I've read that the four directions are an important consideration when doing practice. . West: Water, feeling and reflection. The famous garden was built in the east of Eden, and the main entrance faced the east. Consider the West (the setting sun) and the color black. A different while very similar approach IE the first 2 the last! You can relax and surrender to the teachings of the forest and the great tree in this guided meditation. This meditation is grounded in the kavanot of the Ari, as explained in the siddur of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. Furthermore, the subconscious mind is the creative mind and promotes experiences in relation to how we habitually think. In the Northern Hemisphere, it makes sense that we associate the south, towards the equator, with the warmth of the sun and the heat of the flame. The Wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Car trips can be good that way. And Im in a place in my life right now where I dont care to push the river. I have [], Two times in the last two weeks I was feeling incredibly depleted and fatigued. To achieve the results you want, you have to apply the right attitude and beliefs. One of the fundamental aspects of the earth element is the potential for transformation. . At first glance, analysing the symbolic meanings of the north from exoteric interpretations, there appears to be some discrepancy. 198-200 Here is a healing prayer, spoken by Medicine Grizzly Bear during the Earth Healing Ceremony, Spokane, Washington, 1990: O Great Creator, I come before you in a humble manner. Fire is a vital energy that brings consciousness to life. Great visionary, remind me to lead from my pure heart Brain imaging technology shows the brain is active whilst we sleep thus the subconscious mind is still sending signals to the brain. Every decision we make is inspired by our vision to empower a community of individuals to come together to build a more conscious world. Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north. The Seal of Solomon, composed of two interlocking triangles, represents the merging and balancing of male and female, positive and negative energies. Take any inspiration gleaned from your sacred space and share them with the earth, your family, and your community. By the end, I hope to have revealed. We acknowledge the colour black, and the Black Race that it represents. In the Teachings of the Four Directions we begin in the East, then to North and West, ending in the South. So, I have decided to take a break from writing this blog for a while. As each day passes, help me to surrender, with grace, the things of my youth. There is Healing in the washing clean that comes with . a quiet place to sit. Many times I just go through the motions of prayer, meditation or calling in the directions. Jason Ghost. The bliss of truth comes when the mind is not occupied with its own activities and struggles.". This is a continuation of Susan's last 8 meditations which can be heard by clicking below, but it c We invite all Southern spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. I existed before he formed any creature. He combines universal core shamanism with traditional European spirit lore to create spiritual practices that can heal and enrich one's own life and the lives of others. Negative interpretations in relation to the south can certainly be found in Christian interpretations of the Bible. Meditations Your Souls Sense of Touch: Are You Coming to Your Senses? As you release their energies back to their four directions, take a few deep breaths, acknowledge yourself back in the space you are in, and witness any changes in your being. The opposite, esoteric, sequence explains how you create your experience of life. But we are also reminded that the Great Spirit is no further from us then the tilting upwards of our heads and the raising of our eyes. We see birds move south, butterflies move south, whales move south, seeking warmer places when the weather gets cold. Each direction embodies the qualities of various life cycles. how the esoteric meaning of the sequence reveals more about your psychology. . We move around the wheel to the south. Each direction is associated with an element of the natural world, and represents some part of our human nature as well. When we dam up our feelings, just like when we dam up a river, the pressure builds until it finds an outlet. This is the time of year trees and plants shed their leaves, and nature essentially dies. East - Ha'a'aah. Dawn, birth, beginning of life, a new beginning of each day. Not just sweet Rain, but also the powerful Thunderbeings. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. We are life in action, loving, moving and growing. Unless you cultivate your mind and evolve, you become stagnant, energy dams up in the body and you become victim to illness and "bad luck". This is to acknowledge and appease the elements From a feng shui and aesthetic point of view, it may not be an ideal placement for that chair, but from a meditators point of view, it is absolutely perfect. Wisdom of the Four Directions Apprenticeship includes 5 months of one-on-one mentorship, including 1 & 1/2 hour weekly individual mentorship & teaching sessions including energy healing techniques with recordings, seperate sound healing audios and guided meditations designed for apprentices only, a 200+ page resource manual with educational . West is the direction of the Elders, and we honour our Elders as the keepers of wisdom and teachers of patience. for transformation. Nor does it make any sense to create symbolic mechanisms to reflect these aspects of life. Help me to remember to love and feel compassion for all mankind. The flowering tree was the living centre of the hoop and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. East tells us that it is time to get up, wake up . A balanced heart chakra enables you to transcend material desires and release the limitations of ego. May the four winds carry blessings far and wide. You will expe . The animal often associated with the South is the Lion or the Cougar, which often represents strength and courage and leadership. Find a quiet place to sit. Then create the determination to sit still for the period of the meditation. The color is white. Do your best to slow down your thoughts and be open to the wisdom the four directions might have for you. If you are seeking to get in touch with your inner life, with your emotions, turn towards the west. Plus you can download videos to your device to watch offline later. Everything the Power of the World does, is done in a circle. Only 2 left in stock - order soon. This is an active form of meditation where the movement guides you into a deeper connection with your body and the present moment. These angels are known as the "Archangels of the Four Directions" or "Four Corners" or "Four Winds". Mental states cannot appear in the conscious mind until they have emerged from the unconscious and becomes a realisation in the conscious mind. The solar plexus chakra is the command centre and source of imagination. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony. I also pray for peace among the four races of humankind. As we look upon the days infinite blue sky, or admire the countless stars of the night, we are reminded that the Great Spirit is vast, beautiful and majestic beyond all of our knowing or telling. qi gong. Fire is a transformative force, it is heat and light and powerful change. Later, I will explain how I interpret this symbolism differently. I knew all this at a mental level. We acknowledge the Black Bear, who sits in the West direction and is both the keeper of medicine knowledge and grower of the medicines. This makes sense when you consider freemasons walk in an anti-clockwise direction during, and Hindus follow a counter-clockwise circumambulation around the pyre during. To strengthen my argument for following the Wheel of the Four Directions in counter-clockwise sequence, allow me to draw your attention to the symbolism assigned to the directions within a Masonic lodge. I have placed a comfortable chair looking directly out that window. We are an essential part of life. You can, of course, use this symbolism both ways: Firstly, the exoteric sequence will help you integrate this knowledge into your life on a practical level. With tears in my eyes and an ancient song from my heart I pray. But bear is also often associated with Healing, and especially the healing that comes by using medicinal Herbs. We ask our Creator to be with us today. With that in mind, it is clear to see that the west symbolically represents the point when thoughts and emotions enter the conscious mind from the subconscious mind. Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down. north represents darkness, emptiness, or nothingness. And there are only four elements in life: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. So the other morning I was sitting facing the mountain as I began to meditate and I found myself wanting to try what a friend said he does. The elements and cardinal directions are most commonly represented on a basic altar. Jain meditation (dhyna) has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels. Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. The fountains had not yet come out of the earth; the heavy mass of the mountains had not yet been formed; I was begotten before the hills. It is a direction that calls us to self-reflection and self-understanding. A calm mind. In every ancient myth that recites a creation story, water is always present. Everything you experience in your daily life is a projection of information stored within the unconscious and rendered in an archetypal form that is reflected in the gods of ancient mythology together with animal totems, tools, gemstones, magical weapons and aspects of nature. A Meditation on the Four Directions . Just remember, the west relates to the subconscious mind which produces life (from its waters). Knowing the cardinal directions and where you stand in relation to them is an essential aspect of connecting to the natural and spirit worlds. Now, I invite you to turn toward the direction that calls to you today. The abysses were not yet and already I was conceived. Whenever you bring awareness to what you . Doing this type of self-analysis enables you to observe the energies you are projecting. Although I have much to write about, sometimes the time, energy, and means to write it are not as available. Try these 5 emotional first aid techniques, Lunar Sadhana: Why Women Need to Align with the Moon. The Medicine Wheel, or Wheel of Life, is represented by the four directions. the north-east corner is also regarded as a symbol of sacrifice and beginning. It is the circle of life and all creation. Yet, some commentators writing about the symbolism of the four directions say that east represents illumination. This ability of music to release emotion is greatly amplified by the use of psychedelics which allows the listener to project his personal experiences and visual fantasies into the unfolding experience. Not just sweet Rain, but also the powerful Thunderbeings. Teach me to walk the way of beauty, Face the west with one arm up and the other palm open to receive, To The Winds of the West Heaven and earth are symbolic for mind and body respectively. The symbolism basically explains the process of death and rebirth. If you look at these clinical trials right now, all of them, without any exception, use music as part of the therapy model. When a Native American prays to the four directions, it is a prayer to the spirits of the world, to life and the Great Spirit that encompasses the four directions and everything that is. The west is also associated with the element of water and the sacral chakra, both of which are related to emotions. It is in the subconscious mind where you personal programs are updated. https://www.uua.org/files/includes/snippet-important-message.txt. While there is some contention around this theory, there are a number of undeniable motifs connecting Santas yearly. We acknowledge sweetgrass, the medicine of the east, and give thanks for its presence here today, and acknowledge water, the element of the East. Mother Earth, Thank you for your beauty, And for all you have given me. Shamanic tribes relate the west with new awareness.. You can stay in your seat, you can stand, you can turn your head or your whole body, but orient yourself toward the one of the directions, the element that speaks to you and your life right now, and when I ring the bowl gong, we will enter into two minutes of silent meditation. God has assigned four of his archangels to be in charge of the four cardinal points on Earth, believers say, directing their energy toward helping human beings balance different parts of their lives harmoniously. Yes, I know [], Were all familiar with that timeless piece of wisdom found in Ecclesiastes: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, []. Water can be so soft you barely feel its touch, or so powerful it knocks you over. Over the last four years, a task force of meditation researchers and teachers met regularly to develop recommendations for expanding the current meditation research field to include these important yet often neglected topics. As we stand in a circle to be smudged and cleansed, consider the words of Black Elk, spiritual advisor to the Oglala Sioux, regarding the Circle of Life: You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. We promise to always walk softly upon her face, for underneath our feet are the roots of the trees, the flowers and the grasses, and there can be no greater aspiration than to strive for a deep respect and connection with all our relations. The Queen of the South here is referring to the solar plexus chakra which is just below the heart chakra. Once you have self-awareness, you can follow the path in a clockwise direction. When the energy goes a full cycle a transformation takes place and we have a "new beginning"; new idea, new attitude, new belief, new start in life. Like many aspects found in nature, the four cardinal directions, or four winds as they are also known, are given symbolic meaning in numerous cultures around the world. We first acknowledge the East direction, the direction of the sunrise and new beginnings. The Medicine Wheel can take many different forms. Traditions such as the ancient druids of Northern Europe, shamans in the Americas, Asian sages, Indian yogis and African witchdoctors all use the four directions for symbolic purposes. One of my readers asked me about the deeper meaning of the four directions (north, south, east, west). 1. The first time it was after driving 2000 miles across the country in four days by myself the third and longest day was through gale force Kansas winds that shook my car so thoroughly I had to slow way down [], On a long 2,000 mile car trip across the country recently, I found myself with some time to think. Light your sage (or other herbs) on fire and then fan the smoke with your feather around your body and anyone else in your space. We plant seeds into the ground and nurture them to fruition just as we have to do with our plans and desires. Lets take a closer look at this idea and analyse the symbolism of the four directions from a counter-clockwise viewpoint. The element of the south is fire, and in the southern place on our altar the flame of our chalice burns bright. Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it. It is the dwelling place of God from where he descends in all his glory: Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. I ask that you bless our elders and children, families, and friends, and the brothers and sisters who are in prison. The animals of the west include the beaver for teamwork to prepare for winter and the snake to remind us of how to shed our old skin for transformation. Description Description. The exiles of Egypt travelled west to the promised land of Canaan -, But water is also a symbolic mechanism for the unconscious. Ancient cultures teach us to allow consciousness to guide you because it will lead you to Self-realisation. The animal often associated with the West is the Bear. But more about that later. For the purpose of this article, I am going to unfold the four directions in the clockwise sequence typically iterated in spiritual practices in mainstream circles. These, in some traditions, align with the four cardinal directions, the four elements and the four seasons. By honouring all of these directions, we will have honoured all that is. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Thank you for bringing me here at this time. King Solomon, known for his wisdom, is associated with the heart chakra. Remember, the north represents darkness, emptiness, or nothingness. The point of awakening is the awakening of knowledge in the conscious mind and not the act of waking in the morning. The Masonic Dictionary website tells us the north side of the temple was used for stabling, slaughtering and cleansing. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. In other words, this is the future state of mind they must strive to acquire. Often our elders are called upon to should responsibility and help protect the tribe with their deep wisdom. The four quarters are colored white, yellow, red and black, representing the races of man, the seasons, and the stages of life from childhood to old age. 1. If we ask for it, she will also provide us with the nourishment we need to succeed. You can apply these conditions to consciousness. For example, putting water in a chalice on the west side of the altar. And the direction I naturally chose was west, looking out over the vast San Luis Valley. You can relax and surrender to the teachings of the forest and the great tree in this guided meditation. With this knowledge, we behave differently and physically create new beginnings (which is the symbol of the east). Hebrew scholars claim that before the Bible was doctored by Christian scribes in the 3rd Century AD, the opening passage of the Bible inferred that water existed before heaven and earth. Product- Meditation Directions for Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself Book Meditations; Product- The Vocals/Music in my meditation are too loud or soft. I personally believe ayahuasca [a psychedelic Amazonian brew] is also the greatest natural healing agent, period. Chris Kilham, Psychology Today. scattered in all directions." A corpse that is "reduced to bones, white in color like a conch." A corpse that is "reduced to bones more than a year old, heaped together." . Whatever you think habitually during the day sinks into the subconscious and sends it instructions. Jeremiah 1:14 says that evil comes from the north. And then I finally had a deeper understanding of the power and significance of the four directions. To begin, take some deep breaths, let go of mental preoccupations and align with your hearts intention to create sacred space. Fire can make us act irrationally. North is the color blue. Im unfolding the story this way to demonstrate how subtle differences in the interpretation of symbolism creates a canyon between opposing points of view. We invite all Western spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. The west is a curious direction. On the shamanic medicine wheel, north is considered to be night and a place of nothingness where we return to the Great Mystery which will be ignited in the East. The north represents purity, meditation and intuition - sometimes called "Soul Retrieval.". The unconscious is typically described as emptiness, nothingness, the void or the Abyss. We acknowledge the colour white, and the White Race that it represents. Imagine the birds, turning and wheeling in the air, imagine the breeze blowing through your hair. We invite all Eastern spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. The element of the North is earth, represented here by some dirt from our very own garden. 3 Meditation Techniques to Try. When I faced the East, I felt the power of the Sunrise and of New Beginnings. The esoteric symbolism within the four directions encompasses the relationship and the similarities between man and the Universe. Known for its distinctive red and white speckled cap, Amanita muscaria is one of the most recognized mushrooms in the world. Is it possible that the folktale we know and love about Santa Claus finds its roots in the psychedelic mushroom-eating shamanism of people living in boreal regions of Europe? My response follows * I choose, sometimes, to capitalize words not generally capitalized in order to imbue them with more sacredness. Our research unveils the secrets to understanding and taking control of the the subconscious mind, channeling energy to self-heal and effectively using universal laws to fulfil your potential. But this is the dual nature of the gods and thus energy. The east is associated with the mind, with knowledge and learning and intellectual curiosity. Interesting enough, the north-east corner is also regarded as a symbol of sacrifice and beginning. Its spokes point east, south, west, and north. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The place of self or the sacred fire of the self which is the center of all paths. I am blessed currently to live in a home with windows that face the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. He said that whenever he meditates, he imagines himself sitting on top of that mountain. However, I believe taking an anti-clockwise route explains the process better than taking a clockwise route - based on the principles of how the mind works. For understanding of life cycles I work with the four directions of the medicine wheel: East, South, West, and North. So I tried that. The northerly direction is also associated with the element of Earth which shares similar symbolic motifs. We ask for the strength to defend Mother Earth when she needs it, as any grown child should defend their mother. Help me to walk my path with joy and love for myself, for others, for the four legged, the winged ones, the plants and all creation upon Mother Earth. Get the feeling that you are hugging the earth from all . Blessing to the Four Directions 1. Its silhouette and its energy pull the eye and the heart. One of the major tools given to us are the plant medicines. In truth, all four directions have a positive and a negative meaning. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Bring healing to the people I love and to myself. The aromas produced by these plants help us place ourselves in a different state of mind thus bringing us into a deeper part of ourselves. If there is a topic youd like to learn more about, please let us know. Somewhere along the way I found myself thinking about money and how we have come to place such value on something which is, in actuality, paper. The question here is what came first - the chicken or . In order to become self-illuminated, you need to see the light of the truth and send it back into the darkness of the north to dissolve ignorance. The north-east implies you are still awake and have some conscious thought. When I imagined sitting on that mountain facing South, I felt the power of Sun shining on my face. This is the anchor for the meditation. The north calls to you if you are seeking balance, the deep wisdom that lives in your bones, a place of rest and recovery. When God began to create heaven and earththe earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the waterGod said, Let there be light.. 00:49:16 - In this meditation Colleen guides you through a Reiki journey and meditation to assist you in finding your path and next step in 2023. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". When you are as calm as water and flow through life naturally, you experience peace and effortlessness. This state of stillness is when you are most receptive to your higher conscious Self. So let's take the masonic path in an anti-clockwise direction. We ask the Grandmothers and Grandfathers of the North to temper us with strength to withstand the biting blizzards, yet make us thankful for the beauty which follows and lies deep over the warm Earth in its wake. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself. The Buffalo is associated with abundance, with protection, with shouldering responsibilities. Here we see the cycle of energy and life. Four Protective Meditations (caturarakkha bhavana) in Theravada Buddhism By Dr. Ari Ubeysekara Introduction The path leading to the cessation of suffering, Nibbana, as discovered by Lord Gautama Buddha is known as the Noble Eight-fold Path (ariya atthangika magga) or the Middle path (majjhima patipada). https://medicinewisdom.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/shaman.png, https://medicinewisdom.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo-300x56-1.png, Using Rebirth to Treat Psychological Disorders. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But this is not the conclusion you would ordinarily reach by following the exoteric viewpoint related through mainstream channels. And when you know this, the cycles of existence portrayed by the four directions makes much more sense. Each 45-minute class will center around a different theme. May I have no enemies in this lifetime or next, Face the northwith one arm up and the other palm open to receive, To the Winds of the North We have an innate fear of the unknown because we lack faith in ourselves.