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The Actor
The Sacred Traditions and the Ageless Wisdom of don Miguel Ruiz In his new Book, opens a New World for Spiritual students everywhere!,
don Miguel Ruiz (C) Aaron Landman )
03
The Actor
How to Live an Authentic Life
don Miguel Ruiz is a renowned spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author. He has spent the past three decades guiding people to personal freedom through his profound insights regarding the nature of human reality. The youngest of thirteen children, don Miguel Ruiz was born in rural Mexico to parents who were healers and practitioners of ancient Toltec traditions. As a young adult, he graduated from medical school in Mexico City and practiced neurosurgery with his older brother in Tijuana. A nearfatal car crash forever changed the direction of his life, however, causing him to leave medicine and to examine the essential truth about life and humanity.
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With his mother’s help, and through her ancestral teachings, he discovered his own path to awareness, which evolved into a deep understanding of the physical universe and the virtual world of the mind. Combining Toltec mythology and scientific perspectives, don Miguel has been able to merge ancient wisdom with modern physics and practical common sense, forging a new philosophy for seekers of truth and personal authenticity. His landmark bestselling book, The Four Agreements, contains practical steps for long-term, personal transformation and has been read by millions around the world.
"Your paint and clear coat are also defending your car against its most dangerous foe: rust"
OMTIMES
Sandra Sedgbeer sat down with don Miguel to talk about his new book, "The Actor" available now, everywhere. Sandie Sedgbeer: Don Miguel, Oscar Wilde wrote that "most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives are mimicry, their passions a quotation." In your newest book, The Actor, you write that performance art is a way of life for all of us with the main character in every story we were told about our lives, and yet we are, in large part, a knock-off of the people who raised us. Playing the roles people expect us to play and reciting a script learned from childhood. However, our loyalty to the character we're playing keeps us from realizing our authenticity as human beings. So, why are "other people?" don Miguel Ruiz: We are all the same. The word "Toltec," which comes from the Nagual, means "artist." Toltec knowledge is the artist's knowledge, and in my view, every human is an artist and is going in all the different directions of art. The main one, which comes from our DNA, is "acting" because we act all the time— even if we have no awareness. This is prepared for us before our birth. Our parents are prepared to receive us, care for us, worry for us, and share everything they know. They give all their knowledge to us and use that knowledge to create the most wonderful, powerful creation, which is our life story. And in that story, we are the main actor or actresses. And everybody else is a secondary actor. The most important thing they teach us is the language that we speak.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
“YOU DON'T NEED TO CHANGE THE WORLD; YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOURSELF.” ― Don Miguel Ruiz
It's beautiful to see the evolution of the human. We are all the same, but the characteristics are slightly different, number one, and the language we speak. We follow those rules and believe everything we learn, not just from our parents, but from our school and the society in which we live. it is true we are acting all the time, with every action and reaction we are performing, even if we do not know we are performing. And we continue to perform as we grow up, and little by little, we lose our authenticity. And we begin to feel something is missing. We no longer know who we were. Many times we don't like the way we behave. We criticize ourselves for not doing something following what we believe. The script is shifting and changing all the time according to the many challenges we face. You know we are facing all the mysteries of life because everything is a mystery, really.
That's why I always say that the integrity of the word is so important because the kind of life we have depends on how we use the word and the type of story we create. Then we write the screenplay with much help, of course, our life and the universe in which we live. The stage of our life is, of course, shifting and changing all the time.
Sandra Sedgbeer: You say that planet Earth is our mystery school, and the mystery we are looking to solve in life is ourselves; that more than anything, we want to know who we are. And yet, this is the very question we're most afraid to ask. Why are we so afraid to ask this question? don Miguel Ruiz: Because we're so afraid of the unknown. We know what we believe we are–and what we believe we are is the result of everybody's opinion, including our own opinion, because everybody pretends to know us.
Our father and mother say, "I know my son very well." Our brothers and sisters say the same thing. And we believe we know them well too. But it is not true; we only know what we believe they are and what we believe we are. Also, we only know how we wish to be, the way we want to perform in front of everybody to conform with the image they––and we––have created us. We have to behave in a certain way to be accepted by them, to please them. We change our behavior according to what they want us to be, and we sacrifice ourselves and lose our authenticity by doing what they want us to do. And we don't even notice it. This is the big mystery that we are all searching to understand. We call it searching for God or searching for "the truth." Sandra Sedgbeer: So, how do we reclaim our authenticity? don Miguel Ruiz: Well, the first step is just to be aware...that I am an actor, and I've been acting all of my life even if I didn't fully know that... the way I behave with my family is different from the way I behave at school or work, or in other activities I perform. We also have to realize that everybody around us is also acting all the time, and they don't know it. When we understand this, the opinions and the beliefs they have about us start losing their power over us. The more we stop believing them, the more we stop sacrificing ourselves, and the more we recover our own authenticity. The less we need to satisfy other's expectations of us and start doing what we really love to do, the happier we become and the more we feel at peace. Sandra Sedgbeer: If we've been conditioned since babyhood, do you think we can actually know when we are truly authentic? How will we know? You said we'd be happier…what else might we discover? don Miguel Ruiz: We all feel the results of what we do. For every action, there is a reaction.
When we force ourselves to do something that we don't like, that goes against something within us, we don't feel. When we do what we love to do, we enjoy every moment. We have fun. When we were children, we played being somebody else¬ with other children–– pretending to be a doctor or a nurse. Sometimes, when we're pretending, our faces change, our personalities change, we become serious. And when the game was over, we would smile and laugh. We never really stop being children. We are still playing one role or another. Sometimes we don't enjoy what we are playing, sometimes we do. But we keep on acting and acting and acting. And the scenery is shifting and changing all the time, and we adapt and change with it. We are used to being a certain way, and for whatever reason, something traumatic happens, and everything shifts right away.
The pandemic came a year ago, and the entire planet changed, and everybody started adapting to whatever circumstances and whatever place they live in. We have seen many people die. We can see how we, in one way or another, adapt to survive. It is interesting to see how people immediately come together to face whatever challenge life brings to us when something tragic happens in nature. Sandra Sedgbeer: Yes, it is. One of the other things about the pandemic is that many people have started to reevaluate what they're doing. They've learned a lot more about themselves and about others than they thought they knew. Have you found that people are responding to the pandemic by becoming more authentic? don Miguel Ruiz: Well, what they first see is that change can happen very fast. We cannot take for granted that life is the way it's always been, and we become more authentic because we have to set new priorities. If we take Covid, we see that survival is our first priority, and we adapt to that.
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Our second priority is the people that live with us, our beloveds, our children, brothers, and sisters. The other priorities that follow are what we do for a living because that provides what is needed first for the body and for the people we care for and protect. And then, we see other kinds of priorities that shift individuals depending on the society they live in. Sandra Sedgbeer: The actor is part of your new Mystery School series written with Barbara Emrys, which encompasses all your wisdom and knowledge and touches on different topics that teach us to rethink our ways of life. What was the inspiration for this School of Mystery Series? don Miguel Ruiz: I have been sharing this exact message for all of my life and in all of my writing. Before I was a writer, I was a medical doctor. I practiced surgery, but I wanted to understand how the human mind works, why we humans behave in specific ways, why all the injustices, violence, and war. Then, I started working with apprentices, teaching, and sharing what I learn from my parents because that philosophy gave me an easy way to understand the mind. I practiced with a lot of people for ten years, helping people shift and change their lives. Some of the things I taught included the Four Agreements. That book is tiny, but it is a compilation of all the great books that we humans have written about the study of humanity. In that book, I outlined the challenge, human domestication, and the solution, which is The Four Agreements. That little book goes so deep into people's minds because we all come from the same DNA. It doesn't matter what language we speak, what religion we follow, or our political position. That book shakes people's belief systems and shifts what they believe. It's straightforward. This little magical book is a guide that is helping us with the evolution of our minds. Then after that, I wrote so many other books going precisely in this same direction, discovering one by one the mysteries of life because everybody is a mystery. It stops being a mystery that we can change ourselves and the entire planet with only one teacher.
That teacher is life itself. We go to university, and life is speaking to all the teachers. We watch a movie, and life is teaching us through every actor. Whatever happens in life is always teaching us and we are always learning. We learn and we teach, and we will keep doing this until the moment that the curtain is closed and we leave our physical body just to find out that the whole story of our life, was a masterpiece of art. It was not true, but it was beautiful and it was perfect. Sandra Sedgbeer: The Mystery School Series is designed as a course for students. When one reads it, it's as if one is being welcomed into the classroom each day. It contains so many simple but profound truths––the wisdom that is your trademark. It offers theory and tasks and intellectual exercises that we can apply in our lives. And now you are presenting this course as a series of books published at six-monthly intervals. , which will be out in 6-month intervals so I would imagine the second one is due out any day now, is it? don Miguel Ruiz: Yes, the second one is ready and will be available very soon. The other two books are in the process of being written next. The next one is Eros, the third one is The Duel, and the last one will be The Myth. Sandra Sedgbeer: Of course we have to end the story, don't we? Because it's just a story. don Miguel Ruiz: Yes. And I want to thank everybody who is reading these books and participating, because it's like another exciting beginning, to see our own life as a mystery and to find the truth of ourselves. This is how we change the world – not humanity, but the world we each create and live in. The only world we can change is our own world. And we must do it, not for anybody else's benefit, but for our own. Because by doing this, our life becomes better and better. Sandra Sedgbeer: don Miguel, I'd like to close with a beautiful quote from The Actor's conclusion, which is also a perfect conclusion to everything you're teaching. "By recognizing the masters, we've become, we have a chance to act with awareness. We have a chance to modify our behavior and to use our talents consciously. More significantly, we can choose to set aside our pretenses and to nurture authenticity once again." Don Miguel, thank you. The Actor: How to Live an Authentic Life by Miguel Angel Ruiz and Barbara Emrys is part of The Mystery School Series and published by Urano Publishing. https://www.miguelruiz.com
O M T I M E S
M A G A Z I N E
Health & Wellness
Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth
Happiness, and the Theory of Positive Change A most natural way of Healing The Astral Travel Phenomenon
T
By Jay K Ghosh
he universe is full of
in their active areas. These force fields
gigantic cosmic bodies of
have tremendous powers as well as
enormous energy. Their
directions of their own.
immense energies create
powerful force fields that exert their
Science says a force field urges its
unique influences on their subjects
subjects to get in sync with it through
OM TIMES | July 2021
their acts, i.e. it wants them to align
in life activities; the process of
with it in the same direction or
evolution is taking place. Through
behave in ways approved by it. When
this vital project, life forms are
we pick up a magnetic compass
advancing their capabilities,
and set it on a tabletop, it feels the
improving their survival to face the
effect of the earth's magnetic force
constantly changing environment's
field, which urges it to align with it
challenges, and finding newer
in the north-south direction; and
territories for habitation. In the
the compass complies. Then if we
process, life is evolving higher.
forcibly displace the compass from
Thus, holistically, a gigantic project
this orientation, turbulence starts
of activities is taking place on our
with oscillations or vibrations until
planet. Science says there is a force
it gets back to its aligned state
behind every activity; therefore,
of north-south orientation. Thus,
it is a scientific fact that there is
the magnetic compass displays
a supreme force behind all the
its interaction with the earth's
activities of life here. Like many
magnetic force field and its two
other forces, this immense force
states of existence, the in sync and
has created a powerful force field
the out of sync states. When the
that is shrouding our planet. We
compass is in sync or aligns with
live inside it and constantly feel its
the magnetic force field, its status is
influence. We can call this force
stable and peaceful or happy. When
field the force field of life, as it is the
it is out of sync or out of alignment
source of all life on this planet.
with the force field, its status is turbulent or unhappy.
Like other force fields, life's force field is urging all life to get in sync
There is another compelling force
with it by promoting its agenda,
field on our planet which is mainly
which is expressed through the
created by the Sun, the most
birth, growth, and evolution of life
dominant body of energy in our
forms. It is the ultimate positive
planetary system. It is radiating a
plan for the growth of life on this
tremendous beam of cosmic energy
planet. Higher evolution of life
on our planet. Life is starting, then it
appears to be its main purpose.
is flourishing and getting engaged
Which is being confirmed by the
OM TIMES | July 2021
fact that it is causing gradual physical
happiness when we increase our
changes to life forms through minute
sync with it, and we decrease our
mutations to promote evolution.
chances of happiness when we get
This is explained by the Science
out of sync with it. Therefore, it is
of evolution pioneered by Charles
important that we find out how to
Darwin. Our theory says this force
get in sync with the force field of life!
field is also influencing the states of our mind - the origins of happiness
Positivity for life is clearly the
and unhappiness are linked to the
virtue of the force field of life.
nature of our interaction with this
Its purpose seems to promote
force field. The states of happiness
evolution through an unending
and unhappiness are the results of
chain of minute positive changes
our degree of sync with life's force
to life forms, which has produced
field. We increase our chances of
today's humans, starting from the
OM TIMES | July 2021
lowly amoeba over a long period. The
We stay in sync with the force field
element of positive change seems to
of life and thus improve our chances
be its core virtue. Thus, it is logical to
of finding happiness by creating or
assume that the best way to stay in
promoting positive changes, mostly
sync with the force field of life, and
in highly subtle ways through our
consequently to improve our chances
regular daily activities.
of finding happiness is by creating or promoting positive changes through
The most important requirement of
our regular daily activities, physical
a positive change is that it needs to
and mental - no matter how minute
benefit both the self and the species
the changes are.
to promote evolution. Thus, a positive change can be any kind of status
Thus, our theory of Positive Change
change that promotes the prosperity
says:
and well-being of the person and the OM TIMES | July 2021
greater world(species). And they can
and create positive changes of their
be generated through the simple
own. There are many other ways of
acts of everyday life. Generally, these
generating them. The mind's attitude
changes are extremely minute -
to lean towards the positive gradually
often hardly noticeable, but effective
changes the chemistry of the mind
in promoting well-being. We
improving its efficiency for finding
instinctively recognize these changes.
happiness from simple things of life.
Acts of love, nurture, compassion, etc., all are primary producers of
Let's take a look at the lower animals
positive changes as they create the
at the lower levels of evolution. We
right environment for life to prosper
can see that they instinctively stay
OM TIMES | July 2021
in sync with the force field of life
Create positive changes in our life
with almost all their activities. Their
situations through our daily everyday
simple acts of eating, mating, and
activities - no matter how simple or
protecting their territories create
mundane they are!
positive changes by promoting their survival and keeping them
To carry out this, first, we need to
in sync with the force field of life.
have a positive attitude for making
In return, they are rewarded with
an effort to create a positive ending
happiness(primarily through physical
in whatever we are doing. Here
pleasures). With our advanced
the important ingredients are the
intelligence, we have expanded our
attitude and the effort, not so much
list of activities tremendously. We
the result, because many other
could stay in sync with the force field
elements may be involved which may
of life with more activities and find
be beyond our control. A person's
more happiness, but our track record
contribution to the overall project is
tells a different story. We are creating
important, and the person should
huge amounts of positive changes
always try to make it positive.
and significantly high amounts of negative changes with our unwise
Following this formula persistently
ways of chasing happiness! This
for a certain period, e.g., a month or
behavior pattern becomes a habit
so, can change the mind's chemistry
that changes the chemistry of the
and enable it to find happiness in
mind and makes us deviate from the
simple things of life that were missed
force field of life. This reduces our
before!
efficiency in the quest for happiness. We can heal our minds by getting back in sync with the force field of life. We can achieve this by following a simple, yet perhaps the most natural and the soundest formula for improving the efficiency of the mind to find happiness in life, which says:
Jay K Ghosh is a Science professional and has a couple of master's to his credit. But though his profession has been in Technology, his real passion has been in Philosophy and Spirituality. He has written one book in philosophy and is working on another.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Simply Spiritual To perceive reality from a different perspective is to open oneself to the wonders and unlimited wealth of creation. Simply Spiritual offers the opportunity to visit new places, new methods, and different ways to perceive the vast human knowledge of our Universe.
When Life Resets the Starting Line Of Your Life by Melvin D. Nix
I
t's Time To Start Over
switched gears. Many things we have
Beginning…Again
relied upon for safety and security have become obsolete.
Starting over is the worst! As we
look at our world today, we can see
Have you ever had to start over
the remnants of things that have
in your life? Are you familiar
collapsed and need to be rebuilt.
with the feelings of shame and
Economies have bottomed out;
disappointment which come when
career paths have been altered, and
a part of your life falls apart? Have
the way we receive an education has
you experienced the emotions of loss
OM TIMES | July 2021
and grief that occur when something
and stays in their own lane. Once the
you relied upon fails and leaves you
race has started, the runner takes
standing alone?
a burst of energy and tries to reach the finish line first. The problem with
In my life's journey, I've experienced
approaching life as a sprint is that
these emotions and many others.
important details get overlooked in
I've had to start over at the most
your planning as you try to hurry up
inconvenient times and under the
and win. You will have many false
worst possible circumstances. It's
starts, and life will throw obstacles
excruciating and unpleasant to
at you, which will invariably slow you
believe that you have made progress
down or take you out of the race.
in your life only to discover that you will need to start over. Take it
A relay race is a longer race that has
from someone who has lived to tell
various stages. A runner is designated
this story…. "Starting over can be a
to run their leg of the race to a certain
blessing in disguise."
point and then hand the baton off to the next runner in line. If you can
LIFE IS A RELAY, NOT A SPRINT
compare this type of race to live, you can see a few benefits. First, you will
Life is very similar to a track race. We
realize that life has different stages.
have been socialized to believe that
There are times and seasons of life
life is a sprint. We have to hurry to
where things work very well. Other
achieve our goals or start a particular
times you start strong, you get very
business before our competition
close to the finish line or your goals
does. We have been convinced that
and dreams but then…BAM... you trip
time is running out, so we stress
and fall on your face. Once you accept
ourselves to compete and remain
the fact that there are stages to your
relevant. Through observation and
life's journey, you can be assured that
experience, I've learned that life is
there is time to pick yourself up, dust
more of a relay race rather than a
off, and start again if you fall.
sprint. NEW STARTING LINE = A NEW, A sprint is a very short race. The
MORE EFFICIENT OPPORTUNITY
runner approaches the starting block
TO WIN
OM TIMES | July 2021
LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
If your race has come to a screeching halt and you find yourself needing to re-access
Have you taken a moment to ask
things and start over, here are a few
yourself why you may have fallen
keys that will make your re-start a
down? Take a moment and discover
successful endeavor…
the contributing factors which led you to where you are. Once you
LET GO OF THE WEIGHT
have identified these culprits, you
What things may be slowing
are better equipped to harness your
you down? Unproductive habits,
strength and prepare to start over.
limiting mindsets, poor attitudes,
The past is a teacher…not a prison.
and situations that don't serve you may have bogged you down and
LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION
tripped you up. Identify areas in your life where you have weights and let
We've all had moments where our
them go.
minds led us in one direction, but our OM TIMES | July 2021
heart was sending us signals to avoid
trip you up and follow your heart,
the path we are pursuing. After a very
helping you navigate your way along
arduous and exhausting sprint, we
the path. Finish your race!
discover that we should have listened to our heart's warnings. Our intuition
Melvin D Nix is a spiritual teacher,
always knows best. Learn to never
author, and motivational speaker.
ignore it and to flow with it.
He currently hosts a weekly
LEAP TOWARDS THE STARTING LINE Starting over can be the best thing that happens to you. You will discover that there can be more happiness, wealth, health, and peace if you learn to embrace a new start as a friend. You should let go of the things that
broadcast called "Putting On The Pneu You" (pronounced New You). He teaches how to apply universal spiritual concepts and principles in an easy-to-understand format so that anyone can apply them see tangible results in their daily lives. pneuyou.com
OM TIMES | July 2021
The Basic Commandments for Spiritual Work
O
By Humanity Healing
ur spiritual life needs
spiritual Work. Below are some rules
attention and following
that need to be followed:
some rules for when we do Spiritual Work.
BALANCE
To have the right concentration and
Keeping up with your spiritual self
be ready to perform our prayers, we
is essential for doing spiritual Work,
need to follow some commandments
but balance is needed. We cannot
that should never be left aside to do
leave the material world to live only
OM TIMES | July 2021
in the spiritual. Excess can create a
CONSTANCY
decompensation that can damage
It is necessary to respect the
a person's life. Spiritual and material
natural order of things. One
Work are two parts of the same unity.
cannot seek to do spiritual Work
Neither side can prevail. The rule is to
searching for powers without first
have balance.
being aware of what is taking place. Powers come naturally
Part of my spiritual Work is
at the right time, and you have
learning to live with the knowledge
to wait for them. "The powers"
that we can't protect our loved
developed in spiritual Work must
ones from pain and heartache.
be received and not generated
Dani Shapiro
only by our will. OM TIMES | July 2021
OM TIMES | July 2021
DISCERNMENT AND MODERATION
TOLERANCE AND RELAXATION
To do spiritual Work correctly, we
One should not act with rigidity.
cannot rely solely on the opinion
Upon receiving more information,
of others. We need to have our
the initiating person may believe that
discernment and moderation during
his mind is expanding and becoming
our development. During initiation, this
less tolerant. There is a particular
support is necessary, but it is essential
temptation to want to force others
to mature and gain knowledge.
to accept your ideas and ways of conduct. Entering this state limits
HUMILITY
the capacity you were gaining and
One of the fundamental rules for
even reduced the awareness you had
anyone who wants to do spiritual Work
already achieved.
is to be humble. We can never judge our Work to be superior to that of
The hardest spiritual work in the
others. Esotericism is opposite to the
world is to love the neighbor as
feeling of superiority.
the self - to encounter another human being not as someone
Spiritual Work is not easy. It means
you can use, change, fix, help,
the willingness to surrender
save, enroll, convince or control,
feelings that seem, while we're
but simply as someone who can
in them, like our defense against
spring you from the prison of
a greater pain. It means that we
yourself, if you will allow it.
surrender to God our perceptions of
Barbara Brown Taylor
all things. CONCENTRATION
Marianne Williamson
One cannot lose concentration to SERENE RESPONSIBILITY
do spiritual Work. The study and
Never take inconsequential actions.
practices do not accept dispersions.
The impulse can break relationships
Carrying out these actions without
with family members and coworkers
deepening and concentrating
unnecessarily. Impulsivity in the
generates a false idea of knowing.
esoteric world is also harmful. An
Real knowledge is in understanding
intense entry into spiritual Work can
what surrounds us and understanding
ruin your future in this world.
the reality we live in. OM TIMES | July 2021
Esoteric Christianity
E
by William Bezanson
soteric Christianity refers
Christians who want to study beyond
to the study of occult or
conventional religious topics.
mystical, esoteric knowledge related to Christianity's
Are you like me, raised as a
inner teachings. It examines what
Christian but later questioning
Jesus the Christ really meant in his
the dogma of that religion and
teachings. It has similar teachings to
evolving into a skeptic, a seeker,
that of Rosicrucian orders. It can be
or a freethinker? If so, this article
especially interesting to disenchanted
might be of interest to you.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Even though I had been aware of
references to spirituality, seeing
the term "Esoteric Christianity," I
auras, intuition, astral projection,
recently realized how relevant it was
remote healing, reincarnation,
for me. I had been a Rosicrucian
psychokinesis, archetypal astrology,
order member (The Confraternity
meditation, and numerous other
of the Rose Cross, www.crcsite.com)
topics. Those were all familiar
and a Christian (Anglican Church of
concepts.
Canada) for many years. Still, I had not even thought of exploring esoteric
It was a thrill and comfort to learn
Christianity in a Rosicrucian sense.
of the close relationship between
What I discovered was a delight!
esoteric Christianity and the mystical studies I had already done
A formal definition of esoteric
with a Rosicrucian order. It may be
Christianity, from the Wikipedia
that you also, dear reader, can find
article on that topic, is "Esoteric
a similar attunement among two or
Christianity refers to the study of
more of your interests.
the occult or [mystical] esoteric knowledge related to the inner
Continuing my association with
teachings of Christianity. The term is
the Christian religion provided
generally associated with the Essenes
the comfort of familiarity with an
and later the Rosicrucians. In esoteric
ancient religious tradition, beautiful
Christianity, the religion of the Christ
ideals, and a sense of societal
is taught as a mystery religion".
acceptance. Even though with esoteric Christianity, there were
Don't be alarmed by the word "occult"
no direct links to a congregation
in the above definition. It does not
of fellow worshipers. On the one
mean evil or devilish, as is commonly
hand, I was never really interested
thought. It means hidden, or secret,
in worshipping a deity. Still, on
or accessible only to the initiated.
the other hand, I did miss the spiritual companionship. The
What jumped out to me from the
good news, though, is that the
above definition was the reference to
broad understanding of esoteric
Rosicrucianism. On reading further
Christianity has resulted in many
in that article, and others, I found
written articles (perhaps such as
OM TIMES | July 2021
OM TIMES | July 2021
this current one) that are easily
with the parables of Jesus. Rather
accessible to the general public.
than stating his teaching points in
So discussion groups and related
plain, simple words, Jesus spoke in
interactions provide a form of
parables, much as modern poets and
companionship and support.
artistic folk use metaphors and myths in order to appeal to their listeners'
Everyone who is a spiritual "seeker"
inner mind and intuition so that a far
or is curious about the Really Big
more profound understanding would
Picture will likely benefit from
be achieved than otherwise.
researching and exploring the various teachings and information
A suggestion for how to proceed
about esoteric Christianity.
in your exploration of esoteric Christianity, if you are interested, is
For example, did you know that
that you should read and meditate on
Jesus the Christ understood the
any of the following materials:
validity of reincarnation? You won't find such a teaching in the Bible or hear it from the pulpit, but you will find it in esoteric Christianity.
• The Wikipedia article "Esoteric Christianity," at wikipedia.com. • Esoteric Christianity or The Lesser
Another example is that the various
Mysteries, by Annie Besant,
"miracles" attributed to Jesus were
available at gutenberg.org/
not miraculous at all but were
files/26938/26938-h/26938-h.htm
natural phenomena that can be
• Inner Christianity, by Richard
performed by anyone who has
Smoley, available on Amazon.com
undergone the proper training and
and other booksellers.
development. (See, for example, in John 14:12, NRSV, where Jesus
• Any other relevant books or articles that you are attracted to.
is reported to have said that by believing in him, i.e., by studying his
I suggest starting with the first article
esoteric teachings and modeling
above. It is comprehensive and
his esoteric example, all of us can
thorough.
"do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than
You will likely find that any traditional
these.") A final example has to do
Christian parish will not be able to
OM TIMES | July 2021
OM TIMES | July 2021
support you in finding out any
• Mystically oriented people who
additional information about
wish to stretch their abilities
esoteric Christianity. This situation
with spiritual techniques
is due, of course, to the fact that
• Those interested in initiatory,
the traditional churches do not
fraternal orders, wanting
want you to think for yourself but
to learn more about
to follow obediently the orthodox
Rosicrucianism and related
dogma that they teach. You will
topics
then have a choice to make, as I
• Orthodox Christians who are
did, of either dropping your interest
wondering about alternate
in both the church and esoteric
mythologies
Christianity or of choosing one or the other.
• Atheists who are looking for different views to consider • General folk interested in
Esoteric Christianity should be
spirituality, Christianity,
of great interest to many of the
mysticism, Rosicrucianism, and
following people:
related topics
• Seekers who want to explore metaphysical topics
Welcome to a world of spiritual exploration! You will never look
• Disenchanted Christians
back.
who want to study beyond conventional religious topics • Questioners who want to explore the occult, deep, and hidden truths underlying the teachings of Jesus the Christ
regular contributor to OMTimes. He is a retired electrical engineer who now writes on spirituality and world stewardship. His
Curious people who are attracted to unusual topics
most recent book is I Believe: A Rosicrucian Looks at Christianity and Spirituality. He lives with his wife in Ottawa, Canada. His
• Spiritually oriented people who enjoy exploring alternate explanations of reality
William Bezanson has been a
website is www3.sympatico.ca/ bezanson1.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Temporal Memory is a Window to the Eternal
M
by Arthur Telling
emory is key to our
senses streaming into an ever-present
conscious development.
moment before our eyes. After-death
Relationships between
memory works in precisely the same
people and objects
way, ensuring order in our living
form into living narratives from our
physical world narrative and the eternal
actions and imagination. The mind
realm beyond. A better understanding
rapidly compares memory with new
of the process will ensure direction and
experiences through the five physical
happiness.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Memory Necessary for Mind to Function Memory is critical to the unfolding narrative of a life lived. Without it, we have nothing from which to build. It would be like a book where the first line is read and is forgotten upon moving to the next line. We would be living in an unrecognizable present with nowhere to go. Memory gives retention of what just happened to build and further the living narrative, from first memories to the final moment.
what I ate at lunchtime but have no idea what I had for lunch three days ago. It is not time passing that fades memory. It is the usefulness of that memory to us now. I don't remember lunch from yesterday, but I remember bringing the car to the dealer for servicing. If I didn't, I wouldn't know whether the car needed to be serviced. Still, my memory of yesterday's lunch would be of no use to me today except if there was some additional element of worth, like having had lunch with an old friend. Precisely, the mind remembers and can recall what is useful to it now in
With the understanding of the
some mental or emotional way.
necessity of memory for the development of order and progression, we can better understand the nature
Physical and Afterlife Memory
of our greater self that lives before our physical birth and lives on after death.
This same functioning of memory
This same memory operates in the
applies to the afterlife. When we "die,"
same way in play and provides us with
we will find that we are in a different
life not just during this present life but
place, possibly somewhere we will
also in the spirit worlds and beyond.
recall having been before incarnating in the physical world. It is because we
During this life, we gather and
shed memories that are not useful
retain information from the present
or are perhaps even detrimental for
moment and from dreams, beliefs,
the moment, and those long past
and imaginations, all retained
memories can again be reclaimed
whether lived or imagined. And we
when usefulness returns. Such
quickly forget what is not helpful
memories are not lost. They are put in
to our current needs. Today I know
the mind's "archives."
OM TIMES | July 2021
An incarnational cycle is to the entity
more exists from earlier incarnational
as is a single physical life to a person.
rounds can be accessed but is not
The same memory applies. My inner
readily in memory of the entity. It is for
sources say seven incarnations in
the same reason as our birth to death
a single incarnational cycle, seven
framing, but the entity is aware of the
personalities, and many incarnational
illusion's beginning to end.
cycles through the mind's perpetuity. The entity retains and processes each
We should strive to be aware that
of the incarnational personalities,
the mind's eternal nature includes
developing into a more complex being
our prior birth and to-be after-death
through the emotional and mental
experiences. Through a careful
experiences of the personalities. What
awakening by study and through
OM TIMES | July 2021
meditation, these resources will
"A Different Jesus Message,"
awaken to us. The truth first seems
appeared in the Nov. 2011 AMORC
frightening, for whatever is not
Rosicrucian Digest. Telling is the
recognizable naturally brings anxiety.
author of nine books, including
A gradual awakening brings familiarity
Cleopatra and Jesus's untold
with our higher natures and opens us
stories, a newly released novel
to a glorious awaiting future.
based on actual events titled: "THE INCARNATION: Cleopatra's
Arthur Telling has written
Story of Jesus." His website: www.
numerous stories, articles
arthurtelling.com and Facebook
on religion, philosophy, and
page "Philosophy for a Modern Era:
metaphysics. His article,
www.facebook.com/philo30 OM TIMES | July 2021
OMTimes Magazine Relax… Let your worries drift away into the moment… OMTimes is a free publication and can be delivered right to your inbox… Subscribe at: Free OMTimes Subscription Visit our website at: www.omtimes.com
OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle
The universe seems to have declared that the only thing you can be totally accountable for ... is yourself. BY SHERI ECKERT
You are constantly changing, whether you or others see it or not. It would appear that life on earth has a singular goal, alchemy. The art of converting one thing into another, like the seed into a tree, the cloud into the rain, and the infant into an adult. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, all of your effort in the short period you have here on earth should be invested in improving your innate beauty instead of trying to prove it.
Metamorphosing, a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one by natural or supernatural means seems to be the common and concerted spiritual objective of humanity. It is that which allows your divine compassion, your sacred love energy, your miraculous consciousness, to swell, to extend up to the heavens and participate in the creation of collective enlightenment.
It's important to remember that Transformation is often full of torment and comes in spurts, painful growth processes. But, when you finish one round of change, you are far more in touch with your sacred essence. So take those moments to breathe easy. They are your pause. Your sanctuary time to renew your strength. Take those moments to notice that you are something you were not before and marvel. Take those moments of new perspective and deeply and genuinely implement your new way of thinking, your new understanding of life, into your daily living.
But also know that without question, another challenge is on its way.
We all look for comfort, always. Yet, growth does not usually come in moments of ease. It's more often in the agony of being stretched. The newborns feel it and cry, but they must go through it to become adults. Growing spiritually and mentally is no different. Learning is often wrought with pain and accompanied by many tears. Cry if you must. Like the babies who know not what to do but to scream out in despair, cry.
ENIZAGAM | SEMITMO
Be so busy with your own improvement beloveds of the Beloved, that you don't have time to pay attention to anything or anyone that distracts you from your growth.
OMTIMES | MAGAZINE
Yet, when the stretching is done, remember too that you will be different. Your soul will be taller, more developed, better able to traverse the path of life. This is the pattern of life as human beings. This is the evolution of the masterful articulations of consciousness. If we look, we will see more clearly with each new day that Life, God, Source, Universe, Soul, Spirit ... uses hardship and hurdles to help us grow fully into what we can be. Just as the stars of the heavens slowly release their energy and eventually explode, shooting their stardust out into the universe and facilitating your creation, you, too, are constantly changing. As the celestial bodies of eternity, you too are daily shedding, little by little, the cloaks that hide your inner and sacred beauty, assisting the evolution of humanity. The Magical Process of Transformation
With the removal of the old fabric of lies, fear, and deception, you expose the glorious light being that you are. Your essence will grow brighter and stronger if you radically accept that change is constantly happening. This knowledge can and should bring hope and healing to those who experience its' magnificent majesty. So, while the stripping away of the thoughts you've learned to function feels scary and difficult, you must know with all your might that you must do it anyway, even if it hurts. Remember that life's hardships are your spiritual cocoon's precious sentient being. Know that successfully navigating them is your transformational process.
Be aware that making meaning of them is your awakening to a new and enlightened self. When you unfold with the intention, you will unveil all that you have been designed to be. The seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination is coded into your very essence. In your inexplicable design, you have powers that escape your own vision. Once, you were the essence of unconditional love in the form of pure awareness. And when your magnificent and beautiful Spirit was combined with the power of your exceptional fleshly mind and memory, you were changed. You became what did not exist before. The sacred intelligence of all that source has been created with a magic that is deeper than deep. YOU, the material and spiritual blend called human manifests. A meaningful, mystical way of existing. You are the alchemy of the universe. A combination of stardust and consciousness. Alchemy for Personal Transformation
Has the understanding of your incredibleness been lost in the translation of living out your everyday earthly life? Have you forgotten that you are a product of creativity and love? Within the magnificence of you, in your very cosmic design, my beloveds, there also abides an alchemist. It is your heavenly inheritance. If you think about it, you have been subconsciously practicing this ancient art all your life. Responding to hate with love and creating peace. Touching another with your hands and producing divine pleasure. Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary and manifesting joy.
Now bring this to the forefront of your consciousness and do it with intention. Finally, witness the actual outcomes of your personal alchemy. You might feel stuck, and like you are drowning in your own miry muck. You might not feel like you can move through difficult emotions. You may not even believe that there is a solution to your predicament. This is when you must remember that you are never in any situation that you cannot rise above, crawl out of, or endure. Others may definitely facilitate teachings or skills required to take your thoughts captive and identify triggers and be more in tune with the counselor inside of you. Many can aid you in genuinely comprehending those thoughts, leading to false perceptions, resulting in adverse life outcomes. But you are and always will be your own best guru. 5 Tips to Guide Your Personal SelfDiscovery Process
Discovering how to tend to your own wounds and tune into your own infinite access to the wisdom of the collective consciousness and understanding your glorious, mysterious, and mystical identity is where it all starts. Learning to make meaning of, and letting go of the past, is crucial to your positive wellbeing and ability to move forward. The capacity to see life as the supreme gift that it is, good, bad, and all the in-between, is genuinely critical. Self-awareness, selfobservation, Mindfulness, and meditation are crucial to learning more about you, and thus the cosmos you represent. Yet still, this is all about you and what you can absolutely do.
.
OMTIMES | MAGAZINE
1) Acceptance and Growth
The fortifications that you once upon a time built to protect you are now your prison, serving only to encourage the development of calloused or overactive emotions, allowing you to believe that there is only one right way to be safe. These barriers isolate your openness and reduce your sensitivity to the point that you or someone you love might even become cruel and unforgiving. Yet, there is not one person on this earth who still possesses their original, pure, and holistic beauty; your essence of genuine kindness and real compassion entered this existence upon your birth. Worry not, though, because walls can be torn down. But you must do the work. It is imperative to know that one cannot heal or fix another man's mind.
ENIZAGAM | SEMITMO
Accepting that intrinsically everyone wants to do good at the beginning of unconditional love for yourself and others. Being open to the reality that life happens, hurt happens, disappointment happens, and walls have been built to protect your mind and heart is paramount to alleviating your dis-ease. Most assuredly, at the time of construction, those walls were likely essential. But at some point, you have to tear them down so that you can move outside of the boundaries that once kept you safe but no longer serve you well.
JULY 2021 | OMTIMES
3) Gratitude Impacts our Happiness and Well-being
2) Recognize your Personal Power
Remembering that you are simply morphing into a deeper and more authentic self will allow you to start the process of unbecoming. But, unfortunately, taking the time to unravel the yarn of the old sweater hiding the truth takes much patience. And like the caterpillar, who isn't really a caterpillar but is actually a breathtaking butterfly, the task of Transformation is often cocooned in pain. You likely misunderstand hardship and heartbreak, thinking you have done something wrong. But could it be possible that you are simply expanding your true character, understanding more profoundly that life as a human is often messy, complicated, and yet so very exhilarating? Perhaps you are even wondering how best to make the most of what time you have been granted here on this resplendent planet in outer space.
Yes, indeed, going through the labor of growing pain is very normal. And maybe, if I might suggest, even a wonderful experience. Knowing that all of the discomfort and doubt that you wrestle with is a gift, not a curse, is a consequential element to embracing and experiencing the fullness of your life. Remembering that you and only you can respond correctly to the stretching of your consciousness. You and only you can begin to explore your innate longings and achings. You and only you can see any form of hardship as your most beloved teacher, given to you to instruct and explode your glorious and sacred presence, allowing you to unveil most spectacularly the original awareness that resides within you.
JULY 2021 | OMTIMES
Even remembering what it means to be alive, not just living. Every day you can discover that you already know; that you are truly magnificent, majestic, and miraculous. That you are born finished and complete. That you are and have always been enough. And that from this deep understanding of your identity and personal power, free and fabulous ideas can flow from your Spirit into your mind, leading you to the new and holy ground to stand upon. Both in your inner and outer space. 4) Embrace Your Core Values
You can know that life naturally unfolds, and there is nothing you can do but embrace it, remembering it is best to move with it instead of resisting it. You are designed to correctly make your own choices, to discern which way you should go when you encounter a fork in the road, remembering that your primary responsibility is to discover how to navigate your most successful way in existence. And when you begin at once to live and count each separate day as a separate life, you will be aligned more intimately with your sacred purpose. For you are indeed a rare and noble member of humanity, a bright and shining light of hope under all the pain that you have walled yourself within. You are an ever-changing spiritual being having a human experience. You are so much bigger, grander, wiser, and capable than you realize. You are being led by the light of the natural and intelligent Spirit of this holy and supreme universe. You always have been. You need only stop and listen to the divinity that resides within.
A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES & THE MAGICAL PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
5) Practice Mindfulness
It's important to remember that you heal yourself with simple things. By remembering the grass is green exactly where you water it and learning to bloom where you are planted. By believing in the magic that once captured your youth and allowing it to illuminate your life. By letting your beauty and the beauty of others naturally unfold. And finally, but so importantly, by believing in that which you currently cannot see, yet intuitively seeing the possibilities of what is yet to be. Life is a Celebration:
Today, may you walk this beautiful earth that you have been so blessed to live upon, with love, kindness, compassion, and concern for your own imperfections and the imperfections of others. Life is a perpetual process of growth. Be kind to one another as you expand more fully into your whole and holy selves. Remember that when one is amid a spiritual leap into a new way of thinking, the Transformation itself is wrought with hardship. No one is perfect. So do your best to be better today than yesterday and more genuine tomorrow than you are today. JULY 2021 | OMTIMES
ENIZAGAM | SEMITMO
AWAKEN YOUR SOUL WISDOM, A 12-DAY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE MYSTICAL SACRED VALLEY OF PERU
UNSTUCK YOURSELF
Look out for one another too, and forgive each other's shortcomings. Help one another be the best version of "self." It feels good to be good, to do good, to see good. It's called Transformation!
If you are ready to create meaningful Transformation in your own life, then please consider joining us on Awaken Your Soul Wisdom, A 12-day Spiritual Journey through the Mystical Sacred Valley of Peru, August 19 - August 30, 2021, https://www.seekingsacredjour neys.com/peru Sheri Eckert is a Professional Counselor, Public Speaker, and the Chief Petitioner of Oregon's historic and globally acknowledged 2020 PSI Ballot Initiative. She is also the creator of A New Way of Thinking and the author of Dear Human. Additionally, as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Inner work Portland, Sheri offers Psycho-Spiritual Counseling in private and group practice. Sheri works diligently to help others expand their perspectives and derive meaning from their existence. Educating people about the importance of looking at the cosmic beauty that resides WITHIN them and the magical beauty that externally surrounds them is paramount to her counseling practice. https://www.seekingsacredjourne ys.com/
So you have written a book and are looking for ways to place it before Conscious Readers. You are in the right place! OMTimes readers ARE Conscious Readers. A Book Spotlight in OMTimes Magazine and on the omtimes.com website creates impact. Not only is your book in front of a discerning, high-volume, targeted audience, but your OMTimes Book Spotlight will bring you up in the search engines.
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Have you been feeling a bit unsure of how to move forward? Is your body feeling drained and your energy depleted? Maybe you’re tucked in the ground, feeling unmotivated to emerge from your cocoon. Maybe you’re beginning to sprout, testing the surface and hoping it’s time. Or maybe you are bursting at the seams to reach towards the sun again. At Seeking Sacred Journeys, we totally get it. We feel it too. We’ve been in a period of stillness. Although this stillness wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it’s given us all time to pause and reflect, it's now time to enter a new season - one of expansion, freedom, and widened horizons. Now is the time to reconnect with the wisdom of your soul, reignite your passion & purpose and reclaim your Sacred Self. We invite you to join Seeking Sacred Journeys in Peru for a 12-day Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Be prepared for a soul awakening adventure encompassing ancient wisdom, luxury wellness, expansive spiritual practices, energizing yoga, shamanic healing rituals & sacred ceremonies at some of the most emblematic sites in Peru. This is an inner journey as much as it is an outer one. Experience this extraordinary, transformational journey of spiritual awakening and healing. Experience the magic of the ancient Inca and reclaim your wholeness (and holiness).
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4 Secrets to Better Meditation
M
editation is a time-
sympathetic nervous system and
honored art of finding
lowers stress hormones, such as
stillness. Meditation
cortisol. “Peace is a practice.” The
helps us live a healthier,
more you continue a meditation
less stressful life. The physical
practice, the greater the benefits
and psychological benefits are
offered you. Prayer falls under this
tremendous. Meditation calms the
category. For what is prayer, but the
OM TIMES | July 2021
asking, confirming, and receiving of
Now, forget everything you know
wishes we meditate upon.
about meditation.
MEDITATION BASICS
~ Sit in a comfortable position. Whatever that position is. No
This is ALL you will ever need. This
right or wrong. The idea is to be at
is for the person who has NEVER
ease yet aware. It is important to
meditated before, AND it is for the
sense the space around you with
expert meditator. WHY? Because
an image of the top of your head
all meditation starts with the root of
pulling upwards while your sitting
intention.
bones feel grounded and pulling you downward.
“No matter what the tree, they all grow from one seed, which takes root and branches out.”
~Close your eyes.
1. THE SEED: YOUR INTENTION
Therefore, know this, meditation is like the lotus tree or flower. Rich with
~State your intention or purpose
many, many layers, leaves, or petals.
for meditating TODAY. You can
It blossoms to be a vibrant plant or
say it out loud if that connects
flower, but at its core, it is the same
you to your reason. Today, in this
basic principle, ~ the seed you plant.
moment, I am meditating for: __________________________
1. The Seed: Your intention: the reason you do this
(hint: keep it simple, yet focused) For example, instead
2. Air to grow: Your breath: to reach the roots
of meditating for world peace, meditate on something that
3. Food to grow: Your thoughts:
may be an easier challenge to
how you choose to nourish the
start with. Meditate on peace
seed
in your corner of the world or in
4. Water to grow: Your ability
your immediate location) such as
to flow and let go: how you
peace in your household or peace
magnetize your purpose to bring
in your mind. (We will get to world
it back
peace later.) OM TIMES | July 2021
2. AIR TO GROW: YOUR BREATH
(to sprout the intention) as breath reaches all the way out to the branches, as intention (the seed)
With your eyes remained closed,
grows.
breath. You have this amazing ability to do Now, you are going to breathe with
this. As you focus on the inhale…draw
intention. You are going to take
your breath down to the root of your
breaths with purpose. Each breath is
lungs (seed-intention). As you focus
now offered to your intention (or the
on the exhale…expel the breath out to
reason you are meditating today.)
the branches of your fingers and toes.
Breath is considered the “air, which
Breathe in a manner that comes
circulates.” Breath reaches all the
naturally to you. Do not overthink this.
way down to the root of the seed
There are many forms and techniques
OM TIMES | July 2021
for breathing. But, for the purpose of
soul, or you can choose food, which
this meditation, it is important not to
clogs your heart, congests your lungs,
become overly critical of details. This
and makes you ill.
should form as a natural, easy process of taking in and letting out. Taking in
Your thoughts are no different. Your
and letting out.
thoughts can empower your mind and soul, or they can destroy your
3. FOOD TO GROW: YOUR THOUGHTS
self-esteem, disempower your actions, and create doubt, pain, or panic.
Your thoughts are how you CHOOSE
Bring to mind 3 thoughts to
to nourish the seed
EMPOWER your intention
Like your body, you can choose to eat
Because we are human, doubt,
food that is good for your body and
insecurity, and uncontrolled thoughts
OM TIMES | July 2021
will seep into your mind. Rather than
reply is, “this is why you are already
fighting them, let them in, but do not
resisting.” With a statement like this,
let them dwell there. This is where
you are already showing (not only to
the free will of meditation takes over.
me but to the Universe) that you have
(Remember, there will always be a
already (shown your weakest side,
struggle between the EGO self and
resisted, given up) let doubt take over.
the TRUE self) Your free will allows you to choose between good (true
Bring BACK to mind the 3 thoughts
self) or bad (ego-self).
to EMPOWER your intention.
Whenever I am teaching this
Nourish with the good food of
technique, this is what I hear next,
thought and blessings. With each
“well, it’s easier said than done.” My
inhale, feed your intention some good
OM TIMES | July 2021
thought. With each exhale, release
one), you will find that their purpose
or expel anything, which does not
serves the greater good (yourself,
belong there.
others, and the valid reason.)
4. WATER TO GROW: YOUR ABILITY TO FLOW
Holding on shows how tight our grip is around something (someone). Letting go shows us our ability to share, honor,
Your ability to let flow and let go is
appreciate what we have/had.
how you magnetize your purpose and actually watch, as the Universe
This shows you harmony with
brings it back to you, 10 times
something larger than yourself. You
stronger. Water moves intention
will be better able to serve others if
(thoughts) to flow. This is the flow
you have a healthy mind to support
you need to release and let go of.
it. If you receive greater knowledge,
Your wish will boomerang back to
you are better able to understand the
you, with magnetic attraction, but
reasoning behind the action.
only if you are willing to indeed NOW, open your eyes.
release it. At the end of your meditation, it is the last important step to release or let go of your intention. It is the “giving away,” which shows the Universe that you are not holding on, wanting, or trying to control the outcome. It reveals that you can show STRENGTH in your conviction, TRUST in another force, with a
Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac is the author of “Lead Us To A Place ~ your spiritual journey through life’s seasons.” He has been in the health industry for over 20 years. He is an expert in treating infertility, muscularskeletal pain, and related aging issues with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Andrew is an educator. He has taught over 100,000 students in
BLESSING to go forward.
his accredited certification courses
Letting go is probably one of the hardest things in life for us to do. Yet, if you really let go of something (an intention, material things, a loved
in the alternative, complementary, and metaphysical healing. You can access his life’s work and teachings peacefulmind.com.
OM TIMES | July 2021
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Yoga Nidra: The Sleep Kriya
S
by Nandhiji
leep is not only a moment
Sleep quality affects the quality of our
of rejuvenation. It is also
mind’s abilities to perceive, remember
the space of timelessness
and produce optimal thoughts. Sleep
to incubate our minds.
resets our minds. The quality of sleep
Yogic sleep empowers the mind to
matters and is directly proportional to
expand in Consciousness.
the wellbeing of our minds and body. OM TIMES | July 2021
For a Yogi, sleep is a sacred
inner journey so much. What
moment. The vaster Consciousness
inspired him to cut off entirely
is expanded, the deeper the sleep
from the external world and start a
and lesser the time required to
journey within?
sleep. Yogic deep sleep has no dreams.
Once a day, early in the morning,
Time condenses, requiring
his devotees would remove thorn
shorter time of needed sleep.
bushes that blocked Ayya’s cave
Upon awakening from a yogic
entrance, and Ayya would start a
sleep, it should feel a brand new
fire to make herbal tea. All pilgrims
moment filled in optimism, mind
who came to see Ayya were served
supercharged, body healed, and
Ayya’s tea. He seldom spoke to
each thought from clarity.
anyone other than his helpers. After two hours, the helpers would again
Turiya is the attainment of yoga.
close up the cave entrance so Ayya
Superconscious states of mind.
to enter back into his solitude until the next day.
Yogis who master Consciousness can condense sleep to the extent of
I spent my time sitting outside
going beyond “sleep,” the state of
the cave through the night,
turiya, called the sleepless sleep.
wanting to absorb his meditative energies. Through the night, I
I had experiences of the states of
heard Ayya speaking to the Divine.
turiya with my Guru Ayya, who
Sometimes he would burst into
meditated atop near the peak of
ecstasy singing. He was in a vortex
Arunachala mountain. He drank a
of powerful energies- in states of
glass of milk a day, never moved,
perpetual overflowing joy. It was
and he never slept. I would climb
now easy to understand how Ayya
up the mountain to be near his
had transcended sleep- he was
cave enclosure through the night
in the realms of turiya, the super
to meditate. In the beginning, my
consciousness state of mind. It was
need to sit near Ayya was pure
this sublime ecstasy experience
curiosity. And to understand what
that inspired me to create my
made Ayya love his solitude and
music, Turiya Nada. To know the
OM TIMES | July 2021
states of turiya is to know the three
my years, seeking my Light within
states of mind- sleep, dream, and
through solitude was another
awake- as an observer. Sleep and
of my Gurus, Siddha Maha Siva
mastery of sleep is the vital element
Swamy. Maha Siva Swamy lived in a
in the attainment of states of turiya.
forest shrine of Nambi Hills, a tiger sanctuary all by himself. I enjoyed
My quest to learn more about sleep
every moment with him as he was
made me eager to ask enlightened
alright taking my questions, and
Masters. In my pilgrimages during
he would answer me. I remember
OM TIMES | July 2021
walking with him through the
days and nights, he must have
jungle to reach Nambi Hills. It felt
mastered the art of sleep.
eerie initially. It felt unsafe as I knew this was a tiger sanctuary, and only
We lay side by side near the ancient
a few would walk into this forest.
Temple entrance on the ground
I asked him if he ever felt afraid
with cloth underneath me. He did
walking in this forest all by himself,
not need anything underneath
mentioning how frightened he
him. I asked him what he was
should be of the tigers. He smiled
doing with his breath and how he
at me and mentioned, “Tigers walk
was preparing his mind for sleep.
away from humans sensing us. But
He said, ” Go into the mantra fires.
some tigers are too old. One old
Surrender your breath. Descend
tiger would sit over there and roar.
into your heart. Fall asleep there.” I
Its roar was so weak, unlike others.
spent the next few minutes trying
But they never will harm me.” I did
what he told me. A few minutes
not tell him how that old tiger could
later, I was ready to ask the next few
have become a maneater. I felt safe
questions. I said, “Swamy, now that
with him knowing he must have the
I am in my heart, now what?”… and
higher vibrations safeguarding him.
all I heard was his snoring. He was fast asleep in another world. Soon I fell asleep too.
When we reached this sacred shrine after a five-mile walk through the forest, we bathed in
What I learned from these ultimate
the sacred jungle stream and, in the
moments with Guru Ayya and Guru
evening, did our puja (worship). As
Maha Siva Swamy the mind in its
night time came, I told Maha Siva
journey. The mind, in its awakening
Swamy I needed to learn how to
state, sleeps, and realms beyond
sleep. I had watched him enter into
sleep are states of Consciousness.
samadhi many times, with ease.
These Yogis had mastered
Any time he entered into samadhi,
Consciousness itself by being
the whole area around him would
able to enter the sleepless sleep
buzz in Light. I was certain that if
realms of Turiya. Ever since, I have
he could enter into samadhi with so
delved deep to make sense of sleep
much ease and meditate through
to understand sleep as a tool of
OM TIMES | July 2021
wellbeing, an instrument to intense
yoga, meditate & do pranayama
meditation, and a proponent to
or run, play basketball or walk.
enhance the mind’s clarity.
Doing physical activities does tune the mind into a long-lasting
PRACTICAL STEPS TO YOGIC
meditative experience.
SLEEP- YOGA NIDRA Doing puja (worship of the Divine) Through the day, attain, maintain
or prayers helps to set the mind in
and generate ease of mind. Do
a meditative state through the day. OM TIMES | July 2021
Prayers help us discard worries,
the reality experiences; thoughts,
anxieties & stress.
anxieties,; needs, wish, fear- and emotions; surrender into the
Every breath enters into our core
mantra fires. Let go of realities to
of harmony within retention- with
the Divine Source God. No realities
mindfulness & awareness. Being
belonged to us before birth. Now
in a continuous meditative state
in sleep, consider it the moment of
throughout the day nourishes
death when all of the realities are
the mind that requires less time
surrendered to Source God.
to revitalize. The meditative mind works for sleeping effectively.
THE PROCESS:
Set a daily time to shut down
Select Consciousness expanding
our work and prepare for
books. Set a habit to read before
bed. Scheduling and setting
sleeping every day. Reading
a daily time helps the mind
conscious books imprints the mind
subconsciously tune into the
with good thoughts.
sleep-ready mode. Lay down on the bed, turning Just before getting to bed, shower,
over to the left side. Use pillows or
bathe, or wash our face & forehead.
elbows as props and start reading
Water as energy cleanses away
the book. Be aware of the right
unwanted thoughts.
breath that gains predominance as we rest our body on the left. We are
Do gentle stretches or yin yoga
tapping into the moon energies of
before bed if feeling unable to
breath that activates sleep.
cope with stress or worries. The best yoga always happens when
Sleep will come soon, especially if
our mind is low. Yoga helps us
the book is philosophical in nature.
come back into our bodies.
Chase sleep away by wanting to read more. Affirm for ourselves that
Meditate using mantra chants.
the night is young, and we have
Even if for just 5 minutes. Make
all night to read. Sleep will come
this moment a time of prayer. All
as a threatening lion or a cute
OM TIMES | July 2021
OM TIMES | July 2021
puppy wanting to be held. Chase
recitation and connecting our
it away! Close eyes a minute when
mind to Source God. Our first
sleepiness gets heavy. And start
thoughts, “Please, God Source,
reading again.
give me the right thoughts.” Our first prayers- rub both the
– Now we are ready to sleep. Put
palms thinking of our Mother as
away the book. Flip over to the
our left palm and our Father as
right side. Start reciting a mantra
our right palm in gratefulness.
that makes us feel connected to
Feel every cell in our body
Source God. Enter into the heart
grateful to our Mother & Father.
like allowing ourselves to float
Place it over our eyelids in
away into the womb of Light.
gratitude.
– Step into timelessness of sleep
Let gratefulness be our vibrancy
like meditation. The mind
gifted by the depth of our sleep.
flows into states of deep sleep
We are now the vibrancies that
where dream occurrence is rare.
align and manifest all that our
With practice, in this womb
heart intends.
state, we gradually activate more awareness of the mantra
Gratitude oh Beloved Sleep
vibration of our unconscious
Goddess,
mind connected to Source
To whom gifts our mind the
God. In this sleep, our mind
grandness of our Now.
is incubated like a caterpillar turning to be a butterfly. We
Interesting observations of yogic
transform our humans into
sleep:
Angelic. This yogic sleep reduces in time due to its depth and intensity and ability to serve the mind and body in rejuvenation.
• In-depth sleep, there are no dreams. Sleep is like death. • Sleeping hours reduce. • Wake up feeling like we slept ‘hundred years.
– Upon waking up, the first thoughts on arising out of sleep are reaching out to the mantra
• Wake up with a mind that is crystal clear.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Inspiring Our Kids to Listen to Us
A
by Crystal Presence
bstract: PARENTING: We
There are different reasons with
want our kids to listen
different resolutions to why our
to us. We ask them
kids are not hearing to us. When
nicely to do something,
we take the time to get to the core
and nothing happens. The first
of their experience, we can create
thing we need to do is get to the
resolutions that are optimal for
core of why they are not listening.
their individual needs. Some things
OM TIMES | July 2021
we can explore to inspire our kids to
might be simply tired, hungry, not
listen to us.
feeling well, having issues with family interactions or physical conditions
"The first thing you need to do
that could be affecting them. When
is figure out why they are not
we take the time to get to the core
listening. This lack of response is a
of their experience, we can create
symptom, not the actual problem"
resolutions that are optimal for their
Amy McCready
individual needs.
We want our kids to listen to us. We
As we explore and discover, we can…
ask them nicely to do something,
Ask the question, "What is the nature
and nothing happens. We wonder if
of experiencing our kids wanting to
they heard us, then repeat it with no
listen and respond to us in all the
response. As our frustration escalates,
most beneficial ways?"
and we say it one more time. We wonder why our kids are not inspired
Notice our state of being. Breathe,
to listen to us. Amy McCready,
move, and vibrate our energy with
parenting educator and founder of
the intent to connect and release any
Positive Parenting, says that kids
contraction in our bodies. Breathe and
not listening are among the most
notice the tone and energy behind
common frustrations she hears from
what we want to say. Do we want
parents. She brings a warm voice of
sound blaming, shaming, judging,
support to us when she supports us
or boring? All they hear is blah, blah,
to get the core of why they are not
blah? Or do you want to be alive,
listening. She urges us to address this.
present, and inspiring to listen to?
It often leads to other behavior issues such as tantrums, defiance, and
Let them feel we want to connect
talking back.
with them. Breathe, get down to their level, make eye contact, and talk to
There are different reasons with
them in a gentle caring way.
different resolutions to why our kids are not listening to us. As parents, we
Avoid saying, "I'm worried about
need to explore and discover what is
you." Being continuously worried can
really going on with each child. They
make kids wonder what is so wrong
OM TIMES | July 2021
with them that we worry so much.
that," we can simply say "hands-
Perhaps say "I'm concerned about…"
off," Or instead of "don't stand in the
as a way to let them know we care.
road," we can say "stand over here."
Perhaps say, "I'm wondering what is
It is amazing how quickly our kids
really feeling right now? Be honest
respond to that!
with ourselves as we ask, "does Notice that too many "no's" make
worrying work?
our kids want to stop listening. A Ditch the "don't" word. The most
simple "no' is sometimes the easiest
common example is when we tell
and the best thing to do. When use
someone, "Don't think of a pink
"yes' we get to have a better chance
elephant in the room," the first thing
of inspiring them to tune into what
they think of is a pink elephant!
we have to say. Instead of just saying
So instead of saying "don't touch
"No, not now," we could say "Yes, you
OM TIMES | July 2021
can do it later after we get home," or
to address homework, take the time
instead of saying "No, cookies now,"
to focus on their strengths and their
we can say, "Yes, we can have some
progress. Use opportunities to know
for dessert tonight.
that making mistakes is okay. Ask, "What did you learn from choosing
Remember that our kids want to
that answer?" As for family issues,
express their power. We can let
listen our best to see them from their
them exert their power (within our
perspective. Then set a time to turn
boundaries, of course) by allowing
on music, dance, and move energy!
them to pick out their clothes, decide
Clear the pathways for sharing each
which book they want us to read, and
other's experiences, perspectives,
other things such as letting them play
and time for coming up with
in puddles to their heart's content
resolutions.
Keep it short. To get our kid's attention, we have to keep it very
About the author: Crystal is a
short and to the point!
certified expansion guide, author, coach, and facilitator for the live
Thank them in advance for what
event called Freedom at the
you want them to do. For example,
Core. She is also the instructor
"thanks for putting your muddy
and coach for her online course,
boots on the doormat." Appreciating
Freedom f rom the Inside Out.
them in advance shows our trust
Crystal is known for the fun and
in them and Inspires them to do
empowering ways she supports
the right thing. It enhances our
people in bringing forth the
connection, increasing the chance
experiences they want in their
they will do it again.
lives. She now has a program for parents who wish to explore and
Talk in a loving assuming tone. For
experience new leading-edge
example, a simple comment could
ways to make parenting more
be, "I notice that the garbage hasn't
accessible and more fun. She is
gone out. What is your plan for taking
writing a series of children's books
it out?" This inspires our kids to listen
that embrace the principles of
and develop a quick plan if they did
f reedom f rom the inside out.
not already have one! When we want OM TIMES | July 2021
Relationships The interconnectiveness among all human beings and, consequently, the relationships among us are the focus of this section. The dynamics of the web of connections we make is one of the most prominent aspects of human existence: how we interlace with each other’s existence in a meaningful way.
What Is and What Isn't Love by Johanna Kern
OM TIMES | July 2021
D
o we choose to love? Or
mind is Romantic Love, the one that
is Love a 'predicament,'
fills us with passion, changes our
a 'situation,' a 'mental or
heartbeat, and makes us devoted
emotional disruption' that
to the "one and only" person in the
happens to us?
entire world.
There are as many views and theories
However, Love, as most of us have
of what Love is about as there are
already found out, has many faces.
people who have given thought to that intriguing and exciting subject.
There is motherly/fatherly Love, the biological bond most of us discovered
Is Love a feeling, an emotion, or a
as early as we were in our mother's
state of mind? Is it the best thing that
womb.
can ever happen to us, or a disaster Then there is family Love, known to
which can ruin our life?
us through our connections with Or is Love a "predicament," a
our siblings, grandparents, or other
"situation," a "mental or emotional
relatives.
disruption" that happens to us? Some of us feel Love for our pets, Questions like these have been
nature, town, country, or the entire
perpetrated by numerous writers,
globe. Some people say that they love
poets, performers, other artists,
humankind.
psychologists, philosophers, and those who have ever been or have hoped to
Some describe "Love" as the feeling
be in Love.
they have when talking about their life, career, house, car, computer, iPod,
We are all Lovers by nature. And that's
iPhone, cellphone, or other things
because, whether we are aware of it or
they own or want to purchase.
not, we always have loved (one way or another), and we are filled with Love.
No matter with whom or what, we all have discovered ways of "falling in
When we are talking about Love,
Love" or "loving" whoever or whatever
usually the first thing that comes to
we found desirable and "worthy" of
OM TIMES | July 2021
the investment of our time, energy,
Love as one of the basic human drives,
thought, and heart.
similar to hunger or thirst.
We all know Love, if not through our
The conventional view of Love in
own experience, then at least through
biology explains that sex drives,
observation or life wisdom which
partner preference, and attachment
taught us about the existence of such
are governed by the primary
enormous power.
neurochemicals: testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin.
Of course, there are emotions
It further concludes that the sex drive
associated with sharing Love in
in those who have multiple sexual
a romantic relationship, such as
encounters evolved because of the
passion, tenderness, longing, and
biological need for mating with a
simply the joy of being together. But
range of partners. At the same time,
those are emotions, not Love.
Romantic Love is a sign of focusing on mating with one partner only.
A biological scientist would argue
Attachment is a result of a biological
with us because they tend to view
need to pair to raise one's offspring.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Perhaps that point of view agrees
are present when we embrace our
with you, and I fully respect that.
partner, touch them and hold their
However, many couples choose not
hand. When we kiss the beloved lips
to have children. Their relationships
and close our eyes with happiness –
are not about reproduction.
but those are not Love. Those are
They want to be together for the
chemical reactions in our body.
sake of being together, that's all.
That's what they are. Calling them
The number of such couples is
Love is a huge understatement and,
constantly growing opposite sex,
frankly, a scientific mistake. Some
same-sex – you name it. Would we
people similarly crave hamburgers
tell them that they are not in Love
(I'm not saying they want to have
because they don't populate the
sex with them. I'm saying they
planet? Of course not! Of course,
WANT them more than anything
they love each other, and there is no
else: right here, right now). And
doubt about that.
once they get their longed-for hamburger, they close their eyes
Yes, the neurochemicals and
with happiness when their lips
emotions associated with them
touch it for the first time.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Yep. The chemical reactions and
feel Love, and that's how it comes to
emotions associated with them kick
life".
in when we experience something (or someone) with our senses, up close or
Interestingly enough, you might
from afar—no questions about that.
have a point there. And you might be
But – is this Love?
right and wrong at the same time.
You may shake your head at this
Before we come to any conclusions,
moment, shrug your shoulders and
let us explore Love's topic in more
add, "Science deals with intellect,
depth before establishing what we
while Love is a matter of the heart. We
want to, or need to, feel or think
don't think Love into existence. We
about Love.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Some of us fear Love. Some of us
Love and happiness go hand in hand.
expect that finding someone to love
You never suffer because of Love. You
will resolve our problems. Some treat
only suffer when your expectations
Love as a step to personal growth.
are not being met – whatever they
Others don't believe in Love and only
might be.
settle for sex. Love is a growing process. There is Let us not close our eyes and ears
nothing finite about Love and loving.
to anything new to us, unusual, or perhaps challenging our views in
The only thing that will never change
some way.
is that Love IS power. Lack of Love IS a lack of power.
Let's see. Let's hear. Let us Love. Let us be loved. And let us Let us be open and loving when it
be Love.
comes to the topic of Love. According to the Master Teachings of Hope's ancient wisdom, Love is a powerful energy that flows freely between us and through us. We share that energy not only with our loved ones but also with our environment. Love is one of the energies affecting the world AND one of the internal processes that we all go through, sooner or later – at one point or another. There are 7 aspects to the energy of Love: Joy, Acceptance, Lowliness (as in being humble), Equality, Surrender, Equilibrium and Reconciliation. These qualities of the Universal Love pamper our Romantic Love daily.
About the author: Johanna Kern is a transformational teacher and multiple award-winning authors of "365 (+1) Affirmations to Create A Great Life", "Secrets of Love for Everyone," "Master, and the GreenEyed Hope," etc. She practices and shares the Master Teachings of HOPE, helping people find their own power and progress in all life areas. Johanna's story received international attention, winning praise by readers in North America and Europe. She was endorsement by three world-renowned experts: Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Jerry Solfvin, Ph.D., and Brian Van der Horst. johannakern.com & www.facebook. com/JohannaKernAuthor
OM TIMES | July 2021
Metaphysics
Signs You are Ready to Become a Professional Tarot Reader
S
By Humanity Healing
o, you want to be a
Have you pondered, played your
professional tarot reader. You
own cards, and the Magician
want to use your intuition to
tells you are you ready to
help people gain perspective
translate your hobby skills into
and understanding. You want to assist
employment? Here are eight
them with their most challenging
signs that you have made
concerns and helping them to find
the leap f rom beginner to a
guidance is your ultimate goal.
professional tarot reader. OM TIMES | July 2021
How to know you are prepared?
You Need to have Different Spreads to work with
YOU KNOW THE MEANINGS OF THE HEART
It is not enough to be familiar with the Celtic Cross - a single spread is
Reading each tarot card without
not suitable for all situations. You
hesitation or looking at a book
must have many spreads in your tarot
is essential to do a professional
portfolio, from layouts involved for
reading. Your knowledge base and
more extended readings and complex
your exclusive relationship with
questions to short three-card spread
the cards have flourished. You can
for 15-minute readings.
understand the nuances of meaning in each one on different channels
And you can quickly identify which
and concerning other topics.
spread makes sense for a particular customer.
Knowing the meanings allows you to quickly interpret - and gives you space to use your intuition.
YOU RARELY DRAW BLANK WHEN TAKING READING
YOU ARE COMFORTABLE TO PRACTICE WITH PEOPLE YOU DO NOT KNOW You don't just read to friends and family. Whether you are promoting
Sometimes even the best of us
yourself through social media or
are perplexed when making a
sitting on a park bench, your goal
connection between the Tarot
is to share your skill with the world
Arcanum cards, or we may use it the
at large. You understand people's
wrong way.
questions and reactions and trust your own intuition.
It will happen, but you must be beyond the point where it frequently occurs before you start reading
YOU CAN SYNTHESIZE CARDS
professionally. You have techniques and strategies that you can
The tarot's real magic occurs when
implement when these blanks occur.
the reader takes all the cards in
OM TIMES | July 2021
all their respective positions and
the art of storytelling what your
interprets the complete layout in
intuition is giving to you.
relation to the question. After all, reciting separately the meaning
You know how to proceed with the
of each card is not a read - it is
reading from beginning to end.
a list of things - nothing but a It sounds obvious, right? But even
laundry list.
the most skilled tarot reader can The synthesis allows your intuition
forget that reading begins when your
and practice with the cards to come
prospective customer visits your site
together - and you have mastered
or contacts you.
OM TIMES | July 2021
You are a professional and have your
have a personal philosophy around
own means of registering customers
the tarot, centered on fate, will, or
and engaging their initial questions.
some combination of the two. You
You have a process, and you treat your
can even specialize in specific topics.
practice like the business it is.
Self-awareness is the goal of readers and seekers - play with your personal
YOU KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT CUSTOMERS
strengths.
AVOID BEING A "RUNAWAY PSYCHIC"
No matter how skillful you are, if you practice tarot as a business, you will
It will be times that the tarot cards
have troubled people going through
will show up on your mind and give
your practice. This is a vulnerable
you some insight into other people's
arena for customers, attracting people
lives, even when they are not asking
in sensitive locations and skeptics
you for consultations or advice. Resist
who are closed to new information.
the urge to provide them with a" 'free "consultation because there is a
Likewise, some people seek validation
code of conduct to be respected and
and will not be satisfied with an
observed when working with People's
answer that differs from their wishes.
spiritual and emotional lives. Just say
You have your own methods to stay
something if you are asked.
calm and stop spreading volatile situations.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TYPE OF TAROT READER YOU ARE
LEARN HOW TO CLEAN AND CONSECRATE TAROT CARDS For people who use the tarot, it is essential to take care of the deck,
You have a fundamental
know how to clean the cards, energize
understanding of your relationship
them, and consecrate them.
with the cards. You know what kind
Besides, you should be careful in
of readings you are targeting, be it a
general, because, with time and
complex and in-depth undertaking
frequent use, the cards tend to
or a quick and dirty analysis. You
crumple at the ends or to become
OM TIMES | July 2021
more curved. Therefore, it is also
safe and balanced, and it will fall
important to keep them clean and
sideways and wet your cards.
cared for. Another way to clean tarot cards is Tarot Hygiene: Learn How to cleanse
to use crystals. Quartz is ideal for
your Tarot cards.
cleaning, and amethyst, in addition to cleaning, attracts positive
The most used form is salt. It is
energies. Place the stones on the
recommended to put salt in a glass
cards for a few hours, shuffling
of water. Place the cards on the table
occasionally.
(with a clean sheet) with the glass
One More method is to pass the
on top of them. Be sure the cup is
cards over a candle's flame, as the
OM TIMES | July 2021
fire burns the negative energies. Still, it is not highly recommended, as they can get dirty with soot or
ENERGIZING AND CONSECRATING TAROT CARDS
burn if you are not careful. We would not personally recommend this
The energy of the deck is personal
technique.
and can be done in many ways. A widely used method is to leave the
After a reading, and before you put
deck overnight in the moonlight.
your cards away, light an incense to
Another is to put the herbs on the
cleanse the atmosphere where the
cards, but you must protect them
cards will be stored (not the cards).
first with a cloth. The herbs can be
Sometimes a reading releases different
lavender or star anise.
sets of energies and frequencies that can attach themselves to the
Another way to energize them is
environment and the cards. A good
to surround them with the four
incense such as a Camphor one can
elements. The deck is placed
help avoid this problem.
in the middle, and around it, a lighted candle, a glass of water,
HYGIENE AND CARE TO USE TAROT CARDS
incense, and a stone. To consecrate them is to give
It is recommended, before reading,
them a purpose and a very
to wash your hands, both those who
personal touch. You must
read and those who consult.
meditate and think about what you want the cards to do and
Store your Tarot cards in a wooden
their fate.
box or in a closed cabinet, wrapped in a cloth made of natural fibers.
Many Tarot readers say that your
Sunlight and even artificial light
tarot gains "knowledge with us
damage the color of the images.
and with time. It is also beneficial to have your tarot Deck cross
Use a weight to place the cards when
an ocean. The changing of
storing them, thus preventing the
frequencies and latitudes also
ends from bending or curving.
helps the clarity of the Cards. OM TIMES | July 2021
The Consciousness of Green
G
By Judi Lynch
reen sustains our human
Green is the color of the sixth ray.
lives with beauty, health,
Those who come in through this
healing, and inspiration.
ray are devoted, true believers
It brings harmony and
with unshakable faith. Loving and
peaceful feelings. It calms and
sweet when they are at peace
soothes us, reminds us of the beauty
but highly emotional when they
of Spring and Earth as a whole.
are challenged. A green-ray soul can be extremely single-minded,
Our souls incarnate through the
even passionate, leaving behind
seven rays of spiritual consciousness.
all reason to follow something
OM TIMES | July 2021
they believe in. When they evolve
Green is a harmonious and peaceful
and grow through life, they can
color that brings in feelings of
learn to be more open-minded and
calm and wellness. It makes us feel
independent in their thinking.
safe and helps us to balance our emotions. Since there are countless
The heart chakra is a beautiful
shades of green, different hues can
green. It focuses on compassion,
have other effects on our brain. Dark
love for self and others, balance,
forest green can signify conservation.
harmony, hope and promotes self-
The biblical meaning of green is
esteem. Connection to your soul and
resurrection and immortality, a
sending love out to others around
symbol of Spring.
you is processed through the heart chakra. When suffering unbalanced
People who love green are known
energies, the heart chakra can be
as down-to-earth, generous, loving,
filled with grief, disconnection,
and loyal. Green is also known as a
hopelessness, and rejection. Sending
color of intelligence. Psychologists
green-light energy helps in healing a
have even suggested that painting
hurting heart.
a child's room green enhances their intellect and encourages learning. It
A green aura represents new
can also represent luck, hope, money,
changes, envy, growth, exploration,
and help concentration. This color
healing, unconditional love through
represents freshness and harmony.
earthly energies. It is also associated
It's also the signal to "go" at a traffic
with charity, prosperity, and peace.
light. The color green is restful for the
Natural-born healers, those with
eyes. It helps anyone who has to sit
green auras, radiate life force
at a computer screen for extended
through their hands and have a
periods.
healing effect on them. Gentle, caring, nurturing, and peace-
From grass and trees to the
filled, they make great gardeners,
nurturing food we eat, green
nurses, veterinarians just all-around
nourishes us and supplies us with
caregivers. Their healing forces are
the air we breathe. Foods such as
great with people, animals, and
avocados, broccoli, kale, grapes,
plants of all kinds.
spinach, and artichokes promote OM TIMES | July 2021
good health and healing. Green is a
Green is the color of the energy
beautiful combination of yellow and
surrounding those who want to
blue. The different Crystals such as
help heal the Earth. Sustainable
emerald, green amethyst, malachite,
living is a lifestyle that exists to
and aventurine have different healing
reduce the use of the Earth's
properties. Malachite is believed to
natural resources. Living an
heal the heart chakra, bringing in
eco-friendly existence involves
peace along with infusing energetic
empathy for those in the future,
transformation. Emerald is said to
rejecting luxuries, reducing our
promote kindness and compassion.
carbon footprint. Recycle, reuse,
Long in legend, Jade enhances
reduce and use less energy is
wisdom and brings good luck.
living green. OM TIMES | July 2021
Green has often been known as a
as we are alive on Earth, we need the
color of jealousy or greed, but it is
glorious color of green to survive.
more than this. Green sustains our human lives with beauty, health, healing, and inspiration. It brings harmony and peaceful feelings. It calms and soothes us, reminds us of the beauty of Spring and Earth as a whole. Living, breathing, working to replenishing resources that enrich us and help us evolve and grow spiritually, green is magical. As long
Judi Lynch is a psychic medium, intuitive counselor, healing channel, and author. She is president of the Crystal Healing Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) spiritual charity and writer for OM Times Magazine. She has authored two books, Friends with Lights and Conscious Ascension, and has read for clients worldwide. To learn more or contact for a session, see judilynch.com.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Personal Growth & Development
We grow as individuals as we face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles. This section is dedicated to helping you chart your course.
Can Money Buy Happiness? By Darshan Goswami, M.S., P.E.
OM TIMES | July 2021
M
oney can't buy
the happiness we expect in our
happiness… but it can
daily lives. These raised aspirations
buy a certain degree
can be toxic. While earning more
of life satisfaction,
money makes you happy in the short
depending on how much wealth you
term, you quickly adjust to your new
have and how you spend it.
wealth—and everything it buys you. More money can also lead to more
Many people share a fairly common
stress and impairs our ability to enjoy
misconception. They believe that
those things.
having lots of money can make you happy. Some even say that the more
Depending on how it is used, money
money you have, the happier you can
can create powerful, positive changes
be. Others believe that having money
in the world. Having money allows us
is not spiritually or socially acceptable.
to function more easily in the world,
Money is the root cause of all evil. Are
provide comfort in our lives and in
any of these beliefs really true? To
the lives of others. However, because
answer this question, begin by asking
attachment to money is based on
yourself, what does money mean to
fear, it always creates insecurity. The
you, and how do you treat it when you
desire to have more money, and
have it? Here's what science has to say.
thereby feel more secure, never ends. Security can never come from money
The new science of happiness starts
alone. Some of the people who have
with a simple insight: human beings
the most money are also the most
are never satisfied. In other words,
insecure. Does this mean you must
once a person's needs are met,
give up the desire to attain wealth?
additional income mostly goes to
Not necessarily.
satisfying wants which, beyond a very initial level, doesn't lead to additional
In and of itself, money is neither good
happiness in life. A study of more than
nor bad. We choose to do with the
12,000 people from various social and
money that determines if it will have
economic groups found no correlation
a positive effect on others, society, the
between income and happiness. The
world, and ourselves. Sure, money
single biggest culprit is that having
could make a difference in many
money raises our aspirations about
aspects of your life, but could it really
OM TIMES | July 2021
improve your happiness? Numerous
ability or being sociable, marriage,
studies and surveys suggest that
family, and status make a person
money may help buy happiness
happy.
when used to meet basic needs. The total happiness value money
Studies of happiness in several
may produce can only be increased
countries have found that while
when shared with others or spent on
money makes these achievements
causes those in need.
more attainable, it has little to do with joy. The exception is found
HAPPINESS GUIDE
among the very poor compared to an individual's characteristic sense
Like many people, you probably
of wellbeing. Some psychologists
think achievements such as
believe happiness is genetic. Other
education, intelligence, athletic
scientists say they may have located
OM TIMES | July 2021
an important area of the brain
run, not some grand achievements
where happiness is generated.
that only give you a lift for a short while.
While these ideas are debated, CONCLUSION
we don't have to wait to begin discovering happiness within ourselves. Each of our lives is
Money alone will not make you happy.
sprinkled with ample opportunities
Decades of research show that while
for achieving happiness. Search
money doesn't buy happiness, it
for the small things that give you
may reduce unhappiness for some
a little laugh or a smile. Take time
people. After a minimum income
to be with your family and friends.
level that allows people to satisfy
These are the treasures that will
their basic needs, the relationship
enhance your happiness in the long
between financial and emotional
OM TIMES | July 2021
OM TIMES | July 2021
wellbeing is weak. Just having
you by praying to God from your
money doesn't necessarily translate
heart. Through sincere prayer and
into greater happiness, but using
mindful meditation, you will attain
it well can. Besides, the evidence
the highest achievement in life - the
shows that valuing time over money
discovery of your eternal happiness
promotes social connections, which
with God.
leads to a host of benefits and happiness. According to spiritual
You can rarely have both Money and
wisdom, real happiness is the natural
Happiness. Which will you choose?
byproduct of unselfish service to God and humanity without any ulterior motives. Those who spent money on others or donated it to charity reported a greater sense of happiness than those who lavished it on themselves. This experience of unselfish sharing with others can make us truly happy. Spending money on experiences has been found to bring more profound
Darshan Goswami has more than 40 years of experience in the energy field. He worked as a Project Manager for Renewable Energy, Micro-grid, and Smart Grid projects at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in Pittsburgh. Earlier, he retired as Chief (Head) of Renewable Energy from the United States Department
happiness than spending it on
of Agriculture (USDA) in
possessions.
Washington, DC. Mr. Goswami is a registered Professional
On some level, I believe that happiness comes from the people you care about most and that true happiness results from sharing generously of yourself, your mind, knowledge, emotion, and spirit with all those who come in contact with you. Genuine relationships are where true happiness comes from. So, be an optimist, do kind deeds for others, explore the deeper resources within
Engineer (PE) with a passion and commitment to promote, develop and deploy Renewable Energy and the Hydrogen Economy. In dedication to his life serving humanity and poor people, the author supports the India Foundation for Children Education and Care, Inc. (www. ifcare.org).
OM TIMES | July 2021
What is Spiritual Maturity, and Do I Have It?
W
by Darity Wesley
hether we have
there value to these spiritual practices?
been on the spiritual
Any truly significant value from
path for a very long
integrating them into my life?”
time or are just now
beginning, we may find ourselves
The answer lies deep within each of
asking: “What is the value in this? Is
us, and it’s different for every person.
OM TIMES | July 2021
We are drawn to spiritual practices
want a specific outcome, or we will
because, at some level, we know that
be disappointed. We will not be
it leads to the cultivation of our very
happy unless this outcome happens.
own life mastery … spiritual maturity.
That is attachment. The practice of
Spiritual maturity ultimately results
non-attachment requires that we
in a deep, inner sense of happiness
consciously choose to let go of our
and fulfillment. So, what, you may
attachment. We decide that we don’t
ask, is spiritual maturity, and how do
mind what happens, that we will be
I get there?
happy no matter how it turns out. This really does take practice; we
There are many aspects of spiritual
need to remind ourselves.
maturity. One of the most important is to consciously allow our creative
Spiritual maturity also includes
power. Whether it be God, our
compassion and tolerance. Both
Higher Self, our Spirit, our Heart
compassion and tolerance support
energy, or whatever we call it - to
our journey through life, particularly
flow. We allow it to work through our
in how we interact with and relate
lives so that happiness, fulfillment,
to the rest of humanity. It helps
and what makes us feel good to
to remember that everyone is on
come from inside ourselves. We
their own soul journey. Everyone is
recognize that it’s an inside job.
really driving their own bus through
Another aspect of spiritual maturity
life. We only drive our own. Hence,
is non-attachment. We are no longer
compassion and tolerance allow us
attached to the outcome of any
to bless them on their journey, love
situation. Being attached is when
them, and understand they are here
we set our feelings on a particular
to make their own choices about
situation turning out a certain
everything.
way. We have an attachment to a particular outcome. We hope our
Spiritual maturity also includes
book becomes a New York Times
introspection. The process of
Best Seller. We don’t want it to rain
introspection consists of the concepts
on our picnic. We want someone
of going within, tapping into our
we like to notice us. We want our
intuition, using our inherent Wisdom,
favorite sports team to win. We
learning about ourselves. In other
OM TIMES | July 2021
words, allowing and understanding
When we can touch that stillness,
that introspection is more than
that space between thoughts
just looking inside to see what is
and that space between words
going on with us. It will enable us
strengthen our inner senses and
to explore more of who we really
inner awareness. This helps us in
are. The exploration, the expression,
the outer world as much as it does
and Wisdom from that discovery
in exploring our inner world.
are all part of what comes with introspection. When we quiet our
Spiritual maturity also includes
minds, we find great opportunities
authenticity. Being authentic
to connect with the underlying
is being real no mattered our
stillness beneath everything.
situation, no matter how we OM TIMES | July 2021
are dressed or where we are. It is
As we emerge more and more as our
about expressing who we are in full
true selves, we will find a place, an
consciousness. Allowing ourselves
experience, to remind ourselves to
the heart space to know that we
feel grateful for the grace of all lives.
are okay no matter who or what is
We awake for the pleasure of love and
happening to us.
life and wholeness and peacefulness. Becoming or allowing ourselves to be
Integrity is another attribute of
thankful for what is in our lives and the
spiritual maturity. It is about living
beauty that surrounds us at all times
our lives in congruence with our
brings with it remarkable changes
values, congruent in mind, body,
within our mind, our body, and our
and Spirit. It means we are living
Spirit. It is a sensation that seems to
our truth. It means we are doing
clear the mind, bring us back to the
the work, the processing, and
present moment, and calm our hearts.
spiritual development, to bring our lives into a state of integrity.
Spiritual maturity establishes a
Integrity and authenticity go
basis for us to learn more and more
together. And remember, above all,
about ourselves as we move into the
it is an inside job!
extended, expanded versions of who we really are. Are you on the path to
Lastly, one of the most important aspects of spiritual maturity is the energetic feeling and gratitude. No matter where we are on our path or how much work we feel we have yet to do, one of the most supportive and expansive practices is feeling and expressing our gratitude for everything. We get so busy in our lives with what’s happening next that we tend to allow only brief periods to experience that fundamental stillness that represents who we truly are.
spiritual maturity? Darity Wesley is an award-winning, best-selling author, a lawyer, a speaker, a Death Diva, and a Wisdom Sharer. She has traveled the spiritual, metaphysical, and personal development paths for many decades. She has become a powerful resource for those awakening to their evolving consciousness. Her ‘Wisdom for the New Reality’ messages goes out monthly to her international community for free. Sign up on her website www.DarityWesley.com.
OM TIMES | July 2021
Books
Kass Thomas, a best-selling author, today released her newest book, Dancing with Riches, a self-empowerment manual that encourages readers to change tracks if the journey they are on is not working for them. Within the pages of this book, readers will find a guide to transform negative into positive, and to come through a front-runner, even in limiting situations. This book is for those on a journey of self-discovery and selfempowerment who wish to truly dance with the riches of their life. Throughout the pages of this book, individuals are guided to change their existing reality by clearing the energy around them and erasing their dense effects across time and space. Dancing with Riches teaches the transformational tools of Access Consciousness® to clear the energy around you, bring more joy into your life, and manifest your best self. Through Kass’ experiences, you will learn about continual evolution and using the flow of energy, which includes both intuition and instinct, to create movement even when the waters around you are stagnant. The tools in this book are interchangeable and can be used in your daily life to alter your way of thinking. Learn how to take risks to avoid predictable or undesirable futures, and how to change your point of view to create the life you desire. Be in step with the energy of change and dance to the infectious rhythm of life.
For more information, or to purchase the cards, click the cover or visit:
dancingwithriches.us
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