An Eagle Caged

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve always been very cynical regarding the amount of influence religion has on society, I should add that I can only speak about the UK, and specifically the Christian Church. What particularly bothers me is the way that vast numbers of people have bought into the concept of being judged at death. The judge in question is an all-loving God, however, there’s a catch. The all-loving God is also angry,  jealous and vengeful, and “He” loves you so much that if “He” deems that you haven’t loved “Him” back in accordance with the conditions that “He” imposed on “His” love, then you are for the high jump. Or, to be more precise, an eternity of hell-fire and brimstone. Of course, this is absolute nonsense, but it’s actually good nonsense because it has given me the inspiration for another book.

I have tentatively called it, Death – A New Beginning, and it will consist of a series of poems and (very) short stories that deal with death as a process. The process that enables us to transition to our next reality. In other words it will look at death from a spiritual perspective, but minus the angry God. So, this is the way my writing will be going for the next few months. The following piece, entitled “An Eagle Caged” is one such piece that may end up in the book.

Encased in a body of flesh

I was as an eagle caged

I existed to fly

But with clipped wings?

I was but a dreamer

Spending my days pondering

On what might have been

And what might yet be

If Only I could free myself

From the living death

But, is this not life’s greatest conundrum?

To seek freedom

Only to find that one was never caged

Merely a slave to the ego

 

Yes, a slave to the ego was I

A believer of life’s dramas

As they played out in my mind

I was the star of the show

Stumbling around the stage

Like a drunken actor

Struggling to remember his lines

Now, as the deluded await judgement

From their angry God,

My latest adventure concluded

I dissolve into the nectarine sweetness of Divinity

 

Spiritual Powers (Siddhis)

Posted on by
Reply

Sri Yukteswar Giri, Gurudeva of Paramahansa Yogananda

Several years ago, I posted a blog entitled, “Trance Mediumship – What’s The Point?” I’ve decided to revisit this subject, mainly because like many of you reading this, I find myself evolving so quickly now, that my views also evolve with equal speed.

I haven’t changed my view on this subject, on the contrary, it’s just that my opinion is now more refined, so I thought it would be good to write an updated post covering the same theme. I should also state, that if something exists, in this case spiritual powers, or siddhis, they do so for a reason and everything in this life exists within it’s own context. I myself, worked as a medium for 17 years (not trance mediumship) giving public demonstrations of clairvoyance, mainly in spiritualist churches. But I always felt that something was missing; it all seemed so superficial and I found my soul constantly yearning for the vastness of the ocean, as opposed to the limitations of a puddle.

So, to get to the point, this article is about siddhis in general, not specifically trance mediumship.

I think that the whole business of siddhis can be summed up by what Sri Yukteswar Giri, the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda, had to say on the subject. This isn’t word for word, but the great man used to say that one’s spiritual advancement is not measured by the extent of ones spiritual powers but by the depth of ones connection to the Divine in meditation. He also said something along the lines of, “what’s the point of settling for the trivia of outer powers, when the goal is the source from which they sprang.”

Of course, as I already stated above, everything has its relevance along the bumpy road of life, so it isn’t wrong to pursue spiritual powers. But it can never be anything more than a stop along the way, and the more you dabble, the more stuck in a rut you become. Ramana Maharshi also used to have a similar opinion of siddhis and he never encouraged the pursuit of them. He advised that spiritual powers develop naturally with one who has realised the Self, so why waste your time trying to develop powers when you could be basking in the inner wilderness of bliss?

Happy September everyone…

 

 

Will You?

Posted on by
4

Will you flit with me across the sky, and

Keep me close as clouds roll by

Will you touch my heart with moonlight, and

Melt my soul with a nectarine sigh

 

Will you dance with me in the ether

Will you caress me with your breath

Will you sing me a song of the sweetest Love, and

Hold my hand at death

Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay

Guru

Posted on by
2

The older I get, the more I understand the teachings of Ramana Maharshi with regard to “The Guru.” The great sage would always meet a devotee exactly where they were on their journey. For those who didn’t understand, he would advocate the guru in the form of a physical being; a teacher. For those who did understand, he would deny that he was anybody’s guru and point them to the one, true guru within; “The Self.”

In simple terms, and in context, a guru can be anyone we cross paths with that we learn from. The obvious examples are parents and teachers at school. But it could also mean people we have difficulties with; even enemies (for want of a better word). As we evolve, those who choose the spiritual pathway may seek out a specific guru. There is also the guru that finds the individual in accordance with the old saying, “when the pupil is ready, the master will come.”

A true guru will reel the pupil in, in order to let them go. A true guru does not require worship. A true guru points the pupil in the direction of themselves in order to seek out the guru within.

When The Guru is realised, the guru disappears.

From The Timeless To The Timeless

Posted on by
2

Life is an arduous journey from the timeless to the timeless, which takes place within the illusion of time and space. On reaching our destination we realise that actually, there never was a destination; all the while we were chasing what we already had. Some time ago, I heard a great analogy that aptly explains this, and I’m going to share it with you here. For the sake of the analogy, please imagine that you are religious. If you already are; fine, it doesn’t matter.

Imagine that you have seen advertised that your favourite preacher is coming to town, and this preacher is appearing at a church near you. For the sake of the story, we’ll call it the Church of Eternal Light. So, you get your ticket and you turn up at the church looking forward to seeing and hearing the preacher. You’ve seen him before; he really puts a fire in your belly. However, when the audience is all seated in anticipation, there comes the announcement that the preacher has been taken sick and there is a last minute replacement. You’ve paid your money so you stay and listen to the replacement. Unfortunately, you find this guy boring, he doesn’t have the same charisma as your favourite and you end up falling asleep.

You start to dream, and in your dream you have to get to the Church of Eternal Light. You set off on your journey, which takes you up and down mountains, across crocodile infested rivers (I had to add a bit of dramatic effect here). You fall over, you get back up and carry on; you fall over again. And so it goes on, seemingly never ending, until…

At last, you have the Church of Eternal Light in your sights. By this time, you are fit to drop, you are almost on your knees as you reach the door of the church. You open the door and walk in. At that same split second, you wake up and realise it was all a dream. All the while, you were already at the Church of Eternal Light.

And that, ladeeeeeeeeez an’ gennelmen is a simplified description of how we roll here on earth.

Kindness Is The Key To Happiness

Posted on by
2

There is an old Italian proverb that goes; “At the end of the game the king and the pawn go back in the same box.” The same can be said for us humans. When life comes calling, it doesn’t check to see what your occupation, if any, is, or the size of your bank balance. It doesn’t check to see what culture you were born into or if your shoes are made of leather; it just comes calling. Whether king or beggar, both are open to contracting the same diseases. Therefore, it is a fruitless pastime to crave status and recognition in this life. Imagine the pain and suffering if it doesn’t materialize in the way you wish it?

Just be kind; kindness = Love expressed. There is no greater feeling than having a positive impact in the life of another simply by being kind. Kindness is the key to happiness.

Image by Andy from Pixabay

 

The One True Religion

Posted on by
2

I’ve come to the conclusion that the only true religion is the personal relationship that we as individuals have with Divinity; whichever way you see Divinity, whether that be simply as Mother Nature or any other form that is right for you. I find it incredulous that organised religion posits an all powerful, all knowing and omnipresent God that is seemingly unable to function outside of the constraints of the particular religion putting forward the theory. Have you noticed that if you have ever engaged in a conversation with a religious person, and you explain to them an experience you had, which was obviously Divine, if it doesn’t fit the narrative of their particular religion, then “it didn’t happen, you must have imagined it.”

Just think, you are sitting in your peaceful place in deep contemplation. You are enfolded in the most beautiful energy; so beautiful that it is beyond description. There is no hierarchy, no petty rules and regulations, no threats of eternal damnation, no bigotry, no judgement, no competition with someone else’s God, no feelings of guilt or inferiority. Just the feeling of being loved beyond words. Yes, to me, in my humble opinion, this is the only true religion.

Immaculate Seduction

Posted on by
2

I gazed upon the sunset, and being immediately seduced by her beauty, I had no choice but to surrender…

Image by geralt from Pixabay

The Spirit Heals My Soul

Posted on by
2

I must confess that when I dwell on all the things that are going on in our crazy world, it fills me with the deepest sadness. I have never been able to understand why humans can inflict so much pain and suffering on fellow humans. A few weeks back I was having such a moment; I felt unbelievably sad at what was going on around the world and here in the UK. I decided that I would talk to the “Divine Doctor” and unload all my feelings. I was immediately touched within my heart in such a way that said, “I know how you feel; I understand.” This for me, brought immense beauty to the moment and I have been pondering ever since how to share the experience on my blog. So, here it is, along with a very simplistic poem that aptly sums up my relationship with Infinite Consciousness.

The Spirit never leaves me

The Spirit is my friend

The Spirit always guides me

As along the path I wend

 

The Spirit fills my heart with fire

The Spirit heals my soul

The Spirit sings a song of Love

When err I feel alone

 

I may not always understand

How the Spirit works

But that is good and fine with me

To its ways, I’m not averse

 

I appreciate the comfort

The Spirit gives to me

It doesn’t judge, it simply Loves

And all its gifts are free

Death – A Process Of Transformation Now Published

Posted on by
2

I’m very pleased to announce that my 18th book, Death – A Process of Transformation is now published and available for purchase from the Lulu.com online bookstore. It will take approximately another six weeks before it becomes available for international distribution. To be amazed and see it in all its glory click the link below…

Death – A Process of Transformation

Photo by Timisu of Pixabay

Kundalini

Posted on by
2

I am the coiled snake that sits at the base of your spine

You may not be aware of me as you weather life’s storm

I’m waiting patiently…

For you to draw me up the rainbow column

To reach the 1,000 petaled lotus

 

Beyond the lotus lies The Wilderness of Bliss

Where angels sing

And the sun never sets

I will lead you there

 

I will return you to yourself

But, I’m in no rush…

For I sit here in timeless consciousness

Waiting…

 

Just waiting

Image by u_l0ujt0m2qd from Pixabay