My Blog

"Pack Your Bags,"

shaman sun — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:03:14 GMT

Pack your bags, Go to the station without them, Catch the train, And leave your self behind. -Wei Wu Wei

The New Age

shaman sun — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:47:28 GMT

The New Age We are indeed living in one, beyond any connotations that would imply a resurgence of the ancient world, full of spirits and deities which were layered within the landscape; forests, mountains and deserts. Civilization as a whole has reached a crux, a precipice if you will, in which we have amassed great power and technology, awareness and ignorance- and we may do with it what we will. These years are probably and arguably the most crucial. It is the leaping point. We face now the shortcomings of our development, of our evolutionary traits, so to speak. Culturally, we face an evolution of self-awareness. Technologically, we face an evolution of both computers and economics; the singularity is only a few years away, and yet so is the end of the oil-age. All of these breaking points are inter-twined, like the tangled earth of a forest, with dozens of species of roots dwelling in the same space. Thus it can't really be said we should or even could focus on one aspect, without the others being included. To do so would be to stub your shovel on a tree root, where you thought only bushes and grass grew. In the same way, we can't only focus on our oil-crisis, United States Imperialism or even social-work. It would seem that in a world where there is so much information, we tend to generalize. Jobs are created by processing knowledge into sound-byes. While this is generally a good thing- we have failed to summarize the information on a relational-basis. Instead of seeing the bigger picture, we have segmented, fragmented and divided the world into endless compartments. Thus there is one ideology battling to have its voice heard, while another ensures that it remains on top. This goes not only for belief-systems but for scientific fields. We have endless systems that have arisen to combat our problems, which too are arising seemingly endlessly. What we seem to lack is a coherent vision that is not exclusive. Something that enables us to, in a metaphor, see the forest through the trees. What we have instead is a myriad of groups studying each leaf and branch as it were alone the answer- or perhaps bunches of leaves and branches, patches of the forest. It would also seem that no particular system, which is itself limited to a particular view or perspective, could account for all others. This is a rising suspicion, often labeled in current terms as 'post modernism.' We have done a great deal of de-construction and categorizing everything, and our efforts have thus been fragmented. But perhaps we aren't looking in the right spot just yet. That is, we have been trying a pretty straight-forward approach to problem solving. It goes something like this: We have a problem, and thus in order to solve it (And in this case save civilization), we must think up a solution. We must conceptualize until we have a working model to enact. We are searching for a bit of knowledge that answers the problem. Since we face so many problems today, no one bit of knowledge can and has accounted for it. But perhaps this old way of problem solving will not work for us anymore. We seek the answers conceptually; through the ideas of our rational mind. Others seek the answer through a regression, or a reconnection if that seems offensive, to the emotional side of the human. Instead of, "we must find a new scientific break through," we have "we must reconnect with our loving nature, with nature." Still others urge us to reconnect with a higher, spiritual plane. What on earth (or not) are we to do? With all of these possibilities, how do we make sense of it? This seems to be the dilemma of many of us. We just don't know what to do. We dabble in spirituality, in philosophy, in ideologies but nothing seems to ultimately fulfill us. In the past, and to some, a particular zealous or fundamental attitude would merely blind us to our own questions and allow what is called "blind faith." This way, too, has brought more problems than solutions. Like swinging blind, they have mashed up more than they have promised to heal. Like a stream that has endless folds, ripples and splashes, we seek to find one little wave to hold onto. Something that will make sense and structure of this existence. Yet, the more we observe our lives, the more particular ideologies are like trying to maintain patterns or "capture" ripples in an ever-flowing stream. After a while, it all seem silly. In fact, the more we try to force the water one way or another, the more it slips through our fingers. No wonder one can become a fundamentalist, because it requires an enormous amount of energy, drive and even tunnel-vision to create a world that is structured around our own beliefs. Nevertheless, once it is created people seem to be content to see only through that imaginary ripple they have caught. This is not to give you the wrong impression- we seek to make order out of chaos, out of uncertainty. We do this in order to feel safer with ourselves and others. It gives us a sense of permanency in an ever-flowing river. Yet, I wonder what would happen if we stopped for a moment, and allowed the water to take its course? In other words, instead of battling the river with our ideologies and beliefs, why not just let it flow? Why not flow with it? It is said all rivers reach the sea, and if we took them long enough we may just find out if this is true. But we seem to be fixated on forcing the river one way or another, and just end up battling ourselves- fatigue, fear, and inner conflict. Perhaps we have something to learn from this analogy- that water simply flows, and never remains in one spot in a river. The same water never flows twice. This transient flux is not so different than our lives. We are constantly in motion, with nothing fixated or stagnant. Maybe it has developed the wrong connotation in our world. Instead of trying to control the river, have we ever tried to work with it? Like the wind on the sails or the river's direction guiding a canoe, we can learn alot working with the flow instead of going against it; physically, psychologically and spiritually. If we do end up going with the water, we'd notice that the tension is gone. The only energy, if any is exerted, is that which helps gently redirect yourself. By working with it, you've mastered it. In a sense, you are a part of this very water. There is a connection between the two of you. If life is anything like water or wind, we are not separate entities scrambling around in the stream, but part of the flow itself. We are always in change, always flowing and moving. For this moment, I would just like to leave it at that. As a final example, if you'd like to try: When meditating, we cannot force ourselves to stop thinking. This is really no surprise, because it sets up a paradox: The order "stop thinking" has got you thinking about "stop thinking." So it's not really a matter of thinking about it, or forcing it somehow. If you notice your breathing, instead of trying to control it, you just recognize it, feel the inhale and exhale, you'll notice that it becomes very natural. Suddenly there isn't any more confusion between the "breather" and the "breath." There is only breathing. In the same way, your thoughts are you. If you simply recognize them, be aware of them like your breath, you'll find that you are not separate from them to begin with. From there, they may cease naturally, just as your breath regularizes naturally. This is what is spoken of in the Tao te Ching- that our inner nature is "the way," and that anything else is truly, really just a game of pretend, and which we're very good at. If you have noticed this and tried it, there is little more that needs to be said. If we recognize this in us, our natural ability to simply "be" without duality, then perhaps it is enough. No particular ideology is needed, really. Not even the statement: You are One. These things may arise afterwards, sure, and they have. Yet it is not necessary. To simply recognize the natural way, the way that does not need thought or ideology or words to exist is to begin to live, truly. When you are simply breathing, and not trying to be breathe, you might notice your breath becomes vital and alive, bold and present like the wind. This is natural breath. Your thoughts, your world are not separate from you, if you could recognize this in your life, it would seem to transform the world. Yet nothing has ultimately changed but your awareness. Perhaps that is all that needs to be changed. Our awareness of these simply flowing states, these "natural" states, the "way" without words. For this reason I find it difficult to absorb myself in any form of description or metaphysics on "who" we are. I'd rather much listen to my breath. I'd rather much just "see" or just "be." From there, let us speak. Because of this, I am skeptical of many of the movements that fall under the category of New Age. They may have gems within, but carried with them are lofty ideologies, stories and imaginative decorations, when it all really comes down to awareness and recognition. When they speak of "building a paradise," I wonder what this really would mean, apart from an ideal? For, the paradise is already here, if there ever was one. In the river, what is there to build? Is there a "point" in the river where we stop? It makes little sense to me to build more imaginary holds on the natural ripples and waves in the water. It would be like a meditation teacher telling you: Focus on your breath, and when you get there, you will be enlightened. Get where? Enlightenment to the truest sages of the past only meant recognition of the present moment, not a distant object to be obtained in the future. To me, it just seems like cusping the water that flows through our fingers. Enlightenment, paradise, truth or whatever it is - because these are merely words, is in the present. There is nowhere to "get to." There is nothing more to be said.

Ancient Wisdom

shaman sun — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:17:07 GMT

We become so accustomed in this digital age to become absorbed in technology as a means to communicate, read and write. Our knowledge often comes from the internet. It's a wonderful tool, and in a way, it's allowed the older, slower way of reading books and paper texts to be a change of pace. I've just opened up, "The Buddhist Bible," a book that's been sitting on my shelf for some time. Included in the texts is the Tao te Ching. It's interesting reading the ink, and in a way rejuvenating. If you'd like me to, I'll share a few excerpts: "He who realizes the foolishness of passionate action always keeps his mind concentrated and tranquil. Just as the valleys, because of their lowness, become the source of rivers, so the perfect Sage because of his characteristic humility returns to the simplicity of a little child." I love the metaphor of a valley- it really connects you to the wisdom in the text. The best writing, to me, is the kind that can blossom metaphors so naturally, you end up coming away with a new understanding. "He who realizes the true way of conserving his spirit will take good care of his body. Thereby he becomes an example to the world. His original vitality will never fail, and more, will return to its origin." How does this pertain to you? To me, it reminds me of catering to being hypersensitive, to meditating and being aware of our spirit. That greater awareness also extends to our body. In many meditations they tell you to focus on the body, the breath, the heartbeat and the blood flowing through your veins. This can help us be both spiritually and biologically healthier. Are we as indigos taking care of ourselves, humbly so, that we can be an example to others? "He who realizes the dignity of his personality, but retains his humility, is like the lowly valley. Being like a valley, he becomes filled with the original vitality and reverts to his original nature. But when he forsakes humility, he merely becomes cultivated and useful. The perfect Sage employs these cultivated and useful men to become his officials and chiefs. Therefore a good administrator makes no reform that will destroy the natural simplicity of his people." To me, it seems it's very important to be as this valley. To remain simple, open to each other and the world, in order to understand ourselves and others. That way, every action we undertake is as natural as it can be. When we move, breathe, speak, or do, it is as if we are the wind blowing on the leaves, or the rain soaking in their roots. Let's be that to humanity- the waves brushing up against their boundaries and the rain soaking into their spiritual roots. Cultivating a natural spirituality, not nature, but natural. I'd just like to address what the text says about our "original nature." You could call this synonymous with "Indigo" nature, or Divine Nature. God nature. It writes, "To have an empty and transparent mind and to be unassertive is according to nature. A whirlwind never outlasts the morning, nor a violent rain in the day." I guess I'll end this with an open question: Your thoughts? Reflections?

Indigo Evolution?

shaman sun — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:23:02 GMT

I recently saw the film "Indigo Evolution," and I must say I felt very compelled to express my reflections on this. The film set me off, and not in an positively inspired way. If indigos are meant to be "system busters," then I'm going to have to bust this one. Please bear with me. I do not mean to be attacking anybody or their beliefs, nor do I mean to sound arrogant and pompous, but at the same time I can't remain silent on this. So what is an indigo? And, how does this documentary depict them? It provides some general concepts about indigos: they are myth busters, they are skilled in non-traditional ways, sometimes appearing as savants, sometimes as musicians. In general, they are bored with the traditional culture, they are disillusioned and are seeking new ways to live. Some of the speakers in this documentary describe every child as an indigo. Personally, I do not see this as something truly unique - it's a result of everything that has happened before, and may have something to do with bigger concepts such as the evolution of consciousness. So, the description of what it means to be an indigo is so general, that I feel that I witnessed many individuals jumping the gun on identifying themselves with the "indigo" identity simply because they share some basic similarities. So I must ask this question: Are you truly enacting what it is to be an indigo or are you simply finding a self-image you are more comfortable with? This may seem harsh, but I feel it's an important question. Are we playing with concepts, identity and self-images instead of directly experiencing the unity-consciousness, cosmic consciousness, transpersonal states that the sages have spoken of in the past? I truly feel that indigos are much more rare than depicted in these videos. And that many of these children are encouraged to talk like they do, and express ideas because they are exposed to them through their parents. I feel that many of the children are taught that they are special. I wonder how many of these speakers realize that children go through their own evolution of consciousness before they reach adulthood? That we are more myth-based when we are younger, absorbing everything our parents do and say to such a level that the parents may not even realize how strongly they influence their children with ideas and concepts? Also, the concept of the "pure" child I feel is severely mistaken. It is true that when we are young, we are not yet conditioned with society, yet at the same time, we are not like sage or the Buddha. Why is this? Because although our minds are empty and open, the wisdom and knowledge, the maturity has not yet blossomed. It is like the simplicity of a seed compared to the openness of a flower. The two are surely connected, yes! But the seed must blossom first before it is to truly shine with that potential. So then,the non-rational aspects children speak of are mistaken for the sagely, trans-rational words you would hear from, say, Buddha or Ramana Maharshi, or Rumi. It may be true that indigos are "Older" souls, yes! But they aren't born reciting their own Rumi-like poetry. They develop into it as they grow up. They go through all the stages of development like everyone else, but perhaps at an accelerated rate. A good friend of mine had an interesting conversation about indigos, and I'll attempt to recreate it in a discussion form: Q: So, what do you think of the term indigo? A: Ugh. I try not to use it. I prefer the term "HSP." Q: HSP? You mean hypersensitives? A: Yes, those are the only "indigos" I am willing to accept at the moment. Individuals with a heightened sensory perception. I feel that the term "indigo" i used too lightly. It's just become another ideal, like so many other things of this culture. Q: So in a sense, it has become just like the system it was meant to break down? A: Yes, they have just found another ideal and lifestyle to follow. Q: But what about the description for indigo children? ADHD, child prodigies, etc. Doesn't that show some kind of wisdom? Or heightened ability? A: You can have ADHD and not be an "indigo." That's entirely possible. In fact, there is a huge difference. You can be very talented and not be an indigo, or HSP. The world is full of talented individuals. Are we going to call anyone with any form of talent or different learning ability an "indigo?" Don't you see how this is too generalizing? Q: * I show her the child prodigy clip from the film - the 10 year old painter* What she be a good example of what you mean? A: Yes. There you have it. She is certainly skilled, a prodigy even. But being a prodigy doesn't mean you are an HSP or an Indigo. It just means you are a prodigy. You have extaordinary talent, but what's there to make me believe you are an indigo? Q: Well, how about the concepts conveyed in the imagery? The poems? The discussion? A: She is 10 years old, and although I am sure her mind is developed in certain areas most others are not, I don't feel a sense of wisdom coming from her paintings, or from her dialogue. What she is describing sounds exactly like something her parents would have told her, or something she has picked up from her time here already. Q: So, in other words, the concepts are there, the talent is there - but the actual energy and depth, sensitivity to these heightened states is missing? A: Basically, yes. She has talent. But I don't feel much else. You know Alex Grey? He might be an HSP. His paintings express a very heightened sense of awareness, very detailed, quite vibrant. He doesn't necessarily have to be a prodigy painter. It's the energy behind the content that matters. Q: I see. Do you believe any children are HSP's? A: Yes. I am one. And let me tell you, it's not always a wonder. It's very rough living in this world and being an HSP. You have to be careful, things affect you more. A funeral passed by the other day on the road, and I began to cry. I couldn't help but pick up on the emotions of the family. Q: So an HSP is a form of "empath", and that being under the general list of things they are hypersensitive about? A: Yes. It varies but yes. We are "hyper sensitive"on a bodily level to foods, touch, sound, hearing, smell. At a mental level we are more intuitive to our thoughts, feelings, basic ego and subconscious. And we are more sensitive to others egos, minds, etc. On a spiritual level we are more sensitive to the subtle energies of the universe. Q: That makes more sense. So, you can't just say, "I am an indigo." or "I am an HSP." A: Yes, but you can't say we are very unique either. We experience things that are present for everyone - perhaps more intensely, but everyone is capable of cultivating awareness. We all can simply "be" and "be aware" of this. That is what I hope others can see. Instead of putting us on a pedestal, they should just listen to what we have to say about human nature. That we are actually all one. This isn't a concept. so many of us follow concepts. You must drop your baggage in order to truly know this. There is a difference between knowledge and knowing. Too many of us are concerned with knowledge and not with true knowing, which is wisdom.

Indigo Children!

shaman sun — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:21:15 GMT

Repost from my blog: http://shamansun.blogspot.com/2007/12/indigo-children.html So, let's take a ride in the New Age section - This way please! Step here, if you will. Strap in and get ready. We're going to tour the Indigo Section - full of psychics, transformations and new "age" consciousness. We're also going to describe what the greatest flaws, not of the children, but of the advocates perpetuated. What is an indigo child? There is a general definition: The latest and greatest generation, starting somewhere in the late 1980's and onward. They are characteristically known for being "system breakers," allegedly having psychic ability and a deep spiritual awareness for such an early age. Wendy Chapman is quoted here, saying Indigo Children are the current generation being born today and most of those who are 8 years old or younger. They are different. They have very unique characteristics that set them apart from previous generations of children. The name itself indicates the Life Color they carry in their auras and is indicative of the Third Eye Chakra, which represents intuition and psychic ability. These are the children who are often rebellious to authority, nonconformist, extremely emotionally and sometimes physically sensitive or fragile, highly talented or academically gifted and often metaphysically gifted as well, usually intuitive, very often labeled ADD, either very empathic and compassionate OR very cold and callous, and are wise beyond their years. Does this sound like yourself or your child? This definition, in my opinion, is setting up what Ken Wilber has described as a "Pre-Trans Fallacy." Basically, what is happening here is 1) the acknowledgment of true transpersonal individuals with developed spiritual intelligence, 2) the affirmation of a shift of consciousness by the later generations and 3) society mislabeling this shift for disorder (ADD, ADHD, etc). We can understand why society would label it a disorder - any epoch does not wish to see its own end, and those within its structures will fight to defend it, because it makes the most sense to them. That's fine. For many of us who believe in reincarnation and "old souls," it makes sense that an individual who being born again would be traveling up through the developmental process quicker. That's fine. The psychic-subtle realm of development has alot of the characteristics of "indigo" children. But this is where the pre-trans fallacy comes in to play in two parts. The first? If you have authentically developed spiritual individuals - they still have to grow like everyone else. Meaning, you won't necessarily see a child dictating the law of karma to you. We aren't born mystics, we blossom into them. This is a very old mistake that dates back even to Jung. We misinterpret the non-rational for the transational. To be spiritual, to have the capacity for wisdom, you must go through it and then beyond it. The body/mind/spirit must develop an ability to tap into the divine that is ever-present. The second issue is still of the Pre/Trans fallacy. I am sure there are a number of individuals with authentic spiritual intelligence. On the surface level, however, the definition of an indigo child is rather loose and up for interpretation. People will and have been throwing the term around at the slightest hint of talent. Your child is a great painter? He must be an indigo! Your child told you to love everyone? Oh, that must be deep indigo wisdom! Again I am going to stress here: There are always exceptions, but I have a feeling that this, like most movements, have far rarer authentic spiritual prodigies than described. There's nothing wrong with this. We want our children to feel special, because they are special for us. Another interesting point raised by John D. Spalding in his article, "Brood Indigo," The Indigo Children are supposed to save the world--just like their Boomer parents set out to do. Could many boomer parents simply be projecting their own unfulfilled desires onto the next generation? Are they passing the torch of narcissism to their children? Unfortunately it seems highly likely that this is at least part of what is going on. Aside from the Pre/Trans fallacy the Indigo movement is suffering from, there is also the huge load of metaphysics that come with it. Again, with any authentic spiritual experience, we mold and interpret it according to where we are from on the spiral of consciousness: What level? What line? What culture? How deep? How shallow? A number of reasons why and what the indigo children are have arisen, and I'm afraid they rely too heavily on the surfaces to ever penetrate much validity. Entering the reasoning behind the indigo children, we find a mess of new-age metaphysics. There's nothing inherently wrong with them - crystals, light, energy, vibrations. But we have to ask: Are these taken literally? Are they authentic spiritual experiences? Is there anything more to it? Anything deeper? Is anyone trying to make a general framework we can more easily navigate with? Also, what are indigo children saying themselves? Are they regurgitating what their parents are telling them or... ? Well, thankfully there's a little bit of light shined on this! Not by those who have profited and wrote about indigos from the outside (Which is fine, if you understand what you're talking about), but an indigo herself. Interestingly, and in a rather integral fashion, indigo Laurel Chaisson has written: "The Seven Stages of Awareness." In the spirit of other developmental hierarchies throughout history, note 7 is once again present. Right off the bat, I'm feeling good about this, People are their purest at birth - everything after that is downhill in most cases! All babies are born with a higher-vibrational aura… not all of them start out at the highest level though, The stages go like this: Searching for Truth, Gathering Knowledge, Shifting, Awakening, Remembering, Becoming, Being. We already have a good start. The details of this hierarchy are similar to many traditional systems of development, even to Wilber's developmental models. They apply to everyone, but indigos in particular are noted. Anyone can be anywhere, and can go up and down depending on circumstances. Sounds dynamic enough. There is a bit of metaphysics in it, but there is a healthy balance of tried-and-tested, perennial concepts utilized to make it worthy to read. So, diving deeper into her writing, I found this juicy bit that literally cripples the movement's leaders (People talking ABOUT indigos but not actually asking them or others for alternatives. . . and the profit just rakes in): "Don’t ask, “How do I know if I am indigo/crystal?” because that will get you nowhere. There are hundreds of characteristic-lists that apparently outline our thought patterns and physical features. Books, websites, and people are just filled to the brim with theories on what makes us tick! It’s ironic that they’ve never actually experienced what it is they have dedicated their lives to. How can someone possibly understand something without becoming it first? What psychologists, psychics, parents, and teachers see is our outside - what we allow you to see without you asking us to show you more. What we expected was that you would immediately request that we explain ourselves but for some reason this is not the case. Perhaps it is our age or (for indigos) our sometimes extreme bluntness, but the fact is that you don’t talk to us enough. Instead studies are done or parents are asked to tell our story… but you have to hear it from us because we have been analyzing ourselves ever since we first came here; it’s our job! So that’s what I’m doing." Yes! That's what we need. So, she goes on to describe that even reading the former description is altering our perception and molding our reality. So, if it can do that so easily, what's so weird about being an indigo? She gives a few easy steps, "Step one: when you are faced with a situation - any situation at all - take the time to ask yourself, “If I were called to be indigo/crystal right now, how would I respond?” Step Two: act accordingly. Step Three: Repeat steps one and two. Hey, you’re done! Now wasn’t that simple? I bet you’re surprised… most people place us so high on a pedestal that they think it’s no longer possible to reach us way up there. But we’ve been saying it all along… if you want to be like us then you’d better start acting like it!" This is at least a great start - acknowledging the existential self, how we are influenced by others, how we tend to idealize "Others," yet this "other" is closer than we think. The transpersonal stuff starts to kick in, and suddenly we start seeing into other's perspectives, and they start seeing through ours. The higher "stages" of awareness are deeper and ever present, but I think it's also important to add that we may not necessarily have the capacity to "witness" that suchness at birth- at least, not in the way the sage does. Yet the wisdom of emptying the mind is eternal. And on that note, here's a few silly videos about indigo children. I think I've wrote quite enough now. You can take off your seat belts, the ride is over!

We are That

shaman sun — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:08:25 GMT

The masters are a metaphor, And we but poetic dew upon their petals. Is it not true? All forms that rise, Also disappear? Why then would such beautiful flowers mean the world to you? Seek not their form, but the presence within them. Oh, how lost in maya are we! Dancing in shapes and colors, This and that enchanting our vision. Like children to dazzled colors we run, Only to watch them slip away like clouds. The clouds will come and go, my child, Be present in the infinite blue, And you may blossom too.

A Morning a Calling, an Awakening

shaman sun — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:06:57 GMT

The morning greeted me like a friendly companion who, for some time, had been up and about, while I tossed and turned in a dreamy half-state of consciousness. I was waiting at this empty high-school for a Driver's Ed car to steal me away, drive around in a repetative state for some time, then drop me back right where I started from. It was the usual, the norm, the every-Saturday-morning routine. This joy ride, though, was an hour and a half away. With nothing to do, I took my books and wandered onto the hillside lawn that the school stretched itself over. The wind had a bite of cold in it, but the day was so magnificently beautiful that I could not remain within the old, grainy prison of societal preparation. Indeed it was such a lowly thing, compared to the natural grandeur of the cloudless blue sky, the sun of infinite warmth and light, and the small birds that carried themselves and their songs with the wind. The trees seemed to wordlessly whisper this wisdom through their physical presence, reaching up and out towards the light, intertwining with Earth in some unspoken mystery of truth. How could people overlook such a sight, such an experience? I asked that to myself as a few people walked down the sidewalk below, drove down the street and turned around the endless corners, blocks and pavements laid down - perhaps equally as infinite as the blue skies that expanded beyond the comprehension of my natural senses. I had a hunch that our tiny game of pretend was flimsier than a deck of cards. What I saw before me was something far greater than our own tiny physical manifestations, the infantile creation that we had built rapidly throughout the blink of mother nature's eye. I crossed over perhaps unnaturally green grass and stepped up into a gazebo that was shrouded in a circle of trimmed shrubbery. Sitting down in the sunlight, I flipped through the chapters of a book I had been reading: Breaking Open the Head. Ah, yes, right to the part about his encounter with the leprechauns. After reading that chapter and subsequent ones (The book has one of those 'hooked' affects on me), something in the air compelled me to look up. In that moment, my senses seemed to focus. An awareness had come over me like none had before. Suddenly, everything felt alive. Before I had caught the glimpse of this beauty, but now I was experiencing it on a whole other level. I felt in touch with everything. The first new level of communication began with a plant, a bush that right in front of me. My eyes looked at it. It did not move, save the rustling of the wind, and it did not 'reveal' anything either, save the beauty of the sun's glaze over its shiny leaves. Despite the lack of physical manifestation, it did speak to me. At first I wondered if I had just went crazy? The book had gotten to my head? No, this was not insanity. I felt an overwhelming certainty that what I was experiencing was a sort of awakening - and the energy around me manifested as entities and forces, seemed to welcome me. The first to 'speak' to me was this bush. What it expressed to me I cannot possibly say in words. It made me feel as if I could weep happily. I felt the exchange of energy, of soundless, wordless, unspoken communication between us. Going beyond that, it felt as if I were a part of this being, and this being was a part of a whole. We were performing some sacred act of life, of an equilibrium, of oneness yet separation - yet I knew this differentiation was a short lived dream. The energy seemed to ask me to look up, and so I did. A single bird flew from the budding tree branches, glided through the air above me, over the gazebo and disappeared into the distance. Beautiful. Again, the force guided my site to the grass, rooted and dancing as the wind wove through it like some dynamic quilt of life. I hopped over the railing and followed this sightless path. "Seaford High School" the large sign said. I took a look over it, feeling as if I needed to see something. Nothing but a patch of dirt and planted seasonal flowers were to be seen. I began to go around to the back of the sign, and, as if compelled by a childhood curiousity to explore, stepped up on the white concrete foundation that the sign was held up by. I was now hidden from the roads and cars and people and town, in a secret place, shrouded by a few tall pine trees. I was led towards one end, and looked out towards the sun. I understood then what I was supposed to see. Before me was a moment once again almost inconceivably beautiful. The sun glimmered across the pine needles, the branches shook gently, shimmering the magical light across this myriad of blue, green, and brightness. My spirit was lifted to new heights, my mind breaking down its walls in instantaneous speed. I felt the life of the plant, the consciousness and energy of it. I felt the life of everything. With a smile, I returned to the gazebo, and after some time I returned to my book. Since this day I have had a feeling that it was a lesson given to me, to allow me to wake up, to grow, to understand. I also feel as if it was a calling. To what? I cannot say. But I felt I should share this experience with you. Perhaps there is something to be learned from its memory as wel

Indigo "Identity"

shaman sun — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:55:25 GMT

I came to this post thinking I would somehow "critique" the proclaimed image of indigos. Yet, I find myself too inspired in another direction to be critical or analytical. I suppose you could describe this moment as one of those, "Flowing" states in which the world, or at least my own head, feels like a running stream of water, flowing around things, letting actions come and go in my awareness. So, it is in this state that I'll write a little about what it is to have an indigo "identity." To most of us, a self-image is a concept we develop over time. It is a general mix of emotions, feelings, memories, abstractions and images about "Who" we are. This is normal, natural healthy to some degree. Yet, I feel that an Indigo Identity is something entirely and radically different. The Indigo Identity is in fact, non-Identity. Or should I say, "trans-identity?" Explaining further, the Indigo realizes the true nature of all "things" that exist. Instead of saying, "I am an Indigo Child. Read up on us." The true Indigo Identity will proclaim to the listener, "There is no "I" to proclaim its existence, nor to deny it. What it is to be an Indigo is to understand that all of the objective universe is merely a manifestation. All "things" come and go in our awareness - but it is our awareness, the seeing, the hearing, the listening, the -ing- that has no form. Like the eye that cannot see itself, our true identity is formless, shapeless. Our true identity, which is the Indigo Identity, is the mere presence. It is no form, but it has form. It watches the universe spin in and out, weaving the manifest world into existence like the dreamer and the dream. Thus it can be said that the Indigo realizes he is not the dream, per say, just as the objects within a dream - people, places, things, sensations - don't make up the dreamer, but he makes them! In other words, the Indigo sees his ultimate Self as the Dreamer's Mind. The creator, the faceless, nameless "Being," the divine presence. So, the little ego, the self, the person is just another object arising, just another bit of dream spinning and dancing in the dreamlands. Ultimately, what is happening here is the individual realizes he is not just little -i-, but big I, big Mind, big Self. So it becomes far easier to perceive how the manifest world, like a dream, is in fact entirely inter-related, connected and one at a true, deep level. Thus, the "Self" the "Eye" awakens to simply recognize its connection with all of the dream. Every human being, every rock, every flower and heart is at once one with You, who are the Dreamer. There is no divide between the individual, as such awareness now empowers him (And of course her), to perceive with "True" Seeing. This is the ultimate identity, which is non-identity. A great deal of psychological trauma comes from our inability to recognize this state of "reality." If we remain in the belief that we are separate selves only - the world seems to be something outside of us. When pain comes, we find ourselves, instead of realizing the Yin-Yang of all the manifest world, we attempt to box ourselves away, to close ourselves off. It is as if we are a fortress that needs to be defended from a cruel and mysterious world, a dark place in which all but a candle illuminates our mote. An unending battle our lives become, instead of playing openly and letting the sand castles be washed away by the waves of the shore. As you can see, our "Identity" has such a profound impact on how we feel, act and grow in the world. The more narrow our awareness, or our identity becomes, the more difficult it is to move around in the world. But if our awareness were to simply expand boundlessly, which it can, and does if we inquire into our nature, we would see a world not lit by candles but blinded by light - the sun. Darkness would not be something we needed to protect ourselves from, for we realize darkness is an extension of our Mind, our "Self," or in other words: Just part of the dream. Without this grand luminous awakening, to describe it as Tibetan Buddhists do, we find ourselves wrestling the universe for control. In order to quench our fears, our pathology is one of bending reality to suit our safety. Control quenches the fear's thirst, but to no avail. With a candle, you have but glimpses of a scary world that must constantly be kept in check. So we see many of our loved ones, and many human beings throughout history attempting to manipulate the world, through ideology, through scientific analysis, through emotional support - a mere subsistent lifestyle so that we can get by. But it is the Indigo Identity, the Self, The Big Mind, the transcendent nature that will inevitably reveal itself to us. It was there from the beginning, it will be there at the end, and it is here now, timeless, changeless, formless. It is in our awareness presently, and we have but this very breath to embrace it. So, cheer up! That Self, that Dream, and build castles not out of fear but of open, organic and spontaneous nature. It is but a dream, you see, and to play seriously is but a paradox. Peace, Being Shaman sun

What They Are

shaman sun — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:02:07 GMT

I dreamed that I was a black man driving a scarlet van, in the heart of NYC. Another man jumped into the backseat and pointed a gun to my head, ordering me to drive. We were in an old area of the city, with tight brick housing and small streets. The truth was, the "Me" in the dream wasn't the "Me" in the waking state. I drove, talked, thought and acted like I was always this fellow - and yet, now, I am a totally different person, acting as if I always was 'me.' Even still...There is one thing that binds the two of us to an inseparable awareness.... When I was driving this van, held up by a gun, there was still this I-ness present. A sense of awareness. When I was typing this blog, held up by day, there was still this I-ness present. A sense of awareness. Who Am I, then? Who is aware no matter what form arises? What is awareness? This is my daily meditation...I give it to you, to playfully try. Who are you, who is aware? What is it that has no coming and no going? No dying and no being born? Who are you? The Heart Sutra Says, "The Burden of the Heart Sutra Is not the Nature of Objects, But the seeing of them, Which is What they Are."

The One Place

shaman sun — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:27:03 GMT

One question I must ask you is: Must it be a physical place, or can we start with the mind? In other words, I’d like to pose the idea that many of the major issues we are facing in today’s civilization begin inwardly, and not the other way around. This is not to deny many of the physical world problems; disasters, weather, disease, poverty, famine, etc. It’s only to acknowledge that perhaps humanity would be more prone to assisting the areas of the world that are in need of great help, if on the “inside” we were more prone to do so. It seems to me that there lacks a certain capacity for compassion. We are not sure of ourselves, and the world we live in is already so terrifying, that so many of us seem to be more interested in our own psychological security before anything else. There are varying degrees of this, from your neighbor buying a Hummer to military dictators slaughtering the innocent in the name of power and control. Although the gap between these two examples is great, inwardly – it might seem that they both stand in common ground. We are terribly afraid. And let me propose this common phrase as the reason behind that fear: “We are afraid of the unknown.” If you really look at this phrase, you will see it is impossible to be true. Who can fear the unknown? If we don’t know what it is, how is it that we are afraid of it? It would seem that we do not fear what may lie in the darkness, but rather we conjure our imagination to create monsters in the darkness – and we mask the darkness with a boogey-man so that we at least have something labeled, known, squared away. Concepts help us, at a psychological level, control our reality. And control is safety. Fence by fence, wall by wall, we build fortresses of ideology in order to transform the world into a place we can feel secure. If our inward sphere of reality somehow became physical, we would see vast castles around individuals, cultures and people, all attempting to round everything up into the realm of the known. Come to think of it, if we look at our civilization today, this may not be so abstract after all. But that just goes to show what I am trying to convey here – We crave and act upon anything and everything that allows us to feel secure with ourselves. And this, it seems, has been the driving force of civilization. The security of power, the security of ideology – war and politics, conquer and divide – these things have been churning the gears of our societal juggernaut for ages, and it seems there is no stopping it until it destroys itself. What can we as individuals do, then, to help? Do we start at the grassroots, and work our way up? Do we help the poor, the needy, the hungry? Or do we engage the realm of ideologies and attempt to settle disputes and transcend idea-wars? I would argue that both are necessary, but must stem from one authentic part of ourselves – our compassion for the world, for all life. We must have it in us to lay down our own burden of issues, to face our own issues with compassion and boldness. There is no other way to bring about change that is lasting and ageless. This compassion itself invokes a higher state of consciousness, or level if you will. One in which the human being is no longer merely concerned with both physical and psychological subsistence. The capacity to connect with others, to open up, to listen, to understand human nature because they understand themselves. If we could only do this, we may begin to see major shifts in the way civilization handles its problems. As much as we would like to say, the majority of the world is not doing this. Embracing this fact and accepting its reality is as vital as carrying out a mission to help the world – otherwise we are simply following yet another ideal, i.e. everyone is compassionate. Instead, we have to recognize everyone has the potential within them for compassion and wisdom. What we must do then, is to discover it in ourselves, and help others discover it too. We can do nothing more, nothing less than this. No change can be forced, and no revolution in its truest sense is done by any measure of aggression. In the end, it is the human being who must awaken, and it is a realization only he can achieve. We can merely point the way, help guide them as we guide ourselves to recognizing our true nature, our innermost potential. Ultimately it is not what we must do, but how we must be. The action will flow naturally from the being. So many of us are trying to “become” greater or achieve something at an end point somewhere – but it is in the living, the being, between the end points that true life and vitality is. We must learn this playful awareness of the present, for by doing so a great psychological burden is dropped. We do not need to live in fortresses of security, in memories and ideals – for they will take us away from this ever-living and organic state of being. Instead, we must learn to slowly, surely let the castles crumble, and embrace the present.

Forest Spirits

shaman sun — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:15:17 GMT

A bit of fiction that I have attempted to write. It's a little rusty. I haven't written fiction in ages, but I hope to get back into it. Here's to tales around the shaman's camp fire . . . To the smoke in which the spirit is woven, "In the quiet of the night, a boy stood up from the side of a river. The air was frigid, and a breeze carried his breath into the moonlight like glowing smoke. Utter silence filled the forest. The animals did not stir, nor did the people who were encamped a few yards away. The sky was frosty and clear – as cold as the abyss of the stars and just as equally expansive. The boy made his way down the riverside, his hands chapped dry by the air. His focused on his breath as he approached a clearing from the brush. “This,” he said in his native tongue, “this was it.” He took a first step into the clearing which was illuminated by the full moon. From his pouch, he removed a tiny pouch, pulling out three stones and gripping them in his hand. “Spirits!” He requested, tossing the three stones into the air. They knocked about a rotted log and scattered on a patch of frozen moss. “Spirits!” he shouted again. The forest remained silent, as before. Suddenly, the sound of cracked twig shot through the forest. The boy turned around quickly, his heart pounding in anticipation. Silence resumed. “Do you test me?” He inquired boastingly as his hands trembled. The Spirits did not respond. He sighed, regaining composure and tracing his steps back to the path. He dared not speak another word. There was the low sound of breathing about the trees, and the boy looked around again. He began to suspect he was being hunted. The breathing stopped short. “It’s time to run!” He thought to himself. Just as he began to jog in the general direction of his camp, a voice called out to him from the clearing behind. It made no discernable words, at least, nothing the boy could understand. He turned quickly, only to witness a massive creature, as tall as, yes! Two men! With massive shoulders, as if it had wings. It had no discernable face, but it moved! Toward him, floating through the air. Needless to say, the boy was already running – and never turned around until he made it back to the flames of the camp."

Indigo Evolution?

shaman sun — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 07:41:57 GMT

Integral Life Practice

shaman sun — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:08:33 GMT

Breathing in, breathing out. The steady pace, the silence between burning muscle and sweat; this is what I pause for. The expanding of the mind, the dissolving of the self- a little fortress washed away by an ocean I cannot see. Mind expanding, knowledge growing, thriving, articulating like a pine forest that just shot up from the empty mouth of a goddess.This is the practice. This is the breath. This is the mind, with each eye I thrive to see, trampling over my own ignorance, stomping out ego with reason. With my tears I crash and burn, mumbling nonsense before those who listen, and wisdom before empty mirrors. This is the practice, this is the breath.

What the Sages Will Teach You

shaman sun — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:22:30 GMT

A sage, "world teacher," and mystic; Krishnamurti will take all that the small self holds to value, and toss it out like a bit of dust on your sleeve. He will take value, ideals, "thought," and ego, and let it slip into the void, visibly forcing you into confrontation with fear, shadow, and the possibility of silence; love has no opposite, he would say, and indeed; the mind must be quiet in order to comprehend, not just rationally but totally, directly, what that means. He was raised by the Theosophy society, expected to be a World Teacher and usher in a new age. But, the coming had, "gone wrong," as Krishnamurti dissolved the Order of the Star (The society built for his coming), and went off to teach without doctrine or dogma. "Truth is a pathless land," he would often say. Looking back, we can now ask: Was Krishnamurti's teaching effective? Or did it backfire? Looking at his teaching through a veritcal scope, we can at least see where he was coming from. Non-dual, peak experiences. The silencing of the mind. The transpersonal states. Coming from this perspective, he often tossed anything less -dogma, creed, paths, time, aside for the pathless, creedless and timeless. But, was this effective? Some argue yes, other no. I'd say, a little of both! We are all at different states, different stages, different depths. One individuals receptivity to such powerful teaching that literally shakes all conditioning off of you, could be awesomely transformative. Another person? Nothing. Like a bad koan, or perhaps an over-technical prose, some of us get swept away by the language and the meaning behind the words. And that's Okay! But, doesn't that also imply that depending on where we are on the map of this evolution of consciousness, we will need different teachers? And different teachings? For exploring the non-dual states, teachers such as Krishnamurti and many others are wonderful. Yet, depending on where we are on the spectrum, we will experience the same objective "its," subjectively. That is, we mold the experience according to our own level, state and trait. It's no wonder some of us will be blown away by the mystics, while others bored, dismissive, or perhaps indifferent. What strikes your cord? What lights your fire? Dance between perspectives, but do it to find out what resonates. Find out what energizes you and tickles your consciousness into the next wave. So, is there any meaning to a "path," or must we discard all "means" to the pathless? Yes and yes! Ultimately, the path is released, dropped, and all of "what is," is. Non-dual, ever present, already, between the words and thoughts and before the first breath. What contemplative practices do, then, is move the mind forward, prepare it for new capabilities. What must be acknowledged is we need both evolution and revolution. Instantaneous transformation is only possible if the mind is ready to let go of it all. The mind has the potential to recognize its true nature - always! And it's always there. It's not a matter of becoming truth, becoming this or that, eventually achieving something. Nope! None of that. It's a matter of slowly, patiently, honing the body, mind, spirit to unravel itself, to release its perspectives and discover the now it's been sitting on all along. Contemplative teachers will help you do this. Whether you're reading Krishnamurti, the Tao, Buddhist texts, Zen Koans, counting your breath, performing tantra or buying a teriyaki sandwich at subway. You start to see the buddha-state in everything. So, read on, dive in and move forward into timeless and spaceless, always and never, that is already you.

burying the shadows

shaman sun — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:46:15 GMT

i run to others to escape myself. no wonder there's shadows here. what do i do now? it's always right there, that answer. we never look at it though, because it's in the issue.

"World-Famous Vegetarian Chili"

shaman sun — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:29:49 GMT

Mmhmm. Well, to be honest I haven't cooked it yet. My wordpad isn't saving things, so I'll just post it here for everyone to use at their leisure. Try it out if you want, and let me know how it tastes! "2-3 Cans dark red kidney beans 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 onions, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped 2-3 T olive oil 1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes 3-4 cloves garlic 3-4 T chili powder 1-2 T cumin 2-3 T fresh parsley 2-3 T oregano 1 can beer 1 cup cashews ½ cup raisins (optional) Heat oil in large pot; saute onions until clear, then add celery, green pepper, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes or so. Add tomatoes (with juice; break the tomatoes into small chunks) and kidney beans; reduce to simmer. Add chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, beer, cashews, and raisins. Simmer as long as you want. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated cheddar cheese."

"I" Awakening

shaman sun — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:40:18 GMT

And the prayers fell like snowflakes on God’s mind, Mind? The time in soft rivers rafting, up a stream of, Consciousness, rejuvenation, relaxation and meditation, In accordance with the divine law beyond the flaws, we, dogma, Oh tainted and preserved, Religion, the Opiate of the Masses? Or formaldehyde of carcasses, We once called Spirit. We’re drifting now, still, remember? Like snowflakes in December, Aloof in our crystalline world, ignorant of perfection, We gleaming jewels born and die in an instant, We live and life flows, We die and “death not ends it”, so Morrison Echoes, From gravestones, and bones sink the question, Upon his: Immanent arrival at the Pearly Gates? Unquestioned. But no Heaven or Hell nor archetype can match the pristine nature of Kosmos, Left or right, Up, Down, Top or bottom. We are divine jewels, But treasures are forgotten. Traded wings and flight for Cadillac’s, Your fluffy cloud, my fluffy cloud, just another dream aloud our, Pontiacs and iPods. Not to mention iHeaven, iHell, iJesus, iSee, the world is more than what Meets the i I? Eye? Is awakening Now not more than ever but before your very face, Was flattered by the smile of a child, It was mine, and ours, We were cosmos, Divine matter Divine mind, Wrapped sweet before time.

Do the Spirit Dance

shaman sun — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 07:47:21 GMT

God's mind scattered like sand, in the great desert of his imagination. With one wide stretch, he opened his mouth and hacked out a universe. This was the beginning. It was only appropriate then, in thoughts that were not thoughts, in concepts that were not concepts, at least, not as understand them, that God play pretend. His mind already sand, each grain thinking that this was it, each shard dazed and confused by the storms, awed by the granduer of the night sky. Slowly, surely, they came together. Slowly, surely, they began to sink. Closer, closer, yet wider, more potent each piece became. A hundred million different pieces were still one, and acted like it (Though they would never know) Soon, in the loose and serpentine illusion of time and space, God began to have coherent thought. Subtle, bizarre ideas, like, "What kind of spaghetti should I cook for the kids?" or, "Can we, at some point, get laid?" Yet even more profound and majestic ideas arose, like, "Do I love you?" or, "Hate has become my passion" arose. They popped up all over the place and started to dance, weaving us closer and closer to a center that was never far, a distance that never truly was. We'd come full circle, because when were we apart from ourself, God? Oh dance on, tiny grains of sand, dance on. Sing on, notes and melodies, you are God's song.