Jaguar Speaks***Dawn of a New Consciousness

The soul longs to be free. The nature of the mind is emptiness. Ego identity is formed around fear. The spiritual path is crowded with concepts, reifications, misunderstandings, resistance to change, bias, bigotry and blame.

The spiritual path is often referred to as:

• Soul Work
• Spiritual Development
• Conscious Development
• Spiritual Evolution

Whatever we call it, it is important to note a few of the primary issues that arise on the path.

The Tyranny of the Superego

The superego or inner critic is that little voice in our heads that damns us if we do or damns us if we don’t. Some people refer to the superego as the conscience, but this conscience is not objective. It is stuck in the past and rules our life and daily experience with a relentless tyranny.

The superego or inner critic is often referred to as the anti-libidinal soul as it functions to repress the life force not free it. Freud saw the superego’s role as one of managing the unconscious forces in the psyche.

The superego is a necessary element in human psychological development, but it is not necessary for a psychologically healthy adult. A psychologically healthy developed person can rely on their innate intelligence, logic and common sense to determine what is right or wrong in most situations. Normal human beings don’t need a coercive force constantly judging them.

Of course, what I refer to as normal is not the average Joe you meet on the street. Many people today lack the capacity to make sound decisions. Their decision making process is dominated by deficiencies in their psyche. They are, in effect, in a reactive mode most of their lives being dominated by unresolved issues from the past.

Work on the superego or inner critic is absolutely essential for spiritual Personal Growth. Working on the superego helps to create the space for change, the space for us to have and learn from our experience in present time.

The Psychodynamic Power of Openness

When we have space for our experience, the soul unfolds. Space is the opposite of the contracted places in the body that keep our lives running in circles. Most of us are familiar with the sense of endless repetition in our lives. The same old experiences seem to keep surfacing in our lives.

The dynamism of Space on the psyche is what allows the old to dissolve and fade away. What dissolves are old images about who and what we are. This dissolution can be quite challenging because who we think we are is dissolving. Our historical|familiar identity is what dissolves.

The resulting Space is where the new|deeper|fresh sense of self is revealed. Spiritual Development is more about losing what is false than getting something. The something we are seeking is what we already are. It is just forgotten. So, spiritual development is more about remembering than finding something new.

Being in the Now

If we have the Space to investigate our experience, we will find ourselves moving more and more into the present. The soul is imprisoned in the past. Present experience for most is under the influence|tyranny of the past. Our experience is mostly the past being projected onto the present.

Many people became aware of the NOW through the recent book releases of Ekhart Tolle and A.H. Almaas.

Living in the now is not a mental state, a state of alertness or a matter of more focused attention. All of these factors can be more heightened when we experience the now, but in and of themselves, they do not define the now. The NOW supersedes time and space. When we experience the now, the familiar flow of events changes dramatically. Though events continue to happen with the flow of time, our experience becomes so immediate, that time loses significance except in terms of orienting things. Our experience is no longer dominated by the past or concerns with the future.

December 23rd, 2008 | Category: Mind, Self Help and Motivational, change | Leave a comment

Author: Ada Porat

Coping with the rapid pace of change is a subject I’ve written and spoken about frequently in recent years. And it’s coming up more and more in my client conversations.

It would appear as if the only constant in life is change and our need to adapt. At the same time, I am seeing more clients presenting with disturbances in the throat and thyroid than ever before. What is happening here?

In probing deeper during client sessions, I usually find that beneath the presenting issues (feeling off-balance, feeling stuck, or having physical symptoms of hypothyroidism or anxiety attacks), most everyone feels squeezed by the rapid pace of change in their lives. They feel that their old way of life no longer supports them, and they often feel at the mercy of the changes, instead of empowering themselves through the shift.

Conditions in the throat and thyroid areas invariably relate to our alignment (or lack thereof) to our Higher Truth. When we find it difficult to stand up for what we believe or to align our outer world with our inner reality, the energetic constriction will present as a blockage in the Life Force energy of the throat or thyroid. It is as if the Life Force energy is literally being choked in our lives. Left unaddressed, the condition can escalate to present symptoms of high blood pressure, cardiac abnormalities or other imbalances in the body.

We are all feeling the pressure, recognizing that non-alignment to our soul’s purpose is wasting our life energy and it is no longer OK with us. We understand, intuitively, that we are in a time of great change sweeping the planet right now. More than ever before, we are faced with the need to become proactive; aligning with the necessary shifts to realize our true identity and purpose here.

But why the rush, why the sense of urgency?

As we approach the end date of the Mayan calendar in 2012, time seems to be moving faster and faster.

More is happening in every second than ever before. In his book “The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness,” Carl Johann Calleman explains that the rate of change between levels of consciousness has been accelerating gradually over millennia.

Billions of years ago, a shift of consciousness happened every 1.26 billion years. Millions of years ago, a shift of consciousness took 63.4 million years. Beginning in 1755 AD, the Age of Enlightenment, a shift of consciousness occurred every 20 years. Up until 1999, we lived in that cycle.

Then, on January 4, 1999, we entered a new cycle of consciousness called the Galactic Cycle. Since 1999, a shift of consciousness happens in only 360 days, rather than the 20 years it used to take.

By February 10, 2011 - less than 3 years from today - a shift in consciousness will take only 20 days. So, what used to take 20 years to shift prior to 1999 will take only 20 days to shift by 2011!

What does all that mean? With each shift, change (for better or for worse) becomes more rapid to the point of being almost instantaneous.

We are no longer able to live with the leftovers of old energy in our lives. This is a time to stay focused on our purpose, and to release any energies that no longer serve us. The debris from obsolete belief systems and behaviors need to be released or else it starts feeling like a millstone around our necks.

Individuals everywhere are realizing that there is a Divine plan and purpose for each one of us in this lifetime, a plan we agreed to before we entered this life. We may not remember exactly what that purpose is, yet we can feel it when our lives are somehow not aligned with what we are here to do.

If your life is out of alignment in a significant way with your Higher Self, you will usually recognize it by one or more of the following symptoms:

1) My relationships are not satisfying.

2) I’m living less than abundantly.

3) My work is feeling meaningless or my life is feeling blah.

4) I have little or no energy.

5) Everything is going wrong.

6) I am not living authentically. I feel I have to be someone other than who I really am.

7) I am unable to express my truth freely out of fear about how others will respond.

I feel ambivalent about my own deservingness, power or abilities - do I really have what it takes to move to the next level?

9) I have consistent low-level anxiety.

10) I am afraid of losing my job, relationship, home or some other form of security.

If you recognize one or more of the above symptoms in you life, you are receiving a clear message that something needs to change. And it needs to happen soon.

I’m not saying this to alarm you but when we ignore the subtle messages that life brings us, they continue to gather in intensity until we receive a whack on the side of the head, so to speak. It may come in the form of a life crisis, a health issue or some other form of upheaval that ultimately forces us to pay attention.

The good news is that once you become aware of being out of alignment in some area, you have already taken the first step toward change. By recognizing where you are and what you need to address, you already have a starting point for shifting into alignment.

Now all you need is the intention to release what is not working in your life so you can make space for what does work. Remember, you don’t have make all the changes at once - you can begin with small steps, as long as you do begin.

After you make the commitment to start, you will discover that there are many people, places, and tools that can support you in the process. You just need to reach out.

Pick an area of your life that needs to change or feels like a challenge to you. Then ask yourself what it is that is holding your back from making the change: is it fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of making a mistake? Fear is simply false evidence appearing real, so release that fear to the Divine. Invite the Presence of Divine Truth and Guidance instead to assist you with moving forward.

Once you start to focus on creating shifts instead of being at the mercy of change, you will notice how the energy of that shift carries you forward toward much greater empowerment and fulfillment.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/are-we-there-yet-going-from-change-to-change-356464.html

About the Author:

Ada Porat is a kinesiologist and life balance coach with extensive international teaching and clinical experience. She uses body/mind/spirit techniques to help clients live life on purpose. For more information, visit http://www.AdaPorat.com

November 29th, 2008 | Category: 2012, Consciousness, Mayan Calendar, change | Leave a comment

Author: Nina Amir

Many people are making predictions about the year 2012. Some say the end of the world is coming. Some say the planet will undergo a transformation or humanity will experience a change in consciousness. Still others say that whatever you believe will happen on December 21, 2012, is exactly what you will experience at that time in history.

Why all the talk about 2012? That’s year on the Gregorian calendar when the Mayan calendar abruptly ends. Why the calendar stops  or restarts on December 21, 2012 no one really knows, although lots of people have theories. However, the idea that humanity or the world at large is about to undergo some sort of transformation does not represent a new idea. For instance, the ancient Jewish mystics predict a change as well, but the world transformation they see coming doesn’t happen for another 231 years. That said, it’s already in its beginning stages.

The Jewish mystics, or Kabbalists say that according to the Jewish calendar, the world’s spiritual evolution can be likened to the seven days of the week. They equate the year 6,000 to the end of the sixth work day of the cosmic week and predict that that year marks the time when the world will enter Shabbat HaGadol, or the Big Sabbath, when 1,000 years of sacred time and space begin.

Currently the Jewish calendar has us at the year 5769. The Kabbalists would say, therefore, that it’s about 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, a time when Jews begin preparing in earnest for the Sabbath, which starts at sundown on Friday evening.

So, what does that mean for us? It means we must now begin preparing for the approaching transformative era. And when it arrives, we will experience “The World to Come,” a time likened to what other traditions have called “Heaven on Earth” or “Peace on Earth.”

The Kabbalists were clear that we should prepare for the coming era by changing our consciousness from a selfish one to a selfless one. To help prepare for 2012  or the Jewish year 6,000  we want to develop a higher consciousness that wants to receive not for our own sake but for the sake of giving to others.

The fundamental idea behind this constitutes a spiritual one. We want to learn to reconnect with God by behaving “like” God. The Kabbalists say God created the world to give us Divine gifts. If we focus our attention on giving, we can become givers as well. This removes the separation we normally believe exists between us and God  between Giver and receiver. When that separation is removed, we feel connected to God, which generates an overwhelming sense of peace. Of course, we were created as receivers of God’s goodness, so we still want to receive  we just want to do so with the intention of giving, or sharing, what we receive with others.

Change starts a little bit at a time. When we change our consciousness, it has a ripple affect on the world around us. If we begin preparing for the year 2012 or 6,000 now, who knows, maybe we will simply create the predicted change rather than that change happening to us. In either case, we are sure to improve our individual lives and make the world a better place to live.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/kabbalists-say-prepare-for-2012-by-becoming-a-giver-465234.html

About the Author:

The author of The Kabbalah of Conscious Creation, How to Mystically Manifest Your Physical and Spiritual Desires, Nina Amir is a journalist, motivational speaker, conscious creation coach, and the holiday and spirituality expert on Conversations with Mrs. Claus (www.thefamilyyak.com). Register for a Kabbalah of Conscious Creation teleseminar, purchase a booklet or workbook, or get more information at http://www.purespiritcreations.com .

November 29th, 2008 | Category: 2012, Mayan Calendar | Leave a comment

After 16 years of living off the grid I now have a wealth of information to share with you. After a lot of writing about different topics I realized I don’t have a tips and tricks for living off the grid. These are just some basic tips that will help you achieve your dream. If you keep them in mind while you are trying to make the switch I’m sure you will succeed.

The biggest tip I can give you is to never lose sight of your goal. 16 years ago when we were going to make the switch we actually had people laugh at us, but those same people now ask for our help with their own conversions.

Start small and take baby steps at first. Living off the grid is a learning process. You’re going to be generating your own energy and you’ll need to do a little bit of learning along the way. I recommend to first start out by making your house more energy efficient, and just become more aware of how you’re using energy in your home. This can help quite a bit when it comes to building your renewable energy system as the less energy you need the less money you’ll need to spend to produce it.

If you have a little bit of DIY skills consider building the solar panels or wind generator yourself. I know you may not think that you can actually do this, but trust me… we didn’t think we could really do it either, but we managed to do it.

Get in touch with people who share the same ideals as you. They have a ton of information that they are willing to share with you. Right now there are literally thousands of places you could find people who are like minded. Forums are the best place as you can take part in discussions and ask questions from people who have actually made the switch.

Above all is never give up. One of my favourite quotes of all time is “those people who give up never realize how close they were to success.” This is true in almost every case. We’ve been very close to giving up several times, but just by hanging in there and reminding ourselves why we were doing this we were able to achieve our dream of energy independence. I believe that if you want to you can do it too.

Andrew Oke is very interested in renewable energy. He has 16 years experience living off the grid, and has completely built his own renewable energy system. Visit his website at http://www.living-off-grid.com

November 7th, 2008 | Category: environment | Leave a comment

The Every day life of the Aztec people
By: Armando Martinez 

Very few is left today of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. Most of what is left of this city lies at the bottom of Mexico city’s Historical center. The city was largely destroyed during the Spanish conquest between the year 1519 and 1521 A.D, However, some of this remains can still be appreciated in the “Templo Mayor Museum” and in the nearby neighborhood of Tlatelolco. The visitor would normally appreciate the ancient ruins, but How did these people actually lived? How was their every day life and their social structures. This is an extensive topic which I will try to briefly cover in a series of articles. In the present one, I will try to cover the Aztec social divisions and how they evolved from the foundation of Tenochtitlan until the Spanish conquest.

As I mentioned in the previous article, when the Aztecs arrived to the central valley where Mexico City lies today, they were mainly a tribe of nomadic hunters with a very basic social structure. Every head of the family at that time was a warrior and a farmer. These family heads participated of larger discussions with other family heads. These discussions were the political center of the early Aztec “democracy”, and were very much influenced by the Priests of the god “Huitzilopochtli”, which had overall authority over most public aspects of the Aztec People.

This primitive structure evolved to give birth to more complex, differentiated social divisions during the XVth century. Priests were no longer involved with military and civil actions, and the influence of commerce had a big impact in the social structure, with traders occupying an important place. One man above all used to shine against all others, the Tlatoani, the Aztec emperor. The tribal democracy had finally given up to an aristocratic Monarchy.

The nahuatl word “tecuhtli”, mandatory, lord, defines the upper class in the Aztec social division. They are the military, finance chiefs, and judges that solve the important issues. The ancient emperor of a city that was incorporated into the empire received the rank of “tecuhtli”. Aztec gods also often receive this denomination: “Mictlantecuhtli”, The lord of the underworld and “Xiuhtecuhtli”, the fire god. Aztec priests only exceptionally received this rank, they used to have their own hierarchy. The rank of tecuhtli was acquired by election or by designation within a particular family. An analogy can be made with the feudal lords of the middle ages. Similar to the way it happened in Europe, a rural noble lord had a different category to a noble lord close to the king. In Mexico, the Tecuhtli of an isolated village did not have the same social status as one close to the Tlatoani, the Aztec emperor.

In terms of the social divisions, the Aztec city was divided in Calpullis, or neighborhoods, the calpulli is the basic nucleus of the Aztec social division. Each neighborhood had its own chief or “calpullec”, elected by the people and assisted by a group of elder counselors, the “huehueteque”. Few things of public interest were done without the approval of the huehueteque. The main task of the calpullec was to keep a record of the collective lands that belonged to the calpulli, these lands were distributed by parcels among the different families. Land was given based on certain labour conditions (i.e. agricultural production based on the type of crops) the calpullec and its counselors were in charge of making sure that these conditions were met by each family.

Social status, unlike in like our western culture, was not acquired by the accumulation mansions, servants, dresses and jewels, instead, these came as a consequence of the accumulation of honors. The Aztec was rich because he received honors, he did not receive the honors because he was rich. The warrior that captured 4 prisoners during a battle had a higher social rank than the average warrior. In this way, the emperor gave the higher positions to the people that deserved them, a pure meritocracy.

 Armando Martinez is a Mexican etno-historian specialized in Mexico’s precolumbian cultures. He currently provides guided tours in Mexico for HAKI. For archaeology tours and Mexico Travel information, please visit www.mexicoculturaltours.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

September 17th, 2008 | Category: aztec, mesoamerica, mesoamerican culture | Leave a comment

Everything about Ecosystem by George Chao

Ecosystems are part of our lives each day. It is everything around us, seen or unseen with our naked eyes. Man’s unyielding impact on the Earth’s ecosystem is not a new phenomenon. Tests and studies by prominent ecologists have already proven that man’s constant presence slowly, but surely means the earth’s demise. The balance is delicate, and education and diligence will be needed if we are to maintain that balance. It is distressing that a vast majority of people are unaware of the way they effect their immediate environment, not to speak of the delicate balance of nature’s ecosystem. Do you care about the impact? We are all part of an ecosystem, and need to realize how all we affect, and are affected by, it in all that we do. This audio program will discuss ecosystem characteristics and classification. This text will show you the hope which it provide information about everything around you.

How do we classify ecosystems?

Ecosystems are categorized accordingly using multiple various methods. The classification can also be based upon the vegetation and terrain like a rainforest ecosystem. Classification may be according to the kind of atmosphere where they live, such as the marine ecosystem. A consistent classification system still remains elusive although experts and researchers studying ecosystems are working hard to define a universal classification system that can identify ecosystems for protection purposes.

What do you infer from Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

Scientists and researchers in 2001 undertook an effort to study the ecosystems of the world and determine the extent of the damage that has been done to them by mankind. Cataloging and labeling of earth’s ecosystem was a tedious effort made in history. They have proven that over the past fifty years we have caused more damage to the ecosystem than has ever been done before. If we want to continue to live in a sustaining environment then this assessment is important to humans everywhere. We must be clear what are the effects on the environment for us to make the required changes to ensure a brighter future for our planet.

How would we describe a biome?

The ecosystem is also called a biome. In one contained area, a group of plants, animals and soil organisms are living together. The murking and milieu of the swamp or the urban sprawl next to it is the urban biome or biome in the outback of Australia. Even our homes are considered to be a biome within a larger biome of area. You need to keep in mind that it also includes any non-living object that is present within the region.

How are ecosystems formed?

An environment and an organism are the starting points. An ecosystem is started from that initial beginning point. As the organisms grow and flourish along with flora and other fauna coming into the area the ecosystem begins to take shape. A good example of this would be a marine environment in which a piece of coral has begun to grow. As the coral starts to grow or increase in number, marine species like fish start taking shelter and food from coral. Presently, this is now what we call the ecosystem. Although it is an ecosystem that exists within a larger ecosystem, it is still considered an ecosystem.

Regardless of how much you feel you are aware regarding The Ecosystems such as resources about Ecosystem Services, or Forest Conservation, visit http://www.digitalexcellent.com/ecosystem/ to be entertained with really insightful information.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

September 11th, 2008 | Category: Earth Protector, environment | Leave a comment

Every parent has at one time or another told their child, “You need to volunteer and help others instead of playing video games all day!” Yet can a nine-year-old realistically serve soup at a nearby homeless shelter? Sondra Clark, 18, knows first hand the benefits of volunteering. “When I was eight, my mom and I put together Easter Baskets to give to homeless kids coming to a free Easter dinner, said Clark. “It was great seeing how excited kids were to get a few special treats.”

Since that time, this teenager has made volunteering a high priority in her life. She’s raised over $85,000 to help educate children she met in Uganda and Kenya, spoken to over 25,000 people on the importance of volunteering and collected 12,000 pens to send to school children in Africa.

Sondra’s latest mission is collecting and distributing shoes through Soles4Soles, a non-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee. “Our family went to Guatemala and passed out flip flops to people in remote villages. Many of the kids didn’t even own shoes so they were thrilled to get a pair of flip flops” said Clark. “I remember giving a pair of shoes to a little three-year-old-boy sitting on a street with his mother. She begged all day, and he had no choice but to sit on the sidewalk with her. He not only loved his shoes, but he used them as toys!”

Sondra has been fortunate to travel around the world in her volunteer efforts. She knows not everyone has the opportunity to travel overseas and encourages people to volunteer in their own communities. Her latest project involves getting people to use GospelShoes as a ministry tool. (www.gospelshoe.org)These clogs and flip flops have the same five colors as the Wordless Book. People can give a person in need a practical gift like a pair of shoes and also explain the plan of salvation through the colors on the shoes. “I know I find it hard to witness at times, ” said Clark. “But giving a person a pair of shoes opens the door for conversation. Then you can casually explain the gospel from the colors on the shoe.”

Studies show children increase their self esteem by volunteering as they gain new skills and meet positive adult role models. The following are some simple ways children and adults can get involved in volunteering as described in Sondra’s latest book, 77 Creative Ways Kids Can Serve. (Wesleyan Press).

- Bedtime Snack Sacks. Children living in homeless shelters seldom get bedtime snacks. Decorate a number of lunch bags with markers, sequins and glitter. Fill each bag with a juice pack and non-perishable treat such as granola bars, packaged crackers or dried fruit. Add a small “Happy Meals” type toy as a surprise. Deliver the snack sacks to a women’s shelter.

- Dog and Cat Fun. Local humane societies look for volunteers to walk their dogs. See if your family can register as dog walkers. You’ll get exercise as well as the dogs! Kids can also collect old towels and newspapers to donate to shelters to use for animal care.

- Reading Fun. Collect gently used children’s books from family and friends. Give the books to an inner city school or Headstart program to expand their library.

The next time you want your children involved in a worthwhile activity, consider volunteering together as a family. Let Sondra’s practical suggestions encourage your family to help people, animals or the environment.

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Silvana Clark is a professional speaker, presenting keynotes and workshops on business-related topics. The author of 11 books, she gained her marketing experience by getting her “ordinary” dog to star in TV commercials. Oh yes, she also appeared on the Fox reality show, Trading Spouses. http://www.silvanaclark.com

July 17th, 2008 | Category: Guatemala, volunteer | Leave a comment

Am I to be a long burning ember —
Smouldering, dully red at the edge of sight ?

Is this all that I will remember,
Peering one-eyed from the underbrush of ash ?

Such an odd fate it is to be forever
Bound to the Earth and upward staring,
To be amazed by the cauldron dancing
And mystified by the vapors weaving.

There is the odd fit of flame —
A brilliant blaze upward leaping,
Above the dark wood dancing…
Yet all too soon it falters, seeming
To stumble back into the dim rubble below.

Stumbling back to quietly watch, dimly glaring, warming the night,
And from time to time to delight in new wood igniting.

AEM
032706

March 27th, 2008 | Category: Mythic Fiction, Transformational Story | Leave a comment

Okay everybody. Listen up.

We all know Going Green is a hot these days - just like jagar spots. But do you know what your environmental footprint is?

Take this great quiz at Live Science to find out. 

February 26th, 2008 | Category: environment | Leave a comment