Saturday, February 25, 2006

Swami Calls for an Up-Wising

From: in2light@earthlink.net
Subject: Beyondananda
Date: February 16, 2006 2:47:52 AM PST
To: mark@in2light.com
Reply-To: mark@in2light.com

Swami Calls for an Up-Wising
The Evolution Has Begun!

By Swami Beyondananda



For years now, we've been hearing "shift happens," and
wondering when, where and how. Now finally, it looks
as if the shift is about to hit the fan. This is good
news for all those shift fans who've been wondering if
the new age will arrive before old age does. Of
course, if you're looking for signs in the news, you
won't find them. At least, not yet. The news might as
well be called the "olds," because the world still
seems stuck in greedlock, ruled by fossilized fools
fueled by fossil fuels. But I have been receiving
encouraging intelligence reports that say indeed,
humans are becoming more intelligent. Yes, people
everywhere are wising up. And that's great, because we
could sure use an up-wising!

The evolution has begun. But before we see changes in
the old needy-greedy, we humans must change our
consciousness -- and the first step is becoming
conscious of how unconscious we've been. As the saying
goes, the truth shall upset you free, and last year
saw lots of disillusionment. But what better to free
us from the far more dangerous condition of
illusionment? If we want to stop the abuse of power,
the first step is to disabuse ourselves. So, here's
some good news: Despite a massive media impropaganda
machine that feeds the public "babblum" (strained
bullshit made digestible for a simple child's mind),
more and more Americans are reading between the lyins'
and peering behind the Irony Curtain.

In 2005, Americans had to face the sad realization
that the Bush Administration's "pro-life" stance
appears to be limited to the unborn and the
brain-dead. Despite being panned by critics
everywhere, the Iraqi Horror Picture Show continued
its run, as thousands and thousands of born fetuses -
ours and theirs -- lost their right to life. While we
may or may not have saved face by staying there, we
have most definitely lost ass. And we've been assured
we'll be stuck in that morass until -- well, until
there's no more ass to lose. Meanwhile, more and more
Americans reached another sad conclusion: We're not in
Iraq to keep the peace, we're there to keep the
pieces.

The signs of up-wising are everywhere. Even the most
unpleasant stories are beginning to break through the
soundless barrier and defy the President's "don't ask,
don't tell" policy: "You promise not to ask us what
we're doing, and we promise not to tell you." Although
we've been inundated with "fear-gnomes" and ominously
warned we have to protect ourselves in this
dogma-eat-dogma world, a majority of Americans are no
longer comfortable with the notion that the only way
to defeat the "evil-doers" in the world is to out
evil-do them. Although our President has assured us
that "we don't torture," it is now common knowledge
that we simply send detainees to countries that do
torture when we want them to "testify under oaf."

As for those progressives who've been whining that the
President "never listens" to them, well it turns out
he's been listening all along. And thanks to the
so-called Patriot Act (which, I understand, is about
to be renamed the Eternal Insecurity Act), it looks
like he'll be able to listen in even more -- all in
the name of making us safe. But now even some
Republicans are beginning to see that there's a
difference between protection and the "protection
racket." And with the recent revelations about Tom
DeLay, Jack Abramoff and other gold collar criminals,
some of the more devout conservatives have come to
realize that the "family values" they voted for bear
an uncanny resemblance to Soprano Family values.

If there was any warm feeling in 2005, chalk it up to
climate change. Katrina hit, and in the government's
response we saw a future when at last all Americans
will be equal -- where everyone regardless of race or
creed will be treated like Black folks.


Alarming Policies Have Awakened Millions!


Fortunately this is the State of the Universe Address,
and from a universal perspective, things are humming
along quite nicely. It turns out that the Earth is the
talk of the Universe these days. In fact, the
odds-makers at the Intergalactic Enquirer say the odds
are actually in our favor: "We're betting on the human
race to reach critical mass before they get to
critical massacre." And we could beat the odds, if we
finally gave up our addiction to getting even and got
odd instead. It stands to reason. If each of us used
our unique oddness to improve the odds for everyone,
there would be no need for getting even.

Yes, the up-wising has begun, and intergalactic
observers are saying that we have none other than
George W. Bush to thank. How is that, you may ask?
Well, I am reminded of a story my guru Harry Cohen
Baba used to tell. A well-known minister died and
arrived at the Pearly Gates at the same time as a
cab-driver from New York. The cabbie was ushered in,
but the clergyman was left waiting outside. After
waiting and waiting and waiting, he finally called
over the attending angel. "Excuse me, but I'm a
renowned minister. How come you let that cab-driver
in, and I'm left waiting out here?"
"Well," the angel said, "when you preached, everyone
slept. But when he drove, everyone prayed."

For millennia, spiritual teachers have been calling on
us to go for the highest common denominator, but we've
always seemed to end up with the lowest common
dominator instead. And now, George W. Bush has done
what preachers, teachers and other far-sighted
visionaries have failed to do up until now: His
policies have been so alarming, that he has awakened a
slumbering body politic that slept through all
previous alarms. Where others have failed, he has
people all across the world praying, "God help us!"
And instead of waiting for an intervention from above
-- after all, we cannot expect to be fed intervenously
forever -- people are beginning to help themselves,
and even more importantly, help each other.

Sure, there are still plenty of Not-Sees out there who
insist on not seeing that we humans are all in the
same boat. The good news is, more and more Americans
are getting that sinking feeling that there's only one
Earthship, and ignoring a leak because it's "on the
other side of the boat," is a mistake of titanic
proportions.


We Are the Leaders We've Been Waiting For


America, the world's only super-power, doesn't need a
revolution. We've already had one, thank you. What is
needed now -- and what has already begun -- is the
American Evolution where enough of us wake up and see
that those two political parties have been partying on
our dime, and we the people haven't been invited. Time
to go beyond choosing the lesser of two weasels. If we
want to evolve the dream of our Founding Fathers --
instead of devolve into the nightmare of Big Brother
-- we must become the leaders we've been waiting for.
I've said it before. The only force more powerful than
a super-power is a Super-Duper Power -- the power of
the people plus the power of love. And anyone who
doesn't believe we are a Super-Duper Power, well they
have been super-duped!

It's true, many people still feel that the affairs of
the world should be left to the bolder and badder
among us. But look what that leaves us with: Are you
satisfied choosing between Saddam Hussein and George
Who's-Not-Sane? Now I know those "God, guns and guts"
Old Testament Christians might have forgotten, but
Jesus did say that the meek shall inherit the earth.
In all undue immodesty, maybe it's time for us meek
folks to boldly step forth and accept our inheritance.

For just as 2000 years ago Jesus stood up to a class
that placed the rule of gold above the Golden Rule,
today we face the modern version of the Pharisees --
the Phallusees, I think they are called. They
cynically cloak themselves in religious robes, but the
only power they trust is the power of the stick. Well,
there's another old saying: It doesn't matter how big
your stick is, if you stick your stick where it
doesn't belong, you're stuck.

Another sign of the up-wising and coming evolution is
that people are growing dissatisfied with the
positionality of "my side vs. your side," and are
seeing the whole issue of sides from a new angle:
Maybe we're all on the same side. For example, this
argument between creationism and evolution is just
another way for dueling dualities to steal our energy.
I believe in both. I believe the Creator created us to
evolve, otherwise Jesus would have said, "Now don't do
a thing till I return." I have it on good authority
that the Creator is pulling for us: "Come on, you
children of God. Time to grow up and become adults of
God instead."


Time to Overgrow the System From the Grassroots Up


The time for revolution and overthrowing has past. Now
we need an evolution where we "overgrow" the current
dysfunctional system from the grassroots up. You are
probably familiar with the story of the Native
American grandfather who tells his grandson that there
are two wolves fighting inside all of us: The wolf of
fear and anger, and the wolf of love and peace.
"Which wolf will win?" asks the young boy.
"Whichever one we feed," replies the grandfather.

And so when people ask me to predict what will happen,
I tell them the only thing I can predict with
certainty is the uncertainty of any prediction. The
future's just too unpredictable these days. This is a
Universe of infinite possibilities, so it all depends
on which futures we invest in.

There is something far more empowerful than
predictions, and that is Tell-A-Vision. If you're fed
up with the current programming, my advice is turn off
your TV and tell a vision instead. That way, we will
have healing and functional visions to step into --
and that beats what we've been stepping into. So I
will tell my vision for 2006: This is the year of the
American Evolution, where all those who prefer the
Golden Rule to the rule of gold get past left and
right, and come front and center.

I see Americans of all political stripes, plaids and
polka dots (not to mention solids), choosing to face
the music and dance together. Sure, we'll have to
learn some new steps, but it's time for a new dance -
A-Bun-Dance. That is where we get up off our assets,
move our buns, and dance together in rhythm and flow.
And what better way to turn the funk into function,
and leave the junk at the junction?

I see us in a new reality show -- Extreme Planetary
Makeover -- where everyone can play and everyone can
win. Just think. Something more compelling than
reality TV ... it's called reality!

I know, I know. Only a crazy person would dare to
propose anything that sane. But maybe it's time to
declare the current institutionalized insanity
illegally insane, and set about building a sane asylum
big enough for all six and a half billion of us. As my
guru Harry Cohen Baba has said, "Life is like a good
deli. Even if something isn't on the menu, if enough
people order it they have to make it." So what kind of
new world order are we ordering up? Do we feed the
wolf of fear and buy into the "it's every man for
himself" story? Or do we nourish the wolf of love and
evolve into the "we're all in it together" story?

If we're going to be a Super-Duper Power, we have to
be super-duper powerful in activating the power of
love, and cultivating the power of joy. So laugh more.
Why not? We all know there's something funny going on.
The wall of lies cannot withstand the vibration of
laughter. All seriousness aside, only a farce field
that combines truth and laughter can bring down the
Irony Curtain once and for all.

Release the old story -- been there, done that -- and
speak the new story into the world. Dare to imagine
what we could be doing if we weren't spending so much
of our livelihood on weapons of deadlihood. Think
about it ... think tanks where they think about
something other than tanks. Young people living for
their country instead of dying for it. Health and
education fully funded, and the Air Force having to
run a bake sale so they can buy a new bomber.

Can we change the course of history? Can we shift our
karma into surpassing gear? I cannot say for sure, but
if we choose to give up that old Dodge and trade it in
for an Evolvo, that's a good first step. So ... let
the Evolution begin. We don't have to wait until the
first Big Shot is fired. If we create a powerful
enough field, the Big Shots will end up firing
themselves.

May the FARCE -- as always -- be with us.

(c) Copyright 2006 by Steve Bhaerman. All rights
reserved. Find out more about the Swami at
http://www.wakeuplaughing.com/



Mark Krueger
03 59832858 Australia Phone 'til March '06
mark@in2light.com
http://www.in2light.com
Offering consultations world wide by phone and in person.

Friday, February 24, 2006

SHAMANISM: An Opportunity to Connect with Our Ancient “Knowing”

SHAMANISM: An Opportunity to Connect with Our Ancient “Knowing”
Kathy Schulz, PhD

The word shaman carries an ominous charge in our culture, shrouded in mystery and mystique. Why would I, or anyone, explore a practice far removed from my cultural orientation? How does it serve a technologically advanced society to enter into altered states of consciousness and explore non-ordinary reality? As modern society uncovers and pieces together “new” and exciting research in fields as diverse as bioenergetics, healing through prayer and quantum physics, we begin to understand the pure and powerful ancient wisdoms and practices of the past. It is these, our collective indigenous ancestors, the shamans and villagers of long ago, from whom we still have much to learn.

Shamanism is a traditional ancient practice rooted in indigenous cultures all over the world. It is a practical methodology requiring focus and discipline. Shamanism honors our connection to the natural world. It is in this connection that humility resides and it is through this connection that we begin to claim our wholeness, our health, and our joy. Shamanic methodology provides a framework for safe exploration as we go beyond the limitations of our ordinary reality and receive helpful information through direct communication with our Spirit Helpers.

Indigenous cultures are our models for spiritual consciousness, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. We are the technologically advanced culture, with resources that allow us to choose what survives and what doesn’t. We are allowing the indigenous wisdom and teachings to die with these cultures and, in so doing, we are losing the heartbeat of global spirituality.

Why shamanism? Because shamanism calls each one of us to reclaim our spiritual consciousness, the same consciousness imbued in the indigenous cultures that our planet is losing. Shamanism is about letting go of the New Age fanfare that goes along with connecting to Spirit, reclaiming our legacy, and reestablishing the natural abilities of our ancestors that we have forgotten.

Ancient cultures turned to the shamans of their villages for wisdom, healing and teaching of spiritual practices. I am a student who is ready and a teacher has appeared. His name is Toby Christensen. He is a humble and gifted healer who is dedicated to bring this ancient wisdom to us. Please take a moment to read more about his work at www.healingdrummer.com.

I am look forward to immersing myself in learning about the ways of my ancestors, not to call myself a shaman, but to explore that which I have forgotten. I know that my Spirit will shrivel if I retreat to the comfortable and numbing safety of familiarity. I am pulled to move toward spiritual refinement. I am driven to advocate for the cultures that are models for spirituality and connecting to Nature. And I am committed to preserve the traditions that hold the keys to healing and transformation for all of us. The guru is within. The teacher is before us. I want to remember who I Am.

www.healingdrummer.com
toby@healingdrummer.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

SHAMANISM IN CINCINNATI By Barbara Schacht

It is said “when the student is ready the teacher will appear.” Cincinnati has drawn to it a teacher of shamanism, drumming, and ancient practices. The question is, why? Why here? Why now? Why shamanism?

The word shaman carries an ominous charge in our culture, shrouded in mystery and mystique. Why would I, or anyone, explore a practice far removed from my cultural orientation? How does it serve a technologically advanced society to enter into altered states of consciousness and explore non-ordinary reality?

I am new to Shamanic work. My background is in yoga and various healing arts modalities, and has been supported during my 15 years living in Cincinnati. In all the modalities I’ve encountered, I am left with one constant: I charge myself to be willing to be in “not-knowing.” This means I must be willing to listen deeply and to be open to moving toward wisdom and understanding through direct experience. This also is about my ability to be content in the presence of the discomfort and fear that can accompany new paradigms. These self-challenges are the underpinnings of all my life choices. I know that staying the same, retreating to the familiarity and safety of habitual patterns, limits my possibilities for spiritual growth. So, I ask myself, which teaching will best support my path? What will ultimately support my soul growth in the highest way? What will give me the tools that will allow me to move toward refinement and to embrace my gifts, my genius, my power, and allow me to then facilitate that for others?

Shamanism and traditional practices have appeared in my life. But, I am not a shaman. I am a spirit in a body, juggling my physical, mental, and emotional self while constantly working toward refinement and spiritual growth. All practices are tools to this end when I claim my own power, my own abilities and potential, without abdicating it to the technique or to the teacher. It’s not so much about which practice I embrace, it’s about the consciousness in which I embrace in the practice. So I ask, can I plant a flower without calling myself a gardener? Can I practice sun salute without labeling myself a yogi? Can I utilize a shamanic technique without identifying myself as a shaman?

So, again the question, “why shamanism?”

Much of my personal path has been magical. I recognize magical events as support from Spirit, guiding me toward that which helps me grow. Yoga and energy medicine were shown to me; they chose me before I knew enough to chose them. So it is with shamanic work. I’m just now beginning to appreciate the beauty of these ancient, time-tested practices. As I play with using the simple and basic techniques I’ve been shown, my Western mind remains in reverent awe of the magic, while another part of me has to acknowledge the practicality, efficiency, and broad applicability. And, perhaps most importantly, the techniques I have been shown provide infallible safety while supporting me in my journey to self-empowerment. And self-empowerment is essential to well being.

Shamanism is a traditional ancient practice rooted in indigenous cultures all over the world. It is a practical methodology requiring focus and discipline. Shamanism honors our connection to the natural world. It is in this connection that humility resides and it is through this connection that we begin to claim our wholeness, our health, and our joy. Shamanic methodology provides a framework for safe exploration as we go beyond the limitations of our ordinary reality and receive helpful information through direct communication with our Spirit Helpers.

An embodied teacher of shamanism and traditional ways is appearing. I am one of the many students who is “ready.” I choose my teachers carefully, knowing that I used to allow teachers to become my guru. I gave up my power in their presence. Having been a teacher, I recognize the seduction of being the “guru.” The ego likes the attention. A true guru takes no credit for the gifts of understanding their students receive. False gurus claim the power students relinquish. And we, in this culture, are so spiritually starved in the absence of traditional ways, that we cling to teachers as the source of our spiritual progress.

This is a teacher who doesn’t ask to be a guru, but rather, holds a beautiful space that invites us to stand in our own power and teaches practical techniques that show us how. He teaches from a place of experience, groundedness, wisdom, and love, sharing knowledge that belongs to no one and everyone. He walks his talk and invites all students who hunger for spiritual knowledge to do the same, through direct experience. His teaching is rooted in both Native American and African shamanic tradition, having studied with a Lakota Chief for five years as well as with the Dagara people of Ghana. These are cultures and peoples who embrace shamanic practices as an inherent part of the way they live, yet don’t refer to themselves as shamans. It’s simply a way of life. They readily access non-ordinary reality to get helpful information for every aspect of life, including for healing purposes. They do everything in the context of respect for Spirit, evident in the way they honor themselves and each member of their communities. Their rituals and ceremonies are powerful outward expressions of their spiritual beauty. They live what we, as a technologically advanced society have forgotten; they live in beauty.

Spiritual hunger is a universal phenomena, evident in all cultures and all religions, and is propagating a plethora of New Age practices. We call ourselves “healers,” collecting titles, techniques, and teachers from various methodologies. But where is our consciousness?

Indigenous cultures are our models for spiritual consciousness, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. We are the technologically advanced culture, with resources that allow us to choose what survives and what doesn’t. We are allowing the indigenous wisdom and teachings to die with these cultures and, in so doing, we are losing the heartbeat of global spirituality.

Why shamanism? Because shamanism calls each one of us to reclaim our spiritual consciousness, the same consciousness imbued in the indigenous cultures that our planet is losing. Shamanism is about letting go of the New Age fanfare that goes along with connecting to Spirit, reclaiming our legacy, and reestablishing the natural abilities of our ancestors that we have forgotten. Is it frightening to explore practices outside our cultural orientation, stand in our own power, and grow beyond our embodied teachers? Yes, for many of us, it’s frightening. Is it necessary? No, we have free will. We can choose to remain just as we are, individually, as a culture, and as a global people. Can I stay the same? Absolutely not.

My Spirit will shrivel if I retreat to the comfortable and numbing safety of familiarity. I am driven to move toward spiritual refinement. I am driven to advocate for the cultures that are models for spirituality and connecting to Nature. And I am driven to preserve the traditions that hold the keys to healing and transformation for all of us.

I am a student who is ready and a teacher is appearing. I look forward to immersing myself in learning about the ways of my ancestors, not to call myself a shaman, but to explore that which I have forgotten. The guru is within. I want to remember who I Am.


www.healingdrummer.com
toby@healingdrummer.com