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The Wide Gap Between A Karmic and Dharmic Life

Image of a being meditating to convey dharma and karma - Paul Wagner

image of being meditating to convey karma and dharma - Paul Wagner

Last updated: Aug. 15, 2025

Philosophies on life are innumerable. So many different cultures, belief systems, religions, and other institutional or social factors cause each person to have a unique view and journey in life. While everyone is different, there are efforts to apply labels or categories that make general mindsets or stages of life identifiable and easier to discuss. Two popular labels like this are “karmic” and “dharmic,” Sanskrit terms for concepts held in Indian regions.

I would never force anyone to choose a label for themselves to identify their beliefs. Still, if you’re looking for an opportunity to discuss your mindset and life journey, labels can be the easier way to bridge that gap. These categories can also help you assess what you want out of life and whether your current relationships are healthy. Let’s discover what karmic and dharmic mean and how these mindsets can help guide your life.

What Is Karma?

Many more people in the West have heard of “karma” than “dharma.” You might hear someone warn another person not to do something because it’s “bad karma” or that karma will “come back around.” Because it has been popularized in Western culture, the karmic system is often presented in oversimplified ways, making it easy to approach but hard to truly understand.

“Karma” literally means “action” in Sanskrit. At its most basic, it refers to the sum of your actions and the impressions they leave on your consciousness. Yet karma is not only about visible deeds – it is a vast, intricate collection of memory that shapes perception, decision, and destiny. 

In the deeper teachings, karma can be held in up to nine distinct categories, from physical and emotional imprints to subtle energetic, ancestral, and even soul-level memories. Each act, word, and thought generates a trace, adding to these stored layers.

Karma works within a moral and energetic framework, where each moment plants seeds in the fertile field of your consciousness. Holding a door for someone or offering comfort to a friend can sow harmonious seeds, while acts of selfishness or harm create disruptive ones. 

Over time, these patterns accumulate – not just in this lifetime, but across lifetimes – influencing circumstances, relationships, and the trajectory of your soul’s evolution.

In its simplest folk interpretation, karma is seen as the guarantee that everything you do will return to you in kind, balancing the scales of the Universe. But the deeper truth is that karma is the architecture of memory itself – the subtle coding that binds you to certain experiences until the patterns are understood, dissolved, and transcended.

When you see karma in this way, you begin to grasp that liberation is not about collecting “good points” for a better rebirth, but about freeing yourself from the weight of stored impressions altogether.

For a more in-depth nuanced discussion on karma and how we can liberate ourselves from it, read my article How To Clear Karma And Transform Your Life.

What Does Dharma Mean?

Not as many people have heard of the word “dharma,” as there aren’t many popular sayings in the West that use the term. It might seem foreign at first, but dharma is actually a concept that is familiar once you grasp a true understanding of it.

“Dharma” is a much more expansive term than “karma.” Dharmic refers to your life’s duty or goal, which is different for everyone and is generally determined by your social class and life situation.

While dharma is certainly a motivation for the structure of Indian culture and society, it is not much different from concepts originated in other religions and belief systems. 

Many faiths, including Christianity, believe that physical life on Earth is not the beginning or the end of a soul’s journey but just a point at which humans are tested and given the opportunity to do good or bad things. What Christians do here on Earth directly affects where they believe they’ll end up after death, and they feel their life’s mission is to fulfill their highest purpose, which is very similar to the concepts of karma and dharma in India.

Strictly focusing on dharma alone, though, has its downfalls. For many in India who seek to live a dharmic life, it’s difficult to determine whether strictly staying within the tradition and your social class is enough to fulfill dharma. 

Some believe actions taken to stretch beyond the confines of one’s community are necessary to discover one’s true life purpose. As you can see, the dharmic system is much more focused on one’s life overall rather than day-to-day actions like karma.

 

graphic image of sunset and stream to convey karma - Paul Wagner

Karmic vs Dharmic Life: What’s the Difference?

While dharma and karma are sometimes spoken of as if they sit on opposite ends of a spiritual spectrum, they are inseparable currents in the river of a human life. In the simplest sense, karma is the collection of actions and the imprints they leave – the layered memories in up to nine categories – and dharma is the soul’s guiding mission or rightful path.

Your karma is the day-to-day momentum you create, and your dharma is the deeper purpose that momentum is meant to serve.

Not every karmic action will directly express your dharma, yet every action subtly shapes your relationship to it. Ideally, your karma becomes a vehicle for your dharma – the refinement of your daily thoughts, words, and deeds clearing the way for your life’s truest direction to unfold. But here lies the complexity: karma and dharma are so interwoven that what is considered “good karma” for one person could be destructive for another. 

A warrior whose dharma is to protect might create harmony by taking up arms, while another soul – whose dharma is to heal or teach – could create inner distortion by doing the same, no matter how noble the intention appears.

The challenge is that dharma is rarely obvious at the start. It is uncovered through self-inquiry, discipline, and the gradual clearing of karmic memory that clouds perception. Until then, a person may generate “good deeds” that are misaligned with their core purpose, unintentionally weaving more karmic threads rather than dissolving them.

Beyond philosophy, “karmic” and “dharmic” also describe two modes of living. A karmic life is reactive, guided by the weight of past impressions, habit patterns, and unexamined desires.

A dharmic life is intentional, aligned with your deepest truth, and lived as a conscious offering to the Divine. Most of us move between these modes daily – the art is in leaning more and more toward the dharmic, so that the karmic layers dissolve and the soul stands unbound.

What Does It Mean to Live a Karmic Life? Understanding Karma & How Your Daily Actions Shape Your Path

As we’ve explored before, the karmic system focuses on the finest details of our daily existence – each action leaves an imprint in the layered memory that forms our karma. This is not just a ledger of “points” but a storehouse that can hold impressions in up to nine categories, from physical habits to emotional tendencies to the most subtle spiritual residues. 

Living a karmic life means moving through the world with the underlying belief that every act is transactional, done with an expectation of return. Actions are approached like contracts, and the measure of success is often what you gain in exchange.

In this mode of living, intention is often secondary to outcome. You excel at work to secure higher pay. You extend politeness to neighbors so they will reciprocate in times of need. You drive cautiously to avoid fines and legal trouble. It is a pragmatic, utilitarian worldview, in which actions are valued less for their inherent goodness and more for the benefits they yield.

A karmic life is not about freely expressing your soul’s highest calling – it is about navigating a system of cause and effect in hopes of shaping a favorable future. In its purest mechanical sense, it is indifferent to your personal desires. You may appear generous or responsible, but beneath the surface, every choice is tethered to the calculus of return.

Some even argue that intention is irrelevant, seeing people and situations as tools to be leveraged toward desired ends. For many, this orientation feels natural, even sensible. It aligns with how they were raised, how they were taught to measure value, and how society rewards behavior. 

Yet this very mindset can deepen karmic grooves in the memory field, making it harder to shift into a dharmic way of being – one that acts from alignment with truth rather than from the architecture of transaction.

What is Dharmic Living? What Is Dharma and How Does It Guide Your Life Purpose?

While karmic lives are based on contracts and expectations, dharmic lives are about treating life with the view of the bigger picture. Everything is done with an overall view of life and the Universe in mind, making one less attached to the minute details and everyday actions than those who focus on a karmic life.

In other words, actions are not done for the immediate result they will achieve. Those seeking to live dharmic lives do not do a nice thing for a neighbor in order to turn around and immediately ask for a favor. They do not smile at others in order to be treated better, and they don’t help others fix their problems because they want to get something out of it.

Dharmic lives are based on love, truth, and virtue. Actions are done because they are the right actions to be done, because they are based in truth and love. Dharmic lives build themselves around virtue no matter what that means, and they do not expect anything in return. Overall, those who live a dharmic life are idealists-they have their eyes set on the bigger picture and fulfilling their life’s purpose, not necessarily their everyday utilitarian needs and desires.

What Is the Difference Between a Karmic and Dharmic Relationship?

By now, it is clear that the concepts of karmic and dharmic living can be applied to relationships. Seeing karmic as utilitarian and dharmic as idealist can help us understand how these approaches shape families, friendships, and romantic partnerships.

In karmic relationships, connection operates on an unspoken contract – I will love you if you love me back. Each person gives only as much as they are receiving, withdrawing when their needs are not met. 

Because the relationship is rooted in expectations and reciprocity, people can be reduced to roles or tools, valued for what they provide rather than for who they are. Affection and commitment may be tied to sexual access, financial support, social advantage, or other forms of utility.

While entering such a relationship might appear consensual, it is often driven by unconscious karmic memory – the pull of patterns formed in this or other lifetimes – rather than a deliberate, conscious choice to align with one’s life purpose. These patterns can bind people together in attraction or conflict, without either person realizing that the bond is sustained more by habit and unhealed memory than by true freedom of choice.

Dharmic relationships, by contrast, arise when two people meet without needing each other to fill emotional gaps or supply material stability. The connection is built on mutual love, respect, and the shared wish to experience life side by side. 

While these partnerships may also include intimacy, shared resources, and joyful experiences, such exchanges are not demanded or held as conditions. The deeper aim is for each partner to help the other realize their highest potential – and for both to walk a path toward truth and liberation together.

Because dharmic relationships require a high level of emotional and spiritual maturity, they are rare. Each person must already have done the inner work of self-discovery and healing. These bonds are not for fixing wounds – they are for walking into the light of awakening, free from the contracts of the past.



graphic image of being gazing at universe - Paul Wagner

Karmic vs Dharmic Relationships: Why It Matters for Love & Growth. Are Karmic Relationships Doomed?

As wide as the gap can be between a karmic and a dharmic life or relationship, not all is lost. A karmic relationship can absolutely evolve into a dharmic one. For many people, early relationships are karmic simply because their souls and emotional maturity are still young. In the earlier stages of life’s journey, people often have not yet discovered what they truly need to live in alignment with their deepest truth – and so they relate through the lens of unconscious karmic memory and contractual expectations.

As life unfolds, it becomes more likely for people to seek dharmic relationships, where the bond is rooted in shared purpose rather than in constant exchange. 

That being said, a karmic relationship from earlier in life’s journey can transform if both partners are willing to grow. When two people evolve together, they can move from a conditional exchange to a union that is free, supportive, and aligned – each walking their dharmic path side by side.

The challenge arises when one partner is committed to emotional and spiritual maturity while the other is not. If one person’s inner work becomes incompatible with the other’s unwillingness to grow, the relationship may stop serving both. 

Mixing karmic and dharmic approaches can create friction – although in some cases, one partner’s dharmic focus can be supported by the karmic patterns of the other, acting as a catalyst for deeper transformation. 

But more often, when a partner steeped in dharmic living engages with a partner locked in a karmic mindset, strain is inevitable. If one partner is overly demanding, transactional, or bound by rigid expectations, the relationship can feel oppressive and unbalanced.

This imbalance can manifest as each partner feeling misunderstood, unseen, and unloved. The dharmic partner may feel they have outgrown the relationship, while the karmic partner may feel alienated or rejected. It is not uncommon for each to believe that the other has changed into someone they can no longer understand.

The most important ingredients in navigating these shifts are communication and honesty. When both people remain open about their emotional and spiritual needs, they can maintain a shared understanding of where they each are in their life’s journey. Regular check-ins help address concerns before they harden into resentment.

Best case scenario – two people living karmic lives can inspire one another to rise, transcending their old patterns and stepping together into the freedom of a dharmic life.


Are You Living a Karmic Life or a Dharmic Life? Learning How to Lead a Dharmic Life

If you are currently living with a karmic mindset, shifting into a dharmic life can feel like a steep climb – but it is absolutely possible. I have guided many people through this transformation, helping them reshape their patterns, perceptions, and daily actions so they align with the clarity and freedom of dharmic living.

While it requires learning, patience, and steady practice, the reward is profound – a way of moving through the world with peace, love, and purpose, even in the midst of life’s challenges and stresses.

How to Transition from a Karmic Mindset to Dharmic Living

 

Self-awareness is the first and most essential step – dharmic living is rooted in conscious choice. It calls for intentional action, mindful presence, and the willingness to examine the karmic memories and habits that quietly drive your decisions. 

I always recommend establishing a daily meditation practice to create space for reflection and clarity. This is only the beginning – dharmic living is not a single shift but an ongoing refinement of how you show up in every moment.

If you are unsure how to begin or want to accelerate your shift into a dharmic life, an intuitive reading with me can help you uncover the patterns, relationship dynamics, soul desires, and spiritual gifts that shape your path. 

Together, we can illuminate the steps that bring you closer to a life that is not bound by karmic contracts – but led by your deepest truth.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

If you want to align more closely with your dharma, an intuitive reading with me can help you take specific steps with clarity. You can learn more about sessions with me and how to book HERE.

Q&A

What is the main difference between a karmic and a dharmic life?
A karmic life is shaped by daily actions driven by expectations – a constant exchange where effort is tied to reward. A dharmic life is guided by truth, love, and alignment with the soul’s purpose, free from attachment to immediate outcomes.

How are karma and dharma connected?
Karma is the collection of your actions and the impressions they leave – dharma is your deepest life mission. When actions align with that mission, karma supports dharma, but what is “good” for one person may be harmful for another depending on their path.

What makes a relationship karmic vs dharmic?
Karmic relationships operate like contracts – each person gives based on what they receive, often valuing the other for utility. Dharmic relationships are free of need – they exist from love, respect, and the shared intention to grow toward spiritual purpose.

Can a karmic relationship turn into a dharmic one?
Yes – growth can transform a relationship. When both partners mature emotionally and spiritually, a transactional bond can evolve into a conscious partnership devoted to truth and mutual awakening.

What are the challenges when one partner is karmic and the other is dharmic?
Mixing these mindsets can lead to frustration and misunderstanding – the dharmic partner may feel limited, while the karmic partner may feel judged or rejected. Without shared growth, imbalance can turn the relationship toxic.

How does one begin to live a dharmic life?
It begins with self-awareness and intentional living – examining patterns, acting consciously, and letting go of transactional thinking. Daily meditation and honest reflection help dissolve karmic habits that block alignment with dharma.

What role can guidance play in this transition?
An experienced guide can help you see unconscious patterns, relationship dynamics, and soul-level desires – giving clarity on the steps needed to move from karmic living into dharmic purpose.

Why does living a dharmic life matter for love and growth?
Dharmic living creates relationships and experiences rooted in freedom, not need – allowing both individuals to evolve without holding each other back. It transforms love into a space where both can reach their highest potential.

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Beyond Covid: A Chance for Spiritual Renewal, New Identities & Rebirth

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Beyond Covid: A Chance for Spiritual Renewal, New Identities & Rebirth

When the earth is sick, sickness spreads in ways that affect people. In this case, we have been treating Mother Earth poorly for so long, She is acting out our own projections, abuse, and anger. Covid-19 is exactly that.

The coronavirus has been around for a long while now. It’s had an indelible impact on our lives and world. This pandemic sent friends and family members to the hospital at record numbers. However, as with every other terrible event or situation, humanity will pick up the pieces and emerge ready for change.

What will most likely not change very much is how we abuse the planet. Sadly, most Republican and right-wing conservatives, and their counterpart governments, might have a wonderful handle on fiscal responsibility and infrastructure management, but they do not understand emotions, love, and how connected we are to all of the elements, planets, bugs, bunnies, each other – and the myriad of etherial realms. C’est la vie!

In the meantime, you can love yourself by loving the planet.

You can love others by first loving yourself.

And you can effect changes that improve your life, attitude, perspective, and conditions.

Are you ready for that life-changing transformation?

If the planet has left you isolated or emotionally and spiritually strung out, you can choose to pursue peace and balance.  

Declare this out loud: It’s time for me to have a lovely spiritual renewal. It’s time for me to accept, own, and celebrate my life. I will make changes and invite new light and love into my life!

It’s now time to reflect on yourself, form new habits, and adopt your most core nature as your primary identity. LET’S DO THIS!

COVID: The Affect on Our Spirit

The coronavirus is certainly a physical ailment, but the effects reverberate beyond just the physical body.

For many of us, this was our first experience with a widespread infectious disease – one that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Amid all this, we’ve all had no firm reassurances from the medical community on the illness or treatments.

Some of us took the vaccine and it harmed our health. Others ignored protocol and were selfish – and chose to avoid the vaccine – becoming harmful petri dishes that put everyone else’s lives in jeopardy. 

While governments and health organizations were rightfully keeping an eye on the numbers of infections, hospitalizations, and casualties, much fewer eyes were on the numbers of mental ailments resulting from the stress, uncertainty, and isolation. 

Statistics have revealed increased drug use, suicide rate, and other concerning issues surrounding wellness.

Thoughts of suicide and symptoms of anxiety and depression were on the rise, especially among health care workers.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reported global adverse mental health effects such as disturbed sleep, abnormal eating behavior, worsening chronic illnesses, and increased alcohol consumption. With an already worrying mental health crisis sweeping the world, COVID-19 was the last straw for many still struggling to function in their daily lives.

Luckily all of these things are improving! 

Spiritual and emotional ailments are a reality, pandemic or not. COVID-19 created an opportunity for us to open our eyes to the severity of the crisis and the lack of connection within ourselves.

As we all stood still amid lockdowns that kept us frozen in our homes, we were suddenly forced to reassess the states of our minds and spirits without the distractions of our regular routines.

The pandemic will always be an event we remember as one of the lowest points for our planet, but we can look forward in a positive light.

Beyond Covid, we have a chance to be reborn. We can reinvent ourselves, explore new identities, and heal our spirits.

An Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal

In every dark and low moment of our lives, we have a choice. We can wallow in the pain and find comfort in unhealthy habits, or we can seek transformational experiences big and small that will help us cope and climb out of the darkness.

These transformational experiences will be different for everyone. 

For many, prayers, routines, and rituals are helpful ways to re-establish our balance and peace. If you love rituals, check out my Free Resources pages. You’ll find ancient ceremonies, lovely prayers, and encouragement that you might find helpful during times of change and transition. You might also consider using my Personality Cards – they’re wonderful for all sorts of rituals. 

Spiritual renewal will come from identifying the negative forces, attitudes, and experiences in our lives and ourselves, then setting goals and courses for change that will help us become reinvigorated, renewed, and reborn. 

Do you allow energy vampires to affect your emotions and your life choices? Have you fallen into an unhealthy habit with drugs or alcohol? Maybe you lack balanced emotions or healthy priorities and need to reassess your journey.

Or, you might be too attached to someone who violates your boundaries, and it’s time to say goodbye and find yourself again.

No matter your concerns and situation, everyone can work on their spiritual renewal to come out on the other side of covid feeling refreshed, transformed, and ready to live life again.

 

Check out my course: FREE YOURSELF. It can help you completely rebirth your life.

 

Taking on a New Identity

Amid a spiritual renewal, we don’t need to change our appearance or behavior inauthentically. Instead, we need to dig deeper within ourselves to find what lives within us. Times like these can inspire us to make a firm commitment to becoming more in line with our authentic Selves. 

You may have recently realized that you’ve never been your true self. Maybe you’ve put on a mask or followed certain socially-acceptable behaviors under the guise of a false identity for a fair portion of your life. Realizing this and committing to a new life with an authentic identity can feel challenging but – on the other side of it – it can be wonderfully freeing.

Following this path requires that we be truly bold and courageous. To find our true Selves and commit to a life of honesty and freedom is the ultimate journey.

A choice like this might require that you try on a few different hats–so to speak–before you find one in which you’re entirely comfortable. Thankfully, there are so many tools and resources out there to help you on your journey.

Looking for a great start to your journey? Find a spiritual Guru to guide you. Throughout humanity’s existence, there have been divine masters who walked among us and changed the way we saw life and the Cosmos. Some have been physical embodiments of the divine forces of the universe, such as the Divine Feminine. Others have been reincarnations of Gods and established new philosophies and faiths.

Finding one or a few that speak to your soul can help you to re-establish spiritual balance and set on a new path to your true self!

You can also choose to establish a routine of prayer, meditation, and other rituals that help you center yourself and reflect on your authentic identity. Setting aside a few minutes a day for reflection and prayer will help you grow your spiritual strength over time and achieve a rebirth!

If your health is failing in some way, explore Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Remember that eastern medical ideologies treat the core of diseases and challenges, while western medicine treats the symptoms. Why? Because drug companies are not restricted and their only motivation is profit.

Achieve Rebirth after COVID!

With the guidance of divine masters, spiritual tools such as prayer, and resources like my personality cards, you can set off on the path to a spiritual rebirth! And check out my Free Yourself course – it’s life-changing!

The most important thing you can do is to stay committed to your journey and be true to yourself.

Spiritual renewal and finding your core identity are not easy, and it can take inordinate amounts of time, all depending on your unique situation and spiritual state. Still, for authentic freedom and happiness, the pursuit is a vital one!

In all things astrological and spiritual, please realize that these aspects are only suggestions to help ease some stress. You are far more powerful than you realize.

The blueprints that astrology, white magic, and other spiritual forces and practices suggest are not hard and fast rules. It might also be that you have other influences in your life that might greatly enhance your ability to receive what you desire.

It is also probably that your spirit is more powerful and vibrant than any numerological or astrological reading.

To improve your vibration, luck, and happiness, spend time chanting Sanskrit mantras and love-filled sutras. Access and strengthen your chakras through pranic breathing and yoga. To achieve balance and fully allow energy to flow within you, pray for others. When we do this, the Universe prays for us.

REMEMBER! YOU ARE LOVE!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Embrace Your True Self as an Empath To Thrive in Life

Colorful image of silhouette holding flowers - Paul Wagner

Image of empath being holding flowers and beautiful colors - Paul Wagner

As a coach, clients and friends will often seek my counsel. While each of their challenges appears to be unique, I believe many of the problems, especially the recurring ones, stem from one simple idea: We have yet to release the past, forgive everything, and construct new, durable personas (temporary self-identities)—ones that can establish and sustain an enjoyable, stable life.

Instead of plunging into forward movement, we tend to repeatedly reaffirm the past and go in circles.

We can change this. We can recreate our lives with the purest, clearest, and most focused intentions. Living an intentional life is not for everyone, but it’s the only path to liberation and peace.

Even amid being pummeled by karmic repercussions that stem from prior lives, if we establish a strong and deeply rooted self-concept, we can withstand any storm.

Let’s Dive In, Empaths!

Finding Liberation and Peace as an Empath

From the moments of our births, we begin to build temporary self-identities or personas to maneuver through our lives. These personas are most often born from outdated beliefs, confused family dogma, codependent social paradigms, and limiting religious doctrine. Along the way, we weave guilt, shame, and regret into the fabric of our personas to the point of imprisoning ourselves in loops of repeated behaviors, decisions, and addictions.

Because of this, most of us live as if we’re strapped to rollercoasters, whereby we continuously react to external stimuli as if we have no control. In the short term, we enjoy the results of our impulses. In the long term, we find ourselves in complex situations that erode our senses of Self and peace.

Over time, consequences and complications emerge. We cope, medicate, and try to assemble a quick-fix response to it all. 

We try everything but eventually find that quick fixes do little to address the deeper issues. We look at every aspect of our lives and realize that our marriages, jobs, and environments are not aligned with who we know ourselves to be. 

In a moment, we understand that we are not self-aware, and therefore, we are not free.

This is the moment of decision. 

Do we continue to shrink and hide or do we choose the road less traveled, finally embracing our true Self as beautiful empaths?

Being choosing a path, image conveying healers and intuitive readers - PaulWagner

If we choose the latter, we begin to wake up!

We soon feel or sense deep-seated emotions and regrets. We might feel anxious or panicked, feeling unable to source remedies. We finally see the weight that we’ve amassed atop our souls. We remember the stories and justifications we used to keep our outdated personas in charge and in motion for so long.

In a pure moment of delight, we decide enough is enough!

Intentional Spiritual Living is a decision and commitment of the mind and heart to live a fully conscious, premeditated life according to our deepest values, ethics, and beliefs, without story or excuse. 

We build an intentional life through self-inquiry, ritual, ceremony, and forgiveness. We own and acknowledge every aspect of our choices amid our tumultuous lives. We own it all—from every teensie bit of minutia to every decision we’ve made.

Empaths! We take responsibility for EVERYTHING.

We blame NO ONE.

Building an Intentional Spiritual Life

Beginning an intentional life often comes with a year or more of crying a few hours every day. It requires complete transparency with our core Self, God, and the eternal consciousness. We can no longer hide. We refuse to hide. We are now on a mission to unearth every truth about ourselves and the nature of the Universe.

We begin to imagine a new persona, one that is built upon virtue, transparency, vulnerability, and truth. We no longer carry regret or shame. We no longer blame. We own it all—every molecule of every instant.

We process it all until we are drained of all projection, attitude, and ego. We realize we know nothing and we are nothing. 

From there, we build our new, more durable persona—not from the rubble, but rather, from the truths we’ve uncovered and become.

We grow our personas into emotionally, psychologically, and financially stable warriors – through whatever means. With meditation, mantra, and Divine grace, we begin to strengthen and stabilize. 

We continually release emotions, attachments, and the past. 

“The past is a canceled check. It no longer exists.” – Amma

After some time, we realize that we’ve become warriors of empath self-care, self-responsibility, and self-awareness.

Having built an intentional spiritual persona, we can now build an intentional spiritual life.

How Do We Build an Intentional Life as Empaths?

We start by acknowledging that our past does not define us—our choices do. Every moment is a chance to step into alignment with who we truly are and develop empath self care.

1) We are Careful

  • We are careful welcoming people into our lives.
  • With a new friend, we are careful when choosing to engage in sex. While sex is certainly wonderful, it can be distracting and harmful. Get to know your friends before jumping into bed with them.
  • We are careful before solidifying a marriage. According to the rishis, it is best to know and live with someone for 3 years prior to committing to a marriage.
  • We carefully research and plan job and home changes.
  • We don’t “jump” into anything; instead, we pause, reflect, and consider.
  • We refrain from feeding our addictions.

2) We Pray and Have Faith

We replace mindless living with mindful devotion, knowing that time spent in prayer and reflection nourishes the soul far more than time behind a screen ever could.

  • Less screen time and more prayer time, like letter-writing.
  • We pray as often as we can.
  • We continuously have faith and hope.

3) We Work to Forgive and Release Negativity

Forgiveness isn’t necessarily about excusing the past—it’s about refusing to let it anchor us to suffering.

  • We forgive everything.
  • We own everything.
  • We do not dwell on our negative feelings.
  • We remember that we are never a victim.
  • We work to completely dissolve our egos.

4) We Make Healthy Choices for Our Lives

Every bite, every thought, and every choice is an investment in our future well-being, so we choose wisely.

  • We choose our food carefully (organic, grass-fed, no chemicals, lots of greens and vegetables).
  • When we are able, we strive to find the balance between Western medicine and naturopathic medicine, knowing that pure food is our best medicine.
  • We realize our thoughts sustain us, so we choose them carefully.
  • We decide to be happy because happiness is a choice.

5) We Focus on Aspects that Serve and Uplift Us

We stop chasing what drains us and start nurturing what expands us. 

  • We learn to place our attention on aspects that truly serve and uplift us because we know what we contemplate is what we become. Meditate on the rose and you become the rose.
  • We realize that our self-esteem can only come from ourselves.

6) We Say Goodbye (or Set Boundaries)

If it doesn’t bring peace, clarity, or growth, we release it with love and move forward lighter than before with a focus on empath self-care.

  • We say goodbye to people and events that do not serve our liberation and peacefulness.
  • We say goodbye to deep attachments, except GOD & THE DIVINE.
  • We have boundaries.

7) We Focus On Love and Healing

Love isn’t an abstract concept—it’s the conscious decision to meet ourselves with kindness, strip away self-judgment, and stand rooted in truth.

  • We only speak lovingly about ourselves.
  • We stop all projection.
  • We maintain a healing attitude.
  • We find ways to selflessly love and serve others while also not hurting ourselves.
  • We root ourselves in self-inquiry, honesty, and love.

8) We Seek Out Healing and Enlightened Masters

A true master challenges us to dismantle our illusions, confront our resistance, and see what has always been waiting within.

  • You might enjoy releasing processes and modalities like The Sedona Method.
  • When we’re ready, we can seek out living enlightened masters like Amma, Karunamayi Ma, and Mother Meera.
    • We can ask to receive a mantra from one of them.
    • We can ask Her to be our guru or spiritual master, which can expedite our pathway to liberation.
  • If we feel so inclined, we honor the purest and most non-judgmental tenets of our birth religions.
  • We enjoy our fellow empath birth masters, including Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, and others.

Image of woman coming out of clouds and looking into universe - Paul Wagner

IN ALL THINGS, PLEASE KNOW …

You are more than you realize. You have resources far beyond your wildest imagination. It’s time to commit to a more eternal game. It’s time to release it all and become your most vibrant, eternal, and empowered Self. SURrender!

As you reach toward liberation, you might want to explore having a coach, guide, or therapist to help you along your path and nurture your empath self care. In the meantime, meditate, pray, and chant with loving attention toward the divine.

Other articles you might enjoy:

Helpful Ways To Achieve Rebirth During Challenging Times

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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How to Make the World A Lovelier Place

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How to Make the World Lovelier

You are the embodiment of love and light.

Your heart is far bigger and far more expressive than you might realize.

You have stardust in your bones. You’re on a rock that’s spinning thousands of miles an hour, and somehow you have a refrigerator, phone, and loved ones.

If you’re looking to make the world lovelier, that’s just amazing. Let’s explore how!

1. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE A MIRACLE!

It might be challenging to stay positive when bombarded by news, gossip, and social media. It’s time to take a deep breath! Exhale the negativity. Infuse your mindset with warm and positive light. Want to make the world lovelier? YOU GOT THIS!

To fully embrace your depth of light and love, decide to help the world become a lovelier place to live, both for yourself and those around you!

Are you having difficulty digging yourself out of a rut and don’t know where to begin?

Looking to shed layers of ego and self-abuse so you can feel and affirm your value and divine gifts?

This list will help you nurture and server the world. Every time you roll out of bed, commit to at least one of these things – and you’ll become an even brighter beacon of light.

2. Share Your Positivity to Others

Positivity is contagious! If you encounter other people today, whether they are friends, family, or strangers, you can be sure that they need a positivity boost.

Intentionally share your positive energy and outlook with them by helping them see things in a better light.

Happily share your warm, loving presence.

Whether it’s a hug, a phrase, or just a sweet smile, we always have the ability to add goodness and make the world lovelier with incredible power. 

3. Learn To Listen With Empathy

Are some of the people around you in the middle of a chaotic or challenging situation? Is someone you know hurt, confused, or frustrated? If you love them, do you feel you can help them by lending an ear?

If you can, lend these loved-ones a few minutes out of your day. Listen to them with your heart and help them approach their feelings from a new perspective.

Your loving attention can be life-changing for them. When you help and pray for others, the Universe does the same for us.

For an extra spiritual boon, try to inspire them to pray, meditate, or forgive someone near and dear to them. 

4. Nurture Yourself So You Can Be A Vibrant Light

When we heal ourselves, we send healing vibrations out to the entire Cosmos. Even a subtle shift in our mind and heart can inspire other Living Beings throughout All The Worlds to do the same.

When you deepen or self-acknowledge, you open doors for every soul to transform and transcend their challenges and ego into bright bursts of light.

If you’re finding it challenging to share your goodness with others, you might need a positivity boost, spiritual ceremony, or healing ritual. You might just need to journal and cry. 

Evaluating and attending your own needs first means that you want to practice what you preach. Start your day with prayer and meditation so that you can align your spirit with love and expand yourself.

For many, routines and rituals are wonderful ways to re-establish our balance and peacefulness. If you love rituals, check out my Free Resources pages. You’ll find ancient ceremonies, lovely prayers, and encouragement that you might find helpful during times of change and transition. You might also consider using my Personality Cards – they’re wonderful for all sorts of spiritual work and rituals – they’re far more powerful and precise and self-advancing than tarot. 

Spiritual renewal will come from identifying the negative forces and experiences in our lives and ourselves, then setting goals and courses for change that will help us rebirth. 

After you heal yourself, and own and embody your love and light, you will become effulgent in the light. Doing so, you’ll regularly offer your love and gifts to others without even thinking about it. 

5. Practice Forgiveness

For many people, forgiveness is a mystery. In many religions, it’s become a cliche catch-phrase that most people don’t truly understand.

You can forget someone, but truly forgiving someone requires some effort. To start, open your heart and owning every lesson that you needed to learn from that person or event. Once you own all of your part in these experiences and relationships, you can begin to grow. With a little growth, you can more easily release what you feel is an infringement on you and your life.

Forgiveness is acknowledging that you are a Divine Being and that no one is responsible for your happiness. You are the only one in every intersection. There is no OTHER.

When we fuel our negativity and hold grudges, we are delaying our personal growth and spiritual expansion. When we identify as a victim, we are telling God, “hey, you fucked up.” God did not fuck up. You had an experience and you are denying the deeper lessons and holding onto the past.

The past does not exist. It’s a canceled check. It’s gone.

You cannot resurrect the past.

Since everything has changed, why have you not changed?

The most advanced path to world peace and love is learning forgiveness and practicing it in our daily lives. Forgiveness is the key to making the world a lovelier place for ourselves and humanity.

The Steps To Forgiveness

One: Acknowledge the real-world cost of the experience and your pain.

Two: Own your challenges and shortcomings.

Three: Acknowledge what you need to learn.

Four: Accept those who harmed us as perfect.

Five: Accept that our experiences as perfect.

Six: Ask God/Universe/Divine-Mother to awaken us to our own power to become whole.

Seven: Allow yourself to feel into the pain until it’s unbearable. Notice the pain the body and related pains in your heart, nerves, and mind.

Eight: Accept this pain, own it, love it, and honor it. Speak it’s name. Shout to heavens and celebrate its existence. This is your doorway to transcendence.

Nine: Now – release it all – again and again and again – release ALL OF IT.

Ten: If you have not struck a chord aligned with forgiveness, begin this process again – and repeat it until you arrive at forgiveness.

Take the time to sit with yourself and go through this process being fully vulnerable and open.  

If you’re struggling to find yourself, release your pain, and establish a deep personal peacefulness, I have many tools to share! Check out my wonderful Personality Cards, which can help you assess your life, relationships, career, and more – and help you better respond to your desires, emotions, and core Self!

6. Offer Healing And Selfless Gifts

Is there someone specific in your life right now who is experiencing spiritual and emotional turmoil? As a loving friend, I bet they would love your support. A great way to help others is to surprise them with healing gifts!

Are they in need of spiritual renewal and self-discovery? There are tons of gift choices, big and small, which can help them on this journey. You might consider gifting them crystals, chakra energy jewelry, self-care gift baskets, or even self-development courses. And there’s always my beautiful Personality Cards!

If they’re more receptive to self-help books, gift them a set of self-renewal and spirituality books like The Power Of Now or A Course In Miracles. You can find some lovely spiritually healing books by Amma at Amma.org.

If they’re looking to get more in touch with their mystical self, you can offer them courses in intuition, rituals, and tarot readings. 

You can also gift someone a massage or you can be their masseuse!

7. Do Favors & Perform Small Acts of Kindness

While the former recommendations require forethought, more extended periods of effort, and sometimes money, there are many quick, easy, and free ways to improve the world. There are millions of opportunities every day to do the little things that make a huge difference, even if you never leave the house!

Acts of kindness, and every other altruistic and self-developing practice, require a layer of sacrifice. All kinds of belief systems, religions, and lifestyles rely on selfless service as a way to clear the heart, align one’s spirit with love & light, and truly help others.

What can you do today to share your time and energy in service to others?

Is it someone’s birthday that you haven’t spoken to in a while? Send them an email or text message, and consider striking up a conversation to learn about how they’re doing.

Is there someone that seems lonely, bored, or in need of friendship? Set up a meet over coffee, food, or some other mutual activity that they can look forward to and enjoy.

Do you notice someone that usually gets left out or ignored? Go out of your way to throw them a party on a special day, invite them to events, and engage them in conversation regularly.

Buy a drink or pay for the groceries for the person behind you.

Endeavor to pick up something when dropped by another.

Tell a stranger that God loves them.

When you like someone’s outfit or hair, share the compliment aloud. 

At the very least, show a smile! Smiling is proven to be contagious and uplifting for our moods, even if it’s intentional or forced! Smiling is the most significant small act of kindness you can offer. It can truly make the world a lovelier place to be.

8. Share Some Love When Traveling

When we travel, even if only to a restaurant, store, or to grab a quick bite, there are multitudes of things we can do to improve the conditions and feelings of others. Try a few of these on for size:

Give a humungous tip to someone who appears a little sad or broken – or who is working hard.

Carry small gifts in your car to share with others, a box of Kleenex packets, crayons, and chocolates. When you see someone like a fast-food check-out person who looks a little grumpy, give them a gift!

Carry used clothes, bottles of water, and single dollar bills in your car just in case you see a homeless person who needs some love.

When staying in a hotel, remember to leave at least a $5 tip for each night you stayed in the hotel – and add a loving note to brighten someone’s day! You might even clean the room a little bit by prepping your sheets and towels in easily portable piles. You might also pour all of the trash buckets into one bucket and place it near the door.

Buy a stranger a meal by giving the server some cash. This way they cannot find you to return the favor – which makes it part of the fun.

Help others at airports, especially in security lines! Take your time, make sure those around you know what they’re doing. Ask if you can help them. When you move through the machines, tell the security personnel that you appreciate them.

Clean up public bathrooms to make it more palatable for others. I always wipe off toilet seats and pick up the trash on the floor so that others might feel less uncomfortable when entering.

If you’re feeling naughty, write a little graffiti on the bathroom wall, like, I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! AND SO DOES GOD! You can also remove the paintings in hotel rooms and write loving messages on the back. Yes, these things are naughty, but they’re loving and fun!

Make eye contact with everyone you meet, especially those who are clearly working their butts off.

You can check out my article on loving travel tips, too!

Truly, you are the embodiment of God’s love. The more you acknowledge this and fully own it, the more love and light you can spread to the world.

GO FOR IT!

Want to make the world lovelier? REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

I love to serve others and make the world lovelier. Learn about my services and let me know if I can help you. It’s always an honor to serve kind, honorable, and loving people like you.

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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The Life Of Bees

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The Life Of Bees

I love bees. How about you? Most of them are so cute and remarkable diligent, it would be difficult not to love them.

Bees are the hardest workers on the planet. To eek out a teaspoon of honey, they kill themselves – literally.

Humans have been fascinated by the magic and movements of bees for centuries. These little insects have an incredibly complex social structure in which each individual has a job and works for the good of the whole. Imagine if humanity did this?

From making the delicious honey we so enjoy to caring for the young up-n-coming bees’ lives, these lovely creatures are busy from their first day of life until their last.

What does the life of bees look like on a day-to-day basis?

Read on to learn more about the life cycle of bees, as well as what each member of a colony spends their days doing throughout the year.

All Hail The Queen

The Queen Bee’s life is fairly straightforward – her job is to mate and lay all the eggs that will keep the hive growing and thriving. When she is a larva, she is fed royal jelly by her loyal buzzing servants, which transforms her into a Queen. She is not the only queen growing, however, and whichever Queen hatches first kills all the rest, which solidifies her position on the “Throne.”

Once the Queen is fully mature, she flies away from the hive to mate with drones from other colonies. After a few days of mating mid-air, she returns to her hive and begins laying eggs. She’ll lay as many as 2,000 eggs per day for the rest of her life, never leaving the hive again.

Drones

Drones are the only male bees in the colony, and their entire purpose in life is to mate. High-flying sex is the only thing on their minds. Drones are the male escorts of the bee world.

In most cases, drones do not mate with the Queen of their own hive. Instead, they fly up to an altitude of 200 or 300 feet, a mile or so away from the hive, and they mate with Queens from other colonies. This perform all of their sexy duties mid-air! The reason they do this is to maintain the diversity of the global genetic pools of bees.

Once drones have mated, they return to the hive to be fed by the worker bees. Kinda like gladiators when they return home from a day of battles at the local forum.

Drones do not do any work for the colony beyond mating. The lifespan of a drone bee tends to be somewhere around fifty-five days. As the weather gets colder, drone bees get pushed out of the colony and left to freeze, their life’s purpose accomplished.

Some bees in warmer climates will find ways to survive beyond their usual fifty-five days.

Workers

Worker bees have the most active lives of any in the hive. They perform all of the hive’s non-mating functions, including gathering food, caring for young, defending the hive, and building and repairing the nest. Worker bees’ daily activities vary as they continue through their month-long life cycle.

Worker bees tend to be the smallest of all the bees in the colony, coming in at just under half an inch in size. Drones are a little more than half an inch long, and Queen bees can be just under a full inch in length.

Young Workers

On her first day, a worker bee hatches from her cell, and begins to clean up everything around her. Unused pods need to be cleaned out in order to keep the hive healthy and in good order. She begins cleaning out her cell and then moves onto other cells that may have gathered dirt or other debris throughout the hive.

After that first day or two, a worker becomes a nurse bee, caring for all the developing eggs that the Queen has laid. She produces jelly and feeds the larvae as many as 1,300 meals each day.

As they develop, young worker bees feeds all of the growing eggs her bee bread, made from a mixture of pollen and nectar. On the fifth day of their development, she seals up their cells so they can finish their development.

Middle Aged Workers

After the first week of their lives, worker bees are already considered middle-aged, and they move into a new set of duties. During this next week or two, worker bees may take on a variety of roles within the hive. Oftentimes, they start out as processing workers, taking nectar from foragers and passing it to other worker bees who store it away to become honey.

Middle-aged bees also usually take on the role of hive architects, expanding the hive and repairing any cracks.

These tough old bee-folk make wax and build new cells for honey storage or for larvae to grow in.

These boomer bees may also create the bee bread that feeds young larvae.

Older Workers

Only when workers reach the end stage of their bee life cycle do they begin to leave the hive more regularly. As bees enter their third and fourth weeks of life, they become foragers, flying out from the hive to gather nectar and pollen. As foragers find good spots with plenty of pollen, they alert the other bees in their colony to this spot so they can focus their efforts there.

This is similar to New Yorkers who retire to Miami. Instead of gathering pollen, Florida retirees visit the area malls on little scooters and buy local newspapers and Entenmann’s crumb cake.

As they age, worker bees also help process nectar into honey. They run the warehouse and store the nectar, and they beat their wings to evaporate water from the developing honey. Some older worker bees also help to guard the hive and make sure no bees from other hives sneak in and steal their liquid goals.

The Life of Bees in Spring and Summer

Much like us, bees’ daily activities change with the weather and the turning of the seasons. Spring and summer are the bees’ busiest seasons. This is when they collect bundles of pollen and nectar from blooming flowers. The warmer months are also the safest to move around inside and outside the hive.

During the Spring and Summer, worker bees busily harvest pollen as much as twelve hours a day, as well as store nectar, make honey, repair the hive, and tend larvae. Drones fly out to mate with Queens from other hives, and the impregnated Queen of the hive spends all her time laying eggs.

The Life of Bees in Fall

Once the weather begins to cool down and the autumnal equinox comes around, bees prepare the hive for the long, harsh trek through the freezing months of Winter. Oftentimes, this means ejecting the drones from the hive and leaving them to die. The drones have performed their purpose by this time, and they’ll just consume hive resources during the leaner months, which would prevent the safety of the Queen.

As the weather cools off, the Queen’s egg-laying pace slows down a bit. The hive will need every bit of its honey to keep the current population of bees alive until the flowers bloom again. They don’t have resources to devote to caring for new bees, and moving around the hive can be dangerous in freezing weather. 

The Life of Bees in Winter

Once Winter sets in, all the worker bees return to the hive and settle in to make it through the Winter months. They form one large huddle in the center of the hive, with the Queen in the middle of the huddle.

Bees take turns buzzing their wings to warm up the hive, their Queen, and the other worker bees around them.

Bees rely on their honey stores to make it through the lean Winter months. A hive that hasn’t stored enough honey (or that has had too much honey harvested from them) may starve to death during this time. For the most part, the bees do not leave the hive until the weather warms up and flowers bloom again.

Learn More About the Life of Bees

From the moment their lives begin, bees have a dedicated role within their hive. Queens and drones spend their lives focused on mating, but worker bees handle every other aspect of hive life. From cleaning out cells and caring for larvae to harvesting nectar and pollen and turning it into honey, their daily lives are dedicated to keeping their hive healthy and running smoothly.

There are many lessons to draw from the lovely, beautiful lives of Bees. They are naturally and deeply committed to each other and their roles in the functioning of their hives. They roll with the punches so they can fulfill their life missions – and they protect their leaders at all costs.

Most importantly, Bees feed the planet. They are the singular species that is always required for life on Earth. Without Bees, the world would eventually perish.

If you see a Bee, pray for her. Love him.

Don’t be afraid of them. While they might seek to protect their hives, if you keep a distance, they’ll have no reason to attack.

The Life Of Bees is a noble one. THANK YOU, BEES!

I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Make the world a lovelier place! Learn more about our services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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WHAT IS BREATHARIANISM? OH MY!

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WHAT IS BREATHARIANISM? OH MY!

When we list the things humans need to survive, most of us come down to three basic requirements: food, water, and shelter. But there’s a movement that claims two of those three things are holding us back.

Some of the most extreme Breatharians claim to survive off of the life energy of the universe alone, no food or water involved. Others who believe themselves to be One With The Breath appear to drink water and snack once in a while – and somehow remain healthy. 

One might wonder which of these Breath devotees are telling the truth – and which ones are projecting an image that no human could ever embody.

Is it possible to go months or years without eating or drinking?

Do Breatharians really exist?

If so, how have they managed to defy the basic scientific principles we thought we understood?

Read on to learn more about this practice and whether it actually allows people to subsist on something loftier than mere food.

What Is Breatharianism?

Breatharianism is the practice of going without food, water, or both and, instead, living from the life energy of the Universe. As the name suggests, Breatharianism uses the breath to harness this energy and nourish the body. Breatharians claim to exist only on air and sunlight, foregoing food (and sometimes water) altogether, sometimes for years at a time.

While Breatharianism is a reboot of the ancient Yogic practice, today’s New-Age Breatharianism birthed in the mid-90s, thanks in part to the work of a woman born Ellen Greve, who has since changed her name to Jasmuheen.

Our friend Jasmuheen wrote a book called Living on Light: The Source of Nourishment for the New Millennium. This book describes a twenty-one-day process that will supposedly help your body adjust to surviving only on air.

While the new-age scene has bastardized this practice, which was established by serious-ass Yogis thousands of years ago, it takes a truly Divine Master or Enlightened Being to be a totes-for-reals Breatharian.

Even Masters like Amma, who eat very little, tend to stay away from using phrases like Breatharian because it’s a dangerous practice – and it’s only meant for people who arrive at some version of Breatharianism naturally – ya know, like because of deep spiritual practices which can result in liberation – a state that is very rare.

How Does Breatharianism Work?

If breatharians aren’t getting their nourishment from food and/or water, where does it come from? Breatharians claim to fuel their body with prana, a kind of life-energy emitted by the Universe itself.

Prana is the Sanskrit word for breath. It points to the substratum and eternal substance that permeates reality throughout every level and realm, including inanimate objects. In other words, Prana is the source of all life built into all aspects of living and non-living realities.

Breatharians claim to be able to harness this energy through intense breathing exercises that connect them with this life-energy. Pranic breathing is an empowering and cleansing practice found in most yoga classes and other spiritual disciplines. 

Pranic breathing is usually performed by sitting in the lotus position, breathing into your stomach and exhaling, all through the mouth or all through the nose – and sometimes only one nostril. The pace of this style of breathing is often very fast with truncated exhales. Pranic breathing can certainly feed you for a time. It can also clear emotions and help you feel more alive and rejuvenated at a core level.

There are centuries of evidence showing the benefits of breathing exercises and meditation. Meditation and breathing can allow us to connect better with our own inner life force, the Universe, other people, and our own bodies.

The challenge with Breatharianism is that proponents claim that these practices can replace food and water. While this might be true for advanced souls, chances are pretty high that Bunny McStretchypants, who teaches beer yoga at the local gym, and Trendy Taj McKrishna, who drinks his own urine at parties, are probably not real Breatharians.

Folks like these are most often hopped-up on new-age narcissism while pretending to be the real deal, when in reality, they can barely manifest enough money to pay their electric bills. 

What is the Breatharianism Diet

On its face, the Breatharian diet seems simple: don’t eat food or drink water, ever. But when you dive into the practice, you’ll discover it’s much more complicated.

There are two basic steps to the breatharian diet: the initiation and the long-term plan. And there are two styles of Breatharians: crazy people who think they can do it forever and reasonable people who know they probably can’t do it for very long. Both types tend to eat once in a while – and most Breatharians drink water regularly.

Many of today’s Breatharian programs recommend starting with an initiation period of fasting. Fasting  gets your body jump-started into surviving off of nourishment other than food. In some protocols, this initial fasting period, during which you drink either only some or no water and eat no or very little food, lasts seven to ten days. Other programs only require you to go three days without any nourishment.

After the initial fasting period, Breatharians recommend that you move to a liquid diet. This consists mostly of fruit and vegetable juices and broths. Some wanna-bees will drink lemon water with cayenne pepper to slowly shut down their digestive systems.

Many Breatharians say they eat every now and then, either in social situations or because they want to enjoy the sensation of eating food. However, a handful of Breatharian leaders claim to go for months or years without eating anything at all. 

While this may or may not be true, it’s certainly fascinating! I have to mention here – um, please do not try this at home!

Breatharianism Doesn’t Work

Now that we know about Breatharianism and its principles, let’s get right down to the facts – it doesn’t work for 99.9999% of those who claim it as a lifestyle.

The simple truth is that the overwhelming majority of humans, aliens, and wandering spirits need food to live. More importantly, you can’t go more than a few days at a time without drinking water before your body begins to shut down. 

There’s no denying that our culture often tends to overindulge in food, and many people have unhealthy relationships with food. As we’ll discuss more later, there are some potential benefits to using breathing exercises and meditation as a way to improve your relationship with food. But the basic tenet of Breatharianism – that humans can live without food and water – has no basis in fact or science, except the occasional Enlightened Master who probably doesn’t need to promote their adherence to this practice. 

And any Enlightened Master worth their salt will probably want a cookie now and again, because cookies were made by God to make our inner-children smile. So there.

Breatharian Deaths

One of the problems with Breatharianism as a practice is that it can be very dangerous. So far, there have been five known deaths connected with Breatharian practices. The most recent death was in 2012, but the best-known was an incident in 1999 in which a woman died of dehydration and hypothermia after practicing the program described in Living on Light.

In most cases, people don’t die of starvation as a result of Breatharianism, but rather as a result of dehydration. Doctors estimate that you can only go for less than a week without water before you die of dehydration. After that point, your organs begin shutting down, your blood gets thicker, toxins build up in your body, and eventually you die. Good times!

Breatharian Leaders Eat

When you start looking closely at Breatharian leaders and the programs they claim to follow, one fact emerges: Breatharian leaders eat. They may make sweeping statements about going months or years without consuming any food. But when you start asking for details, a number of inconsistencies tend to show up.

Some Breatharian leaders admit to regularly drinking vegetable broth or fruit juice, as well as eating in social situations. Although these amounts of food may be much less than what most people consume, it’s definitely a source of nutrition other than sunlight and prana. A few Breatharian leaders have even been caught ordering in-flight meals or with whole refrigerators full of food. 

The Cost of Breatharian Retreats

In addition to being physically dangerous, some might say that Breatharianism classes and retreats are outright scams. Breatharian leaders tell their followers to go long periods of time without eating or drinking, all the while they are regularly eating food. Meanwhile, they’re raking in thousands of dollars in profits from retreats and coaching fees.

Why are they making so much money? Because New-Agers are knuckleheads. They believe trends will save them from themselves. Yeah, it doesn’t work that way.

They way it works is this: chant, pray, eat healthy, forgive, accept, release – and repeat. It’s not complicated.

Many Breatharian retreats, which are designed to get you started on the fasting program, cost more than $1,000. One-on-one coaching sessions can cost $75 an hour or more, depending on who you see. The simple fact is that too many New-Age trendsetter phonies make an insanely lucrative living off of selling dangerous lies.

Using Breath for Food Control

Although the Breatharian fasting program is dangerous, there are some helpful ideas we can take from it. Many people in our society have unhealthy relationships with food, including overeating and, in many ways, being addicted to food. We have to eat food to live, but there are definite benefits to being more conscious of what we eat and how we consume it.

Mindful eating is a helpful practice that uses meditative practices to help control food intake. You may find that using breathing exercises can be a great way to curb food cravings in times when you’re trying to cut back.

Breathing can be a great way to build a healthier relationship with food, but you have to be sure you’re managing your diet in a safe, healthy way. 

Do Breatharians Exist?

It would be easy to say that Breatharians do not exist. I’ve personally met a few Enlightened Masters who I never saw eat. And if you’re a real Breatharian or spiritual master, you’re probably not running around with a trendy book telling everybody to try it. Why? Because elevating ourselves through the most intense spiritual practices is f*cking painful – and not for everybody. 

While most of us cannot survive on life-energy alone, breathing and meditation can build healthier relationships with food and our inner Beings.

Breathing, sunlight, food, water, movement, and forgiveness can all work together to help you to build a life that’s healthy for your body, mind, and spirit.

I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Learn more about my services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Are You A Starseed? Did Your Soul Come From Stars?

 

For as long as history remembers, humans have always asked that unanswerable question: Why are we here? We gaze up to the stars and wonder just how far the sky reaches and how we came to exist on this planet. Does our consciousness extend beyond our limited understanding, and what is the truth about the human soul?

We all crave a more profound sense of calling, of purpose, and it very well may be that we have one! There is a trend among many seekers who believe that we may not be from this planet but reincarnated souls that originate from faraway places.

Starseeds, or alien souls in human bodies, may be walking among us without our knowledge. Who knows, you might be a Starseed yourself!

What Are Starseeds and How Do They Reincarnate From The Stars?

What is a starseed and how to know if your soul came from the stars? Starseeds are souls believed to have originated from distant star systems, galaxies, or dimensions beyond Earth. They are thought to reincarnate on Earth to assist in spiritual evolution, often feeling a deep sense of mission or purpose. Many types of Starseeds exhibit heightened intuition, wisdom, and a longing for cosmic connection, often feeling different from others. Their traits and abilities are said to align with their star origins, influencing their personalities, talents, and life paths.

The Legend of the Starseeds

There are many different interpretations of the Starseed legend. Still, the most common concept of the Starseed derives from those who closely study the Akashic Records, which originate from the Sanskrit phrase “that which holds all.” The Akashic Records are like an expansive database of information consisting of all the choices we’ve made and events we’ve experienced throughout our existence.

Each individual’s Akashic Records can help them see themselves as if in a mirror, reflecting their soul’s journey. Seers who have accessed their higher selves and viewed their Akashic Records have found trends in their soul’s journey, including the choice to reincarnate to a new planet – Earth.

Overall, the consensus on Starseeds is that they are advanced individuals who have abnormally high intelligence and the ability to empathize with others deeply. Many Starseeds souls also report the ability to predict the future or sense when things will occur.

Why Would Starseeds Choose Earth?

For most seers who have accessed their higher self and discovered their Akashic Records, their choice to reincarnate on Earth involved benevolent intentions. Others believe that there are Starseeds among us with selfish motivations, looking to use our resources to benefit their home planets.

While physical human bodies only last a century if they’re lucky, Starseed souls have aged hundreds of thousands of years. As a result, they hold the knowledge and experience of which mortal humans can only dream. Our young planet has not yet had the opportunity to learn and grow even a fraction of the amount that other planets in other universes have.

Why Do Starseeds Come To Earth? What Is Their Purpose?

Many say that Starseeds chose Earth so that they could bring their advanced resources to our planet, which lags behind other universes’ innovations and development. Others say they’re here to guide our race towards our ultimate purpose and help us elevate to our higher selves.

14 Types of Starseed Souls & Where They Came From

The knowledge we’ve received from seers and channelers of the higher self has given us the ability to make out different types of Starseeds. There are a few commonly known types of Starseeds, each descending from distant galaxies and accredited with varying contributions to Earth.

There are 14 different types of Starseeds that are popularly accepted (types of starseed souls and galaxy origins): 

    • Sirian Starseeds: Deeply spiritual and wise souls, Sirian Starseeds have a strong connection to ancient civilizations, including Atlantis and Lemuria.
    • Pleiadian Starseeds: These types of Starseeds are compassionate, intuitive, and emotionally aware beings who put a high value on love and healing.
    • Arcturian Starseeds: Arcturian Starseeds are both highly intelligent and technologically advanced beings that put a fierce focus on innovation and enlightenment. 
    • Andromedan Starseeds: These types of Starseeds are free-spirited and creative souls that place an importance on independence, exploration, and personal growth.
    • Indigo: This Starseed is a rebellious, intuitive soul with a deep sense of purpose that’s ready to shake up old systems, question authority, and spark some serious transformation.
    • Crystal: A gentle, high-vibrational soul that feels a deep connection to love, healing, and harmony that’s here to uplift humanity and bring light to the world.
    • Rainbow: Rainbow Starseeds are free-spirited souls that are radiating joy, creativity, and unconditional love. They’re here to raise Earth’s frequency and inspire a new era of unity and healing.
    • Lightworker: These Starseed souls are driven by a deep inner calling to spread love, healing, and higher consciousness and are here to illuminate the path for others and uplift the planet.
    • Orion Starseeds: Do you possess a logical and knowledge-driven soul? You might be an Orion Starseed, especially if you seek truth, wisdom, and balance.
    • Feline (Lyran) Starseeds: These types of Starseeds are spiritually evolved and are equipped with heightened intuition, agility, and independence. They are also linked to ancient Egyptian mythology.
    • Maldek: A resilient soul from the destroyed planet Maldek that carries a deep wisdom and is on a mission to restore balance, heal past karmic wounds, and help humanity avoid self-destruction.
    • Lemurian: These Starseed souls are ancient, heart-centered souls connected to the lost civilization of Lemuria that’s here to awaken divine wisdom, heal through love, and guide humanity back to unity and harmony.
    • Atlantean: A visionary soul with deep ties to the lost civilization of Atlantis that’s here to restore ancient wisdom, advance spiritual technology, and help humanity evolve with balance and integrity.
    • Reptilian: These types of starseeds are highly intelligent and strategic souls that possess strong leadership qualities and a profound understanding of power dynamics. They’re here to challenge limitations, transform energy, and assist in the evolution of consciousness.

Sirian Starseeds get their name from their origination from Sirius A and B stars, visible from our planet! These Sirian Starseeds are credited with bringing masters like Jesus and Mary to our planet and being from the home of human beings’ ancestors.

On the other hand, Pleiadians come from the Taurus constellation and are known as historians of Earth’s existence. These Starseeds are matriarchal, family-centered, and operate with high levels of creativity, love, and spirituality. 

Arcturians are the most advanced of all the Starseeds and originate from an angelic realm, acting as the gateway between physicality and spirituality. Andromedans are telepathic beings from the Andromeda Galaxy and exist to achieve complete love and peace for their beloved enslaved cousin races, like the humans. Reptilians are the slave masters, shapeshifters who attempt to manipulate the human race through political power.

Taking the time to meditate on your being and access your soul, in combination with researching types of Starseeds will allow you to learn more about your soul’s journey and identify yourself.

What Are The Signs You Could Be A Starseed?

Before I get into the traditional answer to the question, “Are you a Starseed?” I must say this:

It does not matter if you are a Starseed or not. And it might be absolutely impossible to know whether or not you hail from another planet or galaxy. In most cases, especially within the new-age community, people are looking to escape their realities rather than face them.

The reality is that you are HERE NOW.

HERE NOW means you are a spirit in a human body. There is nothing more important than this idea.

If you’re interested in the knowledge or wisdom from another galaxy, remember that all spiritual knowledge is accessible through meditation. And all scientific knowledge must be proven in this physical world. 

That said, here’s more of the Starseed candy you’ve come to love:

According to those in the know, Starseeds are likely laying dormant in their human bodies and are unaware of their core wisdom. When Starseeds reincarnate into human bodies, they experience total amnesia.

Their experiences, thoughts, emotions, and choices that make up their journey as a soul are locked into their core, waiting to be accessed. It is the Starseed’s mission to access that core by flipping the switch on their higher self.

If you’re reading this, it’s already more likely that you are a Starseed! It means you have an inner calling to something more and an inherent discomfort in your current state. While everyone should access their higher selves, Starseeds depend on it to unlock their true identity and purpose.

Signs You’re a Starseed

Do you have a longing for home that never goes away, even when you are home? Do you feel like you belong somewhere else, far away? Do you feel lonely and no one’s company can satisfy this ache?

While some Starseeds experience more subtle loneliness and longing for home, others have more urgent feelings that they don’t belong. Many Starseeds thrust themselves into learning about the higher self, reincarnation, and other mystic concepts. They look fervently for answers to their discomfort in their human bodies on the three-dimensional plane. 

These are all huge indicators of being a Starseed, especially if these feelings are combined with a fascination for space, an inability to understand the confusing and irrational ways of other humans, and the excitement that you might not be a human after all!

Here are some other signs you’re a Starseed:

    • Deep Sense of Not Belonging: You’ve always felt different or out of place in society.
    • Strong Intuition: You have heightened intuition and easily sense energies, emotions, or future events.
    • Interest in Space and Otherworldly Topics: You feel drawn to the cosmos, extraterrestrials, and metaphysical subjects.
    • Heightened Sensitivity: You’re highly sensitive to emotions, energies, and even environmental factors like sounds and lights.
    • Feeling a Higher Purpose: You have a deep inner knowing that you’re here for something bigger, even if you’re not sure what it is yet.
    • Vivid Dreams and Astral Travel: You experience frequent lucid dreams and astral projection or encounter other beings in your dreams.
    • Unusual Childhood Experiences: You may have had paranormal experiences, imaginary friends, or an innate wisdom beyond your years as a child.
    • Empathy and Compassion: You are empathetic and feel deeply for others and have a strong urge to help, heal, or guide people.
    • Disinterest in Traditional Systems: You struggle with societal norms, mainstream education, or conventional career paths.
    • Difficulty Understanding Human Behavior: You question why people act out of greed, fear, or feel disconnected. 
    • Strong Connection to the Universe: You may experience synchronicities, déjà vu, or moments of profound universal connection.
    • Creative and Innovative Mind: You have a unique way of thinking, seeing patterns, and coming up with out-of-the-box solutions.
    • Experiencing Unusual Physical Symptoms: You may have unexplained body aches, ringing in the ears, or a sensitivity to electromagnetic fields.
    • Remembering Past Lives or Other Dimensions: You have a sense of having lived before or memories that don’t seem to belong to this lifetime.
    • Feeling Like Time is an Illusion: You often feel detached from time or experience time anomalies.
    • A Pull Toward Spiritual Awakening: You’re naturally drawn to meditation, energy work, or higher consciousness practices.
    • A Desire to Raise Humanity’s Vibration: You feel a deep, inner calling or mission to help people evolve, grow, and reach a higher state of awareness.

To know for sure if you’re a Starseed, though, you’ll need to have an awakening. Some Starseeds can have subtle and sudden realizations while others can experience more dramatic and stunning awakenings. 

Tapping Into Your Core Starseed Wisdom

If you’re serious about achieving awakening, especially if you feel that your soul comes from another place, you’ll need to follow the path of the masters. The great news is that you don’t have to travel anywhere or do anything drastic to achieve enlightenment. As long as you learn the practices, you can awaken your core self in your own home!

How To Activate Starseed Awakening

An excellent way to start your journey is to find a spiritual guide, someone who has already walked the path and is eager to take your hand and guide you towards your own awakening. There are so many options for directing your mind towards your higher self, and you might need to experiment to land on the perfect practice. Set goals for yourself and be clear about precisely what you wish to achieve before you begin setting practices for yourself, such as prayer and meditation routines. 

For some, a Starseed awakening (or another type of awakening) comes easily and quickly. For others, it is a long and challenging path. It’s important to remember that every soul’s journey is unique and that you should never be hard on yourself. Spiritual enlightenment and self-discovery should be exciting and fulfilling!

You might get swept up in the legends, myths, and other ideas that float around among seekers, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Remember to accept YOU as YOU. Don’t force labels on yourself, and don’t be discouraged when a label you want doesn’t exactly fit you. Maybe you aren’t a Starseed, but who YOU truly are is so much more important and beautiful!

Embracing Your True Self

While it might be interesting and exciting to imagine that Starseeds are more evolved than Earth’s human beings, the truth is that any of us can expand at any moment. A Starseed might have the ancestry that points to expansion, but they may or may not have the intention to pursue their highest self.

It’s easy to become distracted by the latest spiritual systems or the most charismatic spiritual media stars. It’s even easier to want to leave our lives and bodies so that we can transcend the Universe and become Everything.

To truly transcend, we don’t have to go anywhere. We can do it from our living rooms.

We’re built to enjoy our minds and all the fantasies they conjure. We are constructed in such ways that one thought can lead us into heaven, while another leads us into hell. When it comes right down to it, as a species, we’re not very stable.

Whether you’re Starseed, Muslim, Lutheran, Japanese, Iranian, brown, red, tall, fat, wonderful, itchy, angry, or hilarious, your current “you” is a temporary construct that you continually co-created with your pre-birth guides, and the parents and cultures you chose for this life. None of these things are concrete.

They are temporary sets of constructs and conditions.

Your “you” is a layer atop a beautiful, powerful, vibrant soul, and you have unlimited potential in any direction. Your soul is not small letters; it’s an all-cap YOU, all the time. When we’re too distracted by our small yous, we can miss out on our fulfilling a purpose and embodying the Universe.

Always be careful with the labels you place on yourself. Every label is temporary, only partly true, and only at this moment. Each of these temporary self-identities has limitations and consequences. Try not to hold onto them so tightly.

We are in this life because we were called to this life. Live it as if you are here, in the now. Looking to the stars can be fun, but looking within is where you’ll find the gold. “Within” is your forever home.

If you want to learn more about the nature of your soul and your awakening journey, we can dive in together in a virtual private intuitive reading.

Last Updated: June 26, 2025

Read More About Starseeds 

Lyrian and Orion Starseeds 

Blue Avian Starseeds

Arcturian Starseeds 

 

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is a Spiritual Healer,  Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events. Learn more about Amma in Paul’s article Amma: The Loving, Hugging, Humanitarian Saint

Paul lovingly offers profound intuitive readings, spiritual coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Learn more about intuitive readings with Paul HERE

 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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The 26 Most Inspiring Divine Masters Throughout Time

Image of enlightened master Amma praying or meditating - Paul Wagner

Image of enlightened master Amma praying or meditating - Paul Wagner

Guru. Divine masters. Teacher. Sage. There are endless synonyms and titles for the bigger-than-life souls who have graced our planet with their births. Whether they walked among us to lead by word, example, or both, they are beings we must look to for guidance in our journeys.

It is said that when we have a Guru, not just a humble teacher but a true Enlightened Master, our paths are expedited and we can reach liberation in a much shorter period of time. Since we all have the spark of Love & Light that fills every Divine Being, our fires are already ignited. All we need to do is choose a path and dive into it with all of our hearts. Vulnerability, prayer, mantra, chanting, forgiveness, and rituals are some of the tools.

Divine masters encompass an amazing dualism of both lessons for our physical and spiritual lives. They help us align our bodies with our minds and find the right path for our souls while taking care of our physical health. No matter your concerns and troubles in life, you are sure to find solace and assistance in the lives and lessons of divine masters.

If you are looking for a new role model for your physical and spiritual journey or need consolation in your current life situation, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, I’ve put together the 25 most inspiring divine masters who have ever existed. Within this list, you can learn about their journeys on Earth and the shoes they have left for us to fill.

While the full list of saints and wonderful souls could be endless, this list comprises some of the most popular. Reflect on these figures as you turn inward and apply the lessons of these gurus to your journey. 

1) Amma the Hugging Saint

Mata Amritanandamayi, better known as Amma, is a revered spiritual leader in India with a mission to comfort the entire world. She is known as the “Hugging Saint” for Her tours in which she lovingly embraces every person who comes to see Her. Amma’s mission is to extend the true love she holds in her heart outward with physical actions that benefit humanity. As one of the most well-know divine masters, she has hugged over 40 millions times as of this writing.

Amma has the broadest, most remarkable mission in human history. She has reached more people and blessed them – than any other human figure.

Amma tours, holds retreats, and even has an Ashram in her name. People from all over are welcome to follow her, meet her, and emulate her love for the world.

2) Mother Meera

To many, Mother Meera is the physical embodiment of the Divine Feminine. She was born in Southern India in 1960 and now resides in the German countryside. She is best known for sharing the blessing of Darshan, which is to be in the presence of the Divine, by offering her time in complete silence to humanity and bestowing light upon the souls who seek it.

If you’re looking for a teacher in the traditional sense, Mother Meera is not the figure for you. She does not offer verbal guidance; instead, she is the presence of the Divine itself from which you can draw peace and enlightenment. 

3) Thich Nhat Hanh

If a silent presence like Mother Meera isn’t what you’re looking for, then maybe a poet-activist is exactly what you need. Thich Nhat Hanh is famous for his peace, ethics, and mindfulness teachings. Most of all, he preaches that we must live what we teach – and that he does!

At 16 years old, Thich Nhat Hanh became a Buddhist monk in Vietnam. He believed that he could forge a new path for Buddhism in which the religion could respond to the world’s needs in its current political climate. He has since become a published author and influenced many world leaders, calling for peace and reform in many industries.

4) Jesus the Nazarene: One of the Best-Known Divine Masters

Jesus is followed by over a third of the world’s population, standing at the center of Christianity. Jesus was both a historical man and a divine master, devoting his life to the suffering of humanity and lifting them from the depths of temptation and death. He marked the end of the Old Testament understanding of the Jewish God and began both a religious and political movement that would forever change the world. 

Jesus is believed to have performed many miracles on Earth, becoming the champion of the poor, sick, and oppressed. During his lifetime, he preached forgiveness, mercy, and unconditional love for all people. He also stayed close to his mother, Mary, who we also hail as Divine Mother and can invoke through the Hail Mary prayer.

5) The Buddha

Siddhārtha Gautama, widely known as the Buddha, was a revolutionary born near the Indian border in Nepal. At first, Siddhārtha made contributions to philosophical thought in his local area, but his teachings spread long after his death to form the foundations of Buddhism and other philosophies of other divine masters.

Spiritually, the Buddha teaches rebirth and the enlightened state of self, called Nirvana. Physically, he leads the life of the “middle way” and exercises moderation and critical thinking. Overall, following the Buddha means letting go of the Ego, finding balance, and achieving peace.

Illustration of buddha meditating - Paul Wagner

6) Mohammad ibn Abdullah

Jesus founded Christianity, Siddhārtha founded Buddhism, and Mohammad founded Islam. In Islam, Mohammad was a prophet who received the Quran from God as a final revelation before the world’s end. Suffering persecution early on, Mohammad had few followers and sent many away from his home region to protect them. 

Mohammad preached monotheism despite threats against him from the widely polytheistic society. While Mohammad’s teachings were rebellious to the religious and political leaders of his time, he was a uniting force for many people, converting almost the entire Arabian peninsula to Islam by the time of his death.

7) Kuan Yin

Kuan-shi Yin, which means “observing the world’s cries,” is recognized across Asia as the Buddhist goddess of compassion and mercy. As a Bodhisattva, Kuan Yin has earned her place as a Buddha but has chosen to dedicate her life to saving humanity instead of enjoying Nirvana. Among divine masters, she is often depicted with a thousand arms, representing her vow never to rest until all beings are freed from the cycle of reincarnation and suffering of the world.

8) Krishna

In Hinduism, Krishna is credited as the creator of the universe and the eighth incarnation of another Hindu god, Vishnu. This hero’s journey is accounted for in sacred Hindu texts, in which at a young age, he fought off many enemies and forces of evil with his advanced weaponry expertise. To save him from those who feared him, his mother disguised him as a commoner in a village. There, he dazzled many with his charm and talent. Now, Krishna is revered as both the bringer of enlightenment and a punisher for bad deeds. Today he is among the most well-known divine masters.

9) Anandamayi Ma

Sri Ma Anandamayi is a divine presence of self-sufficiency and joy. Born in 1896, she grew into a mysteriously aloof yet warm personality that struck the hearts of all who encountered her. No matter where she traveled, she was met with great reverence, and many came from faraway places just to see her. 

Sri Anandamayi Ma’s teachings are numerous among divine masters, but include achieving a life full of simplicity, love, and good works.

10) Ramakrishna

Sri Ramakrishna was born near Kolkata in 1836 and grew up utterly uninterested in worldly affairs. Instead, he loved the arts and philosophy. He listened to men in philosophical discourse, singing, and painting. Among divine masters, he was known for entering states of ecstasy in which he experienced visions and had a devotion to Mother Kali.

However, perhaps the most revolutionary thing about Ramakrishna was his ability to achieve the highest levels of revelation in several different religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. He preached that all faiths are just different paths to see God.

Ramakrishna - Payl Wagner

11) Babaji

Babaji, reigning from the foothills of the Himalayas, claimed to be a manifestation of God. He did not need to be born into humanity through a woman. When people encountered him, they all saw him as a different person, whether that was young or old, shaved or bearded. One day, Babaji is said to have climbed a mountain and sat in a yogic fashion for 45 days to meditate. Then, he began preaching his message: humanity was in trouble and needed to rebuild society as a humanitarian refuge with their eyes towards God.

12) Rumi

Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī is now known as one of the most famous poets to have ever graced the world with his verses. Born in the 13th century, Rumi was a scholar, theologian, and poet. His influence now transcends time and language, spreading his message of infusing love throughout the world with its basis in Islam.

13) The First Sikh Guru: Nanak

Guru Nanak was the original Sikh, the founder of the religion. Born in Talwandi in 1469, Guru Nanak was born to Hindu parents under Muslim authority. Growing up, Guru Nanak refused to take on the faith handed down by his parents. Instead, he meditated and spoke with holy men in Hindu and Muslim traditions. After an eventful revelation, Guru Nanak realized a new religion and began traveling to spread the good news and turn upside down many of the strict laws of established religions.

14) The Last Sikh Guru: Gobind Singh

Gobind Singh is the last physical Sikh guru, dying in 1708. He was a philosopher, poet, and warrior and is attributed to starting the Sikh warriors called Khalsa. During his lifetime, Gobind Singh installed the 5 K’s, the articles of faith that the warriors wear, and wrote the Dasam Granth, sacred texts consisting of hymns and stories. Many look to the Sikh Gurus for strength and inner stillness to remain steadfast during storms of change.

15) Zhang Ying

Master Zhang Ying realized her psychic abilities from an early age. While she was raised within the Buddhist faith, her powers and practices extend beyond the traditional understandings of Buddhism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Throughout her life, she has been able to heal others through her ability to move chi, diagnose physical and spiritual concerns in her patients, and connect with the spirit realm. 

16) El Morya, Ranbir Singh

Ranbir Singh was the son of the ruler of the Kashmirs in the 1840s who protected his land against British invasion. When Ranbir took his father’s place, he continued to improve his society by instituting fair civil and criminal laws and uniting divided factions. After his death, he was written into literature as an ascended master called El Morya with ties to Buddhist divine masters and is now channeled for assistance in defense against harm and decision-making.

17) Master Koot Humi

Koot Humi, also known as K.H. or Kuthumi, is said to have been the inspiration for starting the Theosophical Society in 1875. During his lifetime, he engaged in letters with other theosophists in India and was revered for being strong-willed but logical and calm. He has reincarnated several times, born as figures such as Egyptian Pharaohs, ancient thinkers, Catholic saints, and Indian princes. Students of his life and teachings as a divine master are encouraged to open their hearts, express unconditional love, and seek higher knowledge.

18) Moses the Prophet

Moses was seen as one of the fathers of the Jewish and Christian faiths, a prophet spoken to by God to bring freedom to the enslaved Jewish people. God also tasked him to provide commandments by which to live. Through faith and determination, Moses did as God asked and thereby performed miracles that allowed him to bring the Jewish people to their promised land. We can look to Moses for leadership skills and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

19) Merlin: Pop-Culture Divine Master

Myrddin Wyllt, better known as Merlin, was a court magician, bard, and King Arthur’s protector in the 5th century. His legacy involves a dark history of demonic dealings because of his relationship with magic. However, he was a known shapeshifter and prophet who helped King Arthur defeat his enemies and protect his kingdom while still only a teenager. Many people look to him for guidance in decision-making, persevering through troublesome times, and foresight.

20) Melchizedek

Melchizedek was both a King and Priest, though the only Caananite recognized as a figure of authority in the Bible. Abraham paid tithe to him, and he is revered as a solid father-like figure, although he is never mentioned in the very detailed account of lineage in Genesis. Therefore, Melchizedek’s existence and importance in the Bible and history remain somewhat mysterious. Many channel him for righteousness and oneness with creation.

21) Maharshi Ramana

Ramana Maharshi, born Dec. 30, 1879, is one of the ascended divine masters, avatar, liberated Being, and Hindu sage. He died on Apr 14, 1950 as Venkataraman Iyer. To his devotees, he is Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. As a boy, he would visit a sacred hill known as Arunahala where he embodied the source of The Universe and the complete current (sound, light, energy, electricity) of all reality. He spoke of this embodiment as the true Self, the personal God, or Shiva (Ishwara). His devotees came from all over the world and an ashram emerged around him. He would sit silently and allow for questions, noting that the most advantageous path to liberation is self-inquiry. Remove ignorance and be devoted to The Divine. This will help you surrender fully to the Eternal Self, which is within you.

Image of Maharshi Ramana - Paul Wagner

22) Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda is the father of western Yoga, focusing on self-realization and finding God using the path within. He has built a following for his teachings on spiritual living and meditation using Yoga as a centering practice. He has also traced Yogananda back through history and shown how other divine masters, such as Jesus and his disciples, used the same approach in their spiritual lives.

23) John of God

St. John of God, also known as father to the poor, was a Portuguese soldier in the 1500s who lost his faith and lived a life of temptation and darkness. Later, he realized the error of his ways and turned to a life of work in health care. He tended to the sick, both in body and mind, and was later canonized with a considerable following. He is now channeled for assistance with mental illness, poverty, death, and strength for health care workers. 

24) Zhang Daoling

During his meditations on Daoism, Zhang Daoling had a revelation claiming that Laozi, the great sage, appeared to him. Laozi told him of the “coming peace” called Taiping. This revelation drove him to begin preaching a new Daoism, keeping the tenet of physical immortality but stressing the need for religious organization. As a result, he founded the Way of the Celestial Masters, also known as the Five Pecks of Rice. He taught that illness resulted from sin-mindfulness and that Daoism offered spiritual healing that many tap into today.

25) Zoroaster

Zoroaster was an ancient prophet and sage in Persia who started the first historically acknowledged world religion between the 18th and 16th centuries BCE. He wrote the sacred book Zend Avesta in which he recounts a vision he had about the cosmic war being waged between the God of Light and the principle of evil. This concept of choosing between good and evil was the first push towards monotheism in the Middle East and guided Persian civilization. This religion now serves as the basis of the Parsi faith in India. Many draw on Zoroaster for guidance in choosing good over evil.

26) Confucius

Kong Zi, known in Latin as Confucius, profoundly influenced philosophy and religion throughout Asia by teaching about morality and justice. He tapped into the very truth of the universe and humanity’s existence to draw out guidance for people to live by in their daily lives. He was the first to historically teach the concept of the Golden Rule, which is to only do unto others what you would want to be done to you. Many look to him for balance and guidance in ethics without being tied to organized religion.

Begin a New Path to Self-Realization and Love by Following Divine Masters

With such an expansive list of divine masters, we still have only touched on just a few. You’re sure to find in this list some inspiration, whether you choose to devote your meditation and prayer practices to one, a few, or all of the above-listed gurus and divine personalities. The deeper you dive into your research and relationship with these divine masters, the more inspiration you will find in your journey to self-development and spiritual alignment in your life.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Awakened Masters & Divine Beings: Who Are They and What Do They Do?

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Illuminating Souls: The Divine Masters of India and Their Transformative Influence

Introduction

India, with its rich spiritual heritage, has been the birthplace of numerous enlightened masters who have left an indelible mark on the world. These luminaries, through their teachings and profound spiritual practices, guide us on a transformative journey towards enlightenment, healing, and alignment with divine consciousness.

In this exploration, we delve into the lives and teachings of ten of the most famous enlightened masters born in India, including Amma, Mother Meera, Anandamayi Ma, Ramakrishna, and others.

Their wisdom not only illuminates our lives but also serves as a beacon, leading us towards a harmonious existence rooted in Dharma and the dissolution of karma.

  1. Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi): The Hugging Saint

Amma, often referred to as the Hugging Saint, embodies the essence of love and compassion. Her selfless service and unconditional love have touched millions worldwide. Amma’s embrace, known as a hug of grace, is believed to transmit divine energy, providing solace and healing to those in need.

Her teachings emphasize the importance of selfless service, compassion, and the realization of the interconnectedness of all beings. Through her divine presence, Amma guides us on a path of love and compassion, helping to dissolve the karmic knots that bind us.

  1. Mother Meera: The Silent Illuminator

Known for her mystical silence and profound transmission of light, Mother Meera is regarded as an embodiment of the Divine Feminine. Born in a small village in India, she brings a profound silence that is said to transmit divine consciousness.

Mother Meera’s teachings emphasize the path of surrender and the transformation of the ego. Through the silent transmission of light, she aids in dissolving the karmic imprints, allowing individuals to align with their divine nature and experience inner illumination.

  1. Anandamayi Ma: The Joy-Permeated Mother

Anandamayi Ma, the Joy-Permeated Mother, radiated an unparalleled spiritual presence. Her life was a testament to the spontaneous and natural expression of divine consciousness. Anandamayi Ma emphasized the importance of surrender, love, and devotion on the spiritual path.

Her teachings guide individuals towards harmonizing with the cosmic order (Dharma) and transcending karmic entanglements. The joy that emanated from Anandamayi Ma’s being serves as a source of inspiration for seekers worldwide.

  1. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: The Eclectic Mystic

Ramakrishna Paramahansa, a 19th-century mystic, played a pivotal role in revitalizing Hinduism and fostering interfaith harmony. His teachings emphasized the universality of spiritual truths and the diverse paths to realizing the divine.

Through his deep spiritual practices, including intense devotion and meditation, Ramakrishna dissolved the boundaries of ego and delved into the ocean of divine consciousness. His life and teachings continue to guide individuals in dissolving personal karma and living in alignment with Dharma.

  1. Sri Aurobindo: The Integral Visionary

Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher, poet, and yogi, introduced the concept of integral yoga, aiming for the transformation of all aspects of human existence. His teachings emphasize the evolution of consciousness, leading towards a divine life on earth. Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga seeks to dissolve the dualities of existence and align individuals with their divine nature.

Through practices like meditation, self-awareness, and conscious living, followers of Sri Aurobindo strive to overcome karma and embrace a life in harmony with the divine.

  1. Swami Vivekananda: The Torchbearer of Vedanta

Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, played a crucial role in introducing Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. His teachings emphasized the universality of religion and the divinity within every soul.

Swami Vivekananda’s call for fearlessness and strength has inspired countless individuals to align with their higher selves and dissolve the karmic obstacles that hinder spiritual progress.

  1. Paramahansa Yogananda: The Yogi-Philosopher

Paramahansa Yogananda, author of “Autobiography of a Yogi,” brought the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the West. His spiritual legacy continues through the organization he founded, Self-Realization Fellowship.

Yogananda’s emphasis on direct communion with the divine through meditation provides a practical path for dissolving karma and aligning with the soul’s journey toward self-realization.

  1. Sai Baba of Shirdi: The Miraculous Mystic

Sai Baba of Shirdi, a revered saint in both Hindu and Muslim communities, is known for his miracles and teachings that transcend religious boundaries. Sai Baba emphasized the importance of love, forgiveness, and service to humanity.

His divine presence is believed to bring healing and liberation from karmic entanglements, encouraging followers to live according to Dharma.

  1. Nisargadatta Maharaj: The Sage of Self-Inquiry

Nisargadatta Maharaj, a 20th-century sage, gained recognition for his teachings on Advaita Vedanta and self-inquiry. His emphasis on realizing the true nature of the self through introspection and self-awareness provides a profound path for dissolving the illusions of karma.

Nisargadatta’s teachings guide individuals towards the direct experience of the divine consciousness that resides within.

  1. Jiddu Krishnamurti: The Iconoclastic Philosopher

Jiddu Krishnamurti, a philosopher and spiritual teacher, challenged traditional concepts of spirituality and religion. His teachings centered on the importance of self-discovery, inner freedom, and the dissolution of psychological conditioning.

Krishnamurti’s radical approach encourages individuals to question the nature of karma, cultivate deep self-awareness, and align with the timeless truth beyond cultural and religious boundaries.

Conclusion

The lives and teachings of these enlightened masters born in India offer a diverse tapestry of spiritual wisdom, providing guidance on how to illuminate our lives, heal our souls, and live in alignment with Dharma.

Whether through the transformative power of love and compassion, the silent transmission of divine light, the joy of surrender, or the integral vision of yoga, each master contributes a unique facet to the journey of self-realization.

Their teachings invite us to dissolve the karmic imprints that bind us, align with our divine nature, and awaken to the profound truth that transcends the limitations of ego and duality.

As we explore these paths, we embark on a transformative journey towards inner illumination, healing, and a harmonious existence rooted in divine consciousness.

The enlightened masters serve as beacons of light, guiding us through the labyrinth of existence towards the timeless truth that resides within every soul.

Visit TheShankaraExperience.com to learn about The Shankara Oracle – the most divine oracle on Earth.

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.