science Was Wrong and elsewhere that he was wrong about UFO’s, abductions, and government cover-ups. Did you two argue in physics class about these theories or did the differences evolve at a later date?

Stanton: We were classmates 1953-1956 and never discussed such matters. I didn’t read a book about UFOs until 1958 and didn’t find Blue Book Special Report 14 until about 1961. I visited him a couple of times in Ithaca , much later, when speaking at Cornell University . We obviously disagreed,though cordially. I also wrote him a strong critique of his Sunday Supplement article about abductions.

Kala: Do you believe that the changes in the energy output of the sun are the real cause of climate change as opposed to the production of CO2?

Stanton: I am certainly convinced, along with a number of scientists, that the sun is the primary driver of the earth’s climate. There have been times when the CO2 level was much higher than now without catastrophic global warming. CO2 isn’t even the most abundant greenhouse gas.. water vapor is. The notion that man is responsible for the climate doesn’t hold up. New satellites are providing more and more data pointing the finger at the sun. We can’t do much about that.

Kala: Stephen Hawking is one of the best known scientists on the planet. What are your thoughts about his comments in April about aliens?

Stanton: Frankly, as I have said in one of my monthly columns, his comments were pretty silly. None of the astrophysicists have deigned to examine the overwhelming evidence that aliens have already been visiting. The notion that Earthlings can be compared to the Native Americans discovered by Columbus is absurd. We have many weapons of mass destruction and the means for delivering them. We will be going to the stars using our newly found (1938) notions that nuclear fusion is what powers the stars and our ability to harness fusion with our first H-bomb in 1952. It released the energy of 10 million tons of TNT. We are obviously a primitive society whose major activity is tribal warfare as demonstrated by our killing of fifty million earthlings during WW 2. Nobody out there would want us to leave here. The notion that if aliens were coming, they would have communicated with us using technology like ours is beyond silly. Columbus didn’t send smoke signals to the natives.

Kala: I’m breaking my own rule here and going for a sixth question, but I have to ask. Science used to be a field that was open to free flowing thoughts, open minded ideas and hypothesis’s that were explored no matter how radical the idea was at the beginning. It now seems to have done a complete reversal, becoming dogmatic and scientists are quick to ridicule each other and shun scientists who are pioneers of new fields of study. You cite some examples in your book such as Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky. Why has science changed, with the focus more on debunking, destruction and isolation, rather than creating and supporting new research? How it is it affecting the various fields of study and the scientists themselves?

Stanton: Now it is really a question, not of the search for truth, but of the search for status, tenure and research grants and fear of being held up for ridicule. I have spoken at over 600 colleges and found that fewer than 2% have read any of the large scale scientific studies I discuss. In addition 10% of the attendees have seen a UFO but 905 did not report what they saw mostly for fear of ridicule. Most professors lack courage to swim against the tide.

Kala: Stanton, thanks for taking the time to join me here for the Quick Five.

Stanton: You are very welcome. My privilege. My books and a number of articles are listed at my web site www.stantonfriedman.com

Many contemporary spiritual teachers offer methods for awakening that may actually impede rather than encourage the process. Some of these entail dissolving the ego or subduing the emotional/pain body, while others focus on transcending thought, and even form and language. These methods give the erroneous impression that only by overcoming certain exigencies can a person be on a path to awakening.

What does it mean to awaken? Eckhart Tolle, in his book A New Earth, defines awakening as a shift in consciousness during which thinking and awareness separate. This concise definition of awakening implies that thinking limits our awareness. While this may be true, it is unclear why a definition and resulting methodology of awakening would rest on such a separation, just as for others it hinges on dissolving, subduing, doing away with, or moving beyond everyday realities. As spiritual teachers, we should be asking ourselves if our models of awakening originate in separation consciousness, which compels us to “cut out,” “stop,” or “fix” things in order to achieve our desired outcome. Separation consciousness, by definition, limits the scope of awakening by partitioning off great segments of reality.

What does it really mean to awaken? It seems that awakening is an extensively aware state of mind that takes in everything. There is no “path to awakening” nor end to be gained — only awareness without likes or dislikes, which gives way to more awareness. As a thought or feeling unfolds, it reveals hidden layers of reality, causing the unseen to become seen.

Just as awakening does not require us to separate thought from awareness or transcend the ego or emotional/pain body, it also does not ask us to subscribe to the limits of form. From this vantage point, there are no such limits; within every form is the immeasurable, waiting for our awareness to unfold into it. This is why an awakened chef can taste the soil in a piece of chocolate and identify the region of the world where it originated. It is also most likely how transcendent abilities awaken within us—non-local awareness, spontaneous healing, prophecy, and clairvoyance.

As spiritual teachers, our task is to invite seekers into awakening through models that support it, void of any sort of imposition. Surely we can guide the minds of seekers to give full attention to an experience without relying on exclusion or division. Great painters, for instance, can so reduce a reality to its color content that it assumes a new existence beyond color, unassociated with any previous memory of it. We, too, can show the scales of an infinitely expansive reality.

Ultimately spiritual teachers can invite seekers directly into the unfolding of awareness by bringing our own awareness to the task. In doing so, we demonstrate that expanded awareness, the state of mind that takes in everything, is an integral phenomenon, not one that is divided. We also realize that a mind engaged in this process could never look for a method, because it is constantly opening, continually awakening.

More about Christina Donnell…
Christina Donnell, Ph.D., is a spiritual teacher and author of the five time award winning book Transcendent Dreaming: Stepping Into Our Human Potential. She conducts workshop intensives and training in receptive wisdom. For more information, www.wocaassoc.com.

As we draw close to wrapping up the 12 Gifts of Enlightenment, with gift number eleven presented here, take a moment to reflect on the concept that the best gifts are the ones we give and receive with great thought and care. With the holiday season winding down, you may find yourself a little worn out from the season of celebration. In January, the long cold dark nights of winter are a reminder that we should take time to hibernate, recuperate, and create reserves of our vital energy, so that when spring arrives, we are bursting with energy.

One of the simplest, rewarding and budget friendly gifts that you can give to yourself this year, is to adopt the practice of meditation. For many, the concept of meditation is a daunting one. For those who have never tried to meditate, the idea of sitting in a very uncomfortable position in complete silence for hours is enough to discourage even the slightest attempt. True, there are those who enter into meditative practices that become an entire lifestyle, however, just like the preponderance of flowers in an English garden, there truly are hundreds of ways to meditate and connect with your inner self.

Crucial in any meditation practice, is the breath. Regardless of whether you wish to spend ten minutes in meditation or ten hours, slow deep methodical breathing will relax the body, bring in oxygen to the lungs and blood stream and help to retain focus and awareness.

This brings us to Gift Number Eleven – Give the Gift of Meditation. If you or an aspiring metaphysician in your life are looking to adopt a meditation practice, open your mind and disregard any preconceived notions of how you think a meditation practice should operate. Take this time to create a practice that feels right for you. One of the easiest ways to do this, is to adopt a simple ten minute meditation. Make a resolution for the new year, that for ten minutes every day, you will create a window of opportunity to meditate. Perhaps you’ll wake early before the rest of your household to have those ten minutes, or set aside some time during your lunch hour in your car or before you go to sleep in the evening. Given the demands of your day and the fast paced lifestyle that you may be leading, you may find that when you take those ten minutes, that it proves to be too difficult to simply relax and think of nothing. Do not feel concerned about this, this is your practice and you can create a meditation practice which is right for you at this time.

For many people, guided meditations are a wonderful way to meditate. You can have the meditation on CD or on your iPod and play in your home, car, or with headphones anywhere you are. Simply choose the meditation that appeals to you and play and enter the journey that the guided meditation provides with a guide and soft music.

If your day is full and you don’t have time for a guided meditation, create a sacred space for yourself that you can return to often. This is done by picturing a peaceful scene which you find relaxing. Perhaps it’s the beach or a mountain top or garden. Build the scene in your mind, adding beautiful details. If you find the concept of a garden to be calming, create a bench where you will sit in the garden. See the trees, the cascade of flowers blooming in a multitude of color and hear the birds chirping, along with the soft rustle of the breeze blowing through the leaves in the trees. Relax on the bench, stretch out your legs and with your eyes closed, tilt your head back and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Take a deep breath and sigh out loud. Breathe in slow and deep and exhale fully, releasing the air from deep within. Notice the colors of the leaves and the bark on the trees. Take your shoes off and sink your feet deep into the soft grass, flexing your toes. As you breathe in again deeply, become aware of the flowers as their scent fills the garden.

Continue building this garden in great detail until you can see it fully in your mind and know it well. Then claim this scene as your sacred space. Know that you can return there anytime, all you need to do is to sit quietly, breathe deeply and imagine this scene in your mind. In this space, you can relax and spend a few minutes there every day. This act of active meditation can become a profound spiritual practice that can make a significant impact on your day and create a sense of relaxation and well-being.

Tune in tomorrow as we explore Enlightenment Gift Number Twelve. If you’ve missed Gift’s One, Two, Three, Four, Five Six,  Seven, Eight, Nine or Ten. Click on the links here to visit the articles and click on the subscribe button on the top section of this page, where you’ll be notified via email each time a new article by yours truly appears.

As Bob Marley once said, “Man is a universe within himself”.

Breathing deeply, unwinding and going within…
Kala

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala 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 lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: 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.

The 12 Days – 12 Gifts of Enlightenment series is based upon the “spirit of the season”, not pertaining to any particular faith. Consider it a nod to ancient cultures who celebrated the Winter Solstice with festivals, rituals and parties, heralding the return of the light -  the Sun. Ancient Rome celebrated the solstice holiday as Saturnalia, and Celtic Druids created bonfires in a three day ritual as the Oak King battled with the Holly King and won back the light. History of these celebrations are found with the honoring of Mithra, in Egyptian practices of Osiris and in various societies around the world. The seasonal observance for many at this time extends to January 6th in conjunction with the story of the Three Wise Men, the Magi who brought gifts upon their arrival. The 12 gifts of enlightenment are shared throughout the celebrations of the return of the light and need not necessarily culminate on a particular day. Perhaps it alludes to a time to create new rituals including for the New Year, with heartfelt intentions to bring abundance, joy, good health and inner wisdom.

The Twelve Days – Twelve Gifts of Enlightenment are a reminder that on the journey to esoteric wisdom, knowledge is the first key. As was written above a mystery school temple in ancient Greece, “Man, Know Thyself”, it has always been of tremendous value to spend time in self-observation and introspection. One of the ways to begin this journey, is to look at the past, review the history of humanity and discern the truth to see how history changes and is rewritten according to cultural and political mores. Begin with your own investigation of the origins and history of the holidays including Christmas, New Years and Easter to discover how they have evolved to the modern day concepts.

You may find during your research, that many of the holidays now celebrated began as a completely different celebration. My intent gentle reader, is not to discourage you from celebrating each holiday, but rather to encourage you to delve deeper into the history and find the path which is right for you to follow. As Anais Nin said, “The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery”.

On this path, I’d like to recommend two books that I have enjoyed reading this year, which share a particular perspective of western history. This brings us to:

Gift Number 9 – Give the Gift of Knowledge and Discernment.

The first book is: How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill. The title is a bit ambitious, as most any student of history will note that the Greeks and the Eastern Byzantine Empire continued to exist and document historic record before and after the fall of Rome, as well as many eastern cultures. Perhaps a more accurate title would be: How the Irish Evolved By Combining Roman Catholic Beliefs with their Traditional Pagan Beliefs, creating Many Holidays and Cultural Beliefs Which We Celebrate Today. Having said that, one can plainly see which title is more attention grabbing. Cahill describes the decline and fall of Rome and how the Irish, due to their love of preservation, transcribed this written history during the Dark Ages, when recorded history throughout many parts of western Europe was on the verge of being destroyed by Barbarian cultures. The second portion of the book explains how Irish myth, lore and culture then placed its own unique stamp on civilization, blending a mix of Christianity beginning with St. Patrick, into traditional Irish pagan rites and customs. Cahill shares some of the life and history of St. Patrick, a roman boy who came from a family lineage of tax collectors, who was enslaved and taken to Ireland. Not mentioned in regard to the stories of St. Patrick are the reports of Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, which chronicle how the Druid culture was driven from Ireland by Christian monks beginning with Patrick.

The beauty and passion of the Irish people is vividly described as Cahill shares his love of poetry and brings ancient Ireland to life, which also serves to stimulate popular interest in the history of western civilization. My hope is that the reader would begin here with this read, recognize it as only one piece to the puzzle and then venture further into study of the Greeks, Romans, Armenians, Coptics, Arabic, and many other cultures, all of whom carried forth the history from these dark times.

Book recommendation number two is, How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It, by Arthur Herman. Particularly interesting is that the UK title for this book is The Scottish Enlightenment, which is a better representation of the information found in this book. This also leads to the question, Must we as Americans require alleged super hero titles for every book in order for it to sell? Both books in review here, extend their titles to the extreme, but this is certainly not a new concept. One only has to look at American history to see how much of it has been fabricated to “sell the sizzle”. A quick example being the focus on the midnight ride of Paul Revere, when in reality, Israel Bissell rode farther and faster, but didn’t have what it took to turn him into a superstar to rally the crowds.

In How the Scots Invented the Modern World, Herman lists an impressive collection of Scots and their accomplishments including Andrew Carnegie, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexander Graham Bell, Sir Walter Scott and John Muir. One of the best features of this book, is that it endeavors to explain Scottish history and development, without over-fanciful ethnic pride clouding the vision. An interesting read to add to a long list of selections for history buffs, mark this one as the tale of the 18th century as the age of enlightenment for Scotland.

Tune in tomorrow as we explore Enlightenment Gift Number Ten. If you’ve missed Gift’s One, Two, Three, Four, Five Six,  Seven, or Eight, click on the links here to visit the articles and click on the subscribe button on the top section of this page, where you’ll be notified via email each time a new article by yours truly appears.

Sitting amongst random piles of books, pondering the mysteries…
*~Kala~*

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala 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 lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

What is Peace? Do we know when we have peace, are at peace, or are we only aware of its presence when it’s gone? Do we squander time when we could be at peace, choosing instead to indulge in misery and complaints, until something horrible happens to make us realize that our lives were pretty peaceful? Why do we fail to realize and appreciate what we have in front of us, unable to see that it could be lost or taken away?

Many cultures try to teach that peace is a state of mind, It’s taught in the Catholic mass when each person turns in a full circle around them, greets each person, holds their hand, looks them in the eye and says, “Peace – Be – With – You”. Buddhist monks teach meditation, expressing the concept that to meditate is to be unaffected and calm while chaos occurs around you, to remain in peace while others panic.

In reviewing the concept of Peace in its most simplistic definition, it is described as the absence of war. Could this refer to the war within each of us, as we struggle against ourselves? Is it possible to know peace without first knowing war? Must we experience friction in order to know its release?

In the laws of physics, friction occurs when two objects come into contact with each other. The amount of friction can be measured in the terms of how much pressure is required before motion of some type occurs. We see this when two sticks are rubbed together until a spark is created, resulting in fire. When you take a step, you create friction to push your foot off the ground to take the next step. When waves break on the shore, friction is created. It is the same with people, a kiss is friction and when two ideas or ideologies clash, it creates friction.

While pondering these thoughts, I began to wonder…What if we need places and people to help us find peace by creating chaos around us? What if by grand decision, we inadvertently create friction as part of a master plan? Could the law of physics and friction be the entire catalyst for our journey on earth? After all, does not the friction of a grain of sand in the oyster create the pearl?

What if every action does have a reaction and we hold the key to peace? What if the answer lies in the fact that we haven’t understood at what price peace comes or that peace has a price at all? Perhaps we have a larger role to play in consciously creating the act of peace.

Is it possible that each of us creates friction and offers peace in one of three roles, which I have identified and named as – a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow? Could it be that each person who enters our lives, whether for a brief moment or a lifetime relationship, are like ships tendering at our dock, coming into our lives when they need a particular experience?

As we continue to cry aloud en masse to give peace a chance, have we been looking outward for so long, that we’ve lost sight of all that we know and knew to be true? Could the answers we seek and the help we long for, actually be found within ourselves?

Do you know your destiny in this lifetime? If you do, can you identify your role as a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow?

Haven
A Haven is a retreat, a sanctuary. Haven’s express an oasis of joy and serenity, a Haven is dreamy, unreal. Havens can be found in your mother’s arms as a child, your lover’s embrace or a moment spent under the moon and stars by a lazy river on a perfect evening.

Haven’s remind you of hope, of all the wonder and beauty in the world and why it is so good to be here. But Havens by nature, are fleeting. Haven’s don’t judge. They are just here to remind you of joy, of light and of laughter, of the power of love and what it means to be fully alive and present.

They are like a first kiss, a beautiful dream, or the moment you feel the stirring of love. A Haven can be remembered forever but only lived for a few moments. Havens are to remind you of Heaven (Haven) and that at times, life can be like heaven on earth. Havens are natural forces and must do what they do; they cannot be contained, as they move like angels on earth, spreading their light. Once the moment is experienced, they must drift away or you will become enraptured and stay caught in stasis, instead of moving forward like you need to do.

Friction is caused when it is time for the Haven and the person to part company, as the person fears loss and wants to control the Haven and attempt to assert ownership, which cannot be. A Haven cannot be owned or possessed. Once the open hand attempts to make a fist, the Haven slips away. A Haven is not a home and when the person attempts to settle in permanently, the Haven will create friction, shake them loose and set them free. The purpose of a Haven is to create a magical moment of bliss, to remind people that Heaven can exist on Earth.

Harbor
A Harbor is an organized portal of entry, where people are welcome to enter and to leave. A Harbor offers protection from storms and provides a place to seek safety, shelter and repairs. Harbors, while offering safety, do not equally accept all newcomers. A Harbor knows that not all who enter come in peace. A Harbor has a duty to protect all who enter and so it takes the time to build trust with newcomers in order to understand their intentions.

Harbors have long memories. They hold energy, retain possession of goods and space and can harbor a grudge when mistreated. Harbors can conceal and hide people, in order to protect them from other people or storms. A harbor is a landing place, but never the same, as new cargo and ships enter daily and new people move there to work on the docks and in the town. People who decide to stay there long term, adjust to deal with the constant change, understanding that there are people they may connect with and then never see again. A Harbor is a place to lay anchor for a while, usually temporarily, as room always needs to be made to allow new people and cargo to enter.

Harbors are often haunted with ghosts of regret, grief, unresolved situations and people who have not learned to let go of the past. Like many situations in life, a Harbor understands the circle of life including lack and abundance and that luck comes and goes. The purpose of a Harbor is to allow all who enter their portal, to unload their burdens and share their stories, their adventures and their treasures. They provide comfort, solace and space to interact with other travelers.

Hollow
A Hollow is similar in nature to a mother’s womb. It is a place to recover from an arduous journey in order to be reborn. Often located between mountains, it symbolizes that we have undergone an experience of monumental proportions and now we are able to rest and recuperate before we journey again to climb another mountain.

A Hollow is different from a Haven or a Harbor. It does not promise that all life is beautiful like a Haven nor is it active like a Harbor, a Hollow’s beauty lies in its simplicity and connection to nature. A Hollow allows you to be, just as you are, no comparisons, no action, just a time of reflection. There in the Hollow is a natural rhythm, the chirping of crickets and birds, the croaking of frogs, the splashing turtles and the sway of the trees in the breeze. A Hollow creates a large bowl in which you are invited to sink into and feel the connection of the circle of life. It reminds you that what will be will be, regardless of where you venture again or where you have come from.

A Hollow works like a vacuum. Things are drawn there to fill the space. During time in the Hollow, one retreats from the world. A Hollow, like a Haven, is not meant to be lived in for a lifetime. A Hollow offers an opportunity to reflect and gather strength in order to move on to the next part of the journey. Hollow’s can be enchanted with a magic that allows us to gaze into the water and see within and around us what has not been clear before. However, one must not dwell too long in the Hollow, for there is a the danger of staying inactive for too long, and becoming stuck in a bog or swamp, left to wallow in the murky water.

The Hollow is the in-between. It is there for us when we need it. The purpose of a Hollow is to allow us to recuperate and build up strength, so we can deal with our shadow selves and the mental and emotional thoughts slowing us down.

The Gifts of the Haven, Harbor, and Hollow

In the Haven, we remember who we are at the core level and the source from which we are all connected. We are given the gift of joy.

In the Harbor, we deal with action and the physical, making decisions and movements every day. We are given the gift of purpose.

In the Hollow, we go within to discern why we have done what we have done thus far in life and what that says about us. From there, we strengthen our resolve to go forth and do better on our next step and adventure. We are given the gift of strength.

Do you recognize yourself as a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow? Perhaps you are all three or act as one or the other in different relationships? Can you identify the Haven, Harbor and Hollow in others and how the friction caused in each meeting, can help you on your road to inner peace?

May the friction you encounter on your journey create a spark, lighting your path to peace.

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala 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 lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s have just been released with Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

In 1962 in northeast Scotland, a dedicated group of people created a community named Findhorn. They lived by applying the principles of attraction, which they demonstrated by creating a flourishing garden on a land and climate that was harsh and labeled unsuitable for vegetation. The result, both a testimony to harmony with nature and conscious connection to all things, yielded fruit for the body, mind and spirit. David Spangler was one of the early residents of Findhorn, and during his time in the Findhorn community, he began writing down how those laws worked. In 1975, his writings were first published as The Laws of Manifestation. This book is now available again through Red Wheel/Weiser. Recently, I sat down with David to speak with him about his book and his time at Findhorn.

Kala: Hi David, thanks for joining me here on Explore Your Spirit with Kala’s Bohemian Blog. A couple of years back, I interviewed the folks at Findhorn on the Explore Your Spirit show. I’ve always been fascinated with Findhorn and what was accomplished there by a small group of conscious people. In 1970, you arrived at Findhorn and were the first American to be part of the community. Tell me about your time at Findhorn and what you experienced by being part of the community.

David: I was at Findhorn for three years during which time I served as a co-director along with Peter Caddy, one of the three original founders, and was instrumental in starting the community’s educational program. Those three years were magical. When I first arrived in 1970, there were only about fifteen people in the community, but people began arriving and staying, mostly at that time from the United States, until in 1972 there were about a hundred and fifty people living there as members. It was my first experience living in a community, and I enjoyed it tremendously. It was a chance to interact on a daily basis with like-minded people in a spirit of mutual support and encouragement. What was not to like about that?

Initially the focus at Findhorn was on the gardens and the work with the nature spirits and Devas, the angels of nature. But as the community grew so quickly, there was a need for some kind of internal educational process to bring the new members up to speed with what Findhorn was about, its spiritual vision and purpose. For years, Peter had done that himself in a one-on-one fashion, but this was no longer practical. That was when I began developing an educational process within the community. The two main teachings of the center were attunement to the Sacred, the “God Within” as Eileen Caddy called it, and cooperation with the spiritual intelligences within nature, the nature spirits and the Devas. A third became living in community in a mutually empowering way. Everything else evolved from those three principles, and part of my job was to make those principles clear.

In 1973, I felt I needed to return to the United States and resume my work here, which had been interrupted when I went to Scotland. But I have retained a deep fondness for the community and over the years have often gone back for visits. I continue to collaborate with them. For instance, next spring I’m collaborating with their educational department to offer a class, “Living Whole” which will feature a one-week experience in the community with Findhorn faculty and three months of online teaching with me. Information can be found on our website, www.Lorian.org.

Kala: It was said that Dorothy Maclean communicated with the intelligence of nature in her work at Findhorn. Some people describe this as interacting with fairies, gnomes and other beings. Was there interaction with other beings in the gardens of Findhorn?

David: The fairies, gnomes, and so forth belong to a large class of beings we called “nature spirits.” These are the beings that work energetically with specific plants and locations. Overlighting them are much vaster, more powerful Beings who are like the souls of entire species or who overlight vast landscapes and ecologies. These Beings Dorothy called the “Devas,” a Sanskrit word meaning “Shining Ones.” They would be equivalent to angels. Dorothy communicated with the Devas, receiving quite precise instructions that permitted her and Peter to grow the miraculous garden on which the fame of the community rested. An elderly Scottish gentleman named R. Ogilvie Crombie or Roc who lived in Edinburgh but who visited the community regularly was the main contact with the nature spirits. By the way, an excellent new book has just been released about him, his life and his work at Findhorn. In Britain, it’s called The Gentleman and the Faun but in North America it’s titled Meeting Fairies and is published by Allen and Unwin.

Kala: Your book, The Laws of Manifestation was written based on the laws you observed during your time at Findhorn. You state in the book - “This is what manifestation is: the working of natural laws of energy exchange and transference within a consciousness of the Whole and through an attunement to the Presence of Wholeness… It is a dynamic state of consciousness. On human levels, manifestation does not replace working for a living, it is simply a different way of expressing the livingness of the work and the work of living where work is truly seen as Love in Action”. I think this is one of the most important laws that is overlooked, that we also do have to work and take action and that thought alone will not accomplish what we wish to manifest. How best does one combine thought and action to manifest?

David: The two are really indispensable to each other. A process of manifestation can begin with either. I may need to do something, to take some action, in order to get energy moving in my life and clarify my thoughts so that I can think and imagine more precisely and clearly just what I wish to manifest. And going the other way, I may have clear images and thoughts of my manifestation but again I need to do something to open the channels for those images to connect with the larger world. Which way you approach a manifestation depends on the specific circumstances. Think of trying to play Chopin on the piano using only one hand. You can pluck out part of the melody but the richness and fullness of the music will be lost.
Thinking enables me to connect with energies of meaning: what does this manifestation mean in itself, what does it mean in my life, what does it mean in my relationships to others, and so on. Action alone won’t do that. On the other hand, action connects me to the world of matter and formation, the shaping of things, the response to opportunities, the engagement with form. Thinking alone won’t do that.

Kala: I teach esoteric teachings and have referred to what I teach as from an old age, rather than what people try to lump together and describe as new age. In reading your book, I found a similar focus, especially with your thoughts around manifestation and how it should be aligned with the Higher Will. In more recent times, manifestation has been described more as the law of attraction and a way to get what you want, many times without asking is this for your highest and best. What are your thoughts about manifesting and how it should be activated?

David: We think of manifestation generally in too restricted a way, likening it to the effect of a magnet upon iron filings. We see it as a way of bringing something into our lives. It helps to see it as an action of change: we are changing ourselves into something else and because of that we are changing the world around us as it configures to the “shape” of our life. Now this change might be great or it might be small. If I manifest a toaster, there’s probably not a great difference between me with a toaster and me without one, and the world is not going to be much affected. But if I manifest a new job or a spouse, say, that is going to change me, perhaps dramatically, and my world and relationships will change accordingly. So we need to think of manifestation not simply of attraction as if that’s all there is to it but as an act of life-shaping and to some degree of world-shaping. In my language, I say that manifestation is really an act of incarnation.

Kala: Your book is described as “transforming lives by working with the natural laws“. What do you define as a natural law?

David: A natural law to me is a description of a principle that operates in harmony and consistency with the structure and nature of reality. It is not a local phenomenon but something that operates across the spectrum of life and beingness. Thus gravity is a manifestation of the structural and atomic nature of the cosmos and doesn’t just work in Cleveland but not in Detroit; it works everywhere. For this reason, I don’t think of the “Law of Attraction” per se as a natural law, or even as a law at all. It’s a phenomenon that can occur based on principles of resonance, but not all the time; there are plenty of exceptions to its operation, for which we should be grateful. We wouldn’t want to attract everything we think about or feel, but if it were a true natural law, we would.

Kala: Since 1965, you’ve worked clairvoyantly with a group of non-physical beings, described as “from the inner worlds of spirit who are part of an inner school whose purpose was to explore and develop a spiritual teaching around the process of incarnation”. Tell us about the beings you work with.

David: My work with non-physical beings generally falls into two categories. One is with beings whom I find in my environment, such as nature spirits, or other beings who may come to me for one reason or another but in a one-off kind of way. The second is with the group you mentioned. They have often referred to themselves as a “school,” but they do not mean an educational institution. Rather they use the word in the way we might say a “school of thought,” that is, a group following a particular line of understanding, research or work. They, in turn, are part of a much larger group of beings made up of humans, angels, and devas whose overall interest is to promote the welfare and blessing of all humanity and all lives upon the earth. This particular “school” with whom I work is like a research think tank: they are running experiments, and sometimes I feel like I’m one of them! Basically, they are part of a movement to inspire a planetary spirituality, one that is neither Western nor Eastern in its basis, but one grounded in the essential nature of humanity, of the human person, and in sacredness. They are exploring just what such a planetary consciousness and spirituality might be like and how best to inspire its unfoldment “down here.” It’s not something that can be taught or revealed; it’s something that must emerge from our collaboration with them. That it, at this point in human evolution, a new spirituality must emerge from us, not from them–or more precisely, it must emerge from partnership between incarnate and dis-incarnate beings.

Within this larger objective–which a great many individuals and groups are pursuing–a particular “detachment” of this school, like a department perhaps, is working with me on the issue of redefining the nature of incarnation and what it means to be a person in order to more readily access the spiritual light that is innate in each of us. This light is not one coming from transpersonal sources but from within us as a result of the generative or creative nature of the incarnational process itself. In short, each of us is a source of what might be called “Self-Light,” a spiritual force that can be a real blessing to the world. How to understand and tap this Self-Light or “incarnational Light” and make it a practical tool in our lives is the specific objective of this department, that is, of the specific non-physical colleagues and partners with whom I work.

Kala: What is Incarnational Spirituality?

David: Incarnational Spirituality is the name I’ve given to the understanding and practice of using Self-Light in partnership with the the spiritual light from within the world and from transpersonal levels, and of course, with the Light of the Sacred that ultimate underlies all of it. Originally, I was calling it “person-centered spirituality” since it focused upon the spiritual value and presence of the personal level of consciousness and existence, not the transpersonal. But I came to realize this was too limited a term and that what I was really researching and studying in partnership with my inner colleagues was the spiritual power and consequences of the incarnational process itself. This research has formed the basis for all my classes and writings, particularly in the past eight years or so since I’ve been using the term “Incarnational Spirituality.”

I suppose one origin of this phrase was with an inner Being who appeared one day as I was writing an article about some of the challenges facing humanity at this time and said, “The problem with humanity is not that you’re too incarnated; it’s that you’re not incarnated enough.” I knew he didn’t mean we weren’t physical enough, but that we’re not connected enough, not whole enough. I wanted to know more, and this led me into researching the process of incarnation and what it means spiritually and otherwise to be an incarnate person. If any of your readers are interested in learning more, they can do so by going to my website www.lorian.org I teach online over the Internet for the most part, and there are a number of new classes soon to begin this winter and spring.

Kala: Going back to Findhorn, do you think new communities of this type will be created? Why hasn’t this concept caught on and expanded in other areas?

David: That’s a good question. I think there are new communities being formed all the time, though not necessarily in the Findhorn mode; I’m thinking here of the co-housing movement which has a lot of community elements. And there were a few communities founded inspired by Findhorn’s example. The Sirius Community in Massachusetts is one of these. But starting and running and living in an intentional community is truly hard work and not for the faint-hearted. It’s not easy making them economically self-sufficient (even Findhorn hasn’t achieved that after nearly fifty years of existence), and they require a lot of time, energy, commitment and sacrifice from everyone involved to be successful. Aside from entering a religious community, which is a different kettle of fish anyway, not that many people either can or are willing to leave their work and connections in the larger society where there are more opportunities than most small communities can offer. It’s probably the same dynamic that leads people to move from small towns to cities but not necessarily the reverse.

Kala: Who is David Spangler? If your friends and family were to describe you in five sentences, what would they say?

David: They would probably say I’m loving, funny, a happy father to great children, a most appreciative and grateful husband to a fantastic woman, someone who likes to play games, someone who needs more exercise, and a writer who uses long, complex sentences where short, simple ones would do! Oh, and I love chocolate!

Kala: It was a pleasure speaking with you David. Thank you for your time.

For more info:
More about David Spangler:
Since returning to the United States from Findhorn in the early seventies, David Spangler has continued to travel and lecture widely. He has developed and taught classes at a number of institutions, including the University of Wisconsin, Seattle University, and the California Institute of Integral Studies. He also teaches classes for the Lorian Association for Incarnational Spirituality at www.lorian.org

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala 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 lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s have just been released with Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com