“A Ministry Of Potential…”

Dragon’s Flight (Photo credit: jcc_seveq)

I really, really didn’t want to.

I did not want to share the English translation of the mantra that I was blessed to receive, but I did it anyway in the previous post.

Admittedly, the English translation is far less energetically charged than the mantra itself, (which is much shorter, and flows off the tongue like a the sound of a gentle breeze or a babbling stream), but I still didn’t want to part with it. My ego said, “No, that’s YOURS, and no one else can have it.” I shared a piece of my soul, and that it isn’t an easy thing to do. But, the spiritual part of me won out, believing that maybe someone would be blessed by it. [I'm still holding on to the mantra sound itself, though . . . I'm not finished discovering all that it has to offer].

During meditation this morning, I came to realize that this entire blog, all 330+ entries, and my life for at least the last ten years, has been an eclectic “ministry of potential.”

There is no church, no formal religion involved, but I wrote a basic, “Foundational Text,” which was my first book, “Spirit of the Rising Hawk,” http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Rising-Hawk-Through-Perspective/dp/0980234506/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top and have been going strong since then.

No, there aren’t huge numbers of people who have read the book, nor are there huge numbers of people who read this blog, but that doesn’t change anything. The Lord of the Dragons blog is a collection of encouragement, sometimes “prophetic utterances,” sometimes direct teachings, and sometimes just sharing what happens in my life as an example to others of what can happen. Life is nothing but potential and unlimited possibilities, and that is what I am usually saying in one way or another with everything that I write. And a great deal of it is tied to mantras and the power of sound/vibration.

That’s why I had to share it, and will no doubt continue to do so. It seems like this is my calling.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“File Under ‘Incredible’…”

Well, you can choose to believe this or not.

I was hesitant to write of it but, in the spirit of showing what can happen, and how you can be led if you open yourself, I am going ahead.

I shared these words within a few hours after I received them with a very close friend, and wrote a wrong word in the first line – and it is significant – so I hope he reads this, (he usually does). This has to do with the mantra, which I last expounded upon here:

http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/my-continuing-mantra-adventure/

First, a few facts. One, when I received this mantra, it was after about a five-week drought of waiting, and the sounds that I formed came from a deep place. I wrote long ago that the mantra had a Polynesian feel to it, not Sanskrit, which was unusual given that I have been studying, practicing and teaching Sanskrit mantras for years.

Today, I reached 30,000 repetitions of the new mantra and, on a whim, (not really a whim, I am certain I was led to do it by a higher energy), I decided to see if these sounds had any translatable equivalent in Polynesian tongues. I do not know any Polynesian words, (except “aloha”), and haven’t been to any part of that world. So, I used a translation engine online, which I cross-referenced with other translations to ensure accuracy.

Now, you can go back and read everything that I “felt” that these sounds meant, and the effects that it has had so far. All of that was prior to discovering this – today. The sounds that form the words of the mantra do, in fact, have Polynesian translations, and you won’t believe it when you read what they mean. I took the three stanzas, plugged in the definitions, and fleshed out the lines with a few words to make them read as sentences, (nothing that changed or altered the meanings or the order was added). So here goes . . . one of the most amazing prayers I have ever read. In English:

I touch the breath that is life.

O, Grandmother Earth, the space between objects that blows as the wind, sounds as an echo, and shines as the Sun and Moon.

The Ancient Power, God, is present – to which power I surrender and send forth.

That’s it. I have been, by a strict definition, been “speaking in tongues,” as I was speaking a language that was unknown to me. Or, you can just file this under “Incredible.”

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“It’s Normal…”

experiencing (Photo credit: yoghaert)

It’s ALL normal.

Seeing visions, clairvoyance, spirits, miracles – all normal. We don’t tend to classify such things as normal, though. We call them abnormal, or paranormal, supernatural, or dismiss the idea that any of these things could be real at all as a total falsehood.

Is it ALWAYS real/true? No. Some people will lie about their experiences to make money or to feel important, but that in no way negates the fact that these experiences CAN be real and true – and that they are totally NORMAL.

If you struggle with that concept, it is likely due to your definition of normal. To help explain where I am coming from, I will use an analogy, (’cause I like them).

“Normal” is a ladder. I don’t know how many rungs are on this ladder, but the ENTIRE ladder is completely normal. Let’s just say that the whole universe, and everything that could possibly happen, or has happened – Infinity itself – is this ladder; and it is completely normal. NOTHING can occur that isn’t “normal” for the ladder; but you can experience things that are not part of YOUR normal.

We humans, here on earth, for the most part only live on one rung of this cosmic ladder. Therefore, we define “normal” in accordance with what is customary to see and experience on our little ladder step. But there are many, many other rungs on the ladder, and they are all normal, too. So, what happens?

Someone, through meditation, or prayer, or chanting, or some other method, gets a glimpse of the “normal” of a different rung – and it blows their mind. And because it is so far removed from our common experience, we collectively decide that it is not normal, that it is somehow “supernatural;” but it isn’t. It is quite natural, and normal, because it cannot be anything else. It’s part of the All, the “normal ladder.” All that has occurred is that the experiencer has done something that crossed the space between ladder steps, and got a glimpse of a “different” normal. This is nothing to be feared. You know, OUR rung appears just as abnormal to entities from other rungs. It is truly a great blessing when these sort of things happen in your life if you are unafraid, and it leads one to realize the vastness of that which we are a part – and that we can touch other planes of this immense power. Talk about an adventure!

This message has been on my mind for about a week now, and I’m glad I finally wrote it. I just have a sense that someone who is going to read this is currently experiencing some very strange stuff, and need to know that they aren’t crazy, and that it is a part of the grand “normal.” If you can remove your fear from the experience, you may learn and see some incredible things.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

My Continuing Mantra Adventure…”

Mantra Jan 18 (Photo credit: That Girl Crystal)

In the interest of doing exactly what the wise words to the left are encouraging, I offer up the latest update about how the mantra for which I was the “seer” is developing. It is the mantra that I last wrote about here:

http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/like-a-prayer/

As of today, when I have reached a cumulative total of 25,000 repetitions, I still can’t say that I am fully aware of its total purpose and power. There are three things that have become clear to me, though.

1.  The mantra brings me to a state of peace, even beating panic attacks. I no longer take medication for anxiety during the day – I just apply the mantra. [As an aside, it is very important to note that I have to apply the mantra with just as much commitment as I did to taking the medicine, and I have to recite the mantra for about the same amount of time that it took for the medicine to have any effect. In other words, it is more work than taking a pill, but it has many other benefits. Also, I AM NOT advising ANYONE to cease ANY medication and to replace it with a mantra. I'm not saying that it wouldn't work, nor am I saying that it would. I am only citing my experience]

2.  A portion of this mantra, (the middle stanza), is addressing/acknowledging a Deity, by name. Of course, there is no “new” God involved here, (because there is only one Source), but whatever aspect of Creation this mantra is speaking to has come through me with a name and sound that I have never heard previously, in any religion or spiritual practice.

3.  The overall “feel” of the sounds of the mantra is reminiscent of a Polynesian tongue – not Sanskrit.

Now, to a bunch more generalities, (though the method of the mantra is certainly more clear to me in many respects than it was when I first received it).

The first stanza, which is one word, is a “door opener.” It is a sort of preamble to the mantra that frees my Spirit to travel, and feels preparatory in nature. It is as though this part places me on the same “plane,” for lack of any other suitable term, as the energy that is the essence of the mantra so that I may commune with It. Through it, I become like the wind and air – everywhere, invisible, and sacred.

The second line is the beseeching/acknowledgement/bonding with the energy of the Divine that is the power of the mantra. It has a very sweet and gentle energy, even though I can feel the great potency that underlies it. It’s a bit of a mystery to me that I feel that I am “beseeching,” since I am not actively asking for something like one might do in prayer. I only know that there is a tremendous spiritual intimacy, reverence, Divine love and gratitude pouring through the name. A very warm and indescribably strong vibration.

Then, there is a closing, a “sending forth,” or receiving, of whatever it is that the specific energy referenced in the previous line does. So far, what it does is bring peace, and there have been two physical “healings.” One was the aforementioned panic attacks, and the other was a relief of a headache that my wife was experiencing. She doesn’t know the mantra, and didn’t know that I was reciting it in my head, and I didn’t feel anything happen, but she felt relief, in pulses that closely coincided with the mantra repetitions, (It’s a longer story than that, but that is the gist of it).

So, that it where it is at so far. I believe that it has many, many uses – possibly suitable for any problem, but I do not know that for sure; It may be specifically for peace. Every day my understanding of it fleshes out a bit more, and I am certain that the time will come when the fulness of it is revealed to me. It’s an adventure!

Thanks for reading! Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

 

 

“A Square Hole…”

English: Cycle between autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs can use carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water to form oxygen and complex organic compounds, mainly through the process of photosynthesis. All organisms can use such compounds to again form CO 2 and water through cellular respiration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We only know one criteria, and we are convinced that it represents the only form that “life” can take.

That hardly surprises me, because we humans think that we are that smart. We look at other planets for evidence that it could sustain life: things like water, (or the appearance that there may have at one time been water); carbon, or carbon remnants, (a building block of everything that we have said is alive); temperatures that are within parameters that we could withstand, and an atmosphere with a suitable blend of oxygen and carbon-dioxide. In the end, if there are none of those things, we call it barren, uninhabited, lifeless, etc.. The truth is, we aren’t really looking for “life,” we’re looking for more stuff like us.

Just think about it. It wasn’t that long ago in the cosmic timeline that we didn’t even know we had a brain, let alone how it worked or what was necessary to keep us alive. And now, we have determined that we know what defines life itself. I can only imagine that, if the power that is responsible for everything has a sense of humor, He/She/It must be mystified at what a piece of work we are. Seriously, we can’t even measure, quantify or see the Spirit, the essence that supports these bodies, and yet we have defined life! Amazing.

“The stones will cry out.” That stays in my head ever since I wrote the blog by that title:

http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/the-stones-will-cry-out/

Maybe, just maybe, we stumble over”life” all of the time, but don’t acknowledge it because it doesn’t fit into our square hole. That’s really all we’re doing – trying to fit everything that we find into our square hole, and if it doesn’t fit, we toss it aside – triangles, X’s, circles, whatever – if it isn’t a square, it isn’t life. Because we’re that smart. I think maybe we have forgotten from whence we came. Or, to put it in some good ole’, southern vernacular; we’ve “gotten above our raisin’.”

Life is bigger than “us.” Meditate on that for a while. The idea will expand your Spirit and your mind. Who knows what you will learn?

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“A Spirit Wind…”

stream (Photo credit: simplerich)

This happened to me today, around 2:45 EST. This isn’t a ghost story, or fictitious in any way.

Allow me to preface this account by saying that I am no stranger to the woods of the Eastern U.S. I grew up surrounded by mountains in SW Virginia, and spent many hours in those woods – hunting, fishing, just walking . . . you name it.

I have never gone for very long without returning to the woods, even to this day. I can usually tell you what animal is making a noise without even looking, just by the sound of the way that they travel. I am, by no means, some expert tracker or adept woodsman, but there isn’t much that I haven’t experienced in the outdoors. I know when a storm is coming just by watching how the leaves turn in the wind.

Today, I was in the woods, by a stream. I was in Northern Virginia, near where I live. The creek by which I was squatting down had, over the past three years, yielded to me two, prehistoric, milky quartz arrowheads – in the water.

As I said, I was squatted down by this creek, looking at rocks. A creek full of tumbled stones is always a joy for me – a regular treasure hunt; you never know what beautiful little piece that Creation may present to you.

As I was there, on my haunches listening to the water, I was whispering my mantra, which I wrote about here: http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/like-a-prayer/ [Since I wrote that post, I have discovered that the mantra, when whispered, seems to embody the sound of the wind and a stream - the woods - and that is what led to go to the woods today]

Quite unexpectedly, a deer caught me off-guard as it leaped across the water upstream from me. I was downwind, so I don’t think she realized that I was there, either. In the distance, there was a crow sounding a distress call, which led me to believe that it had likely found an owl’s roost, or perhaps a hawk. The squirrels were very active, too.

Then, the wind changed. There was no chance of rain today, but rain was blowing in. The breeze became quite strong – very cool and refreshing – and I could hear the rain as it began to blow through the tree-tops, sweeping in my direction. It sounded like a pretty big rain coming in. In fact, the wind through the trees was unusually loud, and I began to feel little drops of water hitting my arms. Now, here’s the kicker – my arms were dry. There was no water, no tree sap, no insects or anything else on my arms . . . and the sky was clear. This lasted about 10-15 seconds, then it was over.

I cannot begin to describe the power of that moment, but I know that the mantra was involved, and a deep connection to Spirit that I hadn’t felt to that extent before.

I wasn’t drunk, (or even drinking for that matter), or on medication, or in any way delusional – it happened – and what occurred can not be dismissed by any sort of “logic” or scientific blather. I was keenly aware of the moment. I felt no fear . . . just awe.

Today, I can say without reservation, that I was touched by a “Spirit Wind,” and it felt magnificent. I wish I could tell you what it meant, but I can’t – I don’t know.

The importance of this story isn’t my experience. It is that if I can experience such a thing, then so can you; because I am not special or superior in any way to anyone. If you make yourself available, there is magic to be had.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“If You Really Want To See…”

Himalayas (Photo credit: little byte of luck)

They termed him a “Confrontational Evangelist” in the documentary in which I saw him.

Men and women who bear this title will stand on a street corner, or a college campus, and loudly preach hell-fire and brimstone, waving the only true book, and taking on all challengers who question his or her’s assertions, like a prize-fighter in the ring. This person is passionate, and driven and, in their own heart and mind absolutely, infallibly right.

When their day is over, they go home to their husband or wife, have a bite to eat, then kick off their shoes . . . weary. Doing the work of their Lord is not easy, but they say their prayers with a peaceful heart, secure that the efforts will be pleasing to God, and may save some from eternal damnation.

Far away, in a remote cave in the Himalayas, a dirty and unkempt seeker will spend his or her life alone, in total silence, or perhaps in the practice of mantras from an ancient and sacred language. Eating and drinking barely enough to sustain the body, this person, too, is doing the work of God.

And in another part of the world, men and women will stop whatever they are doing several times a day, roll out a prayer mat, face east toward Mecca, and with their hands and knees upon the earth, will touch their foreheads to the ground in devotion to the one, true God.

Maybe at the same time, somewhere in a remote area of the American West, a man or woman that is what we call a Native American will look up at the starry, night sky in wonder, and sing his heart to the Great Mystery.

Yet another shall channel beings from other planets, or those who have passed on from our material plane, with messages of hope or warning. It is truth to the one who is speaking.

Shall I go on?

Some of these people will be labeled as fanatics, or crazy, or terrorists, or ignorant fools, and most of the labeling will come from those who risk little in the pursuit of God, and know very little that is factual about those beliefs that do not mirror their own.

If you really want to see, you have to stand very close to the edge of the precipice.

Each of the people I have written about will experience the touch of the Infinite power that underlies all that is, and holds the fabric of our existence together.

You tell me? If each one has love in their heart, and attempts to live with compassion, and endeavors to hurt no one – well, which one is “right?”

You do not know the answer to that question any more than I do, (assuming that it can be answered at all).

So, believe fervently in your own path if it is working for you, and walk in it with gratitude and grace – and allow others to walk in peace, too. To do more than this is to proclaim yourself to be the ultimate judge, and that is a dangerous tight-rope to walk.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“Like A Prayer…”

Divine lights (Photo credit: | kenneth | mostly away from flickr)

No, I am not referring to the song, Like A Prayer, but the mantra that has been revealed to me that I wrote of here:

http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/you-should-try-this/

For those who may have an interest, I am continuing to chronicle just what occurs with this new mantra – my intuitions, feelings, etc. My experiences in using it today, (the first day that I have used it extensively), it feels to be more of a prayer than a typical Sanskrit mantra. It is not Sanskrit, or any other language of which I am familiar. If I had to categorize it, it has a sort of Polynesian flow to it.

It is some form of acknowledgment of a great power . . . I cannot tell if this is an acknowledgment of some power that is going to be made manifest through me, or an acknowledgment of the Divine in general. I only know that it demands a certain approach.

I have discovered that the words cannot be rushed, and it does not feel responsive to a sing-song form of chanting. The power it holds, as yet not fully developed in my knowledge, is only apparent when the words are spoken deliberately, using a lower, quieter voice. Performed in this way, it is magnificently expansive, with a feeling that it holds all wisdom and peace. I have also felt that “breathing space” seems to be demanded between each four-syllable stanza. Just like the mala that resisted every mantra that I knew, this mantra that pairs with it defies any effort to “push” it.

I am paying attention, and this is an exciting learning experience. It is unlike any other mantra that I have practiced, and I have practiced quite a few, intensely, over the years. This mantra is calling the shots . . . I cannot breeze through it. It has a gravity to it that is difficult to explain, but quite peaceful and powerful in feeling when practiced “as it demands.”

I shall continue to write about what I learn from it as it is given to me. I DO know this: it is the real deal, and lifts me to very high places when I follow the way that it leads me to practice it.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“You Should Try This…”

mantra (Photo credit: debaird™)

Finally!

After over a month of no mantra practice, (due to a mala that resisted any and all mantras that I tried), I have the mantra. I must admit that a couple of times over the last few weeks I despaired of ever receiving it – dove into depression a few times, too, (though the lack of mantra was only part of the reasons behind those episodes).

Anyway, it is three stanzas of four-syllables each, and can be chanted aloud in a song-like fashion, or spoken silently just as effectively. I have no idea what it means. Somehow, it is a related to the “wind” of spirit. My intuition, which is all that I used to arrive at this mantra – finally – says that:

- The first line is the name of the Supreme, as personified in the body of the hawk, riding the wind.

- The second line in some way relates to the flutter of wings, or the babble of water over rock.

- The third line has something to do with a “Spirit Guide,” as well as a release of the energy of the mantra . . . it’s “putting forth,” so to speak.

Now that you know all of that, you are probably expecting to learn the mantra. Sorry, but it a very sacred and very specific mantra that is for my path only, (as far as I know right now, anyway). The, “You Should Try This” that I wrote about in the headline, was making the attempt to Intuit a language.

Man, my hat is off to the creators of languages! Try it.

Without references to any language, take a feeling, and attempt to Intuit what that feeling sounds like, and then make that sound into some approximation of a useable word. It might just have been the most difficult, gut and heart opening experience that I have ever had.

Is what you are feeling, or desire to create, a “harsh” or “soft” sound? What is the rhythm, or meter, of the phrase, and where do the accents go – at the front, middle, or end of the word? Or are there any accents? Is the energy right?You have only your intuition and your desired end to draw from.

In essence, I have written a new, foreign language – five words and twelve syllables of one anyway. Only time and use will refine and teach me the precise effects and definitions. This definitely ranks as one of the most enlightening and powerful sacred exercises I have ever attempted. Give it a try! Oh yeah, and like the sign says – “Don’t Forget to Breathe.”

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD

“The Invisible Wound…”

Panic Attack (Photo credit: AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker)

It’s almost Memorial Day. A day that is set aside for those who lost their lives in combat while representing this country. Notice that I didn’t say that they “gave” their lives for this country, because they didn’t plan on dying. Yes, they gave their time, their effort, and took the risks – but most didn’t plan on dying; they had no intention of giving that away. Remember them . . . always.

Nightmares; avoidance; dissociative behavior; unceasing anxiety; hyper-vigilance; nausea; panic attacks; extreme irritability;, rage; homicidal ideations; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; GERD; suicidal ideations; irrational, over-the-top responses to little things; sleeplessness; rage; anger; isolation; depression; confusion; short and long-term memory loss; surrounded by people who have no idea what you are going through, and many more that just don’t really care to know; the truth can be as scary to your loved ones as it is to you.

This is post-traumatic stress disorder. Sometimes all of the symptoms at once, sometimes, some one day, and others on other days. The body came home or, if you are not a combat veteran but have PTSD, I’ll say the body remains alive, but there has been a death of some variety, nonetheless.

We’re the walking wounded – sometimes more like the walking dead.. We look just fine, but the inside is a train-wreck of monumental proportions.

There is an extremely important part of the brain, called the hypothalamus, that has been proven scientifically, in some cases, to be physically transformed due to trauma. It begins to atrophy and, to this day, there is no way to fix it. If it continues to atrophy, the ability to rationally reason erodes, and there is no known way to get it back.

This post is a “heads-up.”

Be on the look-out for these types of symptoms if you know people returning from combat, or have suffered some severe trauma. Most soldiers will not acknowledge their difficulties, because they have been led to believe that is somehow “weak.” That’s BS of the highest order. PLEASE stand beside them, and encourage them to get help . . . as soon as possible. The longer one waits, the more entrenched and severe the conditions become. It was over 20 years before I went for help, and during that time my brain has physically changed – because there was no other outlet.

In the end, it is compassion. Reach out to them. Try to understand that you cannot understand but that it is nevertheless very real, and happening, and needs to be taken every bit as seriously as the loss of a limb. Be there.

This is an invisible wound, but the gash can be as severe as any gunshot, and the effects can last a lot longer. There is no prosthetic for the damage that trauma can inflict on a mind.

Many Blessings To All…

LOTD