Happy Chritsmas

Pam and Gordon wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas

New Lamps for Old

New Lamps for Old

New lamps represent each new birth and the light a level of Consciousness that derives from a source called the Ancient of Days. Light has always been representative of Consciousness and stems from a Universal source that is both transcendent and imminent, and it is light as intelligence, clothed in matter, that transforms and characterises the world in which we live. The light in us is a gift of spirit and is that in us which knows we are here, having the ability to be ‘Self’ organising, make decisions and uniquely take part in the play of life that is all around. It is the desire for experience that takes us first down along one road and then another, when we discover that we are a part of a cosmic game, in which some lights appear to shine brighter than others. It is when we try to compensate by adopting the guise of the most successful, often seeking pleasure, and avoiding the difficult, that we appear to be something other than we truly are.

We exist within prisons of our own making, having confined ourselves within psychological barriers as defence from those who whether consciously or unconsciously try to harm us. We can either fight back or continue take refuge in fantasy worlds of our own making. These impositions veil the light of the Self within, so that we become shadows of our former selves, distorting our vehicle of experience, often becoming ill, prematurely abandoning our body and so losing the opportunity to further gain experience, and become unique centres of light and intelligence in the world of time.

Interest sustains life, and it is during periods of set back and ill health that we discover we still have a lot to live for and have not as yet reached our full potential. This is when we need to look clearly and objectively at the body of inertia we carry around with us and the attitudinal responses that disguise who we truly are.

When we are born we are unique to ourselves and bring with us unique vibrational patterning’s developed through many lifetimes. This tempering process gained during life on earth, and passed on through the long body of the ancestors, occasionally gives rise to the age old question “Who Am I”, and to ask ourselves, what is my purpose in life?, is it to be passive and subject to the winds of fate, or can work on myself, develop my full potential, and discover my true destiny.

It is the ancient art of Yoga that not only asks this question, but still passes on its experience developed through aeons of time, for those willing to study, learn and practise. There are many different forms of Yoga and paths to follow, all of which lead back to centre and Self recognition, there is something for everyone, whatever one’s nature or individual temperament.

A White Rose

A White Rose

As I walked the wild and lonely hill

My heart at one with playful wind

The Sun full orbed with radiant shafts,

Fills the soul with iridescent light

Then from yon crag a perfume springs,

The senses five caught in mystic spell,

Lifts the souls to greater height

And there from granite rocks springs

A white rose from the heart of God

Illness

Ill Health tends to negate the cohesive forces that link and hold the body in being; while Yoga, reversing this tendency, is conducive to wholeness and well being. We all know that when influenza strikes, how lack lustre and negative that the body feels; with many voices persuading us to do as little as possible. The body is alive with contrary wills, usually kept in check when we are fit and well, and which rise to the surface when we lack the energy to oppose them. Yoga is essentially discovering yourself as Will, and bringing yourself back to the “Here and Now”, so that you stand in full consciousness, able to deal with the hidden persuaders, from whatever direction they come.

The negative effects of illness can be such that Hatha Yoga is not the first thing that comes to mind; and yet, just one posture, the easiest in our repertoire, will start to bring about a positive change, by tying together loose ends and coordinating Mind, Feeling and Will; So that the whole body can be guided toward a more positive state of being.

Jnana Yoga. Cannot be divorced from Yoga as a whole and is more than the accumulation of knowledge for its own sake and can be the means of adjusting thought process toward a more positive frame of mind. A clear idea, fully understood, is a formulation of spirit, and when the focus is on the ideal yoga posture, it organises the energy within the body towards achieving its aim.

Every idea carries an emotional or feeling charge, therefore if we love what we are doing, the more effective we can be. At the highest level Truth and Love are intimately related, as Truth lays at the heart of Love, hence the ability of the Bhakti Yoga to look into the heart and discern the Truth that lies within.

Purity of heart is to will one thing and to achieve the highest we have to first attain unity of being, and the single posture can be the start of an apprenticeship along a road to Raja Yoga and Self determination, in which Mind, Feeling and Will, bring the body back into perfect accord.

Hatha Yoga is not an exercise program that blindly follows repetitive exercise routines; as each individual is unique, and not unlike Arjuna the charioteer is in charge of their own vehicle of experience. Hatha Yoga brings light to bear on the body as a whole, and helps with the return to both psychological and physical health. Yoga Postures can be sitting, lying down or standing. Asana implies use of the mind and elevates the term Posture to a higher level.

The Integral approach to Asana is to first still the Mind and return to the ‘Here and Now’; then to visualise a perfect Posture as a goal to be achieved. Then holding the form of the Posture in the Mind, to send Good feeling into the body, so as to energise the appropriate muscle groups and prepare the body; next to Initiate and guide the body in full awareness towards its goal. This psychosomatic approach is of particular benefit when there is disharmony in the nervous system. The following meditation will also help re-balance and re-harmonise each level.

Meditation

Centring at the level of the abdomen, visualise and repeat the word ‘Good.’ Then at the heart (Feeling) level, visualise and intone the word ‘Love’. Then at the head (Ajna), visualise and repeat the word ‘Truth. Then repeat the whole sentence; it is Good to Love Truth.

Reverse this process with Truth at the level of the head. Love at the level of the heart and Good at the drive or belly centre. Aware of each level as you repeat True, Love is Good.

It is important that head and spine is perfectly balanced, yet free of tension during the meditation.

The Way of the Yogi

The Way of the Yogi

Yoga represents the ideal that is a calm disposition in the face of adversity, flexibility and good health with the ability to calmly adjust when things go wrong. A Yogi is generally optimistic, cheery and a good companion to have at your side. To look up the popular definitions of Yoga, we find that it has its roots in the Sanskrit language and means Union that is to join or yoke with God. This somewhat intangible statement hints at the highest level of relationship between the whole of nature and man himself. The Yogi does not live in isolation from all that is around him, but enjoys the refreshing stillness of the mountain top, the life giving vitality of nature and the energy of sunlight. God speaks to him in the silent space within, as well as in bird song and the sighing of the wind. His truth is a measure of reality, in clearly structured and measured thought. There is nothing to prove, and whether he is here or there he is always at the Centre of his Universe, his truth arises from an inner clarity that transcends the time oppressed world. There is intelligence in nature that unfolds in every living thing, wherein nothing is rushed or forced, and truth as embodied love expresses its beauty and form according to its inmost nature. The Yogi clear in heart and mind is attuned to the natural rhythms of life, with nothing to prove, his watchword is ahimsa (non injury), and his guidance is directed toward developing the uniqueness that lies within each. He does not force or strain beyond his natural limits, encourages harmonious relationship between every living thing, his teaching directed toward health and wholeness of being in one and all.                     

Winter

Winter

We slept awhile, in the Earths winter,

A moulded shape, a form unseen

Not knowing, unknown, a sleeping dearth,

No depth, nor height, or future seen.

The sleepers turned, in endless space,

A timeless orb, an unknowing now

Then love turned with infinite grace.

A heavenly light and love wept

In earth we turned, until bathed in light.

Then we remembered our parent face.

But still we turned, from day to night.

A timely rhythm, a fall from Grace

The Sun, with myriad shafts of light

Pierced the Earth with living sword

A thousand intelligences, clothed and bright,

Sprang forth as the embodied word

I Believe in Angels

I Believe in Angels – they are companions of hope that live in each conscious moment, lighting the pathways of life. They are God’s artists and messengers, that ascend and descend, touching hearts and minds; inspiring, and arbiters of invention. They are seldom seen as they have to shine through the fog of human disbelief, fear and suffering. They touch hearts and minds during quiet moments and in our dreams; angels are heartfelt, life enhancing, and only barred by our own disbelief. They are spheres of intelligent light, providing comfort to the dying, guiding each to their spiritual home. They are the ones that descend with the rays of the Sun and re-enliven the Truth and Love enshrined in God’s creation. They appear in many forms, inspiring both artist and writer. To discover your angels, learn to read not only with your head, but also with your heart. Then during moments of fear and doubt, simply name them; Jesus Christ; The Buddha; Eugene Halliday; St. John of the Cross; Jacob Boehme and others; and if you have only understood them in part, they will still guide you across the fathomless oceans of uncertainty, to a brighter and safer shore.