The Tarot Fool - Symbol Of A Seeker

                                                   (Image via Wikipedia)

When we look at the card of "The Fool" in the tarot deck we see
a person standing at the edge of a high cliff about to take the next
step while gazing upward into the Infinite. There is a dog at the
feet of The Fool and this dog is also at the edge of the cliff, standing
on its two hind feet, with its front feet already over the edge.

Naturally, we wonder: "Why is this person so willing to take the
next step off of the cliff and why is he gazing up at the heavens
instead of watching where he is going".

Like all of the other cards in the tarot deck, this card is full of
Symbolism. So, let's break down some the principal Symbolism
contained within this card in order to get a better understanding
of what this card is telling us.

The Fool: Although The Fool appears to be a masculine archetype,
the face contains an air of femininity. This gives The Fool an
androgynous appearance which Symbolizes a combination and
Union of both the male and female essences. This means that
The Fool does not experience his Journey through either a male
or female perspective. He experiences it through both perspectives.
This androgynous (Hermaphroditic) portrayal of The Fool reminds
us that The Fool's Journey is a journey that is available to any man,
woman, boy, or girl who wishes to participate in an Adventure.

Mountains Symbolize the higher realms of consciousness. The
higher the mountain, the higher the realm of consciousness. The
highest mountain peak would Symbolize the highest realm of
consciousness that we can experience while still on earth.
In addition, when viewed from afar, mountain peaks are the
highest points on the Horizon and represent the loftiest
Border Between Realms; the highest borderland between
heaven and earth.

The Precipice upon which The Fool and his dog are standing
symbolizes the Threshold where one Journey ends so that
another Journey can begin.

(Also: The Precipice Symbolizes the mental obstacles we create for
ourselves which deter many of us from taking the next step in order
to achieve and experience our dreams.)

The Dog is "Man's best friend". The Dog is Instinctive and is a
Symbol for loyalty, trust, protection, and companionship.

White symbolizes Purity and Enlightenment.

Because the Journey of The Fool takes place in the higher realms
of consciousness (mountains) it Symbolizes a Spiritual Journey. It
is a Spiritual Call to Adventure which involves dreams, aspirations,
imagination, and finally Enlightenment.

The Fool gazes up into the heavens because that is where his
dreams, aspirations , and imaginings reside. The heavens also
represent the highest realm of Divine Consciousness that The
Fool can look up to for Spiritual Inspiration and Guidance.

Knowing that no physical harm can befall him in a Spiritual Quest,
The Fool unhesitatingly steps off the precipice when his current
Adventure comes to an end. He knows that only by ending, and
leaving behind, his current Adventure is he able to begin his next
one. Therefore, with great anticipation and excitement he proceeds
onward and upward into the next chapter of his life's Journey.

The Fool's Dog, being an instinctive animal, also understands that
there is no danger in stepping off of this Spiritual precipice. So it too
follows its master onward and upward. In addition, because the Dog
is a loyal and protective companion, The Fool need never feel alone
in his Travels into new and uncharted realms.

The White Sun that is shining behind The Fool is a Symbol for the
Pure Enlightenment which is forever accompanying The Fool and
nudging him onward.

And finally, although The Fool is currently standing atop a high
mountain, there are much higher mountains in the distance. These
higher mountains remind The Fool that there are still more
Journeys, and higher realms of consciousness, to be explored,
experienced, and conquered. And the only way for The Fool to
conquer these mountains is for him to continue to follow his dreams,
aspirations, and imagination until he reaches the highest mountain
peak of all...The Peak of Enlightenment!

Note: for literary simplicity I have used the masculine gender
in referring to The Fool. However, the feminine gender applies
equally as well.

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

Decisions

There are two types of Decisions: Impulsive and Deliberate. An
Impulsive Decision is ruled by Passion while a Deliberate Decision
is governed by Reason.

An Impulsive Decision is a rash, blind, spur-of-the-moment
Choice we make when we allow the emotions of fear, guilt, or greed
to take control of our mind and our Actions. Impulsive Decisions
also occur when we relinquish our personal Sovereignty to external
pressures created by people or Events.

We justify our Impulsive Decisions with statements such as, "I just
had to do something!", or "I don't know what I was thinking at the
time". Impulsive Decisions, because they are quick and emotional,
are almost always followed by tragedy or regret.

A Deliberate Decision, on the other hand, is a long-developing
process in which we grapple with many different options, feelings
and Demons before coming to a final conclusion.

Examples of long-developing Deliberate Decisions are: changing
jobs, changing careers, discontinuing a Relationship, choosing a
college, moving to a new city...or country.

A long-developing Decision, just like a long-developing Event, has
many intricate ingredients Woven into it. All these ingredients
require Time to simmer, to Marinate, before a final conclusion can
be reached.

When we find ourselves confronted with a long-developing Decision
we are actually entering a period of Change in our lives. We are
confronting the Sphinx and its Riddle. We are entering a period of
Traveling, stagnation, and suspension, in which only Time and
patience can see us through.

Deliberate Decisions are represented Symbolically, by the card of
"The Hanged Man" in the Tarot deck. Metaphorically, it represents
a person in a state of suspension or stagnation who is viewing their
situation from different perspectives in order to Seek a proper
solution to their current dilemma.

Just like The Hanged Man, we too are in an uncomfortable state of
suspension, viewing our situation from different perspectives, when
we are in the midst of a Deliberate Decision. Once we have obtained
all the information and Insight required to solve our current dilemma
our state of suspension will come to an end and we can then proceed
down the next Path of our Current Incarnation.

Unlike the Impulsive Decision, a Deliberate Decision cannot be
explained by way of a simple statement or cliche. A Deliberate
Decision is far too detailed and intricate. Many options, feelings,
and insights, were explored. Many Demons were grappled with.
A great amount of Time, patience, and emotion, was expended in
getting us to our final conclusion.

This is why we find it so difficult when we try to "quickly" explain
our Deliberate Decisions to another person. Metaphorically, we find
ourselves trying to explain a gourmet recipe to someone as if it
came from a ready-made packet.

Deliberate Decisions can be difficult and painful. However, these
are the decisions, and Choices, which enable us to grow. They allow
us to travel new Paths. They enable us to experience new Horizons
that are just beyond our eyesight. They are an integral part of our
Current Incarnation.

See also: "Emotional Decisions"

(Image 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

The Star - Symbol And Metaphor

"When you wish upon a Star,
Makes no difference who you are..."
-Jiminy Cricket, Walt Disney's "Pinocchio"

The Star presents us with one of the most beautiful and enchanting
of all Symbols. The Star Symbolizes: Aspiration, Inspiration,
Imagination, Wonder, Dreams, Pursuits, Magic (the Magical),
Creative Brilliance, and Divine Guidance.

To fully appreciate the Symbolism attached to The Star we must
first try to think back, and try to Imagine, what the night sky
looked like to Ancient Cultures.

Any of us who have driven through, or camped out in, remote
areas away from city lights have experienced an entirely different
night sky than the one we experience when we are within, or near,
a city. The number of Stars that can be seen in a remote area at
night seems Infinite. We experience an awe-inspiring and breath-
taking view of the real night sky that is always above us.

This is the same immense and awe-inspiring night sky that Ancient
Cultures experienced, and lived under, for millennia. It is the
Majestic "Canopy of the Heavens" referred to in Ancient Texts and
Symbols.

This Canopy consisted of not only an Infinite number of fixed-Stars,
but also Shooting-Stars, comets, meteors, and the Seven
"Wanderers". The Seven Wanderers are the five visible planets
plus the sun and the moon. This infinite night sky provided the
inspiration for their legends and mythologies.

The meteors ("Shooting-Stars") which fell to earth provided these
Ancient Cultures with Iron that they used to forge their many
different implements. They considered Iron to be a "Gift from the
Gods".

The Ancient Egyptians aligned their temples, monuments, and
buildings so as to be in Harmony with certain Stars. An
Alignment Ceremony called the "Stretching of the Cord" was
performed prior to the construction of their buildings. This
Ceremony aligned, and Harmonized, the placement of that
particular building with a specific Star. The Egyptian Neter Seshat,
who is recognized by the seven-pointed Star appearing above her
head, was invoked and honored during this Ceremony. Among Her
many attributes, Seshat Symbolizes Harmony and Equilibrium.

Our greatest Star, the Sun, not only radiates the energy that is
necessary for life on our planet but also determines which "Age"
our planet is currently experiencing based upon which
constellation of the Ecliptic (Zodiac) it is rising in on the Spring
Equinox. We are currently ending the Age of Pisces and preparing
to enter the Age of Aquarius.

And, in another interesting and charming piece of Symbolism,
Mythology, and Legend, many Ancient and modern Cultures
consider the Stars to be the Campfires of their Ancestors.
Ancestors who look down upon, and guide them; and to whom
they can look up to for Spiritual Guidance.

These are some of the Wondrous and Enchanting backgrounds from
which many of our current expressions about Stars find their origin.

"When you wish upon a Star", "Reach for the Stars" and
"Follow your Star" are metaphors for the Aspirations, Inspirations,
Dreams, and Creative Pursuits that live within each one of us.

"The Guiding Light" is a metaphor for Divine Guidance we rely upon
as we pursue our Dreams, Ambitions, and Adventures.

"Give me a tall ship and a Star to steer by": Mariners, both
Ancient and modern, use the fixed-Stars of the night sky to guide
them safely to their intended destinations. That fixed-Star by
which they steer their ship is also their "Guiding Light".

And, finally, to "Touch a Star" is a metaphor which means that we
have realized our Dream, Achieved our ambition, and safely and
successfully arrived at the end of our latest Adventure.

The Symbolism of The Star is a reminder to us that we can
embrace all the Wonder, Beauty, and Enchantment which The Star
represents. We merely have to "reach out" for our special Star and
allow It to "steer" us to our Dreams. Always keeping in mind the
immortal words of Jiminy Cricket, "When you wish upon a
Star, makes no difference who you are..."

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

Mother Earth - As A Symbol

Mother Earth: The Great Material Womb

She is called "Mother Earth" for a reason. She is Abundance.
She is Fertility. She is Alive.

Mother Earth is the Bringer, the Nourisher, and the Protectoress
of life. She contains, and provides, all the minerals and nutrients
that are necessary for human, animal, and plant life to begin,
grow, and mature.

It is through the intense heat which exists within the deepest depths
of Her Womb that precious metals and gemstones are created. Then,
just like a woman giving birth, She gently nudges these precious
metals and gemstones out of Her Womb and onto the surface of the
earth in order for mankind to use these precious gifts of Hers to
satisfy its material requirements.

Mother Earth is the Womb, and Home, for all plant life. She
accepts all Seeds deposited into Her soil, nourishes these Seeds,
and brings them to fruition. And, even after these Seeds are
manifested into plants and trees, She continues to nourish them
through Her many umbilical cords which we refer to as roots.

Mother Earth is the Womb, and Home, for all subterranean life.
She nourishes and protects the worms, insects, and other
underground life which live, and thrive, in Her soil.

Mother Earth also provides shelter for above-ground animal
(and human) life through Her many burrows and caves.
Indigenous Cultures and Sacred Societies have always associated
Her caves with Her Great Womb.

This is the reason why these Cultures and Societies have used, and
still use, Her caves for Initiation Ceremonies and Rites-of-Passage.
These Ceremonies have been performed in Her caves since the
earliest beginnings of Time.

Through a rite-of-passage Ceremony a youngster enters Her cave
as a youth and emerges, is re-born, as an adult. Through an
Initiation Ceremony a well-qualified individual enters Her cave
as an Initiate, receives higher degrees of Wisdom, Instruction, and
Knowledge, and then emerges from Her cave re-born as an
Illumined Master.

Mother Earth also purifies the Water that mankind contaminates
by re-cycling these Waters through her underground soils.
In the same manner which blood flows through our veins and is
purified, so too are Mother Earth's Waters re-cycled through the
enormous network of Her subterranean Rivers.

She cleanses, and re-mineralizes, these Waters by passing them
through Her many different types of underground soils. When Her
purification process is complete these purified and re-mineralized
Waters re-emerge upon Her surface by way of Her many springs.

And, in our final experience with Mother Earth, She is also the
Great Keeper. When our earthly journey finally comes to an end,
She graciously accepts our material remains back into Her soil;
Her Maternal Womb; Her Great Vault.

We speak of "destroying" Mother Earth. This kind of thinking is
the folly of Ignorance. All we mere mortals can do is simply make a
mess of Her Surface. She is indestructible to the surface misuses
of mankind. At the appropriate Time She will simply re-cycle the
messes that mankind has created on Her surface through some
cataclysmic Event and then repeat Her earthly Cycle anew. One
can only wonder how many times She has "cleaned up" mankind's
messes throughout the eons of Eternity.

In the meantime, we all should appreciate and respect Mother
Earth for what She truly is: a Living and Breathing Entity which
provides us with all the nourishments, protections, and materials
we require to make the most of our Current Incarnation.

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

Sovereignty

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

Sovereignty: to possess independent power and rulership.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Hand And Cloud - As A Symbol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009, 2010, 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also:
"The Apple - As A Symbol"

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

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

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Holy Of Holies - Sanctum Sanctorum (As A Symbol)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

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