posted September 16, 2007 12:34 PM         

As weavers of our own lives, we see objects of the ordinary world, external or internal, beings, events, feelings, and actions as multicolored threads giving meaning and linking us to life. While observed from the outside world, these disparate and unrelated objects and beings take on for us their "usual" appearance and separateness for us. However, seen from the level of our awakened awareness, they jointly develop a wonderful and harmonious relationship analogous to the threads in a tapestry.

Worldly facts, events, memories, feelings and beings—or rather the ideas and symbols that we give to them—somehow change in value when seen from the perspective of a weaver. We are the weavers of our own lives, in which each experience can become an important thread used by our consciousness to connect with one another. Hence, when at a certain point in our lives, we decide to become the weaver, these entangled threads of our experiences and knowledge blend into a beautiful and useful tapestry.

Cloth, thread, loom, spindle, and whatever else is used in spinning and weaving, all represent symbols of our future and destiny. They are used to denote all that rules predetermine and join together our different and ever-changing realities, consciously harmonizing them in ourselves. They are also used to create and make something of our own substance and essence, as the spider does in spinning a web.

Many fairy tales feature goddesses holding spindles or weaving instrument whilst presiding over the birth of a prince or princess. In other instances, they represent time and the chain of cause and effect, or karmic laws. However, when man becomes the weaver of his own destiny, he naturally unfolds the qualities of the creative artist, and becomes the sacred fool whose intuition is guided by the thread of his soul.

On the Symbolism of the Thread

Turning to the archetypal meaning of the thread, it symbolizes the agent that links all states of being to one another and to the First Cause. This symbolism finds its best expression in the Upanishads, where the thread (sutra) "links this world to the other world and to all beings." The thread is both the soul (atman) and the breath (prana). The thread must in all things be followed back to its source because it is linked to a main central point, often depicted as the Sun. This is reminiscent of thread, the active ingredients of Theseus’ return to the light of day.

ARIADNE'S BALL OF TWINE.

Ariadne’s ball of twine or rope stands for the spiritual assistance needed to overcome the minotaur. The minotaur is the creature with a man’s body and a bull’s head, which king Minos imprisoned in the Labyrinth, built as tribute by Athens to Crete. The minotaur was regularly fed with seven youths and seven maidens, and the king’s son, Theseus, offered himself as one of them. Thanks to a ball of twine that Ariadne gave him to escape from the Labyrinth, Theseus was able to kill the beast.

The minotaur symbolizes the labyrinth of our unconscious, ignorant, perverted human nature, an ugly and soiled embroidery that is dominated by our ego, symbolized by king Minos. Hence, Ariadne’s ball of twine, like the thread, stands for the guidance coming from our soul and our higher intuition to overcome the beast of ignorance and selfishness. This myth symbolizes the spiritual struggle against repression. However, this struggle cannot be won without the weapons of light and the presence of our soul, symbolized by Ariadne herself.

In a spiritual context, the thread also represents the energies and magnetic stimulation and intuition coming from the soul. Therefore, we become the channels for the expression of our soul, and the threads linking us to it are a combination of our own thoughts and emotions blending with those of the soul. Together they form the tapestry of our life.

We have already seen that the thread is one of the meanings of the word sutra of the Buddhist scriptures. It should be added that the word "tantra" is also derived from the notion of thread or weaving.

Threading a needle is the symbol of passing through the gateway of the Sun and escaping from the cosmos. It also has the same meaning as the arrow piercing the center of the target. In this context, the thread may be regarded as the link between the different cosmic levels (infernal, terrestrial and celestial) or those of spiritual psychology, (subconscious, conscious, superconscious, or pure Being or Soul awareness).

All around the Mediterranean Basin, weaving is to woman what ploughing is to man—participating in the work of creation. Through myths and tradition, weaving has an equal archetypal importance as ploughing, although the way they operate remains different. Both, however, are conscious acts involving all the qualities necessary for creating and producing. Hence the thread of the soul links the weaver’s full awareness and qualities on his/her work, which becomes beautiful. Similarly, the farmer ploughs his field with the same attention and devotion, also linking his consciousness to the thread of his soul.

"As the spider weaves its thread out of its own mouth, plays with it and then withdraws it again into itself, so the external unchangeable Lord, who is without form, without attributes, who is absolute knowledge and absolute bliss, evolves the whole universe out of Himself, plays with it for a while, and again withdraws it into Himself." (by Bhagavatam)
The one who really sees this Truth, realizes his own nature as the Soul or pure Being.

posted September 16, 2007 05:20 PM         

Indeed this post is about how each one relates to its own being.

It will be shocking to many to realize that life has no purpose. The universe is just is. It has no purpose, but it has a meaning.

And we need to come to an understanding of its meaning. With each understanding we come closer to realizing our true self.

posted September 16, 2007 06:51 PM         

Since we are a part of the Creation of the Love Energy of God as are all things we do have a purpose in life. It is to share our own love energy with others. It is to contribute our love energy to the Universe.

When we leave our physical bodies our souls carry all that love energy with us and it is all conbined into one with the Source of all Love.

posted September 16, 2007 07:31 PM         

Two must reads of Chardin:

The Phenomenon of Man
By De Chardin Pier Teilhard

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin was one of the most distinguished thinkers and scientists of our time. He fits into no familiar category for he was at once a biologist and a paleontologist of world renown, and also a Jesuit priest. He applied his whole life, his tremendous intellect and his great spiritual faith to building a philosophy that would reconcile Christian theology with the scientific theory of evolution, to relate the facts of religious experience to those of natural science.

The Phenomenon of Man, the first of his writings to appear in America, Pierre Teilhard's most important book and contains the quintessence of his thought. When published in France it was the best-selling nonfiction book of the year.

The Divine Milieu
By De Chardin Pier Teilhard

The essential companion to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's The Phenomenom of Man, The Divine Milieu expands on the spiritual message so basic to his thought. He shows how man's spiritual life can become a participation in the destiny of the universe.

Teilhard de Chardin -- geologist, priest, and major voice in twentieth-century Christianity -- probes the ultimate meaning of all physical exploration and the fruit of his own inner life. The Divine Milieu is a spiritual treasure for every religion bookshelf.

posted September 16, 2007 08:34 PM         

The captain of Titanic wanted to set a record. What happened to the ship? It sank.

How many times you have said "Today I will exercise 20 minutes on the thread." Same calories or more could be burnt by breathing meaningfully with consciousness for few minutes.

>>>I think the Universe is Love

Mirandee - Yes our being is love itself.

But I would like to share my own observation with you. The word "love" has become the latest fashion amongst many people these days. They all speak of it but in my opinion only the person who has been touched by God (putting it lamely) has really known the true meaning of Love.

I posted recently about mother Theresa. Simple put service does not lead to one's understanding of Love. She has confirmed my own doubts. If you truly love your being will just emanate love and the others around just can't miss it. Sorry to bring her up in this way. I do have tremendous respect for her sacrifises. Her constant battles with her faith. I haven't studied her on what happened in later years of her life. Did she have the spiritual experiece that she always hoped for?

My scale constantly changes. "I know that I don't know".

So heres what I believe:

The life force or kundalini is in all human beings but they are latent. Unless that opens no one can call themselves spiritual. Or even say that they know what love is. Hehe next time you hear the song that goes "I wanna know what love is. Want you to show me" Is it???? I guess you have an answer for him. Kidding.

How do you know your kundalini energy is open? One example: lets say you are watching that beautiful valley , you don't get tired watching it for hours. Thats just one example. Very rarely you find yourself in low moods. As William Blake puts it best:

quote:

---

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

---

Lets say a guy loves a girl and wants to express it. Certainly he can last all nite, but won't he get tired the next day? On the other hand if you are in the presence of a great master or teacher, do u really get tired even after many many days? Its because their being is in the same consciousness that even you also want to be in. And thats why you have chosen them.
I am not encouraging that every one should measure with a scale all the time. You see , then it becomes exactly what it shouldn't. it becomes a purpose then. instead of having a meaning.

I give you peace, my peace I give you - Jesus

Me thinks - How wonderful those words were

Love

posted September 16, 2007 08:36 PM         

I haven't read those books.

The Phenomenon of Man
By De Chardin Pier Teilhard

Would love to. Do you think my above perspective will change after reading them or will it deepend ?

Cheers!!!

posted September 16, 2007 08:39 PM         

>>>He shows how man's spiritual life can become a participation in the destiny of the universe.

Mirandee - sorry I can't agree on that. Universe does not have a destiny.

posted September 16, 2007 09:43 PM         

quote:

---

haven't read those books.

The Phenomenon of Man
By De Chardin Pier Teilhard

Would love to. Do you think my above perspective will change after reading them or will it deepend ?

---

That is not for me to say, Mannu. I think that your spiritual journey is yours alone and what deepens your perspective or touches you spiritually is what is meant for you alone to lead you on your journey.

Just as it was Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She did what her own unique journey lead her to do and the things she did for others was a result of that love experience she had with God. If she had not been touched by God inwardly she could never have done what she did or sacrificed what she did.

Who are we to wonder or know the experiences others have of God - or with God? That is a one on one relationship that each of us has uniquely with God.

As for her doubts about her faith, if she never had any doubts, if she never questioned she could never have grown spiritually and her faith could not have grown. There has never been a mystic throughout the course of time who has not had doubts and who did not question his/her faith.

Once we know for sure that where we are spiritually is it -we have arrived - and we don't doubt or question we are lost. When it comes to God to know all is impossible and what we do know is bascially nothing in comparison to all we not only don't know but can't even begin to comprehend. Our minds cannot even begin to know all the questions we have yet to ask concerning the vast mystery of God.

Tielhard de Chardin had his thoughts and they are interesting and give a lot to ponder. But they aren't the answers because genius as he was, he did not even comprehend the questions he should have been asking regarding God.

posted September 16, 2007 09:54 PM         

quote:

---

My scale constantly changes. "I know that I don't know".

---

quote:

---

They all speak of it but in my opinion only the person who has been touched by God (putting it lamely) has really known the true meaning of Love.

---

quote:

---

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

---

quote:

---

Universe does not have a destiny.

Another topic someday..

---

posted September 16, 2007 10:12 PM         

True. I have to read the book though to understand what happened. Was she simply longing to have more experience?

I remember the story in Gnostic how the man Jesus raised just set his eyes on Jesus. He was in love. Jesus asks him to wear some very minimal cloth and see him in the cave. To the ordinary mind it would seem homosexuality. But it seems the young man was in bliss as he got the glimpse of the kundalini energy and could relate to the energy present in Jesus. So bad the catholics have kept hidden an alternate source of knowledge that has pushed mankind behind. I hate that double standards. My way or highway .. Jeez. That Never works.
I remember at one point how people were given bread in India if they changed their religion to christianity. Jesus wasn't a Christian. Was he? I admire Mother Teresa because she was a very different catholic. She was a pain to some of her superiors i believe. Way to go Mam

BTW, the other person is simply an extension of your own inner self. So it really helps to understand their process because their truths rings our own bells and we know that that path is not meant for us.

Quantity does not matter Quality does. if you fed 100000 people is same as other person who fed 1 person with sincerity.

Again I stress on the quality of the being and its so related to this post here.

The lord will bring everyone to an understanding of him in their own way. I just shared here for seekers who shall walk this thread and suck some wisdom of this thread hopefully.

That link is super cool !!!!!!

posted September 16, 2007 10:51 PM         

quote:

---

My scale constantly changes. "I know that I don't know"...Mannu as quoted by Fayte

---

Well, then, Mannu and I agree on that.

quote:

---

They all speak of it but in my opinion only the person who has been touched by God (putting it lamely) has really known the true meaning of Love...once again Fayte quoting Mannu

---

We agree on that too. Where we might disagree if I am understanding from his assessment of Mother Teresa and her service to others, is that we cannot judge who has and who has not been touched by God. I don't recall Mother Teresa ever saying that what she did for others was to prove that she had been touched by God. What she did for others was out of the love and compassion she had in her heart.

quote:

---

Universe does not have a destiny.
Another topic someday...Fayte quoting Mannu

---

That sounds like an empathic statement to me.

When it comes to the universe itself we have scientific knowledge that everything in the universe is mathimatically precise and has a purpose. The sun has a purpose. The moon has a purpose. Earth sustains life so it has a purpose. We know that everything in creation has a purpose. Plants and trees provide oxygen for us to breathe. Evaporation of water provides rain which sustains life to all living things. All animal life procreate and so life goes on. The universe and all everything on earth has a purpose for existing as it is.

When it comes to God one cannot say on the one hand that they " know but don't know" and then make an emphatic statement like that about God as if it were true and known. How does Mannu know for certain that Universe does not have a destiny? He may think that, he may hold that opinion and he may even hold that belief but that does make it emphatic or true. Especially when all evidence points to the contrary. Besides he said he knows but doesn't know.

To not have destiny would mean that Universe has no purpose. Yet all that exists contradicts that. Everything in creation has a purpose and therefore has a destiny. There is purpose to everything God does. We do know that God's purpose from all God has revealed to mankind of his Being is oneness with all creation and eternal oneness with our Source, the Being many of us call God. All that God does in our lives and in the world is leading us to that Unity with God. Purpose = a reason for being = destiny or the end result of purpose.

Please excuse me for speaking of you in the third person, Mannu but it was not you who posted your quotes but Fayte quoted what you have said in the third person and so I was addressing the quotes of yours that she posted.

Two out of three ain't bad, Mannu But we do disagree on that last quote. Unless we were to deny the entire history of creation and all that God has revealed of himself and his purpose to mankind. And at the same time deny all that our present scientific studies have taught us about the universe and life on earth.

I don't know about others but I do have a goal. I am goal oriented. My goal is to be One with God. I may not attain that in my lifetime but nonetheless it has been my goal for a long, long time now.

posted September 16, 2007 11:00 PM         

Very good video.

posted September 16, 2007 11:12 PM         

"Artwork courtesy of and copyright
by Daniel B. Holeman

In Sanskrit the name anahata was given to the fourth chakra, which literally means "unstricken" It refers to the subtle vibration that is the creative energy of the Void and is chanted as the sacred syllable OM. It is said to be heard inwardly in meditation when consciousness awakens in the heart or kundalini has reached this chakra. The fourth chakra is also, commonly referred to as the Mystical Heart in the Christian mysteries and as the Intelligence of the Heart in the Egyptian Mysteries. When the heart center is awakened, then the impulses of spiritual inspiration and altruistic love pour in and an ardent desire for all beings to enjoy the love and beatitude available at this level of awareness is, felt. In the Buddhist tradition, this urge is, expressed as the vow to assist all sentient beings to reach Enlightenment. A person who actualizes this vow becomes a Bodhisattva. All forms of romantic love are, motivated by this search for union with the source of love. However, it is an unconscious distortion of the ego and a great misfortune that this search is directed outward and that the source is misunderstood as being “a person” outside of oneself. This misunderstanding is due to the ego being divorced from its source, which is its Perfect Model or, “inherent blueprint” - its complementary divine Self. It is in the heart center that the union of the female and male (Yin/Yang) energies takes place. In other words, when the two opposite and complementary energies within each one of us occurs, then Cosmic Consciousness awakens in the ego of a seeker – the bud becomes a rose… and unfolds the quality of unconditional love in his/her mystical heart.

As for Buddhist Tantra, the fourth chakra has twelve bright red petals. Within this we find two smoke-colored interlocking triangles. Together they make the Vayu mandala, which represents the harmonious rela­tionship between the male and female forces of the cosmos. Within the Vayu mandala, which also symbolizes the air element, there is an antelope. Noted for its rapidity, the antelope is a good vehicle and symbol for the ancient God of the wind, Vayu. In Buddhist Tantra, the fire element is associated with the heart center. Its symbol is a red triangle pointing upwards. Lama Govinda claims that this fire is not physical but psychic. It is the fire of religious devotion and inspiration. He goes on to say that the heart center is the seat of the intuitive mind and transmuted feelings (divine love and compassion), and that it is a primary focus in meditation because it is where the universal is realized in human experience.'

The Primordial Buddha Aksobhya sits on the throne of the heart chakra. His Mirror-like Wisdom dispels the illusion of the separateness of things and reflects their innate Voidness. His negative passions are anger and aversion.

For the Christian Mysteries it is the place of the sacrificial God. The center where the "Perfect Model" dissolves (the Sephirah of Tipheret in Kabbalah) completely in the Great Void of the seat of Being…

The Tree of Life in Kabbalah
(Please note that you should look at this image from the point of view of the figure on the diagram in other words his right arm represents Wisdom and his left arm represents the Feminine Principle or Understanding)

As the heart center begins to unfold, it attracts a teacher who serves as the embodiment of this level of consciousness. This happens on both planes, the inner and outer physical planes of existence. In other words, it is the place from where the Perfect Model of a seeker makes an impact on his ordinary level of consciousness. It may also open his/her level of consciousness to conscious communication with the spiritual hierarchy of beings guiding the souls of this planet through intuition, vivid dreams, strange encounters and the like. Disciples may in turn act in the heart of a group working to guide terrestrial evolution.

Christian Kabbalah

Currently, the energies of the heart center are becoming more active as we collectively evolve beyond the stages of con­sciousness related to the lower, three centers. One problem in this transition, so prevalent in the New Age movement, is the attempt to live in the heart without dealing with the repressions and ego drives in the lower centers. If, for example, we are angry, arrogant, desperate, or emotionally insecure, love does not flow freely. A forced decision to be loving cannot be the same as a spontaneous outpouring of deeply felt love.

Confusion also arises between romantic love and altruistic love. Romantic love is associated with the projection of the anima and animus and the desire for the perfect relationship. Romance is an ideal that can only unfold from within, a projection of an ideal complementary that can only unfold from within.

Altruistic love, on the other hand, is an empathy and compassion that enables us to act in a deeply caring way. It is an unconditional acceptance of life and respect of others. There is a depth of understanding and wisdom in this love that only comes from a profound experience of life, which includes suffering. It is not a projection or a form of control, but a very sincere openness and surrender to what is. A seeker experience disappointments, but he/she will never be broken hearted if he/she remains open to his/her potential for being in this state of unconditional love.

We might think that opening the heart center brings only peace and love. Aside from meeting with our own repressed grief and fear of being vulnerable, there are many obstacles that arise as the chakra of the heart unfolds. The heart center invokes intense forces from the soul and inner spiritual realms. The activities, or mere presence of a person with an enlivened heart center may either attract or create negative reactions in others, as the love vibration penetrates barriers and stimulate the love that has been buried beneath untold pain and suffering. In Esoteric Healing, Alice Bailey points out that the difficulties accompanying the opening of the heart center are some of the most problematic experienced on the spiritual path. These include reactions from others that range from wild devotion to extreme hatred, causing much confusion and turmoil for the seeker. However, with time, the seeker learns to ignore these reactions and withdraw personal attachments and expectations from this kind of love. With compassion and patience, he/she allows others to accept or reject the forces of unconditional love in the heart center.

posted September 17, 2007 07:18 PM         

Before I leave this I know is that the love that you think you possess is different than when your being opens and you love. One cannot put in words, the power of that true love in dormant in every human. Shocking but true.

Affirmations brings us closer and closer to our true selves and opens up a bit.

At first your love was for sale on the street and now you cherish it. Protect it from swines.

I should not compare but this thing is worth comparing.

Bluh bluh....all right stopping my ramblings.

posted September 17, 2007 07:30 PM         

This is one of the best thing I ever read. I too was locked in that part of my ego until I heard it from my Masters mouth.
And those words really echos my exact feelings.

Excellent...

posted September 17, 2007 08:17 PM         

quote:

---

this I know is that the love that you think you possess is different than when your being opens and you love. One cannot put in words

---

quote:

---

All forms of romantic love are, motivated by this search for union with the source of love. However, it is an unconscious distortion of the ego and a great misfortune that this search is directed outward and that the source is misunderstood as being “a person” outside of oneself. This misunderstanding is due to the ego being divorced from its source, which is its Perfect Model or, “inherent blueprint” - its complementary divine Self.

---

posted September 17, 2007 10:29 PM         

Love your enemies as yourself is good psychological advice as well as sound spiritual counsel.

You might not want to admit that you have enemies, but we all do. A friend is someone you like, while one who is not a friend is someone you do not like – perhaps because you do not know them.

The word ‘enemy’ comes from the Latin in + amicus (not friend). The root of amicus (friend) is amare, ‘to love.’ So a friend is someone you love, and an enemy is someone you do not love. An enemy is someone who represents something negative within yourself that you do not know or do not accept. An enemy is someone on whom you project some unconscious aspects of yourself.

You cannot like or love someone you do not know. In order to love your enemy you have to know them, and in order to know them you have to know yourself enough so as not to project onto them aspects of your shadow self.

I recently spent several hours in a government office in a developing country trying to get some paperwork done. I was going through an inner struggle about the real situation I was in. I found myself alternating between thoughts of criticism about the inefficiency the clerks were demonstrating, and thoughts of me admitting that I did not understand why they acted the way they did. I wanted things to proceed more quickly and I could see how that could easily be done. I was projecting my mentality, expectations and attitudes onto the situation. On the other hand, these people had been doing this work for years in a culture and in a government department that was unknown to me. There was no way I could understand without learning much more than what I knew. But the situation did not lend itself for teaching me what I did not know.

So often this is the kind of situation we find ourselves experiencing. We do not understand, and the situation does not lend itself to be understood at the time. And whenever we do not understand we always project our own thoughts and feelings about what we want and what we think.

Projection is never about the situation, so it never reveals any further understanding to us. Projection is about ourselves. It comes from an unconscious place within ourselves where we feel unfulfilled or lacking in some way. That is, we want something and therefore impose our feelings and thoughts on a situation through uninformed judgement, criticism or making demands. It is very easy to make enemies in this way.

Whenever we criticise or make demands based on personal desires, we alienate others. They do not feel loved or appreciated by us. And we obviously do not love or appreciate them.

Anyone we meet – even in places like government offices – can be a friend, someone to love. But it takes an effort when they are different from us – when they act or behave differently, when they look different, when they have different beliefs or lifestyles, or when they do not meet our expectations.

We must make an attempt to understand. If we do not succeed in gaining accurate understanding with our minds, we can then approach them in other ways. Understanding is also possible with the heart. The heart accepts; it does not judge. When we know something with our heart what we know is that there is a cause why something is the way it is, and that cause is valid. The heart accepts the limitations of a person or situation and values whatever efforts are being made. The heart is altruistic and therefore accepting and tolerant of others. It is not preoccupied with self-centered interests.

When we open our heart to another we can transcend our emotional reactions and self-centered desires. Often, however, this is not easy because we feel those emotions so strongly. One of the qualities that turns on the heart significantly and strongly is appreciation. Appreciation is not an emotion that arises spontaneously, but a soul quality that we can choose. The more often we choose to be appreciative the easier this choice becomes and the more frequently is our heart open to give and receive love.

Heart is a word that refers to many different levels of our being. Essentially, it is the love aspect of soul, capable of making direct, intuitive contact. Soul love is not emotional; it is highly impersonal and intelligent, capable of grasping the essence without any projection on our part. When we activate this centre through choosing to appreciate we simultaneously activate the physical heart’s intelligence which then resonates the brain’s intelligence, bringing our whole being into alignment with soul, with appreciation, with love. In this state of love we accept ourselves. In this state we then love our enemies because we have made a connection with their soul. The enemies are now friends because of our heart-centred choices.

Exercises:

1. What situations or people do you find difficult to appreciate?

2. What expectations or projections on your part get in the way of appreciating them?

3. With eyes closed, and in a relaxed meditative state, focus on your heart and the quality of appreciation. When you have it, then visualize someone whom you have difficulty seeing as a friend, and direct this appreciation toward them.

The Soul Journey