This article opens with insight to the Lord’s Prayer, followed by “how to” on sex-energy transmutation, concluding with kundalini “birth.” Hang in!
The Apostles (representing our inner seeking mechanism) went to Jesus (representing the process to Christ consciousness) and said: “Master, teach us how to pray.”
“Life is a prayer”
Spiritually this is true. Our every thought, word, and deed is a request for re-experiencing life consciously or unconsciously. Therefore it’s VITAL that we’re awake to the possibility that we may automatically be reaffirming lower-self mindsets and belief systems rather than the Christ nature.
To counteract this, the Apostles sought a formula of spiritual principals whereby the Higher nature would be realized within consciousness. They wanted a proven system whereby ordinary human consciousness would come to reflect Divine consciousness. This system would be a method of soul transfiguration, a way to crucify the ego, and to know Ascension.
Many (myself at one stage) initially misunderstand this request to mean: teach us to formulate better petitioning words TO God. In other words, what is the best way of squeezing out “goodies.” Praying then often becomes reduced to material begging. They confuse the Lord’s reply as a prayer for repetition, when, in fact, the words are intended metaphorically, to be INSTRUCTIONAL and directional. The words themselves are not the “praying.”
Of course affirmation through prayer plays a major role in consciously impregnating the Unconscious (soul) with intentions and commands, but, “master, teach us how to pray” is not a request for a formula of word-phrasing.
In its broader spiritual interpretation, the Lord’s Prayer is a complete formula of soul liberation, a method whereby soul awakening becomes experiential Reality. The prayer comprises SEVEN LESSONS, which, when practiced with inner-outer congruency (not aimless recitation) initiates Christ awakening.
Amazingly, we were taught to recite these words without the slightest insight and instruction to their esoteric value.
The mind boggles at the “confessional/penance” church: ‘for our sins, repeat six Our Fathers and six Glory be’s’. Thus was inner-empowerment of the soul lost to the “the needy and poor” who, instead, were fed the “wide gate” institutional brand.
Esoterically the Lord’s Prayer contains the entire Bible’s essence: love. In it’s fullness, it is meant to unleash the “Rapture” of boundless unconditional love within each soul.
Let us summarize what the Apostles requested and what Jesus was instructing us in.
Seven Clauses
The Lord’s Prayer, crafted in the PRESENT tense, contains seven essential clauses or, psychological/spiritual seeds, which, when germinated, lead the heart through and above the ego. This process reveals Mana to Christ (heart/mind/soul nourishment). Seven, as we know from this blog, refers to completeness of soul.
Based on these sanctified soul-awakening nuggets, Jesus became known as “The Way.”
The Lord’s Prayer — as it reads:
- ·Our Father.
- ·Which are in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
- ·Thy kingdom come.
- ·Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
- ·Give us this day our daily bread.
- ·And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
- ·And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil:
- ·For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The last section, “for thine is the kingdom…” did not form part of the original text, but was added later.
Let us take each clause and paraphrase for its deeper spiritual value.
Our Father: Establishes Omnipotent status of God: Father/Son relationship: total dependency for all our needs: our unending/Only Source. God is God to every soul regardless of religious affiliation.
Which art in heaven: God is always in heaven, always Perfect and perfecting. “Heaven” is the term scripture uses for Presence of God and Cause. Without Presence/Cause there can be no expression. Man is manIFESTATION, which is God expressing as spirit through man.
Hallowed be thy Name: Holy, Happy, Healing is thy Nature. “Name” in scripture relates to the “nature” of that being referred to. “Name” of God is referring to the “Nature” of God which, in manifestation and expression, is unconditional Love, happiness, health, healing, prosperity, creativity, and abundance. It is a relative/Absolute status simultaneously.
Just as a spoonful of (relative) ocean contains the total ingredients of (Absolute) ocean , so too is God-Nature innately present in our soul’s DNA.
Thy kingdom come. Whenever and wherever we manifest Presence/Cause/Love, we’re expressing “thy kingdom cometh.” Declaring divine Nature IS our now experience, it IS our guiding Presence in presenting inner/outer circumstances.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven: “earth” means body, personal affairs: work, family, health, creativity, relationships etc: God-Nature be manifest in every area/situation of our life-expression. Divine Will is our only purpose.
Give us this day our daily bread: All our spiritual needs are included in “bread.” To receive daily bread (Mana), daily meditation must also be experienced and its fruits expressed. Whenever lack is reflecting in our mind, under whatever guise, we need to check if we’re outer dependent. To receive divinely we need to be Presently attuned, and thereby command our “bread.” Remember, God works through us not to us.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us: Surely the Mater’s greatest teaching. It’s the number one “trial” we each face on a momentary inner/outer basis. We need to forgive others if we’re expecting forgiveness. In reality, we can only receive what we’re capable of giving. It’s not possible to know forgiveness unless there’s an inner “setup” of such.
To be non-forgiving, for whatever reason, keeps the soul in emotional bondage, thereby imprisoning ourselves deeper. Rather, use such past experiences as “crucifying” opportunities. Soon weeds wilt and sweet-smelling roses begin sprouting in the desert.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: In “awakening” we become hugely sensitive to the hurts by others and life’s situations. Little things which, before would not have bothered us greatly, now pose great potential for hurt and thus tempts the ego back to conditioned, reactionary dealing ways – ( as Peter drew his sword in Gethsemane). Jesus is warning against dealing with life-matters through not a fully deflated “fatted calf” mentality.
As anger and provocation is never more than a “temptation” away, realize that awareness delivers!
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. God is the Power/Cause manifest Glory in all creation. One Power/One Spirit.
Is repeating these wonderful words in the Lord’s prayer sufficient? No.
“…that we may be made (indicative of process) worthy (sufficiently purified of subconsciousness) of, the Promises of Christ (Pure Love potential).”
Jesus said: “no one can get to the Father except through Me.’ This means the Stillness / Presence of Your Soul “within.”
How and why is such process needed?
“and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, (ordinary human consciousness) will draw all men (divine manifestation/expressions) unto me (Christ within).” John 12:32
Are we alone in this process? No.
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end(s) of the world” (end of conditioning, duality, illusion).
“forgive them Father, for they know not what they do” (generational conditioning/animalistic nature/ignorance – hense suffering). It behooves each by intention to raise the small I (ego/duality) to higher I through divine means (endocrine system).
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (be still mentally/commence the process: Jesus into Christ/ water into wine/suffering to bliss: know the joys of “heaven”).
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (AS You).
Similar Definitions
1) First law of “heaven” is unconditional love. The first law of the universe is order. They are one and the same dynamic. To express unconditional love is to express divine inner harmony and cosmic order. In this regard, by contrast, we cannot live in isolation of daily visits to Golgotha (place of crucifying, meditation) and claim we’re expressing the law of heaven or the cosmos.
2) Joseph/Mary (inner awareness/intuition) became separated from Jesus in the marketplace (mental stress/material world) and went in search of Him (sought the higher self). They (you/me) found him in the Temple (within consciousness) amongst wise men (source of all wisdom).“They” (you/me) find Him AS OUR indwelling Christ. Joseph/Mary, being one and the same soul/person dynamic, needs activating: meditation.
Simplified Method?
As wonderful as the Lord’s Prayer is, is there a more simplified way to, “realize” in Spirit (roll back the tombstone of ignorance) without resorting to preambles and instructional prayer, every time?
Similarly as “the sign of the cross” is a tapping mechanism initiating divine reverence without formal prayer, wouldn’t it be practical if a similar method was presented whereby the Lord’s Prayer—soul awakening, the Promised Land (transcendent consciousness), and the Promises of Christ—was ALL inner- revealed automatically, in one “twinkling of the eye” activity?
Yes, it would, and there is; it’s called (mantra) Meditation! More specifically, it is referred to as “transcendence meditation,” which is a a step beyond “object” of concentration/contemplation, to include mantra eventually.
As Christ eluded:
“Unless a seed (ego) is buried and dies in the earth (the mind) it does not bear fruit (transcendence).”
Meditation fulfills the Lord’s Prayer ethos cosmically. It is the process of becoming transformed, (mass crucifixion within) whereby our soul “sees”/”knows” the Face of God. This is transcendence and the Transfiguration on the Mount: chaos to Cosmos, duality to Eden/Home. Alelluia State!
Transmuting sex energy
By way of merging the double theme of this article, “Master, teach us how to pray,” and its goal of transcending through consciousness and meditation, I’ll deal briefly with the term “transmuting of sex energy” and how it forms part of Christ-nature “birth.”
The experiential nature of the Life Force initially is sexual, but when transmuted through awareness/meditation, it alchemizes to Bliss and unconditional Love.
Take the tree as an example. Respectfully, as a guy, this analogy is interpreted through the male perspective.
A tree draws sap/sex energy from the earth through the instrumentality of the root. The sap/sex energy rises upwards from the earth and root thereby nourishing the whole tree: trunk, bark, leafs, branches, and fruit. Think what would happen if the tree decided, through a lower-point (genital) configuration, to “spend” its sap, what then would happen to the upper tree and eventually the entire tree?
Likewise, “male” is in constant supply of sexual energy. The sex energy rises from the earth to the genital or base chakra area. Through a combination of imagination/ stimulant arousal/ animalistic expression/encodement, this earth sex energy travels no further then this genital area. It does not rise to the brain and thereby express spiritually and cosmically. Thus, one’s animalistic desire (urges) become an activating source of addiction, depression, and, soul/root deprivation.
This ignorance remains until conscious awakening into the spiritual kingdom (cosmic nature) is established within consciousness through kundalini raising. The human mind/body/endocrine system is an Evolved mechanism to cosmic existence. Thus is even greater soul evolution gained for “Divine Will.” We’re not designed for remaining at the base animalistic level.
“If thine eye (senses) bothers you, pluck it out (purify)”. In other words, conscious “crucification” of non-serving desires/urges in our everyday “confrontations” is an ongoing process. Male needs to grow out of interpreting female through sex – this, guys, is OUR biggest challenge!
Concentrated awareness in sexual arousal is a “must do” activity. Post meditation requires active attention to sex energy presence for channeling to the upper body thereby transmuting as kundalini. Truly then does our spiritual mechanism flourish to serve Divinely (cosmically).
All-Consuming Emotions.
Similarly, as sex energy is transmuted, so too (by the same awareness) is the “hell” of our all-consuming emotions. Scriptures’ “fires of hell” is not referring to that nonsensical religious “hell”, rather, it is referring to transmutation of emotions through the “fire” in the solar plexus (Solar/Sun “fire”). We drop all hurting/disturbing/hell situations into the “fire” of awareness (inner Christ/ solar plexus “flame”: ( John: “the One who follows”).
“Faith without action, is no faith” it is said.
“It moves upon the face of the deep” (conscious direction to our soul).
Emotion transmutation remains difficult only in proportion to our “burning” desire, intention, and commitment to wholeness of Being.
And, of course, it’s all very fine in the comfort of meditation to be “perfect”. That’s why Jesus invited Peter out the boat (of comfort zones) to walk on water. This represents facing his emotive “urges”, sexual or otherwise. He had to square up to his “feelings and perceptions,” his awkward situations, and then transcend his (natural man) animalistic encodement through Gethsemane understanding, actively.
“Before the cock crows you (ego) will have denied Me (inner Christ) three times”. Without crucification/transmutation/meditation the cock can crow MANY times in a day!
Second “Birth” (spiritual)
Spirit descends downward through the spinal column to the base chakra, thereby, mating with upcoming (sexual) energy (matter) from the earth. This is the “Immaculate Conception” achieved. It is individualized Christ Consciousness, the birth of Spirit and the Love-Nature, which is also cosmic, transcendent existence.
This “birth” can be natural or “induced.” In other words, if we ignore promptings of our current inner environment, addictions, and ego dominance, life will eventually lead us to this birth over time through many incarnations. Or, we heed in-tuition/inner-scripture teaching and meditate daily thereby save much unnecessary soul suffering. We cannot remain in the labor ward of ignorance forever!
When: “Master, teach us how to pray” has been put into practice (meditation) we’re well on “the Way” to uttering Jesus’ Crowning (ego-shattering) words:
“Into Thy hands I commend my spirit” (soul in process of purification! Inner-outer congruency/ fulfilling Life’s purpose! : Awakening to Christ within!…
Raymond,
You have definitely convinced me to incorporate mantra meditation. I will never look at the Lord’s Prayer in the same manner, either! A lot of depth and knowledge in this article. Thanks!
Josh,
Thank you for those words. But mainly, thank YOU for this soul-inspiring SoS blog. It’s wonderful to be a part of its ever-widening community, and its contributing role of global awareness to Inner Christ by way of esoteric Scripture. Blessings to SoS for the many Truth-revealing articles and insightful comments which help shed Light whereby others may “see” and find “within”.
Blessings!
Raymond
Thank you for this post which provides so much insight into The Lord’s Prayer. These ideas will be part of any recitation of it by me in future.
Have you written about the 23rd Psalm? That is another of my daily prayers and gives me peace when recited. Your thoughts would be welcome.
Raymond,
This is a great article again. I especially recognize the part about the Lord’s Prayer. I always wondered how people could pray this hastily after every meal without even thinking about what they were saying.
I believe I always saw it more or less like you do but especially in these later years. Somehow I always end up meditating when praying it to feel and understand every nuance of it. Unconditional love definitely is the core of it for me.
Love,
Anny
Over whelming, the puzzle of a lifetime falls into place.
What an article, Raymond!!
I love the way you tie many Biblical concepts into one continuous stream of thought here, and by one agent address many questions. The Lord’s prayer is actually our life, and so it’s not surprising that your article on this subject does that. There is much food for thought here. Everyone who uses the Bible as his or her source book should have the pleasure of reading this article.
Here’s a follow-up question regarding the transmutation of sexual energy (and one to which I have given much thought over the past 16 years). Based on your explanation of man as a tree (which the Bible corroborates in Mark 8:24), how would you speak to men who have “holes” in their seminal walls (also known as retrograde ejaculation) so that the essence is unable to rise to the brain? This “escape hatch” is, for body experiential purposes, identical to the act of sex (albeit without the pleasure factor). 😉
Thanks so much for this article. I will be reading and re-reading it.
P
Paul,
Thank you for your kind words on this article. You raise most interesting points “the escape hatch” and “holes” in the seminal walls (of men).
And, Mark 8:24 on trees is a very good example to expand upon. I hope I do it justice!
There are many fine analogous points to be made on the tree. But, overall, Mark 8 :24 I feel, was making the point: the greatest fruit the tree produces is not so much its edibles (and pip potential), rather, its life-saving oxygen consequent of drawing its sap, its Mana. From an ecological/spiritual perspective both the tree and man are rooted/walking miracles. While we produce many things with his our hands, soul’s greatest blossom is Spirit/love/kundalini. When expressed creatively/cosmically at individual level such blossom serves the person divinely, and subsequently the planet, environmentally i.e. we breath in what tree breaths out (oxygen) and tree breathes in what we breath out (carbon dioxide). A tree’s breath is our lung food and ours, its food: a reciprocating wonder. Only a tree can reflect this ecological/spiritual miracle of the Creator.
The seminal “holes” subject is wide-ranging. Generally, I feel, when one is unfulfilled by way of direct bliss experiencing on a permanent nature then the lower mind is drawn to fulfillment through this or other unnatural methods. It stems from complete lack of understanding regarding the raw sex energy from the earth, and a method of crucifying our encoded base nature urges i.e. “if thine eye (mind/senses) bothers…” purify.
It requires Awakened awareness. For, an undisciplined mind will follow any piper who’s tunes offer quick pleasure or artificial stimulation, which alas, ultimately, lead to addiction. It’s a vicious circle of Self ignorance and corporate exploitation. Chapter 2: Lifestyle: examining your habits, recovery from addiction and low self-esteem, are dealt with in greater detail in my book.
Meditation infuses the mind of bliss. But, such bliss can be reversed to base sexual urges if our “lamps” are not trimmed/matured sufficiently of applied Inner understanding/vigilance. If we’re sincere about gaining the Kingdom then, through applied “crucifixion”, we’ll very soon master such temptations. Without momentary “crucifixions” we’re merely bystanders to our own “within” Conqueror status.
Chapter 9 : SOLAR PLEXUS AND NATURE — MAN’S CONNECTION WITH THE COSMOS in my book deals with this subject in more detail.
Blessings!
Raymond
Your book sounds like a must-read. Thanks so much for your comment on my comment. You’re doing some great work, Raymond. I have truly enjoyed reading your articles.
Excellent article.
I’d like to comment upon one aspect of the Lord’s Prayer, and may follow up with further reflections.
The first line of the prayer is literally “Our Father in the HEAVENS” (note the plural. In those days Jewish tradition held that there were SEVEN heavens, that is, seven great levels of existence. Paul refers to an experience of the THIRD heaven, which was identified with Paradise. The opening line expresses the fact that the Divine is present at all levels. This abolishes the unfortunate dualism of God up in heaven/us down here on earth! The seven heavens are named in the Talmud, and apocryphal writings such as Enoch, the Ascension of Isaiah, Testament of Levi, etc. go into detail.
The plurarity of heavens is also expressed in the Epistles, eg “He who ascended higher than all the heavens” (Eph. 4: 10), “who has passed through the heavens” (Heb. 4: 14). The seven heavens are also referred to many times in the Quran.
Key message: Wherever you are, there is God!!!
Through the purification wrought in meditation, consciousness is refined, and the individual consciousness resonates with finer and finer levels of the cosmic consciousness. In ancient Hebrew times this process was symbolised by the chariot-mysticism of the mystic rabbis. The teachings of Kabbalah also open up this subject.
Happy ascending!
Martin
Martin,
Thank you for those beautiful readings and “heavens” observations.
Yes, “Transcendence” gained in meditation awakens the experiential, all-inclusiveness State of cosmic or, bliss consciousness to Heart. As you say, Martin: wherever You are, there is Love.
Blessings!
Raymond
Raymond,
Fantastic post! I’m just getting into meditation myself and was hoping you could provide some tips based on your experience. Are you a half or full lotus man? When during the day do you sit, and for how long? What mantras have you used and why? How does the Thoh chant open the third eye? Do you use mudras or bandhas? Are vegetarians really vibrating at a higher frequency?
I appreciate your contributions here!
Jared
Jared,
Thank you for your positive comment. You raise some questions.
I practice TM (transcendental meditation) mantra meditation which takes twenty minutes and position is seated. Also, as a TM/Sidha or “yogic flyer” part two of my practice takes another thirty minutes: total fifty minutes twice daily everyday!
With all “TM” mediators the individual mantra is totally private.
The third eye (dealt with in my last article) is activated by brain vibration through mantra or chant: pineal gland awakening.
Mudras or bandhas techniques are not part of my practice routine, but, certainly mudras, or tapping, can be used in daily activities after meditation. Combined with running/jogging training I’v run three 40k marathons using this tapping to activate kundalini in the body. But it takes a while for the body to acclimatize to the subtle kundalini energy.
Generally because a vegetarian body is less dense, less toxic, requiring less processing, the experience of that subtler awareness is more noticeable. But not strict vegetarianism!
‘Higher frequency’ consciousness is more the result of regular meditation, without the presence of nicotine, alcohol or foreign substances in the body.
With meditation, Jared, simply make the decision and stay regular. Remembering, it’s spiritual transformation and not fashionable exercising.
My book covers much on this subject.
Blessings,
Raymond
Dear Raymond,
Have you and I broken the record on this Forever Prayer?
Remember Penance after Confession, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross?
and we still continue to recite, silently or tonality/vibratory!
It is indeed our prayer of prayers, “our life is a prayer” as you have summarized in your beautifully artistic and creative writing, and this prayer is there when there are none, as I believe Jesus taught us, don’t forget when you have no prayer, this I teach you forever & ever! “Make it so” /sow
Am so glad you have graced Josh’s SOS with the deeper meaning of it. Thank you!
The heavenly voice of Andrea Bocelli singing the LORDS PRAYER: enjoy all!
http://www.godvine.com/Andrea-Bocelli-s-Beautiful-Version-of-The-Lord-s-Prayer-1123.html
With love,
Sparks
Hi Sparks,
Thank you.
Yes, I well remember Penance after Confession, the Rosary, stations of the Cross (12), fasting from midnight before receiving Holy communion early next morning.
Days of childhood innocence!
Thank you for those links to Andrea Bocelli’s Lord’s Prayer, which I played, WOW…FAAAANtastic!
Blessing, health & happiness, Sparks!
Raymond
Raymond & All,
Received this in the mail from the “Christian Appalachian Project” and how appropriate to share it here!
A Holy Land Pilgrimage
July 9-19, 2014 (11 days)
3,999.00 from Philadelphia
The reason I am bringing this forward is Anny and myself not too long ago shared our dream of wanting to “walk in the footsteps of Christ” and how great it would be if all of here at Josh’s SOS could experience it al together. Anny has already visited and is anxious to go back, but we both are a bit uncertain due to all the conflict in the region. Having travelling companions of like mind/heart would definitely ease the stress for all of us.
A bit pricey? not sure on that, but am assuming some of the fee goes to help the distressed Appalachian population, 24.8 million people, spanning over 420 counties.
Plus, if not in possession of a passport, that does take some time as well.
Just wanted to put it out there anyways…maybe we can pull a group together?
Guess I should start playing the lottery!! lol, then if I win “no worry’s”, the trips on me.
Like Anny stated: Miracle’s have been known to happen”
So as not to clog up Raymond’s space here, it may be best to let Josh know if interested, then we can proceed from there.
Love, Sparks
What an exciting integration of the fundamental forces, such as belief, emotion and intention, which seem to determine so many of life’s outcomes.
I recently read a nice definition of belief: that which I am prepared to act upon. A similar statement is that my decision is what I actually end up doing; ever tried to quit smoking?
For the past 30 years or so, belief as a plastic process seems to have been a rather hot topic, thanks to the work of people like Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir and Bandler and Grinder. These people have held out the promise that we can proactively mould our beliefs into some optimum formation relative to our intentions. And as you say, previously Jung and others pointed to the basic need to integrate our beliefs into a cohesive set of vectors, in order that we may cease being at war with ourselves; the quit smoking situation is yet again a nice example of one subset of beliefs (it’s bad for me) being at war with (but I do like it). Shakespeare’s Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream seems to symbolise it well. “If we shadows have offended, think only this and all is mended: that we have but slumbered here….”, seems to be Puck’s defence for our inherent stupidity.
You seem to indicating that prayer, rather than a form of impeachment, could be a form of awakening to a power that we have previously hidden from ourselves. I could not agree more.
Our beliefs seem to come from three sources; the empirical evidence of our senses, our tribal or cultural beliefs, and our individual instincts.
Freud seemed to highlight the tension between the tribal and the individual beliefs as a source of irredeemable conflict. Jung seemed to speak of upgrading our individual instincts (the personal unconscious) by working on the other two (a scientific empirical exploration of the collective or tribal unconscious) via what he called individuation, guided by an exploration of our personal dreams.
It is worth speculating on what Jung would have made of modern computer software engineering. Like others have done, I suspect he would have seen a very empowering new paradigm; just like a programmer, we can manipulate our beliefs into any formation we choose.
It can be a challenging process to abandon a ready made set of cultural beliefs, but it also seems to be getting easier and easier.
Bandler and Grinder reduced it to three steps:
1. Clarify your intention.
2. Alter your behaviour systematically and creatively.
3. Check your outcome, honestly and empirically.
It seems that by cycling through these steps, we can achieve quite a lot in the way of psychological change, particularly our beliefs about what is actually possible.
I think Step 2 of the 12 Steps says it rather well. “I desire a return to sanity.”
Belief, whatever its source tends to create behaviour but it does not guarantee truth. And without a sane relationship between belief and truth, we are likely to end up like Puck’s victims; all crazy and mixed up.
It all seems to be adding up to a volatile assault on our traditional beliefs. This certainly must be a horrible time to live if you don’t thrive on change. But we can do it.
I think of the first sailor who learned to deal with a headwind. Praying to an interventionist God that the wind would change did not seem to work very well. However, resetting the sail and learning to tack into the breeze worked a treat.
Such is our creative imagination when we make sanity our goal.
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” – Gandhi
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius
I like the way you conveyed this message, Raymond. You have a real knack for interpreting the scriptures and weaving them into modern-day application that is relevant and useful.
I think it behooves everyone to remember that whether we meditate or not, we’re all fluent in the dialect of mantras. When we tell ourselves things like I’m not good enough; I’m not strong enough; I can’t do it; That’ll never happen; I’m sick; It isn’t meant to be; I don’t have; I’m afraid; I’m all alone; I doubt, etc., we’re using mantras and planting seeds in our subconscious which become our “reality”. You can’t expect a pear from an oak tree, peace from war, civilization from ignorance, nor wrong to reap right. Notice how any TV commercial isn’t touting what’s good about the product so much as what’s wrong with you and how you won’t be cool/healthy/clean/pretty/popular unless you buy it now! (And then it’s obsolete 3 months later and you have to buy the next thing…) The media is a dynamo of awful mantras. Makes you wonder if one of the reasons Jesus always told the people he healed to keep hush about it was because the Master understood the power of negative vibrations riding the words of naysayers and killjoys…
If anyone doubts the creative power of thought, just recall the last time you refused to be here and now and instead stared into the rear view mirror of your mind. Whether it was something that happened 20 minutes ago or 20 years ago, we’ve all experienced our ability to place ourselves right back in that moment, remembering sights, sounds, smells and words, re-enacting conversations, slipping right back into emotions and reveling – or wallowing – in all the willfully vivid details associated with this selected past-present and bringing both recent and ancient memories to the fore of our attention just as easily as changing the channel on the boob tube. At the same time, we’ve also found ourselves envisioning possible futures, enacting scenarios in our mind and even plotting the next encounter with someone who rubbed us the wrong way, down to and including how we’ll say B if he says A and rebut with D if he says C….But what is thought other than the container of consciousness? What channel do you most often turn your consciousness to? The past and future exist only in your mind. Even Einstein said Imagination is more important than knowledge.
On the other hand, think about the power of the placebo effect, which is so potent most drugs do not make it to market because they are less efficient than the power of thought. There are countless cases of people with myriad ailments and diseases who cured themselves by believing they were taking a medication and expected to heal when in fact they were only consuming a sugar pill. Less often mentioned is the nocebo effect which has proven that negative thinking actually diminishes our health and well-being. We know that when the mind produces a thought the brain releases neuropeptides that seek and join neuropeptide receptors in the body. Think of a lie detector test, panic attack, fear, PTSD. Why do you think the common cold is so common? It’s a common belief that sickness is normal, though the very opposite is true.
Brian noted the thought of desiring a return to sanity. Krishnamurti said, “It is no sign of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Conforming to the herd mentality and abdicating responsibility for your world goes a long way in explaining this. Take control of your mind and be the change you want to see in the world. “Do you wish to be made whole?” Then accept the fact that you already are and act accordingly.
Pedro,
You hit the nail on the head here. As human beings, we can never escape the prayer of our lives and the constant mantras we recite. We must remember, I AM is very powerful. It can lead us to heaven or hell. What is phenomenal is even a superficial change, something like not believing it will make a difference but still not saying self defeating words can change a persons life.
Justin
Justin & Pedro,
Am reeling in some magnificent fishes here, am overfull, so I will release them for others to catch, buckets of fish!!
Thank you, Fishers of Men/Women
J. Krishanamurti, Pedro, astounding teacher, who desired no fame and fortune, no praise…
One of the giants in my book, meek, humble, gentle, restoring balance.
Love, Sparks
Pedro
Thank you for your always profound comments on SoS. I concur with all you have written in this post. Your wisdom, insight and observations are High Octane!
I like this from your post:
Brian noted the thought of desiring a return to sanity. Krishnamurti said, “It is no sign of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Conforming to the herd mentality and abdicating responsibility for your world goes a long way in explaining this. Take control of your mind and be the change you want to see in the world. “Do you wish to be made whole?” Then accept the fact that you already are and act accordingly.
Blessings!
Raymond
I enjoyed the article.
I never took “The Lords Prayer” as something we were to recite. In fact, in the KJV it says “After this Manner, pray ye”. It doesn’t say pray this prayer… it says pray in this manner. There also were so many scriptures about not doing repetitive prayers as the Heathens do.
Manner.
To me, it wasn’t something that you do. It was a way of being.
The Lords prayer was a KEY to communion with God. To connect. Almost like a “check list” to your seat of awareness and to make sure that Ego had not slipped in.
Does that make any sense?
After all, what is prayer?
Looking the word “Prayer” up, one of the definitions came back as “Intercourse of the Soul with God”.
Interesting, eh?
The Lords prayer (to me) was to make sure there were no “Barriers” in that intercourse, so that the seed could take root.
Here I am, there are no barriers. I surrender.
We tend to look at “Surrender” as something bad or weak as in a Surrender to War.
It’s surrender to unconditional Love, which is God. Surrender in Sex is to Surrender to enter the bliss. If your holding back and self-conscious (Ego) you can’t enter that bliss.
So, Wouldn’t a “Mantra” come After the Surrender? After you went through the checklist in a way to be?
I can’t believe how much sex is connected!!!! lol It would drive the old church crazy, as much as they tried to run from it or shame people about it…one in fact, it was just one of the many lessons from the great divine.
Ok, so a Mantra (with the Sex Analogy) Would then come after the checklist of the Lords prayer (Surrender and letting go of Ego) and wouldn’t it be much like the Moaning People do in the Throngs of surrender in intercourse? I’m asking an honest question here. Not trying to be rude, I’m trying to put it to it’s simplest form, for myself.
After all, why do people moan during sex? Is it not part of the vibration of intercourse? A response that heightens awareness?
Forgive me, I wrote “one in fact” when I meant to type “When in fact”.
Laurie
Thank you for your excellent comments. Yes, you have a very good understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and its reference to a spiritual way of living rather than mere word recitation. The practice of daily meditation, I find, makes the Lord’s Prayer ethos reality in our lives without referencing to any checklist.
The mantra (word-sound) is used at the beginning to allow calmness into conscious mind. If the mind drifts in meditation simply come back to the mantra as the focal point of awareness, or anchoring vibration: hear/think it rather than speak it. At a certain point the mind transcends (the mantra/thoughts) and finds itself as blissful.
If there’s any confusion please re-read my last article on how meditation works. The process is very natural. Twice daily practice each day for twenty minuets will yield much benefit.
Love,
Raymond
Raymond & All!
BUMPER STICKER OF THE DAY:
“GOD WANTS SPIRITUAL FRUITS, NOT RELIGOUS NUTS!”
Was out and about today in the burbs, and this was in my face to share with everybody here…
Sometimes God has this outrageous sense of humor that can simply take us away from our fears and worry’s, with this laughter of the soul, as if God is laughing right along with us!
Love,
Sparks
Bernhard,
Delighted you found the Lord’s Prayer article insightful. That’s what Josh’s blog is all about! Thank you for your comments.
Yes, Pslam 23 is truly another Life-meditation classic, and, in expression, not too dissimilar from the Lord’s Prayer. I haven’t to date written on this Psalm.
Blessings!
Raymond
Raymond & All,
Has anyone noticed that if one is not just rambling off The Lord’s Prayer, it actually falls on the breath…
Our Father (in breath, which art in heaven(in breath, hallowed be thy name(in breath, and so on!!
We are breathing in the words, saying the prayer in this way makes for a entirely different experience.
As you bring the words (silently or aloud) on the in-breath, allows for it to circulate through the entire bloodstream.
Then, you are not just saying it, your entire body is expressing it universally.
Since I recognized this I say the Prayer now always on the breath, try it, and you will see what I have found to make it even more magnificent.
Actually, I feel as if Jesus, when He taught this prayer, he taught it deliberately slowly and on the breath.
Many others as well also have this “mantra type expression”.
Love, Sparks
Hi Sparks,
Just to add to your really good observation/comment on the Lord’s Prayer and mantra meditation. Here is some added suggestion.
Sit and recite the Prayer fully, once or twice.
Next, exhale fully through the mouth… Then, WAITE/WATCH for the next in-coming breath to commence automatically through the nostrils. And, as it does so, think the first clause on this in-coming breath, as you said.
Watch the out-going breath exhale ITSELF again through the mouth. When fully exhaled, think the second clause on the in-coming breath, again through the nostrils.
Watching the in/out breath deepens meditation. It induces stillness/calmness into the conscious mind/body whereby the respiratory system reduces to a minimum.
As we continue clause by clause in this manor, the words may begin to fall away and we drift into Transcendence. This transcendent stillness or altered state of consciousness fulfills ‘the ethos’ of the Lord’s Prayer “within” consciousness or universally, as you say. This in essence is mantra meditation the purpose of which is to eventually transcend ‘the object’ of meditation, i.e. the word(s), clause(s), etc which, of course, can be any positive/spiritual/scriptural phrase.
Jesus said: “Could you not watch one hour (or twenty minutes) with me”.
Meditation fulfills “watch”.
Blessings!
Raymond
Raymond,
Thanks for this addition, am going to print it out for reference. My daily Bread has been given!
Discovering the Lord’s prayer as a mantra, prior to prayer or meditation, just came to me as I was searching for more meaning within the prayer. I also changed evil into darkness and suffering, seemed to resonate from a heart perspective for myself.
Plus, I do always ask first before changing any words, if I have a word, that is not in dual, universal agreement, I will usually get the replacement word, which is always a higher frequency than the one I chose!
Am so glad you enjoyed Andrea’s vocalization of the “Prayer of all Prayers”!
With Love, Sparks
Hi Raymond!
Your book “Transforming your Life” is on the way to me!
I am certain it will help me refine my meditation sessions, as I have added to the Lord’s Prayer what you have suggested above~ on the out breath and have been practicing this…WOW, it is a heavenly addition, as on the outbreath I feel an entirely higher energy, this is amazing and I thank you!
Am so looking forward to receiving your book, as I know this is what the” GREAT HEALER”. has prescribed!
Thanks again my Friend,
Sparks
https://gnosticteachings.org/courses/defense-for-spiritual-warfare/3200-the-prayer-of-the-lord.html
From a Gnostic point of view
Hi Raymond,
Love your work!
One thing I don’t really understand though, could you please explain more on “Male needs to grow out of interpreting female through sex – this, guys, is OUR biggest challenge!”
What do you mean by “interpreting female”? And what should we be doing instead?
thanks
Hi Jo,
Good to hear from you and hank-you kindly for this comment. The point you raise from my article,“Male needs to grow out of interpreting female through sex – this, guys, is OUR biggest challenge!”. These words of course where used in a context under the heading “Transmuting sex energy”. Meaning, as we awaken spiritually, attention needs to be brought to the flood of extra life force energy through our system, which energy is sexual by nature — but which energy is neither male nor female orientated. The term: “interpreting female”, therefore, is meant that male should not define female through male ‘urges’ post Kundalin presnce. Otherwise, we can bypass Love.
As we begin emerging from our spiritual slumber — from the Lazarus state — then more life force or Kundalini energy becomes noticeably present within. And attraction to the opposite sex for sure grows. This is where we need to be on guard, of not equating this flow of life force energy and associating it solely to a male-female sexual dynamic.
Consequent of Kundalini rising, higher intuitive insights begin surfacing into awareness. This ‘new’ life force presence is intended for creative soul expression in our daily work and social activity, thereby furthering development of our consciousness, spiritually. Hope this helps, Jo.
Blessings.
Ok, what am getting from that is that as you grow spiritually, you naturally become more energetic, and that sex is an easy way to channel away all this newfound energy. The energy itself is neutral, and can be spent in lower bodily activities, or higher spiritual ones. Kind of like a man who wins the lotto then runs off to spend it all in fun and parties, instead of investing most of it so as to earn even more.
Some time back I was practicing a breathing technique that at some point included holding your breath then visualizing all this energy rising from the base of the spine all the way up to the head. A surprising side effect of doing this daily was that after awhile I realized all my sexual urges had simply vanished! I later realized that I had been actually been unintentionally transmuting my sexual energy by doing that exercise (involving breathwork and visualization). So there are some tools out there to help us out with “our biggest challenge”.
Thanks Raymond.