Tag Archives: consciousness

Cosmic Portal – Planes of Consciousness

What are the planes of consciousness through which a soul descends from source into solid matter? What keeps us anchored in matter? Different traditions have explained the process in different ways.

Several decades ago, to clarify the process for myself, I drew up this chart. It is based on the understanding of consciousness as explained by the respected yoga philosopher Sri Aurobindo. His understanding is itself based in various ancient yogic teachings, which are often adapted to modern times and modern understandings.

Years after drawing up this chart, I realized that when you go below the inconscient level – the level of total darkness – you break through to the source light again. That is, even the inconsient level is held inside the source itself and the next step below that is the return to source.

Working with the merkaba, or star of David, you can see the movement from spirit into matter occurs from both the masculine and feminine points of view. The so-called masculine religions see the descent from the unmanifest spirit into matter; the so-called feminine perspective see the ascent from the vast cauldron of potential into conscious form. Where these two perspectives join together – where the two triangles overlap in the middle – is where most of existence has its strongest form. It’s where we live our everyday lives.

I offer this chart to you as food for thought, and welcome any comments.

Universal consciousness	The consciousness that always was and always will be – eternal, infinite, universal. The source of all else in creation, inside everything and beyond everything. At its ultimate source it is one. At that point at which it becomes aware of its own existence and observes itself duality begins: the observer and the observed.	All creation has blossomed forth from here and ultimately returns to here. This is the source of all. It exerts a magnetic pull on earth existence, which seeks consciously or unconsciously to return to its all-fulfilling source.	Exists in all other levels, in all polarity constructs such as good-evil, dark-light, strong-weak. Its highest point is oneness and its lowest inconscient matter.
Individualized consciousness (the soul)	All creation is formed of particles of consciousness of the Supreme that are shaped to meet particular purposes, such as color, emotions, thoughts or physical forms from manufactured items to stones to human beings.	This is a part of the Supreme that has been sent into the earth plane to acquire experiences. The choices and events happening to each particle cumulatively shape it in a very unique way, so that its experiences as it moves towards perfection are unlike those of any other particle.		Begins when duality begins. Ranges from simple particles that, upon the dissolution of the form return to the universal consciousness, to the highest earth form, the human soul, which carries the essence of its lessons from each life into the next. When weak: can be overwhelmed by the world and retreat into silence. When strong: serves as the inner pilot for the form, guiding it in harmony with the Will of the Supreme.
Heart	The seat of the soul in a human. The keystone or pivotal point between the inner and outer worlds and in the body chakra system between the mind and the vital. Its function is true love and oneness.	This is a magnetic force that connects the soul both to its father source, the realm of spirit; and its mother source, the world. It keeps the soul constantly moving between the two, seeking to identify with and please both.		Carnal love does not come from this plane but from the vital. Weak: indifference to the world. Strong: oneness with the world.
Mind	The mental plane. Organizing and discriminating. Searches and envisions from the inner worlds to manifest on earth.	Organizes, orders, inspects. Takes things apart and examines them.		Weak: chaotic. Strong: clarity and order
Vital (Life-energy)	Life-energy, emotions. Enables soul to move about on earth.	Works with polarity constructs – opposition of magnetic forces (love/hate, dynamism/lethargy) – until being learns to master them through detachment, identification & transformation. Works with flows of energy through chakras and meridians.		Weak: overwhelmed by emotions that can’t control, see-sawing between polarities; becomes rigid in effort to experience only one side of a polarity (peace not anger); or shuts down in effort, leading to lethargy and illness. Strong: calm dynamism, balance, vibrant health
Physical	The plane of solid matter on which a soul or consciousness-form manifests its purpose and function. The playing field.	Gives the soul a material form through which it can learn to manifest its will or God’s Will on earth.		Ranges from the subtle to the gross physical. Weak: the body construct breaks apart and death occurs. Strong: the soul can protect itself and enact its will with physical matter.
Inconscient Matter	Matter is at its densest here. The Supreme has packed Itself so tight that at its base there is no apparent action; yet inside its core it, too, is the light of the Supreme. Some feel the earth-game will not be done until even this plane has been enlightened and transformed – a goal uncountable millions of years in the future – and all earth existence becomes one with the Supreme, absorbed back into Itself through the oneness of Light; the Game is Done.	The anchor of the physical world inside the universal consciousness of the Supreme. The base of the Supreme’s game of light and dark; the base from which the growth of light is measured.		Weak: the dark forces of the universe take their existence from here. Total lethargy and inability of the individual form to help itself. Strong: The powerful base of a form in the material world. Gives stability & determination so that vision can overcome all opposition and become material reality.

The image in this blog is by the artist Alex Grey.

Grandfather Buffalo – What Now?

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What do you do when you have made all the right moves, done everything right, and it just isn’t working? You have grounded and centered, connected with all your guides, know that you have done the right thing. After all, haven’t your guides told you,”You are always where you are supposed to be?”

“Wait a minute,” you say. ”Why am I against a wall, between a rock and a hard place, in a Catch 22 situation? I am a Spiritual person, I know who I am, what I am supposed to do, this just isn’t fair. Perhaps you say “I know! Mercury is in retrograde, some planet is in a particular conjunction, these energies are terrible.” Yes! Let’s blame it on something or someone, get ourselves off the hook.

The Buddhist perspective is “Maya” – everything is an illusion. Nothing is real on the physical level, reality is in the consciousness. Don’t concentrate on the suffering, sorrow, the wealth, etc., that isn’t reality. Go beyond all that to source, meditate, reach bliss.

Native Americans will probably say, “All things are as they are, don’t be so serious, life is more than being up against the wall.” Those of the indigenous culture have survived an avalanche of hardship and there are many who have suffered, but there are those who will laugh at all that and seriously say to you, “So what are you going to do? What now!?!”

WHAT NOW? How about breathing, grounding and centering? You say, “I have already done that, and look where it has gotten me!” Now in the present situation, where you are now, between the rock and the hard place, up against the wall, breathe, ground and center. Look closely at it, study it, know it, learn from it.

Life is hard, not always pleasant, often down right ugly. So what now? Here are your choices – be the victim of the planets, the energies, blame someone else, cry, or let out a good hearty boisterous laugh. No! A big guffaw if you will. Laugh about your situation, make it the butt of a joke. Tell it with laughter it has no power, it isn’t real. Make your own reality, it is illusion after all.

I challenge you, (Myself) the next time it all falls on top of you laugh, and see how easy it is to get back up, chin up and move forward. No one is to blame unless you give in to the situation and then that blame will look at you from the mirror.

LIVE<> LAUGH<>LOVE

Stones to help:

Citrine – Repels negativity,brings abundance all levels,creativity and joy.

Rose Quartz – Unconditional love, even tough love that brings understanding.

Chrysanthemum Stone* – Life is joy

*Crystal Life has many specimens and tumbled stone pieces of chrysanthemum stone. If you are interested in purchasing some, please stop into our Geneva store, or call (630)208-6001.

Cosmic Portal – When Do We Lose?

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There is a lot of talk lately about how our world civilizations are “losing” so many things… jobs, investments, opportunities.

I’m thinking of all the people who’ve come into our store looking for a stone or energetic information to help them because they recently lost their job. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or a victim, the customers have very often expressed gratitude because now they can go in a new direction, one they may have dreamed about but felt they needed to be responsible instead. Some want to study yoga, martial arts, massage, chiropractic or naturopathic disciplines. Suddenly free of all their “oughts,” and having discovered that doing what they should do has only made them unhappy, they are giving themselves permission to do what they love. They tell us what a sense of freedom they now feel – it may be less money in their pocket – but money seems to come and go anyway – and now they wake up each morning glad to be alive.

Did these people win or lose?

Something similar happened to me, back in 1995 when I started Crystal Life. My inner team kept –literally – nagging me until I agreed to quit my comfortable job with steady pay at the United Nations and set up a company that would work with subtle energy and healing gemstones. I told them if I did this, I would end up on the street – and I wanted them to know it would be all their fault! Finally, unable to deter the nagging, I jumped. Instead of a free fall into the void, I found my team knew better than I did, and I found solid ground very quickly under my feet. And a level of happiness I had not known before.

Sometimes winning can mean losing. Such as when we pretend to be something to win our goal, such as a specific type of job – then we find we can’t enjoy the goal because it does not really suit us. Or we win by making someone else look bad – and find out our own energies have changed so much that we can no longer be free and open in our relations with others.

So if you feel you are losing right now – as if things aren’t going your way – learn to talk with your inner guides. They can help you immensely for they can see into the future, and above the physical world into the world of energy that forms matter.

We at Crystal Life are here to help. We offer free classes every Saturday morning in which you can learn some new aspect of subtle energy. There is a free download on our website of exercises to help you learn to center and communicate. You can purchase my book We Are Not Alone, which explains how to contact your guides. You can surround yourself with healthy energies – good food, real stones with helpful earth energies. Our trained staff is happy to assist you with your selections!

We want you to truly win at life, which means leading a life of contentment and satisfaction that comes from knowing who you are and what you are meant to do. When this happens, winning and losing are no longer topics of concern.

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Tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, Grandfather Buffalo and I will be holding a free workshop at Crystal Life on Spirit Guides: How to Work with Your Team. If you live nearby, please join us – 9 to 10.

Grandfather Buffalo – A Power Within

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There is a power within each one of us that is life affirming. Without its presence, there is no life. This power is the power of breath. The body can continue for days without the nourishment of food. Many religious leaders have gone without food for forty days or more and have survived. But when the body is deprived of oxygen (the act of breathing), it ceases function, and life will cease to continue.

In our modern society, we do not think about breathing, after all it is an autonomic response. The body just does it, right? Why should we think about breathing?

Those who practice Breath Meditation, upon inhalation they bring the breath down to the lower abdomen and hold it there for a count, or pause, and then release it in exhalation. By this process they are engaging the torso from collar bone to navel in the breathing process. This process causes the diaphragm to expand and contract, successfully stimulating the body’s organs. The inhaled breath fills the lungs to capacity, goes into the bloodstream, and provides oxygen to the organs and other parts of the body.

We need today to focus on our breathing habit. We need to increase our intake of oxygen for increased nourishment of the bodily organs and their functions. There are many many medical aspects where breathing is impaired and one needs to rely on their doctor’s advice and treatments above all else. As we are able, we should begin a conscious breathing exercise which will assist the medical treatments. By doing so, we strengthen the lung capacity, revitalize our overall intake of necessary oxygen, and reduce stress levels of all kinds.

Whether by meditation practice, or just conscious breathing, I encourage you to take that first breath. It has helped me greatly over the past month on many levels.

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If you would like to learn more about breath control and stress relief, check out this CD – Letting Go of Stress by Stephen Halpern with Emmett Miller M.D. Dr. Miller’s soothing voice combined with Steven Halpern’s beautiful music will teach you the relaxation response, deep muscle relaxation and breathing techniques. Letting Go of Stress is the world’s most popular stress management CD! Several distinct and different guided imagery and deep relaxation experiences teach powerful techniques for melting away stress and its symptoms.

Cosmic Portal – Human Energy 1 – The Merkaba

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This is the first in a series of posts on some different ways you can understand, inspect, clear, energize and protect your energy field.

In my half century of teaching, I’ve found I’ve needed to explain this topic in various ways, depending upon the orientation of each student.

I’ve also found that since we all have emerged from infinite spirit and are attempting to hold, realize and manifest spirit in the limited container of a physical body – no one method of understanding our work on earth will suffice. Each approach will add another feather to the wings of our personal flights between spirit and matter.

The merkaba – also called a star tetrahedron and a Star of David – is used by most traditions to graph what occurs when one source separates to understand itself, and to expand its abilities. It is the core geometric form in many sacred graphs, such as the Far East Mandalas and Yantras. In these traditions, the merkaba represents source examining itself – what it is and is not – the polarities that exist to hold energy in place. It is often used as the symbol for creation itself, and in some cases the central symbol for certain deities.

In the West, the merkaba is often included in the symbol for various high esoteric orders, as their statement of recognition of the polarities underlying matter. Around two hundred years ago it also became a standard symbol of Judaism.

The merkaba is actually spinning. And it is actually two counter-rotating pyramids, each spinning in the same direction when seen from its origin point but when facing each other they appear to be spinning in opposite directions. When the energy of each side is equal, the motion of the merkaba is continual and is self-clearing. But when one side becomes more active/powerful and over-rides the other side, the spin starts to slow down and energy gluts and gradually stagnates. Eventually, each side needs to be cleared of debris and brought back into balance.

You can see the effects of this in any situation where there should be equitable balance and there is not. For instance, the recent (current in some places) inequity between males and females throws all of a society into imbalance. When the feminine is disparaged as inferior, it affects all the feminine energies in a situation: compassion, community, concern for all in the environment. The current efforts to bring the feminine back into equality with the masculine energies are seen in the great changes, and arguments over the changes, in all current events.

On a personal level, you are a merkaba as well. You are balanced between the feminine and the masculine energies of the universe, which have given you form. When you are in balance, your energy is spinning well. When something gets out of balance, your energy gluts and slows down. You can see the energy of a person’s merkaba – we call it the aura.

Besides our overall personal merkaba, we have many internal merkabas formed by our various actions and activities. This makes our personal energy field complex, subtle and manageable.

If you would like to learn more about how merkabas work, I recommend my book We Are Not Alone, which deals extensively with the topic and includes exercises to help you learn how to control your energy.

Grandfather Buffalo – The Power of “Word”

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words Perhaps you have listened to a person giving a speech and left feeling uplifted, empowered, even encouraged to take up the banner and move forward. Such is the power of speech.

Perhaps you have heard someone speak and your spirit falls. You are saddened, depressed, even to the point of defeat. Such is the power of speech.

If we look closely, we will see that the spoken word is energy – a frequency that carries specific vibrations depending on tone, inflection, and yes, even emotion. Thought creates the process, then is added to or diminished by the inflection and emotion.

When the word is written down, that word (“No” for example) is held in a container. Depending on it’s context, your thought and speaking of the word causes it to leave its container (the printed word), and may, by its expression, release those frequencies into action.

Ex: If you softly said “No” to a child, he will understand that he should not do something.

If you were to say “Oh NO!” regarding some tragic event, you release fear and sadness.

If you in anger say “NO!!” You have released another frequency altogether. There is a power in the word that affects everyone, and yes, everything around you.

Each one of us are the thoughts and speech we release from ourselves. We are responsible for where they go, for who is harmed, saddened, gladdened, inspired, or deflated by those actions. Most of all we are responsible in speaking of and to ourselves. Is it someone else’s fault that I may have failed? Is it my responsibility that I have misunderstood? Take the words you hear. Learn from them, and make them positive.

If there is judgement, anger, or reprimand, let us each understand the situation and the words we would use. Especially what emotion is behind it before we speak.

You alone are responsible for the energy of “word” that you release in a created life force energy. First think before you speak, and then ask “How can we speak to one another in a way that uplifts us both”?

To help you with the power of correct words, here are a few stones who desire to help you:

Blue Topaz – living your truth

Blue Chalcedony – fluent speech

Chrysoprase – fluent speech

Emerald – mental clarity

Lapis Lazuli – power of the spoken word

Blue Apatite – public speaking

Blue Kyanite – public speaking

Turquoise – public speaking

Grandfather Buffalo – Following Your Path

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First-Step We have all been asked at one time or another, “What is it that you do? What spiritual path are you on?” Some of us have probably said “I don’t know what I am supposed to be doing. Who can show me my path?”

There are many people who guide and teach us on our journeys in life. And yet we may feel “I have all this knowledge but I still do not know where I am going or what my destiny is. Who can help me find the answer”?

In The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, Bilbo says: “It’s a dangerous thing going out your door, Frodo. You take your first step and you never know where it will lead you.”

Here, then, is the first step in fulfilling your purpose or destiny. Do not wait for someone to tell you what it is but, rather, just go forward. There may be times you travel off the path, or even seem to go in circles. You might even ask yourself, “What am I doing here, and where do I go next?”

We often seem to be in the Indiana Jones space, where he comes to a cave opening, and there is nothing to step on but air. By faith, he takes that step and a bridge appears. This is the best advice we could receive. Have faith and move forward.

It is almost certain that you will examine all the pros and cons of moving forward. You will say to yourself “I know I need to do this or that, but I also need to know that I can make a living doing this or that.” However, the dilemma is that the core answer is “not-this, not-that.” It is never wrong, then, when puzzling about your life, to move either forward or hold back. As I am often told, you are always where you’re supposed to be, regardless of the circumstance. Let life be your guide. Learn from and utilize the lessons.

Just let me close with this piece of advice.

“Step forward, my child. Your destiny is before you”.

“I know it is there. I just don’t know the way, Great Mother.”

“Here is the way, my child. Lift a foot, it matters not which one. Move it forward in the air. Now set it down firmly on the Earth. My little one, now lift the other foot and bring it forward, past the first one. Do you see, my child, that it is your path. Follow it where ever it leads.”

If you need help, here are a few stones from Crystal Life to assist you on your journey:

Rhyolite, Red Jasper, Lepidolite, Pietersite, Desert Rose Selenite.

The five Master Crystals:

Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Smokey Quartz, Rose Quartz, Citrine.

Grandfather Buffalo – Affirmations

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Affirmations are positive thought forms which we create to change old habits or beliefs. How often have you heard “You did this wrong” or “You did that wrong.” Perhaps you have even said to yourself, “I am not good enough to get that job.” “I just can’t get the hang of it, because I just don’t understand.” Someone says to you that “You are always sick,” and you come back, “I am a very unhealthy person.”

cat-lion These are just a few of the negative thoughts we have accumulated over our life times. They will and do affect our health and well being. Perhaps it is time to take a positive stand and put the positive spin to our lives. Here is how you can do this. First look into the mirror and tell yourself “I am not worth anything.” If this doesn’t apply to you, what phrase have you heard or felt so much that it is a part of you? When you look in the mirror what do you see and how do you feel? You may feel tired and look depressed, bags under the eyes or even pale.

Now create a positive affirmation. “I am a very worthy person, all things come to me because of it.”

Again, look into the mirror. What do you see? Are you the same person you saw before? Do you see a difference in your appearance? Now as you look into the mirror, visualize things coming to you because you are worthy. Look into the mirror again. Now how do you look and feel? Here is a little secret. You deserve to be worthy to obtain whatever affirmation you state.

Everyday, several times a day, say that positive affirmation to yourself. Tape it to your mirror, your car’s dashboard, your work station. Wherever you spend the most time, have that affirmation handy.

Here are a few areas of life that affirmations will be needed:

Health, Fears and Phobias, Criticism, Self Forgiveness, Money, Friends, Self Esteem, Judgement (self or other), Addictions, Work Relations, Prosperity and Abundance, Love and Relationships.

And here are a few examples:

“I am afraid to be angry” — “I am not afraid to be angry”

“My body is weak and unhealthy” — “My body is strong and healthy”

“I Just can’t do anything right” — “Everything I do is perfectly OK”

Try these or create your own and try them everyday for a month and see how you feel.

ISIC – Finding Peace Within

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In this time of change and turmoil, it is important to find peace within ourselves. We need to find and to go this place that is always with us no matter where we are. This place is located deep within our own heart. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and happenings. Sometimes this gets us off-center, making it harder to help those who come to us in need.

peace in chaos At first it may be difficult for some to find and stay in this peaceful heart-centered space. So to begin with, it is suggested to spend time right when you wake up, training yourself to move from your head and down into you heart. Once at your heart, stay there and feel if there are any issues or emotions that may need to be addressed: things that might need to be cleared in order to delve deeper and find the still peaceful centered-ness.

Take as much time as you need to clear that stuff up in a way that feels right to you. You might continue your waking up exercise with these suggestions: writing it down, energetically clearing it out and sending those feelings to source (because it’s just energy any way), or imagining yourself taking a squeegee and literally clearing the windows of your heart. It does not matter how it is done. Keep in mind that the sooner you are able to clear any uncomfortable feelings from the heart, the sooner you have that mobile place of peace to go to any time you want, no matter where you are!

Centering is now more important than ever. Learning how to be at peace within one’s self will help perpetuate that into the environment. A very helpful tool when first beginning to do this is a stone kept in the pocket. Amazonite is a great one for the job as one of its main functions is to help you find inner peace through outer chaos. Integrate the use of the stone by holding it during your morning training of going into your heart. After a while, just by holding it, you will be able to connect with your heart center quickly. Take time today to find that quiet peaceful place.

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Join us March 24 for ISIC’s first public workshop of 2013 - an entire day devoted to working with stones – crystals, gemstones and minerals. Learn how to clear the human energy field using crystals with Atala Toy, make crystal essences with Grandfather Buffalo, use crystal energy to assist your energy with Tammy Johnson & learn beneficial crystal grids with Victor van Slee.

Running from 10 am – 4 pm, this event will be held at the Geneva History Center, 113 South Third St, Geneva, IL. Fee for the event is $50 – or $40 advance registration, up to March 14.

Grandfather Buffalo – A New World

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mountain-path These are, indeed, new days before us. We are being called upon to move forward into new and uncharted territories. Those who have missed being human, are being called upon to understand and utilize today’s very human experiences.

Indeed, there are many life experiences I have perhaps ignored in pursuit of spiritual things. Was that wrong? Perhaps not. Was it wise? Who can know. There are many ways to travel the spiritual path, and none are wrong.

There are many in 2013 who are being called to grow spiritually, and may find it to be a difficult path. Again, there is no wrong or right way to do it. Each path taken is the one we have chosen, either with disregard of the consequences, or with full knowledge of that path and all it requires.

In my situation – I have always been provided the necessities along my path but now I am experiencing needing to handle these myself.

Perhaps we all are experiencing these mountains (molehills) before us. What we must see is that this is precisely what they are: just molehills and pebbles along the path. None are greater or lesser than the other. We are on the path and we are equal. We do not stand alone as long as we are together.

As I am challenged, so are you. The first part of the journey, it has been said, is the hardest. To make each step after is easier.

May I ask you a favor? Will you walk beside me on your journey? We must let go of the past, not wonder what the future holds, but rather hold firmly to the present moment and experience it fully before it passes.