by Katie Davis

In a way, life is like beachcombing, as we search for seashells to find happiness. Seeking love, we carefully gather the treasures that we cherish most and when happiness wanes, we move on to collect others. We seem to forget that their abundant source is the inner Ocean; the only spring of true happiness.

Love surrounds us and it originates from within you. We do not need to seek love for living, in the same manner that the spinner dolphin does not cry for water while swimming. The mind has its idea of perfection and what it needs to be happy. All the while, we are the very joy that we are seeking. The separate self is the time-based mind’s attempt to divide and it will prove to be futile, since separation is unattainable. Its sense of lack is its own demise. Whereas Self-realization is an ease, since it is already complete. Fulfillment means completion, not a fractional part, and love’s completion is the discovery of who you really are. After all, a drop of water does not separate to be a part of the ocean, but rather dissolves its partiality.

Desire inherently contains its opposite, which is fear. So while we are creating our personal desires, we are also creating poverty, greed, sexual obsession, power over others in the herd, and every form of lack. In other words, when we desire, we are also saying that we lack. Consequently, both seem to be created. If we are acquiring in order to be happier at a future time, ever-present joy will elude us, since it is not a future endeavor. It is here now, uncaused, and free of every-thing. The dual mind will prove to be ravenous for its desires, as it runs from its fears. Its bottom line will always be “more!” When it finally discovers that its treasures only provide a fleeting happiness, it discovers the root of its longing, which is the realization of the Heart.

Before awakening, I discovered what I thought was the mind’s ability to create in the seventies. I taught my students and later my children this miracle of creation and they attained their goals as well. Yet, the things and attainments simply came and went. In the end, something always seemed to be missing, so there was always something more to create. I did not realize that the something missing was innate in my uninvestigated assumption of being a fraction of Totality; a separate self wandering through life for meaning. Eventually, only “I” remained and its assumption of separation was its lack and longing. In the miracle of mind-creating, I thought that I was the finger pointing to the moon. In fact, I was neither finger, nor moon. In retrospect, observing was the power. It revealed thought’s mechanisms and its images for a deeper self-understanding. Ultimately, only the overwhelming fulfillment of joy sustained. The Heart is ceaselessly outpouring love. Are you looking from the Heart or from the mind?

The space around “I” is joy’s way. You are welcome to continue collecting things to try to fill that space, as some sort of future compensation, but things and circumstances within time is not where joy resides. In the meantime, you needlessly suffer, while hoping for personal empowerment that at best can only be partial. Sooner or later, it will be recognized that the space around all of your accumulations is the direction and that it originates within. Essence is deeper than “you and your thoughts” and more profound than “your attention.” It is the pure attention of the loving Heart; the only omnipotent power of the universe: Love.

So now, or later, it does not really matter, as long as you do not mind suffering and world hostility. I understand that you may still choose to cruise in a yacht on the surface of the ocean and remain oblivious to the charm of an undersea world that is brilliantly colored with tropical fish. However, the silence of the ocean’s depth would be overlooked. You would not become acquainted with the beauty of the coral reefs and the underwater song of the humpback whales, whining in the distance. You also have the option of diving in to explore the unfathomable depth of the inner Ocean. Yachts are fun, but that fun fades and becomes no more than a past mental image. It pales in the joy of your ineffable beauty.

Wisdom’s invitation is to dissolve like a sugar cube in a hot cup of tea. You may fear that “sugar” will no longer exist. Nonetheless, take your first sip, and see that sweetness remains. If you have realized that now is the only possible time in the universe, then as Rumi so poetically wrote, “Don’t wait any longer. Dive in the Ocean. Leave and let the sea be you.” The Ocean is the calling and it is your passionate magnificence!

Katie Davis is author of “Awake Living Joy: A Guide to the Heart of Enlightenment” and will be offering “JOY Right NOW!”with the blessings of Eckhart Tolle, Power of NOW, at the Spiritual Fitness Center in the Dallas area during MLK Jr. Holiday Weekend January 17-21 with her husband, Sundance Burke, author of “Free Spirit: A Guide to Enlightened Being.” Katie spontaneously awakened 21 years ago and Sundance 25 years ago. For more information, go to www.katiedavis.org and www.sundanceburke.org. Register now at www.CompassionWorks.com. Contact jshafer@CompassionWorks.com.

by Zacciah Blackburn

Egyptian High Alchemy is a path of personal transformation and illumination, leading to ultimate enlightenment. It is a practice fueled primarily by awareness and energy gathering exercises, which allows one to become more fully awake, and eventually sustain illuminated states of consciousness. Exercises may range from simple to complex, using some of the most ancient and advanced wisdom and forms of consciousness raising exercises in existence. The Egyptian understandings of consciousness and awareness are with us today, stretching into modern culture from their influence of ancient peoples around the world.

Many scholars, for instance, are convinced the Indian system of Yoga and Kundalini are based upon the Egyptian principals of Sekhem (life force, chi, prana,) and the raising of energies, such as those known as the Alchemies of Horus. This involves advanced practices, cultivating life force within the Djed, or pranic tube and spine, and associated “serpentine” masculine and feminine energy channels, wrapped about it, to raise and join these energies for awakened states of being, high creativity, and wellness.

The Caduceus, the symbol of modern medicine is representational of these Egyptian Alchemical traditions. The two serpents of the Caduceus, wrapped around a central pillar, represents the Djed and male/female energy channels. Though attributed to Hippocrates and his medical practices in Greece, it is well known the ancient Greek disciplines of art, math, science, and health, derived the foundations of their knowledge in the even more ancient Schools of Egypt. Some of the oldest medical texts in history are attributed to ancient Egypt, giving not only understanding of the deep significance of the human energy form, and how to utilize it to heighten consciousness, but also explicit instructions for surgery in brain trauma, and other advanced medical procedures.

Alchemy, in general, is a form of transformation, of turning one form or matter into another. Western culture has focused on the Alchemists of Medieval times, in which it is said the pursuit was material based in nature, of turning iron or lead into gold. In Spiritual Alchemy, the pursuit is of spiritual attainment, to turn the dross, or lead, of one’s emotional and energetic existence into refined golden light. The lead is that which holds one back, weighs one down, or keeps one’s veil in place, from seeing into the pure forms of light and being, into the subtle realms of consciousness, and realizing, or attaining to, the Divine nature of oneself in living presence. The Medieval Alchemists understood this fundamental nature of consciousness, and pursued this aspect of existence in their work, called “The Great Work.”

In Spiritual Alchemy, one’s awareness is utilized to couple the dross, or encumbrances of one’s dampened states of consciousness, with higher forms of energy to create transformation. Unresolved emotional and psychological patterns, and inadequate or limiting beliefs, which reside in our consciousness, keep us from seeing the truth of who we are, and our relationship to a greater existence. By learning to focus one’s awareness, with simple meditative exercises, we can transform our limiting beliefs or unresolved emotions to more fully meet our authentic nature.

Awareness is a powerful tool. One of the first laws of magic is an understanding that energy follows awareness. This is the principal involved in intention, and the Law of Attraction, the principal of the popular movie, The Secret, but also stated by Thoth in his oracles eons ago. What we focus our awareness on, we draw that energy to us. Awareness is involved in everything we do, even when we are not focusing our awareness. The reality is, we are most often fully aware of what we are doing and what is around us. We simply choose to not focus our awareness, and thus, much of our energy escapes us or dissipates throughout the day, and through the choices of our lives, which are made without the fullness of awareness. When we focus our awareness, we tap immense creative potential. It then becomes our responsibility to learn how to utilize it.

Egyptian High Alchemy has little dogmatic indoctrination, but immense focus on understanding the basic principals of the energies of our human form, and upon awareness exercises. Shamanic like journeys are often incorporated, to give the initiate (or participant) direct perception of the other worlds, enhance their spiritual development, and broaden their relationships to the subtle (pure) realms of consciousness, and all that resides there. Intentional utilization of Sacred Sound is often used to enhance such consciousness exercises, even as it is shown in modern medical research to enhance wellness, relieve stress, and heal even debilitating illnesses such as cancer.

Egyptian Alchemy discerns two fundamental paths, the High and the Low path. The primary difference is one of service and intention. In the Low path of Alchemy, there is not a complete understanding of the principals of cause and effect. Practitioners may utilize their awareness and powers developed for self gain, without concern for its effect upon others. Practitioners may cause pain and suffering in others, and not understand or care about Karmic repercussions. The truth is, we reap what we sow. If we sow wheat, we shall, indeed, reap wheat when the fall harvest comes. In karmic patterns, ‘next fall’ may be this year or next lifetime. So, it is of benefit to understand the principals of spiritual development and passage, in order to set as one’s personal goals those aspects of evolution which benefit not just ourselves, but all of life, and creation. By living even simple ethical standards, we strive for the greatest good for ourselves and others, without fault of judgment for the errors we or others may make in our pursuit of enlightened consciousness. It is understood in Spiritual Alchemy, that the intention of continually striving for the greatest good, in itself, can not only add to our “good Karma” by our right actions, but create the effect of burning off past Karmic debt. The Tibetan Buddhists call it “achieving merit.”

Through developing understanding of our human nature, and working coherently with the creative forces of the Universe, we develop deeper insight into the nature of existence, create right relationships with all of Live, and draw in a greater sense of wellness and peace. We then can begin to bridge the gap into even greater experiences in our lives, and in the subtle realms of existence, eventually awakening into our fullest form.

Zacciah Blackburn is a gifted intuitive, international teacher, and sound healer, trained in classical healing and shamanic traditions, and sacred sound cultures, and is practicing in Ascutney, VT. He is offering a special practice in the Egyptian teachings: Sekhmet: The Sacred Chord, April 5-6, 2008, in the Dallas area. Contact Ann Williams for more information: (972) 612-8663; e-mail: Ann.Williams@hfit.com or see more on Zacciah’s work at his website: www.thecenteroflight.net

By Jill V. Mangino

Last Fall I joined 500 people at a special screening of Conversations with God in New York City, not knowing that the movie I was about to see would forever change how I view the homeless. Conversations with God depicts the true life story of New York Times Best-Selling author Neale Donald Walsch. The film portrays Neale’s soulful and emotional journey into his “Dark Night of the Soul” as a homeless man and reveals the illuminating moment that called him to become a modern-day spiritual messenger.

Neale found himself homeless, at 49 years old, after surviving a car accident in which he broke his neck. He was separated and divorced from his wife and supporting his children as best he could. Out of work and forced to wear a Philadelphia collar neck brace he was unemployable and homeless.

Neale’s plight, as depicted so poignantly in the film, uncovers the stark reality of the homeless situation in this country. It sheds light on the circumstances that lead many of society’s outcasts to find themselves without shelter and often without hope. I’m sure Neale never envisioned eating out of a garbage bin–one of the more uncomfortable and compelling scenes in the film. However, it can unknowingly happen to any of us.

As many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year (1% of the entire US population or 10% of its poor), and about 842,000 people in any given week.

While there is on-going legislation and initiates to address the homeless situation, many critics of social policy assert that a failure to live responsibly and lack of determination are what keep people homeless. However, such thinking is largely accredited with fueling a stigmatization of homelessness. It is not uncommon for Americans to think of the homeless as lazy, apathetic, irresponsible or worthless. Such people typically believe it is by choice that people are homeless. Many Americans complain about the presence of homeless people and feel that their requests for “hand outs” are unjustified. Likewise, many homeless feel they are ignored, despised or even hated.

Neale had one “angel” in the film a woman named Sunny who helped him get “cleaned up” for a job interview. If she had not seen his potential or had a biased view towards his homeless situation, he may have never been able to have picked himself up. Just one person, made such a huge difference and changed the course of his life forever.

While Conversations with God immerses you in the reality of homelessness, Neale’s story offers hope for those who find themselves down-and-out literally and spiritually. As Neale’s life unfolded on the big screen, it revealed a courageous man who rose like the phoenix from the ashes to touch all of our lives. And one thing is certain this movie will forever change the way you view the homeless.

Conversations with God is now available on DVD by Fox Home Entertainment. For more information about the film please visit: www.cwgthemovie.com

Jill V. Mangino is a freelance publicist and writer based in New Jersey. For more information please visit: www.circle3media.com

Walsch was asked what he learned from being homeless. “Judge not and neither condemn,” he said, then added with a twinkle, “You never know who may become your next New York Times best selling author.” He offers some sound advice for dealing with the homeless that you may encounter:
Don’t judge because we can never know what circumstances led to the person’s situation.
Be generous. Please, don’t ever pass any body on the street. We’ve all got a quarter or a dime or a dollar or a fiver that we can let go of. And you can make somebody’s whole day with fifty cents or a dollar. So try never, ever, ever to pass anybody in need. If you see somebody on the street that has his or her hand out, dig deep and try to be generous.

Look them in the eye and say hello. This simple, dignified human interaction could make their day. So many of them feel as if they have disappeared from society. Sometimes they just need someone to acknowledge their presence.

Get a window into their life, it could be very telling. Spend time, be present and listen to their story, if you feel safe and have the time to reach out and connect.

If you see a homeless person who looks like he or she could use immediate attention, please don’t ignore it. By calling the police/paramedics, you are taking the first step in linking people to much needed services and housing.

For more information on homelessness and how you can help please contact the following organizations:

National Coalition for the Homeless — a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission. That mission, our common bond, is to end homelessness.
202-462-4822
www.nationalhomeless.org

The National Alliance to End Homelessness — a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
www.endhomelessness.org

Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D.,
Capt. USN (Ret) Apollo 14 Astronaut
Developments in Consciousness Studies
Sunday March 19, 2006 , 2 - 4 pm, Cost: $30

On Jan. 31, 1971, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, then a U.S. Navy captain, embarked on a journey through outer space of some 500,000 miles. That historical journey ended safely nine days later on Feb. 9, and resulted in his becoming the sixth man to walk on the moon. Admiral Alan Sheppard and Colonel Stuart Roosa were the other two men of valor, accompanying him to make the journey possible.

On Sunday Dr. Mitchell will provide an overview of his work in consciousness research, including results of frontier experiments at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and in Europe. Audience participation and questions will be a significant part of the workshop.

He is the author of Psychic Exploration : A Challenge for Science, and The Way of the Explorer. As a lecturer, he delivers 25-30 addresses annually on cosmology, human potential and topics relating to the evolving future of the species on planet Earth. His most current lecture series discusses the implications of recent discoveries in science as they affect our individual lives in the home, workplace and society-at-large. Dr. Mitchell’s honors and awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, USN Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Group Achievement Award (three times), Explorers Club Man of the Year, Legion of Goodwill, Hors Concours Award and an induction to the Space Hall of Fame.

“Suddenly from behind the rim of the moon, long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate skyblue sphere laced with slow swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery—It takes more than a moment to fully realize this is Earth—home.”

By Dr. Rita Louise

Happy New Year and Thank God it’s 2006!

For many of us, me included, 2005 was a year filled with challenges. Energetically speaking, there was a huge shift in the energy on the planet in the end of October 2004; a shift that put all of us through our paces.

In my work as a medical intuitive and intuitive counselor, I have heard horror story after horror story. I’ve had clients who became very ill during the past year or had a close friend or family member suffer from some kind of intense health crisis. I’ve had clients who have lost their jobs, filed for bankruptcy, closed their businesses after years and years of service, while others lost everything they owned. I don’t know anyone who wasn’t touched by the passing of someone they knew, loved and respected – a number that seemed greater this past year than in any period before it.

And that was just in our personal lives. We watched as the tsunami hit south east Asia, killing thousands. Then there were hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and before we could even catch our breath, a huge earthquake hit the mountainous areas of India. Each of these events devastated the lives and livelihoods of thousands, if not millions, of innocent people.

As the year progressed, I could see clear patterns of our emotional wellbeing emerging, one after another, some good, some not so good. The movement of our consciousness went something like this.

Not much after the year began, as “things” started to happen in our lives, our anxiety rose. Soon after, feelings of hopelessness and the feeling of being beaten down started to emerge. As the days and months went by, we tried very hard to open ourselves up to a new beginning, forgiving ourselves and those around us, personally, professionally and spiritually. As each crisis emerged, we did the best we could and tried to move on. And while we tried with all of our effort and zeal to have peace and harmony in our lives, our success was limited. In fact, I found that the more we tried and the less things seemed to change, the more resentful and frustrated we became about the whole darn thing. And from our pit of darkness and despair, we sat and waited, feeling powerless to do or change anything.

I must say that historically speaking, I’m pretty good at looking at and identifying when shifts are going to occur on the planet; and thankfully, there was a shift. Somehow it got by me and I didn’t even notice. It’s probably because I too was sitting in the muck and the mire of the planet’s energy and was unable to see past what was right in front of me.

So let’s talk about this change. Even though 2006 has just started, I have noticed a new surprising quality in people’s attitudes. It’s interesting, because the planet is still trying to vibrate at the energy of fear and effort, but its effects are having much less of a hold on people. It is as if we have gotten to the point were we have exhausted all our options, and are willing to do whatever we have to do - whatever the cost and whatever the risk.

Let me give you an example. A few years ago when I still had a day job, I got up to go to work. Running a bit late as usual, I decided to pick up my dog by her hind quarters and dangle her around. Well, I guess she really needed to pee because, before I knew it, there as a stream of golden showers covering my hands and clothes.

Now running really late, I jumped back in the shower to clean up, got redressed and ran out the door. I have to tell you that by that time, my level of stress and anxiety was running on an all time high. Speeding to my car, I threw my purse into the car, hoping it would land in the passenger’s seat. As it flew through the air, it caught on the rear view mirror and ripped it right off the windshield.

I think I started to laugh at that point in time. I do remember wondering what else could possibly happen to me that day. I knew whatever it was or possibly could be I wouldn’t be affected by it at all. The sky could have fallen down around me and I don’t think I would have given it a second thought.

In that moment, I found that I had let go of all my fears, all my worries, and all my anxiety. It was like I had transcended my own ego and nothing in the world could bother me again.

I’m sharing this story with you today because this is the energy we are in right now. The line that always comes to my mind when I think about this shift is - we have already been through hell, so what could possibly happen that could make things any worse.

Surprisingly, or should I say thankfully, this shift in energy has the added benefit of opening the door to new futures, new hopes and the manifestation of our hopes and dreams. Instead of fighting, struggling and living in effort, we are open to allowing things to happen as they choose to, in their own time and in their own way. I think last year we were all set and adamant on making things happen in a certain way. Now we are content to have anything happen, good, bad or indifferent.

This energy really and truly is freeing. When I think about the feeling of it, in the back of my mind, I can hear Janice Joplin singing “Freedom’s just another word for nothing else to lose” and the reality is, we have come to a place within ourselves where we recognize we don’t have anything else to lose, but instead a whole lot we can gain.

Also, with this shift, I have noticed that we are also more willing to take risks and willing to do what needs to be done. It is taking us from a place of fear into a place of power and empowerment and with it, we are gaining strength.

Where we will be going and heading as 2006 continues to unfold, I can’t tell you, but I do know this… Take the time, use this time to take a deep breath and let go of all of the hurts, anxieties, frustrations, stress and resentments you experienced last year. Instead, use them to give you strength as you face any new obstacles or challenges in this New Year.

Spend a moment and think about what you want and the direction you would like your life to take you in the future. Be open to receiving it in whatever way, shape or form it may choose to come to you. And most of all, express gratitude for all that you do receive, no matter how big or how small.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2006. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books “Avoiding the Cosmic 2×4″ and “The Power Within”. It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.