Relationships

"For every thing there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven."
-Ecclesiastes

Relationships are Cycles in our lives. And just like any other Cycle,
they serve a purpose for a specific duration of Time.

Good Relationships are gifts; they are Blessings. We should be
thankful for experiencing a good Relationship when it enters our life
and be prepared to let it go when its Cycle comes to an end.

Relationships, like Cycles, can be extremely short, extremely long,
or fall somewhere in-between.

An example of an extremely short Relationship is a stranger who
provides us with directions when we are lost. We are thankful to the
stranger and leave this Relationship with a warm feeling of kindness
toward this individual for entering our life at the appropriate Time
and giving us guidance.

An example of an extremely long Relationship would be a childhood
friendship which remains with us for the duration of our Incarnation.

Marriages and romantic intimacies are also Relationships which
can last for varying degrees of Time. Some marriages last a lifetime
for both partners. However, a large number of marriages last for
only a finite amount of Time before their Cycles come to an end by
either divorce or through the physical death of one of the partners.

Physical death of one of the partners is Divine termination of a
Relationship once its purpose - its Cycle - has been completed.
And although we may feel as if a gift has been taken from us when
such an Event occurs, we eventually come to realize that Divinity,
in Its Infinite Wisdom, has provided us with a golden, untarnished
Memory which will accompany us, and guide us, throughout the
remainder of our Incarnation.

When we think back on our Past and current Relationships we
come to realize that none of these Relationships started out as
"bad". They all began with excitement, expectation, Hopes, and
dreams. And although they may have eventually deteriorated into
a "bad" Relationship, they did not start out that way.

Perhaps the most difficult thing for us to understand, and accept,
in a Relationship is when its Cycle is coming to and end. Upon
recognizing that a Relationship is coming to an end we should be
prepared to end the Relationship with the same tenderness and
kindness with which it began. We should bow out gracefully and
take nothing but fond experiences and Memories with us. Ending
a Relationship in this fashion is a sign of respect, class, and Wisdom
which has a positive effect and leaves both partners with warm
and kind Lessons and memories as they continue down the Path
of their future.

Failing to understand when a Relationship is over, and failing to
close a Relationship with class, respect, and Wisdom turns a once
wonderful experience sour and creates ill-will and negative Karma
for the concerned individuals throughout the remainder of their
physical Incarnations.

Relationships are special gifts and Blessings bestowed upon
us by Divinity and should be experienced and respected as such.
However, should it become necessary to close a Relationship, we
should invoke, and employ, Wisdom in the closure process.
For Wisdom, by its very own perfect nature, will allow both
individuals to move on while maintaining warm Memories of a
Relationship that was once wonderful, exciting, and young.

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

Rivers - As A Symbol (Part 1)

"You can never step into the same river;
for new waters are always flowing on to you."
-Heraclitus of Ephesus

"Follow the river and you will find the sea."
-French Proverb

Symbolically, a River represents the flow of Time. It Symbolizes
the natural flow of Nature along with all of Her Cycles, transitions,
transformations and passageways.

When we stand in the middle of a bridge above a River, and look
down, we experience a powerful, awe-inspiring, hypnotic sensation
as we watch the River flow beneath our feet. Although it is the same
River, it is the continual flow of new Water within that River which
mesmerizes and enchants us. The metaphor, "A lot of water under
the bridge" paints a mental picture of the hypnotic effect of the
passage of Time.

To get an even deeper "feel" for this passage of Time, let us first
consider the birth, journey and final transformation of a River.

A River begins as a spring of Water high up in the mountains.
Mountains Symbolize the higher realms of consciousness. They are
the home of gods and Wise Men and represent the Border between
the realms of Heaven and Earth. (See: The Fool and The Hermit).

This high mountain spring of Water is Water which has been filtered
and cleansed by way of a multi-year (and perhaps, multi-century)
journey through the womb of Mother Earth. When this water finally
emerges from Mother Earth it is Sacred, Pure and Life-Giving.

After leaving its mountain spring, these Waters join with other
Waters from other mountain springs to eventually form a River.
A River does not flow in a straight line, it has many twists and turns.
These twists and turns are Nature's way of keeping Her life-giving
Waters healthy: they create the eddys that aerate the Water which
is so vital to the nourishment and preservation of all the people,
animals and vegetation which rely on the River for sustenance.

Once the River has completed all of the twists and turns of its long
journey it finally empties into the sea. The point at which the River
enters the sea is called It's Delta. The Delta is a triangular area
which forms at the mouth of the River. The word Delta is derived
from a Greek symbol, also in the shape of a triangle, which means
"Change". Upon passing through Its Delta the River "Changes". Its
individuality comes to an end as It merges with all of the other
Rivers, which have also ended their long Journeys, to become part
of the One Great Sea.

Now that we have briefly explored the life-journey of a River, let us
move on to the Symbolism, mythology, metaphor and Lessons
contained within the River and its Waters.

First of all, although a River is composed of Water, it is important
to understand that the River and Its Water are two separate and
distinct essences; they are two separate and distinct Principles.
Water is the Feminine Essence which gives birth and nourishes.
The River, on the other hand, is the Masculine Principle which
Impregnates the soil of Mother Earth with Its Water.

Life on this planet cannot exist without the life-giving nourishment
of Water, and it is the River that provides that Water. Perhaps the
most familiar understanding we have of this Principle is the annual
return of the Nile River in Egypt. Each year the Nile River swells
along its river bed and impregnates the soil along Its banks with the
nourishing and life-giving supply of Water necessary to regenerate
the crop supply. Without the River there would be no Water.
Without the Water there would be no crops. Without the crops there
would be no life.

Creation myths from numerous cultures speak of a great mountain
from which four Rivers flowed in four different directions. These
Rivers provided the life-giving nourishment for the four cardinal
areas of creation (North, South, East and West). These Rivers
impregnated the lands which then gave birth to the exotic gardens
of myth and legend.

Symbolically, a Garden represents fertility and Abundance. For
there to be a Garden (fertility), Water (birth and nourishment) must
be very close at hand. And this Water can only be delivered by either
a River, Spring or Stream.

It is important to also note that a Well, which is also a Water supply,
is simply a man-made effort which taps into an underground River
or Stream.

The twists and turns which are a part of a River's long journey
symbolize the twists and turns which we encounter during our
earthly journey; our Incarnation. As with the River, our earthly
journey is not direct. Just as a River must take Time to turn, pause
and aerate Itself, we too must take Time to pause, alter course a
little, and refresh ourselves.

And just like the River, once our pause and refreshment is over we
are then ready to resume the next clear Path of our journey. The
River also reminds us that we can only go forward in our life's
Journey. It is when we attempt to go back (live in the Past) that we
find ourselves "swimming upstream" in a futile attempt to defy the
natural flow of Nature.

The River, in its long Journey, is Symbolic of life in general; and of
our lives in particular. There are periods when the River experiences
turbulent, chaotic and disturbing Times (rapids); there are periods
when It experiences twists, turns and pauses; and then there are
periods when the River flows peacefully, smoothly and calmly.

And finally, just as with each and every one of us, the Time comes
for the River to end its long Journey. This is the moment when the
River passes through its Delta (Change) to be transformed into, and
become part of, the Great Sea. This moment of transition for the
River symbolizes our moment of transformation which occurs when
our long earthly Journey comes to its end. This is the time when we
also Change in order to return to, and re-Become part of, that Great
Consciousness which we call Divinity. The River, what a great
metaphor for this complex Journey we call life!
Next: Rivers, Part 2

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

The Spiritual Explorer

"Follow your bliss and the universe will
open doors where there were only walls."
-Joseph Campbell

To find what has never been found, we must journey where no-one
has ventured before. To see what has never been seen, we must
gaze where no-one has looked before. To Learn what has never been
learned, we must imagine what has never been considered before.

All new inventions, ideas and discoveries are the result of a Spiritual
Explorer; a Trailblazer, who dared to venture into new, mysterious
and unknown realms; a Great Achiever who dared to boldly imagine
what no-one else dared to think about. Spiritual Explorers are the
"Changers of History" whose works and biographies line the book-
shelves of every library on the planet.

Einstein...Newton...daVinci...Aristotle...Pythagoras...Mozart,
just to name a few. We refer to them by a single name, yet we are
all aware of who they are and what they have accomplished.

These Spiritual Explorers understood that all New Discoveries
are found at the outer limits, the outer realms, of conventional
knowledge and Thought. These Spiritual Explorers chose to ignore
the stagnant conventions of their time and boldly ventured beyond
the visible Horizon of their Age.

In doing so they brought knowledge and Wisdom to a higher level.

Ridiculed and discredited at first, yet worshipped as Genius' at the
end, these Spiritual Explorers provided us with the Gift of Change
and re-wrote History. And, in doing so, they achieved Immortality.

Great Achievements are the most difficult to accomplish. They
require Great Awareness, Imagination, Enthusiasm and Courage.
That is why they are called Great Achievements. It is also why so
very few people dare to attempt them.

Each one of us has been sent into our Current Incarnation with the
ability to be great Spiritual Explorer. And though we may not change
the world, we have all the Spiritual Tools necessary to change our
world.

Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes!

Everything of value has a price. The higher the value, the higher the
price. Should we pay this price? That is a question which only we,
individually, can answer to ourselves. For those of us who Choose
to enter the unknown, uncharted and wondrous realm of Adventure
and Imagination, we will have the opportunity to experience what
Einstein called "The Beauty of the Mysterious".

And, in our Travels to new and unexplored realms we may just find
ourselves enjoying a life and Destiny that many people only read
about in borrowed books.

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

Prime Directive

"No Star Fleet personnel may interfere with the
healthy development of alien life and culture."
-Star Trek Prime Directive

Each one of us is a single organism experiencing a unique Incarnation
in the material world. During our Incarnation we interact with other
similar organisms that eventually form our city, state, nation and
world. The world we live in is the Race (the Species) of which we
are a part. The Species we are a part of is referred to as Human.

Each inhabited planet, realm and dimension has its own Species.
Some Species are superior to, and some Species are inferior to, each
other. Different Species develop (evolve) at different speeds, and at
different Times. This is the Natural Scheme of the Universe.

For one advanced Species to interfere with the natural development
of a less advanced Species disturbs, and confuses, the natural
evolution of the less advanced Species. This is an Ancient Truth
which was understood and passed down since the most remote
rememberings of our Ancient forefathers.

This Principle was the basis of the Ancient Mystery Schools:
non-interference with the masses in general; yet readily available to
Instruct the well-qualified and Spiritually Advanced Initiate.

The evolution of a Species is similar to the evolution of the Chakras
as we progress from the Root Chakra to the Crown Chakra: where
the Root Chakra represents basic earthly survival and the Crown
Chakra represents Spiritual Transcendence.

As advanced as our Species currently presumes itself to be, its
evolution still resides, symbolically, in the realm of the lower
Chakras.

This is due to the fact that the current political philosophy of our
Species is based upon warfare, governance backed by weapons, and
suppression in all its forms.

It is easy for us to blame our political "representatives" for the fact
that we are still languishing in the lower regions of the evolutionary
scale. However, it is the citizenry that votes in, and thereby allows,
this form of governance. This, in itself, is a testimonial as to where
the majority of the organisms of our Species have evolved to in our
current Evolutionary Progression.

As the majority of organisms, which represent our Species, evolve
to a higher mental and Spiritual plane, we will select representatives
that are aligned with those higher realms of evolution.

Representation is a result of, and not a cause of, Evolution.

To give an example of a highly advanced Species interfering with
our evolutionary development, let us use the following example:
Should a highly advanced Species choose to share superior
technology and knowledge with our Species, their well-intentioned
gift would meet with disaster: something which the higher evolved
Species fully understands.

Although a minority of our Species would be excited, and eager,
in using the advanced technology and knowledge for the common
good, the political representatives, voted in (and thereby supported)
by the vast majority of our populations, would take by force these
advanced technologies and knowledge to use for the purposes of
warfare and suppression.

The highly advanced Species in all realms and dimensions under-
stand this Truth and this is why they Choose not to interact with
our Species during this current period of our evolution. To do so
would be to "interfere with the healthy (natural) development
of alien life and culture". To do so would be a violation of the
Universal Prime Directive.

However, although these Superior Beings avoid interacting with
our Species on a massive scale, this does not preclude them from
interacting with the more Spiritually Advanced Individuals of our
Species on a personal scale.

To these Spiritually Advanced Individuals, these Seekers of Truth
and Wisdom, Superior Beings appear as Angels, Spirits and Guides.
They stand ready and willing to provide us with the Guidance and
Wisdom we seek in order to attain the Divine Gifts of Spiritual
Advancement and Transcendence.

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 Passion

"Passion: a strong barely controllable emotion"
-Oxford Pocket American Dictionary

The above definition is what most of us probably think of when
we hear the word "passion". And although it is a valid definition,
this definition of passion refers only to physical passion, an
emotion that relates to our Ego.

Physical passion is a fleeting emotion of the physical, material
and mental world which our senses occupy during our current
Incarnation.

Physical passion can manifest itself as lust, anger or any other strong
emotion that quickly passes. It is like the flame of a candle blown by
a strong wind that is extinguished long before the candle has been
consumed.

However, there is another kind of Passion. It is Spiritual Passion.

Spiritual Passion is the Feelings, Desires and Dreams borne by our
Spiritual Nature. And unlike a physical passion that quickly
extinguishes itself in the wind, our Spiritual Passion is like the
slow-burning candle that is located within, and protected by, the
safe confines of a Temple. And the Temple that protects the
slow-burning candle of our Spiritual Passion is that Spiritual Temple
that is our Spiritual Self.

Our Spiritual Passion is the Feelings, Longings, Desires and Dreams
that fill our Soul and consume us. It is a Flame that cannot be
extinguished. And although it can be suppressed, and ignored, the
flame of our Spiritual Passion can never be "blown out".

Although we may feel that our Spiritual Passion must be a grandiose
calling, it is not so. Our Spiritual Passion is not something we are
"fanatical" about, or brag about. It is not something we "think" that
the world "needs" and only we can "provide". Our Spiritual Passion
is the slow-burning candle flame that consumes the majority of our
private Thoughts and feelings. It is that one Spiritual Activity we call
forward and enjoy whenever our "chores" and "obligations" of the
day are completed.

What is it that we revert to at our every opportunity? Is it
Gardening... painting...writing...playing (or composing) music...?

Whatever it is, that is our Spiritual Passion!

And although we may have suppressed it or ignored it for a long time,
it is still burning within us: waiting for us to call it forward and enjoy.

Our Spiritual Passion is our Divine Gift...It is Our Divine Calling!

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