DAILY AFFIRMATION

I am the architect of my life; I build its foundation and choose its contents.

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I will speak easily and truthfully to myself and others.

Sarah Varcas: Some Further Exploration of The Pluto/Black Sun Opposition Throughout 2014

As the point of opportunity at which we can experience all that we are in our authentic entirety, the Black Sun demands that we embrace both that with which we choose to identify and that which we would prefer to ignore! There are varying degrees of this process, and the exploration of the recesses and outskirts of our consciousness requires that no stone be left unturned.

We may meet inner resistance at the prospect of doing so, preferring to focus upon self-love in a world which frequently tells us we are not good enough, effective enough, attractive enough etc. and perceiving the exploration of our shadow as somehow punitive or unnecessarily negative. But self-love without self-examination can easily slip into narcissism, just as self-examination without self love can become self-hatred.

The path through the Black Sun requires rigorous honesty, not blame, recrimination or punishment, just honesty, which enables us to embrace all that we are in the greatest act of love a human can ever know: one which carries us from fragmented to whole and brings everything into the light of consciousness once and for all time.

It is a humbling process which requires a willingness to see in ourselves what we may only heretofore have seen in others. For what we perceive as outside of us is often a reflection of that which lies in the deepest, darkest places of our own psyche. It is a path not for the faint-hearted, although all hearts are welcomed and even the shyest peek into the darkness of the Black Sun can trigger a process of change the likes of which we have rarely, if ever, encountered. As Pluto first forms its opposition in February 2014, Jupiter conjuncts the Black Sun and Venus conjuncts Pluto.

Here we have a cosmic blessing, supporting each and every person who dares to look inside and see who and what lives within. The degree in which the Black Sun resides, the 13th degree of Cancer, is identified by Dane Rhudyar, the astrologer and commentator on the Sabian Symbols, as one requiring ‘great will’. It is no surprise, then, that at this time of enormous change we encounter the Black Sun here, where it remains until the middle of the 21st Century. This ‘great will’ must be applied to enable us to pass through this process of transformation without guile or the usual self-deceptions that otherwise keep us safe and warm in our complacency.

This will is not that of ego which says ‘I will outshine the Black Sun to render it inert, inflating those aspects of myself which I am happy to own in the face of its invitation to look deeper’. No, this is the will of the Divine within which forever calls us into wholeness no matter what it takes. The will of the Divine is there for us to make our very own as we walk into the liberating darkness. Once we are fuelled by this will, there will be no more need to hide, for we will recognise that in our completeness we are fully present and unassailably whole no matter what.

This year, those who choose a path through the Black Sun in order for deep, rich, integrated wholeness to be born, must be prepared to ask some searching questions: To what extent do we define love according only to what feels right? To what extent do we embrace a spiritual path to pursue an outcome other than to know our very essence? To what extent do we equate ‘spiritual’ with ‘special’ and thus view our own life as somehow superior to those we perceive to lack such an orientation? In a nutshell: to what extent do we allow ego to shape our path even as we perceive it to be shaped by something altogether different? How and where have we mistaken Ego for Essence and built a spiritual life on foundations not of unconditioned truth but conditioned and formulaic belief, no matter how ‘alternative’ those beliefs may be?

As we stand on the cusp of the Aquarian Age, contemplation of these questions can orient us away from the Piscean Age shadow of Victim and Saviour, Special versus Mundane, towards the Aquarian message of inner and outer unity, equality and acceptance. The better able we are to anchor those qualities into the collective consciousness at this point in time, the better able we will be to avoid the Aquarian shadow of inverse snobbery in due course!

Sarah Varcas



© Sarah Varcas 2013. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to freely share this article in its entirety on the condition that full credit is given to the author, it is distributed freely and the URL www.astro-awakenings.co.ukis included.

Pāli Word a Day for January 29, 2014

tejin — having light or splendour,

shining forth, glorious

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 29, 2014

Te jhāyino sātatikā, niccaṃ daḷhaparakkamā,

phusanti dhīrā nibbānaṃ, yogakkhemaṃ anuttaraṃ.

The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering,

alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable

freedom from bondage.

Dhammapada 2.23

The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom, 
translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita

Pāli Word a Day for January 27, 2014

tiṇṇa — one who has reached the other shore (fig.), gone through, overcome, one who has attained nibbāna

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 27, 2014

Uṭṭhahatha! nisīdatha!

Daḷhaṃ sikkhatha santiyā.

Mā vo pamatte viññāya,

maccurājā amohayittha vasānuge.

Rouse yourself! Sit up!

Resolutely train yourself to attain peace.

Do not let the king of death, seeing you are careless,

lead you astray and dominate you.

Sutta Nipāta 2.334

The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipāta, 
translated by John D. Ireland

The Guru Myth

There is often such a projection of the guru story by the seeker. The subtle search for an unattainable state that matches an idea of what enlightenment looks like, is one of the perpetuating traps of the spiritual path. Often there is the secret - and unconscious - wish that enlightenment is a special state and that the guru really is someone with special powers, because this keeps our own awakening out of reach and so we can continue to remain attached to our story of personal unworthiness, disempowerment and suffering. And it means that if and when we do achieve this magical state - because it was so beyond our everyday reality (or so we believe) then we also must be special. In other words, the guru story keeps us oscillating along a duality continuum that never rests in true peace and freedom.

This guru story is a myth that is particularly prevalent in the Eastern spiritual traditions which have been dominated by a patriarchal lineage and this has filtered down into many (but of course, not all) modern-day enlightenment teachers. Couched in the mystical vibration of ancient language and ideology, there is a misunderstanding of the naked non duality teachings offered today by modern-day teachers who are more "friend" than "teacher". And there is a mistrust of the awakened feminine who dares speak truth as this is such a new phenomenon and occurs almost exclusively in the West (Eastern awakened women have been "saints" and not "ordinary women living an authentically awakened life").

True awakeness, my friend, is extraordinary only in its absolute ordinariness. It is divinely human and utterly unspecial. And yet, the texture of this awakeness is unmistakeable. It brings a depth and clarity to everyday life, it offers an exquisite sensitivity and beauty to the mystery and mess of the human experience. In true awakeness life becomes more juicy, more vibrant and yet you become more transparent. Life moves through you and the story of you, the story of enlightenment, the story of guru all disappear.

I am here as a friend, to offer you a reflection of awakeness, because this is all that awakeness can really do. I am here to meet you in the freshness of this moment without a story. Namaste'.

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 26, 2014

Appampi ce saṃhita bhāsamāno,

dhammassa hoti anudhammacārī,

rāgañca, dosañca, pahāya mohaṃ,

sammappajāno suvimuttacitto,

anupādiyāno idha vā huraṃ vā,

sa bhāgavā sāmaññassa hoti.

Little though one recites the sacred texts,

but puts the Teaching into practice,

forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion,

with true wisdom and emancipated mind,

clinging to nothing of this or any other world --

one indeed partakes of the blessings of a holy life.

Dhammapada 1.20

The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom, 
translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita

I Ching For The Week of January 27, 2014

#13 -- Tong Ren:  Harmonizing People

Above -- Qian: energy of heaven
Below -- Li: radiance, the bringing of light


The Wisdom:

Go to the altar
Make an offering
Gather your fellows and mix with strangers
A battle is near; you are unstoppable

A multitude of situations and challenges have come into view in a cacophony of movement, thoughts and very deep emotions. This is a time of great discernment as you realize you cannot use the same tactics on all that is presented. You will benefit from holding still and accessing each situation separate from the whole. The difficulty is that this entire flood of energy is interconnected. Some aspects will require out-and-out war, while loving will salve others, and the remaining will transform on their own into the creative when you get your ego out of the way in wanting it or someone to change for the better.

Gather your people, your tribe together, be they associates, family, lovers or fellow pilgrims; you cannot do this alone. By gathering a force such as this, you will be unstoppable as you assign these energies, the outer, in the form of people, and/or the inner in prayer, meditation, ritual and ceremony.

This time of bringing the people together, working for a common goal for the greater good, is one of the most beneficial and exciting activities in human incarnation. It is primal; the calling on forces of magic you have felt, but until now have not fully tapped. The weapons are love, light and discernment. The energy you will wield is akin to a magic wand, like the one you envisioned as a child. Well, now it is as real as it gets. As you have accepted this role of the spiritual warrior and initiator, know that it comes with responsibilities to your relationships, tribe and community. Be you leader or traveler, this turn of the page will alter you and the world around you for all your days. These times, and the movements that are calling you out, are of the most dynamic and inherently magical forces that you individually, and all of the collective, have yet to face.

In this emergence of an overwhelming desire to be in your truth, to make things happen, and to be in service to the greater good, you must bring it together—in love, peace, and harmony—with the clan, your family, lovers and friends. You have manifested this situation, to reveal and protect the light of truth, with your clear intent, to be a part of and to work and make sacrifice for the benefit of Gaia and all her sentient beings.

The energy that is present is that of creative transformation. Gather with your fellow pilgrims for the sharing of ideas that will ignite the flame of common purpose. This will imbue your family, tribe, commercial enterprise and community with the essence of success. You are now without limitation; your effort is not qualified by the size of the collective. At this turn of life’s wheel, it is not about numbers, it is about truth and the purity of intent.

For you individually, focus on your purpose and craft, and appreciate how it feeds the whole. It is of utmost importance that each one in the functioning collective finds the conditions that nurture the desired advance…

Take a breath and find what you have been hiding, or hiding from, and make ceremony at the sacrificial altar of truth, the truth that is being revealed by gathering together. There is immense power in the collective waiting for you to embody it and make it useful. It may be a geographic collective or one of shared purpose and beliefs that has nothing to do with physical place. This is what, in part, this hexagram, Tong Ren, is so eloquently teaching.

The heat has been turned up. The baton of truth you hold in your hand will illuminate what has been unspoken or hidden. Make use of the rarity of these times in the newly conceived cycle we are collectively experiencing. Prepare and present a unified plan to proceed. You must have a solid plan. It may mean a total reorganization from within to without, or it may mean dissolution. Whichever it is, the truth expressed will set you free. Make love or make war, it doesn’t matter which, as long as you move in concert with your fellows toward the common goal of benefiting all. Remembering that it’s all a reflection that will allow you to open up and feel compassion for all who share this planet. Recognize and feel we are one, in action and in truth.

In case you have forgotten… we are all each other. Keep that in mind as you see you in front of you—you leading and you following as you lead. In the recognition of that truth is a great and awesome joy resonating through your entire being. Peace, at last.

Be brutally honest with yourself and see the role you have played in getting to this dynamic turning point where you are gathering with your clan. Examine your old patterning and use this time of truth to change from your old ways of thinking and acting, giving way to new, authentic, straightforward actions, be they in business, relationships, politics, art or your health.

Make an oath in all your relationships that you will combine your energies and use the resulting synergy of newly revealed truths, coming together, to carry you forward toward the highest and the noblest of goals. You will your find nobility by acting in every situation with dignity, kindness, integrity and loyalty; then with compassion for all others, and most importantly for yourself, make your move. In this process, for it is a process, the moment you hear the voice of self-judgment, replace the judgmental thoughts with those of acceptance and positivity. This is how the road to enlightenment works. The words you think are more powerful than the words you speak, many times over.

Follow brilliant, heartfelt new ideas; work with others to bring them into reality. Use discipline and order to create structures, works of art and ventures that serve all beings—ventures that serve your brothers and sisters as we all walk the road to enlightenment together, the road less traveled.

Many blessings,

In La’Kesh

BobbyK
www.bobbyklein.com

A Heartwarming True Story: Tim’s Place, Serving Up Inspiration

For anyone who dreams about a bigger, better life or anyone that has a goal, a passion or desire to fulfill their dreams, Tim’s place reminds us that no matter who we are and whatever limitations we have, we can thrive and succeed no matter how difficult the task is. Check out the video to see this amazing entrepreneur.

The Myth of Malakas and Maganda, the Philippine Version of Adam and Eve

Ancient Philippine Creation Myth: Malakas and Maganda

By Frederick Alain Docdocil

July 04, 2009

In celebration of the upcoming Independence Day weekend (both of the U.S. and of thePhilippines), here is one of the many different Creation Myths from the Philippines.

When the world first began there was no land; there was only the Sea and the Sky, and between them flew a huge, beautiful Kite (a bird similar to a hawk). One day, the bird, which had nowhere to land and rest, grew tired of flying about, and in frustration stirred up the Sky in a quarrel against the Sea. The Sky threw rain, thunder, and lightning that reached the Sea, who in turn rose up and hurled waves and hurricanes that reached the Sky.

In order to restrain its fury, the Sky showered a multitude of massive boulders down upon the Sea, which became the islands that formed the Philippines. These islands prevented the waters from rising any more - instead causing them to flow back and forth, and thereby creating the tides. Afterwards, the Sky then ordered the Kite to light on one of the newly-formed islands to build her nest, and to leave the Sea and the Sky in peace.

Now at this same time the Land Breeze and the Sea Breeze were married, and they had a child which they named Bamboo. One day, when Bamboo was floating against the sea, it struck the feet of the Kite. Shocked, hurt, and angered that anything should strike it, the bird furiously pecked at the bamboo until it split in half. Out of one section came a golden-bronze colored man, named Malakas (Strong One) and from the other half came a similarly hued woman, named Maganda (Beautiful One).

The earthquake then called on all the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea to see what should be done with these two, and the animals decided that they should marry each other. Together, Malakas and Maganda had many children, and from them eventually came all the different races of people.

After a while the parents grew very tired of having so many idle and useless children around. They wished to be rid of them, but they knew of no other place to send them off to. Time went on and the children became even more numerous that the parents could no longer enjoy any peace. One day, in an act of pure irritation and desperation, Malakas seized a stick and began beating them on all sides.

This so frightened the children that they all fled in different directions; seeking some place to hide both within and outside the house. Some of the children ran into hidden rooms in the house, several concealed themselves within the actual walls, while others hid in the fireplace. Some ran outside and the rest fled out to the sea.

Now it happened that those who went into the hidden rooms of the house later became the chiefs of the islands (Maharlikas); and those who concealed themselves in the walls became slaves (Alipins). Those who hid in the fireplace became the Negritos and the Aetas; and those who ran outside turned into free men (Timawas). As for those who fled to the Sea; they were gone many years, and when their children eventually came back, they had become the white foreigners.

Notes

Because the Philippines has so many islands and is inhabited by different ethnic groups, Philippine mythology and superstitions are very diverse. Even the story of Malakas andMaganda vary from region to region, but specific elements of the story remain the same: there is a huge bird that splits a giant bamboo, and Malakas and Maganda emerge from the halves.

The names Malakas and Maganda also denote a deeper meaning and truth about Pilipino culture.  Pilipinos consider women to be maganda - beautiful, sweet, and soft; while men asmalakas - a strong and sturdy being to whom the family can depend on at all times.

The final part about the children who fled out to the sea and eventually came back as “white foreigners” seems to have been added to the original version that had been handed down orally over the years from generation to generation.

References:

• United States Declaration of Independence
• Philippine Declaration of Independence
• Jose Rizal
• Tagalog Folktales
• Philippine Creation Myths
• Malakas and Maganda Picture

DAILY AFFIRMATION ...

Today, I will concentrate on taking one step forward, however small.

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 22, 2014

Tato adinnaṃ parivajjayeyya

kiñci kvaci sāvako bujjhamāno.

Na hāraye harataṃ nānujaññā.

Sabbaṃ adinnaṃ parivajjayeyya.

A disciple should avoid taking

anything from anywhere knowing it (to belong to another).

One should not steal nor incite another to steal.

One should completely avoid theft.

Sutta Nipāta 2.397

The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipāta, 
translated by John D. Ireland

Pāli Word a Day for January 22, 2014

anurañjita — illumined, brightened, beautified

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I LOVE testing the limits of my potential!

Pāli Word a Day for January 21, 2014

pāramī — completeness, perfection, highest state

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 21, 2014

Pāṇaṃ na hane na ca ghātayeyya,

na cānujaññā hanataṃ paresaṃ,

sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṃ.

Ye thāvarā ye ca tasā santi loke.

One should not kill a living being,

nor cause it to be killed,

nor should one incite another to kill.

Do not injure any being, either strong or weak, in the world.

Sutta Nipāta 2.396

The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipāta, 
translated by John D. Ireland

Beyond Forgiveness, by Charles Dray

moving beyond forgiveness

surrender to love

allowing compassion

to be your guide.

~ Charles Dray

DAILY AFFIRMATION ...

I enjoy the habit of aiming for excellence!

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 20, 2014

Idha socati pecca socati;

pāpakārī ubhayattha socati.

So socati so vihaññati,

disvā kammakiliṭṭhamattano.

The evil-doer grieves here and hereafter;

one grieves in both the worlds.

One laments and is afflicted,

recollecting one's own impure deeds.

Dhammapada 1.15

The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom, 
translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita

Pāli Word a Day for January 20, 2014

ropaka — sapling

I Ching For The Week of January 20, 2014: #10 -- Lü: Mating with the Tiger

#10 --  Lü:    Mating with the Tiger

Above --  Qian/Gan:    Heaven, energy, Spirit power
Below --  Dui:    Open, easy, responsive

                                           
The Wisdom:

The heavens are sounding
Slow down so you can hear
Between each step is a pause
In that pause life resides

It is in the Tiger’s cave where spirit mates with man. For you at this time, be aware that all of your small accomplishments have led you to this point: the trek up the mountain to make an offering. If your offering is correct and your approach is with dignity and humility, you mate with spirit. If your steps are too fast and you are rude and brash and do not adhere to the ancestral ways of good behavior, the Tiger is no longer a guide, it is a fierce guardian of spirit—and that is very dangerous.

You have come to a crossroads where you are to make a choice. One path is hidden in shadow. Beyond the shadow, the path seems clear and leads to guaranteed prosperity. The other path is clear and enticing, however it promises nothing. There is no glimpse of success or conquest. This path leads up the mountain of the Tiger’s cave where spirit resides. This path, though bright and clear, is up the steep mountain.

This is a ritual journey that seems, at its core, to be very familiar. Intercourse and spiritually, both sexually and in commerce, must be treated with honor and great care. It is this intercourse that can bring you the focus and energy to accomplish your goals if your behavior is honorable. You have chosen your life path before and did well, but this time much more is at stake; if you follow the shadow path, as your ego would prompt you to do, you may make it to your goal unscathed on the outside, the way you are seen by others. They will praise and honor you. While on the inner plane, spirit will have not allowed you into the mating cave; you will have much but you will feel empty and be unable to connect with your spirit force, the force of joy and love.

Your companions on this journey are of utmost importance, for you cannot do this alone. Choose well and hold them close. This is not the time to try to lift people up to your level, whether in business, social interactions, or in your personal relationships. Be kind, loving, and compassionate for sure, but be cautious as to who is rolling with you at this very important juncture on your path. Giving your power away at this time will be disastrous.

It is now of great importance to travel with persons of like desires and goals for the greater good for all. For us as individuals, and for us as children of Gaia, we must demonstrate to her nature the respect and care that is her due. This will bring light to the path and will please Spirit and the ancestors who are always there as guides and angels. The Tiger on your path also sees this and protects you and will not bring harm to you, your relationships, family, or tribe.  

Relationships can be difficult at this time. Nurture them with loving care, fierce honesty, and great dignity. Do not stoop to petty arguments that spin and spin and go nowhere. It will be of great benefit to find that loving silence, which can be a salve to many wounds acquired on this road less traveled. You know how it should look and feel, and you can make it that way. This is fully in your power to do…become the loving heart, and the soulful companion to friends, associates and lovers. In this way you will find what you have been looking and hoping for: actions that feed the best in others and in yourself.

It is important during this process of personal growth, and in your desire for change for the greater good, that you treat others who come through your life, no matter what position or attitude they may hold, with respect and kindness. It is vital to understand that the way you are in the world is your soul’s reflection. If your interactions with others are tinged with mean spiritedness, disrespect, or harshness, that negativity will stick to your energy field; it will be an energetic dark fog that can be felt by all you interact with, be it family members, friends, associates, or strangers. This energy repels the good and attracts more of its own kind of negativity. In short, you will attract exactly what you project. Should you have a buildup of negativity held in place by improper conduct, you will become blinded to your true path of learning, seeing, and living your truth.  


The following quote from Carl Jung applies to a situation such as this:

If the demand for self-knowledge is willed by fate and is refused, this negative attitude may end in a real death. The demand would not have come to this person had they still been able to strike out on some promising bypath. But they are caught in a blind alley, from which only self-knowledge can extricate them. If they refuse this, then no other way is open to them. Usually they are not conscious of their situation, either, and the more unconscious they are, the more they are at the mercy of unforeseen dangers.  

In essence these words are saying that if you are not fully aware as you conduct your daily life, and have your head in the clouds as you step into the road in front of an oncoming bus or as you climb the mountain and miss your foothold, you will be part of a negative whole that is eating away at the world’s peoples. By being aware and showing kindness to your companions, you will not slip or fall, you will be warned, supported, and loved as you move into the space of satisfactory conclusion. This action, which begins with you, will spread as a beacon of light to all of earth’s people and your action will bring hope to others who are trapped in a darkness of their own making.

The simple good manners that we should have learned as young people, such as the words please, excuse me, and thank you, carry a lot of weight as we move through our days, as does the respect for elders, whether they are different from you or in a different strata of society.  

Look scrupulously to your inner conduct: If you find jealousy, greed, or envy in your thoughts, do your best to become aware of this mental projection. Correct it and let it go (including the feelings of guilt that may have arisen for having had this “bad” thought). Jealousy breeds more jealousy, judgment breeds more judgment, just as kindness breeds more kindness.

The words you think are more powerful than the words you say. See the negative words and change them on the spot. This action, as simple as it seems, has an enormous impact and will feed you in a very deep and positive way.

It is the magic of good manners and proper conduct that can open the doors to love, health, and abundance. This kind of correct behavior will bring joy to you and to those around you. Joy nourishes creativity. The joining of joy and creativity brings a deeply felt satisfaction that is a healing balm to your heart and soul, opening the doorway to prosperity in all things.

If you love, speak of love; if you are grateful, speak words of gratitude; if you are in need, ask for assistance with grace and no expectations.

This week, make kindness, compassion, and good manners your exercise. When you do, you will reap swift results. And never forget: We are all on this boat together.


Peace and many blessings,


BobbyK 
www.bobbyklein.com

WEEKLY HAIKU

Warm and loving eyes

Embraced me in that moment

And my heart was seen

BE THE CHANGE ...

What can nature show us? And what is seeing? Her work shows us something about that. Part of doing something is listening. We are listening. To the sun. To the stars. To the wind. The act of seeing is coming into an understanding of the whole of what is occurring. Take a moment today to be present with your eyes, mind, and body, so that you can see something in its entirety.

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I am proud of my inner beauty.

It shines out through my pores

and radiates for everyone to see!

Pāli Word a Day for January 19, 2014

ropa — plantation

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 19, 2014

Yadā have pātubhavanti dhammā

Ātāpino jhāyato brāhmaṇassa,

Athassa kaṅkhā vapayanti sabbā

Yato pajānāti sahetudhammaṃ.

When things become manifest

To the ardent meditating brahmin,

All one's doubts then vanish since one understands

Each thing along with its cause.

Udāna 1.1

The Udāna and the Itivuttaka, trans. John D. Ireland

SEEDS FOR MEDITATION

We are like green leaves …

What light is to Nature,

love is to the heart of man.

Daily Words of the Buddha for January 18, 2014

Yathā agāraṃ ducchannaṃ vuṭṭhī samativijjhati,

evaṃ abhāvitaṃ cittaṃ rāgo samativijjhati.

Just as rain breaks through an ill-thatched house,

so passion penetrates an undeveloped mind.

Dhammapada 1.13

The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom,
translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I attract positive people into my life!

BE THE CHANGE ...

A person with an accent is not necessarily a person possessing lesser intelligence than you. A different language is a different vision of life. All humans want to be narrators, but many have difficulties finding listeners. Offer somebody your complete attention by listening to their stories with your whole self, even if in a different language than your own.

SEEDS FOR MEDITATION ...

"The seed of the angel is in the sanctuary of each one of you. Its germination will be possible through the perfect matrimony and the three factors, which you already know.

Drink of its pure and crystalline waters, so that you can ascend on the wings of Pleroma." 


Excerpted from "Pistis Sophia Unveiled"

Alan Watts: "Facing Your Own Shadow"

..."Finally, the game of life as Western man has been 'playing' it for the past century needs less emphasis on practicality, results, progress, and aggression. This is why I am discussing vision, and keeping off the subject of justifying the vision in terms of its practical applications and consequences. Whatever may be true for the Chinese and the Hindus, it is timely for us to recognize that the future is an ever-retreating mirage, and to switch our immense energy and technical skill to contemplation instead of action. However much we may now disagree with Aristotle's logic and his metaphors, he must still be respected for reminding us that the goal of action is always contemplation—knowing and being rather than seeking and becoming.

As it is, we are merely bolting our lives—gulping down undigested experiences as fast as we can stuff them in—because awareness of our own existence is so superficial and so narrow that nothing seems to us more boring than simple being. If I ask you what you did, saw, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted yesterday, I am likely to get nothing more than the thin, sketchy outline of the few things that you noticed, and of those only what you thought worth remembering. Is it surprising that an existence so experienced seems so empty and bare that its hunger for an infinite future is insatiable? But suppose you could answer, 'It would take me forever to tell you, and I am much too interested in what's happening now.' How is it possible that a being with such sensitive jewels as the eyes, such enchanted musical instruments as the ears, and such a fabulous arabesque of nerves as the brain can experience itself as anything less than a god? And, when you consider that this incalculably subtle organism is inseparable from the still more marvelous patterns of its environment—from the minutest electrical designs to the whole company of the galaxies—how is it conceivable that this incarnation of all eternity can be bored with being?" ~Alan Watts, The Book - The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are...

Art by: Johnny B. Hazard

Alan Watts