Every month I read the wonderful, unselfish, global questions that fellow readers ask along with the deep and insightful answers that Gaia offers. I have to confess that for years the only questions I've asked myself are "Who Am I?" and "Why Am I Here?" I feel ashamed that my focus is so intensely personal and selfish and wonder why I'm so limited as to be concerned only for myself. Maybe when I get past this problem and deal with my true identity I'll be ready for a deeper connection to you. Meanwhile, thank you for being who you are. I just had to let you know how much you touch my soul.
C.W, Casper, WY
The questions you ask yourself are not unique and they are not worldly, but they are universal. Has it never occurred to you that once upon a time All That Is asked the very same questions? Perhaps it has also never occurred to you that you are the answer to these questions. Every aspect of physical and nonphysical awareness was created in response to these questions.
All That Is exists in a state of no time and no space, some would call this a vacuum, but that is not so. More accurately put, All That Is exists in a cosmic state of expansion; it is a state of limitless possibilities. You might call this state 'perfection', but there is a catch! Imagine that because you are perfect you can create a perfect universe, and so you do. Imagine that because you are perfect and what you create is perfect, you cannot tell the difference between 'Creator' and 'Created'. A perfect state is one in which there is no separation, because that which is separate insists that it is less than whole. A simple example would be that of a pie which has been divided into many wedges, each one separated only by the perfect cut that has allowed it to become an individual slice; each one is perfect and equal in every way. Is the pie whole? Yes, and No. It depends on who you ask, the individual pie wedge or the one who baked the pie, do you see? Another question begs asking as well, once you have divided the pie into many wedges, how will the individual slices be supported? What will keep them from falling apart? You have now created the necessity for a pie tin, do you see?
All That Is understood that it existed in a state of perfection (wholeness). It also knew that this would never change and that It could not become more perfect, yet It desired just that. This desire gave birth to the concept of expansion. All That Is determined that expansion was a form of perfection in which perfection could experience (participate) Itself. Believe it or not, the rest was easy. All That Is allowed Itself to separate into an almost infinite amount of individuated aspects of Itself (pie wedges). It retained Its awareness of Itself as whole and perfect because It could never be less than that, remember? It knew that because perfection was Its natural state separation was only an illusion, but because It wanted each and every individual aspect of Itself to have a perfect experience of Itself, It allowed illusion to look and feel like reality. It did this by creating individual consciousness and free will, which in turn, created time and space, which began linear thought, which created the past, the present and the future . . . and eventually, You!
Who are you and why are you here? You are an aspect of All That Is and you are here to play Hide and Seek. You are here to discover that you are All That Is dressed up in Separation and Illusion. You are All That Is attending a costume party along with many other invitees who are also All That Is dressed up a little differently than you. Of course no party would be complete without a generous host, so All That Is separated itself into other aspects of Itself in the form of planets, worlds, dimensions and more; each one a unique and individual aspect of Itself. Using our earlier analogy, I am the pie tin that holds the individual slices together while allowing them (you) to experience themselves as individual aspects of the Whole.
How long will you play Hide and Seek? It depends, sometimes it is your turn to play 'Hide' and sometimes it is your turn to play 'Seek'. Each time it is your turn to seek, you blindfold yourself so that you will not see the obvious and you count for as long and as high as you think is appropriate. Then you set out in search of everyone else who is hiding in order to free them from their obligatory hiding. When you have found them all, you have completed the game and you have won. The process of finding everyone else eventually leads you to discover yourself. When you discover who you really are separation and illusion vanishes; you rejoice and celebrate and so does All That Is which as a result solves the paradox, 'How does perfection become more perfect? It does so by allowing all of its aspects to understand themselves as perfect whether or not they are attached to the whole. Every thought, desire, and action that you take mirrors All That Is. It is not less than perfect because All That Is cannot be less than perfect and you are an aspect of All That Is, remember?
If that is the case, why don't you look perfect and why doesn't what you do feel perfect? Why is your health (your body) less than perfect and why is the condition of the earth (my body) less than perfect? The answer depends upon whether you are hiding (from yourself), seeking (outside of yourself) or counting (sleeping). In the game Hide and Seek something or someone must be found and that someone or something is sometimes elusive and sly. Huge things (realizations) can hide in tiny places (unawakened minds) and sometimes you simply need to take the blindfold off, who created the game anyway? When you first take the blindfold off the world can seem too bright and too loud because the blindfold has dulled your awareness, but when your vision becomes more clear and your senses more acute you will see that all is as it should be. In fact, you will see that everything is exactly how and where you thought it would be, because that is exactly how you left it.
Perhaps this would be a good time to ask yourself these questions: Are you hiding? If so, are you waiting to be found? If not, how long will you continue to hide? Are you seeking? If so, what do you expect to find, do you know what it looks like? Here is a clue: It looks exactly like You! If not, how long will you continue to count, what or who are you waiting for? Are you wearing a blindfold? If so, are you willing to take it off? If not, what will you do now that you can see clearly? Are you more afraid that there is no one else like you or that everyone is exactly like you? Are you more afraid that you will never find All That Is or that you are All That Is? No, your question is not global or worldly, it is as large as the universe and bigger than that. Perhaps the only thing that can match it in brilliance is the love that All That Is has for Itself (you), and my own love which I offer to you in this moment.
The True Midas Touch
Once in a while my wife and I feel drawn to play at a casino. When we do, we often win moderate sums of money which assist us in other areas of life. We feel that our positive attitude regarding prosperity has a healing effect upon this type of environment, is this true? Would winning money be called manifesting or is it simply luck, beating the odds, serendipity, etc.? Are gambling machines conscious about what is going on around them?
S.W., Keizer, OR
The energy of the casino(s) you frequent is not good or bad and is no immediate need of healing in spite of the energy you sense when you enter the establishment(s). The energy is even in exchange even if it does not look or feel that way. In gambling terms it is often said that the house/casino is always ahead or always wins in the long run. In fact, this is mostly true as the house stacks the odds in favor of itself; it is in business to succeed after all. But so are you, is that not so?
The energy that governs the odds of winning versus losing are always in balance. Some will enter these environments in order to give while others have come to receive. The reality with which one enters is always honored. In this way this environment is not different than any other except for the attachment placed upon win versus lose or give versus receive.
As has been stated, the balanced energy proposed in this reality is not in need of healing. That is not to say that all beings who choose to place themselves in this reality are in balance with their own nature. Look about you, most environments do not invite a win/win proposition, and prosperity, abundance and good will do not appear to be evenly distributed. It is this reality which is most in need of change, upheaval, and balance. Among other things, this is what draws you as you say.
Prosperity and abundance (which is not the same as money) is best held within one's consciousness. A prosperous individual knows that the source of their prosperity is limitless, so whether they choose to call upon $5.00 of limitlessness or $5,000.00 worth of limitlessness the source is still unlimited or better put, unconstricted and unrestrained by the laws of scarcity or lack. A prosperous individual is more apt to share his or her prosperity/winnings than someone who is in need of healing or remembering this universal quality of creation. An abundant individual believes in unlimited abundance. If he or she did not, their abundance would quickly dwindle into lack.
An abundant and prosperous individual is not the same as someone who is rich in money. Money is a commodity; it is a physical expression of a limited and outdated concept based upon the laws of lack while abundance is based upon a rich and unlimited source of creative expression. When the government or the banks run out of money they must print more of it, but an abundant person does not run out of prosperity because it is divine and based upon one's never ending connection to source. Banks, casinos, jobs, credit cards, and debt will soon consolidate into one great teacher and you will remember what it feels like to be reconnected with source.
It is the energy with which you enter an establishment such as a bank or a casino (one and the same from my vantage point) that will determine your influence upon your own abundance and that of other who may be present. If, for instance, you enter a casino with the intent that each and every individual and entity including the house receive just and due prosperity and balanced compensation, your energy will influence and affect the odds that were present prior to your arrival. It no different than entering a banking institution upon where your intent may be to replenish lack for some with prosperity for all. In this case your intent will influence and possibly replace long standing beliefs in ones and zeros. The same can be true of credit card statements if you will but remind yourself that any and all debts incurred by you or anyone else (including the credit card company) are being repaid by the infinite source which is the origin of all things. This is not small talk put forth by a non-physical entity that does not understand the pressures and restrictions of human society! To the contrary, I understand all to well what has held you down for centuries.
It is time that just and divine balance be returned to all living things and it is this very realization that you carry into these environments when you choose to do so. It is time that prosperity reigns within the hearts and minds of all. Refrain from defining prosperity as money when you can because prosperity may mean rainfall to a fearful farmer or a replacement heart to a child near death, do you see? Intend that prosperity be accompanied by joy so that the simplicity of the moment is not overlooked.
Gambling machines as well as all other machines have an awareness or sentience as to their purpose. This awareness allows them an interpretation or understanding of their interaction with humans. For instance, an interaction with an individual who has presented themselves into the casino environment for the purpose of giving will be assisted by the machine in doing this. Likewise, an individual who has come in order to receive will be assisted in this manner. This interaction or merging of energies influences or creatively distorts the odds with which the machine may have been programmed. Interestingly, over the long run it can be seen that odds are only representations of where humanity sees itself in regard to winning and losing. As humanity continues to awaken and to choose higher ideals for itself, the odds will represent this as well. The odds are stacked in favor of divine interaction and partnership be it physical or spiritual, do you see?
Life offers insurmountable odds to some and bankable odds to others. Institutions and establishments that operate based upon the laws of manifestation are no different. Prosperity or lack is truly a choice even if it is not always seen as such. It is the quality of life that you and your dear wife bring to these environments and it is this most endearing quality that is healing to the participants that share in your energies on those occasions. It is the win/win of life that has produced instantaneous winnings for you and for others whose nearby energies touches your own. This is the true Midas touch and it is the gold of the sun's warmth that shines upon you and all others.
The Natural Process of Channeling
I am learning how to channel. The results are mixed thus far and I am certain that unconscious fear is getting in the way. Sometimes I hear a conversation going on in my head with one voice asking, "Is this me or you?" and another voice that says, "Speak the words, say it . . . say it." I want my channeling to be valuable and pure but I'm not sure how to get past the point of resistance. I am also interested in channeling the thoughts and awareness of those who are in body at this time, but find even more resistance in this area. Can you help?
B.T., Oxnard, CA
The most important thing to remember about channeling is that trust, intent and desire are always rewarded by expanded awareness and communication. That being said, it is also important to remember that channeling is a process of discovery and a two-way street. Establishing broad and balanced lines of communication while developing new relationships is wise. This is true of relationships with friends, loved ones and spirit guides. Most energies, entities and guides prefer or require that a foundation of trust exist within each being with whom they communicate before deeper truths are revealed. Herein we find a paradox: a foundation of trust is required in order to conceive and receive deeper awareness, and only a deep level of awareness can elicit this trust, do you see?
The only way to move beyond this paradox to move into it and then through it. Before you can trust another you must first trust yourself, then the process and the teaching, and finally the wisdom or response from spirit. It is important to trust yourself so that the trust you invest in others is genuine and not based upon a false premise of authority. Humanity has volunteered its power, authority and free will many times in the past, these are difficult to recover and often require great care and devotion to Self. Safeguards have been put into place in order to prevent this from happening unconsciously, in other words, if you choose to surrender your power you will have to do so consciously and willfully. The barrier you call resistance is a place of authority within you. Allow it to be the threshold from which you receive spirit, allow it to work for you rather than against you. Trust your own awareness and sense of Self first, for if you cannot trust your own wisdom, how will you trust that of another? If you cannot believe your own words, how will you believe the words of another? See yourself as an equal within your spiritual community which includes physical and nonphysical relationships. You will not fear that which you are equal to whether it is a task, a challenge or in this case, the channeling process.
Entities, beings, guides and spiritual support is around you all the time. The degree to which you feel and receive this support is equal to your desire to do so. An intense ardent desire to know yourself coupled with the intent to make the desire a reality greatly accelerates the process. Any energy you invest in yourself will reap rewards, especially those in which you acknowledge yourself as a co-creative equal to the desired result. Why? For the simple reason that it is the shortest distance to the manifestation of your desire; it is an acknowledgement of physical and spiritual readiness. If you desire spiritual guidance via the channeling process acknowledge this to yourself and to spirit. Acknowledge your willingness to receive and to share wisdom. Be clear in your purpose so that the result will be of benefit to you and to others. If you require specific assistance with your own project, task or personal challenge be clear about that, likewise, if you feel guided to offer inspirational messages that may be of assistance to others then state that as well. There is no right or wrong way for Spirit to express through you and neither decision will be rewarded with a door prize. The prize is the door itself once you open it and step through it, do you see?
The voice that says, "Is this me or is this you?" is your Higher Self/Inner Guide depending upon the level of consciousness you have set as a default for listening/speaking to Spirit. This level changes over time, evolving, expanding and deepening as you do. This aspect of you understands (and points out) that you are much more than the everyday you that greets you in the mirror each morning. In the beginning the me seems very different and separate from the you, that is because the vibrations and frequencies that you are responding to emanate from a higher awareness of you. Eventually, you will welcome and adjust to even more aspects of your beingness and you will find them to be a consistent source of support and guidance in your life.
The voice that says, "Say it, say it," is your I AM presence which has prepared your awareness to welcome the higher vibrations that now announce themselves. Your I AM presence is the real you; it is the all encompassing, eternally enduring beingness that always was and always will be. When your body falls away your I AM presence will remain intact, as will the memories and experiences of your completed life. The I AM presence is that which directs your life from the soul level. It understands your purpose in being physical and guides your experience through the higher self/higher awareness, that is why they sometimes feel distinctly different even though they are both vibrations of you; your personality traits are not distinctly different from one another and neither are your spiritual traits, they are all reflections of you. Since you do not always quiet your mind enough to hear your higher awareness speak directly, it sometimes speaks to you indirectly via your physical body. These physical sensations include but are not limited to tightened forehead, erratic heart pulses, throbbing throat, queasy stomach, quickened breath and you guessed it . . . anxiety. If you are in doubt as to what your truth is at any given moment and your higher awareness is unusually silent, ask your body. Put your hand on your belly, breathe in and out a few times and ask your question. In all certainty I say to you, the belly never lies!
Because you are in body, it will be easier for you to channel energies, entities and guides rather than other human beings. A spiritual guide understands that your conscious awareness is not always clear, it is aware of your filters and fears and knows how to navigate these to bring about the best results along with your cooperation, of course. Humans, for the most part, are like television sets that are always tuned to one channel or another with most channels receiving and emitting a lot of static. Human minds are able to go non-stop and some human mouths do the same. This is not meant as a judgment and in fact there are many beings from other worlds who envy these very traits. In order to receive another person's awareness within your own it is first appropriate to enlist that person's permission and support, this will open a channel between the two and contribute to a greater probability of remaining in the flow. For instance, a request on the part of an individual to receive a psychic reading or energy healing from another is a form of permission; without this, the results will be less than hoped for. A desire to become aware of others' thoughts is a form of telepathy, it is similar to the process of channeling, but engages and enlists the support of different energy centers within you.
The resistance you described will most likely not disappear overnight although it certainly can. Learning the simple techniques that open the door to the channeling process is the first step, and building a firm foundation of trust is the second. The third and fourth steps are often decided by the student and the approach taken. The early stages are often defined by tremendous concern as well as a personal obligation to channel something profound, elegant and insightful in order to validate the process. This is the beginning or birth of the need to answer the question, "is this me or is this you," but voting on the relative merit of wisdom reduces its value rather than enhancing it. When viewed from this perspective very little can qualify, do you see? Channeling is a natural process and as such its response is similar to that of nature, in other words, it must first establish a simple, general and broad relationship (put down healthy roots) and then build upon that (grow and develop), refining the process (becoming more profound and beautiful) as higher states of consciousness are attained (reaching for the sun).
The channeling process can be insightful and offers expanded perspectives, but it does not guarantee fulfillment and success in this life or any other. It is a tool, one of many. Before committing to channeling, make a commitment to seek and discover every grain of God within and every grain of sand without, essentially the process is one and the same. By the way, the stomach knotting queasiness accompanied by bouts of dizzying nausea is a result of spiritual cheerleaders rooting for you and jumping for joy within!
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