Chavah Aima

Almost everyone has had at least a momentary experience of the meditative state, whether it was fully recognised as such or not. This state of consciousness brings a definite and blissful feeling of peace with oneself and the world. We can all remember at least one experience when we felt a moment or two of quietude and stillness of mind. For the spiritual seeker, these experiences are considered to be of great value in the quest, and s/he desires to attain them on a regular basis.

The ancient traditions of enlightenment insist that the ability to focus, concentrate, and quite the mind is critical to spiritual development. Yet, meditation is not the act of either concentrating or focusing the mind. Meditation is defined by esoteric practitioners as a “stream” or flow of consciousness that is always and endlessly in existence. By the practice of stilling the mind, we allow ourselves to experience the ultimate consciousness that underlies all of manifestation. We join our minds to this cosmic source whenever we limit the vibrations coming in from the outer levels of consciousness. (more…)

Imagine a beautiful temple in the woods filled with peace and serenity, the deep vibrations of sacred space emanating from within. This temple, like its ancient predecessors, is a sacred form that has been purified and consecrated. There are four important areas within the temple: the portal, entry room, outer temple, and Holy of Holies. 

As a symbolic representation of divine being, these areas of the temple each contain specific wisdom about the pathways leading to that ultimate spiritual state. Each area of the sacred temple also relates to one of the four aspects of the human being. As these areas are purified and consecrated, the wisdom within that portion of the temple becomes synthesized into one’s being. When the wisdom of the portal, entry room, outer temple, and Holy of Holies has been mastered, and each of the four lower bodies made into sacred space, the Divine Presence comes to reside within the human form. (more…)

From LA Yoga Magazine, March 2010

The Sanskrit word guru has several meanings; the most common is teacher. Gu means darkness and ru is the light. The spiritual teacher referred to as a guru is one who can take away the darkness of ignorance and bring down the light of wisdom. Traditionally, the guru is someone who serves as a sacred conduit for spiritual force that she or he uses to guide others. However in modern times, and especially in the Western world, the word has become associated with anyone who acquires followers in virtually any field.

While there are many reliable spiritual teachers who are real gurus; there are also some false gurus and even good gurus who have lost their way. The student-teacher relationship with a guru can be highly rewarding, ideally resulting in the release of old habits and conditioning, and the establishment of greater awareness, success and happiness in life. For this process to be successful, the teacher must be a true guru, and the student must follow the guidance given. Discerning a true guru from a false one, however, is not always easy…

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Alchemy is a spiritual tradition that has many interpretations and applications for its wisdom. In outer alchemy, it is a science that depends upon the world of nature for the raw materials the alchemist uses for food and to create elixirs for healing and spiritual awakening. This approach stimulates the intellectual and reasoning powers of the alchemist. Outer alchemy requires the practitioner to physically take specific steps to attain each goal. By following the plan, and ingesting the right substances and foods, transmutations take place within the body-mind. These alchemical processes lead to balanced states of well being and enhanced spiritual awareness.

The symbolic language and images of Alchemy also use the world of nature to point to an inward process of spiritual transformation. The forces to be found therein are more subtle and potent than those used in outer alchemy. This inner alchemy draws upon mysticism, intuition, and imagination for its power to transform the human into the divine. These are the gifts of wonder that beckon one to rise above manifest nature and prepare to become one with the divine energy that holds it in creation. (more…)

Today I want to share with you a prayer I wrote during my annual 21 day fast last February. I hope you will enjoy it, and use it in your daily prayers if you like. The prayer is titled, Eheyeh Adonai, which is Hebrew for I Am Lord.

Eheyeh Adonai, Inherent Ruler of All. I am merely a cell in your vast body of
Consciousness. Yet in this cell vibrates the full power of your divine majesty
and in all things I sense your Presence. As consciousness I call upon Supreme
Consciousness, which is all love, all unity, all wisdom, and all life; to awaken
this body-mind to your celestial reality. (more…)