Sunday, July 25, 2010

The World Tree - As A Symbol


Myths, tales and legends of the World Tree can be found in the
teachings of nearly all ancient cultures. The World Tree Symbolizes
the "upper, middle and lower regions of the cosmos". ***

Its trunk is the world axis, or axis mundi, which connects the earthly
realm of matter below with the heavenly realm of spirit above. It is
a Symbolic allusion to the Hermetic axiom, "As above, so below. As
below, so above".

The World Tree is also a metaphor for Awareness, Enlightenment
and Rites of Initiation which appear in world Mythologies.

In Norse Mythology Odin hung upside down on the World Tree,
Yggdrasil, until he obtained the Wisdom to understand the secret
language of the Runes. Symbolically, to "hang upside down" means
to look at things in a different perspective: a principle which is also
portrayed by "The Hanged Man" in the Tarot deck.

From Egyptian Mythology comes the legend of Isis and Osiris in
which Osiris becomes entombed within a tamarisk tree after being
tricked by his brother Seth. Eventually, Osiris' wife-sister Isis frees
Osiris from this World Tree and completes the Rite of Initiation.

From the far East we are instructed that the Buddha meditated
under the Bodhi Tree, another reference to the World Tree, until
he gained Enlightenment. Bodhi means "Awakening" or "Enlighten-
ment" and is also the root word of Buddha.

Sir Isaac Newton was meditating under an apple tree when an
apple metaphorically fell upon his head, whereby he gained
Awareness of the law of gravity. We are all very thankful that
Sir Isaac chose not to sit beneath a coconut tree!

Trees can also contain hollows. Hollows in trees symbolize the
Cosmic Womb which can be used as places of Initiation. And
because these hollows represent the Cosmic Womb they have also
been used as grottoes to honor forest spirits, elemental creatures,
and the Divine Principles Of Nature. These hollows are also
respected as doorways to realms of higher consciousness and
entrance ways into the realms of elemental creatures such as elves
and faeries.

With these thoughts as our background, let us now explore the
Symbolism contained within the World Tree.

In all cultures, the World Tree is represented by an evergreen tree
which is indigenous to that particular area of the world. Green is the
color of fertility, vitality, abundance, growth, rebirth and renewal.
Therefore, Ever-green Symbolizes the eternal and unbroken Cycle
of fertility, vitality, abundance, growth, rebirth and renewal.

The roots of the World Tree are embedded deep within the earth
and reach out, far and wide, in all directions. This Symbolizes a solid,
all-encompassing, attachment to the world of matter.

The trunk is the axis mundi (world axis) which Symbolizes the
connection, or Pathway, between the world of matter below and the
realm of spirit above. It is the Ladder by which higher beings can
descend to earth in order to help enlighten the True Seeker and
which the Seeker, or Initiate, can use to ascend to the higher realms
of spiritual consciousness.

The branches of the World Tree Symbolize the canopy of heaven,
along with all the celestial bodies, which rotate around the world
axis, the axis mundi. The layers of branches represent the ascending
realms of consciousness which exist within the infinite domain of
Spirit.

The World Tree, which Symbolizes a direct and unbroken link
between the world of matter and the realm of Spirit is also Symbolic
of, and a metaphor for, our human bodies which are also linked to
the above and below . For just as the roots of the World Tree are set
firmly in the world of matter, so too are our feet firmly planted upon
the same earth.

And just as the branches of the World Tree reach for the heavens,
so too do our heads, and minds, reach for the higher realms of
consciousness in order to allow the spirits which dwell within these
realms to descend unto us in order to instruct us in Divine Wisdom.

And finally, in the same way in which the trunk of the World Tree
serves as a Ladder for the higher spirits to descend and the lower
beings to ascend, so too does the trunk of our body function in the
same way. For it is within the trunk of our body that our spinal
column, our personal axis mundi, resides and in which our Chakra
System dwells.

It is at the base of our Chakra System that our kundalini energy
rests, being ever ready to receive Divine Guidance from the higher
realms. Once Divine Guidance is received, and understood, our
kundalini energy is then able to leave the lower regions of our
physical nature and ascend upwards. As it ascends upwards
through our spinal column it empowers and awakens the Chakras
at the higher levels until it finally ascends through our Crown
Chakra in its journey into the very highest levels of spiritual
consciousness and enlightenment.

See also: "Hyperborea - Beyond the Northern Winds;
and "Draco: Constellation Of The Cosmic Serpent"

*** "The Complete Dictionary Of Symbols" - Jack Tresidder

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 2010
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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Unintended Consequences


"Every action, no matter how small, has a consequence."
- "The Tale of Despereaux", Kate DiCamillo

"Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences."
- Norman Cousins

An Event can have two kinds of Consequences: Intended and
Unintended. Our Decisions, Choices, Actions and Words are Events
which we create and set in motion. We believe that the Events we
create will provide us with an Intended outcome. But, how
often have we experienced, often to our dismay, that Events which
we set in motion often result in Unintended, and unexpected,
Consequences which end up being ruinous not only to our intended
purpose but also our Current Incarnation? We tend to label these
Consequences as tragic.

On the other hand, how often have we also experienced that an
Unintended Consequence of an Event which we have set in motion
results in something more beneficial than we had originally
anticipated? We choose to label these Events as Serendipitous.
Serendipity is the discovery of something more surprising,
delightful, or beneficial than what we had originally been Seeking.

Creation, of which our Current Incarnation is an integral part, is a
series of Events. And every Event has a Consequence. We tend to
label these Consequences as either expected and intended, or, as
unexpected and unintended.

It is important to understand that once an Event has been set in
motion it develops a "life of its own" and cannot be stopped until it
has run its full course and comes to the end of its Cycle.

Furthermore, many Events are Interconnected with, and can overlap,
other Events. Whenever we set an Event in motion it can become
involved, or entangled, with other Events which are already "in play".
When this happens, these Events will very likely affect each other to
some degree.

Likewise, an Event which we set in motion can also interact with,
affect, and be affected by, other Events which have not yet been put
"in play".

It is the combining, or mingling, of our Event with these other Events
which can result in both our Event, and the Event it interacts with,
producing Consequences which are Unintended.

Events, along with their Interconnectedness and Consequences, are
represented Mythologically, Symbolically, and Esoterically by
Indra's Web, Kabbalah Paths, and The Spider's Web.

As every Event has a life of its own, it must run its complete Cycle.
Some Events take a long Time to "play out" while others take but a
short Time to complete their Cycle. Some Events have long-term
Consequences while others have short-time Consequences.

In the same way in which we are responsible for our Actions, so too
are we responsible for the Events that we put in motion. Therefore
we bare sole responsibility for the Karmic Consequences which
result from any Event we create regardless of whether these
Consequences are Intended or Unintended. Once we put an Event
in motion it is far too late for us to say, "I never intended for that
to happen".

The Law of Karma, being a Divine Principle, is not concerned with
whether we created an Event through haste, thoughtlessness,
malice, Ignorance, or good intentions. The Law of Karma simply
completes the Consequence of the Event which was put in motion
and presents the creator of the Event with either a Karmic Reward
or Karmic Debt.

Therefore, as we bare sole responsibility for our Actions, and the
Events we put in motion, it is vitally important that we Weigh our
Decisions and Actions very carefully and only place in motion
those Events which can bring us the greatest Peace, Contentment,
and Karmic Rewards.

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 2010
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Sunday, July 11, 2010

Events


"The wise adapt themselves to circumstances,
as water moulds itself to the pitcher."

-Chinese Proverb

Nature is a process of continuing Cycles, patterns and rhythms.
Her Cycles, patterns and rhythms produce Events. Events produce
circumstances and Consequences. This process has been in
existence longer than any one of us mortals. Yet we mortals actually
Believe we can out-think, control, and even defy, Nature's eternal
processes.

When we consider that every Consequence is the result of an Event,
and that every Event is a process of Nature, then we must also
accept the Truth that an Event is neither good nor bad; it is Simply
part of an eternal process.

With these Thoughts in mind, let us take a look at some Events,
their consequences, and how we often Choose to "label" the results
of these Events.

Large waves are natural occurrences on the vast oceans of our
planet. When they occur in uninhabited areas or upon the vast and
empty expanse of our seas, we consider them to be natural Events
and take very little, if any, interest in them. However, should a large
ship be capsized by one of these large waves we automatically
categorize this natural wave as a "rogue" wave and accuse Mother
Nature of creating a catastrophe. Whereas, in Truth, the fault
actually resides in our inability to understand and recognize this
natural rhythm of Nature.

It is interesting to note that on one hand we classify a large wave
as a natural Event while on the other hand we call it a calamity;
same Event yet different label.

Earthquakes and tectonic plate movements are part of Nature's
ongoing rhythmic process. When a seismic Event occurs under the
sea or in some remote area of our planet we dismiss the Event
almost immediately. However, should this same Event occur below
a community, town, or city, we consider this natural Event to be a
tragedy created by Mother Nature. Two identical Events: one
viewed with very little interest while the other is viewed as a great
misfortune.

This is not to say that the premature loss of life is not a tragedy,
for it is. It is to say that our Ignorance of, or complacency with,
Nature' s Laws, rhythms, and Cycles is what is tragic, not the
Event itself!

Another example of Events are the news "events" so many of us
anxiously await at the end of our day. What many of us call either
"good news" or "bad news" is really neither. The "news" we watch
and listen to is nothing more than an after-the-fact report of the
Consequences resulting from a previous Event, or Action. By the
Time we hear about these Consequences both the initial Event and
the ensuing Consequence have long since passed. It is merely how
we Choose to Interpret, or "label", these after-the-fact "news
events" that affect our emotions and Thoughts.

Every Event, or Action, has a Consequence. Therefore, an Event
is an Action which is simply a prelude, or catalyst, to a Consequence.
It is up to us to recognize an Event for what it is and thereby
understand, Foresee, and perhaps even profit from, its forthcoming
outcome.

We occupy this planet in partnership with Mother Nature. Mother
Nature is a Divine Principle; an Egyptian Neter. It is our personal
responsibility
to be familiar with Her Laws, Cycles, rhythms, and
patterns. By understanding and being in Harmony with Her, we
will find Mother Nature to be nurturing and Giving. By doing
otherwise, we may find ourselves being disciplined for our
misbehavior and Ignorance.

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 2010
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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Obscure Wisdom And Hidden Truth


"Man will occasionally stumble over the truth,
but most of the time he will pick himself up
and continue on."

- Winston Churchill

"To see that which is not there, gaze upon what is."
-Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, Wizard, "Legend Of The Seeker"

Truth, Wisdom and masterful knowledge are not for the lazy or
timid. A price must be paid for obtaining these mystical gems.
These hidden and guarded treasures must be searched for and
earned.

Clues to their whereabouts and meanings are disclosed to the True
Seeker bit by bit. It is up to the Seeker and Initiate to discover
these bits - one by one - and piece them together like a jigsaw
puzzle until the answers they are pursuing become clear to them.
Un-Veiling, and understanding, Obscure Wisdom and Hidden
Truth is the Quest of the True Seeker, the determined Initiate, and
Wizards and Wanderers.

Seekers, Initiates, and Wizards and Wanderers are the Lone Wolfs
who stand apart from, and are out-of-sync with, the common
masses. The masses simply require quick answers, brief
explanations, fabled stories, and unfounded rumors to satisfy their
impatience, curiosity and Ignorance. And it is because the masses
are teeming with unfounded "information" and unsolicited Opinions
that their judgment is usually found to be erroneous, mis-guided,
and false. For how can the masses possibly know that which they
have made no effort to understand?

Ancient Teachings inform us that Truth and Wisdom lie all around
us. However, although Truth and Wisdom are available to all, they
can only be recognized by those who have taken the Time to develop
the ability to "see" them.

Truth and Wisdom are obscured in the shadows of Ancient
Teachings and cryptic Symbols whose true meanings have been
purposely Veiled by half-truths, vague definitions, over-simplified
explanations, and mis-translations.

The True Seeker's focused purpose is to lift the Veil which shrouds
Sacred Knowledge, esoteric Symbolism, and Ancient Wisdom from
the prying eyes, limited understanding, and disrespectful ridicule
of the common horde. For only by lifting this Veil can the True
Seeker uncover the Eternal Secrets and Cosmic Mysteries which
Divinity has bestowed upon us.

With these Thoughts in mind, the next time we stumble upon our
Path, or face a roadblock, in our Quest for Truth and Wisdom, let
us remember that our Search requires effort, patience, and Time;
Time to grow into the knowledge and Wisdom which is about to
be imparted unto us. However, the Precious Jewels and Secret
Treasures that await us at the end of this trek of ours are well
worth the effort we put forth in their pursuit.

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 2010
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