Used in the context of imagery illumination means the use of imagery or imagery correction that spontaneously invokes a sense of love and light because of the way it constructed. This kind of imagery is not visualization or memory. It is symbol and metaphor. This is the energy that is used to replace negative memories, beliefs, or other unwanted image structures.
The 12 imagery exercises in the Art of Dreaming class invoke the archetypical structures that correspondant to the categories of the spiritual heart being used in that class. These images might be self adjusting as you them and may communicate to you in different ways but the basic structures remain the same.
It is also important to note that illumination imagery is brief and intense and is not the same as journeying or waking dream exercises. They are designed to bypass the intellect which wants to control, intepret, or otherwise filter the image, thus diluting its effect.
Illumination energy is like a flash of insight, light and energy and needs to be felt, not thought about. Afterwards you can think about it all you like and will probably find it useful to do so.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chapter Five
Once the seperation fears have been witnessed and the living dynamic recognized the goal is to surrender those fears. They are surrendered to their opposite. Intuitively we recognize the necessity of that process and we will often seek the opposite of what we fear. But without surrendering the fears they will always haunt us.
This becomes the spiritual path and is in fact the only legitimate spiritual path. The processes we enagage in must always bring us to face our fears and surrender them to their opposite, which is where our power is. Any other kind of path will be simply fantasy or distraction and in the end the person will find themselves back where they were in the beginning. If that leads to a recognition of error and an adjustment that is good. But often it just results in the person capitulating to their fear and living and believing in the life of seperation.
The secret is forgotten.
The polarity of this fear - our root fear - is the unity at the centre of the heart. Fear and seperation cannot exist there and ultimately that is what we surrender to. Everybody's path is a little different however and is only by properly defining the fear, and defining its opposite that we discover what has to happen in order to get there. When you actually face that and engage it you will discover that the whole universe is conspiring to help you.
Because we are talking about fear here, accepting that and trusting that will be difficult because the face we put on that universal force is the very thing we fear.
This becomes the spiritual path and is in fact the only legitimate spiritual path. The processes we enagage in must always bring us to face our fears and surrender them to their opposite, which is where our power is. Any other kind of path will be simply fantasy or distraction and in the end the person will find themselves back where they were in the beginning. If that leads to a recognition of error and an adjustment that is good. But often it just results in the person capitulating to their fear and living and believing in the life of seperation.
The secret is forgotten.
The polarity of this fear - our root fear - is the unity at the centre of the heart. Fear and seperation cannot exist there and ultimately that is what we surrender to. Everybody's path is a little different however and is only by properly defining the fear, and defining its opposite that we discover what has to happen in order to get there. When you actually face that and engage it you will discover that the whole universe is conspiring to help you.
Because we are talking about fear here, accepting that and trusting that will be difficult because the face we put on that universal force is the very thing we fear.
Chapter Four
Humans have lived in fear as long as anyone can remember and a culture of fear has grown up around us. The first cause of this fear is seperation. There is no such thing as seperation. It is an illusion. Everything in the universe was made out of the same stuff and when we relate to that stuff we experience our common source.
The way to destroy the illusion of seperation and live happily with the truth is called 'correction of fear.' The fear is what keeps you seperate but because it is a state born and bred on fear it's essence is fear itself and it will resist union.
There is a question you can ask yourself and if you pay attention all the funadamental fears will arise in consciusness. You will be surprised by the question and you will be surprised by what arises. But if you look closely you will see that much of your life has been shaped and guided by the path of seperation which has fear at its root.
The fact of seperation has its function and thus cannot be abandoned, but it need not be causative in your life.
The way to destroy the illusion of seperation and live happily with the truth is called 'correction of fear.' The fear is what keeps you seperate but because it is a state born and bred on fear it's essence is fear itself and it will resist union.
There is a question you can ask yourself and if you pay attention all the funadamental fears will arise in consciusness. You will be surprised by the question and you will be surprised by what arises. But if you look closely you will see that much of your life has been shaped and guided by the path of seperation which has fear at its root.
The fact of seperation has its function and thus cannot be abandoned, but it need not be causative in your life.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Third Part of the Intention
The third thing we need to release and let go of is unhealthy or limiting beliefs. A belief is a rule that we use to run our life. Not only does it influence what we think about but it conditions our perception to see and select that which conforms to the rule.
Beliefs come to us as a result of memory, recent or distant, and are passed on by consensual reality. That is: family, culture, institutions, etc. Whenever we have persistant negative emotions, or feel consistantly imprisoned in some way, a belief is operating. A simple exercise called 'the memory finder' can be used to actually witness a memory and be aware of what kind of belief has been created. By bringing it into awareness it is possible to dismantle the belief because consciousness recognizes that it is not actually a rule, but a point of view that became a rule.
Re-drawing the rules, or freeing yourself of some of the rules altogether is one of the purposes of imagery, journeying and work with the zero point field. Rules are only useful to the extent they are functional. Otherwise they are a point of view with limited value. The transformational aspects of spiritual medicine are designed not only to free you from the rules you created, but free you from the rules consensual reality created which may unnecessarily limit you or control what is possible.
We are all being called to choose a different kind of world to live in since certain aspects of the current consensus are on a trajectory which has only one end in sight. When we loosen up our own rule set, and the rule set handed down to us, the field of all possibilities begins to emerge and suddenly there is more choice, more hope, the whisper of times that could be.
Beliefs come to us as a result of memory, recent or distant, and are passed on by consensual reality. That is: family, culture, institutions, etc. Whenever we have persistant negative emotions, or feel consistantly imprisoned in some way, a belief is operating. A simple exercise called 'the memory finder' can be used to actually witness a memory and be aware of what kind of belief has been created. By bringing it into awareness it is possible to dismantle the belief because consciousness recognizes that it is not actually a rule, but a point of view that became a rule.
Re-drawing the rules, or freeing yourself of some of the rules altogether is one of the purposes of imagery, journeying and work with the zero point field. Rules are only useful to the extent they are functional. Otherwise they are a point of view with limited value. The transformational aspects of spiritual medicine are designed not only to free you from the rules you created, but free you from the rules consensual reality created which may unnecessarily limit you or control what is possible.
We are all being called to choose a different kind of world to live in since certain aspects of the current consensus are on a trajectory which has only one end in sight. When we loosen up our own rule set, and the rule set handed down to us, the field of all possibilities begins to emerge and suddenly there is more choice, more hope, the whisper of times that could be.
The second part of the intention
Besides releasing and letting go of destructive cellular memories we need also to release and let go of negative images. Imagery, in the form of energized story, metaphor, symbol, colour and geometry is the way everything is created in the world. Therefore the images you hold in yourself will ultimately influence the kind of reality you experience and the momentum given to that reality.
For instance, scientific studies have shown that when viewing a particular object or scene light is impressed upon cells in the brain. At the same time that is occuring remembered images can be appearing on exactly the same cells, thus influencing how we actually perceive the object in question, and what we associate it with.
Images come to us from a variety of sources. Four our purposes here we are concerned with the negative images - those that obstruct your well-being or stop you from being everything you can be.
Imagery work involves working with the right hemisphere of the brain and your intent to create complex image structures. Although it is possible to alter specific, literal images, related to trauma for instance, that is not the primary intent here. In imagery work we are interested in correcting and creating images that alter the terrain, that capture the energy associated with imagery and move it in a particular direction. In this way we re-draw the imagery map as it exists in the individuals brain.
The new map overlays the old one and ultimately collapses it.
In spiritual medicine we also understand that there is something called the 'subtle body' and this is where the impressions created by experience enter our being. This is where the effect of memory is housed. The world being what it is many of these impressions are not what we need to prosper and be happy and will literally weigh down our soul.
To respond to that phenomena there is a method of healing called 'skimming' where complex moving imagery is brought directly into the person's experience, giving them the kind of encounter that counter-acts the negative impressions, and feeds the soul with the kind of nourishment that life often takes away.
It is also a lot of fun: the soul loves to play.
For instance, scientific studies have shown that when viewing a particular object or scene light is impressed upon cells in the brain. At the same time that is occuring remembered images can be appearing on exactly the same cells, thus influencing how we actually perceive the object in question, and what we associate it with.
Images come to us from a variety of sources. Four our purposes here we are concerned with the negative images - those that obstruct your well-being or stop you from being everything you can be.
Imagery work involves working with the right hemisphere of the brain and your intent to create complex image structures. Although it is possible to alter specific, literal images, related to trauma for instance, that is not the primary intent here. In imagery work we are interested in correcting and creating images that alter the terrain, that capture the energy associated with imagery and move it in a particular direction. In this way we re-draw the imagery map as it exists in the individuals brain.
The new map overlays the old one and ultimately collapses it.
In spiritual medicine we also understand that there is something called the 'subtle body' and this is where the impressions created by experience enter our being. This is where the effect of memory is housed. The world being what it is many of these impressions are not what we need to prosper and be happy and will literally weigh down our soul.
To respond to that phenomena there is a method of healing called 'skimming' where complex moving imagery is brought directly into the person's experience, giving them the kind of encounter that counter-acts the negative impressions, and feeds the soul with the kind of nourishment that life often takes away.
It is also a lot of fun: the soul loves to play.
An Important Intention
If it is better health, less stress or more possibility you are looking for, an essential part of your intentions is to release and let go of all known and unknown destructive cellular memories. Destructive means anything that inhibits physical and emotional health and well-being, or your freedom to dream possibilities into being. They are called cellular memories because they lodge themselves in the body and creates waves of information that influence our life all the time. Studies have show for instance that stress - specifically the fight or flight mechanism associated with it - is the primary culprit in as much as 80 per cent of undesireable health conditions. Stress either causes a breakdown in the body in some way, or blocks recovery.
Many healing modalities strive to target the release of these memories but it is not until we understand the importance of the process that our intent can be brought into focus and those modalities can be fully effective. The hypothalamus, brain hemispheres and the master glands are all involved directly with how memory affects us. Certain kinds of meditation and what is now called 'the healing codes' are self directed ways of engaging these mechanisms and making the intention work better.
The most difficult memories are of course the earliest. Pre-puberty means the endocrine system has adapted itself to the memory. Pre-cognitive means there is no pre-existing cognitive comprehension of what the memory has produced. And pre-natal means it happened during the construction phase and so the whole of the being is resonating with the energy of the memory.
Luckily, over a period of time every cell of the body is changed and so coninued work on the problem will eventually produce the desired result. Sometimes it takes time for the body, and its extention - life - to catch up and reorganize itself, and that is why healing is sometimes experience as a slow process.
Two other influences are worth mentioning here.
Sometimes certain memories are held inside and never see the light of day because of the 'wounded child' phenomena. In other words, a part of you is too afraid to reveal the pain it is harbouring. Communicating the aforementioned intent to that part of you is essential; as well, sometimes you might need what in spiritual medicine is called a 'soul retrieval.' A soul retrieval will often trigger a much more complete integration of the person and the release over time of many of the bits of information that are of no good use anymore, as well as bring the person into greater wholeness.
Another kind of memory which is sometimes difficult to get at is called a 'genetic memory.' This is information that is passed to you through your ancestors and often influences you as strongly, or even more stongly than your own personal memories. This bring new meaning to the biblical reference: "the sins of the father........," which should be changed to include seven generations back, which of course is also mentioned in the bible if you read it carefully.
Genetic memories are often a blind spot for the person. In spiritual medicine we have a special way of tracking these these things and if the time is right and it is relevent to the person's healing process the relevent memories can be uncovered. The person can then practice what is called an 'ancestor fire' and release those memories.
Many healing modalities strive to target the release of these memories but it is not until we understand the importance of the process that our intent can be brought into focus and those modalities can be fully effective. The hypothalamus, brain hemispheres and the master glands are all involved directly with how memory affects us. Certain kinds of meditation and what is now called 'the healing codes' are self directed ways of engaging these mechanisms and making the intention work better.
The most difficult memories are of course the earliest. Pre-puberty means the endocrine system has adapted itself to the memory. Pre-cognitive means there is no pre-existing cognitive comprehension of what the memory has produced. And pre-natal means it happened during the construction phase and so the whole of the being is resonating with the energy of the memory.
Luckily, over a period of time every cell of the body is changed and so coninued work on the problem will eventually produce the desired result. Sometimes it takes time for the body, and its extention - life - to catch up and reorganize itself, and that is why healing is sometimes experience as a slow process.
Two other influences are worth mentioning here.
Sometimes certain memories are held inside and never see the light of day because of the 'wounded child' phenomena. In other words, a part of you is too afraid to reveal the pain it is harbouring. Communicating the aforementioned intent to that part of you is essential; as well, sometimes you might need what in spiritual medicine is called a 'soul retrieval.' A soul retrieval will often trigger a much more complete integration of the person and the release over time of many of the bits of information that are of no good use anymore, as well as bring the person into greater wholeness.
Another kind of memory which is sometimes difficult to get at is called a 'genetic memory.' This is information that is passed to you through your ancestors and often influences you as strongly, or even more stongly than your own personal memories. This bring new meaning to the biblical reference: "the sins of the father........," which should be changed to include seven generations back, which of course is also mentioned in the bible if you read it carefully.
Genetic memories are often a blind spot for the person. In spiritual medicine we have a special way of tracking these these things and if the time is right and it is relevent to the person's healing process the relevent memories can be uncovered. The person can then practice what is called an 'ancestor fire' and release those memories.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Chapter Three
Experience is largely dictated by the amount of resistance between what is and what could be.
Living free of resistance means collapsing this resistance.
Generally speaking people live from one or two perspectives. Many people want to create their own reality, be proactive, use their minds to produce change, and so forth. Often it doesn't seem to work.
Other people take life as it comes, live in and for the moment, and develop whole vast philosophies supporting doing that. Often there is something missing.
Before an individual can live in the moment he has to know himself intimately enough that all the resistance between what is and what could be has been so completely collapsed that the individual knows how to live on the edge of possibility every moment of every day.
Wherever there is a conflict between what is and what could be there is resistance, and that resistance can be measured. It is usually what we call suffering. But the 'what is' and the 'what could be' are in a relationship together and it is not until both ends of that equation are voided that change can actually happen.
Truth be told many people don't want to do that, or are afraid of it because, well, what if something worse rises up out of the void. A basic trust is lacking. To those individuals I say two things: first, know yourself and what you are intending and after a while you will learn to command (not control) that ship; second, honestly examine your belief system and if necessary change the rules in any way you can. Develop a new rule: 'the universe is always trying to give me something better, and will do so if I let it.'
As Albert Einstein once stated, the real task of humanity is deciding whether the universe is a friendly place or not.
It is friendly, very friendly. So friendly it might even make you blush. That's my new rule anyway. And if you want to put a face on that friendliness, put God's face on it, or Spirit.....whatever moves you.
Living free of resistance means collapsing this resistance.
Generally speaking people live from one or two perspectives. Many people want to create their own reality, be proactive, use their minds to produce change, and so forth. Often it doesn't seem to work.
Other people take life as it comes, live in and for the moment, and develop whole vast philosophies supporting doing that. Often there is something missing.
Before an individual can live in the moment he has to know himself intimately enough that all the resistance between what is and what could be has been so completely collapsed that the individual knows how to live on the edge of possibility every moment of every day.
Wherever there is a conflict between what is and what could be there is resistance, and that resistance can be measured. It is usually what we call suffering. But the 'what is' and the 'what could be' are in a relationship together and it is not until both ends of that equation are voided that change can actually happen.
Truth be told many people don't want to do that, or are afraid of it because, well, what if something worse rises up out of the void. A basic trust is lacking. To those individuals I say two things: first, know yourself and what you are intending and after a while you will learn to command (not control) that ship; second, honestly examine your belief system and if necessary change the rules in any way you can. Develop a new rule: 'the universe is always trying to give me something better, and will do so if I let it.'
As Albert Einstein once stated, the real task of humanity is deciding whether the universe is a friendly place or not.
It is friendly, very friendly. So friendly it might even make you blush. That's my new rule anyway. And if you want to put a face on that friendliness, put God's face on it, or Spirit.....whatever moves you.
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