Issue : May 2012
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Vol : XXIII
SPIRITUAL LOUNGE E-MAGAZINE
Spiritual Lounge Year of the ‘Consciousness in Motion’ 2012
May 2012
EDITORIAL
Dear Readers, Have you ever seen a photo, an object, something or someone that makes you instantly feel connected? Or it takes you back in time to a hazy but lost memory that you remember having seen or felt like this way before? As if what you see or feel is nothing new and that you have experienced it somewhere, sometime, in another life or even on another world? Such phenomena does exist, you may call it by any name you like but the experience could be not just of a past life but even of another world, in another dimension, not necessarily heaven or any such place but an actual solid planet. Yes! I am not talking of alien life here but existence of more Earths, undergoing through different time periods on their respective Earth. It is not always destiny that is fixed, but the similar experience on another Earth of a different time that is embedded in the memory. Imagine how would Nostradamus see the future? He might have been living on another Earth of modern times and the very next life he might have been born on Earth undergoing past history in the making and hence Nostradamus might have just recalled his history studies pretty well of his previous life in modern times of that another Earth. Think about it, there are ancient Indian books/philosophy (In Jain books) that provides information on such phenomena of many Earths. We can never imagine what does not exist or ever existed ~ Dhara Kothari This is also called 'Consciousness in Motion' the spiritual year of 2012. Come join in to spread awareness amongst all. Join our Facebook group and like our page as well: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spirituallounge/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiritual-Lounge/197029616975219 Connect with us anytime at: spirituallounge@live.com or +91-9619629092
Thank you,
Editor
editor@spirituallounge.com Cover page Photo: Bab Rouah - Morocco Copyrights: All rights reserved SPIRITUAL LOUNGE EMAGAZINE © 2010-2012
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May 2012
CONTENT
CONTENT Editorial Page 2 Voodoo - By Sheila Kennedy Page 4 - 6
Awaken - By Betty Alark Page 6 Happiness decoded… - By Mohit Soni Page 7 CinemaHall - A Dangerous Method- Jean Jessup Page 8 Kundalini Crying - By Master Chrism Page 9 The Perfect Vision - By Rahul Zota Page 10 - 11 THE CAPTIVES HAVE BEEN SET FREE - Betty Alark Page 11
Thought Forms and Consciousness - By Myra Godfrey Page 12 -13 Look At the Masses of People By Betty Alark Page 13
Life Lounge - By Sushmita Mukherjee Page 14 - 15
Music Jukebox - Interview with Maetreya from Purusha -Page 16 - 18 THERE - By Nancy Cleaves Page 18
Book Corner - Being Mystic by Betsy Balega - Page 19 - 21 Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari Page 22 - 31
Edited by Dhara Kothari. Published by Moksa Publishers for Spiritual Lounge. Designed by Biren Shah. Email: spirituallounge@live.com. Cell: +91-9619629092 / +91-9757274289 3
Voodoo - By Sheila Kennedy
May 2012
Voodoo Voodoo is a subject that has long held a fascination for me. Growing up as a European child in East Africa and preferring to spend my time with the wonderful African people who cared for my family and myself rather than with my birth family, I was privy as a child to much that would otherwise have been unknown to me. Many years later and my ongoing and current connections with Uganda, Ghana and other areas of West Africa and South Africa have kept this fascination alive for me. Voodoo appears to have its roots in Africa, and in research we are told that it is also spelt as Vodun, or Vudun, meaning spirit in the Fon and Ewe languages of Coastal West Africa, including South Eastern Ghana, Southern and Central Togo, and Southern and Central Benin. Other spellings include Vodon, Vodoun, and Voudou and appear to have their origins with the Kongo peoples of the Congo and Angola. We are told that Voodoo is distinct from other traditional animistic religions and beliefs held within the interiors of these countries. To its followers it is seen as a religion and is often tied up with the practise of Christianity in many areas as tribes have been converted. The dictionary explanation of Animistic: in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena, as well as the belief in the existence of spiritual beings that are separable or separate from bodies and the hypothesis holding that an immaterial force animates the universe. Vodun or Vudun appears to be the main origin for the practices of Voodoo in what was deemed The New World, presenting as Haitian Vodou, Louisiana or New Orleans Voodoo, Vudi in the areas of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Vodum in the Candomble Jege which is the Afro American Brazilian cult that the Vodous of the Kingdom of Dahomey brought to Brazil when the enslaved Africans from various regions of West and Central Africa where removed from their homelands as slaves.
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In the main the practice of Voodoo or Vodun is based around the vodun spirits and other elements of divine essence that are recognised to govern the Earth. This belief covers a range of areas from the forces of nature and the individual spirits of rocks, water and trees to the sun and the moon, and what many would deem saints, angels, guides and the like. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the spirits of the ancestors and it is held that the spirits of the ancestors or the spirits of the dead live inside by side with the world of the living. Each family of spirits is said to have its own female priesthood, sometimes this is a hereditary lineage when it is passed down from mother to blood daughter. Voodoo or Vodun recognises one God, who has assistants known as Orisha's and various other spirits who serve an invisible mysterious force that can intervene in human affairs. Patterns of voodoo worship around the world follow various dialects, gods, practices, songs and rituals. Vodun who communicate with the divine creator. All of creation is considered divine and therefore each part of creation contains the power of the divine. This explains how medicines such as herbal remedies are understood, and explains the ubiquitous use of seemingly mundane objects in religious ritual. Various titles are given to Vodun Deities depending upon the traditional base of the religion and these include Mawu, or Nana Buluku. Mawu the moon and Lisa the sun are seen as male and female aspects respectively, Legba the youngest child of Mawu, in some areas is seen as a young and virile man, while in others he is seen in the form of an old man. Mami Watigod or goddess of the waters is a very West African description, as is Gu. Gu the God ruling iron is often called on to strengthen a curse or a promise. Many people carry nails or keys in their pockets for this purpose. Sakpata, who rules diseases, Eshu, a
Voodoo - By Sheila Kennedy
May 2012
messenger deity who relays messages between the human world and the world of the Orisha's, is often depicted as a dark, short man with a large staff and often a pipe, candy or his fingers in his mouth. As the mediator between the demi-gods and the living Eshu is said to maintain balance, order, peace and communication. Voodooists believe in a distant and unknowable creator god, Bondyè. As Bondyè does not intercede in human affairs, vodouists direct their worship toward spirits subservient to Bondyè, called lwa. Every lwa is responsible for a particular aspect of life, with the dynamic and changing personalities of each lwa reflecting the many possibilities inherent to the aspects of life over which they preside. In order to navigate daily life, many vodouists cultivate personal relationships with the lwa through the presentation of offerings, the creation of personal altars and devotional objects, and participation in elaborate ceremonies of music, dance, and spirit possession. The worship of spirits remains a vital part of the practices of voodoo in Louisiana. Followers of Louisiana voodoo believe in one God and multiple lesser but powerful spirits which preside over daily matters of life, such as the family, the sky, and judgment. Louisiana Voodoo, also known as New Orleans Voodoo, describes a set of religious practices which originated from the traditions of the African basis of Voodoo. It is a cultural form of the Afro –American religions developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking African American population of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is one of many incarnations of African-based religions rooted in West African Dahomey Vodun. They became syncretized with the Francophone cultures of south Louisiana as a result of the slave trade Louisiana Voodoo is a conglomeration of beliefs that has evolved over time and continues to adapt to its surroundings. As it has been a faith conserved by oral tradition, and is not based on a sacred book or canon and is followed by many, the beliefs of Louisiana Voodoo vary somewhat from person to person. Louisiana Voodoo combines elements of European and African
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beliefs. It is a dynamic religion of sort that has both adapted to and shaped New Orleans culture. Spiritual forces, which can be kind or mischievous, shape daily life through and intercede in the lives of their followers. Connection with these spirits can be achieved through dance, music, singing, and the use of snakes, which represent Legba, Voodoo's main spirit conduit to all others. The Voodoo serpent represents healing knowledge and the connection between Heaven and Earth. Deceased ancestors can also intercede in the lives of Voodoo followers. The main focus of Louisiana Voodoo today is to serve others and influence the outcome of life events through the connection with nature, spirits, and ancestors. True rituals are held behind closed doors as a showy ritual would be considered disrespectful to the spirits. Voodoo methods include readings, spiritual baths, specially devised diets, prayer, and personal ceremony. Voodoo is often used to cure anxiety, addictions, depression, loneliness, and other ailments. It seeks to help the hungry, the poor, and the sick as Marie Laveau once did. Louisiana Voodoo is often confused with but is not completely separable from Haitian and Southern Hoodoo. Haitian Hoodoo or Voodoo differs from Vodou in its emphasis upon Grisgris, (small amulets and tokens) the voodoo queens, use of Hoodoo occult paraphernalia, and Li Grand Zombi (snake deity). It was through Louisiana Voodoo that such terms as gris-gris (a Wolof term) and voodoo dolls were introduced into the American language. Voodoo talismans, called fetishes, are objects such as statues or often dried animal parts that are sold for their healing and spiritually rejuvenating properties. Sorcerers and sorceresses called Botono (or Aze/Azetos) are believed to cast spells on enemies on behalf of supplicants, calling upon spirits to bring misfortune or harm to a person or group. Animal sacrifice is a common way to show respect and thankfulness to these gods. Voodoo talismans and fetishes are widely available on the internet with a brisk market
Voodoo - By Sheila Kennedy
May 2012
being offered in a range of spells curses and Voodoo dolls of all descriptions. About 23% of the population of Benin, some 1 million people, follow Vodun. In Togo, about half the population practices indigenous religions, of which Vodun is by far the largest, with some two and a half million followers; there may be another million Vodunists among the Ewe of Ghana: 13% of the population of 20 million are Ewe and 38% of Ghanaians practise traditional religion. According to census data, about 14 million people practise traditional religion in Nigeria, most of whom are Yoruba practising Vodun, but no specific breakdown is available. European colonialism, followed by some of the totalitarian regimes in West Africa, has tried to suppress Vodun as well as other African indigenous faiths. However, because the vodun deities are born to each clan, tribe, and nation, and their clergy are central to maintaining the moral, social and political order and ancestral foundation of its village, these efforts have not been successful. Recently there have been moves to restore the place of Vodun in national society, such as an annual International Vodun Conference held in the city of Ouidah in Benin that has been held since 1991. From a personal perspective I have over the years had voodoo curses directed towards me on more than one occasion and often work with other people in similar situation.
Sheila Kennedy www.soundsfromsource.com www.soundsfromsourceacademy. com http://energeticbalanceandharmo ny.com
AWAKEN Awaken – slumber no more The subliminal blindfold has been torn A rip, a tare The canvas of darkness now lay bare! Come forth from the depth – the depths of darkness that reigned while you slept The potion of drowsiness has now worn off The veil of deception has lost its connection Awaken – you're now in the light! You have been provided with permeating sight Walk forward - have neither doubt nor fear The concept of belief is left behind A trail that narrows as you cross the great divide The divide of consciousness that permeates the universe and brightens the earth Like a wave inundating the entire sphere Its' vibration, no one escapes You now “Know” Conscious awareness, alertness and care Love triumphs everywhere The collective is “one” An era of change has graced the earth – an “illumination” throughout the connected universe! Welcome to “being” Let your spirit soar You're now standing at heaven's door Enter! You're awake!
By Betty Alark
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Happiness decoded… - By Mohit Soni
May 2012
Happiness decoded… Happiness i would say must be the central theme of a life. We certainly do the things because they make us happy. But in this challenging world, happiness is more elusive than easy. But at the same time changing our approach can bring about new facets of that happiness. I would gather those approaches in the following five points: 1. Adopt Simplicity: Avoid complex and unachievable targets and try to follow a meaningful and worthy lifestyle. Consuming fast foods too much and following a sedentary life style certainly affects your long term as well as your short term happiness. Develop a tendency to look for solutions in simpler ways. Most of our problems are nothing more than mere confusions which just need to be understood to be solved. Dwelling too much into them will only aggravate. 2. Avoid Greed: Take a look around and you will see that you already have much of what you need. And what you don't have must be the things that your life can do away with! Having luxury is good but having all necessities full filled is sufficient to survive. More you accumulate more attention you will have to pay to them. You can stay relax and sit back whenever you want, and not only when situation will allow! 3. Admit Ignorance: You may not always be having finest of solutions for all your problems. Seek guidance of people who can help you. Being adamant is not wise. If you don't know something, accept it. If you know something, share it. 4. Acquire Tolerance: Life may not always be kind enough to show you good times without bad ones. Even trees know they can acquire new leaves only when they are tolerant
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enough to go through shedding. Nature has its own mechanism to renew things. Wait for the difficult times to pass. Better times must be waiting for you at the next door! 5. Act willfully: Keep a control on what you do. According to the famous thinker Dale Carnegie, “People rarely succeed unless they enjoy what they are doing.” Do what you love and love what you do. If life is full of challenges it's also full of rewards. Those who take up the challenges and sail across them are certainly the ones who will be rewarded in the end. We are not born to regret and cry for our mistakes. We are born to learn from them and strike harder when it's become more difficult. When the going gets tough, the tough has to get going. But then what matters is our approach to such challenges. That's why i say avoid greed and adopt simplicity. This will help you to be happy even when you have lesser amounts of things around you. We have to accept the fact that we can be wrong. And when we are wrong we can always search for the right alternatives around. That is how we have to accept ignorance and avoid tolerance. And in the end, look for purpose in every task you undertake. Do the things because you enjoy doing them. Act willfully. Mohit Soni Mob no: +91 8130824151 Email: mohit.soni97@rediffmail.com
Cinema Hall
May 2012
A Dangerous Method
A Dangerous Method is the Reader's Digest version of the story of Carl Jung and his relationship with Sigmund Freud. It is also the story of his non-professional relationship with his patient, Sabina Spielrein, who inspired him to think outside of the box in all areas of this personal life and his career as a psychoanalyst.
Spielrein shared with Jung her experiences regarding her 'inner voice' or 'angel' who told her she was an exceptional person and gave her power to know what people are going to say. She also expressed interest in interplanetary travel, although flippantly. Her unusual experiences supported him in exploring intuition and psychic phenomenon. He grew to challenge Freud's point of view regarding psychological interpretation in light of sexual experience and said, “There must be more than one hinge into the universe.”
I thoroughly enjoyed this film for what it presented and not it's historical accuracy. I did a little research on Sabina Spielrein and found out that she may not have been as enlightened a character after her emotional breakthrough as was portrayed in the film. I have to say that Keira Knightley made a daring performance as a grotesquely wild, straightforward, and extremely intelligent, nerdy woman in true Cronenberg style. Yes, a lot of what was presented in the film may have been idealized, but I really liked those idealizations.
Jung called Spielrein a catalyst in inspiring him to expand his boundaries in all areas of his life, especially his own sex life. Otto Gross, Jung's patient and fellow therapist played by Vincent Cassel, maybe went a bit overboard in his views of sexual freedom. But he brought up an important life changing point when he said regarding sex, “It seems to me a measure of the true perversity of the human race that one of its very few reliably pleasurable activities should be the subject of so much hysteria and repression.” Jung later elaborated by saying, “Why should we put such a frantic effort in suppressing our most basic instincts?”
When we first meet Spielrein, Knighley deftly portrays a woman who was holding in her feelings so severely that when she expressed herself at all, her body contorted as if her emotional energy was trying to rip itself out of the clutches of her body. Jung took Spielrein through Freud's 'talking cure' which produced amazingly quick results. After sharing all her repressed feelings and experiences through this therapy, she became much more centered and able to function in the world. Just goes to show you that when one acknowledges and lets emotional energy flow, life becomes more balanced.
So why is this film called 'A Dangerous Method?' Because, theoretically, the method allows people to become self-empowered and thereby grow out of the box created by the oppressive rules of society. For me, this film is quite inspiring about the early ideals of the field of psychology. I think if emotional healing were more respected in psychology and spiritual practices, people would be experiencing a greater sense of enlightenment and freedom today. Jung expressed his therapy goals this way in the film, “I don't want to just open the door and show the patient his illness, squatting there like a toad. I want to try to find a way to help the patient reinvent himself; to send him off on a journey, [where] at the end is waiting the person he was always intended to be.”
“When I become a doctor, what I want, more than anything, is to give people back their freedom, the way you gave me mine.” - Sabina Spielrein in A Dangerous Method
The Spielrein character contributed many spiritual ideas, while in relationship with Jung that he later used in his work and research. There are so many great quotes in the film regarding these ideas. One quote by Spielrein (to Jung) I especially like about male and female energies is, “Don't you think that there is something male in every woman and female in every man?” It is especially important in our spiritual awakening to acknowledge our male and female energies which create a whole person. Denying either one creates an imbalance, lack of awareness, and lack of the ability to live a full life.
A Dangerous Method is widely available on DVD. I highly recommend it from a spiritual perspective.
Jean Jessup http://www.moviereviewsfromasp iritualperspective.com/
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May 2012
Kundalini Crying - By Master Chrism
Kundalini Crying You must cry. It is a relief mechanism for extraordinary amounts of energy being applied into the various bodies of expression by the Kundalini. The ego may recognize it as it always has as pertaining to sadness or grief or extreme laughter. But it is indeed the five bodies release response to the energies being given into it by the Kundalini. Change is being demanded of us by the Intelligent Kundalini. These changes are not always easy and inside of these changes certain attributes that we have come to be comfortable with are being transformed. It really doesn't matter what kind of expression is occurring as the changes will be given to all of the bodies of expression therefore all expressions will undergo this transformation. Crying is a typical constant within the Kundalini process whether it is through bliss or ecstasy or release. Release is almost always the drive behind the tears. When the emotional body is challenged with transformation our ego associations with our feelings will in many ways resist. We will not go quietly about some of the emotional issues in our life and within these areas of resistance the tears will flow copiously.
The medical profession will not understand this and they will reach or manufacture an illness to fit your apparent condition. Be careful who you talk about this aspect of the Kundalini with. Clinical depression will often be the diagnosis. Many of the Kundalini symptoms will most certainly resemble other maladies that have nothing to do with the Kundalini so know this and be appropriate with whom you tell and how you manage this expression within the public view. If you must come into the public arena wear large sunglasses if it is a problem to be seen crying. Please remember that being Kundalini active or awakening is no shame and yet people will be concerned about you if they see you crying and will wish to help. Do not try to artificially or chemically control the tears. Let them come or come to an agreement with Intelligent Kundalini for the appropriate times that this can be given within your life circumstances. We have sought to control our emotions for perhaps the majority of our lives. Ego is used to this and mental mind is used to this and physical body is used to this as is the emotional body. Kundalini will dissolve any thread of control that once was so strong. This is natural to the changes taking place.
And they should. These tears are in many ways double tasked with forming the vector of response for the release of blockages to the energy and also with the lubrication through release for the gradual blockage removal. Crying is a release that comprises many of the bodies of expression not just the emotional. The physical body will heave in strong gasps of deep tremors. Pushing away the pain of resistance through release and yet gradually dismantling the blockage causing the pain. The ego will wonder what is going on as its control has fallen away and it stands powerless to assert any kind of defense against this. The mental body will struggle as well as it searches in vain for a reason why this is happening. At first this part of the Kundalini process is confusing but as surrender is given into the process, deductive reasoning will be made as to what and how to respond. Allow the tears to flow and know that Kundalini Intelligence will curtail some of these symptoms for socially constructive times such as employment or other forms of needed interactions with others who would not understand such tears.
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Kundalini is asserting its energies into the total human system in order to bring about a maximum level of continuous transformation within the person. It knows the dynamics of that person's existence and will work with the individual to mitigate as much as is necessary the intrusiveness into the social and survival aspects of the person's life. It will do this in response to the surrender to its agenda by the individual. So we talk with our Kundalini. We let the body cry. We allow the changes to be given even if we do not understand why they are being given. We do not wallow in our vain attempts to figure out why we are having these symptoms. We accept that we will surrender and that later when we are further along we may be able to discern why this happens. Let your tears flow in rivers and let your surrender be complete. Trust the process that is working within you and do not fear. Such grace is being given that would astound you if you knew any reference points for it! And you will! - blessings www.KundaliniAwakeningSystems1.com
The Perfect Vision - By Rahul Zota
May 2012
The Perfect Vision We are fooled by our senses. We see and believe whatever we perceive through the senses. To approach reality we need to purify our vision and the point of view to see the world as it is in real. In the pre-historic and ancient times some people tried to approach reality and they did. For that they did chose meditation and restrained all the five senses to realize their self. Krishna has said that, “The enlightened is aware where the ignorant is sleeping, and the ignorant is aware where the enlightened is sleeping.” That does mean the enlightened has perfect vision and he is not aware where the ignorant is absorbed, the subject of five senses. To understand reality we need to understand the nature of the cosmos. Everything in this cosmos has dual nature. I have written about the six eternal Substances earlier. Nobody has created them and nobody can destroy them. These are Soul, Matter, Motion, Rest, Space and Time. All are independent and none depends on the other. If we see through senses then we realize that all are dependent on each other. We have identified our self as human body. Animals have identified their self as their present body, like cow, lion, monkey, etc. But actually this body is the Matter, the second substance. We are the soul that is another substance which has no relation with matter and the rest of four substances. Even there is no relation between every soul. To get rid of this confusion we have to see through the higher stand point. It is known as The Absolute Stand Point. From the Absolute Stand Point substances will appear as they are. But this is still not absolute reality. There is one more stand point called The Practical Stand Point. Whatever 10
we see and believe right now comes into this stand point, like I am body, I am born once and die once; I can do others' welfare and can hurt or kill others. Every substance can do other's work also comes in this stand point. Both stand points are real. Going deeper into thinking we find two more stand points called The Substantial Stand Point and The Modal Stand Point. To know them we need to know the nature of all substances. All the six substances are with attributes like, Substance, Essence and Modifications. A substance undergoes changes but still maintains its eternity and essence. The change is called modifications and is seen through the Modal Stand Point (Paryayarthika Naya). The eternity and essence that remains same is seen through the Substantial S t a n d P o i n t (Dravyayarthika Naya). This is strange nature of all substances. For example, when we light up a candle then we think that the fire has emerged and when we light it off we think that the fire has vanished. But actually it has not! Our observation was through the Modal Stand Point. From the Substantial Stand Point the fire is still there in the form of atoms. Everything was the scientific process. The atoms that went into process created fire still exist and they were existed before the fire emerged. In this case the atoms are seen through the Substantial Stand Point and the fire is seen through the Modal Stand Point. The atoms are substance (Pudgal according to Jain terminology) and the fire was their modification (Paryay). Same thing can be observed in the soul substance. The pure soul (free from karma), which has no mass, no color, no taste, no smell; no touch is seen from the Substantial Stand
The Perfect Vision - By Rahul Zota
May 2012
Point. And the soul as seen from the Modal Stand Point appears to be in humans, animals, plants, insect, etc., forms. Every substance has dual nature, Special and General. Both are present in a substance in all three times (past, present and future). The Special nature is their various modifications which are seen through the Modal Stand Point and the General nature is the basic substantive qualities that remain same, unchanged that can be seen through the Substantial Stand Point. The soul is the knower-seer and the rest of all substances have no consciousness are called 'Jáda' in Jain terminology. The soul has two visions called general and special. Seeing through General vision we find all substances are eternal and unchanged. Seeing through Special vision we find all substances as always changing and momentary. The single vision is not perfect and is not taking an individual to ultimate realization. We cannot say that substances are only eternal. We cannot say that substances are only transitory. Such statement will be single faceted. The truth is multi- faceted and can be expressed by integrating all stand points. So by just opening our single vision of consciousness we can't approach reality. To approach the truth we have to open both visions together and such vision is called the perfect vision. If a pot made of clay breaks then the one who has perfect vision will say the pot is broken as well as it is not. If observing all souls in this cosmos by opening the substantial vision what will we see? We will see all souls alike (by qualities). And what will we see if we close the substantial vision and open the modal vision? We will see all souls in various forms like plants, humans, animals, insect, and microorganism and so on, because all the souls are absorbed in their present modification. Now what will we see by opening both eyes together? We will see the souls' both General and Special forms together. For example, I am the pure soul but I am right now absorbed in my human modification. Human modification comes from within but this human body is not mine. In my perfect vision I see that modifications and my soul (the substance) are united. The modifications are infinite but all comes from within (my own soul substance). Right now, in 11
present birth I am in human modification. In the next birth I will be in other modification but my soul substance will remain unchanged. Same thing can be observed in the non living substances like Matter, Medium of Motion, Medium of Rest, Space and Time. Attachment and aversion arise because of our orientation towards modifications only. Thus we have divided people, places into so many relations and names. We say, my father, my son, my mother, my wife, my home, my country and thus we become attached to them and whenever we depart from them we feel with aversion. Thus we further accumulate karma particles and keep wandering in the mundane world. Adopting the perfect vision we can easily get rid of attachment and aversion and can progress in spiritual meditation.
THE CAPTIVES HAVE BEEN SET FREE
The era has begun – the captives are now set free The shackles of deception have melted away The culprit - the voice from within, has awakened; revealed The inner voice - no longer concealed Eyes and ears are turning inward – the outer appearances, no longer hinder The consciousness of where the Kingdom lies – is the awakening that now resides The captives have been set free – the retreat within has brought light! The wheat has been ruptured from the tares The captives have been set free!
By Betty Alark
Thought Forms and Consciousness - By Myra Godfrey
May 2012
Thought Forms and Consciousness Have you ever contemplated the nature of thought? What is a thought? Where does it come from and what does it mean? Is a thought me, or is it something else? Have you ever been able to feel the energy and thoughts of another person without them saying a word? Let's a take a close look at the nature of thought, thought forms and the inner Self. Is a thought form a part of you? No, it is not. It's a separate energy current that is created in our consciousness. Thoughts are fascinating things because they are our own creations; we give birth to thoughts through our own creative power and life force. Birth is not always referring to conceiving a human child. We give birth to things all the time: thoughts, ideas, plans, and these things all take on part of our life force and become a life form of their own. This is where the term thought-form comes from and why it is so accurate. Once a thought is created, it is not confined solely to our bodies. It can move around freely. Many times the thoughts we have are not of our own generation, but it takes a very subtle level of perception to be able to tell the difference. Read a book and you are tuning in to the thought forms of others. Read a paper or book written by a saint or spiritual master. You can feel the difference in message and vibration just in the energy these things carry. It's not explainable to many, but the feeling is undeniable. If you read a horror story then read a love story, you will definitely feel a different mix of feelings and images coming from these different stories! It is because written words contain the energy of projection of consciousness. On an esoteric level, thoughts are merely a projection. So, what is a projection? This can be looked at in a couple of different ways. A projection is something we are visualizing for ourselves or others. This projection almost always comes from our emotional nature, which is part of the subconscious mind. The projection occurs when the mind latched onto an emotion or a sensation and creates a reality based on that feeling. 12
Because thought is so closely tied with our emotions, we tend to give thoughts a lot of energy because we want to have pleasant emotional sensations and avoid feelings of pain. Many times people's fears will get projected much more than anything positive, because many people have not learned to overcome their fears and these fears dwell in the front of a person's consciousness. Thought becomes a very negative thing because it directly conflicts with inner knowing. Inner knowing and spiritual illumination comes from the heart; thoughts are always generated in the conscious, subconscious or unconscious mind, and always, always, always link back to the senses in one way or another. The very devious thing about thoughts is how they cover up our deep inner knowing, like a huge storm cloud covers up the sun. The sun is always there, even though it is not visible on a stormy day. The same thing happens with our inner light and depth of knowing. It gets covered up by thoughts that we create and keep giving our energy to. When you think something or give energy to something for a long enough time, it becomes part of the subconscious mind. After a long time it can even work its way down into the unconscious mind. Habits, thoughts, beliefs, feelings; these get so deeply rooted into our day to day nature that we easily lose sight of who we truly are, underneath this coating of thoughtgarbage. And garbage is really what it is. Thoughts have no basis in reality, but since we are sparked of the divine and have creative life force, we create and give life force to these otherwise non-existent entities. When a thought receives enough life force and energy, it becomes more dense, more formed and does indeed turn itself into an entity. The denser a thought form is, the more likely it is to stay stuck to you, because it needs a source of energy to survive on. Hopefully by now you are beginning to understand why thoughts and thought forms keep us away from our true innerself. The only way to not engage a thought form and give it energy is to learn how to deeply
Thought Forms and Consciousness - By Myra Godfrey connect with your inner-being through spiritual practice and meditation. The more you immerse in your-Self, the more you learn to focus on yourself and stop giving your energy to thoughts and the energetic forms these thoughts create. The great Goddess Chandi Devi is depicted killing many asuras (demons). When it comes to an esoteric yet practical understanding, Chandi is the Goddess that tears apart thought because it is thought that leads to powerful negative forces. Thought is the seed which grows. You reap in life what you sow. If you think about something long enough, it will inhibit your true brilliance from shining and start to form a reality for you which has been shaped by your not so luminous thought forms. When the projective capacity of the mind is harnessed through spiritual practice, one can learn to use this projector of the mind to project what is in the heart. Meditation is one of the biggest weapons we have against thought. Meditation trains the mind to be silent and to focus on the depth and beauty of our own being. The only reason people don't know themselves is because they spend too much time away from themselves in thought and illusion. The silent depth of the heart contains a very deep love and powerful inner knowing that can wash away thought forms. When you bathe these thought forms in the sea of your inner Self, they become liberated. They dissolve back into nothingness because the emotional pain or attachment that formed them in the first place gets healed. The deeper a person is able to go in meditation, the deeper levels of the subconscious and unconscious can be healed. There are also other spiritual practices which can start to overwrite the subconscious mind and bring these deeply stored bits of pain up to the surface. Regardless of the practice chosen, the silence of meditation is crucial so as to stop forming new thoughts and to stop feeding energy to old ones. When you have finally liberated all of your emotions, your heart will also be liberated from this cycle of karmic birth and death. Myra is the founder of Gita for the Masses (a non-profit organization) and Hridaya Healing to
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May 2012
teach the unity of many systems of eastern philosophy and to help people overcomes obstacles to their growth and fulfillment in life. She does healing work, personal consultations, workshops, yoga classes, homam (fire ceremony) and teaches sadhana practices from the Bhagavad-Gita and the tantric Sri Vidya lineage. You can learn more at www.gitaforthemasses.org and www.hridayahealing.com. You can contact Myra by e-mail at jayajayamyra@gmail.com. Copyright Myra Godfrey 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Look At the Masses of People Look at the masses coming together a mass so vast they can't be numbered The masses carry candles of light lamps that brighten like pure sunlight Listen to the sound that the masses sing - such melodic chimes, such a divine ring! They sing songs unheard - they bring a different word Words that pierce the heart and initiate new beginnings; a new start! Look at the masses coming forth - the masses are a reckonable force Their consciousness can't be bought The masses have been numbered the masses have come together The Lion has beaten the foe Look at the masses of people! By Betty Alark
Life's Lounge - By Sushmita Mukherjee
May 2012
Life's Lounge Nothing is good or bad. This we do know and have been extolling about. But when it comes to 'life' this knowledge, we actually take 'leave' of this knowledge. What we state to know, differs starkly from our state of being. Knowledge known has to be experienced, otherwise it stays mere information. It stays, essentially, the expression of some body else's experience. 'Being' is 'living'. Be it our principles, realizations, faith or conviction the principle principally resides in 'Being' all that we stand for. This is a state of oneness with all that we stand for which removes all chasms between 'knowing' and 'being' and causes us to experience the effect of lounging, in the lounge of life.
actually see to be the state of affairs? Seldom, as more often than not, we observe what we 'think' we are seeing, which is not what we see, but what we don't see, rather, is what we want to see. We color it with our preconceived notions: of the person and the situation alike. All based on all that is past; all that have passed drawing from the memory bank. The experience from a prior incident replaces what true observation places in our consciousness. It is always colored with things that actually do not occur in the 'now', rather are inputs from, and application of, things from the 'now of then'. Yet nothing is same in the two different 'now's' as life is constant change in motion. Acceptance of Uniqueness
I know it has been rarely expressed as so that life is a lounge. The privilege and the problem Life gives us the prime, and sublime, privilege of assigning our own meaning to everything, based on which we ease into the role of creators, unbeknownst to us. And there lies the problem. We are most of the time, caught napping, and napping is not lounging. We are asleep in our physical wakefulness. Thus hardly do we know where we are, what we are doing and why we are doing. Leave aside knowing our actions and the reason behind them. Do we really know that what life means to us is the meaning that we accord to it? Or is it a carry over, from what others state it to be? There is no harm with that, and yes we are enriched through interaction and sharing of experiences by our peers. But, the meaning, for an individual, has to be sought and finally arrived at, by that individual. To conclude so, is to mean so Meaning of anything and everything depends on what we conclude of that thing. Yes something to ponder on. Though we hardly recognize this fact. Nothing has a meaning of its own. It becomes what it becomes, only because of us. How frequently we accept what we 14
Uniqueness is the forte of life. Hence meaning for each one of us is too all unique in unique ways. Though this we realize once we seek to take a peek within. We are all unique units of infinite creativity and we are indeed creating in deed. How else does life materialize differently for us all? It is not that life on its own takes the shape it does. It does so only at our behest. And this shape keeps on changing, consciously, when we change consciously and start living our life inside out. We evolve, even unconsciously. And with evolution, what something meant earlier, means not now. It undergoes change. And the degree of change depends on the shift within. Acceptance of the uniqueness in, of, and as expressed through life, sets us truly on the path of conscious evolution. With conscious evolution a quantum leap in consciousness is experienced, with a paradigm shifting perspective facilitated, accessed and realized. Everything then starts to mean anything, but that thing what it 'used to'. That meaning is 'used up', exhausted and no longer 'fit for use'. The Inhibition
Life's Lounge - By Sushmita Mukherjee
May 2012
But we are afraid to experience this change. We feel safe in the paradigm of the known, even if we hardly know it. We prefer to lounge in the security of rigidity, in the run causing our ignorance to beget further ignorance. Life is dynamic, never static. Each moment everything is changing, even if imperceptibly. We can cling to nothing. We simply think that we can, and that we are. But we couldn't be more apart from truth. What we call lounging in the security of the certainty is languishing in the self-created hole of resistance to life and its natural flow. We have to dare to come out of 'the comfort' of the 'comfort zone' as we perceive it. Sticking to it makes things sticky, and life is felt a sticky place to be in. What else can we expect when we choose to stick when everything moves? After all we create what we create and thus too, that which is sticky, unless we wake up and un-stick self from it.
lounge. That Life is a lounge, is realized only when we realize that we are souls, spirits, the spiritual beings, on human journey. Life thus becomes, becoming for us, a Spiritual Lounge, where we rest even as we move; enjoy our toils as bids by exhaustion are foiled. We are found to be lounging with every sense of belonging where we are, even as we choose to alter where we are and what we are experiencing all with equanimity. Spirit is comforting and life lived 'out' of the comfort zone from the perspective of the mind and the body truly helps us to live a spirited life. We are spirits and we become de-spirited only when we fail to recognize the spirit within and convert life into anything but a lounge. As we lounge in this spiritual lounge, we become sponges, as we then observe and absorb, yet 'be' who we are, the spirits effortlessly.
Another Meaning As life is infinite and gracious it creates opportunities for us to attribute different meaning to life, in keeping with our level of awareness in a given moment. Thus another meaning of life is arrived at, completely different from all that life meant earlier: struggle, school, and journey of penance. It is, a Lounge. And once we access this meaning we truly Lounge. We relax and bask in the warmth of our being, being our true selves and thus one with the same Creative Force that created us. Yet this relaxation doesn't mean inaction. It is just the contrary. But we feel not even an iota of exhaustion. All efforts are felt to be effortless with the force constantly replenishing the energy from its infinite reservoir, as we go with the natural flow of the life force that flows within. It is from our being our doing erupts, hence without any loss of energy, rather with an enhancement in vitality for the mind-bodysoul. The Soul has to be accessed to live life fully, to realize that life is a lounge and lounge in life's 15
Life could mean many things to you, as it does to yours truly too. Yet it is a lounge too, a lounge of the spirit, for the spirit and the same is designed for the body and mind too. Life is realized as a Spiritual Lounge when we live as the spirits we are, with human garb. We 'be', 'do', 'experience', yet relax as everything becomes explicable. All crests and troughs are smoothened to uniformity with equanimity, sans any sense and creation of perturbation…
P.S. It is a tribute to Spiritual Lounge, the magazine, as well life for being what it is, which is what it is and the magazine furthers the conscious spiritual journey of the spiritual beings on a human journey. Email: philosopher.mukherjee@gmail.com
May 2012
Music Jukebox
Interview with Maetreya from Purusha Q1. Can you tell Spiritual Lounge (SL) who Purusha is? Namaskar! Purusha is made up of my wife, Gitanjali Hart and myself, Maetreya Hart. We formed Purusha about six months ago, after deciding that performing together would be an honour. As we both share the same ideals of peace, quietness, living in the moment, being in love, sharing children from previous relationships and most importantly a deep faith driven connection to spirit. Whatever spirit may be for people - Gaia, Baba, Nature, or the Universe. Gitanjali has had many years sounding while using Alchemy Crystal Bowls, traveling throughout Australia and overseas. I cared for our blended family of five delightful children while Gitanjali explored her voice and spiritual path. When creating Purusha this path joined. The children are older now and more able to work around us while maintaining that trust and love that parenting offers. Purusha for us is the quiet scared place within our hearts and souls. We both came to the same explanation when trying to create the name of what our music means. Sometimes in our dayto-day life we will pause and stop, and in that moment there is stillness, likes God's breath that to us is Purusha. Q2. How would you describe your music? Our music is described as devotional mantras that connect you to the infinite. We create our music by feeling into what makes us connected and quiet. Gitanjali will have a verse or sound bite simply download into her consciousness. Gitanjali and I have had a lifetime of reading and listening and experiencing spiritual practice and growth. Through those experiences our songs have formed. 16
People who have attended our concerts have described our music as taking them closer to angels, bringing them to tears, unblocking past hurts or trauma, putting them to sleep, and creating a space for profound healing and love. Q3. What do you offer your listeners as Purusha? Gitanjali was given her spiritual name by a monk, when questioning what her name meant we were told Gitanjali translates as 'she who sings devotional songs and prayers to the divine'. When I listen to my beloved sing, her voice has an emotional and spiritual depth that takes the listeners on a dynamic journey to self, her voice is her gift. My gift towards Purusha is holding a scared space of stillness and healing. I do this through breath, whistles, my AUM and playing various musical instruments. My favorite is a Reverie Harp, a beautiful small harp that was made for hospice patients. I also sound with alchemy crystal bowls, Tibetan bells, tinctures and the occasional harmonic whirly. Neither Gitanjali or I are trained musicians in any way, our music is more like the deep flow of a river or the trees rustling in a forest. Musicians would dance and weave above the river, or flit in and out around the trunks of the forest. Purusha allows the listener to become the trees, the river, and the earth. Sound with the intent of scared space holding is our aim. Q4. What are your experiences in life? Your story? Gitanjali and I live a peaceful life practicing flow, living in the moment and respecting others. Flow for us is allowing life to unfold from moment to moment. If we fight the flow of life, putting our egos in the way then we create stoppage and drama and story. We look around at our friends
May 2012
Music Jukebox and community and see people in pain, in loss, struggling with what has been and what may be. We believe that through our music people may be able to attain some understanding that love and quietness can make a vast difference in their lives. Gitanjali had a near death experience when seventeen, dying in a vehicle accident after sustaining serious trauma to her body. From that time she has accepted a power greater than herself is guiding her life, as she has experienced more of life, the passing of time, Gitanjali also realizes that trusting in that power leads to a happier and fulfilled life. Both of us have experienced previous marriages with children from those marriages and the subsequent ups and downs of getting a divorce. Through our individual experiences we both came to similar realizations that pain and suffering does not have to be so hard for people. There are better and more fulfilling opportunities and choices in our lives where we can make a difference. We are here for such a short time, why waste that time in suffering or story. I was an Intensive Care Paramedic for seventeen years, leaving my career to help support Gitanjali's on her spiritual journey when she started to sound and work with her bowls. We always believed it was important to have a parent at home caring for the children, so I took a turn at being home Dad. I found the time spent with the children, running the house etc., totally satisfying. Being a paramedic was an amazing part of my life, I have seen far more than I wanted to see and experienced some beautiful insights into the strength and coping abilities of my fellow human kind. Having faced death so often has definitely guided me towards a deeper spiritual understanding of our existence. I also realize that living in the past or worrying about the future is fruitless, the light of the moment is all that counts in relation to living life. Purusha is part of the whole, a place that we are always conscious off. Our audience has the freedom to interpret our music and sound how they wish. We hold a strong intent of sacred space and healing with our music, and a deep bond with spiritual beliefs, the music and our 17
ability will do the rest. Q5. You have talked about your personal spiritual journey and that of Purusha, how do you maintain such a relationship with the divine and each other while juggling a family and a duo? I wrote a small book a few years ago entitled 'A cup of tea with God', asking that exact same question. Life is a juggling act and sometimes the ball can be dropped or neglected. The family ball, the Purusha ball or the time with god ball. Being Asperger's I probably speak for both of us on this topic, as part of my state of being is being attentive to people, my wife, my children, and the people around me. I watch and listen and feel people deeply, as I don't really understand emotional messages from people so have learnt to be very attentive through observation. That has rubbed off in our relationship as we both believe that being attentive and alert to another is kind of a back bone to a successful relationship. All that means is when we are with each other, we listen, we love, and we respect what the other is saying. The same goes with the kids, by offering them attention they flourish. The kids realize that what they have to say is valuable, what they have to contribute is part of a bigger picture. We also have cups of tea together, usually in front of our alter. Just a quiet place in our home with a few special items from our life, a few pictures of people who we look up to, and a candle. The kids know to give us time for each other, that way we are providing for our relationship and topping up our batteries, creating better parents. Meditation is also a strong part of our daily life. Some time to be with quietness, allowing time and space to pass us by is a necessity. As we are spiritual beings in physical form, travelling an amazing journey. Q6. You mentioned that your music is a personal journey and how the audience interprets that journey is up to them; that's an interesting concept could you expand on that?
May 2012
Music Jukebox Well Purusha is good for us, and if we are in harmony and happiness with what we are playing then that intent can carry to the audience. We both feel that how people respond and listen to our music is their personal journey and cannot be controlled or influenced by what we say or do. The ability of free will and free choice is important to us, so when we play our space is pure and quiet, and then whatever happens is perfect. Q7. What is Purusha's future, you talk of flow and living in the moment, how does that translate into a successful Duo? We decided when creating Purusha to very much follow the guidance of our intuition, and not just follow the well-travelled path of what a musical band is supposed to do in order to be successful. When making decisions on when and where to play we always check in with our hearts to see if it's what we want to do, and if Purusha is being honored by the space and intention of that particular concert. As long as we maintain our cup of tea with God, meditation and talking with respect and love to others we figure that Purusha will do what Purusha is meant to do. Wherever we are taken, if we are in the effortless and infinitely perfect flow of life then we are happy. We have just released our first album and are happy to see what magic can happen. Q8. Purusha is coming to Melbourne in June, where are you performing. We will be performing at Prana House on Friday 8 June at 7:30pm, and at the Melbourne Mind Body and Spirit festival, 4.00pm on the 9th of June. We will be performing at Kindred Studios, Footscray at 7:30pm on Saturday evening after MBS. We will have the privilege of having the honorable Lapsing Tender who will be performing a few songs with us at Kindred Studios and chanting the closing prayers. Also at Kindred Studios on Sunday the 10th of June, Purusha will be offering a sound healing workshop including devotional mantras, naad yoga, sounding meditation and sacred heart healing. www.purusha.com.au
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THERE Where dawn sleeps In the chill of the night, There, My soul waits for me. Mystery muses, Secrets - dance as stardust There, On horizon's edge. Where darkness surrenders To twilight mist, There, Is the place for me. Nancy Cleaves
Book Corner
Being Mystic by Betsy Balega
May 2012
An Excerpt from the book: Being Mystic by Betsy Balega. ISBN: 978 1 84694 528 1
Spirit Speaks in Symbols There have been times when I have received specific dates for people in a reading. I see the calendar with a date circled or see a cake lit with candles representing a birthday. Spirit will show me the year and sometimes the day and the month. That means the person will receive their answer when they, a friend or family member, celebrate the birthday I have been shown. At other times, I might see a home being renovated. I will see a particular room, maybe the kitchen, being remodeled. When that happens, it means the person will receive their answer when the kitchen is finished. It may not be their kitchen being remodeled; it may be their brother or sister who is having the work done, but spirit is very clear when I relay these types of timeframes. The client completely understands what spirit is talking about. There is an old saying that a girl eventually turns into her mother. I joke with my friends and say, 'I am turning into my dad.' My dad served on a destroyer during WWII and was an avid fisherman throughout his life. What sailor or fisherman doesn't watch the skies and listen incessantly to weather reports? My pop was no exception. I used to tease my dad and tell him if he needed to know the weather just look out the window or to go open the front door and stick his head outside and he would know the weather. The tables have turned. Now I can't leave home without first checking two different weather shows. In my readings, I receive
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answers that are weather related. When this happens, I know it is my dad coming through to help out with the timing. When someone is pressing me for a sign of when one of my predictions will come to pass, I receive visions of weather patterns from my dad. I would never wish for disaster or destruction, but I will see a hurricane or a tornado touchdown on a state and know that this means the person will receive their answer when that storm or tornado hits. Can we do anything to make predictions happen faster? Many times I have been asked this question. The answer is no. Let God work it out in His time, in His divine way. Trust Him. When you try to make something happen, you can be guaranteed of only o n e t h i n g – disappointment. Just like L. kept insisting that she was remarrying her ex, instead she received a bigger disappointment. Never try to force your will upon another person. When you are tempted to manipulate someone, stop. It is time to let go and let God. Put it in His Hands, trust and believe in Him and His Word. Several years ago someone wanted to know when her newly reconnected relationship would be back to normal. By normal, she meant when she would be seeing Mr. Wonderful three times a week, instead of just once a week. That was a fair question. I totally understood wanting that comfortable feeling of all being well in Loveland. Did spirit give me the exact date when her relationship would be rock solid? No. Spirit showed me a symbol for her to watch for, which represented the time
Book Corner
May 2012
when her relationship would be back to the way she was wishing it to be. I saw a kiwi. The key was in interpreting exactly what this kiwi meant. I knew it was significant and somehow represented when her relationship would be exactly where she wished it to be. Spirit did not spell it out explicitly for me. It was up to me to interpret this symbol. It could appear in a hundred different ways. I gave an example to S.; perhaps she would be at a friend's home and be served kiwi for dessert. I gave her strict orders not to go out and buy a bag of kiwis that night in order to make her prediction come true. The kiwi would show up when it was supposed to without any help from S. or me. You cannot force your future. Let it unfold naturally. Whenever I receive symbolic messages like this, I tell the person not to try and force it. We cannot force events to happen. We must have patience and let God be God. God's delays are not His denials. That weekend, her boyfriend took her for dinner. He had made the reservation, as he usually did since he lives in downtown Toronto and S. is in the 905 (suburbs). After arriving at the restaurant, they enjoyed a drink in the lounge area. When their waitress seated them in the dining room she placed menus on the table. The restaurant her boyfriend had chosen was The Kiwi Restaurant. S. told me later she got chills when she saw the menu. Symbols don't get more specific than that. Spirit doesn't lie. This marked the turning point in their relationship. The old comfortable stability returned and S. had a new question for me; when would she become engaged? I told her I would do my best, but I couldn't guarantee I would be able to tune in to her exact engagement date. I was still recuperating from the kiwi episode. Immediately, I saw a large red heart, a diamond ring and the date February 14th above her head. Valentine's Day, would be the day she would receive her marriage proposal. Spirit was giving the exact day. It was early January, not too long to wait we thought. Valentine's Day came and went that year with no
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diamond ring for S. She, like Jean, stopped calling me after that, and our friendship was put on ice faster than champagne at the Oscars after-parties. That happens often when my usefulness ends and delays appear in the manifestation of my predictions. A year passed with no contact from S. I extended an olive branch the next Easter to share some happy news with her. (I will never endorse carrying a grudge). As soon as she heard my voice, she couldn't wait to share her exciting news. She had become engaged on Valentine's Day during a romantic dinner. I was so glad she had taken notes during her conversation with me the prior year. I asked her to go back and find the prediction, when spirit told her she would receive her diamond ring on February 14th. Yes, once again, my angel was correct, but the exact time was 365 days and a few weeks into the future. It was not a month away as S. had hoped but, once more, spirit had not lied. Symbols Around You What symbols show up in your life? What do they represent to you? The other day, a friend came by to visit wearing the most beautiful silver necklace with a stunning key on it. I commented how Native Americans wear silver, because it is the purest ore and draws spirit closer to you. Whenever I see someone wearing silver jewelry I mention this. Nine times out of ten they are very much into meditation and their spiritual development. My friend commented that she had had the necklace for years, but never wore it until that day. I told her that keys represent a new beginning, whether in career or relationships, but most of all they foretell of moving your residence. She confided to me that her marriage was over, and that she would be changing residences in the near future. She didn't need to say a word; her jewelry told me everything. Watch the symbols that appear in your life and you will learn more about what is
Book Corner
May 2012
coming your way. Here are meanings of symbols that might be appearing in your life:
jewelry outside of your jewelry box. When this happens, it is a sign that your relative or friend in spirit wants you to wear it.
Animals: Watch the animals that appear in your dreams; these can be your totem animals contacting you. Each animal has distinctive traits that relate to your nature. Each animal has its own medicine.
Books: Are books talking to you? Do you find just the right book at the right time? If a book falls out of your bookcase, it is a sign of someone in spirit trying to get your attention. They may have bought the book for you or there is a connection between the book's subject and your friend in spirit.
Butterflies: Butterflies represent hope and good luck. Anytime a butterfly comes near me, I think of my friend, June, who collected butterfly pins, pictures and sculptures. To me it is a sign that she is saying hello. Birds: Making a wish when you see the first robin in spring is an old tradition. The raven is portrayed as a trickster by Native Americans. Crows are often seen as a bad omen. There were several crows that used to wake me up with their screeching at 5 am every morning. It irritated me to be awoken so early. I used to yell, 'Shut up!' and wished they'd all disappear. Shortly after, West Nile Virus hit and all the crows in my neighborhood really did disappear. Then I wished them back. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. Now when I hear a crow cawing I am grateful and bless it and ask forgiveness for my past stupidity. Stones: Do you find stones appearing as if out of nowhere? Stones and crystals have different properties. I had a friend who kept finding small amber pebbles in her house. She was mystified by these appearances but I wasn't surprised when she became a holistic healer within five years because amber is a healing gem. Jewelry: I often receive messages from spirit relatives asking their daughters, granddaughters or nieces to please wear the ring, necklace or bracelet they inherited. If you have received such an item from a relative who has crossed over, please start to wear it. So often, I hear spirit wish the jewelry would be worn, not just sit idle in a box. You may find a piece of
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Money: Finding dimes or quarters in your home, when you know that you definitely did not drop any change, is a message from spirit loved ones on the Other Side. Spirit drops the coins to get your attention and make their presence known to you. What about numbers? Are there certain numbers that have followed you throughout your life? Think back and see what you were experiencing when certain numbers appeared in your life. The number 116 shows up a lot for me. That was the address of my childhood home, where I lived from age five to ten. It was a very happy period in my life but, more importantly, spirit was communicating with me very strongly at this time in my life. I could sense and see the spirit of the former owner of 116 South Franklin Street. It is also the house where my grandfather first appeared to me after his crossing. It shows up in my life very strongly now. I take it as a good sign, as a message from friends and family on the Other Side of Life who remember those happy times too. One of my friends told me recently that he keeps seeing 1183 everywhere. I asked him if he realized that when the 8 and 3 are added together, 1111 is following him. We took that as a very good omen for him because 11 and 22 are the highest spiritual numbers. He is going through a major transition now and embraced 1183 as a sign that he is making the right decisions. You may receive confirmation through symbols and numbers but also through very obvious coincidences. http://www.betsybalega.com
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
May 2012
MOROCCO Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyyah or The Western Kingdom Morocco or officially the Kingdom of Morocco is a country located in North Africa. Morocco is part of the Maghreb region, in addition to Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, and Libya, with which it shares cultural, historical and linguistic ties. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive powers, including the power to dissolve the parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government but more importantly by the king himself. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councilors. The King can also issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. Most Moroccans natively speak either Moroccan Arabic or Berber as a mother tongue. Both languages have regional dialects and accents. Hassaniya Arabic is also spoken natively in the southern parts of the country by a small population. According to legend it was Hercules who created Morocco when he opened the Strait of Gibraltar. Whatever the case, the presence of mankind here has been shown to date back 300,000 years. The earliest well-known Moroccan independent state was the Berber kingdom of Mauretania under king Bocchus I. This Berber Kingdom of Mauretania (current northern Morocco) dates at least to 110 BC. The region remained a part of the Roman Empire until 429 AD when invading vandals overran the area and Roman administrative presence came to an end. Umayyad Muslims conquered the region in the 7th century, bringing their language, their system of government, and Islam, to which many of the Berbers slowly converted, mostly after the Arab rule receded. In the Islamic era the first Moroccan Muslim state, independent from the 22
Abbasid Empire, was The Kingdom of Nekor, an emirate in the Rif area. It was founded by the Legend of Salih I ibn Mansur in 710 AD, as a client state to Caliphal grant. In 1912, after the first Moroccan Crisis and the Agadir Crisis, the Treaty of Fez was signed, effectively dividing Morocco into French and a Spanish protectorate. In 1956, after forty-four years of occupation, Morocco regained independence from France and Spain as the Kingdom of Morocco. The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited since Paleolithic times (at least since 200,000 BC, as attested by signs of the Aterian culture), a period when the Maghreb was less arid than it is today. In Paleolithic ages, the geography of Morocco resembled a savanna more than the present-day arid landscape. Morocco has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Spain to the north. Algeria to the east, and Western Sahara to the south. Since Morocco controls most of Western Sahara, its de facto southern boundary is with Mauritania. A large part of Morocco is mountainous. The Atlas Mountains are located mainly in the center and the south of the country. The climate is Mediterranean in the North and in some mountains (West of Atlas), which becomes more extreme towards the interior regions. The terrain is such that the coastal plains are rich and accordingly, they comprise the backbone for agriculture, especially in the North. Forests cover about 12% of the land while arable land accounts for 18%; 5% is irrigated. In the Atlas (Middle Atlas), there are several different climates: Mediterranean (with some more humid and fresher variants), Maritime temperate (with some humid and fresher
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
May 2012
variants too) that allow different species of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, Atlantic cedars and many other plants, to form extensive and very rich humid cloud forests. On the other side of Atlas mountains (East Atlas), the climate changes, due to the barrier/shelter effect of these mountainous system, turning it very dry and extremely warm during the summer (that can last several months), especially on the lowlands and on the valleys faced to the Sahara. Here starts the big Desert Sahara and it is perfectly visible, for example, on the Draa Valley, on which it is possible to find oases, sand dunes and rocky desert landscapes. Morocco is known for its wildlife biodiversity. Birds represent the most Places to visit Morocco is divided into sixteen regions, which in turn are subdivided into sixty-two provinces and prefectures. Each of these regions has geographical and historical features which make it interesting. However, we are focusing only on major places to visit in Morocco. Agadir
important fauna. The avifauna of Morocco includes a total of 454 species, five of which have been introduced by humans, and 156 are rarely or accidentally seen. The last known Barbary lion in the wild was shot in the Atlas Mountains in 1922. The two other primary predators of northern Africa, the Atlas bear and Barbary leopard, are now also extinct and critically endangered, respectively. Why is Morocco spiritual? It has an old world charm, varied geography and amalgamation of different cultures over a period of time. Places that can be contrasting in every way, promoting exploration of both the physical countryside as well as the inner self, in the backdrop of different landscapes. Morocco also promotes wellness and spiritual development and it is an ideal setting for a mix of Mediterranean Europe, tinge of Sahara and Middle Eastern influences. Try it and feel the difference! 23
It is Southern Morocco's most visited city and a very popular tourist destination. The earthquake in 1960 hit Agadir badly and the city had to be practically rebuilt. The event was taken as an opportunity to redesign the city and Agadir was transformed into a beautiful resort. Its sandy shores, modern coastal city feel and dozens of hotels are now a huge attraction and it draws crowds of Europeans during the winter months. The lack of monuments, museums and interesting sights meant that the beaches in Morocco are quite popular. The areas
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
May 2012
surrounding Agadir have some pleasant surprises in store for those who can leave the beach for long enough to enjoy a nice walk. Agadir and its region are a haven of tranquility for migratory birds. Towards Essaouira, follow the argan-tree road; this endemic tree which is desert-resistant and can live up to 200 years. Its nuts provide precious oil which is equally as good for cooking as it is for beauty and skin treatments.
cooperatives grouping together several villages are open to the public. Feel free to step into one of the old tribal leaders' castles. The area around Azilal and more generally the central Upper Atlas lends itself to ecotourism due to its wellpreserved and impressive nature. Some examples: 36km west of Azilal are the crashing waterfalls of Ouzoud, an exceptional site. Other fantastic natural sights include the pretty arous gorges near Agouti at the entrance to the Aït Bouguemez valley, and the Imi-n-Ifri bridge, near Demnate. A gigantic stone arch carved out by the Mahseur wadi from which hundreds of stalactites hang.
Azilal The region is the result of an Arab-Berber melting pot which has influenced its crafts, cuisine and architecture. An enlightening example of this architecture is the circular fortified clay storage area in the village of Sidi Moussa. These ancient grain stores characterize the rural life of the surroundings. The inhabitants, shepherds and farmers, launched themselves into honey, nut oil and cheese production. Women's associations and
Casablanca More famous due to the movie of the same name that was shot in this beautiful city. Casablanca is a modern city with a rich heritage where the various arts, cultures and old traditions can live harmoniously together. Any traveler will feel immediately at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding of the life here. It is the largest city of Morocco, and a cosmopolitan, industrial and economic heart of Morocco. Casablanca is also the most liberal and progressive of Morocco's cities. However, Casablanca is also a mixed bag of Moroccan extremes. Dakhla On the Atlantic coast, in the south, there is a magical bay. Between dunes and waves, live in harmony with a nature which is full of secrets.
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Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
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Dakhla was founded in 1884 at the mouth of the Rio de Oro by the Spanish. At the time it was called Villa Cisneros. This small port is on the edge of a magnificent lagoon with turquoise waters. As well as welcoming thousands of migratory birds including colonies of pink flamingoes, the bay is home to the largest population in the world of monk seals. Its waters are also frequently visited by skate and humpbacked dolphins. A shower in 38°C sulfurous water from the thermal spring at Asmaa must be tried: it is reputed to be excellent for the skin, breathing difficulties and the bones. El Jadida
With its fortified walls facing the ocean, the old Portuguese city has today become a charming seaside resort. The former Mazagan became El Jadida (the New City) in 1815. The Portuguese built the fortified city, which originally had five bastions. Today, only four remain. Underground chamber discovered by accident, hunting with falcons, gigantic mineral port. Built in 1514 by the Portuguese, this underground chamber may have been used as an arsenal or as a store before being transformed into a cistern to be used during sieges. This local Doukkala tradition goes back to the Middle Ages. It appears that the best falconers come from the Lakouassem region and from the village of Ouled Frej. This type of hunting has always been reserved for the nobility. Essaouira
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Essaouira is hidden Morocco. The ramparts, the port, the dance of the cawing seagulls, the immense beach, the perfume of the sea air. The area of Essaouira has evidence of occupation extending back to prehistoric times. The city is ideally located. Essaouira stands in natural bay, protected from heavy waves by the Iles Purpuraires, while the island of Mogador guards the harbor against strong winds. Wood-carving is a major business in Essaouira. Thuja wood is used to create a variety of items, from small pencil holders to large furniture. The Gnaoua are ancient descendants of original slaves from subSaharan Africa. Their traditions, which are musical, spiritual and therapeutic, mix African and Arabo-Berber influences. At the start of the summer, and for the last ten years, Essaouira has been the host of a remarkable and edifying music festival dedicated to these mystical fraternities. Fez It seems that the city of Fez still lingers in the
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
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Middle Ages. As you arrive in the city and begin to walk around your senses are torn between beautiful sights, intricate sounds and colorful smells. Much of the city is still holding on to its French roots. Fès, handicraft capital, can be proud of possessing a genuine artistic know-how for ceramic, woodworking and copperware crafts. The potters and ceramists are probably the most outstanding. The cobalt blue tin glazing has become the standard for the craftsmen of the town. You must visit the Wooden Arts and Crafts Museum. Collections of different objects are exhibited in the old cells of this caravanserai. Moucharaby and wooden furniture, made from woods, such as, cedar, rosewood, argan, pine, oak, can easily be purchased in the neighborhood. You can find chiseled copperware articles near Es-Seffarine Place. You can, also, enroll in pottery, calligraphy, AraboAndalusian music courses. Ifrane Located in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Ifrane is an oasis of coolness and greenery. Lakes,
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fountains, the feeling of being away from it all are complete, surprising and rejuvenating. From the moment you arrive in Ifrane, there is an overriding feeling of freshness. Wide avenues, parks, European-style villas; here you will discover a little-known side of North Africa. There is an abundance of springs and lakes in this region at the heart of a dense cedar forest. The sloped-roof chalets are astonishingly reminiscent of Switzerland. This makes for an infinitely enjoyable break. On the Azrou road to the south-east, a large number of dormant volcanoes make up the countryside around Ito, a rocky landscape which reminds many people at dusk of lunar craters. The Vittel spring and its waterfalls are an ideal walking destination.
Follow the river a few hundred meters and come to the forest of maples and poplars through which the spring flows. In the summer, short trips on horseback are offered to the waterfalls. Imouzzer Welcome to the land of argan and honey. Nestled in the heart of a beautiful and fertile valley, this is Imouzzer, the town of the Ida Outanane Berber tribes. Having climbed the mountains 61km to the north of Agadir, a valley with a variety of landscapes and contrasting colors cries out to be discovered. This area of terraced crops and undulating plateaus covered with argan, palm, and almond, juniper and olive trees is Paradise Valley. This is where the small town of Imouzzer with its white house's appears; looking over a palm grove surrounded by almond, olive and argan trees. Argan trees only grow in this region
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
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of Morocco. The high quality oil from its nuts is used in cooking and the cosmetics industry. The area around Imouzzer provides opportunities for refreshment breaks, whether in the natural pools of the Asif Tamraght gorge or the Tinkert wadi waterfalls (where water flows only in winter). Another product of this rich land is the honey celebrated every year in August. The region, particularly Izourki Oufella, produces different, highly refined, varieties of it using thyme, orange blossom and even cactus, which is very popular in Morocco. The great Berber tribe called Ida Outanane is linked to the town's name.
dancers, pipe musicians, comedians and storytellers. Marrakech does not have many historical monuments and buildings; its beauty lies in the atmosphere and the spectacular location. Marrakech, with the outstanding peaks of the Atlas expanding behind the city, has very warm humid summers and shimmering white snowy winters. Marrakesh is the right place for your first flight. You can then discover the city and realize the striking contrast between it and the surrounding countryside whether from a helicopter, micro-light or, if you prefer silence, a hot air balloon. Meknes
Marrakech Marrakech is Morocco's second largest city. You will find a friendly and total change of scenery in the imperial city. Its secret is its genuine and unspoilt charm and its splendor and simplicity. Marrakech is truly the city of entertainment in Morocco. In the center of Marrakech is a square, Djemaa el Fna, which is the operating point for entertainers such as, street performers, snake charmers and magicians dispensing secret potions and medicines, acrobats, drummers,
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Meknes is renowned for its vast historical significance and is one of the Imperial cities in Morocco. Considered to be one of the most beautiful gates in the world, Bab Mansour was constructed at the beginning of the 18th century. It is the entrance to the Imperial city proper. You can also meditate on the edge of the Agdal pond, an immense rectangular basin. On the edge of the Agdal pond, a gigantic expanse of water which irrigated the harem and gardens, gaze on Dar El-Ma, the palace of water. This housed Imperial cisterns and served as a storage area for supplies in case of siege. At the time, the 7mthick adobe walls and a clever system of canals ensured constant coolness. The largest Roman archeological site in Morocco lies 31 km north of Meknès: Volubilis. Triumphal arch, capitol building, house of Bacchus; everything testifies to the city's splendor and its economic and political weight. Not to mention the moving delicacy of the mosaics.
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
May 2012 Kasbah keeps watch over the city. The magnificent gate pierces the elaborate walls of the citadel and opens on Jamaâ street. The magnificent Bab Rouah, the 'Gate of the Winds' is monumental. It stands out for the richness of its adornments. It has become a gallery for exhibitions. Under the elaborate arches of the four square rooms, the works of famous Moroccan artists have found their venue. Safi
Ouarzazate Morocco's own special home of film, Ouarzazate lies in a valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The Dadès Valley runs from Ouarzazate to Boumaine. It is dry and lined with kasbahs and unique fortified villages. A trail, passing through the Dadès Gorge, leads to Boumalne. Depending on the lighting the rocks seem to be red, pink or mauve. The Sahro djebel (mountain) is situated south of Boumalne where one can observe some of the 150 varieties of birds already spotted in the Valley of the Birds. By continuing your trip along the Dadès, you pass through the rose country, El Kelaât M'Gouna, where rose water, so vital for complexions, is made. In May, the rose has the place of honor in a three-day festival held throughout the area. The Drâa Valley extending for almost 200km towards the South irrigates a narrow oasis where dates and henna grow. The Skoura palm grove, where many other fruit trees grow: pomegranate, almond, apricot, date, fig and olive, is situated 42 km from Ouarzazate. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Star Wars and Gladiator all have the Ouarzazate desert in common. Rabat Rabat is home to the Moroccan government as well as a hub of traditional cuisine and architecture and much more. Rabat is the second biggest city after Casablanca. It is famous for its many historical monuments, luxurious carpets and rich embroidered goods. A fortress erected at the edge of the Rabat medina, the Oudayas
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Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Safi has been a vital port for centuries. Originally known as Asfi, the area was inhabited by Carthaginians, Romans and the Almohades over time. Safi is not only known as an industrial port, but is renowned for its traditional arts, ceramics and music. The potters' quarter contains exceptional clay which is the origin of Safi's reputation. A visit to the cooperative's school allows you to follow the various production stages of pottery. Ceramics from Safi, which are recognized internationally, stand out due to their blue color and the highly sought-after pieces of all shapes and sizes. Kechla, a Portuguese fortress. Once a prison, it now exhibits local ceramic wares. Saidia The blue pearl of Morocco, Saidia, is in the process of modernizing to take advantage of the turquoise Mediterranean, its 14 km beach and splendid surrounding countryside. Stroll under the mimosa and eucalyptus trees that line the beach, sunbathe freely and, above all, dive into the turquoise water inviting you to relax. All the
Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
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families and holidaymakers go there at the end of the day, when the sand takes on a golden color and everything becomes softer and gentler. Go and discover Oujda, 60 km to the south of Saida. Its souks overflowing with local craft productions and the towering fortifications of its kasbah. In 1938, a rich trader built a superb palace, Dar Sebti that can be visited. It now hosts a cultural center dedicated to Arabo-Andalusian music, referred to here as Gharnatian music. You may see traditional Laalaoui dances and singing. Tangier With its souks, traditional Moroccan cuisine and many historical and cultural attractions, it's the perfect destination for your Moroccan holiday. Tangier, also known as the White City, revolves around its state-of-the-art import and export port and you are sure to see many millionaire yachts on this stretch of Moroccan coastline where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet. You can enjoy a pleasant walk in the Mendoubia Park. A giant banyan tree and a dragon tree, alleged to be 800 years old, is the highlight. Take rue de la Liberté, a shopping thoroughfare, to the Place de France which is the heart of the modern town. Hercules Grotto is a series of excavations, near Cap Spartel, which fill up at high tide. The entrance of this mythical place has the shape of an upside map of Africa. According to legend, Hercules rested here after digging the Strait of Gibraltar. Visit the Grand Socco Market Square with its good street cafés and absorb the city life. The market sells everything including arts and crafts, fruit and vegetables and an assortment of trinkets.
Taroudant Taroudant is a majestic, brown-walled city situated between Agadir and Ouarzazate. It is sometimes called the 'Grandmother of Marrakech' as it seems to be a smaller, slowerpaced version of Marrakech. The city is one of the most elegant in the country and you will see beautiful buildings and the stunning craftsmanship that adorns the city's facades. Taroudant is marked by a very strong Berber cultural identity which can be found in its craftsmanship and its natural resources such as argan oil and saffron. Taroudant is perhaps most noted for its crafts. The metal work here is very good; it can even be considered superior to most of that found elsewhere in Morocco. The carpets here are also quite popular. In the souks, as well as a wide range of ceramics, spices and beautiful fruits and vegetables, you will find magnificent Berber silver jewelry. This is the city's specialty. Tetouan The city of Tetouan is strangely enchanting with its dramatic setting of the somber Rif Mountains and the cheerful and colorful Martil Valley. The discolored white walls give way to bursts of color here and there while green tile roofs frame the odd mixture of Spanish and Moorish architecture. The people here are friendly and very much engaged in the business of living. Traders' guilds abound, which means shopping opportunities are good. Tetouan was established in 1305 as a base of operations against Sebta. Sometime later it became a pirate's lair until it
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Morocco - Compiled by Dhara Kothari
May 2012 no limit on the importation of foreign currency. There are bureaux de change in airports, certain hotels and most banks. Some counters require your passport for the transaction. Remember to change the dirhams you have left before leaving. Banking establishments in large Moroccan cities are often equipped with ATMs. Exchange money as you need it. The vast majority of purchases or services are paid for in cash, after the usual negotiation.
was destroyed, only to be repopulated in the 16th century by Muslims and Jews who had been exiled from Andalusia. It wasn't long before the city began to prosper. Today you will find it surrounded by orchards of oranges, almonds, pomegranates and cypress trees. The city is noted for its culture. The National Fine Arts Institute, founded in 1947 by Mariano Bertuchi, a Spanish painter, has the particularity of having a comic strip teaching section, since 2000. Since 2004, each year it hosts the international Comic Strip festival. From Djebel Dersa, aqueducts converge on Tetouan. They provide the town with a free supply of source water. This is achieved thanks to an ingenious, and still secret, system of pipes, the skundu, designed by Ali Al Mandari. Things to remember 1. No visa is required for European Union nationals or those from Switzerland and Canada. For all nationalities, the maximum length of a tourist visit is 90 days. When preparing for your departure, note the contact details for your embassy and the regional consulates. You can renew your papers there in the event of loss and obtain all sorts of advice (health, safety, etc.). In general, all diplomatic offices have an emergency number to be called in emergencies. 2. The national currency in Morocco is the dirham. It cannot be converted outside the Kingdom's borders, so don't forget to exchange money or bring other means of payment. The importation and exportation of Moroccan currency is strictly forbidden. However there is 30
3. The voltage in Morocco is generally 220 V, and outlets will fit the two-pin plug known as the Euro plug. If your appliance is dual-voltage, it should be fine (it's designed for both 110 and 220 V). If not, you'll need a power converter as well as an adapter. 4. The network of telephone boxes extends to the smallest villages. As well as these, stores offering private telephone booths operated using coins are springing up across cities. You will be able to spot them from their signs. Most cell/mobile phone operators have a network here, but ask before you leave. Top tip: don't forget pre-paid cards. Warning: rates charged by hotels are sometimes high. Cybercafés and internet stores abound in Morocco, particularly in cities. They offer a good connection for an often modest sum. 5. Remember to wash your hands frequently, do not consume water which has not been opened in front of you and avoid ice cubes. As everywhere else in the world, stomach upsets come from water or food which is not cooked enough or badly washed. Some hotels provide free bottled water to guests and it's wise to keep a supply in
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your room so as not to be tempted with tap water. 6. Contact should occur with a spirit of openness and respect for traditional customs. Your valuables and money must be discreet; always try to keep them in pockets close to your body. The safety of tourists is a priority here. Some Moroccans that you meet on the streets have come up with dozens of ways to part you from your money. Keep your wits about you, but don't let your wariness stop you from accepting any offers of generous Moroccan hospitality. Put on a smile and greet everybody that greets you, but still be firm if you are not interested. Be careful about being drugged, especially as a solo traveler. The common and easy-to-make drug GHB only lasts 3 hours and is undetectable in the body after 7 hours, so if you are attacked take action immediately. Hustlers can be a big problem for people travelling in Morocco. 7. Trains are generally the best option because of their speed, frequency and comfort, however the network is limited. Luxury buses are the next best bet, with almost universal coverage, if with somewhat odd leaving times in some places. All bus companies charge for baggage separately. Grand taxis generally cost less than a luxury bus but more than the local. Late at night, expect to be charged a little more than at daytime, and also to pay for all the seats in the car as it probably won't have other customers that late. Petit taxis are not allowed to leave the city borders and are thus not an option for traveling between cities. 8. While knowledge of the English language is increasing amongst the younger generations, most Moroccans don't speak a word, and even those that do will most likely speak better French. Although you will find a few people who speak English among the most educated people, in urban areas most of them are touts and faux guides. Some shop owners and hotel managers in urban centers also speak English.
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9. There are two types of Hammam (steam baths) across Morocco. The first is the tourist hammam, where you can go and be pampered and scrubbed by an experienced staff member. The second option is to visit a popular Hammam. Popular hammams are the places where the locals go. At the popular hammams, you do it all yourself. To make the most of a popular hammam, you need to take a scrubbing mitten (available cheap in the Souks), a towel, and some extra innerwear (otherwise, you will be going home without any, as it will be sopping wet). Men and women have either separate session times or separate hammams. Nudity in a popular hammam is strictly forbidden for men, so be prepared to wear your innerwear or a bathing suit for women. 10. Remember that bargaining in the souks is expected. It is not really possible to give an accurate indication of how much to start the bargaining at, in relation to the initial asking price, but a general idea would be to aim for approximately 50% off. Prices are set on a daily, even, hourly basis, while also reflecting the vendor's personal estimation of the potential client. Bargaining is an enjoyable experience for most vendors and they prefer clients that don't appear hurried and are willing to take the time to negotiate. It is most often actually necessary to give reasons why you believe the price should be lower. You should take caution to never begin bidding for unwanted items or to give the vendor a price you are unwilling or unable to pay. Try to avoid paying by credit card at all costs. In the event you do pay by credit card, never let it out of your sight and demand as many receipts as possible. There is typically a credit card carbon copy and an official shop receipt. Never tell a vendor where you are staying and never tell a vendor how much you paid for any other purchases. Never buy Geodes and Trilobite fossils; you may end up buying fakes. Do not accept free gifts from vendors. You will find that a group of people will approach you accusing you of stealing it, and will extort the price from you.