Tag: Philosophy of Mind

Daily OM for February 27th – A Magical Mind

A Magical Mind
Wish

by Madisyn Taylor

When we wish for something our consciousness opens to receiving it like a flower unfolding its petals to receive a bee.

From blowing dandelion seeds into the air to throwing a penny into a fountain, we have all felt inspired to make a wish, to whisper our secret desires into the ears of the universe and wait for signs that we have been heard. Some wishes come true while others remain ethereal visions that either stay with us or fade like a star in the light of morning. Whether they come true or not, wishes are important missives, expressing our heart’s desire as well as our intention to create something new in our lives. When we wish for something, our consciousness opens to receiving it, like a flower unfolding its petals to receive a bee.

There is something innocent and magical about making a wish, something that recalls the energy of childhood. Wishing is not about formulating a plan and following it step by step to attain a goal, which is the realm of adulthood. Wishing is more like a playful volley across the universe, an invitation to play. Waiting for the response is an integral part of the process. Wishing inspires an innocent opening to the possibility of magic as we wait to see if the invisible realm will bring our wish to life. This opening is a beautiful gesture in and of itself, regardless of the outcome. We place ourselves in a magical mind, and this mind is arguably as wonderful as the fulfillment of our wish itself.

In our straightforward, action-oriented society, we may tend to dismiss the power of this seemingly passive process, yet the power of a wish is well known, hence the cautionary phrase, “Be careful what you wish for.“ If you have given up wishing in favor of more adult pursuits, you might want to bring its magic back into your life. The next time you see the first star of the evening, or find yourself in front of a birthday cake covered in flaming candles, give yourself the gift of the magical realm that you knew so well as a child—close your eyes, open your mind, and make your wish.

The Daily OM

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Your Ancient Symbol Card for Jan. 15th is The Tower

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

 

The Tower

As in the game of chess, where the towers stand guard at the corners of the battlefield, The Tower represents a defense and stronghold, perhaps at the edge of life, of change, of sanity. The tower rises out of solid bedrock and is a place to take refuge, to recoup, to meditate upon the next step. United as it is with solid earth, it also rises into the heavens, and it is there the answers appear to us, when we have climbed above daily worldly matters into a higher consciousness. When the Tower appears, seek solitude and cultivate inner strength, prepare for coming challenges.

As a daily card The Tower suggests you are in a time when you are likely to face major challenges. The Tower indicates that the best way for you to face these challenges is to fortify your inner resources and keep yourself solidly grounded.

 

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Daily OM for January 9th – Curative Attentiveness

Curative Attentiveness

Being Aware of Your Thoughts

by Madisyn Taylor

We seldom accept negative comments from others, however, we so often accept our own inner negative chatter.

Few people enjoy the company of individuals whose attitudes are persistently negative. Yet many of us tolerate the critical chatter that can originate within our own minds. Since we are so used to the stream of self-limiting, critical consciousness that winds its way through our thoughts, we are often unaware of the impact these musings have on our lives. It is only when we become aware of the power of such thoughts that we can divest ourselves of them and fill the emptiness they leave with loving, peaceful affirmations. Many people, upon paying careful attention to their thinking patterns, are surprised at the negativity they find there. But when we take notice of involuntary thoughts in a nonjudgmental way, we initiate a healing process that will eventually allow us to replace intimidating and upsetting self-talk with positive, empowering thoughts.

While the occasional downbeat or judgmental thought may have little impact on your contentment, the ongoing negativity that passes unnoticed can have a dampening effect on your mood and your outlook. When you are aware of the tone of your thoughts, however, you can challenge them. Try to be conscious of your feelings, opinions, and judgments for a single day. From sunup to sundown, scrutinize the messages you are feeding into your subconscious mind. Consider your thoughts from the perspective of a detached observer and try not to judge yourself based on the notions that come unbidden into your mind. Simply watch the flow of your consciousness and make a note of the number of times you find yourself focusing on gloomy notions or indulging in self-directed criticism.

As you become increasingly aware of your patterns of thought, whether positive and negative, you will gradually learn to control the character of your stream of consciousness. Endeavor always to remember that the images and ideas that pass through your mind are transient and not a true representation of who you are. In training yourself to be cognizant of your thoughts, you gain the ability to actively modulate your mood. The awareness you cultivate within yourself will eventually enable you to create a foundation of positivity from which you can build a more authentic existence.

The Daily OM

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The Daily OM for Nov. 26th – Beyond Counting Blessings

Beyond Counting Blessings
Being Truly Thankful

by Madisyn Taylor

Our gratitude deepens when we begin to be thankful for being alive during this time and living the life we are living.

Often when we practice being thankful, we go through the process of counting our blessings, acknowledging the wonderful people, things and places that make up our reality. While it is fine to be grateful for the good fortune we have accumulated, true thankfulness stems from a powerful comprehension of the gift of simply being alive, and when we feel it, we feel it regardless of our circumstances. In this deep state of gratitude, we recognize the purity of the experience of being, in and of itself, and our thankfulness is part and parcel of our awareness that we are one with this great mystery that is life.

It is difficult for most of us to access this level of consciousness as we are very caught up in the ups and downs of our individual experiences in the world. The thing to remember about the world, though, is that it ebbs and flows, expands and contracts, gives and takes, and is by its very nature somewhat unreliable. If we only feel gratitude when it serves our desires, this is not true thankfulness. No one is exempt from the twists and turns of fate, which may, at any time, take the possessions, situations, and people we love away from us. Ironically, it is sometimes this kind of loss that awakens us to a thankfulness that goes deeper than just being grateful when things go our way. Illness and near-miss accidents can also serve as wake-up calls to the deeper realization that we are truly lucky to be alive.

We do not have to wait to be shaken to experience this state of being truly thankful for our lives. Tuning in to our breath and making an effort to be fully present for a set period of time each day can do wonders for our ability to connect with true gratitude. We can also awaken ourselves with the intention to be more aware of the unconditional generosity of the life force that flows through us regardless of our circumstances.

The Daily OM

Mastering the Element Earth

Mastering The Element Earth….

1- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of dryness and coolness. However, don’t to this just out of your head. Rather, make a list of
Earth things that you see each day. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magickal diary.

2- Find a place filled with nature, such as a field or park. Wear as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie on the ground so that as much of your skin as possible is touching the ground. This is especially easy for women, as they can simply wear a flowing skirt with no underwear and sit on the ground with the skirt spread out. Spend some time contemplating, feeling the coolness and dryness of the Earth. You should do this at least three times within a week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that
you are the element Earth. Feel the heaviness, the slowness, the coolness and
dryness of Earth. Feel the way you can absorb the pains and problems of the world (however, do not actually do so). Become Earth. Do this exercise for at
least a week before moving to the next exercise.

4- Once you have leaned to “be Earth”, the next step is to control the element
Earth. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness.
Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a
bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Earth
element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container
between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then,
with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel lightheaded, overweight, just heavy and lethargic, do
this exercise. If you feel lighter and better, you have succeeded, with the test
AND with mastering the element Earth.

Mastering the Element Air

Mastering the element Air…

1- Make a list of the things which have the combined qualities of warmth and
moistness. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in
your magickal diary.

2- Find a place where you can be alone, take a lounge chair along with you. Wear
as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie in the chair. Begin pore breathing. This is started by doing the relaxation ritual. Next, become very aware of your breath. Become aware of the slow in and out motion of the physical air. Notice the way the air feels as it enters your body. Now imagine that your body is nothing more then a huge breathing apparatus. Imagine that every part of your body only has the function of breathing. You should do this exercise daily for one week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that
you are the element Air. Feel the lightness, the giddiness, the warmth and moisture of Air. Feel how physical things don’t seem to matter. Do this exercise
for only one week, NO MORE. If you wish to do it again, only do it once a month.

4- Once you have learned to “be Air”, the next step is to control the element Air. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Air. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Air element which is in you going out with
your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel heavy, slow or lazy, do this exercise. If you feel relaxed and refreshed, you have succeeded with the test AND with mastering the element Air.

Daily OM for October 7th – Expanding Their Vision

Expanding Their Vision

Nine Ways to Help Others Awaken to Consciousness

by Madisyn Taylor

 

By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see a living example of consciousness.

 

1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don’t hide – express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness.

2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear.

3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones’ curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul.

4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the path to consciousness while simultaneously reducing their stress levels.

5. Others may want to know more about living consciously but are unsure of how to begin. Starting a discussion group – even a virtual one – can help you reach out to individuals that are eager to learn.

6. By recognizing and acknowledging the inherent value in everyone you encounter, you can teach them how to value others. Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage people – even challenging ones – to respect others is to respect them first.

7. Invite people from your personal and professional lives to join you in attending a ceremony or ritual. The experience may touch them in a profound way or introduce them to a new spiritual path.

8. Casually point out the interconnectedness of all living beings using concrete, everyday examples. Many people are unaware of how their actions affect the world and are intrigued when they learn of the power they hold.

9. Introduce your loved ones to conscious living in a lighthearted and enjoyable way. Serve delicious organic recipes at gatherings, volunteer as a group, and show them how wonderful it can feel to be truly aware and connected to the universe.

Daily OM

You Are Being Guided

You Are Being Guided

We human beings are instinctively being guided to evolve. As with all creatures, we must adapt to changes in our environment to survive and flourish. We can see evidence of this evolutionary trend in our physiology, our society, and in our technology. Our brains continue to develop, an increasingly large percentage of humanity is becoming literate and educated, and technology has provided immediate access to billions of people’s minds through phone cells and chip sets. Satellite and Internet infrastructure is providing a “global mind” where we see and think the same thing at the same time, as one consciousness. The critical mass of what we think shifts the consciousness of individuals on a global scale. How we think affects the quality of our life, and even our survival.

Each day of your life you are provided experiences where you have to make choices in how you think and behave. The more conscious you are the more those choices bring greater happiness and peace into your life. You have learned from your life experiences what brings greater pleasure or pain into your existence, and have adapted your ways of thinking, feeling and behaving to increase the pleasure in your life and reduce the pain. The more conscious you have become, the greater clarity, happiness and peace you have gained by evolving your conscious awareness.

Your instinct has guided you to learn, and grow, and evolve to your highest potential, and it still is. You have been guided to these words to reflect on them. The more conscious you become of how you are being guided, the more you will see how you are being guided. The more conscious you become of the consciousness that is guiding you, the more conscious you become. Your consciousness evolves the more conscious you become of your consciousness. As you become more conscious you gain greater clarity, happiness and peace. It is only when we become unconscious that we think, say or do things that hurt ourselves or others. Only unconscious people hurt others, lie, cheat, steel, abuse or hate. Only an unconscious society disrespect others rights, destroy its natural resources, overpopulates or wages war.

We evolve through the tests and trials of daily living, both individually and collectively as a society. Lessons learned help to evolve us, but when we are not conscious of what we are being tested in we fail the test and get tested again and again until we learn and either further evolve, or perish. You have been guided to this moment of introspection in order to reflect upon your own place in the evolution of your own consciousness, and the role you might play in awakening the collective consciousness of humanity so that we might all live together in happiness and peace. You are part of a rapidly growing segment of the population that is awakening to full consciousness. Your individual awakening is contributing to the critical mass that is shifting the consciousness of the planet; you are preparing the way for an evolutionary leap in human consciousness. You are building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

From the heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Tarot Card for Monday, February 18th is Strength

Strength

Monday, Feb 18th, 2013

What has traditionally been known as the Strength card represents Nature which, however wild in its primal form, is tamed by our subtler, finer (feminine, interior) self. The will and passion of our instinctive nature does not need to be broken, but refined and brought to consciousness — so that all levels of Creation, inner and outer, may come into harmony.

The feminine soul-force contains a persuasive power that can nurture and induce cooperation from others, stilling disruptive energies by harmonizing differences in the spirit of collective good will.

Your Tarot Card for December 14th is Strength

Strength

Friday, Dec 14th, 2012

What has traditionally been known as the Strength card represents Nature which, however wild in its primal form, is tamed by our subtler, finer (feminine, interior) self. The will and passion of our instinctive nature does not need to be broken, but refined and brought to consciousness — so that all levels of Creation, inner and outer, may come into harmony.

The feminine soul-force contains a persuasive power that can nurture and induce cooperation from others, stilling disruptive energies by harmonizing differences in the spirit of collective good will.

Your Tarot Card for October 15 is Strength

Strength

What has traditionally been known as the Strength card represents Nature which, however wild in its primal form, is tamed by our subtler, finer (feminine, interior) self. The will and passion of our instinctive nature does not need to be broken, but refined and brought to consciousness — so that all levels of Creation, inner and outer, may come into harmony. 

The feminine soul-force contains a persuasive power that can nurture and induce cooperation from others, stilling disruptive energies by harmonizing differences in the spirit of collective good will.

Before You Start A Spell….Start Your Energy Engine!

Before You Start A Spell….Start Your Energy Engine!

You need to be able to concentrate to will the manifestation of spells.

Exercises for concentration

1) Light a candle on the table before you. Look (not stare) at the flame for a
few minutes. Close your eyes and hold the image in you mind for as long as you
can before you conscious mind intrudes.
2) Do the flame exercise once again and once you have the flame in your mind
change the size shape and color of the flame. Summon associated images and
follow them through.
3) Take a picture, place it at eye level, and follow the directions for 1. 4) Do 3 again, but when you have the picture in your mind, make it move, change
it and follow any related imagery through.

Notes on Meditation – meditation centers and grounds you.
Meditation can teach you many things about yourself, your abilities, and the
world around you.

Soft wordless music can help in meditation.
The fewer distractions the better.
Be in a comfortable position, but not one you will fall asleep in.
Do not try to meditate when sleepy, you´ll just fall asleep.
Close your eyes and encircle yourself with protective light, normally white.

Use a staircase, a bridge, a cave, any crossing over symbol you wish, to start
your trip into a different consciousness.

Talk to those you meet if you wish.
Try any thing that feels right to you.
If at any time you become uncomfortable with what is happening reaffirm the
protective light and leave.

You can search out and meet your anima/animus this way if you wish.
You can even meet a guide.

Alpha State –

Close your eyes and center yourself.
On a screen of the inside of your forehead see a large red 7.
Then count down, seeing the numbers on the inside of your forehead,
orange 6,
yellow 5,
green 4,
blue 3,
indigo 2,
violet 1.

Feel each color´s vibration. Once you reach violet 1 then keeping the color violet in you mind count backwards from 10-1.

Then say to yourself “Now I am in Alpha state all I do will be for the good and
harm no one.” Do what you wish now, spellwork, concentration manifestations, etc.

To leave Alpha state first give yourself a total health clearance by removing
everything yucky from your system with your mind (passing a hand across your body and visualizing any stress or illness leaving you works well) then count from violet 1 to red 7.

Then count up from 1-10 keeping the red in your mind, take a few deep breaths and open your eyes.

To get into instant Alpha, when in Alpha decide upon a sign that you can use to go directly into Alpha with your eyes open (useful for use when driving).

To neutralize threats through use of Alpha State, go into Alpha visualize
threats and cross them out with white x´s.

 

Daily OM for March 6th – The Truths Within

The Truths Within
Value Your Own Wisdom

 

 

Your very own inner wisdom should be valued more than any other and will always guide you in the direction you need to travel.

Throughout our lives, we will encounter individuals who presume to know what is best for us. The insights they offer cannot compare, however, with the powers of awareness and discernment that already exist within us. From birth we are blessed with wisdom that cannot be learned or unlearned. It exists whether or not we acknowledge it because it is a gift given to us by a loving universe before we chose to experience existence on the earthly plane. Yet for all its permanence, it is vital that we value and honor this incredible element of the self. It is when we do not use our inborn wisdom that we begin to doubt our personal truths and are driven to outside sources of information because we are afraid. What we know to be true in our hearts is invariably true, and we discover how intensely beautiful and useful self-trust can be when we recognize the power of our wisdom.

Inner wisdom is not subject to the influences of the outside world, which means that it will never demand that we surrender our free will or counsel us to act in opposition to our values. We benefit from this inspiration when we open ourselves to it, letting go of the false notion that we are less qualified than others to determine our fate. The wisdom inside of us is the source of our discernment and our ability to identify blessings in disguise. When we are unsure of who to trust, how to respond, or what we require, the answers lie in our inner wisdom. It knows where we are going and understands where we are coming from, taking this into account though it is not a product of experience but rather a piece of our connection to the universal mind.

In the whole of your existence, no force you will ever encounter will contribute as much to your ability to do what you need to do and be who you want to be as your natural wisdom. Through it, you reveal your growing consciousness to the greater source and discover the true extent of your strength. If you heed this wisdom with conviction and confidence, the patterns, people, and fears that held you back will be dismantled, paving the way for you to fulfill your truest potential.

STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

The electrical activity of the brain has been

observed and classified with EEG (electroencephalograph)

equipment; signals picked up from the scalp by electrodes,

then filtered and amplified, drive a graph recorder. Brain

activity has been found to produce specific ranges for

certain basic states of consciousness, as indicated in ‘hz’

(hertz, or cycles/vibrations per second):

delta — 0.2 to 3.5 hz (deep sleep, trance state),

theta — 3.5 to 7.5 hz (day dreaming, memory),

alpha — 7.5 to 13 hz (tranquility, heightened

awareness, meditation),

beta — 13 to 28 hz (tension, ‘normal’

consciousness).

As you can see, some form of physical relaxation is implied

in the alpha, theta, and delta consciousness. These states

are in fact reached through deep breathing, hypnosis, and

other relaxation techniques. OOBE occurs during these

states, and delta is probably the most important for it.

The problem is really, as we have said, one of maintaining

mental awareness and alertness while experienceing these

altered states. Experimental subjects hooked to an EEG do

not show a discrete change from drowsy to sleep; it is very

gradual.

At the threshold between sleep and waking

consciousness is a drowsy condition known as the hypnogogic

state. OOBE seems to occur during this state, or a

variant of it. By careful control of the hypnogogic state

(not going beyond it) it is possible to enter OOBE directly.

Little Ponderings for October 5th

  • Insanity is my only means of relaxation.
  • Everytime I think about exercise, I lie down til the thought goes away.
  • I finally got my head together, and my body fell apart.
  • There cannot be a crisis this week: my schedule is already full.
  • The nice part of living in a small town is that when I don’t know what I’m doing, someone else does.
  • The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.
  • Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.
  • Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it.
Jacobson