When you climb a mountain, commitment and dedication are required. You need to stay one-pointedly focused on the goal, with a ‘steady hand on the rudder’. In fact, when people ask me what more they can do for their evolution, I almost always respond by saying, “‘Keep a steady hand on the rudder’ through time.”
The thing about climbing a mountain is that it’s easy to slip. Once you slip, momentum can take over until you slide, tumble, and fall all the way to the bottom. That’s called Karma. As I’ve always said, most of your Karma is between your ears and in your heart (i.e., your emotions). So, in a nutshell, to evolve, stay on the path. If you catch yourself slipping, regroup and continue the journey to the top.
At Mount Soma, in the past, we have seen rocket launches such as the below in the eastern sky:
“People across the mid-Atlantic may see a rocket fly through the sky on Saturday morning as it blasts off from Wallops Island, Virginia.
“An Antares rocket is set to launch from the Wallops Island Flight Facility at 7:37 a.m. EST Saturday, 11/11/17 in a mission to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).” – Accuweather
Mount Soma and Sri Somesvara Temple will be featured in a segment of North Carolina Weekend on UNC-TV. It airs at 9:00pm tonight, November 2, 2017. The segment is also available on YouTube – see below. Enjoy!
Perhaps my favorite comment about the Advanced Techniques came from a student who said it is as if they don’t even ‘do’ the Advanced Techniques anymore. Rather, it is as if the Advanced Techniques have transformed their meditations. That is perfect. Really, the Advanced Techniques just happen naturally. However, learning them and ‘doing’ them for a while opens the door to the universe of consciousness and its potential.
Having said that, it is still a good idea, from time to time, to ‘feel into’ one of the techniques of your choice when you sit down to meditate, before you actually start your meditation. That tends to facilitate the experience of that technique. Yet, once done, the meditation goes in whatever direction it goes. It is all an effortless practice.
Generally, my meditations go into Phase 2 or 3 of the Advanced Techniques. However this morning, it was all Phase 1 and it was wonderful. What the Advanced Techniques do for a person’s meditations is marvelous. I am so excited to teach Phase 1 this winter to more students! I hope all students can attend!
I am thrilled to teach Phase 2 to the Ashram and staff this winter and to the Phase 2 students this upcoming summer! And then onto Phase 3 the following year! It is such a great adventure! The ultimate frontier! The exploration of the unbounded universe of consciousness!
Human beings are incredibly vulnerable creatures. The depth of our soul reaches all the way into the Transcendent, the most refined and delicate level of existence. We all feel things very deeply. In some way and to some degree, everything touches the depth of our soul.
Though we all feel deeply, as we evolve, we become more in balance, more capable of experiencing our feelings without tumbling. People tumble in response to all sorts of emotions, be they positive or negative. Hurt can tumble into rage. Joy can tumble into a state of hysteria, frenzy, or delirium.
Our vulnerability, then, must be grounded in the strength of our inner being so that we don’t tumble. It is important to note that as we evolve and the strength of our being grows, it’s not that we don’t feel deeply. If anything, we feel more deeply. In fact, we are able to go into the depth of our feelings without shrouding them with denial, diversion, defiance, or rationalization. In other words, we become capable of handling and holding our vulnerability.
When people’s vulnerability is not rooted in the depth of being, they simply can’t handle the intensity of the waves of emotion and feelings that come along with life. Their behavior becomes erratic and inappropriate. It’s most unfortunate that so many of life’s decisions are founded upon that imbalanced state.
But it’s important to understand that everyone tumbles from time to time. What matters is how quickly and responsibly people are capable of coming back into balance.
When rooted in the stability of our own soul, our vulnerability becomes a tremendous asset. We are able to openly and honestly experience those subtle feelings that reach into the depth of our soul. We are then able to act, feel, and think from a place of wisdom. We no longer tumble, but instead, embrace, hold, and act in harmony with the undenied Truth that lies deep within. For example, if someone hurts you, you don’t act through anger, resentment, or disparagement. Instead, you are capable of articulating and communing in a sincere and loving manner, free from blame or degradation.
We can all aspire to live that sort of life on a day-to-day basis. When you tumble, you can do your best to regain balance and to right any wrongs the tumbling elicited. This is called maturity. To never make a mistake is asking far too much of yourself. But to strive to come back into balance and on that level, to embrace your vulnerability and feel your feelings, is most noble.
What underlies anger and judgment is hurt. It is often easier to feel your anger and judgment than your hurt. In so doing, you live a life of denial: a life not in harmony with the Truth and vulnerability that lies at the depth of your soul.
To be able to come from that place of vulnerability (unencumbered by any tumbling) is to live a fulfilling life: a life where you can respect yourself and a life which will gain the respect of others. If that respect is not gained immediately, it will be gained as others overcome their tumbling, and behave in a manner in harmony with the depth of their own soul.
Too many people suppress their vulnerability for the simple reason that they can’t handle it. Living your vulnerability from a place of stability within your own being is to live a life of fulfillment, wisdom, integrity, and human decency. So, even though at times vulnerability may feel like a curse, it is indeed a great blessing.
"Take the time to reflect on what is said here. If you find yourself associating this material with things you have heard elsewhere, please take the time to diligently explore how they are different. This knowledge is elusive. I share it here because I have seen how much this knowledge helps people – the potential is enormous." – Michael Mamas
"True knowledge slips through the fingers of those not willing to ponder…" – Michael Mamas
"Take what I say and work with it to develop a deeper understanding of life, rather than taking what I say and forcing it into the mold of your current relationship with life." – Michael Mamas
"Evolution means change." – Michael Mamas
"Your disposition is the tone with which you hold yourself, your cells, your psyche, your beliefs. More than anything else, it determines your life." – Michael Mamas
At Mount Soma, in the past, we have seen rocket launches such as the below in the eastern sky:
Perhaps my favorite comment about the Advanced Techniques came from a student who said it is as if they don’t even ‘do’ the Advanced Techniques anymore. Rather, it is as if the Advanced Techniques have transformed their meditations. That is perfect. Really, the Advanced Techniques just happen naturally. However, learning them and ‘doing’ them for a while opens the door to the universe of consciousness and its potential.
