Chavah Aima

From Kinetics Magazine, March 2010

“Do away with the old way of living and with the old self, which are corrupted by erroneous desires; and be renewed in the spirit of your soul,” Ephesians 4:22-23

As a planetary species, humanity has arrived at a critical crossroads. The times we are living in have been described in the ancient prophecies of many spiritual traditions. We are faced with a serious choice to either ignore the harm we see and witness further and irreversible damage, or take up our mantle of stewardship with each other, the earth and our Creator with renewed courage and commitment to a whole new way of life.

A Revolution of Consciousness

We must use our collective resources wisely, on every plane, to prepare a new way. To turn the tide from materialism toward spirituality requires a renewal of not only our lifestyle and culture, but a renewal of consciousness itself within each person. Wise people know that global systems are presently functioning in a way that is far too separate from the people they are meant to serve; too focused on material life, greed, and self-interests; and inherently limiting to individual personal expansion and harmonious life on earth, which is now at risk from these dysfunctional systems.  Read more

Fasting is an advanced spiritual discipline that purifies the physical body, and creates increased awareness of the subtle spiritual force. This spiritual force is always present, though perceived in varying degrees by each person. Through the process of fasting, we re-focus the cellular consciousness of the body, and increase the life-force streaming within us. This increased light-flow brings a feeling of great bliss, lightness, and connection to sacred source. When done in the context of living an enlightened life, fasting speeds spiritual evolution, and ultimately shows us the truth of immortal life. (more…)

In the western mystical traditions, candidates for initiation must first receive the sacrament of purification before being admitted into an esoteric order for study and practice. In the Egyptian Rosicrucian initiatory schools, purification practices included fasting, ritual bathing and secluded meditation. Mediaeval alchemists and healers focused on cleansing and purifying the internal organs to raise their energetic awareness. Most modern occult rituals also call for the immediate ceremonial purification of new members as they are brought into the temple to take their vows.

In the yoga traditions of the east, purification practices also play a valuable role in preparing oneself to devote body-mind and soul to seek the higher life. These methods include the internal cleansing of all bodily openings where energy flows into and out of the being. Fasting, special herbs and dietary restrictions are used to aid the attainment of more subtle states of consciousness. (more…)

I have just returned from a retreat in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. These areas are filled with pristine spiritual energy and I enjoyed many days and nights of deep meditative immersion in the sacred source.

The first event I attended during this sojourn was the annual Gathering of Circles in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. This consisted of five days of camping on a remote mountain top, attending and presenting workshops, a Sweet Medicine Dance that was divine, sweat lodges and fellowship with others who are walking a path of spiritual consciousness.

I taught a children’s yoga class during the Gathering, and saw first hand the new awareness that today’s children are bringing to the world. It is so important for us to focus deliberately and consciously on creating a future that insures the realization of the gifts they bring to this earth.

I also hosted an adult yoga/meditation class that was held in a high mountain meadow overlooking the Guadalupe mountain range. This was definitely a most awesome and inspiring setting for mastering these spiritual practices.

The medicine dance was a unique experience of intense trance states, bliss absorption and deep prayer. For several hours we danced around a sacred fire to the beat of the drum. Into the night it continued as our prayers rose into the starry night. What a blessing it was to be able to take part in this ancient holy practice. The body is indeed the gateway to divine consciousness!

From New Mexico I traveled into Colorado, spending time in Pagosa Springs. One early morning I took a trail ride into the high mountains wilderness north of Pagosa. What a peaceful meditation can be had on the back of a horse in the midst of wild nature! During the ride I saw deer and a coyote appeared on the trail. The vistas were breath taking and the power of nature once again induced a state far beyond mind.

Heading further north I entered into the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. There is a quality of energy unique to areas at elevations of 14,000 feet or more. In secret locations in these mountains there are yogi’s and yogini’s living in caves, their presence unknown to the world. They meditate blessings upon everyone from within their isolated sadhana, which links them to the forces of cosmic creation.

Several nights of sleeping on the earth and early morning meditations near crystalline streams healed body and mind from the wear and tear of city environments. In states of deep bliss I became aware again of the need to align more permanently with the energies of this special place. I came away from the mountain with inspiration and insights that will go far toward establishing a temple there in the year to come.

Heading down the mountain I passed through Sangre de Christo ranges and spent some time in Taos and Angel Fire, New Mexico. These areas are also filled with the vibrations of sacred space. The quiet is all encompassing.

Finally I returned to Austin, where they were still struggling with an entrenched heat wave and record breaking drought. Yet I sensed that some of the cool mountain air and rain had come south with me, and felt that it would rain and begin cooling any day. Within a week, there was a break in the 100+ temperatures, and now the rain has begun to return.

As the wheel of the year turns toward Fall, I am getting ready to begin a new Living Light detox group. I have also made arrangements to rent a studio space here in Austin where I will begin holding spiritual development classes. We will be practicing yoga and meditation, learning to activate more divine energy, and sharing sacred methods to create a more perfect life for ourselves and the world. Be sure to visit the Enlightened Life Meet Up Group to see all the details on these events.

Until the next time, I wish each of your all the best that life has to offer always!

Shalom!

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…)