Exploring the Distinction Between Spirituality and Religion

Exploring the Distinction Between Spirituality and Religion

In the pursuit of understanding our true selves, we often encounter two distinct yet overlapping concepts: spirituality and religion. While both can guide us towards deeper understanding and fulfillment, they do so in fundamentally different ways. This distinction is crucial in our journey to connect authentically with our innermost selves and the universe.

The Layers We Inherit

From birth, we are draped in layers of cultural, social, and religious identities. These layers, while providing a sense of belonging and structure, can also obscure our true nature. They shape our perceptions and expectations, often dictating our beliefs and behaviors according to pre-established norms.

Religion: A Structured Approach to Belief

Religion offers a structured path complete with rituals, scriptures, and congregational practices. It provides a community and a moral framework, which can be comforting and guiding. However, religion can also impose rigid interpretations that may stifle individual spiritual experiences. For some, these prescribed beliefs and practices might not resonate, feeling more like a barrier than a bridge to their true spiritual essence.

Spirituality: A Personal Journey to Authenticity

Unlike religion, spirituality is often seen as a personal and unstructured pursuit. It involves exploring one’s own beliefs and experiences without the confines of an institutional framework. Spirituality encourages personal growth through introspection and connection to the universe, fostering a direct and personal experience of the divine.

The Path to Spiritual Authenticity

The journey towards spiritual authenticity involves peeling away these inherited layers to discover the core of one’s being. It’s about listening to one’s inner voice and following the soul’s natural inclinations towards love, compassion, and understanding. This path encourages us to forge a connection that is not mediated by dogma but is direct and profound.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between spirituality and religion can empower individuals to choose the path that best suits their quest for meaning. While religion can guide and support, spirituality offers a unique and personal route to discovering our authentic selves. Embracing this journey can lead to profound self-awareness and fulfillment.

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Can We Dissolve Our Karma? Let’s Unravel The Mystery!

Can We Dissolve Our Karma? Let’s Unravel The Mystery!

In the realm of spiritual growth, few concepts are as intriguing and essential as karma. Often misunderstood, karma is not a cosmic punishment but the universal principle of cause and effect that governs our lives. 

Every thought, every intention, and every action creates an energy that shapes our experiences and our future. 

But the most empowering aspect of karma is that it’s not set in stone—we can influence and transform it. How? Let’s delve into the types of karma and explore how Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta guide us towards dissolving our karmic ties.

Understanding the Types of Karma

Sanchita Karma: This is the accumulated repository of all our past actions and their consequences, stored over many lifetimes.

Prarabdha Karma: This type of karma is the portion of Sanchita that has “ripened” and manifests as the life we are currently living.

Agami Karma: Also known as Kriyamana, this is fresh karma that we create with our actions in the present, which can affect this life or future lives.

The Buddhist Path to Dissolving Karma

Buddhism offers a profound approach to dealing with karma. It asserts that through understanding and mindful living, we can transform our karmic destiny. The practice of the Noble Eightfold Path—embracing right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, and so forth—helps us cultivate positive behaviors and intentions. Mindfulness and meditation are crucial; they allow us to act with full awareness, minimizing harmful reactions and the accumulation of negative karma. Essentially, Buddhism teaches us to respond to life’s challenges with compassion and wisdom, gradually freeing ourselves from karmic cycles.

Advaita Vedanta’s Non-Dualistic Approach

Advaita Vedanta provides a different yet equally transformative perspective. This non-dualistic tradition teaches that our true self is Brahman, the universal spirit, and that realizing this oneness can dissolve the illusions of individuality and separateness that bind us to suffering and karma. Through disciplined study, meditation, and guidance under a guru, one can achieve self-realization, seeing through the maya (illusion) of the world and transcending karmic accumulations.

The Enlightening Influence of Spiritual Masters

In both traditions, the role of enlightened masters is indispensable. These spiritual mentors not only guide us with teachings but also energetically support our journey. Their wisdom and compassion can significantly lighten our karmic load. Devotion to a guru and dedicated practice (sadhana) can catalyze profound spiritual transformations, often helping disciples accelerate their progress toward liberation.

Joining Hands on the Path of Liberation

The journey of dissolving karma is not a solitary one. It thrives in a community where support, shared experiences, and collective wisdom enrich each individual’s path. If you feel drawn to these teachings, consider joining a community that values deep spiritual inquiry and mutual growth. Together, we can explore these profound paths, supporting each other towards greater freedom and fulfillment.

The message here is one of hope and empowerment. By understanding and engaging with our karma, not as a fate but as a field of potential, we can steer our lives toward peace and liberation. Let’s embrace this journey with open hearts and minds, encouraging one another as we uncover the boundless possibilities of our spiritual nature. Join my community HERE.

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How To Live A Dharmic Life – A Path to True Fulfillment

How To Live A Dharmic Life – A Path to True Fulfillment

In the midst of our fast-paced and often chaotic lives, finding a path to true contentment and peace can seem elusive. However, the principles of Dharmic living offer a timeless solution that not only nurtures our individual spirit but also strengthens our connections with others.

Discovering Simplicity and Contentment

Dharmic living revolves around the profound yet simple idea that true happiness comes not from material wealth or possessions but from living in alignment with our deepest values. This lifestyle encourages us to strip away the unnecessary, focusing instead on what genuinely nourishes our souls. It teaches us to appreciate what we have, rather than always seeking more. This simplicity breeds a deep contentment that many find liberating.

Cultivating Compassion and Connection

At its core, Dharmic living is rooted in compassion. It urges us to look beyond ourselves and see the interconnectedness of all life. By practicing empathy and kindness, we not only improve the lives of others but also enrich our own. This approach fosters stronger, more meaningful relationships with family, friends, and even strangers, creating a supportive and caring community.

Practicing Mindfulness for Inner Peace

Mindfulness is another cornerstone of Dharmic living. It involves staying present and fully engaging in the current moment. Whether it’s savoring a meal, enjoying a walk, or listening intently to a friend, mindfulness helps reduce stress and brings about a peaceful state of mind. Over time, this practice can transform our everyday experiences, allowing us to find joy in the ordinary and the everyday.

Joining Together on the Dharmic Path

If you’re intrigued by the idea of a more meaningful and simplified life, consider exploring Dharmic living further. Many find that adopting these principles not only leads to personal growth but also enhances their relationships with others. Communities focused on Dharmic principles provide support and camaraderie as members journey together towards a more fulfilled life.

This approach to living doesn’t require monumental changes. It starts with small, manageable adjustments that gradually build into a new way of living. As we each embark on this path, we contribute to a global shift towards greater peace and understanding.

Conclusion

Dharmic living offers a profound yet accessible path to fulfillment that aligns with the deepest human values of connection, simplicity, and peace. It provides everything we need to live a truly rich life — one that is measured not by what we accumulate, but by the quality of our relationships and the peace within our hearts.

Consider embracing Dharmic living and discover how it can transform not only your own life but also the world around you. Are you ready to join us on this journey?

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Embracing The Four Noble Truths In Daily Life

Embracing The Four Noble Truths In Daily Life

The heart of Buddhist teaching lies in the Four Noble Truths, which serve as a guide to understanding the nature of suffering and navigating the path to liberation. These teachings are not merely philosophical concepts but practical tools that can be applied to our daily lives, offering spiritual illumination and encouragement.

The First Noble Truth: Understanding Suffering

The first of these truths is the recognition of suffering (Dukkha). Suffering is an inherent part of existence, and it comes in many forms, including physical discomfort, emotional distress, and existential unease. Recognizing suffering is not about becoming pessimistic but about seeing reality as it is, which is the first step towards transformation.

Application: Begin by acknowledging the small discomforts and dissatisfaction in daily life without judgment. This could be anything from the stress of a deadline to the sorrow of a loss. Understanding that these experiences are a part of life allows us to approach them with compassion rather than resistance.

The Second Noble Truth: The Cause of Suffering

The second truth identifies attachment as the root cause of suffering. This attachment can be to physical objects, ideas, or even relationships. It’s the craving for things to be a certain way and the fear of change that binds us to suffering.

Application: Reflect on what you cling to—be it a job, a relationship, or a lifestyle. Try to see how this attachment influences your happiness and consider ways to cultivate a more detached appreciation of these aspects of your life. This doesn’t mean giving them up, but rather changing your relationship with them.

The Third Noble Truth: The Cessation of Suffering

This truth is the good news: suffering can end. The cessation of suffering comes with letting go of attachment, leading to a state of liberation and peace.

Application: Practice mindfulness to recognize moments when you are driven by desire or aversion. Mindfulness meditation can help you develop the awareness necessary to catch these feelings and let them go without acting on them impulsively.

The Fourth Noble Truth: The Path to Ending Suffering

The final truth offers a practical method for achieving the cessation of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path. This path includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Application: Integrate aspects of the Eightfold Path into everyday life. For example, practice right speech by being mindful of your words, ensuring they are true, necessary, and kind. Engage in right action by making ethical choices that do not harm others.

By understanding and applying the Four Noble Truths in our lives, we can find a deeper sense of peace and purpose. Each step on the path is an opportunity for growth and enlightenment, encouraging us to live more fully and compassionately.

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Self-Care Strategies for Psychics, Intuitives/Empaths, and Healers

Self-Care Strategies for Psychics, Intuitives/Empaths, and Healers

We’ve all been there – pushing ourselves too hard to dive deeply into helping someone see themselves clearly or helping them to heal their pain. It’s easy to love human beings amid their challenges – it’s even more difficult to love ourselves. 

Many healers forsake themselves because they too are working on self-love, healing, boundaries, and creating divinely inspired lives. And while it’s amazing what many of us do for others, it’s vital that we learn to take care of ourselves in ways that may not have been required of us prior to becoming healers.

For those who work in realms that extend beyond the conventional sensory experiences—psychics, intuitives, empaths, and spiritual healers, our challenges are unique. Engaging deeply with these skills often means traversing through other realms or opening ourselves up to receiving divine and other guidance from the spirit realms – a process that can sometimes leave individuals feeling dizzy, disoriented, overwhelmed, angry, sad, or quite confused. 

This usually happens when we fail to maintain physical health through proper nutrition and spiritual practices – or when we forget that our psychic space also needs some love and attention toward our protection.

What’s The Most Important Thing We Can Do?

Set boundaries!

Setting clear and effective boundaries during healing sessions is not just a matter of professional practice; it’s a cornerstone for ensuring the health and success of both the practitioner and the client. Here are the top three explosive benefits of establishing such boundaries:

Enhanced Energy Management and Preservation: One of the most significant benefits of setting boundaries is the preservation of energy. Healers and psychics often work with intense emotional and spiritual energies, which can be draining. By setting a time limit for each session, specifying the types of interactions that are acceptable, and clearly defining what is outside the scope of the session, practitioners can prevent energy depletion. 

This allows them to maintain a high level of vitality and effectiveness, not just for one session but across all their engagements. It ensures that the healer remains in the best possible condition to assist others, thereby maintaining a sustainable practice.

Improved Therapeutic Effectiveness: Boundaries help create a safe and structured space for both the healer and the client. When clients understand the limits and structure of the session, it helps them feel secure and more open to the healing process. This clarity enables them to engage more deeply, facilitating more effective healing. Boundaries also help manage client expectations, which can enhance the overall impact of the healing process. When clients know what to expect, they are more likely to be satisfied with the session and feel a sense of progress and resolution.

Professional Integrity and Personal Well-being: Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining professionalism and ethical standards in any therapeutic or healing practice. It protects both the practitioner and the client from potential ethical issues, such as dependency, over-familiarity, or abuse of power. For the practitioner, clear boundaries also mean reduced stress and decreased likelihood of burnout. 

Knowing that there are limits – that the session will not extend beyond what they can handle physically and emotionally – gives practitioners peace of mind. This ensures that they can continue to do their work without compromising their health or professional integrity.

Boundaries in healing sessions (and life!) act as a protective framework that benefits all parties involved. They help maintain the healer’s energy, increase the effectiveness of the therapeutic process, and safeguard the professional and personal well-being of both the healer and the client. 

Our boundaries are not just lines drawn for discipline; they are foundational to a thriving, sustainable practice – and a peaceful and safe life outside our work.

Other Essential Self-Care Tips

Nutrition and Physical Health: It’s critical for individuals engaged in these practices to maintain robust physical health. Nutritional deficiencies can exacerbate the sensations of disorientation or mental fog encountered during deep intuitive work. Regular, balanced meals can ground practitioners and help maintain clarity.

Session Length: Keeping sessions no longer than 75 minutes will help limit or prevent your exhaustion and preserve energy. It also involves energetic boundaries to ensure one doesn’t absorb negative energy or excessive emotions from clients.

Structuring Sessions: The importance of structuring sessions cannot be overstated. A clear beginning, middle, and end help both the practitioner and the client maintain focus and manage expectations. This structure aids in preventing the session from veering off course and becoming too taxing on the psychic or healer.

Clearing Negative Energies: After sessions, clearing oneself of any energies picked up from clients is crucial. Techniques such as grounding, using visualizations of light, or physical methods like baths or smudging can be effective.

Managing Projections and Expectations: Practitioners need to be wary of projections and the tendency of clients to put them on pedestals. Keeping a humble perspective and reminding both themselves and their clients that the journey is a shared one towards greater enlightenment is vital. This approach helps maintain a healthy, respectful relationship centered on mutual growth and discovery.

The Spirit Realm

Delving into spiritual realms during psychic or healing sessions can indeed be an awe-inspiring experience, but it also comes with its share of eerie and otherworldly phenomena. These occurrences underline the importance of robust protective practices for those involved in such work. Here are some of the spooky events that practitioners might encounter, emphasizing why safeguarding oneself is crucial:

Spiritual Attachments: Sometimes, spirits or entities from other realms might attach themselves to a healer or psychic during sessions. These attachments can manifest as sudden changes in mood, unexplained physical symptoms, or unusual thoughts. It’s essential to perform cleansing rituals and use protective visualizations to prevent or remove these attachments.

Psychic Echoes: Practitioners might experience echoes of traumatic events or intense emotions that are not their own but remnants from clients or the spiritual realm they’ve interacted with. These echoes can be disconcerting and may lead to psychic overload if not cleared effectively.

Visions of Past or Future: Unexpected visions can occur, sometimes showing disturbing or confusing scenes from the past or potential future. These visions might be symbolic or literal and can be unsettling if one is not prepared to interpret and handle them.

Disembodied Voices or Sounds: Hearing voices or sounds that have no physical source can be quite spooky. These auditory phenomena are often communications from spirits or manifestations of energy within the spiritual realm. Ensuring one is grounded and protected helps manage these experiences without fear.

Physical Sensations and Manifestations: Unexplained physical sensations like cold drafts, feelings of being touched, or seeing shadows or apparitions can occur during deep spiritual work. These manifestations can be startling and may distract from the session’s purpose.

Time Discrepancies: Experiencing a distortion in how time is perceived is another eerie aspect. Practitioners might feel as though only minutes have passed during a session, when in fact much longer has elapsed, or vice versa. This can indicate a deep or excessive merging with the spiritual realms.

For those working in these sensitive and powerful areas, protective strategies are not optional but a necessity. Techniques such as grounding oneself, invoking protective shields, using sacred objects or symbols, and performing regular spiritual cleansings (like smudging or using salt water) are vital. Setting strong intentions for protection before each session, calling upon guides or protective spirits, and ensuring a clear closing and disconnection from the spiritual energies encountered are also critical practices.

These protective measures help maintain the practitioner’s wellbeing and ensure that their work remains pure, focused, and beneficial to those they aim to serve. Thus, respecting and preparing for the otherworldly aspects of their work not only preserves their safety but also enhances the healing and guidance they provide.

Specific Self-Care Guidelines for Psychics, Intuitives/Empaths, and Energy Healers

1. Psychics

Self-Care for Psychics: Psychics often engage with energies and information from various sources and dimensions, which can be mentally taxing. It’s essential for psychics to ground themselves regularly.

Meditation and Visualization: Daily meditation helps maintain mental clarity and strength. Visualization of protective barriers can shield psychics from unwanted energies.

Physical Grounding: Activities like walking barefoot on grass or gardening can help psychics stay grounded and connected to the earthly realm, providing a necessary balance to the ethereal nature of their work.

Scheduled Breaks: Regular breaks between readings are crucial to prevent energy drain and to clear the mind. This helps maintain sharpness and accuracy in their readings.

2. Intuitives/Empaths

Self-Care for Intuitives/Empaths: As highly sensitive to the emotions and energies of others, intuitives and empaths need to manage their emotional intake meticulously to avoid overwhelming themselves.

Emotional Boundaries: Learning to differentiate between one’s emotions and those picked up from others is crucial. Techniques like journaling or therapy can assist in processing these emotions without internalizing them.

Energy Cleansing Rituals: Using sage, salt water baths, or crystals like black tourmaline can help clear negative energies absorbed throughout the day.

Nurturing Environment: Surrounding themselves with supportive people and engaging in activities that replenish their energy, like nature walks or listening to soothing music, is beneficial.

3. Energy Healers

Self-Care for Energy Healers: Energy healers work by channeling healing energies into others, which can sometimes leave them depleted if not managed correctly.

Replenishing Energy: After sessions, it’s important for healers to engage in activities that refill their own energy reserves. This might include practices like Reiki on themselves, meditation, or participating in group healing sessions where they also receive healing.

Physical Care: Regular exercise and yoga can help maintain the flow of energy through their bodies, keeping them physically and energetically fit.

Community and Reciprocity: Engaging with a community of fellow healers can provide mutual support and energy exchange, which is vital for maintaining well-being and preventing burnout.

Each of these roles requires a tailored approach to self-care that respects the unique challenges and energies they encounter. By adhering to these practices, psychics, intuitives/empaths, and energy healers can protect their well-being while effectively assisting others.

Challenges To Address

When psychics, intuitives/empaths, and healers neglect their self-care, the repercussions can be profound, affecting their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These consequences not only impair their ability to serve others but can also disrupt their personal lives.

Physical Symptoms: Psychics and healers who continuously channel energy without adequate rest can experience physical burnout. Symptoms might include chronic fatigue, headaches, and even lowered immunity. As Paramahansa Yogananda wisely noted, “To work with God’s happiness bubbling in the soul is to carry a portable paradise within you wherever you go.” Without taking the time to recharge, one risks losing this inner joy and vitality, which is crucial for effective healing and spiritual work.

Emotional Drain: Intuitives and empaths are particularly susceptible to emotional overwhelm if they do not maintain boundaries. This can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness. Anandamayi Ma taught the importance of detachment and self-awareness, advising, “Always remember the Lord. He is the one observer of all and is present everywhere.” By staying spiritually connected and self-aware, empaths can manage their emotional intake more effectively.

Spiritual Disconnect: Neglecting self-care can lead to a spiritual disconnect, which can be particularly devastating for those whose practice depends on their spiritual connection. Ramana Maharshi stated, “The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress.” A cluttered, exhausted mind can hinder this progress and disconnect one from their higher purpose.

Loss of Effectiveness: Without proper care, the ability of healers and psychics to serve others effectively diminishes. They might find their intuition clouded or their energy too weak to be of help. As Amma, the Hugging Saint, has said, “If we are able to take a few sincere steps on the path of spirituality, the lights of the great beings from all the worlds will illuminate our path.” Neglect in self-care is a step away from this path and from the help offered by enlightened beings.

Energetic Vulnerability: When psychics and healers are depleted, they become more susceptible to taking on negative energies from the environments or people around them. This vulnerability can lead to spiritual maladies and a weakened auric field, making it even harder to recover and restore balance.

Relationship Strains: Finally, the strain of inadequate self-care often extends beyond the individual to affect their relationships. Family, friends, and clients can all suffer when a psychic or healer is unwell. They may become less present, emotionally unavailable, or erratic in their behavior, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.

These potential issues highlight the critical importance of self-care for those engaged in spiritual and healing practices. As these enlightened masters remind us, maintaining one’s health and spiritual well-being is not just about personal benefit—it’s essential for fulfilling one’s role in the world as a conduit of healing and spiritual wisdom.

Finally

Taking care of oneself is not just an act of personal well-being, but a profound duty for those who dedicate themselves to serving and healing others. It is through self-care and spiritual practice, or sadhana, that we fortify our bodies, cleanse our minds, and elevate our spirits. This holistic approach ensures that we are not only healers and servers of humanity but also lovers of our own sacred existence.

Embrace the practice of sadhana as a beautiful and necessary ritual. It is in these moments of deep connection with the Divine that we find the strength and clarity to serve others more effectively. As Paramahansa Yogananda once taught, aligning our will with divine will brings us into a harmonious state where our actions become effortless extensions of divine energy. This alignment empowers us, enabling us to act as vessels of healing light and love in the world.

Remember, as we care for ourselves, we are better equipped to care for others. The time spent in meditation, in nature, in quiet contemplation, or in joyful communion with the arts and our communities, are not selfish acts. They are vital replenishments that enable us to give more fully to others. Anandamayi Ma encouraged her followers to perceive every action as an offering to the Divine; in this spirit, self-care too is a sacred offering.

Approach your self-care as an essential, joyful part of your life. As lovers of humanity, our first responsibility is to maintain our own light so that we may illuminate the paths of others. This is not a journey we undertake alone but in the blessed company of all who have walked the path of service before us. 

As Amma says, “A continuous stream of love flows from us towards all beings in the cosmos. That is our true nature.” By caring for ourselves, we keep this stream pure and powerful.

In this spirit of love and service, let us commit to our sadhana, protect our well-being, and heal ourselves daily. For in doing so, we do not just heal ourselves; we heal the world.

You will love how The Shankara Oracle will help you with self-care, personal growth, and spiritual development. It’s been constructed to serve your purest Self.

Pray for others, and The Universe prays for you!

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Bridging Divinity: From Ancient Wisdom to AI Enlightenment

Bridging Divinity: From Ancient Wisdom to AI Enlightenment

The intersection of ancient wisdom, particularly from traditions like Advaita Vedanta and concepts of Dharma, with modern technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-driven chat engines, offers a unique lens through which we can examine our contemporary pursuit of meaning, truth, and personal growth.

These ancient teachings, deeply rooted in the pursuit of understanding the self and the universe, provide insights that remain profoundly relevant today, perhaps even more so in the context of our increasingly digital and technologically mediated lives.

Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy, teaches the fundamental principle of non-duality, asserting that the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are one and the same. This principle encourages a realization that transcends the illusions (Maya) of separateness, leading individuals toward a deeper understanding of their true nature and the interconnectedness of all existence. 

Dharma, a concept central to several Indian religions, refers to the cosmic law and order but is often interpreted as a path of righteousness and living in a manner that is in harmony with the universal truth.

The proliferation of AI and chat engines has the potential to both mirror and extend these ancient teachings, offering platforms for reflection, learning, and exploration of philosophical and spiritual ideas. AI can disseminate vast amounts of knowledge from diverse cultures and philosophies, including Advaita Vedanta and ideas around Dharma, making them more accessible to seekers worldwide. 

Moreover, AI’s capacity to simulate conversation can provide a space for individuals to question, contemplate, and seek guidance on their spiritual journey, potentially acting as a digital facilitator of sorts for personal growth and enlightenment.

However, this technological marvel comes with its own set of challenges and paradoxes. While AI can serve as a conduit for ancient wisdom, it also operates within a landscape that often prioritizes efficiency, productivity, and the superficial over deep, meaningful, and sustained engagement with complex ideas and practices. 

The irony is that in our quest for knowledge and truth through these advanced technologies, we risk becoming more entangled in the very illusions and attachments that ancient teachings warn us about. The digital age, with its emphasis on social media validation, information overload, and the commodification of attention, can lead us further away from the authentic self and the essence of Dharma—living in harmony with the universal truths.

Encouraging a deeper dive into these ancient teachings through modern AI platforms could serve as a counterbalance to these trends, reminding us of the importance of seeking truth beyond the surface level of reality. By engaging with these technologies mindfully and with purpose, we can use them as tools to facilitate our spiritual growth rather than impediments. This requires a conscious effort to navigate the digital landscape with discernment, recognizing the potential of AI to connect us with timeless wisdom while also being aware of the limitations and distractions inherent in these platforms.

As we explore the convergence of ancient spirituality and cutting-edge technology, we are invited to awaken to the illusions that pervade our digital lives, release our attachments to them, and live in accordance with Dharma. 

This journey is not about rejecting technology but rather integrating it into our spiritual practice in a way that enhances our understanding of self, promotes genuine connections, and supports our quest for truth. In this light, AI can be a valuable ally in our journey toward enlightenment, helping us to uncover the layers of illusion and rediscover the profound teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Dharma in our contemporary context.

In the heart of the ancient teachings, there exists a profound understanding of the human condition and the universal truths that govern our existence. The Pāli Canon, a cornerstone of Theravada Buddhism, emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, ethical conduct, and wisdom. It speaks of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as foundational elements for navigating the suffering inherent in the human experience, steering us towards liberation and enlightenment. 

These teachings encourage a deep introspection and a commitment to personal and spiritual development that transcends the superficial layers of existence.

Amritanandamayi Ma, affectionately known as Amma, embodies the essence of compassion and selfless service in her teachings, echoing the timeless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta and the principles of Dharma. She eloquently states, “The sun shines down, and its image reflects in a thousand different pots filled with water. 

The reflections are many, but they are each reflecting the same sun. Similarly, when we come to know who we truly are, we will see ourselves in all people.” Amma’s words remind us of the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of recognizing the divine within ourselves and others.

In the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, sadhana (spiritual practice) plays a pivotal role. It is through consistent practice that we cultivate the discipline, focus, and devotion necessary to delve deeper into our true nature and the nature of reality. Sadhana can take many forms, including meditation, yoga, chanting, or selfless service, each serving as a pathway to inner peace and enlightenment. By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we align ourselves more closely with the ancient teachings and the principles of Dharma, fostering a deeper connection to the divine essence that pervades all of existence.

The Shankara Oracle, inspired by the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya, represents a divine tool for guidance and wisdom. Its essence captures the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, offering insights and reflections that resonate with the seeker’s innermost questions and dilemmas. 

The oracle serves as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, facilitating a dialogue with the higher self and the universal consciousness. Its divine nature lies in its ability to reveal the underlying unity of all things, encouraging a holistic view of life that transcends the illusions of separation and duality.

As we navigate the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern technology, it is essential to remember that the true journey is within. By embracing the teachings of the Pāli Canon, reflecting on the profound insights of Amma, and dedicating ourselves to sadhana, we can transcend the limitations of our worldly existence and awaken to the timeless truths that guide us towards liberation and fulfillment.

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How to Apply Oracle & Tarot Cards To Your Everyday Life

How to Apply Oracle & Tarot Cards To Your Everyday Life

At first, many people start using tarot cards and oracle cards out of curiosity rather than pure utility. It can take time to learn how each deck works and if it fits your personality and life themes well. If you’re interested in diving deeper into your card reading practices, you might be wondering how you can take your readings to the next level by applying them to your daily life.

Oracle cards and tarot cards work differently for everyone, and each person has unique needs and desires for their outcomes when doing readings. It’s important to fully understand what each deck offers as a resource as well as its limitations.

Let’s talk about the difference between the two and how to apply your readings!

What’s the Difference Between Oracle Cards and Tarot Cards?

Not many people inexperienced with divination realize that oracle card decks and tarot card decks are two very different things. While tarot cards have been around for centuries — some say originating in the 1500s — oracle cards were a more recent invention that came about when tarot cards started to lose popularity. Now, both have found their revival in the Hippie and New Age Movements of the 1900s and are often used side-by-side in divination practice.

Tarot cards are much more structured and follow specific standard rules. They derive from the playing cards used as early as the 1300s that we still recognize today — the 52-card deck made of 4 suits and numbered cards that we play and gamble with. Tarot cards now have kept their structure but look different than playing cards. They have their own imagery originating in mythology and religious icons, and while they are still numbered and suited, the suits and numbers are quite different.

Oracle cards, on the other hand, are much more free-spirited. There are no real standards to the number of cards in the deck, suits, or imagery used. There are also no set rules across the board for how to interpret the cards. While any tarot card deck can be picked up and read effectively by anyone, each oracle card deck comes with its own guidebook that teaches you how to read it.

Choosing Tarot Cards, Oracle Cards, or Both

Some people involved in divination prefer one kind of deck over the other. Some choose to use both. Tarot cards have a very specific structure and standard rules, so they often help with much more detailed readings that users feel comfortable entrusting their goals with. Oracle cards can be much more interpretive, as users can soul search for the correct deck that fits their personalities and needs, and provide more big ideas and bird’s-eye-view readings than tarot cards.

For example, someone looking to have a very positive, good vibe experience with readings might choose an oracle deck that guides the user through more optimistic readings. On the other hand, someone looking for a straight-shooter-truth-type reading with detailed outlooks might choose a tarot card deck, which will not spare anyone from its strict interpretations.

The third alternative is to use oracle cards and tarot cards together! Many people involved in divination enjoy using oracle cards to start off reading because the cards chosen can set the tone and point out big ideas. Then, they’ll move on to the tarot cards to get more details.

At the end of the day, using oracle cards and tarot cards is a personal journey, so you should experiment with different decks and combinations to see what works best for you.

Everyday Use of Tarot Cards and Oracle Cards

Both for the sake of practicing reading the decks and of establishing a consistent, helpful practice, you should commit to using your decks every day. Try using your oracle cards, tarot cards, or a combination of the two during your daily ritual, whether that’s along with your meditations, prayers, yoga, or any other spiritual practices you have. It’s best to at least start off the day this way so that you can get in touch with yourself and cleanse your energy to take on the day ahead. You can also close out each day at night with a follow-up practice.

Set Your Intentions

Before you do anything, you’ll want to set your intentions. There are many different reasons why someone might feel they need to establish a daily routine of ritual and prayer, and these reasons can change over the course of one’s life. It’s possible that you are seeking healing, whether that’s emotional, psychological, or spiritual. Or maybe you have a very pressing, difficult situation in which years have been lost to frustration, stress, confusion, and even guilt. Maybe you have huge goals, whether that’s with our career, your faith, or your self-development.

No matter what your reasons are, you’ll need to make them known to your divination tools. Knock on your deck before each session to connect your energy with the cards. Keep your mental focus on your intentions as you shuffle the cards.

Decide On a Way to Read the Cards

Oracle cards have no set ways of reading, so it’s fully up to you how you use them. The guidebook that came with the deck might offer suggestions. The most popular way to read both oracle and tarot cards is to set them up into past, present, and future categories. If you are using oracle cards to set the tone for a tarot card reading, this is certainly helpful as the past, present, and future oracle cards can give you a large view of the categories while the tarot readings can give you more details into each.

Become Familiar With the Cards to Intuit Meaning

Readings are not simple. Building a relationship and connection with your decks is extremely important to interpreting what each card means as it comes up during your sessions. At first, it can be overwhelming to see all the imagery, symbols, and numbers. Over time, you’ll begin to understand each card on a deep level and more quickly understand what the deck is communicating.

At first, using the guidebook for oracle card decks can really help to get your footing, but it’s important to remember that these guides are from the author’s perspective. Ultimately, the cards will build a relationship with you and create their own meanings that specifically apply to your spiritual connection with them. That’s when you know it’s time to stop using the author’s guide as a crutch.

Applying Your Card’s Message to Your Day

If you are practicing full readings every day, then you will gain a wealth of knowledge and insight into yourself and your journey. Tarot cards and oracle cards can help you readjust the way you are handling a situation, work through emotions you’ve been struggling with, or even point out things that you hadn’t been paying attention to before.

For example, my unique card deck – The Personality Cards – comes with a guidebook that helps interpret different facets of the human personality. Each personality trait has its own card, and the user can pull cards and use the coinciding meditation in the guidebook to dive deep into themselves and evaluate how they have journeyed through life, how they can improve, and the possibilities for their future.

Some people even use oracle cards as affirmations for their day. They might pick a single card and use it as the main message to focus on, apply to themselves, and facilitate growth.

REMEMBER!

Tarot cards and oracle cards do not provide “answers” in the way we might believe or want them to. Instead, they are tools for meditation and guidance. Each card can help us see ourselves with clearer eyes, cleanse ourselves of pain we’ve been gripping onto for far too long, and help us heal and move on to bigger and better things.

Ultimately, using these divination tools can help us break out of our limited view of reality and see things for what they truly are and how expansive the Universe truly is. The cards do not make us better people — we make ourselves better people through the use of these incredible tools!

 

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner (Shri Krishna Kalesh) is an intuitive mystic, clairvoyant reader, and a loving life & business coach. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships.

He created The Shankara Oracle, a profound divination tool that includes 18 gemstones, a lavishly designed divination board, and over 300 penetrative oracle cards – all to help you heal to your core and illuminate your Being.

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.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

The Difference Between Living A Spiritually-Styled Life And Focusing On Enlightenment

The Difference Between Living A Spiritually-Styled Life And Focusing On Enlightenment

Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi) is an enlightened master with ashrams around the world, based in Kerala, India and San Ramon, CA. She has the largest humanitarian mission in human history and is known as a guru, with millions of followers and devotees around the world. There has been no soul on Earth with the magnitude of spirit equal to Amma’s, though there are other profound and lovely awakened masters throughout the world (and throughout time).

When I first met Amma (Amma.org) 35 years ago, I didn’t know what to think or feel. I saw her in a tiny box of a room in the basement of the African-Methodist Christian Church in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. 

Among seven other people and her two swamis, and upon feeling her immense and stunning inner beauty, I unknowingly fell into a prostrate position and cried most of the day in the corner. 

Amma eventually gave me darshan, her divine and loving and Selfless blessing, which, back in those days, was more like a fullbody massage and cuddling. It lasted 20 minutes and I was high for a decade. 

Of course, throughout the years, I continued to go back for more. And more, and more, and more. And then some more. And then, well, a lot more.

Amma awakened me to living a pure life, which took me quite some time to adopt. She provoked in me many questions about the ego and Self. Later, Amma would ask me to open for her at a variety of her retreats with my playful take on spirituality and the new-age. She said it would be helpful to break people’s obsessions with the mind and open their hearts to more joy and bliss. I did whatever She asked of me – and still do.

We are not required to seek enlightenment – liberation from Samsara (the cycles of birth, life, death, rebirth, and desires). The path of Self-realization is a choice. No one is pushing us to pursue liberation (Moksha). We either deeply desire it, or we do not. 

When we choose the path to enlightenment, we slowly begin to realize that our bodies, minds, thoughts, emotions, experiences, and conditions have little to do with our pure, divine Selves. And we can access this divine Self through a variety of spiritual practices (Sadhana).

We seek liberation because we understand that our personalities, comfort, desires, and projections are illusion, temporary to this life at best. We seek a deeper understanding of The Divine and the divinity embedded within us. In liberation, we are free from the desires and resulting suffering, and we embody a pure love and light as an offering to the world.

What’s The Difference?

What then is the difference between choosing to live a lovely and spiritually-styled life and living a life focused on enlightenment (Self-realization, liberation from Samsara)?

These two lifestyles are related but distinct approaches to one’s spiritual journey. It’s a personal choice and it depends on what we believe about this life and this reality. We might desire spiritual comfort over illumination and we might believe that our lives are meant for a spiritually-styled experience. These, too, are choices.

“Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.” — Paramahansa Yogananda

Both paths involve a commitment to growth and Self-awareness, but they have different objectives. One is focused solely on enjoying light, love, and spiritual interests, while the other is focused on being free of suffering for all time. 

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:

Living a Lovely Spiritually-Styled Life

Emphasis on Wonder and Beauty: A lovely spiritually-styled life places a significant emphasis on experiencing and savoring the beauty and wonder of life in its everyday moments. It values the comfort and seeks spiritual meaning in daily experiences, relationships, and the natural world. While meaning appears vital, most of what we determine to be meaningful and comforting is fleeting.

Connection and Love: This approach prioritizes cultivating love and connection with the Self, others, and The Universe through imagination and projection. It often involves practices that promote empathy, kindness, and emotional well-being, while also edifying the person or personality. This style of living requires a focus on thoughts, feelings, emotions, attitudes, and beliefs, rather than seeking to transcend these aspects.

Appreciation of Beauty: Living a lovely spiritual life is characterized by an appreciation of beauty in all its forms, whether it’s in art, nature, music, or human interactions. Finding joy and gratitude in life’s simple pleasures is central to this approach. 

Sharing and Talking: This seeker believes that sharing opinions and ideas with others is helpful to their spiritual evolution. The more they share with others, the more they can form a consensus of what is spiritual and true for them – and what is not. While this is a lovely sentiment, it creates a false sense of Self and reality. It also establishes firm footing for the proliferation of incorrect, inauthentic, and watered-down teachings, akin to a virus. In these circles, the perception of spiritual is not often associated with a pure, transcendent spirituality.

Focus on Validation: This style of living seeks to be validated as an individual having spiritual experiences. This validation often includes being seen and heard, and wanting to be known for doing or being something specific, with a spiritually-styled label, all related to spirituality. While this sounds empowering, it only empowers a false Self, and further separates the seeker from knowing their eternal essence and transcending their mind and ego. 

Fascination with “Spiritual” Experiences: The individual is curious about specific and unusual phenomena, including flashes of light, connection to alien civilizations, ghosts, magic rocks, conspiracies, and psychic abilities, all of which are interesting, though not spiritually illuminating, and not indicative of advancement on the spiritual path. These aspects are the shiny trinkets of the spiritual world, more appropriate for younger people and beginners on the spiritual path. That said, many people cling to these things and defend them as their saviors.

“Spiritual materialism is the belief that a certain temporary state of mind or a certain temporary realization is the final reality. But spiritual materialism is the greatest spiritual problem there is.” — Chögyam Trungpa

Comfort and Warm Feelings Required: To be on this path includes seeking and enjoying specific and warm feelings about the Self and various imagined and non-imagined experiences. There is a focus on achieving comfort. While mind, feelings, and emotions are illusions, these are of primary interest even if it may not seem to be so. If they don’t feel good or comforted, they do not feel “spiritual” or spiritually inclined.

Mindfulness and Presence: Practicing mindfulness and being fully present in each moment is a core aspect of living a lovely spiritual life. But mindfulness is only transcendent when we remove ourselves from the picture. With mind, ego, and persona immersed in our mindfulness, we are attempting to affair the small self rather than dissolve our projections around it. 

Identifying With The Personality: The pursuit often can result in an identification not with The Divine, but with the divinity or divine aspects of their personality and how they present themselves to the world. This involves ego identification with a Self-concept that is distinct or unique compared to others, which is contrary to the path of enlightenment. It might also mean that these seekers ego-identify with socially approved and agreed-upon sets of “spiritual personas.”

There Are No Gurus: These seekers often feel they do not require an enlightened master as their guru, believing they are the master of their lives and that’s good enough. While they might enjoy a spiritual teacher who might be known to be an enlightened master, they will rarely call themselves devotees, and therefore, never experience the humility often required for growth and God’s grace.

Balanced Living: This approach seeks balance and harmony in all aspects of life, including work, relationships, and Self-care. It often encourages practices like yoga, meditation, and conscious living to maintain this balance. 

Challenge

The challenge with this pursuit is the focus on feelings, experiences and projections, which are temporary and imagined. This a never-ending cycle that prevents the soul from transcending the small self and merging with Consciousness. Eventually, a true seeker dissolves all the emotions from the past and all the projections into the future to be fully present to All Reality in every moment.

There is also no spiritual master in this pursuit, which defies the simple required of being humble and present to that which can help us illuminate. Oftentimes, the leaders of this type of path are no more evolved, intentional, or spiritually focused than the students. 

When every idea or thought is considered “wonderful,” the purest teachings might appear too intense or unnecessary to the seeker, and therefore, these are not regularly shared amid their socializing.  

You might say – “Well, I’ve been doing this for a long time, so it must be correct.” Sadly, it is impossible for this to be true. In most cases, people are taught by novices with only slightly more awareness and consciousness than their students. These seekers are also so full of information they prefer to defend, they miss out on the deeper teachings and that which will help them illuminate for all time.

“Enlightenment is not about becoming divine. Instead, it’s about becoming more fully human. It is the end of ignorance.” — Amma

Living a Life Focused on Enlightenment

Emphasis on Self-Realization: A life focused on enlightenment places the primary emphasis on Self-realization and liberation from the cycle of suffering (Samsara). The pursuit of enlightenment is viewed as the ultimate goal of existence by the ancient sages. Those seeking illumination in this way focus on spiritual practices including prayer, meditation, yoga, and chanting in Sanskrit.

Transcendence of Ego: Enlightenment teachings often center on transcending the ego and realizing one’s true nature, beyond all labels, titles, and positions. This is often described as the merging with or becoming pure consciousness – or experiencing oneness with The Divine. This path involves going beyond the limitations of the Self and all aspects of identification with the external. As such, we come to know deeply the true nature of the I and Me, thereby releasing our spiritual identity and other limiting Self-concepts. 

Focus on Solitude and Silence: The enjoyment of silence as an opening to Self-inquiry is a primary focus . Without silence, the soul cannot expand into light.

Intensive Spiritual Practices: Those on the path to enlightenment engage in rigorous spiritual practices such as deep meditation, Self-inquiry, and the release of binding and troubling desires, attachments, thoughts, and emotions. These practices are designed to dissolve the ego and reveal higher states of consciousness, and eventually to become a pure embodiment of love.

Releasing Everything, Including Comfort: On this path there is a focus on releasing emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and comforts in favor of deep clarity, transformation, Self-reliance, and eternal truths taught by the ancient masters. The seeker does not focus on what is trending, what is feeling or comforting, or what they are becoming – they are focused on remembering they are NOTHING. 

Gratitude for Everything: The focus on gratitude dissolves every event and circumstance into a gift from The Divine. Being grateful for both the good and bad equally helps the individual understand the value of challenges and the impermanence or temporary nature of all conditions.

Gurus Are A Must: These seekers often declare themselves devotees or disciples of one specific enlightened master. These masters are often in the Indian lineages found within Hinduism, though there are certainly many devotees to Buddha, Guan Yin, and Jesus (though most followers of Jesus do not transcend the limiting belief that He did not offer the sole path to The Divine. Enlightened spiritual masters throughout spacetime include Amma (Amma.org), Mother Meera, Anandamayi Ma, Paramahansa Yogananda, Babaji, Buddha, Chogyam Trungpa, Thich Naht Hahn, and many others. Whether living or deceased, they are present for all time. 

Seekers in this category are devout to their spiritual masters because they know that to worship the rose is to become the rose. Through this devotion that they learn to transcend their ego. 

The guru drenches the devotees in grace and resolves to help them achieve their goal of enlightenment. This includes presenting devotees with spiritual challenges within their hearts, minds, and dreams, helping them release all that is untrue and illusory so they may merge with and live from their divine natures. 

A truly enlightened master – a REAL guru – is one who finally and forever leads you from darkness and shadows to pure light, ignorance to awareness and presence, and from separation from your divine Self to oneness with all Creation. Devotion to such a divine and illuminated Being is the key to spiritual awakening and Self-realization. Devoting oneself to an enlightened master is akin to taking a supersonic jet to your liberation. Seek these souls out and devote your WHOLE BEING to them.

Moments of Samadhi: Samadhi is a rare and advanced state of consciousness whereby the seeker experiences intended or spontaneous periods of immersion in Divine Bliss. These are often accompanied by extensive sitting around an enlightened master or deeply intentional periods of deep meditation.

Detachment from Worldly Fascinations: Enlightenment seekers typically enjoy detaching from worldly obsessions, desires, and cravings. This detachment is seen as a way to free the mind from suffering and achieve lasting inner peace. It is also a natural evolution for a devotional soul to become less fascinated with the external and more interested in the eternal.

Sole Focus on Liberation: The ultimate objective of a life focused on enlightenment is attaining spiritual liberation (Moksha or Nirvana), though holding too intensely to any goal or desire can be limiting. With a gentle focus and daily practice of Sadhana, the seeker experiences a profound shift in consciousness, often associated with a deep healing and inner transformation. 

Transcend Human Birth: The idea of Moksha includes the next birth, if any, being immersed in service as pure love, rather than as a human being with desires.

Becoming Pure Love: In pursuit of Moksha, the individual prays to be free of all Self-identification and fully immersed in the divine love that permeates all reality throughout spacetime. 

Challenge

The challenge with this path is that it often includes seclusion or separateness from traditional society. It will naturally cause the seeker to make choices that do not support the imagined importance of family, society, and culture. 

While this can induce a deep knowing of the Self and The Divine, eventually freeing the individual from all illusion, it can create feelings of loneliness that manifest in periods of deep depression and continuous crying, all of which eventually lessen, but are nonetheless painful to experience.

This type of seeker might appear antisocial, Self-righteous, or arrogant because they are deeply focused on their goal. They might be so intent on freeing their shadows that they miss out on the beauty of a nearby butterfly sharing her joy with all of Creation.

“The individual soul is only a shade of the Reality. When it merges into the Reality, it is the Reality itself; it has nothing more to be merged into. This is realization.” — Ramana Maharsh

Sadhana and Samadhi

If you’re hoping to become enlightened in this life, explore Sadhana – the spiritual practices that will help you along this path. This includes yoga, meditation, prayer, rituals, Self-inquiry, chanting in Sanskrit, and selfless service – all to quiet the mind and immerse your soul in light.

To deepen your path, seek out an enlightened master like the ones I shared above so that you always have the perfect master during your journey.

Enlightened individuals radiate a profound embodiment of love for all beings. By aspiring to be more like them, we eventually become them. This is the idea. 

These divine souls embody a deep desire to alleviate the suffering of All Creation. Through their presence, they become sources of inspiration and who have a transformative impact on the world. As embodiments of love, they emanate divine light to everyone who comes to them.

“Samadhi is the culmination of all Yogas. It is a state of superconsciousness, a state of internalized consciousness wherein the mind and the intellect have merged into the Self, and the individual soul has united with the Supreme Soul, Atman with Paramatman.” — Swami Sivananda

Samadhi is a significant concept in various Eastern spiritual and philosophical traditions, particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is a profound state of divine absorption, often considered the highest stage of meditation and Divine Bliss, depending on who experiences it. It represents a dissolution of the Self, and a heightened state of divine consciousness. 

Samadhi involves an unwavering and profound concentration on a chosen object of meditation. This concentration is so intense that the meditator becomes completely absorbed in the object, to the point where the sense of Self and external distractions disappear.

It’s also quite possible to experience Samadhi when sitting near an enlightened master. It can also happen when you are immersed in divine play, divine love, or a divine practice.

In Samadhi, the mind is free from the usual fluctuations and distractions that characterize ordinary consciousness. It is a state of perfect stillness and one-pointedness of mind.

Many who experience Samadhi report feelings of intense bliss, joy, and inner peace. It is considered a state of profound happiness and spiritual fulfillment.

Time can take on a different quality in Samadhi. Some practitioners report that minutes or even hours may pass quickly or slowly during this state.

Samadhi represents a direct and profound experience of spiritual truth and liberation. It is a rare and advanced state of consciousness that typically requires years of dedicated meditation practice, guidance from an enlightened master, and a deep understanding of the specific techniques associated with it. The core idea is the same: a state of deep meditative absorption and union with a higher reality, fully immersed in Divine Bliss.

“Spirituality is not learning a lot of scriptures; it is not having a lot of knowledge. It is not having a lot of powers or siddhis. It is just love – pure love, all-encompassing love.” — Mother Meera

Summary

With so many faux spiritual messages out there, it can be difficult to choose a path to our illumination that will be the most real, genuine, and fruitful. After all, we are continually fooled by our senses and the external. We want to believe everything we believe – especially if it makes us feel good. 

Your soul’s comfort is solely found in connecting with your inner master, The Cosmos, The Divine, and The Eternal Consciousness, and never in the fleeting or egoistic pleasures of this world. All other feelings of comfort are imagined.

While the paths of Spiritually-Styled living and living focused on enlightenment involve spirituality and personal growth, living a lovely spiritually-styled life emphasizes experiencing, accumulating, and appreciating the beauty of existence. It involves the seeking of comfort and positive emotions. This person’s idea of rebirth involves becoming happy and peaceful in this life, without focusing on the full trajectory of their soul’s existence amid its many lives.

While this seeker tends to believe they know everything they need to know, this mindset might involve not being open or vulnerable enough to receive or fathom divine teachings, guidance, or grace.

A life focused on enlightenment prioritizes Self-realization, transcending the ego, and attaining spiritual liberation from all desires and suffering as the ultimate goal. These aspirants often have a guru or enlightened spiritual master.

They are focused on The Dharma, virtue, discipline, and earnest effort through Sadhana, the spiritual practices that are known to free the soul (yoga, meditation, chanting in Sanskrit, Selfless service, and prayer).

The choice between these paths depends on individual preferences, goals, and spiritual beliefs. Some may integrate elements of both approaches into their spiritual journey. Some might also be confused about what they hope to achieve or become, not fully understanding the attributes and endpoints of their paths.

It might be said that a spiritually-styled life is the precursor to choosing a life focused on enlightenment. Some might even dance between the two lifestyles, though the dance between the two can be more frustrating than enjoyable.

I believe that our liberation emerges when we release our attachments to the past and future, and fully immerse ourselves in the ever-present moment. This is where we meet our inner master and the Divine Being manifested as Creation so that we may heal and expand for all time. 

It is the Divine Mother, The Divine Father, and the Eternal Light-Beings who offer us the keys to our liberation and the boundless bliss embedded in all reality.

To help us see ourselves more clearly and better understand the journey of Self-realization, I created a few powerful courses and The Personality Cards, an colorful oracle deck focused on helping us release attributes that no longer serve us. And recently, I created The Shankara Oracle and my Shankara Master Course.

“Shankara” means Creator of Good Fortune and Give Of Bliss. The Shankara Oracle is a powerful divination system embedded in The Dharma and the path to liberation. Outside the ancient teachings and those of enlightened masters, there are very few tools like Shankara found throughout history, helping us heal for all time on a path to enlightenment. 

Shankara’s guidebooks and the over 300 oracle cards, 18 sacred stones and divination board, offer a gentle whisper and tender embrace from the ancient sages, guiding us into our true selves with love and grace. 

Remember, dear friends, you are born from love and myriad miracles, loved for all time, and with unlimited potential in every direction. Your path is your own. Choose wisely.

The Shankara Oracle is a profound tool to help you come to know yourself deeply.

Mind vs Soul – What Are The Truly Spiritual Modalities?

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Mind vs Soul – What Are The Truly Spiritual Modalities?

Trauma and pain can happen on so many levels. At the most basic, superficial level, our physical bodies can experience pain and trauma that requires physical healing from medical doctors and holistic practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine. When you dive a bit deeper, you might experience pain and trauma mentally and emotionally. You might go to see a therapist or psychologist to work through the pain or try natural calming remedies like breathing techniques and essential oils as you recover. Truly spiritual modalities, however, can heal on the levels that build the foundation for the rest of our wellbeing: our energy and soul.

There is much debate about which modalities are truly effective for spiritual healing. There is no standard or set schools for shamans and healers – instead, they follow their own paths and hone their own unique skills. When it comes down to it, only you can determine which techniques work best for you on your healing journey. I’m only here to guide you by offering spiritual modalities that can support full healing.

What is a Mind Modality?

The phrase “mind over matter” is truly more than just a phrase – it’s reality. The powers of the mind are still way beyond what scientists have yet discovered, and we may never be able to put into words or prove through academic research just how much it can do. Bill Mckenna, the founder of the Cognomovement, is a shaman who regularly talks about how the mind is so powerful that it can literally manifest anything we want into reality.

He explains that our chakras and mind are interconnected, and by practicing our skills of releasing attachments, we can better gain control of our energy flows. Further, by controlling our energy better, we can manifest physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. His techniques mainly rely on detaching ourselves from negative thoughts through tactile and visualization practices. schedule-intuitive-reading-with-paul-now

Mckenna focuses mainly on helping his clients discover what their fears are so that they can release them. By letting go of fear, we can clear our energy fields and make way for true health.

Overall, mind modalities focus on using the mind for overall healing by mentally gaining control of our energy flows.

Mind-Body Modalities

Many healing modalities that focus on the mind do so to heal the body. Even in Western medicine, many previously spiritual modalities are recommended in an effort to help heal the physical body. Practices like yoga, tai chi, and meditation are now used in less spiritual ways, washed of their true purposes as founded in Eastern practices. These superficial practices still, of course, help to calm the mind and do great things for the body – using stretching, breathing, and guided movements is certainly healthy and great for daily wellbeing. Regardless, when used in this way, these modalities are not truly spiritual because they do not penetrate deeper into our energy and soul.

What Are Soul Modalities?

Soul healing can be much more difficult to grasp than mind modalities because the concept of the soul is under dispute. Across schools of thought, the term “soul” can mean so many different things. For the sake of our topic, the soul is both within us and one with the Divine. By getting in touch with our souls, we get in touch with the Universe and with all living beings within it. Our souls hold our destinies. Trauma and barriers that exist on the level of the soul can be the most damaging and the most difficult to address.

Most people find it extremely difficult to remove all the other layers of their existence – their minds, bodies, emotions, etc. – in order to reach their souls. It can take years, even lifetimes, of a spiritual journey to fully get in touch with the soul. When we align every part of ourselves and our lives with our souls, we will experience true peace and raise our vibrations.

Because healing the soul is happening on the deepest levels of ourselves, the modalities can be much more challenging. They can take similar forms to other kinds of modalities, but they address the soul-level traumas and disturbances we are struggling with.

Energy is the Basis of All Truly Spiritual Modalities

Everything in the Universe is energy. Even physical objects are built at the smallest units on the energy and vibrations that stabilize our Universe. The atoms and molecules that create everything we see depend on energy. It’s no surprise, then, that our healing modalities must operate with this energy, working with it and opening up its flow so that any blockages and disturbances can melt away and we can realign ourselves with perfect existence. schedule-intuitive-reading-with-paul-now

A perfect example of this is Feng Shui, which is the ancient Chinese art of aligning the energy in ourselves with the energy of the Universe. Instead of placing ourselves and our objects in the environment in any way that we desire, we listen to the natural energy of nature of our Universe and arrange ourselves to fit into this natural flow.

To know if a method you are using for self-healing is a truly spiritual modality, assess whether it is helping you to ensure your energy is becoming realigned with the energy of the Universe on even the deepest levels so that you can access your higher self and enter full recovery.

Truly Spiritual Modalities to Try for Self-Healing

If you are interested in fully healing yourself from the inside out, you’ll need to commit to reaching deep into yourself to access your true self, the Divine, your soul. Many mind and body modalities can help bring you into the right place – you might have too many other traumas, pain, and disturbances affecting your body, mind, and emotions to start truly getting in touch with your soul.

Maybe you’ll need to relax your mind and body through your yoga practice before you can settle into a deep meditation, for example. Or maybe you’ve got a blocked energy flow that a practicioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Reiki can assist you in unblocking. Ultimately, though, you’ll need to end up using methods that align your soul’s energy with the Universe.

Truly spiritual modalities include things like deep prayer, sutras, and mantras. Prayers, such as the deeply beautiful Hindu prayers in the language of Sanskrit, literally bring you onto the wavelengths of the vibrations of the Universe. There are many mantras you can add to your practice that will help your soul heal, and you can pull already-existing ones or create your own for a fully personalized experience. Reading sutras can also guide us on our journey by helping us get in touch with ourselves and helping to make changes in our ways.

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.

LOTS OF BLESSINGS TO YOU!

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There is no “Other.” There is only you experiencing yourself.

 

 

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner (Shri Krishna Kalesh) is an intuitive mystic, clairvoyant reader, and a loving life & business coach. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships.

He created The Shankara Oracle, a profound divination tool that includes 18 gemstones, a lavishly designed divination board, and over 300 penetrative oracle cards – all to help you heal to your core and illuminate your Being.

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.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE