Lotus7

Hey K! Glad to here someone got something out my spontaneous ramblings ! I could not agree with you more. I see many people in my day to day life talking DOWN or AT someone, including on this forum. When we get down to the bottom of it all, what we say to others, no matter how "high-level" we think it is, is merely opinion. Now for me, certain peoples opinions weigh a bit heavier on my mind , but until I can come up with my own conclusion, it is still opinion. When I speak, I try to use a lot of "I" statements, that way it never sounds like I am preaching to someone. (Lawd knows I've had enough of that done to me in this life). I find that when I share my experiences instead of speaking on behalf of someone else's, people tend to respond better. In the end, all I can do in the way of helping someone is to lead by example and experience. They can make their own conclusion as to whether it is beneficial to where they are at that moment. "The Way is not in the sky. The Way is in the heart." Namaste, Matt

That is good to hear. Always nice to know and be reassured that I am not the center of the universe; that others are travelling a similar past. Great thread! Thanks for starting this Astral ! -Matt

Great point Seth! There is really no right or wrong way to meditate(in essence). It is better to have started on the Path, than to never begin. Another big help for me was to start a meditation journal. I write about my meditations and experiences, then reflect back to see my progress. I first began doing this about 2 months ago, and it has been so inspiring to see my progress. I try to capture the essence of my meditation and build on that every time I "sit". It has also improved my awareness of existence around me. Slowly but surely I am beginning to see myself as a bystander in my day to day existence, and not a controller of the situations and events that arise. Love and light, Matt

Hey Bums, All these responses are awesome! However, this spoke to me and where I am at in the present moment. Thanks for this Matt. As some of you read in some of my other posts, I am working with developing and cleansing my lower chakras right now. Well, up until last night I really had not made much headway. For the last couple of years, I have been so determined on breaking through to the other side, to a higher level. I have been wanting to connect to the Divine directly. That was the goal during the majority of my meditations. I got hung up on the idea of awakening the Kundalini, despite all of the warning signs that I clearly was not spiritually ready. I was only directing my attention to one aspect of spirituality. All of that came crashing down in a fiery mental apocalypse last night I was in the middle of a deep meditation and was focusing all attention on my root chakra. Thoughts started to creep in, but they were not the usual muddled,nonsensical, daydreams. They were like concepts and pictures that told a story. It was as if I was watching a movie, and it was all focused on the negative things in my life. After this subsided, I sat in silence and let the ideas resonate. Ill be completely honest, it was really hard to deal with some of the thoughts that came up. But I felt so good that I had come to realize these darker aspects of myself. It was strange because I have never seen myself in this light. Ok, instead of rambling(as I tend to do often), Ill put it this way: It was as if I was staring into a crystalline lake that has not been disturbed for sometime. I could see so clearly into myself. Now I know where to go. Before I can ever commune with a higher consciousness , I must first face the spiritual obstacles within my own being and character that are hindering me from developing as a person. This to me is MY BIGGEST OBSTACLE! And I never truly saw that until last night. I feel so liberated that I have direction now! And, you know something, it all started with simply sitting and reflecting. Maharishi once said, "Life is not serious." I have been trying so hard, when really all I had to do was sit down, shut up, and LISTEN. Anyway, thanks Matt, and all who responded. I hope this somewhat helps the original question. Namaste, Matt "It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It can not be taken from you, not from angels or demons, heaven or hell." -Buddha

Cool thanks for the responses guys! Ill have to look into it some more in between the busy schedule -Matt

Very interesting... especially the inhabitants knowing something that the government is not making known. I agree that change will not come in a day or with a single person. I enjoy looking back at the campaign that Barack Obama fronted when he ran for president. "Change you can believe in!" Look where that change has gotten us . I am firmly rooted in the belief that mankind is in charge of destiny. I dont know if you have heard of the Venus Project(I heard about it through zeitgeist. www.venusproject.org) but that guy has the right idea. Imagine a world that was not based on the credit and monetary system. Imagine no wars for territory or oil. Do you think we would still have crime rates as high as they are today? Would there still be millions of people addicted to drugs? Would there still be large scale poverty? Sorry, Immortal, this topic of "change" is something I am very passionate about lol. Ill get back to the point of this thread.... Edward Cayce fascinates me. There have been countless clairvoyants and telepathics throughout history. He just fascinates me, I suppose, because he was such a recent figure. I would love to know how to develop those gifts. That is part of the reason I got interested in Hermetics a while back. Anyway, it seems that he was quite accurate Couple of questions for you, if you have the time... I know very little about Hermes and even less about Thoth. Would you care to enlighten me on what their role in mythology actually was? You mentioned something about Hermes being thrice born into Thoth? What is the relevance to present day events? Good stuff man, keep it going!

"Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position. If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own. The people will not feel burdened if a wise person is in a position of power. The people will not feel like they are being manipulated, if a wise person is in front as their leader." -Tao Te Ching 66 -----Ah if only our leaders could somehow gain wisdom. I think it is kind of hypocritical and ironic that America's "slogan" is "In God We Trust", when it seems that it is anything but God that our leaders trust in. They go against every moral that they preach. And the crazy part about it: they are not even trying to hide it anymore. As time goes on, they get more and more fearless and tyrannic. I like your idea of buying some land in another country. I have often thought of the same. I think, ultimately, I will head for the mountains. Bring all the gear that I can fit on my back and hike deep into the hills where I will never be found. I would rather give up my life if necessary than to live under absolute rule of a corrupt government. I truly hope that the predictions and prophecies about a change in global consciousnesses are correct. But maybe the worst has to come to pass before people will awaken from their delusional slumber. Anyway, Oldgreen, keep me posted on your plans. Maybe I'll go with you! Namaste, Matt

Great post Seth! That was the only post on this thread that actually shared and clarified the stigma that many "masters" carry with them today. I completely agree that seclusion can be a great undertaking for a time, (if that is where ones personal insight drives them), but after a time, I think the real challenge to a cultivator/seeker is to live within the confines of modern society for a time. There is a season for everything. Trees do not need to ask the Autumn air when its leaves should fall, nor do the flowers ask the spring when their petals may bloom. They simply go on effortlessly year after year carrying out their existence, participating in every moment. That to me is the the HIGHEST teaching(as Tulku would put it.): Being able to recognize what season is right for ones self. And that my friends is something that no master can teach you. When all is boiled down, all of our salvation lies within our being. No matter if you live in the largest city on earth or in a temple deep into the hills, the Tao is present, and is open to be followed and cultivated. In my humble opinion it is all up to the individual on what path to choose and the amount of time taken to travel the dark and narrow trail up the mountain. Thanks again Seth. And thank you as well Tulku for starting this thread. There may have been some harsh words and hurt feelings , but all in all it has caused me to dig just a tiny bit deeper into my being. And that my friend is why I am here. Thank you all. Namaste, Matt

Hey guys just found a gem! It is Sivananda's book on Kundalini Yoga! Free! www.dlshq.org/download/kundalini.pdf Note: I have not read this yet, so I am certainly not endorsing this. However, I found out about the pdf version from the Kundalini page on Facebook(yes I still use Facebook. I am a slave! )It got great reviews from some of the users there, so I thought should share it with you guys! I am going to start reading it tonight. Hey Seth Ananda, I have heard you(read posts) about you practicing Kundalini, and was just wondering if you have read this or not? Anyway, I hope this was worthwhile! Namaste, Matt

Haha.... +1 Marble. No offense to Tulku, but this is how I saw it when I first read it.

Thanks for the post! I read your other thread on the dating of the Sphinx, and found that to be fascinating as well. I saw a documentary on Edward Cayce a couple of years ago on the History channel, however I really have not given it much thought since. Thanks for sparking the interest. If this is true and there is information under there that could truly alter mans conscious mind, then it would almost perfectly coincide with the "Global shift in consciousness" that is said to take place in 2012. I mean that makes sense right? I have had a feeling now for a while, (and it is also pretty obvious ), that something massive is about to happen with this world and its inhabitants. Either way, I will continue along my path to the summit of the mountain Again thanks for the post Immortal! Love and light! -Matt

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I am not currently practicing K, but I am deeply interested in future pursuit. Right now, as mentioned in another post, I am working with balancing and developing my chakras in order to center my entire being. I want to make sure that I am mentally, physically, and spiritually mature enough to open such a magnificent power. I see so many people who believe they are ready to open their Kundalini, and end up defeating themselves with the pure lust of "power". I am not in this for ego, I am just a traveler along the Path, observing and participating in the journey. If, somewhere along the way, the Universe allows me to access and develop certain attainments, than so be it. Anyway, carry on. This seems like a post that could go a long way, so keep the thread going! Namaste, Matt

Hello all! It's been a while since I have last posted. I have been in somewhat of a funk lately, and honestly have felt unworthy of posting anything of relevance. I have been meditating on and off for the past 3-4 years now. There have been periods of absolute zeal to progress, and moments of dormancy where I really didn't care. In those lazy times, I would feel like there was no reason to meditate because I saw no real progress. I see now why there was no progress. I have been meditating to see what "I" could get out of it rather than what I could contribute. I had yet to really attempt to dive into my being and discover who "I" really am. In my studies of metaphysical and spiritual knowledge, I have touched on the chakra system and its basic functions, but never really got to the point where I was like, "Hey this is the key to discovering myself". Well recently, I have had this hunger to study my being. It is as if the Universe is reaching out and saying, "Hey, you will never progress, unless you first know yourself!" So I have started to do research on the chakras, and let e tel you, the insights I have gained into myself have been nothing short of amazing. I can see now why I have some of the issues in my life, that before hand seemed unsolvable. I have been so wrapped up into attaining these mystical "powers", that I have neglected the base. I have been trying to discover the Divine without even knowing where to start. For example, I have learned that when the Root chakra is out of balance the individual may feel fear, insecurity and depression. WOW... I have been dealing with depression for years now, and I often feel insecure or scared about my life and events that have not even happened. As far back as I can remember, I have felt the sense of not being good enough, like I could never amount to anything. In learning about the first few chakras, I see now that a lot of the pain and emotional baggage in my life, stems from early childhood. I have felt like I could never make anything happen in my life, that I am just a stumbling block unto myself. Now I alsoo realize that some of these feelings arise from poor decisions; but why am I making these poor, self-destructive decisions? Quick story: I am not much of a pot smoker anymore, in fact I never smoke anymore. There was a time when I did however. I remember one night after smoking, I started having all of these insights just come to me. One of the visions I had was of my chakras. They were all deformed and out of line. Now whether or not this was drug induced, I do not know, but it does make sense to me. Anyway, Ill cut it short here. I felt the need to post this because #1 Im excited about these new revalations, and #2 I would like to hear some feedback from all you "enlightened" Bums about your experiences and how you work with your chakras to develop and nurture them. I want to live a happy fulfilling life, and I want to bring happiness to others. I want to find my purpose on this planet and resonate my soul with what "IS". I beleieve it was Buddha who said, (paraphrased) "The body is our vehicle to enlightenment." Anyway, if you are reading this, tremendous thanks for giving me the time of day. Sorry for making this post about "ME". It is really for all. Any insight would be so very appreciated! Love and light to you all! Namaste----Matt

Sorry guys, but I couldn't get the link to highlight, so either copy and paste or just go to google and type in, "Sivananda Kundalini Yoga pdf. Love and light, Mateo

Namaste! This was really beautiful and made my night! Thanks mewto!!! Love and Light --- matt

Well said friend! The Obama administration is a great example of how the lust for power precedes actual constitutional right. but I would rather not delve into politics I agree that the best remedy for a sickened society is raising vibrations and awareness. People need to be made aware of what their leaders are planning behind closed doors. Media is THE BIGGEST problem with America today! If tomorrow, our government said, "Enough with the secrets! Lets enlighten the nation with our plans!", the people would be uncontrollable. So whether its conspiracy, or if simply the Elites way of trying to dig their way out of a whole that never should have been dug, the bottom line is the people are asleep. Just like the whole of human race is asleep to Ultimate Truth and Reality, citizens of America and almost every other nation on earth are asleep to the truths about government agendas. I wonder if there is a similar way to awaken the masses like people awaken to the Tao? I think there is, and I think it starts with taking action. But my friend, who will listen? Who will believe? Every average person I have spoken to about conspiracy, laughs and thinks Im a moron, lol. Of course I live in the southern United States, where George W. Bush is still the savior. Oh Lawd help us! Anyway, I have repeated myself one too many times for one post. Ramble ramble ramble... Love and Light ---Mateo

Hey OldGreen, Ah this is one of my favorite subjects to discuss, partly because it entertains mans tendency to use the boogie man as a scapegoat like Lerner said. There is no doubt that many of the events of the past 50 or so years have been very fishy and hard to explain when looked back upon. However, allow me to make a few points from my lowly perspective. 1.)Be very weary of personalities such as Alex Jones and David Icke(who I used to subscribe to quite consistently). Its not that I am saying that all of the information they present is false, it is simply that it is extremely hard to define where truth ends and fantasy begins with their "findings". How do we know that they do not have an agenda of their own? 2.)Concerning the the crop situation(poisoned foods)- I completely agree that many of the foods accepted by government agricultural programs are completely unhealthy. Just look at all these labels on foods that claim "100% Natural" or "Organic". Then just to simply turn the product over and read of all the preservatives and my FAVORITE, "High Fructose Corn Syrup". haha. Anyway, of all the conspiracies out there, population control is one that I can almost buy. It is true that there are more people on the planet than there is food to nourish. Conspiracy or not, the only answer I can think of is to carefully research the foods you do buy, even if it means changing up your diet a bit. And even try growing the fruits and vegetables we consume. Anyway, touche' on this one. 3.)My last point is a very simple one. If there is a global conspiracy going on, and if the government is out to control the massses, (which by the way I believe they are starting to do via social networking and media propoganda), what can we do about it? I know there are some out there who say, "Get up and fight! Uprise!" But you see, this is an ideal that probably will not be set into affect. There are too many people out there who are loyal or even afraid of their governments. In my humble opinion, all that I can do as an individual is to continue seeking the Tao as I have been. That is one thing that no government can ever reach, my soul and mind. The whole world could be crumbling into a fiery abyss around me, and I will be alright. Nothing external can ever touch what I have cultivated within my being. Now, that last point is not exactly what you were going for. I know you want feedback on actual ideas of conspiracy, and so I shall give in. All other sources aside, I found the Zeitgeist movies to be very informative and somewhat entertaining. Peter Jackson is the director and narrator, but as a person I have not done any research on his credentials. Like anything else, I dont believe it just because I see or hear it. Anyways, Ill shut up now. Love and light, Matt

Thanks Matt! Yes I am familiar with MCO. I will start with that tonight for my evening meditation. I have not heard of breathing into each chakra specifically, so I will give that a shot for my morning meditation :-) Again thank you for the information. This is very helpful to me!! Blessings, Matt

Hey Matt! Thanks for your response. I agree that finding out what is really going on inside is paramount for progression on the spiritual road. Again, I am just now starting to learn of the chakras and the power that is held inside. However, I am oblivious on how to start developing them. I am learning the knowledge, but want to learn some practices as well. Do you know of any that are helpful? Thanks again! Love and Light, Matt

hey Encephalon, By any chance is Judith's name on youtube AstralShayde? If so then I just made a playlist for her chakra videos!

Hey guys, its been a while since I have posted, so seeing this topic has really sparked a flame within. Old Green- I too have a very similar view on this topic. Since you are about to leave college I am guessing that you and I are close in age (I am 23). I started to become interested in buddhism/daoism when I was about 19; before that I considered myself to be "Christian", so one can only imagine the transformation of thought once I started learning of these taboo eastern philosophies. Anyways, around this time I started to get extremely impassioned for nature. I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors with my dad hiking, fishing, camping, etc., but just sort of drifted away from nature for a while in my teens. Once I moved out on my own, I started to camp and hike again pretty frequently, and just fell in love with the great outdoors once again. Somewhere during this period, I read the book "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, and then later saw the movie with Emile Hirsche and Vince Vaughn. If you are not familiar with the story, it is about a guy named Christopher McCandless who is a free-spirited hippy type who invests much of his interests in the writings of the great Romantics, such as Thoreau, Emerson, Jack London, Lord Byron and the like. He graduates from a prestigious university and decides to sell all his things and abandon society. He travels around the U.s. with nothing but a few basic items in search for a greater purpose for being. His dream was to go to Alaska and live off of the land, and finally reaches his goal. He lives there in the wilderness for a time, but the great Wild turns out to be a far greater beast than he could tame, and he meets his demise by eating poisonous berries and starving to death.... Anyways, after this story had fully permeated my soul and mind, I wanted just what he wanted. This lust for freedom and my growing passion for nature and the Eastern arts completely possessed my thoughts for a time. I wanted to load up my pack and hike off into the woods to live and meditate. This dream lasted for a while and then just went kind of dormant as I was once again sucked into the perpetual motion of society. Well about a year later I lost a job, and found myself with a lot of free time. I thought I was gaining more knowledge about mediation, and thought that I was starting to crack some real spiritual truths. A friend contacted me and asked if I wanted to go camping at one of my old stomping grounds deep in the mountains. It was a place about 15 miles from the nearest town, and was the site of many youth camping trips with my father. I eagerly accepted and started packing up all the gear I had. When we arrived and set up camp, I had a strange feeling of just being "home", like this was the place I was supposed to be. We all camped for a couple of nights and then my friends decided they were ready to go. I thought about this for a while, and then with all the passion and intent that had been welling up inside of me, I told them to leave me.--- Now keep in mind that I had no money, a scarce amount of food and was in blackbear country.--- They argued with me for a time, but I persisted, and they turned and walked out of the vast summer forest. I had finally done what I had been intending to do for the past few years. Ok Ill make this story a bit shorter... So I stayed in the woods for three weeks. I rationed what food I had, and fished in the nearby stream when I ran out. I meditated, prayed, hiked, encountered numerous bears and foxes, climbed waterfalls... I was completely free for a time. But closer to the end of my stay, I started to come to the realization that I could not run from society forever and that no matter where I was I would never find fulfillment until I had come face to face with the false being within. No external circumstance could satisfy my hunger for a greater purpose. I realized that everything worthwhile was already inside of me. All the knowledge in the world and all the great mountains could never bring the wisdom and guidance that I desperately needed in my life at the time. So all that being said, I want to clarify that what I did was extremely irresponsible and very dangerous. I was young and immature and so were my decisions. I know that you are not speaking of this kind of excluded existence. I was just trying to put my silly experience into perspective. Chapter 47 of the Tao Te Ching kind of sums this up for me..."Without opening your door, you can know the whole world. Without looking out your window, you can understand the way of the Tao. The more knowledge you seek, the less you will understand. The master understands without leaving, sees clearly without looking, accomplishes much without doing anything." So loooooooong story short, I don't think it really matters where you are. I believe secluded locations can be very beneficial if your spirit is mature enough to embark on that kind of process. I still to this day travel to the mountains quite frequently to hike and meditate, but nature and the Universe taught me a valuable lesson, so I keep myself in check, no matter how inviting those hills look. So I hoped this helps to give a small perspective with my personal experience. Love and light, Matt

Namaste, Thank you shaktimama! This is such a blessing to me, as I have recently been seeking a good place to start with KAP. I don't have access to a reputable teacher in my area, so I just need a beginning point. I have been ferverously searching for information and techniques for yoga and meditation in the kundalini tradition, and this is a wonderful gem! Again thank you, and many blessings your way! Love and light, Matt

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/6486984/facebook-news-feed-history-of-the-world-big-bang-to-humans I thought this to be a bit of transcendental humor. Pretty funny. Namaste, Matt

I have never heard of anyone lying on facebook. never! @ Sloppy- yeah some of the threads just seem kind of... well for lack of better words, pointless. Especially the one about Boy Buddha. Just like facebook, I believe everything I see on youtube. period. Anyway thought I would add some humor. Love and light! Namaste, Matt

Hello all! I have been unable to get on here very much lately, which saddens me. I have just recently started a new job that requires me to work incredibly long hours each day and week. Right now I am working 60 plus hours a week. Don't get me wrong, I am very blessed to have such a great opportunity with a great company, and I truly enjoy the work I am doing. However, I am having trouble finding the time to meditate. I have to get up pretty early everyday, (around 5 or 6 in the morning; early for me :-)), and as soon as I get ready I have to leave for work. I get home around 5 or 6 in the evening, and am extremely tired. Do any of you have this issue? I would like to just hear some advice on how to better manage my time to where I can incorporate meditation with my busy schedule. I try my best to keep a calm mind throughout the day, but it is not the same. Anyway, just some thoughts for the moment. Any replies or advice would be helpful! Namaste, Matt