Obscure Wisdom And Hidden Truth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Copyright Joseph Panek 2010

The Mirror - Symbol Of Reflection

The Mirror is a Symbol of physical and spiritual reflection.

The Symbolism associated with The Mirror has its roots in the very
distant past. Some of the oldest drawings found on temple walls
and papyrus scrolls depict images of Egyptian Neters gazing into
hand-held Mirrors.

In ancient times, Mirrors were made of polished bronze. Today,
Mirrors are made of glass. However, a Mirror can be any reflective
surface such as highly polished black stone or still Water.

In the material world of our Current Incarnation Mirrors are both a
necessity and convenience. We use Mirrors every day to reflect
physical images. We make use of rear-view Mirrors in our vehicles
to alert us of potential dangers and cautions behind us. We station
Mirrors at corners of buildings and hallways to "see" what is around
the corner. And, of course, we spend a fair amount of time every day
standing before our personal Mirrors while we preen ourselves prior
to going out into the world.

However, when we consider the esoteric, or mystic, Symbolism
associated with The Mirror we find that it alludes to a much higher
and sublime purpose...Spiritual Reflection!

Just as a physical Mirror is a reflection of how we currently appear,
and how the world around us currently appears, so too does our
Spiritual Mirror Truthfully reflect the Consequences of our actions
along with the Karmic rewards, or punishments, which the
consequences of our actions have brought upon us.

Our Spiritual Mirror reflects back to us our external surroundings. In
other words, our Spiritual Mirror shows us the people, places and
Events which are currently a part of the life we have created for
ourselves. By gazing at our external surroundings we are looking
directly into our Spiritual Mirror.

The Egyptian Neters, the Divine Principles of Nature referred to
earlier, gaze into their hand-held Mirrors in order to reflect upon
how they truly appear within the realm in which they are currently
expressing themselves. They are also gazing into their Mirrors in
order to "see" what consequences have been created as a result of
the Events which they have set in motion. In other words, they are
continually reflecting upon the results of their Thoughts and Actions
in an eternal process of self-evaluation.

Just as the Egyptian Neters gaze into their Divine Mirrors in order
to reflect upon themselves and ponder their thoughts and actions,
we too can use our very own personal Spiritual Mirrors to do the
very same.

In order for a Mirror to cast a reflection, it requires Light.
Symbolically, Light represents Illumination, Enlightenment,
Awareness and Wisdom. Therefore, in order for us to Honestly
evaluate ourselves and the world we have created around ourselves
when using our personal Spiritual Mirror, we must view our current
reflection with an Enlightened mind.

Keeping in mind that The Mirror can only reflect what is Truly
before it, whatever we view in our personal Spiritual Mirror is
currently the Truth of not only our Personality And Reputation
(who we are) but also the Truth of the world which we have created
around ourselves.

It is important to remind ourselves, however, that The Mirror
simply reflects that which is currently True. As Enlightened Beings
we have both the ability and responsibility to change our personal,
mental, and Spiritual reflection whenever we "see" something in our
Mirror that is not Harmonious with who we truly aspire to be. In
this way we are identical to the Egyptian Neters who gaze into their
hand-held Mirrors in an Eternal process of self-evaluation, self-
improvement, self-change and self-Enlightenment.

See also: "Personality and Reputation"

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

Youthfulness

"Fairy tales can come true
It can happen to you
If you're young at heart."
- "Young At Heart" lyrics

Being either young or old is a state of mind. Actually, it is a choice!
It is an interesting concept that we actually determine, by ourselves,
whether we are young or old. In addition, the number of "earth
years" we have experienced has nothing to do with youth or old age.
We have all seen people who have seventy or eighty "earth years"
behind them whose eyes are still alert, alive, and in some cases
even mischievous; people whose spirit is alive and vibrant. On the
other hand we have also seen individuals who have experienced
very few "earth years" yet lack enthusiasm, self-reliance, ambition
and spunk.
When we consider Youthfulness in this manner we find that we have
two choices. We can either choose to keep our mind young and free
while we anticipate all the new opportunities and Adventures which
await us upon our earthly journey, OR, we can choose to shun all
things which are new, creative and bold.
Those of us who choose the latter path soon find that our minds
become stagnated, drudgery replaces enthusiasm, Compromise
extinguishes imagination and monotony takes the place of
Adventure. Furthermore, by choosing this particular path, we
actually define the exact date on which we decide to become "old".
From that date forward we begin making choices that are limiting
and restricting; we stop living our own life in order to conform to
the expectations and "rules" of peer groups and society; we
embrace laziness and stagnation; we begin to criticize, gossip
and complain; we create Self-Imposed Limitations.
On the other hand, those of us who choose to remain Eternally
Young, in both mind and heart, constantly keep our senses
young, free, and open to new Insights and Adventures. Those
of us who embrace Youthfulness are continually dreaming,
fantasizing, imagining, growing and planning. We look forward
to each new morning. We understand that each new day can
present us with sparklingly new opportunities, events, Adventures,
Choices and Horizons which can lead us to exciting new discoveries,
ideas and friendships.
Nature is an excellent example of Eternal Youth. For although
Nature is both ancient and timeless She is continually renewing and
re-creating Herself through eternal re-birth and new beginnings.
She is the perfect example of Eternal Youth and Youthfulness.
We are all placed on earth to fully experience our Incarnation. We
have the opportunity to Choose which Paths we will follow and
which trails we will blaze. We are all responsible for our decisions
and Actions. We alone Decide whether we shall remain Eternally
Young or become instantly "old". And since all of these choices
are entirely up to us, it is our Sovereign responsibility to
Choose Wisely!

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

Solomon - Symbol Of Wisdom

Who is the wise man?
He who sees what's going to be born."
- King Solomon

Who was King Solomon? We hear of the Wisdom of Solomon and
we hear of the Temple of Solomon. When we hear the name
Solomon we automatically associate the name with profound
Wisdom. But was Solomon a real person, or was he, like Homer,
a possible combination of many Ancient Teachers?

Is it also possible that the name Solomon is a title conveyed upon a
Master Teacher of an Ancient Mystery School? Schools in which
Wisdom and knowledge were passed down by "word of mouth",
from generation to generation, to Worthy Initiates, until they were
finally reduced to writing for the benefit of all future generations.

Certainly the Lessons which are credited to King Solomon are
sound, spiritual Truths. But, again we have the question of whether
King Solomon was a real person or one of a number of Master
Teachers who carried this ancient title.

When we look at the name Solomon it consists of two parts:
Sol + omon.

Sol is a word which means "sun". The sun is the Symbol for light,
enlightenment, and illumination. Even today we have the metaphor
"the light went on" to indicate that we finally grasped an idea.

Omon, or Amon, or Amun is an ancient Egyptian Word which
means "hidden", "secret", "esoteric", "unknowable" or "Veiled". It is
a Word which indicates special knowledge, and Wisdom, available to
only a select few individuals. We see this Word incorporated into
Egyptian titles such as Amon Re, Amenhotep, and Tutankhamun.

When we consider the name Solomon in this manner we see that the
name takes on a whole different and unique meaning. Solomon now
becomes "hidden light", "secret enlightenment", or "veiled
illumination"; terms which have esoteric meaning and are
representative of a title given to an individual who is one of a long
line of Master Teachers in an Ancient Mystery School.

In addition, when we are Instructed about the building of King
Solomon's Temple we are told that during the long years of its
construction no sound could be heard from the tools and
implements used by the workmen who toiled in erecting the
Temple.

As we all know, constructing a building of any sorts is not
accomplished without the noise and sounds of toiling workmen.
This leads us to Believe that the Temple referred to as Solomon's
Temple is actually our own Inner Temple which consists of our
Body, Mind, and Spirit. And because the work was done without any
sound or noise, this labor is an inner labor which goes on noiselessly
within ourselves.

Therefore when we speak of the construction of King Solomon's
Temple we are referring to a metaphor for the inner work we must
perform upon ourselves in order to insure that our Personal Temple
is strong, correct, and unwavering. For only if our Personal Inner
Temple meets these esoteric requirements are we able to attain the
"hidden light" and "secret enlightenment" which the name Solomon
represents.

However, regardless of whether Solomon was a real person or
whether the name Solomon represents a title bestowed upon a
Master Teacher, the Wisdom and Truths passed down to us by
way of Sol-Omon are sound and Eternal. And, in the end, it is by
following the sacred guidance and Instruction passed down to us
by all Master Teachers of the Past that we are able to obtain the
torch of "Veiled Wisdom" which is available to all who take up the
Quest for Self-Instruction and Self-Illumination.

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

Gnosis - An Inner Knowing

"Seek, and ye shall find."
Luke 11:9

"All cosmic secrets must be pursued and earned."
- Joseph Panek

Gnosis is loosely translated as wisdom or knowledge. However, the
word Gnosis carries a much deeper meaning. Esoterically, Gnosis
means Inner Knowing. It is profound, or mystical, Knowledge
attained through personal insight and revelation.

Gnosis is an Epiphany (an "aha" moment if you will) through which
we become elevated to a higher spiritual plane in which we are able
to understand, access, and channel through us, the highest levels of
Divine Truth, Awareness, and Wisdom.

Gnosis, or Inner Knowing, is the primary Quest of all Initiates and
Seekers. It is the insightful ability to know that although there are
many Debates, arguments, and Opinions surrounding and distorting
every issue, there is only One Truth underlying that particular issue.

And although the term Gnosis can pertain to any level of Truth,
Awareness, and Wisdom, the true Seeker of Gnosis is solely
concerned with attaining Wisdom and Insight on the highest
spiritual and cosmic plane. Therefore the dedicated Gnostic,
Seeker, and Initiate makes every effort to avoid all mundane
confrontations, confusions and pitfalls which can distract him,
or her, away from their Spiritual Quest.

When we study Gnosticism, the Vedas, and other ancient texts, we
are instructed not to blindly follow any teachings simply because we
want to believe them, wish to believe them, or are expected to
believe them, due to force or guilt. However, if the Spiritual Truth
we are pursuing unveils itself to us by way of an inner knowing,
a spiritual understanding, or a Harmonious feeling, then we can
feel quite certain that whatever it is that we have discovered is most
likely the Truth we have been seeking.

Divine Truths and Sacred Wisdom are shrouded in mystery. They
await discovery by a Seeker or Initiate who is on a Quest for Truth
and Wisdom. When the Veil which shrouds an Infinite Mystery is
lifted before us we are able to view, experience, and understand that
Divine Truth which was once kept hidden from us...This is Gnosis!

These Gnostic, or Epiphany, moments are usually accompanied by
self-exclamations such as, "Gee, that makes a lot of sense", or
"I actually knew that but I never looked at it that way".

Self-Unfoldment, or Gnosis, is the at the center of all ancient
teachings. This is why the Ancient Mystery Schools and the most
noble "secret societies" did not, and still do not, recruit members.
For Truth neither recruits nor forces itself upon anyone. The Truth
is simply The Truth. It is the Holy Grail that must be sought out and
earned by the worthy and well-qualified Seeker!

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

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

Memories And Remembrances

"Antiquity is full of eulogies of another more remote antiquity."
- Voltaire

The Realm of Remembrance And Memory is that hypnotic, wispy
and ever-beckoning domain in which the memories of our youth,
childhood and mystical past reside.

Within each one of us is contained two different types of Memory:
remembrances of our personal Past and remembrances of our
primeval Past.

Our personal past contains all of the remembrances and
memories of our Current Incarnation. These consist of the fond
reminiscences which we allow ourselves to indulge in and savor;
they are our irretrievable experiences and friendships of a bygone
time .

And why is it that our most distant memories and remembrances are
the ones we seem to cherish the most?

Why is it that our oldest memories and friendships, those of our
youth and childhood, are the ones that are most vivid and dear to
us? Why are we able to recall events and friendships of our earliest
youth with greater clarity, emotion and melancholy than we can of
things which we have experienced only yesterday?

What is it that is so important to us about the place where we were
born? Furthermore, why were we born where we were born?

The place of our birth has a definite impact on every one of us: we
relate to it; we boast of it; we cherish it. And regardless of where
we may travel to, or where we may eventually "settle down", the
emotional pull of our birthplace is always tugging at our emotions
and our heart.

And it is not only we humans who feel the magnetic lure of our place
of birth for we see this same attraction in the animal kingdom.

Salmon battle every element and fight every obstacle, to even
exhaustion and death, in the attempt to return to the exact place of
their birth in order to spawn and re-create.

Butterflies will travel hundreds of miles to not only return to the
same tree where they were born but to the same branch for the
very same reason.

Again, the question remains, what is so powerful about the place
where we were born that a lifelong longing makes us "want to go
home"?

Now what about old friendships? How many of us would drop what
we are doing if we got an unexpected phone call from a high school
friend who we haven't talked to in years? How about a grade school
friend? How about a very dear childhood friend from the
neighborhood in which we grew up? What is it that is so important
to us about these very distant and initial friendships?

Perhaps the answer to all of these questions is that these are the
earliest threads which were used to weave the tapestry of who we
are today. These are also the earliest, purest and most naive
ingredients sprinkled into our youth which have had the most time
to marinate within us; a youth which we have abandoned for the
maturity and sophistication of adulthood; that magical and mystical
realm of innocent childhood that "once you pass its borders you can
never return again". ***

Just as we have a personal past, we also have a primeval past.

Our primeval past is the Subconscious and intuitive bond we
share with our most distant ancestors who lived in the most Veiled
and remote Mists of antiquity.

Our primeval past consists of our inherent and inbred traits which
originated, and were passed down to us, from our most ancient
elders who lived in the Time which the ancient Egyptians refer to as
Zep Tepi. Translated, ZepTepi means "The First Time". It is the
time when gods walked upon the earth and lived among mankind.

Our remote, primeval bonds are contained within our physical,
mental and spiritual fabric; our DNA. They are the ancient building
blocks from which we have all been constructed. These ancient
bonds, these remote links, form the foundation of who we, as both
individuals and a specie, are today.

And from our most distant links it is but one small step which takes
us into the Great Beyond; the mysterious and mystical domain of
Divine Consciousness from which all life originates and to which all
life must ultimately return.

When we attempt to ponder our most remote past, the past which
links us to the virtual beginnings of infinity, our minds become filled
with awe and wonder. This incomprehensible beginning-of-all-
beginnings is also a part of our physical, mental and spiritual fabric.
It is the original Seed which, long ago, sent us out on our personal
Journey of discovery so that we may someday return with our
treasure chest filled with all of the jewels and Wisdom which our
timeless voyage to many distant Horizons has bestowed upon us.

*** "Toyland" lyrics

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

Self-Instruction (Self-Initiation)

"Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"Self-Instruction is the first step toward Wisdom."
- Joseph Panek

Self-Instruction is the Self-Initiation of oneself. Therefore, by its
very nature, Self-Instruction is the first step toward Wisdom.

When we voluntarily take on the responsibility of Instructing
ourselves we willingly journey into the realm of individuality and
imagination; we embark upon an Adventure which transports us
into the Sovereign domain of Wizards and Wanderers.

Self-Instruction is taking the very basic education we receive during
our years of formal education and using it as a building block, a
stepping stone, to ascend to the higher realms of knowledge, and
ultimately, Wisdom.

Self-Instruction is researching, experimenting, and discovering for
ourselves the Truths, knowledge, and Wisdom which are Veiled
from our view by the constructs, restrictions, and limitations of
society, organized education, and self-serving factions.

While the majority of people obtain degrees and certificates for the
sole purpose of settling into the everyday "grind" of mundane life,
the Self-Instructed individual Chooses to proceed further, most
often alone, in the pursuit of higher knowledge, shrouded Wisdom
and the mysterious secrets of nature.

Self-Instructed individuals understand that neither a teacher nor
an institution can teach beyond their level of knowledge. These
Lone Wolfs realize that although we do gain a level of education,
insight, and knowledge from our teachers and institutions, they are
not the final word on any subject they teach.

For if they were the final word, no new ideas would ever come into
fruition: new ideas which eventually manifest themselves as
inventions, improvements and philosophical concepts which permit
society to evolve.

The Self-Instructed individual also realizes that he or she is
solely responsible for, and are the only ones who have control of,
the Journey they experience during their current Incarnation.
Self-Instructed Initiates, Seekers, and Wizards and Wanderers
live by a simple Creed:

The fact that we may have been either mis-educated, incompletely
educated, or mis-guided does not release us from any Karmic
Debts or Consequences that may result from any of these factors.
In the end, it is always our sole responsibility to properly educate
and instruct ourselves;
It is also vitally important for us to understand who we truly are
and to learn those things which are Harmonious with our Divine
Nature;
It is our birthright to discover the magical and mystical workings
of the universe: to delve into the realm of Truth and Wisdom and
not simply rely upon what others expect us to believe and accept
as true;
The universe, and everything within it, is one big and simple set
of Truths which continually reveal and re-Cycle themselves
throughout eternity. It is by our failure to understand and
recognize these simple Truths...to live in denial, Ignorance, and
complacency...that we invite oft-repeated and self-imposed
calamities into our lives.

In the end, we must realize that we would never have the timeless
gifts of such immortals as Einstein, Newton, da Vinci, Pythagoras,
and many others, had they not chosen the magical and visionary
Path of Self-Instruction. To put Self-Instruction into modern terms:
it is truly the only way to "think outside the box".

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

The Unicorn - As A Symbol

"Dreams are the playground of Unicorns."
- Unknown

Perhaps the most wondrous of all mystical creatures, the Unicorn
is a Symbol of magic, miracles, purity, innocence and enchantment.
This magical and enchanting animal appears to only a rare few and
has the ability to bestow magic, miracles and Wisdom to those who
are pure of heart and virtuous in their deeds.

The presence of a Unicorn is announced by the soft and faint
tinkling sound of tiny bells being shaken; or of tiny chimes being
rustled by a breeze. And as Bells and Chimes Symbolize the
presence of Divinity, the tinkling sound which accompanies the
nearness of a Unicorn reminds us that we are in the presence of
a highly spiritual essence whose boundless domain encompasses
all realms matter and spirit.

To kill a Unicorn is to destroy a Divine Incarnation of purity,
perfection, and wonder. It is a deed which burdens the individual who
commits the Act with an enormous Karmic debt.

The Unicorn is depicted as a white horse which has a long, straight,
spiral-shaped Horn protruding from the top of its head.

There are three basic Symbols contained in the Unicorn: the color
white, the horse, and the Horn:

The Horse is a Symbol of Travel and movement. And as the Unicorn
is a spiritual horse it has the ability to Travel and appear wherever,
and whenever, it wishes; it has the ability to appear throughout all
realms and dimensions.

White is the color of innocence, purity and perfection. White, which
is Symbolically similar to silver, represents the lunar, feminine
aspects of receptivity, instinct, intuition and virginity. Virginity in
its truest metaphysical and alchemical aspect represents the
unadulterated (untainted) mind and spirit; it is the prima materia
(pure matter) and the prisca sapientia (pristine knowledge, or
Wisdom). It is for this reason that to have a Unicorn appear to us
is both a great honor and Divine Gift. For, as stated before, only the
pure of heart and virtuous of deed are deserving to have a Unicorn
appear to them.

The Unicorn, unlike all other horned animals save perhaps the
rhinoceros, is a single-horned creature. While the two-horned
animals are linked, Symbolically, to the realm of duality and matter,
the Unicorn's single horn reminds us that its domain is the realm
of Unity; a realm that Transcends and exists beyond the bounds
of matter and duality.

The single, spiralled Horn is a Symbol of the endless, repeating
Cycles of Time. It is also Symbolic of the Sword. And as the Sword
Symbolizes the mind, the Unicorn's Horn also signifies Unity of
Thought and purity of reason. We also notice that this single Horn
protrudes from the top of the Unicorn's head which is the location
of the crown chakra. The crown chakra is a Border Between Realms;
it represents the highest level which our mind can attain and is the
Spiritual Gateway to the higher realms of Spirituality and Divine
Consciousness.

When depicted within a forest, the Unicorn represents purity and
enchantment amidst growth, birth, rebirth, renewal and fertility;
which are all feminine essences.

When a Unicorn is portrayed along with a lion it Symbolizes the
Union of the feminine (white, lunar) and masculine (Gold, solar)
aspects of our dual nature. This Symbolism also represents the
Alchemical Marriage.

In Chinese tradition the Unicorn is an "auspicious and perfect
spiritual beast which appears when sages are born". ***

As we can see, the Symbolism of the Unicorn is deep, pure, and
magical. And as very few individuals are pure and virtuous enough
to have a Unicorn appear to them we should feel very Blessed
should a Unicorn someday appear along our Path.

(See also: "The Phoenix", and
                   "The Alchemical Marriage and the Total Solar Eclipse")

*** "The Lost Language Of Symbolism", Harold Bayley

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