Living the Heart's Desire: Art, Video, & Healing for Spiritual Awakening

The following is an excerpt from the book
The Mandala of Being
by Richard Moss, MD

Published by New World Library;
January 2007;$15.95US; 978-1-57731-572-8
Copyright © 2007 Richard Moss, MD

The Power of Awareness

Any story you tell yourself about who you are, any belief you have, any feeling you are aware of, is only an object of your larger consciousness. You, in your essence, are always something that experiences all these and remains more complete than any of them. When you realize that you are inherently larger than any feeling that enters your awareness, this very awareness will change the feeling, and it will release its grip on you.

Similarly, ideas that you have about yourself are relative, not absolute truths. If you simply look at them and do not let them lead you into further thinking, they will give way and leave your mind open and silent. There is always a relationship between who we believe or feel ourselves to be and something else, the Self that is our larger awareness.

In awakening to this Self-me relationship, we begin to be present with our experience in a new way. We learn to consciously hold our thoughts and feelings in our own larger fields of awareness. Then, even if we are troubled and confused, this nonreactive quality of presence to ourselves allows us to restore ourselves to a sense of wholeness. This is the power of awareness.

Sensation and Perception:

Our Original Consciousness

The great Indian sage Ramana Maharshi said that if we want to know our true selves, we must “go back by the way that we have come.” Our original state of consciousness in childhood is not one of being a separate entity with our own thoughts and sensations, but rather is a relatively undifferentiated domain of sensation and perception. Our parents, having already reached the developmental stage of separate-self consciousness, provide the model by which we begin to develop our own sense of the separate self.

But when we take the developmental step into the consciousness of the separate self and leave behind the universe of immediacy and undifferentiated sensations, as a consequence we also become identified with our sensations. Who is happy? Me. Who is angry, tired, frustrated . . . ? Me. Our feelings acquire names, however, and at the same time, we are defined by those feelings.

The same is true with perception: we may not feel that the sunshine on the trees is me, but we cannot identify it without simultaneously existing as a separate me. In psychological and philosophical theory, this level of consciousness is called “subject-object.” It is the level of ego awareness where most human development stops. We are aware as me, we react as me, we defend as me, we desire as me, but we are not aware of the true self. It is the true self that looks at all we think, do, and experience, including our sense of me. In this looking, a relationship is created that has the power to transform our experience of ourselves and our worlds.

Throughout our lives, the moment we bring our awareness fully into the Now, we enter the domain of the true self, and our immediate conscious reality is once again that of sensation and perception. As I sit in the park, the sunlight brightens the leaves and casts shadows on the ground. I have a feeling of contentment. And as long as “I” don’t create stories about what I am seeing or about the fact that I am feeling content, which leads me away from my immediate experience, what I experience remains simply perception and sensation. The same is true for any feeling, any emotion. In the Now, it is just what it is. In the Now, I “go back” to my original awareness “by the way that [I] have come.” When we directly perceive and experience whatever is present in our larger fields of awareness, it is possible to have a relationship with it without becoming lost in it or defined by it.

Exercising the Power of Awareness

We exercise the power of awareness and strengthen our spiritual muscle by bringing ourselves, over and over again, into the immediate present. To do so, we must become present with what we are feeling and thinking. We can turn our attention directly toward what we are experiencing instead of staying enmeshed in a feeling or blindly accepting our beliefs about ourselves.

It makes all the difference in the world whether we are caught in a negative emotion and say, “I am sad, angry, lonely,” and so on, or are able to recognize, at that moment, “Here am I, all wound up in sensations of resentment. Here am I, fuming with anger.” Awareness of our sensations is not the same as identifying with our thoughts or feelings. Every movement back to present-moment awareness grounds us in the body and opens the connection to our larger awareness.

Even the smallest movement toward exercising the power of awareness, instead of collapsing our larger awareness into our thoughts and feelings and thereby becoming identified with them, restores us to a more complete consciousness. It gives us the power to start from a fresh, open, less conditioned relationship to our experience. This doesn’t necessarily mean that our problems disappear. But as we exercise the power of awareness, our reflexive reactivity diminishes. We respond from a state of greater presence. When we collapse into our feelings, we lose this capacity. We default into me, and this limited self seems like the whole of who we are. Then we have no choice but to react because we feel as if we must defend ourselves.

The Fundamental Relationship

What are we actually doing when we bring our awareness fully into the present and realize “Here am I . . . “? We are moving into a more spacious awareness and thus creating conscious distance from what we are experiencing. At the same time, we are opening toward our immediate experience to see it as it is, to see it fully, to invite it to reveal itself more completely to us. We are seeing as objectively as we can, without reacting or judging. This lets us more completely realize what we are actually feeling or sensing; we do not merely remain in our heads, interpreting and analyzing.

It is important to point out that moving our awareness into the Now and thereby gaining distance from our feelings and thoughts is not dissociation. A frequent mistake people make with Eastern meditation practices is to try to rise above and detach from an experience, especially whenever the experience is considered negative. To exercise the power of awareness, we are required to become more present in our experiences without losing our larger awareness. With this quality of attention, we gain true understanding. We naturally begin to respond to our experiences in the most appropriate and intelligent ways.

This intimate viewing of ourselves by our awareness is the most fundamental of all relationships. We create the possibility of a conscious, empathetic connection between me (or self) and our true selves, or what is alternatively referred to as the Self. The personal self that we experience as ourselves is held, seen, and felt deeply by that, which will never reject me, never turn away, never judge me. It can see us judging, attacking ourselves, creating our own misery; but it does not judge even this. It is simply present with me.

This presence need not be merely neutral or indifferent. We can let it be our trusted friend, like the Persian mystic poets Hafiz and Rumi did when they referred to it as the “Guest” or the “Beloved,” to whom they offered themselves and who always received them.

The key to cultivating the healing potential of the self-Self relationship is the quality of our attention — the steadiness, gentleness, and acceptance of the “gaze” we turn toward ourselves. We must be truly willing to experience our feelings and clearly see our thoughts without reaction, allowing the moment to be exactly as it is without defending ourselves against these feelings and thoughts, without our minds moving away into further thought. Then that which transcends our capacity to name or categorize it in any way, is present to us and has the same accepting quality that we present to ourselves. This is also the essence of meditation and prayer. By keeping our attention in the present moment, we can become transparent to what is transcendent. It is the Self’s profoundly empathetic acceptance of self that ultimately sustains us when we face our deepest fears, including even our egos’ primal terror, nonbeing.

Copyright © 2007 Richard Moss, MD

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/the-mandala-of-being-109083.html

About the Author

Richard Moss, MD, is an internationally respected teacher, visionary thinker, and author of five seminal books on transformation, self-healing, and the importance of living consciously. For thirty years he has guided people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines in the use of the power of awareness to realize their intrinsic wholeness and reclaim the wisdom of their true selves. He teaches a practical philosophy of consciousness that models how to integrate spiritual practice and psychological self-inquiry into a concrete and fundamental transformation of people’s lives. Richard lives in Ojai, California, with his wife, Ariel.

For a calendar of future seminars and talks by the author, and for further information on CDs and other available material, please visit http://www.richardmoss.com.

Or contact Richard Moss Seminars:

Office: 805-640-0632

Fax: 805-640-0849

Email: 2miracle@sbcglobal.net

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Author: Don Reid

Neo, in “The Matrix” movie, needed his brain to be plugged into a supercomputer, so he could learn martial arts in minutes, and Trinity in the nick of time, could fly a chopper so they could get away from the “agents”. Using encoded mandalas is the closest working model to this science fiction, that proves that old adage, there is nothing new under the sun.

Mandalas have been used as far back in time as we can remember. Most people today, when visiting ancient ruins, like pyramids, can see images, of geometric patterns and designs in the decoration, even in early Christian Churches. Or are they merely decoration?

The first time I ever seen a symbol like a mandala, it was a pentagram, and I was scared to death of it because of course it was in a horror movie and I was a small child at that time. It wasn’t until much later, that I learned in geometry, that Pythagoras, of the famous Pythagorean theorem, was also a numerologist. This numerology is all about the numbers and subtle meanings that had nothing to do with mathematical formulas, i.e. [a squared + b squared = c squared] and I did confuse me. Why wasn’t this taught as well? If his theorems worked, why wasn’t this other aspect of his contributions taught in High School math?

From Wickipedia

“In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred , and as an aid to meditation and trance induction. According to David Fontana, its symbolic nature can help one “to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises.” The psychoanalyst Carl Jung saw the mandala as “a representation of the unconscious self,”[ and believed his paintings of mandalas enabled him to identify emotional disorders and work towards wholeness in personality.

In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the Universe from the human perspective”

Take away all the esoteric stuff, and you still don’t have much you can use here. Most people are spiritual but not inclined to seek out the cosmos or metaphysics. However, something of value is here if we take the time to apply what could be a new beginning, and a transformation of human learning and understanding.

Do you remember that scene in “The Matrix” movie? when Neo learned martial arts in an instant… think about it… what would that application look like in real life?

Brain Mirror neurons, a recent discovery, are said to operate and/or fire signals through the brain.. whether the person is completing an activity or simply watching the activity. This has serious implications, to what we call learning and what is possible in regards to Matrix Style Learning (training).

Of course some variant of this is possible otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this article.

Four years ago, I was amazed at my own brain mirror neurons being trained a sequence of Chi Gung movements and instantly getting the benefit of that training.

This training would otherwise taken years of practice. Not only that, the use of Mandalas and sacred geometry was explained to me in a way I never heard before. Brain mirror neurons can actually understand like some type of computer Operating System (OS), sacred geometric shapes, images and patterns and by looking at these images… hmmm just like the ancient spiritual practicioners, suggested, esoteric or not, benefits can be derived.

Fast forward to Dec 16th, the day I launched the I Chi Power App on Itunes (www.i-chipower.com) I codesigned an app for Iphone that actually works with brain mirror neurons providing an instant benefit. I called this the I Chi Power App, because you the user get to experience what I had experienced over the years instantaneously in this App. Check out the You Tube demo to see first hand one of the benefits of this app and you might find yourself on a journey to unlocking your true potential.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/meditation-articles/the-science-and-secrets-of-mandalas-3981809.html

About the Author

Don Reid is an avid reader, sci fi junkie, and former teenage comic book junkie. Professionally he worked as a Stock Broker, and currently has spent the last few years, in small business venture capital. He has studied Chi Gung, Tai Chi and several disciplines in the martial arts. Currently a student of Shaolin ShSD based in San Francisco, he has been exposed to systems that have lead him to launch Quantum Visuals Unlimited Inc, to help unlock the human potential using these amazing training tools.

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What is a talisman?

The word “Talisman,” derived from the Greek verb “teleo,” means, primarily, to accomplish, or bring into effect. The Talisman is an object marked with magic signs and is believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection. Virtually every religion in human history has offered as adherents small decorative objects which purpose is to do anything ranging between healing, protection or success.

Talismans and sacred geometry

Very often the talismans symbols are taken out of sacred geometry. The term “sacred geometry” is used by archaeologists, anthropologists, and geometricians to encompass the religious, philosophical and spiritual beliefs that have sprung up around. It is a term covering Pythagorean geometry and neo-Platonic geometry. Sacred geometry is often referred to as a language of G-d. Sacred geometry symbols are a means of bringing subtle, inner realities to a focus in outward expression. Within the fundamental unity of consciousness, certain symbols, such as the lotus lifting itself in purity above the muddy water, possess universal relevance and power.

Ancient Egyptian Talismans Scarab beetle

The young scarab beetles emerged spontaneously from the burrow they were born in. Therefore they were worshipped as “Khepera”, which means “the one who came forth”. The scarab-beetle god Khepera was believed to push the setting sun along the sky in the same manner as the beetle with his ball of dung. In many artifacts, the scarab is depicted pushing the sun along its course in the sky.

Ankh

The Ankh is a symbolic representation of both Physical and Eternal life. It is known as the original cross, which is a powerful symbol that was first created in Ancient Egypt. Ankh is typically associated with material things such as water, air, sun, as well as with the Gods, who are frequently pictured carrying an Ankh.

Heart

In Egyptian history, the heart replaced the heart which was removed during mummification. Sometimes assimilated to the Bennu, “Soul of Râ”, it brings the protection of both Osiris and Râ.

Other Egyptian talismans Buckle or Knot of Isis, Djed, Ba, Two Fingers and Udjat or Eye of Horus.

Christian Talismans

The cross: The cross of Christianity was a symbol of the faith. It was previously considered a pagan symbol, with several early church fathers objecting to its use. The cross represents Christ’s victory over death and sin, since it is believed that through His death he conquered death itself.

Fish: The fish’s first known use as a Christian religious symbol was sometime within the first three centuries AD. Christians began using the Greek word for “fish” as an acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior”. Followers of Christianity were called Pisciculi; the root of this Latin word is “fish”.

Jewish and Kabbalah Talismans

Star of David: The name David in ancient Hebrew (during the time of King David) is made up of three letters “Dalet”, “Vav” and “Dalet”. The letter Dalet in ancient Hebrew is actually a triangle. King David used the six pointed star as his signature (the two triangles of his name). The middle letter “Vav” means six – The six pointed star. The six-points symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. King David used this symbol in the battlefield on his shield as an omen from God.

Hamsa: The Hamsa is known as the hand of Miriam or Hamesh hand. The Hamsa serves as an ancient talismanic way of averting the evil eye and providing a “protecting hand” or “Hand of God”. The Hamsa often appears in stylized form, as a hand with three fingers raised, and sometimes with two thumbs arranged symmetrically.

Five metals ring: According to the ancient kabalistic text, the secret of the five metals ring success is that at the specific time of the creation of the ring with these five metals, Jupiter’s influence is summoned forth. Jupiter is the star of development and expansion, and success is at it’s strongest at the specific time of the ring’s creation. The layer on the top of the five metals ring is pure gold. Below it there is a layer of lead and tin, and the last layer is copper, while the ring itself is made out of silver.

Tree of life: The Tree of Life is one of the most familiar of the Sacred Geometry Symbols. The structure of the Tree of Life is connected to the sacred teachings of the Jewish Kabbalah. The Tree of Life is explained in Sefer Yetzira (“Book of Creation”). The book explains the creation as a process involving the 10 divine numbers (sefirot) of God the Creator and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The 10 sefirot together with the 22 letters constitute the “32 paths of secret wisdom”.

Buddhist Talismans

Buddha: Buddha images provide a reassuring reminder of the basic tenets of Buddhist religion. Just as Buddhist religion is practiced in many different ways, the Buddhist image also serves a wide variety of ritual purposes and has different meanings for different people. Buddha can be invested with a huge amount of information, meaning and implication; they evolve and they are given life. The Buddha image cast in the human form gives it a value presented as calm, still and serene.

Mandalas: The Tibetans create their beautiful Mandalas from colored sand and if you’ll take a metal plate and cover it with sand and make it vibrate with different sounds, you will be able to see different structures that are formed in the sand, that are very similar to the sand Mandalas. In the end, after a few weeks when the Mandalas is finished, they simply wipe the sand off Mandalas to show the non-attachment to the illusion of the external, and also to show the constant change and the process of life and death that takes place in the external world of illusion.

OM: Om (?) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the “Udgitha” or “pranava mantra”. The symbol of Om contains three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the unconscious) state, and the lower curve (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state.

Tibetan Knot: The Tibetan knot (Srivatsa or the endless knot) is one of the eight symbols of the Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan knot can stand for karmic consequences: pull here, something happens over there. It is an apt symbol for the Vajrayana methods: Often when we tug at one part of a knot while trying to loosen it, another part becomes tighter. You have to work with the knot to enable it to come undone. In its endless configuration, it evokes the cyclic nature of rebirth and also calls karmic connections to mind.

David related work – Talismans jewelry
Article source – Talismans
Written by David Weitzman – Ka Gold Jewelry artist

Images from Ka Gold Jewelry

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