This is the fifth of a series of excerpts to be posted bi-weekly. These excerpts are taken from teachings given by Maresha at The Sanctuary on: Consciousness, Spiritual Mentoring, Wholistic Nutrition, Spiritual Ecology and much, much more.
Resonance Movement is a contemplative practice that coordinates conscious breath with conscious movement. When the breath and movement are unified, the consciousness of the body, heart, mind and spirit enters a state of deep relaxation and healing.
The breathing technique is both powerful and simple. The body movements are gentle and flowing, yet strengthening and intense.
Through the Golden Circle Breath, energy is intensified in and around the body. The nature of the breath is round. The movements create arcs through the arm and body positions which act as a container for this energy. The nature of the movements is round. As you flow through the movements, the energy of golden light builds and intensifies while a slow, relaxing and deepening release of tensions occurs. Transformation happens. Your consciousness reaches new and deeper levels of subtle awareness. Healing occurs on all levels.
Resonance Movement begins with a series of slow-motion passes. Each of these passes is created through the coordination of the Golden Circle Breath with arm movements that are gracefully arced while in various stages of movement. During this phase of Resonance Movement, energies are becoming activated. The Golden Light, which is the essence of this vital energy, steadily shines and increasingly brightens. This is The Assemblage Point of Light. The body warms up and relaxes. Circulation increases making the body ready for the series of movements. These passes are the foundation for the remaining sequence of movements. They open the door to the breath, coordinate the breath with the body, and create a container to hold the Golden Light.
The sequence of movements, with the breath, deepens your experience of The Resonance of the Stillpoint. The Stillpoint is peaceful. It is openly relaxed. It is softly strong. It is subtly profound. The Resonance of the Stillpoint is a state of deep meditation. It is the attunement to love.
Resonance Movement can be practiced by anyone, at any age, at any level of development. All that is needed, is a desire to become more peaceful, harmonious and healthy.
Resonance Movement is an intuitive emergence and evolution of contemplative practice. I practiced classical yoga and meditation for over 30 years. Yoga postures are traditionally defined by “lines and extensions of energy in the body”. Resonance Movement is realized as “arcs of circular energy and light which exist within the breath and are contained and sustained within the Movements”. The two practices create a very different inner and outer experience. The former is more straight and the latter is more round.
These Movements revealed themselves to me over a period of one and a half years in which my body became a container for the infusion of golden light, fluid movement and transformational breath. Resonance Movement is a perfect practice to create harmony in these times. A high degree of light is required to burn up the pressures, stresses and challenges that affect us from the world we live in. Resonance Movement offers us a way to not only access this universal energy, but a powerful way to sustain it and become a container for it. While the effects of Resonance Movement have the power to transform these challenges, it’s essence is light, soft and receptive.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Spiritual Ecology
This is the fourth of a series of excerpts to be posted bi-weekly. These excerpts are taken from teachings given by Maresha at The Sanctuary on: Consciousness, Spiritual Mentoring, Wholistic Nutrition, Spiritual Ecology and much, much more.
Just as the individual soul must go through the progression of transformation and evolution, so also must the collective soul of humanity. You can reflect upon the growth of your own soul. Whether you want to or not, grow you must. These times of transition are marked by the cycle of disassembly. Everything is falling apart. Things are no longer as they were. In major transitions everything dissolves, and then, as the new is being born, things begin to “ferment.” The fermentation process changes the basic recipe (the old way) into a new recipe (the new way). The fermentation process reassembles the new elements into a brand new formula. Disassembly – fermentation – reassembly: a new level is born.
The pilgrim on the path understands this process. It is the evolution and purification of the soul. Now, we must all go through this process together as the collective soul of humanity undergoes transformation. We are in disassembly. There are only shifting sands and constant change. Relax! This is inevitable.
The collective soul is undergoing a purification from a consumer-oriented, resource-devouring, self-gratifying consciousness to a new consciousness. We are learning to cooperate with each other and with the environment that supports us, and to consider the consequences of our actions and their effect upon the whole. What we take must be balanced with what we give. It is a sacred privilege.
Here at the Sanctuary, much of our awareness is in answer to the call of the environmental and financial crisis as a moral and spiritual challenge. We are stewards of an amazing resource, which helps us. Snow Dragon Mountain is a 212-acre mountain. Not only does it provide ample land to grow food, which sustains us, but it is also a breathtakingly beautiful oasis that constantly offers us spiritual renewal and inner serenity. We are working hard to grow our food with a plan to grow enough to share with others in our larger community. We are deeply committed to a sustaining cycle which nurtures us and which we, in turn, nurture. We built the new Sanctuary completely off grid. Neziah engineered and designed our solar system which provides our electricity and amply sustains our energy requirements through the power of the sun.
We agree to undertake the privilege of this great change in these uncertain times as we uphold the consciousness of acceptance and gratitude through:
SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY
Our primary purpose is to nurture and grow the consciousness which is necessary in these times. We feel it is our responsibility to think about those who come after us and to act in ways that consider what the world needs now. This consciousness is a blessed necessity for it interweaves our human soul with the soul of the earth. It is a core ethical necessity to strive in all ways to enhance the health and regenerative capacity of the earth. When we do this, we enhance our own health and quality of life.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
Meditation, Resonance Movement, Prayer, Discourse, and Sacred Service are just some of the ways that we weave what is sacred into our lives. Our spiritual practices help us to realize the common bonds of unity and healing within all hearts and from all traditions and faiths.
SACRED INTEGRATION
Whether we are tending our organic gardens and orchards, meditating in our Rose Grotto, or gathering for prayer and spiritual reflection, we do so with a grateful awareness. We give thanks for the blessings that are bestowed from spirit and from the nurturing earth, and we fulfill our responsibility to our relationship with both.
Just as the individual soul must go through the progression of transformation and evolution, so also must the collective soul of humanity. You can reflect upon the growth of your own soul. Whether you want to or not, grow you must. These times of transition are marked by the cycle of disassembly. Everything is falling apart. Things are no longer as they were. In major transitions everything dissolves, and then, as the new is being born, things begin to “ferment.” The fermentation process changes the basic recipe (the old way) into a new recipe (the new way). The fermentation process reassembles the new elements into a brand new formula. Disassembly – fermentation – reassembly: a new level is born.
The pilgrim on the path understands this process. It is the evolution and purification of the soul. Now, we must all go through this process together as the collective soul of humanity undergoes transformation. We are in disassembly. There are only shifting sands and constant change. Relax! This is inevitable.
The collective soul is undergoing a purification from a consumer-oriented, resource-devouring, self-gratifying consciousness to a new consciousness. We are learning to cooperate with each other and with the environment that supports us, and to consider the consequences of our actions and their effect upon the whole. What we take must be balanced with what we give. It is a sacred privilege.
Here at the Sanctuary, much of our awareness is in answer to the call of the environmental and financial crisis as a moral and spiritual challenge. We are stewards of an amazing resource, which helps us. Snow Dragon Mountain is a 212-acre mountain. Not only does it provide ample land to grow food, which sustains us, but it is also a breathtakingly beautiful oasis that constantly offers us spiritual renewal and inner serenity. We are working hard to grow our food with a plan to grow enough to share with others in our larger community. We are deeply committed to a sustaining cycle which nurtures us and which we, in turn, nurture. We built the new Sanctuary completely off grid. Neziah engineered and designed our solar system which provides our electricity and amply sustains our energy requirements through the power of the sun.
We agree to undertake the privilege of this great change in these uncertain times as we uphold the consciousness of acceptance and gratitude through:
SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY
Our primary purpose is to nurture and grow the consciousness which is necessary in these times. We feel it is our responsibility to think about those who come after us and to act in ways that consider what the world needs now. This consciousness is a blessed necessity for it interweaves our human soul with the soul of the earth. It is a core ethical necessity to strive in all ways to enhance the health and regenerative capacity of the earth. When we do this, we enhance our own health and quality of life.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
Meditation, Resonance Movement, Prayer, Discourse, and Sacred Service are just some of the ways that we weave what is sacred into our lives. Our spiritual practices help us to realize the common bonds of unity and healing within all hearts and from all traditions and faiths.
SACRED INTEGRATION
Whether we are tending our organic gardens and orchards, meditating in our Rose Grotto, or gathering for prayer and spiritual reflection, we do so with a grateful awareness. We give thanks for the blessings that are bestowed from spirit and from the nurturing earth, and we fulfill our responsibility to our relationship with both.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Healing is a Resonance
This is the third of a series of excerpts to be posted bi-weekly. These excerpts are taken from teachings given by Maresha at The Sanctuary on: Consciousness, Spiritual Mentoring, Wholistic Nutrition, Spiritual Ecology and much, much more.
The simplest truths elude us the most. We falsely think, "If anything is going to be effective, it must be more complicated, more intense, and involve more work and energy." More something! It is just the opposite.
Consider the simplicity of: Inhale a long, slow breath. Exhale a long, slow, breath. This simple and profound exercise of conscious breathing can shift you from unconsciousness to consciousness, from fear to courage, and from anger to patience. The breath can take you out of the darkness and into the light in a few simple moments. No processing, no debate, no analyzing; just activation and embodiment.
As you breathe, visualize beautiful golden light entering your body, mind and heart.
When the golden infusion of light, which is the result of the Golden Circle Breath and the Golden Seal, assembles around and in your body (the assemblage point of Light), the phenomenon of resonance can be realized. Healing is a Resonance. Resonance is a state in which a vibration or frequency is produced in response to an external stimulus, occurring when the frequency of the stimulus is the same. If you have two violins, tuned the same, and on one violin a sound is produced by vibrating one note, the other violin will start to vibrate the same note. The violin which was resonating through sound at a higher frequency, stimulated the silent violin to be able to resonate from a lower frequency (no sound) to a higher frequency (sound).
This universal law of resonance is not only true in relationship to the physical dimension, through the laws of physics, but also to the spiritual dimensions, through the universal laws of metaphysics. Cosmic intelligence, or consciousness, is held within the oscillating frequency of the Golden Circle Breath. This cosmic intelligence is light and resonates at an extremely high frequency. It is the frequency of the One, or Energy, which exists at an undivided level. Because it is undivided, undifferentiated energy, it is whole and unified. Healing of the body, heart, mind and spirit occurs in this whole energy. Therefore, Healing is a Resonance. Healing can occur as the higher frequency stimulates the lower frequency up to its level. This is why a group of people who meditate and pray together can successfully have a positive influence in and around the place they are meditating, or on the persons they are praying for. A synchronization of frequency through group spiritual practices, can exponentially amplify this frequency and create a positive effect which might otherwise not have been able to be realized by an individual.
Likewise, even one individual who has realized how to sustain higher levels of consciousness, or higher levels of resonance, can positively affect many other individuals. The more stable the resonance, the more positive the effect. Simplicity and realization are at the heart of all understanding. It is very simple to consciously breathe in and out. It is simple to visualize the radiance of the Golden Light around you as you breathe. It is so simple, that most people cannot grasp that this simple practice can lead you to God. Or, that meditating or praying with others can potentially heal everyone.
The simplest truths elude us the most. We falsely think, "If anything is going to be effective, it must be more complicated, more intense, and involve more work and energy." More something! It is just the opposite.
Consider the simplicity of: Inhale a long, slow breath. Exhale a long, slow, breath. This simple and profound exercise of conscious breathing can shift you from unconsciousness to consciousness, from fear to courage, and from anger to patience. The breath can take you out of the darkness and into the light in a few simple moments. No processing, no debate, no analyzing; just activation and embodiment.
As you breathe, visualize beautiful golden light entering your body, mind and heart.
When the golden infusion of light, which is the result of the Golden Circle Breath and the Golden Seal, assembles around and in your body (the assemblage point of Light), the phenomenon of resonance can be realized. Healing is a Resonance. Resonance is a state in which a vibration or frequency is produced in response to an external stimulus, occurring when the frequency of the stimulus is the same. If you have two violins, tuned the same, and on one violin a sound is produced by vibrating one note, the other violin will start to vibrate the same note. The violin which was resonating through sound at a higher frequency, stimulated the silent violin to be able to resonate from a lower frequency (no sound) to a higher frequency (sound).
This universal law of resonance is not only true in relationship to the physical dimension, through the laws of physics, but also to the spiritual dimensions, through the universal laws of metaphysics. Cosmic intelligence, or consciousness, is held within the oscillating frequency of the Golden Circle Breath. This cosmic intelligence is light and resonates at an extremely high frequency. It is the frequency of the One, or Energy, which exists at an undivided level. Because it is undivided, undifferentiated energy, it is whole and unified. Healing of the body, heart, mind and spirit occurs in this whole energy. Therefore, Healing is a Resonance. Healing can occur as the higher frequency stimulates the lower frequency up to its level. This is why a group of people who meditate and pray together can successfully have a positive influence in and around the place they are meditating, or on the persons they are praying for. A synchronization of frequency through group spiritual practices, can exponentially amplify this frequency and create a positive effect which might otherwise not have been able to be realized by an individual.
Likewise, even one individual who has realized how to sustain higher levels of consciousness, or higher levels of resonance, can positively affect many other individuals. The more stable the resonance, the more positive the effect. Simplicity and realization are at the heart of all understanding. It is very simple to consciously breathe in and out. It is simple to visualize the radiance of the Golden Light around you as you breathe. It is so simple, that most people cannot grasp that this simple practice can lead you to God. Or, that meditating or praying with others can potentially heal everyone.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Trusting Love
This is the second of a series of excerpts to be posted bi-weekly. These excerpts are taken from teachings given by Maresha at The Sanctuary on: Consciousness, Spiritual Mentoring, Wholistic Nutrition, Spiritual Ecology and much, much more.
These words are dedicated to the spiritual pilgrim whose quest is endless. The quest is a longing that draws one forth into the unknown, into the mystery. We cannot grasp or clearly define what it is we are being drawn toward. We only know we are going from what is known, into the unknown. Many try to create controllable boundaries in which to live. Habits and patterns which are passed down become comfortable points of reference for living. Within those boundaries, we have an illusion of some semblance of safety and comfort.
The seeker steps outside the box. The seeker goes beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable and safe. The seeker dives deeply into the void. All attempts to understand, to know and control, are released. In other words, the seeker is liberated from what is already known. In order to become liberated from what is already known, one must return to the pure nature of innocence. Innocence opens to the possibility for the mystery to be revealed to us, much like a surprise.
Being in this state of innocence, is to trust love. In trusting love, we shed the masks, the performances and the controls. We expose the uncovered face, we live from our essential nature and invite wonder into our lives. This is the spiritual journey. The spiritual nature refuses certainty, dogma and social programs.To trust love, is a radical severance from one’s preferences, addictions, and obsessions. It is a persevering willingness to enter and re-enter the unknown. It is a commitment to listening to one’s inner voice, in wonder, anew, each day.
But what is it that we trust when we are trusting love? What is this love? This love is an absolute acceptance that we are not the initiator, that we open ourselves to a higher will. We walk to the water – give up the ego – so that we may immerse ourselves in the stream of consciousness, the stream of love, and merge with the infinite mystery.
This inner posture is held in every situation we meet. Outwardly, the actions of life look just like everybody else’s. Inwardly, we let life be revealed. Inwardly, we rise to every occasion with acceptance and grace, knowing it is the higher, divine will working through us. We live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Even the simplest act is performed differently by one who is free.
Trusting love is round, intuitive, receptive and flowing. It moves without obstruction, open to the unknown, asking to be shown, and being endlessly surprised at each revelation. It is simple, clear and honest. Trusting love means that each day we begin anew, exactly where we are. There is nothing special to do, nothing is previously required, nor do we have to go to any special place. The inner posture of acceptance and trust creates the ability in us to meet life exactly as it is. Trusting love, we can observe and respond to the mundane rhythms of life as well as to the extraordinary mystery of the eternal quest.
Liberation lies within each of us. The ability to trust love lies within each one of us.
Trusting love is symbolized by the beauty of the perpetually blooming rose. Open to receive the light, it maintains a state of perfect openness. “…turn your gaze to the beautiful garden which blossoms under the radiance of light. There is the Rose in which the Divine word became flesh: here are the roses whose perfume guides you in the right ways.” (Paradiso, 23, 71-75)
There is a golden center in each rose. The golden center reminds us to still the mind, breathe in beauty, accept everything, and to trust the love in which we have immersed ourselves. The golden center calls us into the mystery.
These words are dedicated to the spiritual pilgrim whose quest is endless. The quest is a longing that draws one forth into the unknown, into the mystery. We cannot grasp or clearly define what it is we are being drawn toward. We only know we are going from what is known, into the unknown. Many try to create controllable boundaries in which to live. Habits and patterns which are passed down become comfortable points of reference for living. Within those boundaries, we have an illusion of some semblance of safety and comfort.
The seeker steps outside the box. The seeker goes beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable and safe. The seeker dives deeply into the void. All attempts to understand, to know and control, are released. In other words, the seeker is liberated from what is already known. In order to become liberated from what is already known, one must return to the pure nature of innocence. Innocence opens to the possibility for the mystery to be revealed to us, much like a surprise.
Being in this state of innocence, is to trust love. In trusting love, we shed the masks, the performances and the controls. We expose the uncovered face, we live from our essential nature and invite wonder into our lives. This is the spiritual journey. The spiritual nature refuses certainty, dogma and social programs.To trust love, is a radical severance from one’s preferences, addictions, and obsessions. It is a persevering willingness to enter and re-enter the unknown. It is a commitment to listening to one’s inner voice, in wonder, anew, each day.
But what is it that we trust when we are trusting love? What is this love? This love is an absolute acceptance that we are not the initiator, that we open ourselves to a higher will. We walk to the water – give up the ego – so that we may immerse ourselves in the stream of consciousness, the stream of love, and merge with the infinite mystery.
This inner posture is held in every situation we meet. Outwardly, the actions of life look just like everybody else’s. Inwardly, we let life be revealed. Inwardly, we rise to every occasion with acceptance and grace, knowing it is the higher, divine will working through us. We live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Even the simplest act is performed differently by one who is free.
Trusting love is round, intuitive, receptive and flowing. It moves without obstruction, open to the unknown, asking to be shown, and being endlessly surprised at each revelation. It is simple, clear and honest. Trusting love means that each day we begin anew, exactly where we are. There is nothing special to do, nothing is previously required, nor do we have to go to any special place. The inner posture of acceptance and trust creates the ability in us to meet life exactly as it is. Trusting love, we can observe and respond to the mundane rhythms of life as well as to the extraordinary mystery of the eternal quest.
Liberation lies within each of us. The ability to trust love lies within each one of us.
Trusting love is symbolized by the beauty of the perpetually blooming rose. Open to receive the light, it maintains a state of perfect openness. “…turn your gaze to the beautiful garden which blossoms under the radiance of light. There is the Rose in which the Divine word became flesh: here are the roses whose perfume guides you in the right ways.” (Paradiso, 23, 71-75)
There is a golden center in each rose. The golden center reminds us to still the mind, breathe in beauty, accept everything, and to trust the love in which we have immersed ourselves. The golden center calls us into the mystery.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Attempt Nothing
This is the first of a series of excerpts to be posted bi-weekly. These excerpts are taken from teachings given by Maresha at The Sanctuary: Consciousness, spiritual mentoring, wholistic nutrition, spiritual ecology and much, much more.
BY ATTEMPTING NOTHING, WE GAIN EVERYTHING
BY ATTEMPTING NOTHING, WE GAIN EVERYTHING
In rare moments we drop our wants, needs and fears. Pettiness and insistence on having things our own way dissolve. In the empty space of the dissolution, room is made for the real and true nature of love to fill us. We need nothing. We are relaxed and our self-consciousness is gone. We are in the Divine current. It feels as natural as breathing in and out. We are open.
But then what happens? The wall of the self returns. Our agenda, which is a pre-determined, automatic response to how we meet life, rears its ugly head and demands that we not open, that we do not change. Change is not controllable. Change is not predictable. Change is not comfortable. We close down and shut the door. Roadblocks are set up by pushing, pulling, manipulating and being attached to outcomes. The flow of life is blocked. The moment an attempt is made to make something happen the way we want it to, we get in the way and the current is lost. The moment we act on our own behalf, we distance ourselves from love. Any attempt that is made to manipulate, alter, force, reject or attain anything, splits the energy and divides us from union with Divine Love.
This division impacts every level of our being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CREATE AN INTERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF DIVISION:
Physical: The body becomes constantly unwell. We feel physically limited and imposed upon by the body. We have no vitality, no energy. Even when a physical disease is present, if consciousness is not blocked, a sustaining level of acceptance & flow exists. Likewise, even if we are "well," if the energy is blocked, we do not feel well.
Emotional: A reaction against our experience: "Yes, I like it," or "No, I don’t like it." We position ourselves as to what we like or do not like, what we want or do not want. We fight against what is.
Mental: Questioning, doubting, analyzing. A restless mind that is never satisfied.
Spiritual: Separation, isolation, cut off, empty.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CREATE AN INTERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF UNION:
Physical: Vitality, energy. Harmony with the body. Even if we have a disease, the current is not blocked. People can live harmoniously with various conditions if the energy is open.
Emotional: Acceptance and gratitude for what is given to us in life. We divest ourselves of preferences and become open and responsive to what is and how it is.
Mental: Questioning stops. The mind is open to possibility. The mind "waits on the will of heaven." Projections, judgments, comparisons and obsessions stop.
Spiritual: Connection, completeness, union. We feel the flow of support and love.
With the above checkpoints, it is easy to see whether we are open or closed. With the spiritual practice of self-reflection, we can learn to see the differences quickly and grasp what triggers consciousness or unconsciousness. Meditation and conscious breathing dissolve the individual self that is dissatisfied and full of cravings. The unconscious self is an obstacle. The Conscious Self is The Way. If you chose fear and doubt, it is yours. If you choose simplicity and liberation, it is yours. Learn to live with paradox. The unconscious self has agendas, preferences, obsessions, and opinions. The result is frustration and unfulfilled outcomes. The Conscious Self surrenders everything and attemps nothing. The result is Simplicity and a life of realized blessings and unexpected joys.
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