This afternoon I digressed from the Essene Gospels to read a little about Kabbalah. I find many overlaps between it and the Essene Gospels, though very few of the Kabbalah books I have (and I’ve collected many – about 7 of them thanks to a local church’s book sale shelf!) include reference to, or biobliographical mention of, the Essene Gospels.

In the book, The Essential Kabbalah by Daniel G. Matt, he talks about the concept of there being many worlds within worlds. Then this snagged my eye and tugged at my heart:

“So it is with all the spheres – one inside the other – all of them are a mustard seed within the further expanses. And all of these are mustard seeds within further expanses.

Your awe is invigorated, the love in your soul expands.”  (page 22)

Do you find this to be true? I hadn’t thought about it before reading this, but I realized that when I’m caught in a moment of awe, the experience is one of expansion. And with the expansion comes a feeling of what I would call Love.

And isn’t it interesting that Mr. Matt uses the phrase “a mustard seed.” Jesus used that, too – and from a quick Internet search, he used it more than once. The parable I like that could fit the Kabbalistic use described above is, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”  (Matthew 13:31-32). This gives the impression of a small “world” growing into a big one… And then housing other “worlds” (the birds and their nests) within it.

Look for moments of awe to fill your soul today – and let your worlds expand.

Here’s another excerpt from the Essene Gospels that caught my attention. It’s from Book 4 of the Essene Gospels, page 25, and is attributed to an “Elder” of the Essene Order:

“….For I tell you truly, there is no greater power in heaven and earth than the thoughts of the Son of Man. Though unseen by the eyes of the body, yet each thought has mighty strength, even such strength as can shake the heavens. 

For to no other creature in the kingdom of the Earthly Mother is it given the power of thought, for all beasts that crawl and birds that fly, live not of their own thinking but of the one Law that governs all. Only to the Sons of Men is it given the power of thought, even that thought that can break the bonds of death. Do not think because it cannot be seen, that thought has no power. I tell you truly, the lightning that cleaves the mighty oak or the quaking that opens up cracks in the earth, these are as the play of children compared with the power of thought. . Truly, each though of darkness, whether it be of malice, or anger, or vengeance, these wreak destruction like that of fire sweeping through dry kindling under a windless sky. But man does not see the carnage, nor does he hear the piteous cries of his victims, for he is blind to the world of the spirit.

But when this power is guided by holy Wisdom, then the thoughts of the Sons of Mean lead him to the heavenly kingdoms and thus is paradise built on earth; then it is that your thoughts uplift the souls of men….”

With this in mind, I was able to catch myself when meditating last week and angry thoughts intruded about a new development going in near where I live. I realized I did not want to bring anger in to time when my focus was meant to be a connection to Spirit, and told myself to stop, just stop right there. I was able to redirect myself to a prayer.

But this can be such a challenge! It’s so easy to fall into our “justified” internal rants – and, as this passage says, we have no idea of the impact of the energies of those thoughts!  I believe this because I know I can viscerally feel in my body when someone expresses anger towards me. Yes, the force of words is probably more powerful (at least on the physical level) than thoughts – but if I can feel words, who am I to say there is no consequence of thoughts?

Our culture teaches us it’s OK to think as long as we don’t act on those thoughts. This would tell us otherwise.

I’ll put forth the challenge for us to be more mindful of our thoughts and do our best to keep them positive!

Namaste.

The Inland Northwest (Spokane, Washington area and Northern Idaho) is lucky to have regionally renowned Astrologer, Govinda Miller, in our neck of the woods.  Here’s his website: http://www.astrologywithgovinda.com

I was excited to read this in his latest e-newsletter:

“On May 15th, 2018 the planet Uranus entered an eight-year transit cycle through the sign of Taurus. Uranus is a spiritual, evolutionary planet that supports our intuitive connection and awareness of Higher Truth. Taurus is the sign that rules our Mother Earth and nature. This cycle will support us in developing an intuitive and inspirational relationship with the earth and nature spirits. Take time to develop a personal, conscious connection with nature and feel the deep stillness that is present there. The practice of meditation can be enhanced in this way.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Albert Einstein

Also, Humanity's collective emotional state of being affects the wellbeing of nature and the earth. We have dominion over nature, which brings with it great responsibility. If we wish to help the earth, we must respect the natural order of things.”

The Essene Gospels also tell us that we can understand all of Life through understanding nature.           I didn’t know that Einstein also espoused that belief.

Let's use this vibrational energy from the planetary transit to be more mindful of how we treat our planet Earth. If each of us were to do a little something towards creating a cleaner environment, imagine the difference it would make over 8 years!

This weekend I’m attending a retreat with the title, “A Spiritual Awakening.”

What is a spiritual awakening for you? Seena Frost, the founder of SoulCollage®, said, “The Soul speaks to us through images.”  Perhaps you are one who is moved deeply by beautiful imagery – whether it be in nature or artwork. If you gaze at an ancient tree with its branches spread far, or see several hues in a sunset, or the majesty of a mountain range, would that be a spiritual experience for you?

I told someone today that I’d be heading to this retreat, and she told me, “I’m going to the lake.” 
I couldn’t resist asking, “But do you have a spiritual awakening at the lake?”  Her response was that she does. And so may many others.

Some people I know love the poet Rumi -- or what about others, like Walt Whitman, Robert Frost or Kahlil Gibran? A poem that captivated me in my early school years was Walter de la Mare’s Silver. I think the visualizing of the silver repetitively coloring such a wide variety of things felt shimmery and magical to me. I found a rendition of it on You Tube, for any readers who might be interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldfZDyl-3Eg

Then there's music. Many years ago someone played a track for me from Christopher Franke’s Celestine Prophecy CD, commenting, “This is the most spiritual piece of music I’ve ever heard.” As one who uses music and tonal frequencies to assist people with personal growth and well-being, the beauty of music can transport me, also.  On a couple of occasions I was transported to a place where I experienced bliss, which I suppose counts as “spiritual.”

I think, for me, “inner journeys” similar to shamanic journeys, the Eupsychia breathwork process or meditation probably rate highest as spiritual. The opportunity to connect with the Divine, even if just for a moment, is more likely to happen for me in those times.

So what will the presenter of this weekend, or the other attendees at this retreat consider, “spiritual?”   I get to show up and find out!

May you, too, experience contact with the Divine this weekend.