Tuning self-consciousness into pure-consciousness through cosmic play & energy movement
March 2008 DIVINEZine
4th edition
for Divine Bridges.
Upcoming Divine Bridges events:
March 9th 2008-Sunday 7pm - Sleeping Dog Farm 1506 Burnside Road West
Cost is $30 per person (pay at the door or through our handy dandy Paypal link on our website).
If you planning on coming out then it is very helpful if you email your RSVP
Further information can be found on our web site at
www.divinebridges.com
Divine Aspects
Then Vidaghdha, son of Shakala, asked him, "How many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?" Yajnavalkya, ascertaining the number through a group of mantras known as the Nivid, replied, "As many as are mentioned in the Nivid of the gods: three hundred and three, and three thousand and three."
"Very good," said the son of Shakala, "and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"Thirty-three."
"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"Six."
"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"Three."
"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"Two."
"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"One and a half."
"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"
"One."
This teaching from Hinduism introduces a very important subject. We often talk in Divine Bridges about the appearance of a Divine Aspect, or Divine Being. I like the term Divine Aspect, because it hints at that everything is a manifestation of the Oneness from which we all originate. Most people when they consider Hinduism thinks it has so many Gods, but really there only one God in Hinduism, Brahman, that is worshipped as many aspects. For example, even though there is only Brahman, we can look at the female and male attributes separately; this gives us the Goddess and God. Now look at your own life. Is your life easily described in one aspect, or do you play different roles in different scenarios? Of course you have different roles; there is the role you play as provider, as disciplinarian, lover, artist, the face you wear when you get angry, etc. This is how we look at a Divine aspect. Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Beauty is simply one aspect as is Kali the Destroyer. So the teaching from the Upanishad starts out by saying there are so many gods. This number relates to the assumed population of the known world at the time. It ends by saying there is only one god. We all have our personal manifestation of the Divine within us, but ultimately we are all part of that one singularity.
Ekam Sat Viptrabahuda Vadanti
Truth is but one, but perceived and spoken in different forms
So What Do We Have Planned For You In March?
So has anyone used the word "intense" to describe their life as of late? How about major transitions? Well I don't think I am the only one that seems to be going through rapid and sometimes chaotic changes as of late. There seems to be a theme; if it isn't working in your life, then be prepared for it to be blown up! As I have talked about before, the dragon energy, like the thunder eagles or the Tibetan Vajra energy all have that in common. Their shift in consciousness is not subtle. When they come in, the change happens NOW. As a general theme this seems to be what many of us are going through right now. Now is this good or bad? Well really it is neither; it is just unfoldment. If we try to hang on to what we no longer need, then we are going to experience it as suffering. If we find that place of surrender and move with it, then we are going to be led to a place of deeper self knowledge and fulfillment.
Having said all that, I am pretty excited about the March event. In part the excitement is from the new venue (Sleeping Dog Farm), but more importantly that March looks like it is about manifestation! The imagery I keep getting is that of a garden bursting into bloom. The work we have done already with Divine Bridges has created movement and release of old patterns. Now we stand at a doorway. On the other side is manifesting a life of purpose and awareness. The Divine is ready to assist you in co-creating this new life. But remember, the choice still sits with you. This new life isn't just going to fall in your lap and you live happily ever after. You have to choose the path of courage. That doorway you stand before isn't very wide; which means you can't carry very much baggage through that doorway. Consider the airlines new policies on hand luggage...if it doesn't fit in the prescribed space then you can't take it! This is the same with this new life you are ready to step into. It is yours for the taking....BUT....you can't carry your old grudges, pettiness, drama, and limiting beliefs into that beautiful garden. So the March event of Divine Bridges is giving you a choice...your old life...or a new life with no limits. This is a message that you will hear repeated continually over this next period. It is the energy we are moving through globally. Only you can make the choice. Courage and an open heart to step through the door is all that is required. The golden dragon of manifestation is waiting to dance with you!
Heavy Breathers
Breath is such a key factor in spiritual development. You can be following your breath to maintain awareness in the present moment, or using breath to move energy in your system. One exercise in breathwork, is to draw 2 breaths in and out at each chakra from root to crown. These breaths are done as quick as possible with awareness still kept with every breath. When one cycle of root to crown is finished you start over at the root again. You would continue this for 15 minutes then take 5 minutes to sit in silence before doing another 15 minute cycle. It is truly amazing how much can be cleared from your system with this practice if you keep pushing your breath faster and faster. When you feel a blockage in an area just push through it with the breath. Don't judge whatever arises, just allow it to be. By the end you should feel your energy system buzzing. Personally I have had some very profound experiences during these session. In one particular intense session I was able to grasp Rumi's intense passionate communion he felt for the Divine or The Beloved. Breath is just that magical.
On Brian's mala bead website (see link section below for Destination OM) he has some instructional videos on using breath in meditation. I highly recommend these. I have also combined the technique from Brian's website on vocalized breathing and used it with some of Ian's entrainment MP3 (www.meditation-all-you-need.com which is also in the links section). It was a very deep meditation to say the least. It is said by some masters that following your breath can be the greatest key to enlightenment. (and not breathing is probably the shortest route to death!)
I also find it helpful when I do stretching exercises or healing work to do vocalized breathing. In particular, on the exhalation I make a sound. Sometimes this is a more forceful sound like the martial arts vocalization, or more often it is just a emphasized sigh. This can be great for freeing up tension in your body. I find it useful at times when I am starting a sitting meditation to start with some vocalized breathing; nothing fancy, but just following to your body's wisdom.
This month's poem is once again from the great Rumi
When your chest is free of your limiting ego,
Then you will see the ageless Beloved.
You can not see yourself without a mirror;
Look at the Beloved, He is the brightest mirror.
Rumi
Please feel free to pass along this Ezine.
Anyone can subscribe to it at:
newsletter@divinebridges.com
and since we don't want to annoy, pester, and torment anyone (well not anymore than I usually do), you can unsubscribe at anytime by sending us an email saying "unsubscribe"(yes it will make the dragons cry but we will honour your request)
Divine Messages
And so I once again I climbed the mountain and asked for any message to come through from the Divine.
Well this one was once again from the Divine Mother aspect. Have to say this bridge opened up with a great deal of intensity that I haven't felt for awhile. Makes me excited about the March 9th event. So without further adieu...here momma.
Children, my heart is open for you. You experience such challenges on your path. You are often facing adversity and just wish things could be simple or easy. You often have to make such sacrifices for your path that seem unfair at the present time. I know. I understand. These are tests. Not tests of worthiness, as you are all magnificent radiant souls, but tests to make you stronger; to make your resolve stronger. To help you to open your heart and replace the fear with love, compassion and trust. Fear often stands as a barrier on your path. But what are you so fearful of? Loss? Hurt? The unknown? Fear will not keep these from your doorstep, it will only sink you deeper into suffering. Trust your life; see it only as a lesson that is unfolding. The fear is only a spotlight to illuminate those dark places that need to be healed. Fear lives only in the past or future. Bring your heart to the present breath. In that breath, in that second, there is nothing to fear.
Namaste
This month's card is once again from the Osho Zen tarot:
This moment!...this herenow...is forgotten when you start thinking in terms of achieving something. When the achieving mind arises, you lose contact with the paradise you are in. This is one of the most liberating approaches: it liberates you right now! Forget all about sin and forget all about saintliness; both are stupid. Both together have destroyed all the joys of humanity. The sinner is feeling guilty, hence his joy is lost. How can you enjoy life if you are continuously feeling guilty? if you are continuously going to the church to confess that you have done this wrong and that wrong? And wrong and wrong and wrong...your whole life seems to be made of sins. How can you live joyously? It becomes impossible to delight in life. You become heavy, loaded. Guilt sits on your chest like a rock, it crushes you; it does not allow you to dance. How can you dance? How can guilt dance? How can guilt sing? How can guilt love? How can guilt live? So the one who thinks he is doing something wrong is guilty, burdened, dead before death, has already entered into the grave. Osho Take it Easy, Volume 1 Chapter 3
Commentary: Guilt is one of the most destructive emotions in which we can get caught. If we have wronged another, or gone against our own truth, then of course we will feel bad. But to let ourselves be overwhelmed with guilt is to invite a migraine. We end up surrounded by nagging clouds of self-doubt and feelings of worthlessness to the point where we cannot see any of the beauty and joy that life is trying to offer us. We all long to be better people--more loving, more aware, more true to ourselves. But when we punish ourselves for our failures by feeling guilty, we can get locked into a cycle of despair and hopelessness that robs us of all clarity about ourselves and the situations we encounter. You are absolutely okay as you are, and it is absolutely natural to go astray from time to time. Just learn from it, move on, and use the lesson not to make the same mistake again. |
If you wish to sponsor a Divine Bridges event, then contact us. Consider having a Divine Bridges event for your next group gathering. Want us to add a city to our schedule? Then let us know!
We are all Linked!
So I thought I would take a little space each month to share some links I have come across. They might be teachings, new concepts, businesses I find intriguing, or just something that appeals to my brand of sacred coyote craziness. If you have a link you want me to include then drop me an email!
Check out our location for the March Divine Bridges event. Beautiful website and a wonderful sacred space.
http://www.sleepingdogfarm.ca/index.php
The Tibetan Government in Exile is a site worth visiting
as is Amma's website and the tireless work she does around the world
The Maitreya project is a focus for spreading loving compassion around the world
http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
some of the links from our previous DivinEzine that have recent updates
My very good friend Ian has started a new business offering meditation/visualization CDs and Mp3s that are encoded with entrainment frequencies. I have listened to a couple of them already, and have to say they definitely deepen the quality of my meditation. His latest offering is a manifestation CD with a real unique twist. Ian also has some great meditation instruction and advice on his website. I highly recommend him as a meditation teacher. Update: Ian is launching a line of Ebooks. Included in the tiles are ones on mantras, meditation, and childhood obesity.
http://www.meditation-all-you-need.com/
Michael Waters is an amazing musical artists living on Vancouver Island. His music has evolved to be a spiritual practice. His site has some free MP3s to download of his music.Update: Michael is launching his new CD and his spring tour dates. Check out this guitar mystic at:
I can personally attest to how nice these custom mala beads are to use in meditation. I use mine daily. Brian has some good instructional videos on this site on how to use a mala in meditation.
http://destinationom.typepad.com/
Did you know?
That Amma will be in Seattle on March 14th. Ain't it sweet she came for my birthday ;-)
For those of you who watch what you eat...
Here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know
the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than
the British or Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks
than the British or Americans.
3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart
attacks than the British or Americans.
4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer
fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and
suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills
you!
ARCHIVES
Did you miss a previous EZine?
NAMASTE
Robert Oakes