Monday, April 27, 2009

Sovereignty


"When we relinquish our individual Sovereignty,
we betray ourselves and become a willing prisoner
to external circumstances and forces."

- Joseph Panek

Sovereignty: to possess independent power and rulership.

Each one of us enters our personal Incarnation as a Sovereign
Entity. We are independent rulers of our Personal Incarnation.
We have complete power and control over each and every one
of our Thoughts, Words, and Actions.

As a Sovereign Being we have the right, power, and ability to
seek out and discover what is True and what is false. We have
the right, power, and ability to Choose who we will associate
ourselves with. We have the right, power, and ability to Choose
what we will Believe, how we will Think and how we will Act in
each and every situation that will ever confront us during our
Current Incarnation. We have the right, power, and ability to
be true to ourselves, or to Deceive ourselves.

When we exercise our Divine Right of Individual Sovereignty
we accept complete responsibility for how we Choose to rule
our Personal Domain. This enables us to enjoy the fruits of our
successes and to learn valuable Lessons from our mistakes and
failures.

Individual Sovereignty enables us to exercise our Divine Gift
of Free Will in its highest and most precious form. Individual
Sovereignty is the highest expression of our right-to-choose.
Individual Sovereignty is the power, right, and ability to create,
and be responsible for, our own Personal Destiny.

And just as we possess this independent power of self-rulership,
so does each and every other individual possess this very same
Gift.

In the same way that we protect, respect, and appreciate our
own Personal Sovereignty, so too must we respect and appreciate
the Personal Sovereignty of others. From a Personal Sovereignty
standpoint, we must respect the fact that every other person
is an Independent Ruler of their own personal domain; they are
a Sovereign Entity unto themselves. And as Sovereign Individuals
they too have the inherent power to be the final, and sole,
Decision-maker of all their Thoughts, Actions, and Beliefs
regardless of whether or not we agree with them.

We may have Opinions and Advice which we may wish to share with
others. However, any attempt to force, or impose, our opinions and
Advice upon others is an infringement of their Individual
Sovereignty; it is an attack upon their Independent Rulership of
their personal domain.

Finally, to possess the Independent Power of Personal Sovereignty
is one thing, but to understand and exercise the Divine Right of
Personal Sovereignty is quite another.

In the same way that we have the right, power, and ability to
exercise our Divine Right of Personal Sovereignty, we also have the
right, power, and ability to abdicate, or relinquish, our Personal
Sovereignty.

It is amazing how many individuals (and nations) Choose to
voluntarily abdicate their Divine Gift of Individual Sovereignty.
These individuals turn over the rulership of their Personal Domain
to others and expect these others to make all the important
Decisions for them. Of course, this is a Choice that can only lead to
tragedy in the end.

Individual Sovereignty is one of the greatest Gifts that Divinity can
bestow upon us. It automatically makes us the Supreme Ruler of
our Personal Domain. By embracing it we can accomplish anything
we Choose. By abdicating it we become pawns, and slaves, to
others.

It is important that we understand this Divine Gift of Personal
Sovereignty, embrace it, treasure it, and use it to create a
Personal Destiny of our very own Choosing.

(See Also: "Compromise" and "Self-Imposed Limitations")

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Hand And Cloud - As A Symbol


We have probably all seen the picture of a Hand emerging from a
Cloud in the Sky. The first thing that probably came to our minds
upon seeing this picture was, "what could this picture possibly
mean?

"With that question in mind, let's take a look at the Symbolism and
Metaphor contained within "The Hand Emerging From A Cloud".
Within this picture we have three distinct Symbols: The Sky, The
Cloud and The Hand.

The Sky Symbolizes Eternity: the Infinite, Unchanging, and Eternal
Consciousness. The Sky is the Spiritual Backdrop which represents
the Realm of Divinity. Whatever passes across the backdrop of The
Sky represents the Cycles, rhythms, and Events that occur
throughout Eternity.

The Cloud Symbolizes movement. It also Symbolizes short-lived,
changeable Events.

How many of us have lain on the grass on a sunny summer day,
gazed up at The Sky and observed one lone cloud floating across it?
This one lone cloud is normally a small puffy white cloud that
changes shape as it Travels across The Sky until it is no longer the
same shape as when we first noticed it. Eventually, this one lone
cloud completes its journey across The Sky and vanishes. This one
lone cloud Symbolizes a short-lived, changeable Event occurring
within Eternity, and against the backdrop of the Eternal Sky.

The Hand is the Right Hand of Divinity. Symbolically, the Right
Hand indicates the act of Bestowing (Giving) and the Left Hand
indicates the act of Accepting (Receiving).

The Hand that is emerging from The Cloud is the Right Hand of
Divinity and it is in the process of Bestowing a Divine Gift.

Now that we understand the Symbolism we can then Interpret the
Metaphor contained within the picture of "The Hand Emerging From
A Cloud".

Throughout Eternity, Divinity is forever bestowing Blessings and
opportunities upon us. These Blessings and opportunities are
short-lived and subject to Change. Although these Blessings and
opportunities are available to all, they are only recognized, accepted,
and acted upon by a few. It is up to each one of us to recognize these
opportunities and Blessings when they are presented to us, accept
them as the Spiritual Gifts that they are, and act upon them before
they Change or vanish.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009, 2010, 2011
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Friday, April 17, 2009

Aether - The Fifth Element
(Alchemy, Astrology, Symbolism)


"You must feel the force around you;
here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere."
-Yoda, "Star Wars"

The Force...Prana...Aether...they all refer to the same thing: The
Vital Energy, The Vital Life Force, the Divine Essence which holds
everything together and provides the Spiritual Energy, which we
call Life, to all things in all realms and dimensions.

Prana is the Ancient Sanskrit term used to refer to this Vital
Spiritual Energy. In ancient Egypt it was called ka. The Chinese
call this energy ki or chi.Later on, Prana, ka and chi became
known as Aether by the Alchemists, Metaphysicians and
Astrologers. Aether is the term that is normally used to describe
this Vital Life Force today. The Jedi Masters of the Star Wars
episodes provided a much Simpler term to this Vital Spiritual
Energy: they Simply referred to it as The Force.

Whether we call this Vital Spiritual Energy Prana, The Force, or
Aether, these names all refer to the same thing. Aether is the
Essential Spiritual Energy which enables life, in all of its forms, to
exist, function and interact in Harmony within all realms and
dimensions. Aether is the "Spiritual Breath" of Divinity. Aether is
the Divine Life Force that exists within the Air that we breathe.
Aether is the Divine Life Force that holds the heavens together and
allows the stars, planets, solar systems, galaxies, and universes, to
co-exist and interact in Harmony with each other.

Aether is the Sacred and Secret Fifth-Element that was held in such
high-esteem by Pythagoras and his students. The Pythagoreans
understood that Aether was the invisible Life Force that enabled the
Four Elements of Creation (Fire, Earth, Air and Water) to function,
interact and create. The Pythagoreans honored Aether by embracing
the Five-Pointed-Star as their most sacred Symbol. The five points
of the Five-Pointed-Star represented Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and
Aether. The Fifth Point of the Star, along with the number Five,
represented the Spiritual Breath of Divinity: Aether.

On our planet, oxygen is necessary for human and animal life to
survive. Each time we inhale we ingest the element of oxygen into
ourselves. But, how often do we consider the Universal Life Force,
the Spiritual Essence, which is contained within the element of
oxygen that we are inhaling?

Oxygen is simply an earthly element. However, within this earthly
element of oxygen is contained the Vital Spiritual Life Force of
Aether. And it is this Spiritual Essence of Aether, contained within
the physical element of oxygen, which gives us life and enables us
to function and interact here in the material realm. With each
breath we take, we are inhaling both oxygen and Aether.

And as Aether is the Universal Spiritual Life Force that connects
and flows through all things, it is through Aether that we, too, are
part of, and are able to interact with, all things in all realms and
dimensions...including Divinity!

See also:
"The Apple - As A Symbol"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Holy Of Holies - Sanctum Sanctorum
(As A Symbol)


Just prior to reaching the main entrance of an ancient Temple a
visitor would would pass between two pillars situated on either
side of the walkway leading to the Temple entrance. One of the
pillars was a Symbolic representation of the realm of matter, and
the other pillar was a Symbolic representation of the realm of Spirit.
These two pillars were placed on either side of the walkway of the
Temple to remind the visitor of his, or her, dual nature which
consists of both matter and Spirit.

The pathway passing between the two pillars represented the
Transcending of Duality. Therefore, a person visiting the Temple
was made aware that by passing between the two pillars and
entering the Temple they had Symbolically left the realm of
duality behind them.

This journey into the Temple also reminded the visitor that the
true purpose of their Current Incarnation was to concentrate their
time and energies on the Spiritual matters which would enable
them to Transcend the dual nature of the world of matter in order
to enter into the Spiritual Realm of Unity.

These pillars through which the visitor passed would sometimes
take the shape of two obelisks and sometimes the shape of two
Sphinx: the Sphinx being the Spiritual Guardian of Entrances.

But regardless of whether the visitor passed between two pillars,
two obelisks, or two Sphinx, passing between these two Symbols
represented the Transcendence of Duality.

Upon entering the Temple, the visitor would then find themselves
within the main chamber of the Temple. It was in this main chamber
that the visitor would pay his, or her, respect to Divinity and also
contemplate and meditate upon spiritual matters.

However, within the most Secret, Sacred, and innermost part of the
ancient Temple was a very private area to which only the highest
of the High Priests were allowed access. This highly restricted area
was the Heart and Soul of the Temple and was referred to as the
Holy Of Holies; the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Holy Of Holies was that Honored place within the Temple
where all of the most Sacred writings, relics, artifacts, and Lessons
of their Faith, which had been passed down through Time, were
now preserved and kept.

The design and Symbolism of the ancient Temple is a Symbolic
reminder that each one of us is a Temple. Ancient Teachings
remind us that "our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit".
When we consider that Spirit, by its very nature, is Holy this
phrase then translates into the statement, "our body is the
Temple of Spirit".

And as with the ancient Temple, our personal Temple also has within
it our very own Sacred, Secret, and Innermost Area: our very own
Holy Of Holies, our very own Sanctum Sanctorum.

It is within our personal Holy of Holies that our Spirit, our Atman,
our God Within, our Spiritual Life Force, our most Sacred Essence,
resides. And as the highest High Priest of our personal Temple we
have access to our Holy Of Holies any time we Choose. It is that
Sacred Place within us that we retreat to whenever we desire to
communicate with, and experience, the Divinity that resides within
each and every one of us.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Self-Imposed Limitations


"Anything you identify yourself with limits you."

Any time we associate ourselves with an external cause,
of any kind, we relinquish control of our personal Sovereignty
and we create within ourselves a Self-Imposed Limitation.

A self-Imposed Limitation is a restriction we allow to enter into
our psyche that confuses our thinking, distorts our perception, and
causes us to Compromise our personal growth and our Spiritual
Path.

A Self-Imposed Limitation is, by its very definition, a Thought,
Belief, or Action that limits our ability to enjoy complete Freedom.
And when we limit our Freedom we restrict, and possibly even
abandon, our enthusiasm to pursue our personal Destiny.

Self-Imposed Limitations are created so easily and automatically
that we do not recognize the chains and bonds we are shackling
ourselves with each time we create a Self-Imposed Limitation.

We bind ourselves with Self-Imposed Limitations each time we try
to control the actions of another person, join someone else's cause,
or subscribe to someone else's belief system.

Self-Imposed Limitations are the beliefs, attitudes and actions we
voluntarily subscribe to at the request, inducement, or demand,
of another person or group. These persons and groups can be our
friends, relatives, social groups, alumni associations, the news media
or political factions.

Self-Imposed Limitations instill within us unwarranted prejudices,
desires to excel at the expense of others, and in their most
dangerous extremes, the desire for vengeance. Self-Imposed
Limitations polarize us against the Divine Concepts of Harmony,
Truth and Freedom that we all long for and ache for.

It is very easy to become "tricked" into accepting Self-Imposed
Limitations and it is important that we recognize a Self-Imposed
Limitation when one presents itself to us. Once we allow a
Self-Imposed Limitation to become a part of us we instantly
restrict our access to all the Limitless possibilities that the
universe makes available to us.

Self-Imposed Limitations present themselves to us in many
different and "harmless looking" disguises. Whenever we choose
a team to root for we create a Self-Imposed Limitation by thinking
that our team is the "best" and we must therefore root against all
other teams: ignoring the fact that there are well-trained, dedicated
athletes on all teams and in all sports.

Whenever we choose a political faction to associate ourselves with
we create a Self-Imposed Limitation which prevents us from
understanding, and availing ourselves to, all sides of all issues.

Whenever we readily accept any "expert Opinions" presented to us
by the news media we create a Self-Imposed Limitation by allowing
our thoughts and feelings to be governed by biased opinions that
may, at best, be only fractionally correct.

Whenever we believe that our school or university is better than
any other school or university we are creating a Self-Imposed
Limitation by refusing to recognize the quality and accomplishments
of the many gifted students and teachers that attend, and teach at,
other quality institutions.

Whenever we join a "cause" we create a Self-Imposed Limitation
by closing our mind to all other points-of-view.

And, in its most self-destructive form, we create a Self-Imposed
Limitation whenever we seek to continually torment an ex-spouse,
ex-partner, ex-business associate or anyone else who has injured
our ego in any fashion.

In this instance we are creating a Self-Imposed Limitation by
continuing a negative relationship with another person when it is,
in fact, in our best interest to release that relationship, along with
all of its associated negative energies, from our lives.

It is in our best spiritual interest to recognize that Self-Imposed
Limitations do exist and are continually attempting to gain control
of our thoughts, actions and feelings.

By preventing unwarranted prejudices, the desire to control others,
and desires for vengeance from entering our psyche we automatically
keep ourselves open to all the positive possibilities that the universe
makes available to us. We allow ourselves "see in all directions". We
allow ourselves to explore all of the limitless possibilities that present
themselves to us in the physical, mental and spiritual realms of our
Current Incarnation.

It is by tossing away the restrictive hooded garment of
Self-Imposed Limitations that we are able to recognize and
understand all sides of all issues, "see clearly" in all directions, and
Choose only those ideas, concepts and actions that are Harmonious
with our Current Incarnation and our Divine Nature.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
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Friday, April 3, 2009

Water - Symbol and Mythology


All creation myths begin with Water. These creation myths tell
of how the Breath of Spirit blew over the Great Waters giving
birth to all of creation. The Breath of Spirit represents the the
masculine Seed of the Eternal Mind which impregnates the
feminine Waters of the Great Subconscious Womb in the initial
act of Spiritual Creation.

Symbolically, Water represents all that lies below the surface:
Water represents Our Subconscious. Our Subconscious is the
limitless creative ocean of our Divine Nature which has direct access
to The Great Subconsciousness of Creation.

Water is the realm of feelings, dreams, imagination, and intuition.
It is the realm of Spiritual and Mental Creation at the most subtle,
sensitive and sentient level. The Great Ocean of Our Subconscious
is where all the elements of creation, everything that is and ever
will be, already exist in their un-manifested form awaiting the
"Seed of Thought" to impregnate them.

Once the Subconscious is impregnated by the "Seed of Thought",
the Waters of the Subconscious then protect, nourish and nurture
this new creation until it is ready for manifestation in the physical
realm.

We can picture the element of Water (Our Subconscious) as a
great ocean. When we look upon this great ocean we can only see
its surface. However, below the surface of this great ocean exists
all the mysteries and unknowns that lie deep below the surface.
The deep recesses of this great ocean represent the deep recesses
of Our Subconscious.

It is in these deep recesses that all current unknowns and mysteries
exist in their un-manifested forms. The fact that we cannot currently
"see" these mysteries and unknowns does not alter the fact that they
do currently exist, un-manifested, deep below the surface.

Once we discover, and then pull, an unknown from the depths of
these great Waters of Our Subconscious it is no longer an unknown.
In the same manner, once we discover and pull a mystery from the
depths of these great Waters of Our Subconscious it is no longer a
mystery; it then becomes a Truth, a fact, a reality.

This is the Symbolism of the element of Water: Within the depths of
Our Subconscious lie the mysteries and unknowns of today that are
awaiting our discovery so that we can make them the realities,
manifestations and creations of tomorrow.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
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