Living and working in a field that is based in spiritual teachings and practice, it is hard to avoid the ever increasing bombardment of commercial new age metaphysical culture. I am talking about the contrived teachings, fads and paraphernalia that has become, ironically, the very antithesis of true spirituality. Spiritual commercialism is a growing industry, no different to the plethora of processed foods that dominate the aisles in our supermarkets, offering a quick and easy alternative to wholesome food which needs to be prepared ourselves. Fast food possesses little to no nutritional value, and can leave the consumer feeling empty, sick and unsatisfied, not mentioning the health risks. The downfalls of fast food consumption are just too similar to new age commercialism to ignore. We can go into a new age store or shop online for hours (wouldn't it be better to spend this time in meditation?) for the latest trends in zero point tech, or if you call yourself a Shaman, why not buy the fab Hyperfolded space tetragrammaton exploration and extrapolation Shamans Energy Light tool, it is an extrapolation of Einstein-ean quantum wave front manifestation Mysteries, Kinsey-ean Neuro-biology and the medial preoptic nucleus MPO and other hypothalamic structures. Wow...I want one! Or we can search through the thousands of talismans, oracle cards, or radionics devices all said to either relieve pain, cure illness, attract love, achieve success; improve memory, increase your physical energy, advance your psychic powers, protect you, guide you, bring joy, abundance (money) and the big prize – Enlightenment.
Placing our faith in an “object” to do all of that for us is a sad measure of our gullibility and lack of belief in our Self and it is not only in “objects” we are deceiving ourselves. The same goes for the promise that attending a “weekend workshop” will make a person a Master energy practitioner, or Shaman healer. Attending a workshop is a wonderful way to explore our spiritual nature, open our minds to ancient teachings and connect with like minded people. If you go to one you may end up with a piece of paper certifying your attendance, but in only one weekend can a person truly gain the necessary experience and ability needed to work with, understand and direct the flow of energy to heal others, contact somebodies spirit allies or grasp and teach ancient wisdom which has been cultivated and learned for thousands of years? The same wisdom that sages and healers devote whole lifetimes to practicing before earning recognition and the title...Master.
You cannot give another what you don't give to your Self. If you are a healer, apply this to your healing practice. If you don't mindfully embody the healer within you and devote your self to the healing arts, are you beneficially healing others or are you just going through the motions you were taught? Do you use healing devices in your practice? It astounds me how many bizarre electronic devices and gadgets are available for the alternative healer today. Allowing yourself to believe that some thing outside of you can do the work for you, you are bypassing the true experience and your client is missing out too. We must look to Ourselves, not to outside sources, no one and no thing can do the work for us. The true enlightened state does not occur because we want it to or because we buy something. If it were that easy then everybody would be doing it and most of us would already be there. Which we know is not the case.
If you desire enlightenment, your desire will bring you no closer to it. The way to enlightenment is not found in new age commercialism, conspiracy theories, gadgets or alien tech. Nor is it found in belief structures surrounding feminism, gay/lesbian rights or fundamentalist religions and cults. It is found within You, beyond concepts, beyond behavioural patterns and thought forms. Take your desire and transmute it into conscious choice. Paramount to an awakened spirit is the manifestation of your higher purpose, your dreams and your health through cultivating a balanced connection of mind, body and spirit.
The physical body is a much neglected aspect of spiritual awakening. I have lately experienced an awareness that many wise and unwise spiritual teachers alike (there are ample of both), spend an excessive amount of time residing in their higher chakras. If such persons are not grounded and by grounded I mean, working with the breath while moving and stretching and nourishing the body with pure food and air, in short, refining their Chi. An imbalance occurs where by experience attained from higher chakra consciousness is obstructed from filtering into our whole Being. It is my belief that this limits our potential to fully integrate with our higher Self.
The work we are doing here all begins with grounding our core, pulling in and rooting down into the Earth/Goddess energy. Practicing Qigong to refine our Chi and energise the body combined with deep stretching and movement, Earth and Heart based ritual and cleansing. The spiraling energy of Kundalini resides in our root chakra until it is awakened and journeys through to the higher chakras and back down again to complete the cycle. We do not climb a ladder by starting at the top, so for the sake of your health, emotional and mental stability, practice grounding techniques, work with your lower chakras and build a strong foundation before seeking out the higher realms of consciousness.
The healing path of Zen Yoga is a path to health, happiness, longevity and enlightenment. Zen Yoga practice will give you all the tools you need, but the work begins and ends with You. It is a life long process where the level of your progression is dependent on your input. Trust and be guided by your Heart. Learn to recognise your Ego talking and take the higher path. Speak with a soft voice and act with gentle kindness. Allow your body to become supple and flexible, eat pure food and breathe pure air. Love and lead others without imposing your will. When you are able to not react to the words and actions of others, keep your thoughts calm and peaceful and allow events to take their course, you will experience greater happiness and joy.
Whatever you practice, do it perfectly.
Blessed Be,
Elfeya
