Esoteric Writings by Amara

©1998 by Amara Wahaba Karuna

Grounding


What does grounding mean? Making the body real, putting your attention on the physical body, and strengthening the energy connection between your body and the earth.  These are my views on reality, take them if they work for you!

MATTER AND ENERGY


All matter is energy, only there are different levels of vibration, like a spectrum, some finer and faster; some dense and slow.

We have many different levels of being- the dense physical form, the less dense (but still weighty) emotions, the finer level of thoughts, and still finer essence of our souls or spirits; our pure consciousness.

We have many "bodies", one for each level, which can be seen psychically as overlapping layers of an energy field or aura. They get lighter and lighter as you move out farther from the physical body.

The physical is the most solid. But even matter, on the atomic level, has more space in it than substance. The fast movement of the atoms gives the illusion of solidity, like the turning blades of an electric fan seem to become a solid wheel. Science is not even really sure if there is such a thing as a particle, since atomic bodies act just as much like waves of energy as anything else.

YOU ARE CONSCIOUSNESS


Our attention or consciousness is not limited to our physical bodies. We often leave our bodies, as in sleeping.

Wherever your attention is, that is where you are as a being. you are your attention point, or in other words, your essence as a being is a pure point of awareness. This consciousness can never die, it is eternal. When you are paying attention to what you will do next week, or what you did in the past, part of your energy or being goes there. If your energy is always centered on the mental levels of planning for the future, you are not present in the physical present time reality. It draws you out of what is happening here and now, which , after all, is really where the action is. When we experience hurtful events which are then unhealed and unresolved, part of our psychic energy gets "stuck" there in the past, until healing occurs.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE BEING AND THE BODY



Most people are "out" of their physical body a lot; thinking of faraway places, being centered in their head only ( thinking), spiritually asleep, or feeling the body is ugly or bad, or avoiding physical pain or boredom.
The physical body has it's own consciousness. In fact, every cell of the body has its own kind of awareness. A physical body is like a huge city, with millions of little beings, ( cells, bacteria, etc. ), making it work, doing their different jobs. It is an expression of, and a reflection of, your state of consciousness and your spiritual being. A body is very wise- it knows exactly what it needs for healing at all times. It will keep working- breathing, heart pumping, etc.' even when the being is not paying much attention to it. But if the connection gets too remote, illness and death result.

But when you are not in your body much, the body doesn't feel very safe, kind of like an abandoned child. The energy field around it becomes weak and flat. it needs love and attention from your spirit, because the spirit is the source of life energy for the body. The Connection Or Bridge Between The Spirit And The Body Is The Breath. Life energy is brought to the body mainly via the breath. The body can only live a few minutes without breath. Learning to breathe properly can change your entire mental and emotional state.

MAKE THE BODY SAFE AND LOVED

When doing meditation and healing, if the body isn't safe, It won't allow you to be aware of subtle energies - the emotions or physical pains will clamor too loudly and drown out the quieter voices. This is why it is hard to know what your guidance is, what is the right thing to do, when you are upset.

In our culture, we are taught to identify with our body as being the most real part of ourselves. this belief leads o our fear of death; because , although our physical body must die, our being does not. a being who believes it is only the body is trapped and afraid.

At the same time, our culture discounts the physical body as being bad, gross, something with passions that need to be controlled. We hide it with clothes, and hide it's natural functions as shameful. We need to reclaim our love for our bodies, learn what is needed to be healthy, and care for them as a best friend or a child. one thing bodies need is to be grounded.

What effects does this have? Although being out of your body reduces pain, it makes you feel unstable, with your energy diffused. We feel vulnerable to attack, awkward, off-balance, unaware, ineffective. anytime you feel scared, you are probably not well grounded.

LEARN TO BE IN THE BODY



We want to learn to bring the vibrations of consciousness into the body, and to re-tune the body's energy systems to be accustomed to higher energies. Our bodies are very flexible, and able to adapt to a wide range of vibration. In doing meditation, we are actually raising our vibrational level. If you get the vibration fast and high enough, disease organisms can't live. The lower vibrations of microbes can't exist in a strong ,higher field.

People who have a lot of life force running through their bodies are more resistant to disease. Other things that raise the vibration are exercise, oxygen, occasional fasting, avoiding animal and low quality foods, and healing old emotional blocks.

When we bring our consciousness into the body, we are able to focus our energies to move the world around us, and create our own lives. this body, here and now, is the point in the universe that you have to work with, that is all your own. The more you are in your body, the more you have real power in this world available to you. You can also separate your own energy and problems from other people's since you are better aware of your own physical boundaries.

The first step is grounding
Psychic energy follows the same laws of physical energy- energy flows long the path of least resistance. in electricity, outlets are grounded with a wire to allow any surges of power to bleed off harmlessly.

We experience surges of psychic energy also; as in shocks, someone getting upset with us or attacking, or loud noises that set off out "fight or flight" adrenal responses. 

When energy gets stuck in us, it hurts. If it has somewhere to flow out to, a large surge is not uncomfortable.

GROUNDING VISUALIZATION:

Close your eyes, take a deep breath; your brain needs oxygen or it shuts down. It takes no effort to visualize; thoughts are so light, just relax.
Put your hands on your hips and imagine a cylindrical tube attached to your pelvis, going down into the ground. It can be a pipeline, a hose, a tube, a root or a tree trunk. On an exhale, imagine it sinking, falling easily, getting longer and longer, falling though all the layers of the earth, rocks, water, lava, all the way down to the very center of the earth. image it very solid. As it winds around the center of the earth, getting firmly attached. You can imagine a heavy ball or rock dropping down, and that may make it easier .

Now on an exhale, imagine draining out any energy that you don't need right now- you don't have to see it or know what it is; just suggest to yourself that whatever is not needed now, you are letting go of, letting fall.
Where is there tension or pain in your body? Relax and drain out that excess energy. Breathing at the same time will help a lot - gather the energy into a ball or blob on the inhale, then let it drop on the exhale.
Practice for a few minutes.

Breathe, stretch, drop over so your arms dangle to the floor, let your head be loose, and let any energy that may have been stuck in your head drain out the top. Stand up, and practice grounding. Walk around. Keep your attention on your grounding cord. How does it feel different than usual?

Exercise: Grounding in Pairs



One partner ( person #1) physically pushes on the second partner ( #2) before either of them have tried grounding. Then have person #2 try the grounding exercise and have person #1 physically push on person #2. Do you notice any difference between the grounded and ungrounded interactions? Try variations of this with person #2 sitting on the ground or in a chair. How does this variation change the energy levels? Try picking the person up physically. Switch positions and repeat the exercise.

The body accumulates excess energy during the day unless it is grounded. Try taking a grounding break a few times a day when you are tired. When sitting on a toilet for a few minutes is a good time; or while driving.

It is important to get your body used to this new feeling, so practice grounding. Especially ground before a hard demanding task, or stress. Try grounding your car, your house, your bedroom. Just imagine a grounding cord as wide as the object you are grounding. There are no limits in the thought realm.

GROWTH PERIODS



It's good to do this carefully, so you don't get blown out by too much of a vibrational jump at once. When you are changing something, like a set of old beliefs, or diet, or surroundings, it means an energy shift. This can be uncomfortable as your body is learning to handle the new vibrations. The body tends to resist new changes, because of the inertia of the physical plane. Emotionally, everything may seem new and different, or overwhelming. You may become crabby or off balance. If it is extreme enough, it can cause physical illness. This is called a growth period or healing crisis.

The body needs good food, sleep, sex, playful fun and exercise to get through growth periods easily. these things help run more life force through it and give it what it needs to be happy and safe. if you feel odd after meditation or a class, go for a walk or eat something.

Also be aware that we have all been open before when we were young, but we have gotten too hurt and overwhelmed, and since we had no grounding or protection or support, we chose to shut down and get out of body. We all have hurts stored about not being able to be as aware, honest, and free as we really are, and having to hide our true selves.
people are naturally psychic. it is not a strange mysterious talent that only a few have. it is part of our natural being to perceive non-physical energies and feelings. We are often humiliated and threatened when we are psychic or spiritually aware as young people, and told that what we perceive is not real. The process of opening up to the subtle energies may kick up a lot of old feelings and memories.

it is good to take some time processing on an emotional level, by exploring the memories with a caring listener or in a journal.

Do you remember a time when you were aware of something and got oppressed for it? Did you get support at any time?

DEEP RELAXATION



Practice grounding before going to sleep. You may find that you sleep less, remember your dreams more often, because your energy is flowing more in connection to your body. Learning to relax deeply anytime you want is an invaluable skill. Deep relaxation can replace some sleep time, reduce stress, and hasten healing illness.

RELAXATION VISUALIZATION



Lying down, get comfortable. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Do this five times.

imagine the grounding cord is as wide as your body, and cradling your body, going all the way to the center of the earth. Breathe. If you slip away, bring yourself back into your body by breathing or touching your head. Stay present so you can hear and be aware.

Now on the inhale, tense up your feet and ankles, as tight as you can. Hold for a moment, and then exhale and completely let go. Imagine any excess, unneeded energy is draining into the earth. do the same process with your calves, your thighs, your buttocks, your stomach, your chest, your back, your arms and hands, your shoulders , your head and face. Feel yourself become lighter and more empty and open with each breath.
Imagine a large, golden sun above you, which is your very own special highest soul energy. Look at it, and see what it looks like. this is the best energy in the world for your body to have in it. Your own present time energy. Let it wash down through you, melting away tension, filling up any weak spaces, revitalizing you. on the inhale, let it rush in, on the exhale let it soak into all of your cells. If you want, you can think a message to your body: "I'm here" or "I love you" or "Be healthy". Let yourself be completely limp, open, and receptive.



If you are going on to another activity, begin to wiggle your fingers and toes, and then stretch. Slowly sit up when you are ready, staying grounded.

  By Amara Karuna 9/2009

The dilemma of a soul who is born into this world, differentiated and separated from its source is this:

Now I have wrapped myself in a piece of flesh, a body suit which creates by its nature a sense of limitation & separation. Here I am among millions of other forms. I have forgotten my source, so I cannot self source my food, comfort, love. I am dependent on the world of form to meet these needs. 

If all goes well, all these needs are met and I experience being valued, understood, respected, fed the correct food as much as I want, protected and desired. I have clean air and good water and natural non-toxic substances around me. My parents are peaceful, loving, wise and want to stay close to me all the time, until I am ready for freedom. There are many others around in a peaceful tribal family. All my emotions are accepted and given respect. I receive lots of skin contact. I am kept clean. I have enough stimulation and interesting things to learn. There is general peace and kindness in my community.

As a child matures, it becomes more and more self sufficient in getting it’s own food, comfort, pleasure, etc. until it is an adult able to channel enough energy to be self-sustaining.  If a soul has had these experiences, it has the basic groundwork for easily learning to self-source later in life. The more of these ideal experiences it has, the more easily it can grow into a self-sufficient state. 

To the extent that we did not have the ideal state as a child, we are slowed down in our growth toward becoming a radiant, self-sourcing awakened being. Each element that was missing becomes a challenge to the process of maturing according to Spirit’s original plan. We remain stuck in unmet infantile needs for food, love, intimacy, comfort or learning. 

Spirit’s original plan was followed for hundreds of thousands of years, as humans evolved as tribal beings. How did we get so far from the original plan? Why did we stop following the original instructions, which would make incarnating as an individual soul a mostly pleasurable and easily fulfilling experience? Why the fall from Grace?

It seems that the Creator’s great plan is to divide itself into many hologramic pieces, and the purpose of each piece is to grow into a source of nourishment, love, wisdom & light. Each being is like a seed which contains the potential to become like its source. If the seed falls on fertile soil with the right conditions, its task is easy. 

Some say that a soul’s purpose is to merge back into the One being. In a way this is both true and untrue. If our task was only to merge back and dissolve, what is the point of the One sending us out in the first place? If we only need to dissolve, then death would be an easy & logical path. Why exist in form at all? Let go of it and experience the connectedness of the non-physical realms without this delicate and demanding form to be tending constantly. 

A careful look around the physical realm shows that this cannot be the intention. Millions of myriad forms are endlessly being created and falling away. Physical forms of all shapes, sizes & functions. Obviously the Creator loves form. It is engaged in an infinite, passionate, gorgeous dance which is complex beyond our understanding. 

The point is not just to merge, dissolve & die. Otherwise all enlightened beings would immediately drop their form. I would guess that many do, as it’s just easier that way. However, many choose to stay as teachers and healers, acting as radiant suns of spiritual light and sources of oceans of love. And they all say that they merge back into the One, only somehow they still also exist as a small form.

The purpose of all these tiny seeds of consciousness is to awaken into awareness of unity with the One Source, WHILE maintaining a physical form. 

What could be more challenging than this?

To be aware of oneself as the Source of all the planets & suns, all realms of being, and still look out of one pair of eyes and breathe, eat & care for a body? The very nature of physicality is solidity, which carries with it the tendency to feel separate, small, powerless, alone.

When we strayed from the original path, which had us living in warm climates, eating natural foods, and living in tribes, our task of evolving into awakened sources became difficult or impossible. Why did we stray? Why did we co-create famine, war, oppression, greed, torture, toxins? 

Although Spirit’s plan to experience unity within manifested diversity was ambitious & difficult, it apparently worked well for a while. We hold these memories as heaven realms, or the Garden of Eden. There are legends of higher civilizations. 

The bible story says it was the knowledge of good & evil that took us away from grace. In other words, it was the judgment that some things are good and others are bad. It was the idea that some things are holy and others profane. The feeling arose of shame, wanting to cover oneself and hide. The soul manifested in form begins to doubt that it is good. 

The soul thinks: “Maybe it is not a good thing that I exist? Perhaps I’m too much trouble, too needy, too emotional, too loud, too active?” These are many of the messages we get in these times as young children. Perhaps my body needs are not OK? My desires not OK? 

Yet when we doubt ourselves, we doubt our Creator’s work in creating us. Why would the Creator make something to be ashamed of? How could the creator make anything but sacredness and light? 

And yet it has created the deepest, blackest evil and hell realms. Somehow we all created this. Why? Were we just bored? Was it too peaceful in the Garden? Or were we reaching for more, reaching for the apple of immortality, because we were only children in the Garden? Only dependent and un-awakened souls, although we were blessed to exist in a heaven realm? 

Perhaps all this misery and suffering is somehow needed as part of the process. Perhaps the soul’s journey of being cast out, apparently separated (as each child emerges from the womb) and then doubting the goodness of its existence is all part of a process of tempering or preparation. 

Perhaps this great goal of Infinite Awareness while in physical form is not possible without going through this darkness. Sometimes it’s hard to believe it really has to be this dark. Couldn’t we do this with less pain? Apparently not, or we would be.

 The pain is built of layers and layers of old karma, or habits of being, that were started by that first self-doubt (lack of trust in God). Now there is such a thick layer of rust or sediment over our minds that often the piercing of it only occurs with intense pain. Pain teaches us where we are attached, stuck, un-conscious. It gives us motivation to change and grow. 

In any case, the question of how and why we got into this mess is less relevant than how we can get out. By studying the path that we took getting lost, we reveal the path to return. By deciding to trust the Creator’s wisdom in creating all things just as they are, we remedy the initial step of doubting the inherent goodness of ourselves and the world. 

This is a decision that every soul must make and it must be made regardless of any apparent proof given by events unfolding in this world. There is no end of darkness and misery which could be used to prove that God should not be trusted. But asking for proof based on external circumstances is simply being a dependent child. What we are after here is becoming a self creating, self sourcing awakened being who is capable of bringing light even where there is no light. 

So, we must decide to trust our Source and ourselves to be perfect just as we are. And choose this simply because it works to unwind the illusion of separation. Simply because life works better when we believe it. Just using the power of our own mind to create reality, because we want to create a reality of perfection, love, harmony and beauty. 

And we can remember that each time we choose to believe in our own goodness, power, beauty, value and importance, we validate God’s choice to bring us forth. We validate God’s great plan to be completely aware of cosmic unity at the same time as looking out of each of our eyes. To have each tiny seed grow into its own self sourcing Godhead, capable of creating universes. 

Regardless of how lost we have become, and why, the path to be found again is clear. It lies in self-love and trust. A being who is actively creating and choosing self-love and trust will not be interested in war, greed, domination, stealing or self harming in any way. The extent to which we are still doing things to harm ourselves and others simply shows the extent that we are not engaged in loving ourselves and our Divine Parent. It shows places where pain is layered and stuck which is crying for attention. 

If there is a place in yourself that you are aware of pain, give it attention. Seek the answer to the cry of the pain. It is there for a purpose, a lesson. If you can’t give it enough by yourself, seek help from Source or other souls. 

Sometimes this whole game seems pointless or simply impossible. Simple things like sharing love and peace with others, or getting enough of the right food become out of reach. We become far away from the promise of our birthright; to have our basic needs met for love, comfort, safety, peace, freedom and power. The layers of habitual thought and feeling become like heavy weights that we have no idea how to take off. We want to just quit and tell God that this was all a bad idea in the first place. And if it’s going to be this hard, forget it! 

But somehow we are part of this plan, and there doesn’t seem to be any way out but to finish it well. If we stay caught in the illusion of being a single separate self, there is no way we will ever succeed. There must be awareness of and communication with the Source. Eventually any separation vanishes, as a soul matures. 

The only way out is through. And when we get through and we’ve addressed every speck of attachment, karma and pain, maybe we won’t even want out of this physical form. Maybe we’ll find that the whole point of the grand experiment was to get in! 

Things to Consider

What are the ways I’m not willing to show up for my life? 

How do I hold back and wish something else was happening? Make due, put up, avoid, ignore? 

What is asking for my attention that I don’t think is worth my time?

What is my first project now in tending the body? 

Most of all, God wants me here, to keep fulfilling the grand plan. 

I am remembering that each physical / emotional pain is an opportunity to self-source. I can turn my attention to it and give it what it wants. 

I can give myself value even if others are not. When I put this first, all other things will come more easily. 

What does self-sourcing mean? 

It means loving myself even when others are not 

Taking care of myself even if I have no help 

Doing what I feel is right even if others disagree 

Generating Love where there is none 

Feeding myself well 

Allowing power to come through 

Honoring all my inner parts as valuable, even the sick and  childlike selves 

Accepting my apparent flaws 

Ahimsa (Active non-violence) while being attacked 

Understanding others as parts of myself 

Channeled through Amara Karuna

9/6/09

 © By Amara Karuna 2010

Since ancient times the serpent has been a potent symbol for primal life force energy or chi. The snake, dragon, winged and feathered serpent have appeared in a multitude of cultures and were understood as sacred before they were equated with evil. They were associated with eternal life, wealth, intelligence, sexuality, fire, light and power.

But what is the deeper meaning? The snake is structurally just a head and spine, and it moves in the sinuous wavelike motion of the wave or spiral, which is a basic movement of life force energy. In Eastern traditions, the life force or Kundalini energy resides at the base of the spine in the sacrum, or sacred bone, awaiting to be awakened. 

Many yogic practices are designed to activate and free this energy. 

Kundalini was the name of an ancient Hindu Goddess, a female fiery serpent which lies coiled and asleep, representing the human inner soul or Shakti energy. When she does awaken and rises up the spine to the head, she merges with the Shiva or male energy. The upper chakras or energy centers are activated and deeper states of awareness and bliss are experienced. It is often experienced as moving in a rhythmic, wavelike spiraling motion. The snake is a spiritual metaphor for this energy movement in our bodies. (See http://www.crystalinks.com/kundalini.html).  

And what about the image of the winged serpent? Does our spine have wings at the top, or is this only a metaphor for how the spirit can soar once this energy is freed and awakened?  We find these images in the caduceus, a double snake winding around a central column with wings at the top, which is used to symbolize the healing power of the medical profession. It was an ancient symbol related to the Greek staff of Hermes which had great healing powers. (See http://www.crystalinks.com/caduceus.html). 

This also recalls the structure of a DNA helix, and so is symbolic of physical reality and manifested form.

In Mayan tradition, Kukulkan is the deity who appears as the feathered serpent, and was thought to be the savior or bringer of light. This deity is also known as Quetzalcoatl ("feathered serpent") in Aztec tradition. Feathers represent the ascension of human consciousness to higher source. Hindu and Egyptian traditions describe a central column of energy in our spine, with two spiraling side channels that wind around it. Rising upward, each chakra has progressively more petals until the 6th chakra, between the eyebrows, which is depicted as having only two petals, like wings. The 7th chakra has 1000 petals. Why would the 6th only have two?

At the top of the spine is a relatively unknown bone called the sphenoid bone, which is one of the many bones that form the skull. This bone is the anterior base of the skull, in the very center of the head. It is the area where the nerves leave the brain to connect with the spinal column and the lower spine. This bone also cradles the pituitary gland, is close to the ears and has the nerves of the eyes passing through it. The pituitary controls the functions of all other endocrine glands and is associated with the 6th chakra or third eye. 

The sphenoid is the sacred bone at the top of the spine, equally as potent as the sacrum at the bottom. It is strongly related to the 6th and 7th chakras, relating to wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. It is from the center of this bone, at the back of the upper pallet, that mystics experience the sweet taste of amrita, or the nectar of divine bliss and immortality, which flows down from the crown chakra when one enters very deep states of meditation. (For a wonderful look at the sphenoid and all the skull bones, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc5IRj3OJhE).

The sphenoid also supports part of the central core of the brain stem, which is the most ancient and smallest part of the brain, and is called (significantly) the reptilian brain. This part of the brain regulates the breathing, heartbeat, fight or flight mechanisms, mating and survival. It is preverbal, instinctual and ritualistic and is similar to the brains of reptiles and birds. The basic emotions of love, hate, lust, fear and contentment come from this primitive part of our selves. Anyone who has contacted these powerful emotions knows how compelling they are, and how they can overcome rational thought. Small wonder that this wild, serpent-like, primal part of ourselves has become feared and demonized.

The interesting thing about the sphenoid bone is that it happens to be shaped roughly like a butterfly or bird, with two wings. When a person is healthy and normal, there is a very subtle pulsing and flexing of the cranial bones known as the cranial pulse. The sphenoid bone has a very tiny, but important and perceptible, pulsing that resembles the flexing of wings forward and backward. (For an animated view of this, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZ2sv1rSZI). 

This pulse has been noticed for a long time by Osteopaths and cranial-sacral body workers, but is still debated in the traditional medical community. It begins pulsing through the experience of a normal vaginal birth process. It can become blocked through trauma and tension, and can be engaged with and encouraged to flow by sensitive body workers.

What happens when strong electrical impulses are freed to flow up a healthy and open spine, and reach the deeper reptilian brain at the base of the skull, allowing the bones around it to flex and flow? Perhaps this would stimulate the optic nerves, our hormonal system and the upper chakras, bringing "light" and expansion to the primitive areas of our being, and be experienced as an uplifting sense of being "saved" from being controlled by our more base impulses.

This strong, ancient symbol of the winged serpent can be seen as an analogy for an actual physical process happening within the physiology of our bodies, as well as an accurate description of the process of awakening to more expanded states of consciousness. Consider taking some time to meditate on your sphenoid bone, which can be contacted directly with your fingers only at the temples just in front of the ear, where the upper part of the ear meets the head. Place your fingers there and breathe, and feel for the subtle pulses and energies contained by this hidden bone, which holds the seats of our awakened perceptions.

Breathe spirals up from the base of your spine, and fly!