when all that you have built crumbles
when your fight has been for nought
when your castles surrender to the sea
as all which is material will
what then is left my friend?
I’ll tell
that which holds your heart
that which moves to laughter or tears
the friendships and joys of life
all that is eternal is yours to keep
made of spirit, light and love.
Water/Undine
Oh boundless sea, the cradle of life
To whom all rivers and tears run
United in a grand matrix
The consciousness of the planet
The great master of change and
renewal, your energy magnificent
shaping continents, carving your face
Upon the mantle of mother earth
You are her life blood, her circulation
Within your turbulent currents
Lies the wisdom of the ages
Remembered and locked in your vastness
Purity and fertility is your nature
And in your depths springs intuition
the power to reflect, without bounds.
To understand our life purpose.
We feel an affinity with your soul
You show the way to transformation
As so easily you change your state
From liquid to vapour, matter to spirit.
We will return to the source
As we begin to know you again
Water, the bearer of vitality
The medium of our own life force.
This is the final poem in the series, scroll back over the preceding days posts for the earlier ones.
Comments are always welcome and please share on your social networks.
Fire/salamander
The spark of life
Impetuous joy
Lighting the world
Carefree and light
Bringing warmth,
wild, bold and bright.
The spirit of dance
Passionate, burning
With brash intensity
Blazing a trail
The torch bearer
Conquering darkness
You are the beacon
Yet you live to consume
Transforming all matter
To finer existence
Purifying with love
Bonding and fusing.
Vigorously clothed
In radiant colours
Rainbow hues entice
and lure, but not too close
for your bite is acid and
zealous in its ambition.
The next part will be posted in two days, be sure to check back. Comments are always welcome and please share on your social networks,
Air/Sylph
Ephemeral cloak of elegance
Clinging skin tight around the earth
Invisible but felt, giver of breath
Graceful, inspiring and lifting
The fabric of your domain
A subtle medium, so gentle
You raise the spirit higher
in the lightness of your touch.
The soul excels in the freedom
As you envelope its being
Mental clarity soars to new heights
A vision clarified in azure blue
You draw us to spirituality as
The lightest of the elements
An ideal to yearn towards
I pause and kiss the sky.
The next part will be posted in two days, be sure to check back. Comments are always welcome and please share on your social networks.
Earth/Gnome
Solidarity with mother earth
Protecting her nurturing instinct
At one with her heavenly movement
You stand sure-footed on her soil
In her forests you meditate
Upon the foundations of order
Watching her children grow
Possessing the gift of healing.
You are grounded, existing deep
In tune with her vibration
The guardian of all that fly, crawl,
walk and swim within her realm
The earth is life and belonging
In circles of vast complexity
She does not belong to us
We belong to her, the great mother.
The next part will be posted in two days, be sure to check back. Comments are always welcome and please share on your social networks.
Introduction – The act of meditation is simple, yet at the same time it is a complex subject. In different forms it has been a part of all belief systems down the ages, though in many it has been the reserve of the mystics or shamans and not the general populace. But common prayer is also a form of meditation if the mind is engaged correctly.
Here I take a brief look at simple meditative practice, its purpose and an attempt to resolve perceived problems. As such it is aimed primarily at beginners or those in the early stages of practice but without a teacher and who are having difficulties.
What is Meditation? – First, let’s demystify it. Forget about gurus, cross-legged yogis, new-agers, tree huggers or ay other preconceived images you have of the practice. Meditation is actually an innate ability that most of us have lost as we have been consumed over the centuries by the egoic mind of thought, analysis, self aggrandisement and protection. Added to that our lives have grown ever more complex, the central cause of which is our desire for material gain. In a similar way people believe they must search for God. We have never lost God. God lives within us as has always been the case, but we have become desensitised to the presence, and so it is with meditation.
The rational thinking mind was a tool for us to use, but has grown into a monster by which we identify ourselves. It is not who we really are. Meditation brings us into contact with our true selves and the present moment, a place of stillness and silence, but it is not static. Within that still place dwells all energy, all creation and all knowledge. Every moment is the seed of life.
The aim of meditation is to bring to awareness the consciousness of who we really are. To ignore the incessant chatter of the mind, to step back from it and dwell for a period in the timeless realm of our inner being. The sense of peace and understanding this brings, the connection to all of life, the entire cosmos, is beyond compare and simple meditation can be used to enhance our daily lives and the lives of those about us. The more we meditate, the more we retain the knowledge from our meditations that the lives we lead are often a very shallow representation of reality and so our actions and reactions, and our interpretations of the world, become ever finer, our judgement clearer and our negative impact upon ourselves, others and the planet is reduced. We begin to become attuned to life. Meditational practices can move on to more complex manifestations, yet the simple practice of stillness and mindfulness of the present moment can lead to full enlightenment It is simply a question of time and practice.
Simple practice. – let me reiterate, meditation is an innate ability and doesn’t require technique or method. There are methods per se, but don’t confuse methods, which are merely a pathway, with the state of meditation itself.
Sit in a comfortable, straight-backed chair, adjust the chin position to achieve a straight back and settle into a stance of poise where the spine supports itself, not the back of the chair. It is possible to simply lie down. We need to achieve relaxation of the physical body and this can be done by working our way down from the head, through the arms, down through the torso and finally our legs and feet using our mind. Focus on each part of the body and relax it. One useful technique is to first tense and then relax the muscles.
In time this conscious practice is not necessary, the act of commencing a meditation and stilling the mind will automatically calm the body.
Now comes the part many have difficulty with, stilling the mind. Beginners often complain they can’t stop their thoughts. You can’t stop your thoughts; you can only control your response to them. Most are the idle chatter of the physical mind or the protestations of the ego. They won’t go away, but in time, with regular practice the chatter will reduce, one of the long-term benefits of mediation.
I’ll digress for a moment to use two analogies. A typical mind is like the effect of throwing a handful of small stones into a pond. The resulting ripples are random and confused, as is the mind. If you could get the mind quietened, similar to throwing one stone in the pond, one thought, how much do you think you could achieve by increased focus?
The second analogy is useful in seeing the relationship between focus and interrupting thoughts. You are watching and concentrating on a TV program, this represents the focus of the higher self. Your pet dog wanders in and starts vying for attention, he represents the egoic mind and he will try to disturb you away from something he doesn’t understand. You can engage with the pet, in which case your focus is destroyed or you can ignore it in which case it will eventually go away.
So this is how we deal with thoughts, we step back and simply observe them, they will come and go but we must try not attach to them, this comes with practice. If we step back and watch our thoughts, who is the watcher? That is your higher self, your true self.
The way we meditate then is simply to let our thoughts come and go while ignoring their content. Ways to assist are to focus on the breath, a candle or a spiral pattern; this provides an anchor for the mind/ego to keep it entertained while freeing our higher selves to experience the stillness within the present moment. To use breathing, become aware of each breath, the in and the out, and the pauses between. Let the breath be natural, don’t force it, just be aware, observe it. We then allow our true consciousness to dwell in the present moment, resisting any thoughts to ponder the past or future. Aim for 20 minutes but any duration is beneficial to begin.
Difficulties – Many complain of restlessness or interrupting thoughts. The ego doesn’t like meditation, it has no control and will try to convince you of its futility, it is scared. Persevere, it will get easier and the ego will grow weaker. The benefits to health and well-being are immeasurable.
Meditation is simple. It is not difficult but it does require daily practice, some will find it easier than others. You may feel a lack of progress, but don’t give up. A 5 minute session where you believe you didn’t relax and focus is still progression, you tried and the practice counts.
My description of technique here is brief, first because it really is actually very simple, and second because the purpose of this post was to provide an insight into meditation and potential difficulties encountered. I will be writing more about meditation in future posts.
For more help and guided meditations Allison Conway, a wonderful on-line friend, has spent much time and effort on her blog in providing some excellent meditation podcasts;
Thanksgiving has recently been celebrated in America, an almost unique stance for a nation to take, a national day to take stock of, and be thankful for, what we have been given.
But how many passed this time in true reflection and grace, sharing a joyous time with family, and how many used it as an excuse for greed and gluttony in a similar way to which many celebrate Christmas time, succumbing to commercialism, bargain hunts and the rush for Black Friday deals and bargains.I won’t dwell on that, my intent is to focus on the broader concept of Gratitude as a daily approach to life.
Each and every one of us has reason to express gratitude on a daily basis, no matter what our station in life. At the fundamental level we can be grateful just for the simple act of breathing, we have life and therefore potential. Many will complain that their lives are in a bad place, yet there is always a blessing; nobody can descend so low that they cannot see a situation worse than their own in some way, perhaps in a different way, but nevertheless less fortunate.
It is well to meditate upon the following proverb “I used to complain about having no shoes until I met a man with no feet.” The depth of meaning goes far beyond the example given by the words.
Indeed, we would need to be in a very dark state to have nothing to be grateful for.
So what can you gain and share from being grateful and how can you embrace it?
To be grateful on a regular basis is a life enhancing experience, it will change you. Gradually all negativity fades, you become energised, limitless and at peace with yourself. The reality is that you are surrounded by abundance, whether or not you recognise it. If you can recognise it with the benefit of gratitude your life will begin to unfold, in every aspect. Thus opportunity opens up; to excel, to create, to be truly happy, to give and to love. To dwell in the miracle of life, right now.
How can you practice and achieve this state of gratitude? Here is one way; everyday for the next week, set aside a few moments at the same time each day. Whether it is before sleep (the best time), when you awake or at midday, just make it consistent. In those few moments write down three things you are grateful for over the past day. The act of writing down helps make the statements real and meaningful to the mind, far better than just thinking about them.
Highlight different aspects of your life each day, the smallest of things have as much power as the larger. For example, gaining a new job would obviously rank high, but so does opening the curtains in the morning and feeling the warmth of the sun; take joy from every moment. Write it down and realise that you have so many things to be grateful for!
And that is it, by taking these few minutes each day I guarantee you will notice a change before the end of the week. Once you feel that, you have taken another step on the road to fulfilment which will change your life.
A few minutes a day, take the challenge!
Spiritual awakening can be a fast or slow process. For some, an extraordinary event, or tragedy, can trigger the start; in others, it takes an accumulation of years and experiences in life. It often begins with curiosity or a feeling that something isn’t right. The view of the world foisted upon us is false, there is more, so much more. We may become discontent in the early stages, a sense of being out-of-place.
One is drawn to certain books perhaps, or starts the search for truth in some other way. Many become attracted to various ‘New Age’ philosophies or learn about different belief systems. They search out esoteric literature trying to find the solution in words and symbols.
For me it all began at an early age. My mother became a spiritualist, a long story which I won’t go into here. I was brought up with knowledge of life beyond this earthly one, and evidence to back it up. For many years I quested further, reading book after book, immersing myself in ‘knowledge’ and, so I believed, wisdom and understanding. I read about the magical, mystical aspects of Christianity, hidden and lost teachings, the Celtic tradition, Egyptian and Jewish mysticism, and many others. I read about the power of the mind and its possibilities. Then something changed, a realisation that it is direct experience which counts, not knowledge.
What do I mean by ‘direct experience’? That which is gained through dedicated prayer or meditation. Let me make an analogy here with chocolate. Knowledge is the scientific understanding of its chemical composition; the reaction of the taste buds, what compounds induce those sensations, the source of the cocoa, the plant, its varieties and growing areas, the manufacturing process of a chocolate bar and so on. All of which pale into insignificance once one actually eats the chocolate, delighting in its smooth, sensual texture and exquisite taste. Once one has that experience, no amount of knowledge about its manufacture is needed. Knowledge without experience is purely academic and empty. Knowledge is interesting perhaps, but secondary to experience.
Knowledge of other realms and dimensions, the connectedness of everything that is, the creative spirit which pervades the entire universe is as nothing compared to actually experiencing it, and if experienced, then the knowledge is not required. Meditation was the road I took to search for intimate experience, the way used throughout the ages and through all clutures. Once again I searched, flitting from one method to another like a butterfly going from one flower to the next, never spending long enough in one ‘system’ to gain anything much of value. In time another realisation occurred through inspired understanding; the method is not important, nor, actually, is a method necessary.
A few years ago I came across the teachings of Eckart Tolle and searched in vain for a ‘method’ in his works. There was only one, very brief, description of meditation. Eventually I got it. The experience of ‘the Now’ is meditation itself, there is no method! To live in the now is to live in meditation.
Another resource I came across through an interest in Buddhism can be found through this link The basic method of meditation In its explanation of the various stages it gave me the clearest understanding of the basics of mediation which I have ever come across and once again pointed to the fact there is no method as such;
1. Sustained Attention on the present moment
2. Silent attention on the present moment
3. Full sustained attention on the beautiful breath
To take the first glimpse, for a few moments, of that ‘sustained attention on the present moment’, to surrender to the moment with no attachment of thought to past or future, is a revelation and reletively easy to achieve. Finally it all fell into place; the understanding of meditation as a practice towards spiritual enlightenment, the ‘power of now’ and that there is no method per se !
Many people ask ‘how do you meditate’, they want a method or system. Sure, there are techniques for relaxation, which is a prerequisite for any meditation. But after that one only needs a basic idea of what meditation is; the disassociation with random thoughts enabling the higher consciousness to realise itself and the universe. Many complain that they can’t stop their minds from thinking about things. We cannot stop our minds from thinking, from working, what we have to control is our tendency to latch onto thoughts; we must let them pass without attaching to them. Eckart Tolle gave a great analogy in a talk; you are the host at a large dinner party and your job is to greet the guests as they come in. The guests are your thoughts. You greet each guest then let them pass and move on to the next, you cannot afford to engage in conversation with each guest.
There are higher levels of meditation beyond the basics, for which some guidance is necessary, but everything can be achieved with the dedicated practice of the basic methods.
Theses are some of my thoughts on meditation based on experience and practice, your views are always welcome in the comments. Thanks for reading.
The Roots of Inequality
From the millionaire seated in his luxurious office, or on board his multimillion dollar motor yacht, or in one of his many mansions, to the man, child or woman struggling to find a crust of bread on the streets of Mumbai, London, Mombasa or any one of a thousand locations; life is full of inequality.
So many have everything and yet so many more have nothing. In our hearts we ask why? Those of us who have enough. Then we cast the thoughts aside while we continue to pursue our own tiny lives, believing they will get better, striving to make them better, believing more will make us happier. Some donate to charity, a worthy endeavour, yet, while easing their guilt or angst it does little to change the world. Resources are ‘diverted’ by those wanting to take their cut. meanwhile, many western economies have, in recent years, printed billions of dollars worth of currency out of thin air to prop up their failing economies, not a cent of which is seen by those who need it just to acquire food.
What creates this equality when there is enough food and water in the world to sustain us all? When their is enough wealth for every single person on our planet to be housed, educated, clothed and have the benefit of full medical facilities?
1. Greed – most people are still in the grip of the ego. It tries to protect itself, ultimately by having more than it will ever need, could ever want. It doesn’t care. Oh, the higher self may be struck with pity or the desire to do something but the ego will soon override any compassion for its own survival. It is our base nature that has become the demon which controls our lives. And so those with power and wealth simply crave more of it, for their own ends, forsaking those less well off. Which leads to…
2. War – It is the same story. How can we bring ourselves to kill our fellow beings in the name of religion, or for a political ideal or for land? Land which is every persons birthright. Land that was given to all humankind to tend and nurture. How can anyone believe ‘this land belongs to me’. Once again, see greed and ego above. What makes a person or nation say ‘my God is the only true God’ or ‘my form of democracy/communism/ fascism (add whatever ideology you want) is the only way’.
These two are the prime causes of inequality. Whenever you argue with someone or don’t accept their point of view or try to change that person, you are enacting the same dysfunctional mindset that leads to war and greed. As above, so below, the microcosm and the macrocosm.
It all comes down to the same root cause, ego. We are not who we think we are, free and independent spirits, while in the grip of the ego, we are lost; inequality and barbarism will continue. The egoistic mind was a tool granted to us to enable deep analytical though, that the universe may become self aware by mankind’s understanding of it. But thought became all. ‘I think, therefore I am’ as stated by Rene Descartes, was believed to be an epiphany, but it was a fallacy. We are not our thoughts. For most of the time when we think, which for most people is all the time, we allow ourselves to be in the grip of the ego. As we have grown in learning and thought so the ego has become the monster which has taken over our lives, assimilating with us so well that we believe it is who we are. It is not.
Our true selves lie hidden behind and must be reawakened.
But the struggle is on, right now, to overcome our pygmy selves. People are reaching out, the beginnings of revolution, though not in the traditional sense. Many are searching for new religions, new beliefs and ultimately finding the path to their true selves through mediation; the method par excellence which is open to all, and through which can know that we are all equal and intrinsically linked to the entire cosmos. But most, in the western world, are still not quite ready to give up what they have, the ego, even when subdued, remains present.
As the world changes so will they, then the masses. Understanding, or rather, inner-standing will become the norm. More people everyday are beginning to see the inequality of the world, not as a cursory thought, but as a deep feeling that is something very wrong. There is a mass movement against globalisation, demonstrations at G8 summits, a growing concern about a New World Order; it will not be allowed to happen. The world belongs to everyone, not the few. I recall the story of a Queen concert many years ago; Freddie Mercury told the audience ‘there is no dancing allowed in this auditorium, but if you all get up there is nothing they can do about it!’ That is how the future will change.
An objective view of the human race as a unit; ‘delusional, prone to out-breaks of mass murder and theft, paranoid in the extreme and wrecking it’s own home to make it eventually uninhabitable’. Of course, there is much good in the world too, mankind has achieved wonders, but balance is lacking. Behind the smiling faces of politicians the world is tearing itself apart.
The revolution will come when we reach the ‘tipping point’, which will come, when enough people stand up and say “enough!” It has to come, for the sake of us all and the planet itself, home for all of us as brothers and sisters, no matter what colour or beliefs. It will be a painful night for many but in the new dawn we will live in peace, harmony and love.
Thanks for reading 🙂 Comments are welcome and always replied to, feel free to share your thoughts.
The previous post was in response to a writing challenge from Chuck Wendig and the following poem was formed in parallel inspiration with the short story, if that makes sense; I’ve no idea how the mind works sometimes 🙂
The Crystal Castle
Crystal castle, shining
with ephemeral light
radiating through all creation
holding in its core
all truth and knowledge
all wisdom and love
abounding with succour
the sanctuary of souls.
Angels come hence
to rest their auras
safe from battles
against darkness
and blind ignorance
delighting in the peace
and presence of the one
who guides and loves.
In the halls of learning
the word is spread
to all who come
travellers in space and time
the words of truth
that love is all
in the crystal castle, shining
as a beacon of hope, eternal.
Thanks for reading! Comments are always welcome and please feel free to share on your social networks.
Robert Jepson 