Amnion, Amniotic Fluid, and Amnesia(Past Life Recall)

"Through memory we travel against time,
through forgetfulness we follow its course."
- Joseph Joubert

The amnion is the membrane which surrounds and protects the
unborn fetus while in the womb.

Amniotic fluid is the fluid which protects and nurtures the fetus,
and allows it movement, while it is within the amnion.

Amnesia is a loss of recall whereby a person is unable to
remember a part of, or the entirety of, their life.

Now what do the words amnion, amniotic fluid and amnesia
have in common with each other?

To start with, each of these words have the same root beginning:
amn.

Prior to entering our Current Incarnation our Spirit resided in the
realm of Unity; an Unknowable and sublime realm of Beauty and
oneness within The All.

Ancient teachings speak of the process of Incarnation and
re-Incarnation which our Spirits participate in, and experience.

Furthermore, these teachings also inform us that our Incarnations
contain past lives, future lives and our current life. Also, we are
Instructed that we may be experiencing many simultaneous
Current Incarnations in various different realms and parallel
universes.

And, because Time has an entirely different nature in the Spiritual
realm, it is also possible that all of our Incarnations ( past, present
and future ) may be all happening at the same Time.

And, if all of this is not mind-boggling enough, ancient teachings
further inform us that we may have Chosen the specific aspects of
the Incarnation we are currently experiencing.

This means that, prior to descent into matter, our Spirit actually
Chose the physical Time, the planetary location, the historical
Events, and even the parents we Decided to be born to in this
Current Incarnation of ours.

Ancient teachings further inform us that, except for Avatars,
Incarnations and re-Incarnations are participated in by Spirits not
only for the purpose of experiencing the physical world of duality
but also for working off, and Learning to rid ourselves of, all of the
accumulated Karma from our Past, and even possibly future,
Incarnations.

Once our physical experiences are ended and all Karma has been
worked away our Spirit is no longer subject to re-Incarnations in
this realm. At that point we either come to dwell in a much higher
realm or we ascend to the ultimate realm of The All.

Matter cannot exist without Spirit (See: "Spirit and Matter"). At the
moment of conception Spirit and sperm Become one in the egg of
the womb. The sperm grows into the fetus which lives within the
amniotic fluid, which is within the amnion, which is within the womb
of the mother.

The fetus spends approximately nine-months within the amnion.
After this Time the fetus breaks free of the amnion, leaves the
womb, and enters the world of duality as a newborn child.

But, what is happening to the fetus while it is dwelling within the
amniotic fluid, which is within the amnion, which is within the womb?
This is a very interesting question, and mystery, to ponder!

Let us explore a theory...a scenario.

Let us suppose that we have Chosen the Time, location, historical
period and parents of our Current Incarnation; all of which are
designed  to work off past Karma, refine our spirit, and rid ourselves
of Sin.

Then, as with any other journey we venture into, this would mean
that we have come into our Current Incarnation with all the
necessary tools and skills required to experience this Incarnation
and work out all of our past Karma and Sin. These tools and skills
would be already contained within the Divine Nature of our unique
personality; our Ba; our Atman.

Therefore, taking this one step further, if we come into our Current
Incarnation with all the skills and tools that we need this also
means that the experiences of our past Incarnations are already
a part of the Spiritual DNA which accompanies us into our
Current Incarnation.

This Spiritual DNA, which contains the building blocks and
substance of our personality, can be further referred to as the
attitude and Destiny (our objective, or "to-do" list if you will) which
accompanies us into our Current Incarnation.

Now we come to a big question:

If we come into our Current Incarnation with all the tools and skills
we require, what is the purpose of the Amnesia which erases from
our consciousness not only the Memory of the sublime realm of
Spirit, but also the Memory of all of our past lives?

And the answer is that Amnesia, the loss of recall of both the
Spirit realm and past lives, is necessary if we are to fulfill the
mission and Destiny of our Current Incarnation.

In regards to Memory of the Spirit realm:

Amnesia protects us from remembering the sublime Beauty of the
Spiritual Paradise which our Spirit has temporarily left in order to
enter into and experience our Current Incarnation.

For, if we were to Remember the sublime Beauty of the Spiritual
realm while in our Current Incarnation, we may be severely tempted
to end our Current Incarnation before the mission and purpose of
our Incarnation is complete.

We hear of many individuals, especially children, who want to
commit suicide after having a near death experience whereby the
Veil between their physical and Spiritual realms has been lifted
and they once again see the Beautiful realm they left when they
entered their current physical existence.

Amnesia, in this instance, is necessary if we are to complete the
task for which we entered this Current Incarnation of ours.

In regards to Memory of Past Lives:

Think of how cluttered up our minds would be if we could recall
every mistake, every foolish act, and every painful Memory we
both performed and experienced in all of our Past Lives

Then think of the powerful emotions, and melancholy, that can
possess us when we visit, or perhaps just simply think about,
the people and places of our distant Past; people and places
we may not have visited, or thought about, for decades.

Now compound this melancholy with the highly emotional
Thoughts of people and places from an infinitude of Past Lives;
people and places both tender and haunting; people and
places which are now closed to us, yet still Remember-able
through Past Life Recall.

These Remembrances would be more of a hindrance than an
asset to us in our current journey. We would be so overwhelmed,
haunted, confused, obsessed, tormented, and burdened by these
Past-Life Memories that we would never be able to accomplish the
objectives we set forth for ourselves when we Chose to enter
our Current Incarnation.

Therefore, is it possible that the Amniotic Fluid we exist in while
in the womb is not only a fluid that protects and nurtures us but
is also a fluid of un-remembrance; a fluid that gives us Amnesia
from remembering not only our past lives but the Beauty and
magnificence of the Spirit Realm as well?

With all these Thoughts taken into consideration, the final
questions are these:

Considering the Divine Process of Amnesia which our fetus
experiences while in the Amnion, is it in our best interest to
attempt Past Life Recalls where all of our unanswered questions
lie?

Or, is it much healthier, grander and beneficial for us to Learn
how to tap into and access the Great Subconscious (something
also referred to as the Akashic Records) where all the answers
of Eternity lie?

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 2012

Guilt, Threats, and Obligations

"A person cannot be free who submits themself
to the shackles of others."
- Joseph Panek

Here are two questions which deserve our deepest and most
sincere consideration

First Question: How many things have we done in our lives, and
are possibly still doing, that we really do not want to do?

Second Question: How many things have we NOT done, and have
not experienced, in our lives that we deeply regret not having done
and experienced?

For many of us the list of answers to these two questions is
probably very painful and quite long.

Whenever we do something that we do not want to do, or not do
something that we desire to do, we are behaving in a way that is
not in Harmony with our Divine Nature.

When we behave in any way that is not in Harmony with our Divine
Nature we automatically bring people, places, things, moods, and
energies into our lives that weigh heavily upon our peace-of-mind,
drag us from our personal Path, prevent us from experiencing our
personal Destiny, and cause us to relinquish our individual
Sovereignty and Free Will.

In short, whenever we do things we do not want to do, or do not
do the things we truly want to do, we are bringing negative energy
into our lives.

At first, these Actions simply subdue us. However, over the long
term, these behaviors become our entrapments. And these
entrapments eventually end up destroying the Divine Gifts we
were bestowed with when we entered our Current Incarnation:
individual Sovereignty, childlike curiosity, intoxicating enthusiasm,
wondrous enchantment, and limitless imagination.

When we consider all of these things, we are naturally drawn to
a Third Question:

Why is it that we tend to blindly do the things we do not want to
do, yet at the same time staunchly avoid doing those things we
deeply and truly desire to do?

To answer this question we need to evaluate the following three
culprits: Guilt, Threats, and Obligations.

Guilt, Threats, and Obligations are the three poison pills that society
feeds to the Conformist, the Ignorant, and the unsuspecting. These
mind-altering poison pills change us from actually being happy to
simply acting happy. They alter our minds to cheerfully embrace
the many insurmountable responsibilities, and externally-imposed
expectations, that choke off our spontaneity, enthusiasm, dreams,
imagination, and joy for life.

And although the natures of Guilt, Threats, and Obligations can
overlap and become indistinguishable from each other in many
instances, and even lead to the same Consequences, let us try
to examine each one of these powerful tricksters separately.

Guilt: The use of Guilt can be subtle, deceptive, and deadly. It is
the eternally favorite poison pill of all self-serving persons, factions,
and organizations whose sole purpose is to impose themselves
upon, and thereby dominate, others.

Through the wielding of Guilt we are bludgeoned into actually
Believing that everyone else but us deserves, needs, and requires
something; that it is our "personal responsibility" to simply give, or
Sacrifice, for the sake of some "poor and unfortunate" other.

We see Guilt imposed upon us daily by political factions, religious
groups, and the uncountable number of self-interested "charitable"
organizations who unrelentingly feed us large morsels of Guilt in
order to sustain, finance, and promote their self-serving interests.

In addition, Guilt is also imposed upon us by self-serving persons
who continually attempt to intimidate us with comments such as:
"You only think of yourself."
"You're just selfish. Why do you refuse to share your (fill in the
blanks) with others?"
"I promised everyone you would be there." (Really! who are you to
speak for me?)
"If you move away from home, you will be stabbing me in the heart
with a dagger." (How many of us have squandered years of our
lives because of this Guilt-trip?)

Threats: We may think of Threats as only being physical and
violent in nature. However the most subtle and powerful Threats are
the ones we succumb to under the guise of jealousy, envy, and
ultimatums. Some examples are:
"If you won't do this for me, I'll find someone else who will."
"You must act immediately. Otherwise someone else will snatch
this opportunity."
And, perhaps the most famous: "Limited time offer."

Obligations: Obligations, impositions, and the expectations of
others all fall into this one category. These are the Paths we allow
ourselves to be coerced into following which are not in Harmony
with our True Self (our Divine Nature). Again, some examples:
"You come from a family of lawyers. You owe it to your family to
go to law school." (But I want to be an artist!)
"Its time for you to grow up; get married, have a family, buy a house
(go into debt), and give me grandchildren."
And the ever-eternal: "Everybody else is doing it."

Sovereign, Free, and Expansive minds do not allow Guilt, Threats,
or externally-imposed Obligations violate their Incarnations.

These Lone Wolfs and Non-Conformists understand that Guilt,
Threats, and Obligations are Self-Limiting and make people very
old at a very young age.They also realize that by bringing these
foreign, negative, and dis-Harmonious energies into our lives we
Become saturated with mountains of responsibilities, expectations,
and impositions which society is all-too-happy to heap upon the
unwary and unsuspecting. Mountains which must be either slowly
chiseled away or submitted to with a broken spirit.

Whenever a person or faction assaults us with Guilt or Threats,
or when they attempt to force upon us their Deceptive and self-
serving demand that it is "our personal obligation" to do what
they insist of us, let us be quick to recognize these poison pills
for that they truly are: externally-imposed entrapments designed
to strip us of our individual Sovereignty and enslave us to the
self-serving and fickle whims of those whose sole intention is to
dominate us.

Once we realize that Guilt, Threats, and Obligations are simply the
ogres, trolls, Demons, and dark forces which occasionally disturb
our Journey, we can then either bypass them or slay them and
continue our Sovereign trek down that unique Path which leads us
to our  Personal Destiny.

So the next time someone attempts to hand us the poison pills of
either Guilt, Threats, or externally-imposed Obligations let us keep
one fact in mind. In the long "waiting line" of humanity there is
always someone willing to relinquish their Sovereignty,and
embrace Self-Imposed Limitations for the "privilege" of allowing
Guilt, Threats, and Obligations to become a part of their life.
There is no reason why that someone should be us.

Peace, Contentment, and Freedom are achieved by us when we
are in Harmony with our Divine Nature. And one of the simplest
ways we can accomplish this is by doing only those things we
truly want to do and by avoiding doing all those things we really
do not want to do.

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 2011

Non-Conformity and the Non-Conformist

"Society is jealous of those who remain away from it."
- Joseph Campbell

"Whosoever shall be a man must be a non-conformist."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

As an analysis of "Conformity and the Conformist" has already
been explored in a previous article, let us now turn our attention
to Non-Conformity and the Non-Conformist.

The Non-Conformist is the exact opposite of the Conformist. The
Non-Conformist looks at life entirely different than does the
Conformist. The Non-Confirmist lives his, or her, life by a set of
rules which are designed to both protect, and cultivate, their
personal Sovereignty and independent Thought.

Where the Conformist is easily swayed by Intimidation, "guilt
trips", and the false expectations and Opinions of others, the
Non-Conformist understands that these gimmicks are simply
levers which are used to manipulate the masses and to move
people in certain pre-ordained directions. Therefore, the Non-
Conformist is eternally vigilant so as to avoid these societal
entrapments.

Where the Conformist fears being exiled from a group, organization,
or even a segment of society (should their views, attitudes, and
behaviors not fall in line with the required expectations of these
entities) the Non-Conformist harbors no such fears; for the Non-
Conformist is much too busy blazing his, or her, own unique
Path into a new, uncharted, and Adventurous future.

Where the Conformist cringes at the prospect of not "fitting in", or
being ridiculed and gossiped about, The Non-Conformist finds these
everyday nuisances laughably unimportant. For the Non-Conformist
understands that personal Destiny is far more important than
the everyday bickerings of the masses.

The Non-Conformist values their individual Thoughts, unique
feelings, personal Sovereignty, mental expansion, and spiritual
pursuits far too highly to succumb to the fleeting and clouded
whims of the mainstream horde. A horde which is so often, and
so proudly, on the wrong side of so many important issues..

The Non-Conformist loathes giving up even one miniscule bit of
their Sovereignty and Free Will. To do so would be to go against,
and violate, their Divine Nature and Spiritual Principles.

For the Divine Nature of the Non-Conformist abhors the threat of
Sovereign damage that Conformity can bring unto it. And this,
in itself, makes it impossible for the Non-Conformist to voluntarily
Conform to the often misguided rules and false expectations of
other persons, groups, factions, organizations, and even society
itself.

The Non-Conformist watches from afar as the massive parade of
humanity passes by in its ceaseless march toward folly, Ignorance,
Self-Deception, and Self-Imposed Limitations.

Great advancements and achievements cannot be born from the
Conformist. Evolutionary, and revolutionary, achievements are
born from the Lone Wolf, the Trailblazer, Wizards and Wanderers,
and all Seekers who pursue new Horizons. For these are the True
Individuals who bask in the primeval sunshine, breathe the rarified
air, and walk the untrodden Paths which are only to be found in the
domain of the Non-Conformist.

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 2011

Personality And Reputation

"You will always gravitate to that 
which you secretly most love.
Men do not attain that which they want
but that which they are."
-James Allen

Each one of us has a specific, particular personality. There has
never been, nor will there ever be, an individual personality such
as each one of us possesses ever again. Our personality is our
Divine Nature. It is the basis of, and ultimately creates, our
Reputation.

Our Personality and Reputation is an aura which permeates from
us, surrounds us, and precedes us, wherever we may go.

We have all heard the saying, "his reputation precedes him", or,
"her reputation precedes her" when referring to someone we are
about to meet or hear speak. These references are a preconceived
measurement of a persons honesty, character, talents and abilities.

In addition, many of us have had the experience of meeting someone
with whom we were either immediately comfortable, or
uncomfortable, of having in our presence. These "gut feelings" are
an intuitive assessment of the other persons aura and instantly
determine the Compatibility, or incompatibility, we feel toward that
other individual.

In the same way in which someone else projects their personality
and trust towards us, we too project similar intuitive signals to
others.

Our Personality: Our actions, our spoken and unspoken words,
our manners, our eye contact and our body language are a
Reflection of who we are. They are the first "signals" we radiate to
others which determine if a new acquaintance will Choose to be an
integral part of our life, a casual colleague, or someone who, for any
number of reasons, may not want any future contact with us.

It is interesting to also consider how often so many of us try to be
what others expect us to be, or do what others expect us to do, in
order to "gain favor" with a particular individual or group. However,
in the end we find that it is not possible for us to maintain this type
of false facade for very long and eventually we find ourselves
reverting, often frustratingly, to the personality we truly are. For
regardless of how hard we try to be someone, or something, who we
are not, in the end we can only be that which we are. Consequently,
it is always in our best interest for us to understand our true
personality and forever strive to be the best "us" that we can
possibly be.

Our Reputation: Our Reputation is the ultimate display of our
Personality. Our Reputation is measured by the consistency of our
behavior and the responsibility we assume for our Words and Actions.

Can we keep a secret? Can we be trusted with the belongings of
another...regardless of how great or small these belongings may be?
Are we ego driven or are we sensitive? Are we more interested in
talking than we are in listening? Do we gossip instead of compliment?
Are we more concerned with complaining about what we don't have
than we are in being thankful for all we do have?

Our Personality and Reputation determine who we truly are and
how we appear to the outside world. They determine the persons
and situations that we will gravitate towards. They also influence
the individuals and experiences which we will attract to us. In
addition, our Personality and Reputation govern any Karmic debts
or rewards we may incur.

And as most of us sincerely want peace and Harmony in our lives it
is always in our best interest to keep our Personality and Reputation
as pure as possible. In doing so we will no longer simply Hope that
we can stumble across positive people and experiences for the
purity of our nature will act as a magnet which attracts these
individuals and circumstances into our daily life.

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

Pathways

There are an infinite number of Pathways we can choose to Travel
during our Current Incarnation. It is not unusual for us to travel
many different Pathways before we finally settle on the one Path
that is Harmonious with our Divine Nature.

Our Pathway of life consists of many forks and byways which lead
us from the main Path of our Divine Nature and invite us, or tempt
us, to try something new. These forks and byways provide us with
the opportunities to experiment with different ideas and
experiences.

Some of these ideas and experiences are Harmonious with our
Divine Nature and expand and elevate our character and
personality. Others, however, are not in Harmony with our Divine
Nature and can create all kind of problems, and even be disastrous,
to us.

Whenever we find ourselves on a Pathway which is not Harmonious
with who we are we should exit this Pathway immediately and treat
it as a learning experience; a learning experience which teaches us
to avoid these types of forks and byways in the future.

Whenever we choose a new Pathway we automatically subject
ourselves to all of the people, choices, experiences and consequences
which are a natural part of that particular Pathway.

For example: the people, choices, experiences and consequences
which are inherent to the Pathway of a comedian are entirely
different from the people, choices, experiences and consequences
inherent to the Pathway of an author, an engineer, a clergyman,
or a thief. Therefore, if we are not content with the people, choices,
experiences and consequences we are currently experiencing, we
merely need to Change Pathways and return to the one which is
most Harmonious with our Divine Nature.

It is important for us to realize that we are solely responsible for
the Pathways we choose to follow. We may be tempted to "try
something new", we may be acting on the Advice of a friend, or we
may be following the suggestion of an "education counselor" when
we choose a new Pathway in our life.

However, in the end, we are the ones who ultimately make the final
choice of which Pathway we are going to follow and experience.
And because this final choice is ultimately ours, we are therefore
solely responsible for the rewards, misfortunes, or Consequences
which are part of the Pathways we choose to follow.

When we look upon Pathways and Decisions in this manner we
begin to realize that neither the universe, nor any other Divine
Entity, either rewards or punishes us for the life we live. The
universe simply provides each one of us with a vast multitude of
Pathways on which to travel. It is our Choice of Pathways which
is the determining factor of what kinds of personalities, Destiny,
Karma, rewards, punishments, successes, failures and Lessons we
will encounter upon that particular Pathway.

Therefore, if we are currently unhappy with the Pathway we are
currently traveling, it is simply up to us to choose to leave our
current Pathway and select another Pathway which is in Harmony
with our Divine Nature and travel upon a Road which provides us
with the peace, Harmony, contentment and rewards which all of us
inwardly Seek.

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

Compatibility

In the physical realm, opposites attract. In the Spiritual Realm,
similarities attract.

The physical realm is the domain of the ego and the senses. When
something stimulates our senses, our ego urges us to charge forth
with reckless abandon and capture the trophy which is the focal
point of our attention. We notice something that we "must
have" and we pursue it at all costs.

These stimulations can be a status symbol, such as a luxury
automobile, or expensive house, which is beyond our budget. It can
also be someone of the opposite sex whose outer Beauty charms us
into a hypnotic pursuit: an outer beauty which we all too often
discover is all that this person has to offer.

When we pursue something, or someone, simply because it
stimulates our senses we are buying the outer glitter; we are
purchasing a potentially empty package based solely on its outer
gift-wrap. Is it any wonder that so many of us become horribly
disappointed with the people and things we bring into our life
which are not Compatible with our personality.

Physical attraction should not be confused with perfection, for all
physical attributes wane over the course of Time. In addition,
external appearances by themselves, as is all-too-often the case,
are very seldom a representation of Truth, reliability, Wisdom,
and honesty

The Spiritual Realm, on the other hand, is the domain of intuition,
insight, and feelings. In the Spiritual Realm we seek out Harmony,
contentment, and like-mindedness. It is our Spiritual Nature which
seeks out the personalities, circumstances, and "things" which are
Compatible with who we are. In the Spiritual Realm we are more
concerned with Inner Essence than we are with outer features.
In other words, our Spiritual Nature is more concerned with the
contents contained within the package than it is with the gift-wrap.

As Spiritual beings occupying a physical world we are entitled to
enjoy all of the physical and spiritual experiences which are a part
of our Current Incarnation. Yet it seems, at least on the surface,
that our Spiritual Nature is pulling us in one direction while our
physical nature is pulling us in the exact opposite direction.

Is it possible for us to blend the best of both our Spiritual Nature
and physical nature together so that we may experience wonder,
joy, and pleasure in our Current Incarnation? The answer is...Yes!

True Compatibility consists of both physical and Spiritual attraction.
In other words, true Compatibility is Harmony.

Each one of us has a unique personal standard by which we gauge
attractiveness. However, external attractiveness and superfluous
beauty can be found everywhere. It is in our best interest that we
Seek out, identify, and attract only those individuals whose physical
attractiveness also radiates an inner beauty that is in Harmony with
our personality, our philosophy, and our dreams. In other words,
someone who is both physically and Spiritually Harmonious with our
Divine Nature.

When we combine physical and Spiritual Compatibility we attract
like-minded partners and friends into our lives. A Synergy is created
by which we both Become more together than we originally were
individually. We find that we have a warm respect for each other's
Thoughts and feelings and we sincerely enjoy the presence of each
other's company. We discover the Inner Treasure contained within
an attractively wrapped package. We experience Harmony,
Contentment, and Inner Peace. We experience Compatibility!

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

Hope

Question: If we have Faith in our ideas, talents and the course of
action we have plotted for ourselves, why then do we need Hope?

Before we can evaluate the concept of Hope, it is important that we
do not confuse Hope with false hope.

False hope is a negative energy. It is the Karmic debt we incur
when we Choose to surrender the option and privilege of being
responsible for our thoughts and actions.

False hope is fear disguised as potential fortune. It is the "carrot"
placed before our eyes which keeps us focused on the illusion of a
tempting reward while taking our eyes off of our Path.

False hope is the wishful thinking that we have come to associate
with, and accept as, true Hope. It is a desperate wish which is
void of all vision and effort. It is beseeching external forces to do
for us what we are too lazy to do for ourselves. It is imploring these
same external forces to make Events turn out the way we want
them to turn out without exercising any effort of our own.

False hope, simply put, is the abandonment of self-reliance and
self-responsibility in the gamble that a situation will improve, or
someone else will look after our best interests for us.

When we wallow in false hope we are risking our physical and
mental health, wealth and security on the roll of a pair of loaded
dice whose outcome has already been determined.

False hope shackles us to destructive Relationships, losing
propositions, failed investments and unsatisfying careers. It drains
our energies, plunders our fortunes, erodes years from our lives and
blinds us to the true opportunities which surround us.

Hope: While we can have Faith in our talents and abilities, we can
only have Hope that we are using our talents and abilities in a way
which will make our plans and dreams come true.

It is important to keep in mind that Hope, by itself, does not
guarantee us success in any of our endeavors. This is due to the
fact that, regardless of our confidence or perseverance, we can never
be absolutely certain that our plans and dreams will turn out the way
we originally intended.

Hope does, however, instill within us the combination of expectation
and desire; it is an "educated guess" that our plans, ideas and efforts
are well-founded and have the possibility of bearing fruit; it also
contains the "principle of uncertainty" which cautions us from
simply tying our dreams and ambitions to "blind faith" and
"false hope".

Hope is Divine Inspiration. It is a cosmic energy which excites us
and spurs us on. Hope is our Star. It is the Guiding light which shines
upon us and brightens our way as we pursue the dreams and
ambitions which are such an integral part of our Divine Nature and
personal Destiny.

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

Passion

"Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel."
-Proverb

The word "passion" can arouse many different Thoughts and feelings
within us.

Some people may associate Passion with lust, greed, jealousy,
vengeance or wrath. Others may associate Passion with an
obsession to obtain something, or someone, regardless of the cost
to themselves. And yet another group of individuals may associate
Passion as an extreme desire to "show off"; to have something, or
someone, which is newer, more attractive or more expensive than
what their friends, neighbors or associates possess.

These are some of the destructive, materialistic and ego-based
aspects of Negative Passion.

However, we live in a realm of duality. Therefore, just as Passion
has a negative, destructive and materialistic extreme, it also has a
constructive, creative and spiritual side. This is the side on which
the Divine Principle of Positive Passion resides.

Negative Passion is a forceful, ego-driven emotion which
overpowers our reasoning. It is the alluring Siren, temptress and
seductress that charms and bewitches us with material delights only
to leave us standing naked, alone and exhausted upon the battlefield
of pride.

Negative Passion is a fire that flares up and burns out quickly within
us. It is like the evening campfire whose cold morning ashes are but
a brief reminder of the bright enchanting flames of the night before.

When it is all over and Negative Passion has consumed itself within
us we end up muttering to ourselves, "what did I do?", "what was I
thinking?" and "boy, was that ever a mistake!", as we look back at
the destruction which lies in our wake.

Positive Passion, on the other hand, is like a slow-burning ember
whose gentle glow and warmth lingers within us. It is a Burning
Desire to Become, to Learn, to create. It enriches our Character
and broadens our Horizons.

Our Positive Passions, our Burning Desires, are those special
"somethings" which consume our dreams; they are the hobbies,
interests and fascinations which absorb our free time and are
in Harmony with our Divine Nature.

Whether it be astronomy, archaeology, gardening, other languages,
or any one of a multitude of other subjects, Positive Passions are
those "things" in which we have a deep interest; they are the
"things" we truly enjoy.

Positive Passions add excitement to our life, enhance our character
and are the source of the unconscious contributions we provide to
those who are closely associated with us.

As long as we reside in the realm of duality we will be confronted
by the many faces of Passion. It is up to us to recognize Negative
Passion for what it is, give it a gentle smile, and send it on its way.

Once we have banished the Siren of Negative Passion from our
lives we are then free to bask in the warm gentle embers of Positive
Passion; the embers which provide us with the bliss we Seek as we
Travel down our personal Path in this world of duality.

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

Compromise

"Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right
or good in the hope of retaining another-
too often ending in the loss of both."
-Tryon Edwards

Compromise is an uneasy agreement in which each party sacrifices
something dear to them while the central issue remains unresolved.
It is the agreeing to a current concession with the hope of gaining
something greater in the future. And, although "hope springs
eternal", a Compromise made today rarely, if ever, bears healthy
fruit tomorrow.

A Compromise can occur between individuals, between factions,
between individuals and factions, and within ourselves. And
regardless of the persons and the factions involved, Compromise
can best be described as: "sacrificing what we want most for what
we want most at that particular moment".

Simply put: if the agreement entered into is not completely
satisfying for all parties concerned, it is a Compromise.

When we Compromise, we give something of ourselves away. That
"something" is usually a concession which creates a conflict with
our Divine Nature.

And, it is not that we are unaware of the fact that we are making
a concession which is in direct conflict with our Divine Nature; we
make this concession voluntarily and grudgingly in the Hope that
"this time things will be different" and that this decision will "make
everything better". The Truth is, we have not made things "better".
We have, in fact, made things worse.

Because a Compromise is not a win-win agreement, the issue which
was swept under the carpet of Compromise will eventually erupt
again in the future; often in a more devastating manner. When we
grudgingly agree to a Compromise we are not entering into a
positive agreement. We are creating a festering sore. And as with
all festering sores it will need to be eventually cured or removed.

It is important to keep one thing in mind: Compromise, in this
sense, does not pertain to minor interpersonal differences such as:
leaving the toothpaste cap off, or using too much closet space, or
forgetting to close the garage door. The "festering sore" type of
Compromise pertains to the issues which are in direct conflict with
our Spiritual Path and our Divine Nature.

Perhaps the most critical issue for us to focus on is that Compromise
is not Harmony. It is a degree of dis-Harmony. But regardless of
the degree, dis-Harmony is still dis-Harmony. And this dis-Harmony
must eventually be resolved before true Harmony can prevail.

Any dis-Harmonious truce creates regret, frustration, and
unhappiness. It also creates a Self-Imposed Limitation for all parties
involved. Eventually all of these issues must resolve themselves.
And it is unfortunate that this usually occurs by way of a much larger
"battle", over the same original issue, sometime in the future.

In the end, when working toward an agreement, all parties are
either in Harmony with each other in their pursuit of a win-win
resolution or they are not. There is no middle-ground in this matter.

Keeping this in mind, why should any of us Choose the shackles of
Compromise, along with all the negative energy that it fosters,
when we can instead Choose to Travel along the unrestricted,
rewarding, and Harmonious Path of Our Divine Nature...the Path
of Personal Sovereignty?

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

Becoming

"First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do."
-Epictetus

"A man is what he thinks about all day long."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all have dreams, feelings and desires. And it is how we have
Chosen to use, or misuse, these Gifts that determines the person
we are and the Path we are Traveling.

If we are dissatisfied with the Path we are Traveling today, all we
need to do is Change it. By doing so, we can be Traveling along a
completely new, and unique, Path tomorrow.

Every one of us is bestowed with the Inalienable Gift of Free Will.
An Inalienable Gift is a permanent, personal Gift which can neither
be transferred to another nor taken away from us. This Gift of Free
Will allows us to Choose, and be responsible for, the kind of life we
live.

And, just as we can use our Free Will to Choose the kind of life we
desire to live, and the type person we want to Become, we can also
use our Free Will to avoid making these same Choices. When we
refuse to make our own Choices we have, in fact, made a Choice;
we have Chosen not to act.

While Choosing to act on our own behalf gives us control of, and
responsibility for, our Actions, Choosing not to act on our own
behalf relinquishes control of our Actions and places us at the
mercy of external Events. And, just as we are responsible for our
Actions, we are also responsible for our non-Actions!

With these Principles in mind, how can we use our Free Will to
Become whatever it is that we dream of Becoming?

It all starts with a firm realization that our current lifestyle is not
Harmonious with who we truly are, coupled with an unwavering
commitment to Seek out only that which is in complete Harmony
with our Divine Nature.

Once we have made, and are comfortable with, our Decision and
commitment we are ready to embark upon our process of Change.

It is important to keep in mind that Change is a process. Change
does not happen to us "overnight"; it occurs one step at a Time.

The rules of Change are relatively simple. We form a mental image
of the person we have an unwavering desire to Become, then we
acquire the skills, knowledge, behavior, and qualities that this
person would possess.

We Think as this person would Think; we Speak as this person would
Speak; we Learn what this person would Learn; we read what this
person would read; we associate with only those types of individuals
whom this person would associate with; and, we feel and act as this
person would feel and act.

When we merely dream of bettering ourselves, yet we do nothing to
bring this Change about, we are acting contrary to the "Laws of
Becoming". When we know we can be much better, yet we agree
to Compromise for much less, our mind Becomes split in two
different directions and we end up sending conflicting messages to
the Universe, which is the "Great Provider". Consequently our
dreams, visions and desires cannot be fulfilled. It is only when our
dreams, Thoughts, and Actions are in Harmony with each other
that we are able to create that which we desire to Become.

We can always complain, or use the excuse, that times are tough;
that we don't possess the skills; or that we were born into the
"wrong" family. Yet, at this very moment, there is someone sitting
in a garage, or attic, or basement somewhere, who is working on a
new idea or invention. This person is not concerned about the
economy, or which political party is in office, or what skills they do
not yet possess. This person is Simply focusing on their task at
hand and step-by-step he, or she, is bringing their dream into
reality...into Becoming!

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

Ba and Ka - Egyptian Symbolism

Divinity is the "Great Spirit", the "One", the "All". Everything
that is, ever was, and ever will be is an integral and inseparable
part of Divinity.

Divinity cannot be divided into parts nor can anything separate
itself from Divinity. Should something be able to separate itself
from Divinity then Divinity would no longer be whole, complete
and Infinite. It would no longer be the "All". It would no longer
be Divinity. Therefore Divinity, by It's very Nature is inseparable.
Divinity is whole, complete and Infinite; It is the "All".

Since Divinity is the One Great Spirit, everything that It expresses
(creates) is also a part of this One Great Spirit and contains Divinity
within it. When Divinity "creates" one of us It is expressing a
fractional part of It's Infinite Nature. Therefore, each one of us
is a fractional expression of Divinity.

When Divinity creates something in the material realm It unites
Spirit with matter in order to express a specific essence of It's
Infinite Nature.

At the moment of our conception (our physical creation) Divinity
provides us with the Spiritual Life Force which will accompany us
throughout our Current Incarnation. This Spiritual Life Force, or
Spark of Divinity, which resides within us is what the Ancient
Egyptians called the Ba. The Ba is the Vital Energy of Divinity which
allows us to experience, interact with, and understand, the Spiritual,
mental and physical realms of our Current Incarnation. The Ba also
provides us with that specific essence of Divinity which we call our
personality...our Divine Nature.

The Ba is represented, Symbolically, by the image of a bird with
a person's head. The bird is a Symbol which represents Spirit.
Therefore, the Ba represents the Spiritual Life Force and
personality of the person whose head appears on the bird.
The Ba is the temporary Union which exists between Spirit and
matter and represents the Spiritual aspect of our nature.

While the Ba represents the Spiritual aspect of our nature,
the Ka represents our physical aspect. The Ka is the physical
energy provided by the Ba which animates our body and enables
it to move and function in the material realm.

The Ka is represented, Symbolically, as two arms in the shape of
a square reaching toward heaven. The square is a Symbol which
represents matter and the physical realm. Therefore, the Ka
represents our physical energy.

Metaphorically, we can liken the Ba and Ka to the battery which
is within our car. The battery provides all the energy which our
car requires in order for it to function. The energy from the battery
is available to all of the components of our car regardless of whether
our car is turned on or off. This continual source of energy contained
within the battery represents the Ba.

Once we start our car, and begin using its many functions, we
begin to draw energy from the battery. This energy enables us
to use the car's headlights, radio, wiper blades, air conditioner, etc.
The energy from the battery also allows our engine to start in
order for our car to move and transport us from place to place.
This energy provided by the battery which animates the car and
allows it to function represents the Ka.

All ancient cultures understood that our bodies and Spirit are one.
They understood that we are all children of, and a fractional
expression of, Divinity. They also understood that the "marriage"
of Spirit and matter is but a temporary Union. This powerful, yet
temporary, Union is the Spiritual Essence which guides us through
our Current Incarnation. The Ancient Egyptians expressed this
Sacred Union by way of their Symbolism of the Ba and Ka.

(Images via Wikipedia)

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

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

Spiritual Refinement

Refinement is a Process by which we eliminate all that is impure
in order to retain, and concentrate on, only that which is Pure.
This Process works the same whether we are Refining something
in the physical, mental or spiritual realms. With this in mind, let
us explore the Spiritually Refined Individual.

Within every society there exists a small number of people whose
Thoughts, Words, and Actions are finer and nobler than the
Thoughts, Words, and Actions of the common masses. These
Spiritually Refined persons always represent a small percentage
of any society.

The Thoughts of a Spiritually Refined person reside in the Realm
of Ideas and Ideals. Their Ideas focus on Creativity and Self-
Improvement while their Ideals are the Guidelines they live by
which allow Creativity and Self-Improvement blossom in their
lives.

A Spiritually Refined person does not allow their Thoughts to
become mired in the mundane bickering of the external world.
They understand that the fussing, complaining and arguing, that
takes place among the masses is a negative energy that can only
divert them from the Spiritual Path they have chosen to Travel.

Because the Thoughts of a Spiritually Refined person are finer
and nobler so, too, are their Words and conversations. Their
conversations consist of Words and phrases that are positive,
stimulating and complimentary.The Spiritually Refined person
naturally refrains from the use of any vulgarity and profanity in
their conversations. They understand that vulgarity and profanity
are gross negative energies that can, in no way, contribute to their
further Spiritual Refinement.

Since the Thoughts and Words of a Spiritually Refined person are
finer and nobler so, too, are their Actions and inter-Actions.
A Spiritually Refined person avoids the use of any kind of force to
compel another individual, or group, to succumb to their way of
Thinking.

Their primary interest is to share their Thoughts and Ideas with
"like minded" persons while graciously side-stepping those persons
whose paths are in conflict with their own. They do not indulge in
gossip or criticism and they avoid responding to any gossip or
criticism tossed upon them by others. The Spiritually Refined person
understands that to respond to gossip and criticism is only to invoke
negative energies that can be of no positive benefit to them. In the
same vein the Spiritually Refined person avoids all individuals whose
basic nature is to antagonize, ridicule, and bully others.

Quite simply, the Spiritually Refined person is interested in only
invoking those Positive Spiritual Energies that nourish the finest and
noblest qualities of their Divine Nature while avoiding any negative
Action, or energy, that hinders their Spiritual Growth. This is why a
Spiritually Refined person always leaves behind them a positive and
peaceful energy wherever they Journey.

Each one of us has the ability to become a Spiritually Refined Person.
All that is required is that we eliminate all negative Thoughts, Words,
and Actions that are detrimental to our Spiritual Nature while
continually focusing on only those Thoughts, Words and Actions that
are responsible for creating Spiritual Refinement.

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

Mind, Body And Spirit

Ancient Teachings tell us that we are composed of Three Principal
Characteristics: Mind, Body and Spirit.

Spirit: When we speak of Spirit we are referring to Divinity Itself.
As a Creation of Divinity we contain the Seed, or Spark, of Divinity
within us. This Spark, or Spiritual DNA imprint, is what Ancient
Sanskrit teachings call our Atman, our "God Within".

Atman, our God Within, is linked directly to Brahman, The Creator.
This teaches us that we and our Creator are One.

Spirit is also described as the Vital Life Force which is Eternal and
Perpetual. Spirit gives life to all of Creation. Spirit is also that Life
Force of The Creator which provides every living thing with its very
own Unique Personality...its Divine Nature.

This Unique Personality is what the Ancient Egyptians referred to
as the Ba. The Ba is depicted, Symbolically, as a bird (which is a
Symbol of Spirit) with the head of a person.

Body: This is the physical structure, or Temple, which our Spirit
(our Ba) occupies during our Current Incarnation. Our body is
formed of matter. Being formed of matter means that our body is
temporary and has certain limitations which are governed by the
natural laws of the physical realm. However, our physical limitations
can be reduced, and our physical experiences can be increased, by
mastering the Spiritual Energy that governs our body through the
proper use of our Mind.

Mind: The Mind is the Undefinable third aspect of our Divine
Nature which, along with our Spirit, is in direct contact with Divinity.

The Mind is Limitless and it is through the mind that we create,
imagine, expand, and grow (both Spiritually and materially). It is
also through the Mind that we can Choose to limit ourselves with
Thoughts of inferiority and inadequacy.

Our Mind is that Spiritual Tool which we refer to as Free Will. And,
as the Mind maintains a continual and direct access to Divinity, it
has the power and ability to achieve anything we Choose for it to
achieve.

Our Mind can change our Thoughts. When we change our Thoughts
we change our experiences. When we change our Thoughts we also
change our Destiny.

We can use our mind to free ourselves of Self-Imposed Limitations.
We can use our Mind to heal ourselves. We can use our mind to heal
others. We can use our Mind, through Meditation and Prayer, to
access Divinity and thereby get answers to whatever it is we wish
to understand.

Our Mind is Powerful and Limitless in its abilities and it is the one
"thing" over which we have Absolute Control!

The Spiritual Energy contained within our Mind can take us from
"rags to riches". Our Mind can access the Mysterious and Unknown.
Our Mind is the Direct Link which allows us to speak to, and gain
answers from, Divinity.

Each one of us possesses a Mind, Body, and Spirit. We could not
exist in the material realm without all Three of these Characteristics.
It is up to us to Choose how we will use these Divine Three.

Eternal and All-Powerful Divinity is forever with, and within, us.
Divinity always stands ready to grant us the Peace, Contentment,
and Harmony we long for. Our Mind has to simply Choose and
focus upon only those Blessings which are important to us. Once
our Mind has determined what it is that we truly want it then
communicates our request to Divinity. Once our Mind is in Direct
Harmony with Divinity we are then ready to experience, and enjoy,
all the material and Spiritual Blessings that Divinity is ready and
willing to bestow upon 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

Harmony

"To seek, beneath the universal strife,
the hidden harmony of things."
-Will Durant

Harmony is that Divine Principle which can be best described
as being in Alignment or Balance with one's Self and one's
Environment.

There are two types of Harmony: Spiritual Harmony and
Material Harmony.

Spiritual Harmony refers to being in Alignment, or Balance,
with our Internal Environment: our Personality, our Divine Nature.
When we are in Spiritual Harmony we experience feelings of
Peace and Contentment. These are the Times we are most relaxed.
These are the times we feel free of stress and anxiety. These are
the times when our Concentration and Awareness become
elevated to their highest states.

Material Harmony refers to being in Alignment, or Balance,
with our external environment: the outer physical world of our
Current Incarnation.

When we are in Alignment with our external environment our
personal Relationships, our careers, our tasks, and our Adventures,
flow smoothly. These are the times that we say that we are "in a
groove", "in sync", and "going with the flow".

It is only when we attempt to "buck the flow" of what is happening
in our external environment that we experience resistance,
frustration and dis-Harmony.

But, what can we do to maintain a state of both Spiritual and
Material Harmony? First of all, let's analyze this Divine Principle
of Harmony so we can better understand it.

Harmony is the opposite of Discord. Discord refers to chaos,
confusion, and Force. Therefore the Simplest way for us to achieve
a state of Harmony is to eliminate all things in our Thoughts,
personal life, and surroundings, that allow Discord to enter our lives.

We can accomplish this by way of a very simple Alchemical Process.
We first eliminate, then avoid, all Thoughts, persons, situations,
and Events, that create any kind of strife, confusion, and stress
for us.

We avoid forcing external issues to work out the way we "think"
they should be. We accept the forces of Nature, and of the
Universe, for what they are...the Natural Cycles of Eternity.
We accept, and work along with these Natural Cycles and Rhythms
in both our internal and external environments.

Once we eliminate all Thoughts, activities, and persons from our
lives that are impure, confusing, and uncertain, we are left only with
Thoughts, activities, and persons, that are pure, understandable,
clear, and Harmonious. Upon completing this Alchemical cleansing
process we can then experience Peace and Contentment in both our
internal and external environments. It is then that we can finally
experience Harmony!

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

Self Honesty

"To Thine Own Self Be True"
-Shakespeare

Self-Honesty is that Divine Quality which allows us to Seek out,
understand, and accept, who we truly are so that we can make
those Choices and Decisions which are in Harmony with our
Divine Nature. In other words, Self-Honesty is Self-Knowledge
at its deepest level.

But before we can Seek out, understand, and accept, who we
truly are, it is important that we first understand, and eliminate,
who we are not.

We are not what we "wish" we could be. We are not what others
"expect" us to be. And...we have nothing to "prove" to either
ourselves or to anyone else. In addition, we must also accept the
fact that anything we pursue that is in conflict with our Divine
Nature (our personality) can only be met with frustration,
resistance, and disappointment.

When we are not acting in Harmony with who we truly are,
we are unhappy because we are being dis-Honest with our
Divine Nature.

When we are acting in Harmony with who we truly are,
life flows easier for us because we are being Honest with our
Divine Nature.

Self-Honesty allows us to understand our True Self by helping us
to slowly un-Veil and discover our unique personality. It enables
us to concentrate on, and perfect, who we truly are.

We accomplish this act of Spiritual Perfection by way of a simple
Alchemical process whereby we eliminate all the impurities
(dis-Honesties) that have attached themselves to us during our
Current Incarnation. Once these impurities are eliminated, we
are left with only what is pure (Self-Honesty)...our True Nature.

When we are Honest with ourselves it Becomes natural for us to
be Honest with others. When we are Honest with others we begin
to allow only those persons and situations into our lives that are
Harmonious with our Divine Nature. It is at this point that our
lives start to become "easier".

Through Self-Honesty we begin to realize that we are who we are!
And who we are is a very special, unique creation that is perfectly
packaged, and fully prepared, to enjoy the Relationships and
Adventures awaiting us in our Current Incarnation...our special
time in history!

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

A Promise

A Promise is a Voluntary Spiritual Commitment. This commitment
can be either mental or verbal. A Mental Promise is usually made to
ourselves, while a Verbal Promise is usually made to someone else.

A Promise that is made to someone else can be as simple as
agreeing to be somewhere at a certain Time, or it can be as serious
as committing our allegiance.

Promises made to ourselves range all the way from "New Year's
Resolutions" to commitments for Personal and Spiritual Growth.

A Promise is an Oath, a Spiritual Commitment, a Bond (it is Binding).
A Promise is our "Badge Of Honor".

Whether we make a Promise cavalierly, or seriously, does not alter
the fact that a Promise is a Voluntary Spiritual Commitment. When
we make a Promise we create a Karmic Event.

Many ancient sects took this matter so seriously that they
refused to take any oaths. They did not want to risk committing
to something that circumstances might prevent them from honoring.
They understood that any unfulfilled Promise, or Oath, they
involved themselves in created a Karmic Debt which could impede
their Spiritual Journey. Even today there are sects in which it is
against their Spiritual Beliefs to take an oath of any kind.

Refusing to take an oath does not make a person weak. To the
contrary, it makes a person strong. This kind of person does not
deal in lies, deceptions or untruths.

When this person gives his, or her, Word on something it is their
"Bond", their "Knot"!

In addition to a Promise that is a Pure Voluntary Spiritual
Commitment, there are promises of deception and promises
made while under duress.

A promise that is made to "trick" someone else into giving us
something we want is not a Promise. It is a Deception. A Deception
is a Premeditated Lie and it brings the greatest Karmic Retribution.
Persons who deal in deceptions bring tragedy not only to
themselves but to those they associate with. The Spiritual Traveler
avoids these types of persons as they are Traveling upon an entirely
different Path than that of A True Seeker.

A promise, or oath, made under duress is an Involuntary
Commitment. Duress is when we are "forced" to agree to
something that is in violation of our Divine Nature, Personal
Beliefs or our Free Will. However, this does not alter the fact that
we have made a commitment of some degree (albeit under threat)
and that we may still have to face some sort of Karmic Consequence.

In the end, it is important to always realize that a Promise is, in fact,
a Spiritual Agreement. And just like any other agreement we involve
ourselves in, we must be prepared to either Honor it or face the
Karmic Consequence!

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