Mystery Earth

Man as Warrior: Men Get Real

2011-02-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

“You already possess everything necessary to become great.” - Crow saying
“When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard.” - Lakota saying

Man has expanded in his role as warrior. Where he used to have to go it on foot in order to win his scars and stories, there became more domestic and more mental stories to tell. And while the sphere of his role has changed dramatically, he has become disconnected from its natural foundation. Now, it is time for him to revisit his assumptions about being in his warrior role.

Man's path looks a little different today than it did in old movies or according to the archetypes of “his” story. The tough, solo type, like the gunslinger who left behind only an impression, and the misunderstood rebel type, who paid the ultimate price for his independence, hold up well in stories, but melt away quickly under the glass of real life.

Sometimes the characters had it all, like the James Bond of Hollywood, and sometimes they were tragic figures who didn't and got their “come-uppance” in the end. But it was their flaws that made us care about them. Indiana Jones was endearing, because he didn't try to hide his.

The source books are usually better than their movie versions, because they give characters more depth. The novels' James Bond once took a blow, as he got married and then promptly witnessed the murder of his wife. His hunt for the responsible villain, Blofeld, was charged with revenge, however that story line was jettisoned from the movies, so his personal motivation was lost to his movie audience.

Two-dimensional sightings of heroes blot out their human-ness. Our culture simplifies “others” through image manipulation. Stereotypes and archetypes are sold to tell stories and bend perception. But a real man is no cardboard cutup.

A warrior uses everything at his disposal on his journey. He reads the subtle signs of his environment, makes assumptions and anticipates outcomes. He also faces his emotions, rather than “run from his demons”--as might be said in an old western. Why? Allowing, honoring and tracking one's emotions translates to having true strength, solid footing, and real bearings.

It is literally disabling to shut one's emotions out. It interferes with one's energy flow, it decreases immunity and it disables a vital medium for orientation. A warrior wants his energy on full stream, his efforts grounded in confidence—because he knows himself, and to use his emotions as an additional key to read his situation.

It is not “by chance” when a man overcomes great odds. It is because he uses all his resources and guidance.

A man is more balanced attuning to natural cycles and following his feelings and intuition (or gut feelings), sometimes called his feminine aspects. Maleness is not indicated by the ability to suppress one's inner life, to tough things out or win at all costs. The indigenous cultures would never have survived if this were the case.

Finding the Community You Want

2010-04-16T12:44:00.001-06:00

"Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints....Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other's faults and failures." - Mother Teresa

Our westernized world has shifted from a village mindset to a state of shared isolation, such that disconnectedness is a common problem. Community is life's puzzle piece that can sustain the emotional and spiritual tapestries of extended family and kindred-spirits, while creating in the physical.

Community honors the individual while offering a sense of Oneness that transcends. All people are affected by the actions of communities, whether the writing of the US Constitution or the help of a neighbor during crisis. Communities support actions with passion behind them and it's important that we honor our passions! Each is responsible for creating the community desired, but some find difficulty in taking steps. Communities are waiting to be called together!...by

Defining the passion. From as simple as, "I love movies," to as involved as, "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony." Community can take infinite forms- anything on the spectrum from walking buddies to the global community we all share in. It can be an activity or discussion group, a performance ensemble, a social change movement or swap meet. It's not all about 60s housing experiments.

Declaring an intention. "I'm finding movie pals." The key is our intention. An intentional community is one that consciously forms and/ or sustains itself. The clearer one is, to oneself and others, about what is wanted, the easier the situation will manifest in the physical as it's wanted.

Finding others. Post on bulletin boards. Tell everyone! The passion is that which draws together. Like attracts like, as the passion magnetizes connections.

Defining the group. "We meet 1st Mondays to watch and discuss movies at someone's house." Setting the who, when and where, and group life span will energetically make it happen. "I'll call you or you call me" will deplete the energy.

Making it sustainable. "Before each movie, we check in with each other." Creating guidelines for everything important to the group will keep it happening.

Live and let live. Be patient and forgiving. Community is interaction and self-discovery. It is an organism of learning and healing, as the group allows it!

If it's something bigger one is called to do, like trying a new sport, addressing a city problem, or finding others who share a discreet issue, then one must be clear with one's intentions, so all efforts communicate that intention. This type of energy is contagious and will attract the right others.

Declaring what one wants magnetizes those in that "community" together.

Money Love

2010-03-16T01:26:00.001-06:00

"I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love."
– Lennon/ McCartney

With the economy shaky and fears about all the things once thought to be stable called into question, these are times when people may struggle with how to spend their money. They may look at options they may know compromise their health or their environment.

There are some entities that offer streamlined services to help keep schedules intact and products to help keep budgets intact, although their intentions may not be for the highest good. It appears one has to make a choice between one's bank account and one's ideals.

This is third dimensional thinking. By raising one's conception of money and the exchange of energy that happens when money is transferred, the idea of what money is gets turned on its head.

One hits an energetic wall when one conceptualizes money as something “to get as much with as one can.” If the intention is to “stretch X dollars as far as they will go”, then the real value of that money is highly limited and quickly lost. What is received for it may be of questionable quality but, more importantly, due to the limitation the exchange is set to, it cannot offer us very much energetically.

One can view their use of money from a step back, as though it were an extension of the heart, and a tool used for connection. When one spends money, one is “voting” with it and saying, “I support or believe in or love this product, or this company or this lifestyle choice.” In this way there is an exchange where one is both receiving a product or service, and is also, by their action, directing energy back to what one truly appreciates and supports. And in this way, the consumer, gets even more from a single exchange, adding a dimension to it.

By being conscious of one's use of money is this way, one becomes more energized in the positive flow of money and in the capacity to manifest what one truly wants in their life.

Is saving money on a liter of soda a hearts desire? Are local businesses who keep jobs and money flowing in the local community a hearts desire? Where your heart is, abundance will flourish in and around you.

This consciousness about money is not about it being a moral issue. It is not akin to someone cheating on their diet. It is about whether we want to promote and empower our own capacity to choose and create and to pass that energy along to those people and entities who make our lives richer.

Just as one cannot get or “make love” without giving love, one cannot “make money” without investing themselves in the process.

Your Path is THIS Way

2010-02-10T17:07:00.001-07:00

“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” – Charlie Chaplin

“How do I get back on my soul’s path?” and “How do I even know I am on it?”

These questions are commonly asked by people in their quest of their life path. One may feel they have lost sight of their path for days— sometimes decades!

It is common to feel “off the path”, as the path's inherent obstacles trigger what is dormant to the surface. These are situations one might rather forget. However, one can see them as “stories of folly”, supplanting bitterness (negative energy) about past events! This way more light is brought in. As one can see illnesses as metaphors for what the body is saying, one can look at whatever “unlikely” situations they have found themselves in, as indicators of the path's landscape.

One very brave client of mine volunteered his work stories for this exercise:

*Went on camping trip as mental health worker with adult psychiatric population and was threatened by client with hatchet.
*Was met by gang members looking to kill my client, a former member of that gang, at his court date.
*Was threatened by senior partner at law firm for writing letter-to-the-editor on company computer after hours.
*Was told that not attending the non-profit agency's “mandatory fun” millenium party, would put my job at risk.
*Was laughed at in supervision, by boss, regarding rumors she had heard about my then-ending relationship.
*Worked on crew assembling Port-A-Potty units.
*Worked on assembly line building video games for company with guy in cloak building special weapons for the military next to the line.
*Was unloading truckload of high-end furniture when stack of boxes nearly crushed me to death.
*Was given only overalls to wear over my summer clothes to remove ice from cold storage warehouse where the temperature was below zero.

“Wow,” he sighed, after recounting them. He had felt many times and for long periods that he was “off” his soul’s path. Truthfully, the universe was guiding him all along. Having his job security threatened, as well as finding his well-being physically threatened, could have indicated that he was not practicing adequate self-care—or doing work that brought him joy!

By taking a step back and accepting the signs he was receiving, he got affirmations about his path direction. This included improving work situations by becoming more assertive in job interviews and evaluations, learning to say no to jobs that were not a good fit, and ultimately creating work that met his needs and brought him joy!

When feeling stuck, in any situation:
Listing the most uncomfortable memories will highlight patterns.
Laughing heals. Very important. This step is not to be skipped without consent of one's higher self!
Affirming what has probably been known or sensed, empowers.
Choosing to not take it personal, shifts! This is life unfolding and the universe providing.
Creating the situations that are path-aligned, uplifts!

There can be comfort in knowing one is never really off the path. One can always learn more about oneself by looking at the patterns and places one has gone that have not met needs best. In this way, one may let a little lightness and humor shine through.

A Time of Great Shifts

2009-11-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

This is a time of great shifts. In order for your physical bodies to shift along with the energetic advances and leaps of your more subtle bodies, some physical shocks may be in order.

These may occur in the form of illness, such as seasonal illness, unexplainable body discomfort and, yes, even physical accidents.

This is not said to scare you but to affirm the experiences you are having and that of those around you.

Ascension is a beautiful, natural process, but like other occurrences in nature, it sometimes comes in the form of abruptness and is sometimes non-ordinary or even unpleasant.

Of course, we, your guides are always with you to assist you in the process, but it is not our place to prevent things from happening altogether or to alter your path: shifts in vibration , karma, or in your emotional body may appear violent, painful or scary.

We urge you to remember that all shifts are shifts and occur as they are needed and are part of the dream that is 3rd dimensional.

When a shift occurs that is unpleasant, we might suggest that you look at the dreamlike aspects of it, as those (5th or higher dimensional experiences of it) are as close to the truth of the event as what you experience in your more wakeful state.

Blessings to you, our brothers & sisters.

The Creative Spark Solved

2009-11-03T08:53:00.001-07:00

I have always been kind of an art junkie. If it's not the symphonic nature of rock, it can be the lines in someone's face, the direction of a documentary or my appreciation of people who are great at their jobs (be it business or parenting), though they say they are not "creative types".

"Non-artists" put artists on a pedestal. And artists wonder "where 'it' comes from" and worry "when 'it' will go away" or, worse, "...come back!"

It's that thing that distinguishes an outburst of emotion from, say, Joan of Arc leading an army, the Grateful Dead reinventing musical performance or Tesla discovering how to provide electricity to everyone.

You may choose to say Tesla's greatest works remain unproven. And you may not resonate with the music of GD. And you may disregard Ms. Arc as precocious and crazy. But that doesn't discount the creative force of what we know these people have done.

So what is this elusive thing? What is the muse? What happens when we are inspired and why does it come sometimes or to some people and not others?

The answers begin with our heart. Through our heart chakra, we are in touch with our emotions and compassion. And the heart chakra is the doorway to our connection with spirit.

When we are the most receptive to our feelings as well as to impressions or hits from "beyond the veil", then inspiration, energy, ideas and spirit guidance flows freely.

It may be feeling the pain of loss, the joy of experiencing oneness with nature or the "a-ha" of a solution to a problem.

Through the heart doorway, we can learn to access these higher frequencies, up through the throat chakra-the place of truth and expression; through the third eye chakra-which senses information of higher energies and offers vision and hope; and through the crown chakra-the top of the head, our connection to our higher selves and spirit.

We can all learn to have access to these higher energies and to unlimited inspiration.

What we are talking about here is revolutionary. But only because these questions have been held up with the questions of the ages. It is revolutionary to think that we can tap into the universal creative flow by. . .turning on the faucet. But the faucet is our birthright!

We have been literally suppressing it, down through the ages. We have believed that we need a designated authority to have access to spiritual knowledge and that there is always someone higher up the (human) chain to tell us what and how to interpret. We have believed that some truths are unknowable.

Beyond this is connecting directly ourselves. We all have unique creative gifts and we each have a unique relationship with spirit to guide us in our gifts. Even if we do not hear, see or feel spirit, the energetic phone line can be activated. We can release any blocks affecting our connection and we can practice accessing this connection so that it is ON.

How Emotional Intelligence Makes Life Easier or "Why Should I Care?"

2009-09-25T11:20:00.002-06:00

What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) describes how well we take care of or manage ourselves in the world. It is part of a newer movement in psychology that speaks to how we do what we do and helps us to understand how we can get along better, by understanding ourselves better.

Our Emotions
Most families and cultures have discouraged us from looking at our emotions—or letting us experience them fully. Our emotions and bodily sensations have specific purposes that we often overlook. Think of them as signals to guide our actions. Each emotion has a role and a distinct biological signature. Anger: brings blood to the hands; an increase in heart rate; and adrenaline to increase strength—you are ready to go. Fear: brings blood to the larger muscles (thighs) and hormones to put your body on alert—you are ready to run. Happiness: encourages energy body fluidity; and the brain's inhibition of negative feelings—you can rest. Surprise: raises the eyebrows, allowing a wider field of vision and activating the third eye. See how this works?

We are not our emotions, although we tend to identify with them. “That guy is angry all the time.” “I'm always depressed.” We may have strong emotions, but we always have the capacity to make choices, to be more informed and to direct our actions. We are not our behaviors.

When we are tasked with a demanding project or are called to multi-task to the edge of our comfort zone, our emotions and the impulses from our body help us find the balance to both meet our basic needs and to forge ahead. In this way, we are functioning better all around. And then we can actually ENJOY the process rather than feeling bound to it.

Why Should I CARE About Empathy?
We all have the capacity to feel all feelings. This enables us to “care” about others' feelings. It's why we cry at a movie. When we open our hearts to others, we are opening it to ourselves. We literally benefit every time we give to another. The neural impulses of our emotions are energy and we are energized when that energy is shared and exchanged unconditionally.

Men and women differ in the way they manage their feelings in the world. Some differences are cultural (learned) and some are biological (inherent). In the west, girls have traditionally been taught to play games that are cooperative or encourage connectedness. In these games, if someone gets hurt, the game stops! Boys typically have been brought up with competitive games, which showcase their autonomy and drive. In these games, if someone gets hurt, people yell, “Get out of the way!” Research shows that women are in fact capable of managing more emotions before feeling “flooded” by them.

A Lesson in Managing My Emotions
“Well, I'm trying to get this project done. But I feel too ----- to do it.” EI tells us that the best way to shift our mood is to distract ourselves. Learn what works best for you. A talk with a friend, a movie, a comfort food, a hot bath, a workout, journaling...take care of yourself—take a vacation from yourself! And then you can get back in the flow. Sadness is the #1 emotion people want to shake; anger is the most challenging. But you can do it! Observe yourself and remind yourself what works for you. (reference Daniel Goleman).

The Truth is -Right Here-

2009-09-10T14:04:00.008-06:00

"You can't handle the truth."

If by that you mean with my hands, then maybe you're right.

Star-beings or aliens. How do we know they're out there, without the Dale Coopers and Fox Mulders?

Well, previous to my going public with my sharing my own experiences (reference my last blog post, Spiritual Mentorship), I didn't have a lot to work with.

So, I would say two things: 1) Christopher Walken, 2) Insects.

About Insects
The last place I lived in NJ, outside of Montclair, I noticed a praying mantis on the tree stump in front of the house. At first, I didn't think much about it, but after three days of being in the same place, I felt I needed to go over and have a visit.

When I got close and knelt down, I had the experience of seeing something for the first time. I felt like I was intruding on someone. It was not green, it was silver. Its color made its head look like a space helmet. It was doing T'ai Chi.

Sidebar:
I'm not kidding. I studied Chen style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, the original style, which dates back to the 17th century, with Master Guang Yi Ren at the time. Master Ren is the senior disciple of the 19th generation standard bearer of the Chen family style. Reference this video of Master Ren, apparently, rather than pining for me, he has taken up with another musician student. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72yaPmAH3uw)

The praying mantis (PM) looked over at me in mid-posture. I was definitely intruding. She said something telepathically but I don't know what.

Looking at this intelligent creature in mid-pose, holding court for three day in my front yard, it suddenly became very clear that I was in the presence of a being with a consciousness I knew nothing about. I felt humbled and almost embarrassed to be a human kicking around on my lawn without much of a clue.

I telepathically told her that I honored whoever she was and whyever she was there. I asked if she was a space traveler. Her stillness became almost intimidating if I read into it. Maybe she was a very high being doing lightwork to save us all. She responded by continuing her T'ai Chi form, while keeping an eye on me. She was gone the next day. Absolutely true.

Who Are They
I left NJ over 15 years ago and one of the many remarkable things about life in the desert is that I continue to see species of insects I've never seen before. A few weeks ago, I saw three in one day.

Since that meeting in my yard with that astronaut from another dimension, I always wonder what each of them carries as their unique special power. I mean on that scale in this world, you have to have to be able to attack or create aversion somehow! So I ask them: do you fly, hop, spit, sting, bite, explode, glow, scream or...just watch me?

And if the insects don't expand your consciousness, watch that NOVA doc on cuttlefish. We are not all from the same planet.

Blessings & Cheers,
Matthew

Spiritual Mentorship (Whatever -that- is)

2009-09-09T18:06:00.005-06:00

A Client asked me when and how it was I first had "contact" with my spirit guides. So I talked about how, not much longer after teaching myself guitar and writing my first "real" songs, I began having experiences where words and music came right through--in the time it took me to write it all down without stopping.

I also talked about how, during that same period, through trial and error, I taught myself to shamanic journey or to visit higher dimensions and/or travel in my light body or by consciousness alone (temporarily leaving my physical body). In this way, I met beings who were definitely not me and had experiences which were clearly not of our wake or dream state.

I then jumped twenty years ahead--over a hundred great tangents--to say that the channeling classes, which Emily Bowe teaches (reference IHI website page http://indigohealinginstitute.org/classes.html) pushed me to open to connecting with my guides for other people--and to open to my healing gifts. I had never even considered that before!

My client said, "Oh, so it took that long to open to channeling," [while he was feeling impatient with his own timeline].

Then it occurred to me, that in our traditional, linear, 3rd dimensional thinking, it's supposed to take twenty years of a discipline to be able to do or know anything masterful or esoteric, whether martial arts (reference my upcoming blog post, "The Truth is Right Here") or religion or stage performance. They don't even teach you the good stuff until you've been around half a lifetime and given blood.

Sure, there's logic in these traditions, and maybe this has saved us from world domination, but the energy is different now. Maybe it took twenty years to ensure the student was serious; and could repeat the oral tradition accurately; and wouldn't betray the teacher; and it may have taken twenty years for the student to overcome or break through his birth-zeitgeist consciousness to be able to live the way or energy of the teaching.

The fact is that at this time the energies are such that time, the 4th dimension, can collapse. You can get there from here, folks, truly. The veils are within everyone's reach.

In this way, many of these old traditions, whose original intent or function was to teach and uplift, need to be looked at closely by the student. Most of the teachers are holding to the multi-thousand year old policies about who can join the club and when. This is true in all cultures, religions and disciplines.

The "real deal" teachers will welcome any real student with open arms, because their hearts are open to the spirit of their tradition. And who's got time to wait to connect?

Namaste,
Matthew

Namaste Today

2009-09-08T10:57:00.001-06:00

Namaste, Brothers & Sisters,

This is an exciting time and a challenging one. Time is speeding up and many of us are discovering that connection--with our deeper and higher selves and with extended family/ community--is the One path forward. Moving forward.

The inertia of old cultural paradigm pushes against this, but it is breaking down. And as it gets easier, as we move toward critical mass, we find that the challenges become bigger, but also that we are expanding and meeting them.

There are many tools in our toolbox and we have to take them out and play with them. See what they do. Sometimes I realize I need a metric, but I'm holding a Phillips.

We are shifting to 5th dimensional realities from 3rd. The problems look different, but so do the solutions. And with our expanded awareness, we begin to see patterns. The problem contains the key to the solution. The right question will bring us the answer we need. And it's more fun and light when we surrender to [insert conception of highest good] and see it as an adventure.

2012 (or more bigger change) is less than a few years out and its rumblings can be felt in our bodies, our relationships and changes in all the systems around us--natural and human made. The Hopi Prophecy, the Mayan calendar and other ancient cultural traditions have very clearly spoken about the time we are in now. This is not to create a heavy, ominous tone, but to point toward the beautiful and powerful gifts that have been lovingly passed to us, through human hands and voices and which spirit offers us now, to affirm our places in our journeys and to light our way.

We are not alone by any means. And I am here and you are here and we are here and we are all together.

Yours in Spirit, Blessings,

Matthew Blank