Chavah Aima

As I reflect upon the recent news of another false guru being brought into the light, I realize again the desperation felt deeply within so many people. They were seeking material wealth and hoping to find their own power by following a self-proclaimed “spiritual leader”. Indeed, many of his followers are saying that they have found just those things, in spite of the tragic consequences this same search has had upon others.

Those who are feeling so good about their “guru”, and defending him by claiming that it was simply time for those others to die, show the depth of the damage caused by the techniques used by false gurus worldwide. This is not the only false guru, only the latest to come to light. It is predictable that his entrenched followers will defend him, perhaps even to their own deaths. A deep separation occurs between body-mind and soul once one has received repeated indoctrination into such a group.

A charismatic figure, promising unlimited wealth, appeals to the material nature of the human. However, to keep the illusion intact, s/he must somehow weave a spiritual message into the mix or risk losing those followers who see the superficiality of questing only for financial wealth. Though in the beginning, such a “leader” might have been motivated by some inner light, the great accumulation of money, power and fame will ultimately cloud that light while inflaming the ego nature.

In the western world such figures are common. They play upon the inequities that naturally exist within materialistic society. In western culture, financial wealth is given the highest respect and the wealthy wield the greatest power over others. Those who have little money are dismissed by such leaders as “losers”, or those who have not owned their power or taken control of their lives. In society, those who need money the most are given the least financial help; while those who have the most money are given the greatest opportunities to gain even more. Such is the nature of the materialistic world. (more…)

The Western Mystery Traditions have always held that study and knowledge of the cycles of the manifest Universe, experienced on earth through nature and in the stars through the celestial bodies, is highly beneficial to the spiritual aspirant. The Qabalists related the seven planets of the ancients to the Spheres on the Tree of Life, and esoteric initiates continued this associative tradition through the Sacred Tarot. The seven ancient planets included the sun and the moon.

These two planets most directly affect the earth, causing the shifts from light to dark, warm to cold, and from creation to decay and death. Thus, the ancient sages taught that all of the mysteries of God/dess are hidden in manifest nature. In the east, nature is called Prikriti, the substance that forms the maya, or illusion of manifest reality. In the western teachings this same substance is called the root matter or astral light, that permeates and underlies all seeming physicality. Nature thus provides a guide or map for the aspirant that allows him/her to align more closely with the energies of the Creator, and see the mysteries of being more clearly. (more…)

As Director of the mystical order, Heart of the Rose, I am often asked questions about the order and its teachings. Below are some of these questions and my answers to help you learn more about Heart of the Rose, and other esoteric orders as well. If you are interested, you can become a member of Heart of the Rose at the Enlightened Life website.

Q: I am considering becoming an initiate 
into some secret order for the purpose of gaining more knowledge.

A: There are a variety of ways to gain more spiritual knowledge in addition to joining an 
order. Esoteric orders can help one learn to work in groups for spiritual purposes. Much self-knowledge can come from this, if the group is pure. Unfortunately, finding a pure group with leadership that has truly attained a higher state of spiritual awareness is somewhat rare. Most often one finds a great deal of ego in such groups. This is one reason why a period of private study is advised before beginning to work with others in a group setting.

Self-knowledge is gained quite 
easily from diligent study. Making a sincere effort to integrate the spiritual
 principles one is learning into everyday life is very important as well. After all, knowledge for 
its own sake is not a worthy goal. Only when we can apply the knowledge 
toward living a life filled with greater awareness of our inherent unity 
with others and the earth can we be said to be making true spiritual
 progress. (more…)

In This Issue
Spiritual Empowerment
Power for the People

I am getting ready for the new workshop series that begins tomorrow via livecast webinar and in person in Austin. I wrote the article below on Spiritual Empowerment to help you learn more about the dynamic process that I will be teaching in the series. Are you ready for this deep awakening, and the activation of your true divine powers? If so, join me for one or more of these sessions, and become empowered to take greater command of your life!

On behalf of Enlightened Life Sanctuary, I am pleased to share with you an important initiative that ELS has undertaken on behalf of indigenous people in the Republic of Vanuatu. I know you will be interested to learn how you can support indigenous culture and enlightened life on earth at the same time. I invite you to join me and others who have joined this cause, and help us create Power for the People. Read all the details below.

It is so important now for all of us to take every necessary step to bring our consciousness into greater unity, and begin to build a new earth from the place of oneness. This one Self is your true identity, no matter how it may choose to express through each unique body-mind it has created. Become aware of where your identity is resting each moment. Take time to shift to the true self again and again, until nothing else remains.

Spiritual Empowerment
As you look around yourself, what do you see? Did you know that every person and circumstance that appears in your life was brought into being by a natural process that is always operating within your subconscious mind? For most people, this process operates automatically, beneath the surface of their conscious awareness. (more…)