Spiritual Awakening and Then What?

It is a fact that an increasing number of people are now experiencing various forms of spiritual awakening today. This is not the stories of the Bible or other religious accounts from long ago. This is happening right now. If any one wants proof of this, try typing in the words, "spiritual awakening" into Google and see how many accounts come up. While the experiences differ with each person who goes through this process (some people report multiple experiences, many of them different each time), there are some common threads. In fact, there is even a Wikipedia account for "spiritual awakening". Here are some of the common features of this  and the related terms, near death experiences, mystical experiences, enlightenment, liberation or being born again. These experiences seem to be independent of religious or cultural backgrounds. Numinous - something that invokes both fear and attraction due to the power and immensity of the experience. Ecstacy - the experience brings great pleasure and feeling of strong love. Sometimes this experience is described with an accompanying stron sexual urge. Enthusiasm and excitement - everything seems positive, happy and uplifting. Mystical - there seems to be no boundaries between one soul and another. Some experience flying, lightness, unusual abilities like walking on water or hot coals without bodily harm, trance states or out of body experiences.

Spiritual awakening — A spiritual awakening usually involves a realization or opening to a sacred dimension of reality and may or may not be a religious experience. Often a spiritual awakening has lasting effects upon one's life. The term "spiritual awakening" may be used to refer to any of a wide range of experiences including being born again,near-death experiences, and mystical experiences such as liberation and enlightenment. Click here to read more.

OK. Now someone (maybe you or me) has experienced spiritual awakening. There are many reports about the difficulties of integrating this state or realization back into the realities of everyday life. It might be nice to feel at one with the universe, but it doesn't pay the bills or clean the house. Here are some possible issues people have report that have to be integrated. Rick NurrieStearns in his article, "Kundalini and Spiritual Awakening" reports the difficulty of focusing on the task of driving or doing his computer writing. He would find himself focused on the cracks in the road, not the oncoming cars, for example. He also soon learned not to share his experiences with many people who wanted to label him as insane. Bruce Davis in his article, "Life After Spiritual Awakening"

Where most everyone agrees is that those who have been touched by a spiritual awakening (no matter how real or imagined) find little support and guidance to sort things out. The popular media to be "fair and balanced" takes an agnostic approach to nearly everything spiritual. Education, medicine, and even most churches are firmly grounded in the rational world meaning one's personal experience of some other realm is suspect.

He went on to describe how different the concept of time is in this space. With time vastly expanding, meeting Earthly deadlines seemed irrelevant, unimportant. Some people experience seeing loved ones who have passed over or feeling at one with friends who are like family. You can see how attached people can get to these pleasant, emotional experiences. Unfortunately there is the realization that no one can stay in this realm permanently which sometimes leads the person to become depressed or even want to end life. It seems that there's going to be a calling for a new breed of counsellors to help  these people cope, particularly due to the fact that some of these "openings" to a new awareness can come on accidentally or are at least unplanned. Is there an increase of these experiences or is the atmosphere just more open to hearing about them now? It's unclear which it is, but my own belief is that we are actually evolving as a human race to a higher species, more capable of universal love, more caring and certainly less likely to be violent or cruel. It is my hope time will prove me correct. To live in a world with peace for all, environmental improvement and governments truly for the people is everyone's dream.

Excellent Spiritual Education: Arthur Findlay College

Want to progress in your spiritual knowledge? Of course you can join a local class or development group, read books on the topic or meditate on the subject. However, if you want to take a big leap in spiritual development, I recommend Arthur Findlay College in Essex, England. Some of my friends have gone there and all highly recommend it. Located in Stansted Hall built in 1871, Mr. Findlay bought it in 1923 and lived there nearly 40 years. After retiring from a business career, he started a college there "for the advancement of psychic science". He bequeathed the hall to the college upon his death. Fortunately for us, it continues on strongly still today. Here is a quote from the website.

The college is the centre of Spiritual and Psychic Investigation and Instruction in the UK. We are here to teach and help you increase your knowledge in an atmosphere of love and spiritual activity. Spend 7 nights as a student on an all-inclusive Residential Course with full board and excellent tuition (shorter courses are available). Choice of vegetarian or ordinary diet.

What kind of courses can you take?  Here is a sample from the upcoming year: trance mediumship, trance healing, energy management and mediumship, journey of the soul, in service to spirit and a traditional Victorian Christmas at the Arthur Findlay College.  Keep in mind that there are 9 - 15 courses every month, so please survey the website: http://www.arthurfindlaycollege.org   to find out more. There are 44+ instructors (called tutors on the website). Don't miss the section on  "Choosing the Right Course". This includes choosing the right level for your abailty as well.

Some Great Places to Spend Christmas

Ice Skating at Christmas Fair in Museumplein

Whether you are a world traveler looking for something new or an armchair traveler who likes to hear about what other people are doing, it's always a treat to hear about special Christmas places where celebrations are "in the air" so to speak. The first group of resorts are in the northern hemisphere where you can experience the traditional cold weather with a good place to warm up and perhaps a hot drink. Thanks to Bree Sposato for suggesting Amsterdam. As you can see form this photo, the canals become wonderful ice skating rinks, and the 16th and 17th century houses are strung with lights. Why not stay till New Year's Eve and celebrate with champagne and fireworks?

Here's a more remote suggestion by Jennifer Coogan: Reykjavik, Iceland. Enjoy the northern lights from the comfort of a thermally heated hotel. There are only 4 hours of daylight, so bring your friends and prepare for an indoor party. Don't miss the unusual Icelandic food such as smoked puffin and Brennivin (like schnapps). "Statues of the 12 Yule Lads (the Icelandic version of Santa Claus) peer out from every corner shop and window."  Click here to read the original version. 

There are a lot of "snow birds" from Canada and the northern states who like to frequent San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for the hot, dry days and cool nights, the traditional crafts made and sold there as well as the old cobblestone streets and the Spanish architecture. However, Christmas is very special with the procession of Mary and Joseph and everyone else who wants to sing traditional carols. The procession goes from one decorated shop to the next, stopping to sing at each one. The children will enjoy the ritual of breaking pinatas filled with candy and small toys. It's a special treat to have blooming flowers such as poinsettias and bougainvilleas.

Thinking about a warmer place? Try Kaikoura, New Zealand. It will be summer when you visit, so you can enjoy the beach, kyaking or boating to see the whales, dolphins and fur seals. The vegetation and forests are so totally different. It's like you are visiting another planet. Lee Magill recommends staying at the Kapuku Lodge and Tree Houses with gourmet, natural meals. Make reservations long ahead of time any place in New Zealand over the Christmas holidays. It is after all their summer holiday time.

 Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses is the ne plus ultra of New Zealand’s eco-tourism accommodations: a complex of cedar-covered buildings and six tree houses with views of both the bay and the imperial Kaikoura mountain range. Luxe high design reigns inside and out.

Perhaps you are seeking something more spiritual. May I then recommend Shambhala Mountain Center on 600 acres in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado? Here is a deeply established center which accommodates a great variety of practitioners from week-long "learn to meditate" stays to longer, intensives for advanced meditators. The staff also leads spiritual journeys during the year to Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. The rooms are elegant but very simple and comfortable. People who have participated in longer retreats say it is like an immersion vacation, and the effects often stay with the person for many months, even years after. It's a bit like unpacking your brain or fragmenting your computer. The effect are nearly always calming, relaxing. It's especially a good choice if you are alone or with a partner rather than a family vacation or a good party celebration.

Let us know what you decide to do this year and how you liked it once you return. I'm always open to new ideas.

Peaceful Retreat in Middle America

Some of my readers will know that I like to feature retreats that are off the tourist trail in remote or less-frequented places. However, you don't have to go half-way around the world to find such places. Here is a retreat center near Loveland, Ohio about 20 miles away from Cincinnati called Grailville. It advertises, "A place of tranquility, spirituality, transformation and respect for the natural world since 1944." The scheduled retreats are quite eclectic - everything from aroma yoga to writing as healing to meditation, all scheduled in April. They also invite you to plan your own retreat, either alone or with as large a group as the facilities will handle in their guest cabins.

Now, more than ever, the world needs haven like Grailville, a sacred place to experience the beauty of the natural world. A few hours or days at Grailville can restore and rejuvenate you. We host retreats, programs, meetings and events. Come with your group or individually to nurture body, mind and spirit.
Our guests, often spiritual, education, healing and arts organizations, are accommodated in our five guesthouses which can host up to 75 overnight. Space for day meetings, workshops, and special events (such as weddings or reunions) is available for up to 200 people.
We offer programs affirming our authentic selves, creating space for the sacred, transforming our lives and addressing the needs of the world. Join us for spiritual retreats and celebrations, arts workshops, retreats and performances, women-only retreats that inspire and inform, and hands-on skill building workshops.
To read the original click here.

The website description goes on to describe the name, Grailville.

We are a center of the Grail in the United States and further the Grail’s vision of a world of peace, justice and renewal of the earth, brought about by women working together as catalysts for change.Grail members are connected by their spirituality. An ecumenical community of women, the Grail supports and celebrates each other’s spiritual paths. The Grail is committed to a shared vision of peace in a global community.

To contact this retreat center, go to the website, https://www.grailville.org and explore what is available. It says something that they have been in existence since 1944, probably longer than many of their members' ages.

Psychics and Healers Wanted

This is not my typical article but the notice came through the Humanity Healing University, a good source for information and learning. As they advertise for their online campus for Humanity Healing University, "Supporting the like-minded souls of the new conscious planetary culture".
Well back to the job opportunity. The organization is called the Supreme Psychics, and they are presently looking for "gifted psychics, clairvoyants, tarot card readers and astrologers" to join their team. All you need is a computer connection, a webcam and of course a computer. I suspect you also need psychic or healing expertise and experience, but they are encouraging anyone to apply.The benefits are enticing: work from anywhere in the world, set your own hours, make money and get paid every two weeks, 24/7 technical support. Well check it out. It might be for you or someone you know.
To read the full report click here.

Spiritual Trip of the Week: Bali with Guides

The Spirit Quest Tours staff have done it again and now they are taking a group to Bali June 22-28, 2013. The itinerary sounds heavenly - massages, great restaurants, well here it is:

•Visit with Ketut Liyer, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Balian and teacher
•Enjoy a vitamin lunch at Wayan’s tiny restaurant – you can also book a body reading and healing
•Stay in an incredible hotel in the heart of Ubud, right down the street from where Liz stayed (but nicer)
•Enjoy Balinese Hindu temples as the Balinese do – learn how the locals pray
Meditate or practice yoga each morning, or sleep in!
•Meet Yude Andiko, the musician Liz toured Bali with, and listen to him play his own “Yudele”
•Delight in dinner in “Italy”
•Shop for Balinese batik, wood carvings, art, and silver jewelry – all made by local artisans
•Relax with a Balinese massage
•Many meals and all activities are included

Price includes accommodations, most meals, meditations, and all specified itinerary activities (see itinerary).

* DISCLAIMER

This tour is not affiliated with or endorsed by Penguin Books or Sony Pictures.  Elizabeth Gilbert will not be leading this trip.  Julia Roberts has probably never even heard of Spirit Quest Tours. Javier Bardem will not marry you. Richard from Texas (RIP) will not give you advice.  James Franco will definitely not make out with you.  Still, you should come on this trip.

To read the original of this quote, click here.

The number to call in case you are interested is 877-406-5206. Many of the meals and accommodations are included in the total price of $3995 for the Pool Villa or $2995 for the Delux trip. Deposit is $300. Air fare is not included. I liked reading some of the testimonials such as the one: "I have been forever changed by Bali. — Kiya, San Francisco". Bali is a special place in this world, amazingly small but just amazing. Why don't you find out for yourself?

Retreat to a Franciscan Monastery

Fr. David Gaa

I try to feature retreats that are reasonable in price and a bit unusual, off the tourist path, so to speak. Here is one that fits this description, at Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in California. People have been retreating to monasteries and hermitages since they were formed in the Middle Ages. This is actually an old idea brought to modern-day standards. Here is part of the description from the website: http://www.sanluisrey.org/Retreats.

The Franciscan Retreat Center at Old Mission San Luis Rey offers a place for solitude, healing, and revitalization with a wide variety of spiritual and educational programs. Create your private day away (Quiet Days), join us for a half day or evening session (Twilight Retreats) or treat yourself, or a loved one, to a complete weekend of spirituality and sacred space. The Friars and staff are here to assist you on your spiritual journey.
The facilities are available to religious and educational groups, non-profit organizations, civic organizations, companies and corporations. We do, however, reserve the right to refuse the use of our facilities to anyone whose philosophies diametrically oppose our mission and purpose.
To read the original click here.

The Mission offers silent retreats and short retreats with guidance by the monks if requested. They are also set up for large groups up to several hundred people with affordable lodging and a camp ground for tents.
If you are the type of person who likes scheduled retreats, some of the workshops for the near future include: Couples Retreat (2/8-2/10), Twilight Retreat with Fr. David Gaa (2/15), Quiet Monday (2/25), Spring into Serenity Retreat for Women in Al-Anon (3/15-3/17), Family Vacation Retreat (7/8-7/12) and Senior Vacation Retreat (8/5-8/9).
Sound interesting? Contact them easily by phone or online. And let me know how it was!

Featured Retreats of the Week: Wild Earth Journeys

Are you ready for a truly awesome trip, a memorable one you will remember always? Are you adventurous but would like to use a guide as you know you will see more that way? Then this is the company for you. Wild Earth Journeys is owned and operated by Carroll Dunham, a Princeton University anthropologist, writer, herbalist and yoga instructor and her husband, Thomas Kelly, a former Peace Corps volunteer, Care Program officer, photographer and documentary film maker.

Featured Retreats of the Week: Wild Earth Journeys

Wild Earth Journeys--pilgrimages to wild and sacred places of the earth. Where story, myth, culture, adventure and spirit come together. We love horses, we love to walk in the mountains, we love medicinal plants and traditional medicine, spirit traditions, stories, and we love healing and working with local communities engaging in dialogue between discovery, science and healing. We love the questions, and we love the journey, knowing that without exploring the furthest reaches of the last great wild places on this earth and in the elements, we can never know for ourselves. Come explore with us and tap on thirty years exploring Asia from the heart--foolishly. Come with us and meet extraordinary and ordinary people who could change your mind. Let us help you plan your pilgrimage or journey if you are ready to leave the familiar trail for the unexpected--if you are ready to explore more than just the surface.
To read the original post click here.

The trips are to India, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia or design your own trip. While I myself have not had the pleasure of going on one of these trips, from some of the testimonials it seems that the participants are very enthusiastic about their experiences. The guides, Carroll and Thomas (yes, they do these trips themselves) are able to take people into remote place few foreigners have gone but in a safe and comfortable way. These are not trips for people who want heated pools or room service; it would require some roughing it. I personally am re-assured that there are still wild places left on this planet for Wild Earth Journeys to explore.

Merabhs: A New Spiritual Concept Explained

Adamus Saint-Germain, a European mystic and channel, has coined a new useful word, “merabh” which he says has an ancient history. Now he has recorded various merabhs that will be for sale as of September 1. 2012. Here is more information about them

Merabhs: A New Spiritual Concept Explained

Adamus Saint-Germain introduced “merabhs” at the Dream Walker Life School in Frankfurt in December 2011. He said that a merabh, based on an ancient Lemurian concept, is an opportunity for a graceful shift in consciousness. A merabh does not require force, exertion of energy, or mental effort. There is the underlying assumption that you are ready for the shift, and that by taking a few minutes in the state of acceptance the shift will begin.
In Frankfurt, Adamus asked Yoham, the musical group from Israel & Austria,to play background music during the merabh to help create the safe space for the shifts to take place. The combination of Adamus’ gentle guidance and Yoham’s intuitive music was brilliant, and the new Shaumbra merabhwas birthed. Adamus offered more merabhs with live Yoham music at the Dream Walker Life Schools in Amsterdam (April), Romania (May) and Colorado(July). In the post-conference surveys sent in by attendees, the merabhs were listed as one of their favorite parts of the Dream Walker Life experience.
To view the original post click here.

Some of the titles of these channeled and timely recordings are: Beyond Ancestral Biology, Past Lives, Death, Life, Enlightenment. They will be available through the Crimson Circle Store and perhaps on Amazon eventually. Click like below if you would like to have more articles about the coming shift or merabhs.

Spiritual Retreat of the Week: Adventurous Spirit Travel

Here is not only one retreat location but an entire company devoted to spiritual adventures. At present the company, Adventurous Spirit Travel has trips this year to France, Guatemala, Hawaii, Ireland, Sedona, Mt. Shasta and Todos Santos, Mexico. The company is run by two women experienced travellers, Lee Cook and Tina Wood from an office in Boulder, Colorado. I especially like the passage under the menu heading, “About Us” on their website.

Spiritual Retreat of the Week: Adventurous Spirit Travel

 

Adventurous Spirit Travel welcomes all world travelers and those who have never before traveled with a group. Our tours are designed for adults, women and men, young or not so young; people interested in the mystery and sacredness of life, with a desire to know and understand more of where we've come from, to assist us in where we are going and to make a difference on the planet. We will discover new information that will enrich all of our senses. Our tour travel guides are experienced in the places we visit and offer unique insights about the sacred sites and by offering a spiritual education, we encourage our clients to take in the full experience.

The section under the menu, “Travel Tours” is also worth reading.

Adventurous Spirit Travel is more than a tour company offering vacation packages. We consider ourselves to be an open and conscious traveling community. Our intention is to offer vacation package deals with an awareness of why we are going to a particular place, what we
are looking for and how we can give back. In a way, we are modern day pilgrims.
One way to fully experience the sacredness of the universe is to become a pilgrim. Since the beginning of time, people have sought out places of divine revelation in the landscape: on holy mountains, by curative springs, at ancient monuments, and near the shrines of saints.
To learn more about the trips and to read the original post, click here.

Although I’ve not gone on any of these adventures, it seems they have the tours well put together, and they are quite popular judging by the 2,625 Facebook “likes” on Adventurous-Spirit-Travel. There are some amazing photos on their Facebook site. Check it out and share this post with an adventurous friend.

Deepak Chopra on How to Activate Creativity and Homeostasis

This is a short video by Deepak Chopra in which he introduces the term “negentropy” as being the opposite of “entropy” or moving from chaos and disorder to order, creativity and homeostasis through meditation. Please listen to what this great teacher has to say on the website, Beliefnet.com

Deepak Chopra on How to Activate Creativity and Homeostasis

 

This is part 2 of this series. The first video covers the basics of meditation and is designed for newcomers to meditation. If you found this video useful, please leave a message below or click “like”.

Spiritual Retreats to Machu Picchu

This is a short video about the retreats offered by Yoga Retreat Peru. There is also a short clip from a TV interview with Deepak Chopra about the shamanic practice of taking ayahuasca. He very wisely advises anyone interested in trying this plant to choose a good shaman/guide to accompany you. Please enjoy and share this video on spiritual retreats to Machu Picchu.

Spiritual Retreats to Machu Picchu

 

The Yoga Retreats are given in 2012 in August 4 – 11, August 18 – September 1, September 1 – 15. If you are interested, please contact this website: http://www.incayogaperu.com There are different types of workshops such as High Altitude Training, Yoga and Synergy classes. The Shamanic Ceremony is optional and by special request only. If you would like to know more about the ayahuasca ceremonies, I recommend this book: Ayahuasca in My Blood: 25 Years of Medicine Dreaming by Peter Gorman.

Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming (WILD) Methods

Here is an entire website devoted to lucid dreaming by a person who practices what she preaches. Rebecca Turner lives in New Zealand and has been lucid dreaming since she was a small child. However, she also studied lucid dreaming as a teenager. Now she has courses herself that you may purchase to learn this interesting art. Here’s what she says about Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming methods.

At first, I was stunned by the realism of my dream reality - and then overjoyed by the realization that I could control and direct my awareness in the dream!
I practiced more in-depth lucid dreaming techniques. Sometimes I could have several lucid dreams per week. Yet other times, when I slowed my practice, I had nothing for a whole month. It was anything but consistent in those early days.
But when I had those lucid dreams... they were totally worth it!
In lucid dreams, I know I am dreaming and increase the intensity of the dream at will. I can "turn up my consciousness" allowing me to see, hear, feel, taste and smell everything as vividly as waking life.
I can create my own dramatic scenery, teleport to anywhere in the universe, interact with dream figures and speak directly to my subconscious mind.
This is where I start to get lost for words... because no matter what I say here, I cannot convey the beauty and emotion of a truly inspired lucid dream.
A great lucid dream can change the way you view the world.
To read the original post click here.

So to summarize, in lucid dreaming you can control the places you go and what happens (somewhat). It can be learned and an increasing number of people are doing just that. Rebecca has a number of articles on this website such as lucid dreaming FAQ, sleep and dream tutorials, sleep disorders, and free training videos. She also will sell you tutorials on how to make money on your website! Please check out Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming methods on this website: http://www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/wake-induced-lucid-dreams.html

How to Know You are Experiencing Spiritual Awakening

This short video describes clearly the physical and mental changes you might go through to the path of enlightenment. Do you think only gurus and highly evolved beings experience enlightenment? This is changing as more people evolve into the next stage of development. This video is a bit controversial as some Christians see it as against their beliefs. I think the ideas here are universal,but I will let you decide for yourself.   What are your experiences with this process? Please leave a message below. Do you think this is accurate?