October 2021 — Shamanic Meditation Studies – Change!

by | Oct 1, 2021 | Shamanic Meditation Studies Group | 22 comments

October 2021 — Shamanic Meditation Studies – Change! (Our next Circle gathering will be on Saturday October 16 at 3 pm Arizona time).

Here is my observation. Mostly, we are waiting on the world to change without really committing to change how we fundamentally conduct our daily lives.

Here are some simple suggestions on how to remedy our lack of attention in the present moment. Please give them a try and let's open a dialog about remedies and solutions. Let's start with a few obvious diversions.

1. When the mind is preliminarily paying attention to its own desires and needs, the body's ability to flow with change is significantly impaired. We actually stop breathing for large portions of the day. With attention planted in the presence of the moment, we return to our breath. And, we immediately stop suffering, complaining, and blaming life, and others for life's problems. The solution – put your attention on the simple act of breathing.

2. Fully appreciate as many moments of the day that you can. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the day.

3. Let go of past grievances and resentments. Stop denying them, and choose to live in Presence. By extension, forgive yourself and others for your complaints, and move on.

4. Notice how much time you talk about what happened yesterday, or allow dreaming about the future to replace living in the moment. Dream about the future while working hard grounded in today.

5. Post your experiences here and get off of "social media", and deal with your addiction to television." 

6. Tune into Thursday night's offerings designed to celebrate our connection. Together, let's contribute to the content of that 30 minute interlude. I am open to suggestions.

7. The third Saturday of every month is an opportunity to delve deeper into these matters during our group meeting. Show up!

 

22 Comments

  1. Keshav Howe on November 2, 2021 at 7:49 AM

    Thank you for your poetic words Missy. It brings a smile to my face to think of celebrating wild onion within me as well.

  2. missy on November 2, 2021 at 5:58 AM

    11.1 I stood on one of many bridges over the North Branch of the Winooski River running through Montpelier and could feel its healing elements. I smiled and realized how fortunate our Capital is to have this powerful water to cleanse the city. This branch meets its Mother Winooski River in town and runs to the Mighty Lake Champlain. Heavy rains have filled their banks again after a very dry summer, restoring its health and all that resides in and rely on it. I have often stood here when I need to reflect and heal, and today I honored my immediate family ancestors who have passed, and anyone else who came to mind. Winooski: the name comes from the Abenaki word “winoskitegw,” meaning “land of the wild onion.” Namaste. Love.

  3. Betty on October 29, 2021 at 3:23 PM

    Russ: ditto

  4. Russ on October 26, 2021 at 5:17 PM

    Betty I have often found that the act of teaching often forces me to first find clarity for effectiveness. Through this I have learned that it is very often the teacher who learns most. How cool, eh? This being said,I can’t tell you how many times I have bumbbled my way through. lol But, I learned from that as well.

  5. Betty on October 25, 2021 at 3:00 PM

    I reminded a friend to feel the feeling without the story. Her response was I am still feeling the feeling. This morning it occurred to me that feeling the feeling in order to get rid of the feeling is not opening to the feeling. It is resisting it.

    Whenever I try to help someone else I end up helping myself!

  6. missy on October 24, 2021 at 5:21 AM

    First I apologize for not wearing all white, thought we were waiting to do that another time, so thats why I was requested a dance. My old t shirt I had on found me recently, a painting of ‘Searching for the Dolphins’ on the front felt right tho. Yesterday I was questioning my Self and asked, ‘Am I afraid of encountering Shit?” I was making laughter around it more or less when it happened, but will delve into that some more. Hearing everyone last night coming up with deep old emotions again only makes me wonder more. Braveheart I love reading that list you posted, keep writing, it is truly the truth of You, and your essence. Namaste. Love.

  7. Betty on October 23, 2021 at 11:38 AM

    Braveheart, beautiful description of what you were sensing . I would like to hear what feeling they elicited. Because they elicited feeling memories from me.

  8. Braveheart on October 23, 2021 at 6:50 AM

    Opening senses: wet shoes from damp grass, crow calling out, cool breeze, soft rattle of leaves, brilliant colors – sky blue, leaves of orange, red, yellow and green, deep breath -cool air, a crisp apple with a touch of cinnamon…

  9. missy on October 23, 2021 at 6:44 AM

    I'm making a request for tonight Keshav… we listen to King Harvest "Dancing in the Moonlight", I just heard it on Pandora, so much fun! pretty please? Some days I just need to press the restart button, anyone else ever feel that way? Yesterday my attempt to submit to an art show became frozen so I couldn't… I had time before work to get a coffee and muffin, then going back to enjoy that in my studio I gave wide berth to a crowd and felt my foot slip a lil, I thought, oh leaves…got back to the studio and went Whats That Smell! Shit, shit, shit! ughhh LOL! this days only getting better! Deal with the Shit, slow down, say Next! and enjoy the muffin, which I did. Ahead was a busy day at work with a Moonlight Madness Sale thruout town which was a lot of fun for folks, even all masked up! Music on street corners, laughter, friends meeting up. The title of it is appropriate and I dressed accordingly. OK now today is sunshine and roses so far, tho I've been awake since before dawn, cat nap later perhaps. Namaste. Love.

  10. Keshav Howe on October 20, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    I have decided not to do the work as a medium with suffering spirits on Saturday. As preparation for that work, I would like to acknowledge the parts of us that still personalize our relationship with life. We cannot really help other suffering spirits without acknowledging how we avoid working on ourselves. Essentially, we are the suffering spirits we are trying to assist. More about that on Saturday!
    I feel that I/we need to do some work together in the same physical space before taking on the roles of intermediaries and guides for the dead and dying.
  11. Keshav Howe on October 18, 2021 at 6:23 PM
    Thank you all for your patience and understanding regarding my absence last Saturday. I plan to do the same work next Saturday.
     
    I would like each of us that are doing this work to show up wearing white, with one or more candles burning, and fresh flowers or vibrant plants within smell or view. Do not smudge the room you are in, but do use a gentle air freshener or incense to help clear the room of any fear or confusion (from a client's perspective). The smell of fresh fruit is very calming to me, and often helps to refocus my attention on being the witness of the unnerving "confusion" in the air.
     
    The bottom line: We as a group are going to assist disembodied spirits (they may or may not be aware that their physical forms have dropped away) into the light of transformation. This work is a bridge between the physical, astral and causal plains of existence.  For some reason (October is prime time for this transition work, so we will do the best we can. And, it is no surprise that the boots of those we assist the most, usually get stuck in the same muddy places we get lost.
     
    It is highly important that we are aware that a soul that is confused about their present mortality is in need of a clear dose of reality, support, and presence; moving forward – just like us! It is our responsibility to depersonalize our interactions with these confused beings. Only then can we become the clear mirror that reflects back their (our) original face. "I see you" is a powerful invitation when delivered with an open heart.
     
    I have a music copy of GuruMayi's chant to her teacher, Baba Muktanandaya, in celebration of his beaming back from the causal realms. I was in the room at the Siddha Yoga Ashram when she sang that hauntingly beautiful blessing. She chants about the experience of recognizing one's divinity in plain view of her mentor and students. It is chilling!!
     
    I will send you that particular chant later tonight.
     
    I love you all…
  12. Russ on October 15, 2021 at 5:32 AM

    I see clearly now how our lives here in form are deeply intimate, and at the same time, absolutely impersonel.

  13. Keshav Howe on October 11, 2021 at 12:47 PM
    I can tell that it is October by a remarkable increase in the number of helping spirits flowing through consciousness. They are clearly serving those that are suffering  between the earth plane (plane of suffering) and the astral realms (of awakening). I am not the only one that has noticed, and has been profoundly touched with "people" that still hold a space in our circle, but are no longer in form.
    1. I plan to set up a semi-formal working stage on Saturday October 16th for such an important shamanic tradition. For the first hour, I will play my copy of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda leading a chant: "Om Namo Bhagavate – Muktanandaya." That incredible chant was one way that his transition to working as a disembodied spirit was celebrated. The event was also used to assist the many other beings that remained confused by continuing to live, yet without a distinct form.
     
    2. The second hour we will review what came up during the wild and crazy chanting. We will actively proceed to do the work on many levels of being. Have some fresh flowers or plants on display in your space on Saturday.
    Please wear all white clothing during our meeting (as much as you can), and be aware that you may lose a portion of sleep on Saturday night.
     
    Love,
    Keshav
  14. missy on October 8, 2021 at 7:08 AM

    I’ve been sharing with Keshav a few photos of my ground explorations, not that they capture even 1% of what is happening beneath our feet. The mushrooms and all the interexchange of life there is incredible, and to know most of it we cannot see with our eyes open. I was mainly just acknowledging the enormity of what I feel when I stop and witness. Gayatri mantra last night showed me a wee bit more. Namaste.

  15. Keshav Howe on October 7, 2021 at 10:49 PM

    We are all here to recognize, and bow to, how much we have changed. And, to acknowledge and heal our confusing relationship with peace.

  16. Betty on October 5, 2021 at 12:33 PM

    I stand corrected. Go home to a place you never left.

  17. Braveheart on October 5, 2021 at 11:48 AM

    Keshav, can we make it mandatory that all businesses take an ethics course too?
    I have found that the state insurance commission, insurance companies, contractors and legal system would greatly benefit from this as well. I attended a virtual hearing for the driver that damaged our house. The docket listed over 30 cases, most dealing with driving under the influence. In all cases, the lawyers asked that charges be dropped if the driver attended classes. The lawyers all said that no one was hurt and the drivers had insurance to cover the damages and had money to pay for the court fees. I was the only one that showed up and told the judge that this driver’s lawyer was wrong, that the driver did not have enough insurance to cover the damages. While all the other DUI cases were were dismissed, the judge agreed to continue our case in court. If I had not spoken, the lawyer’s lies might have helped dismiss the case.

  18. Keshav Howe on October 5, 2021 at 8:13 AM

    Let's remove facebook (the source of profound lies and deception) from the face of existence! Or, at least force people that use it to take a mandatory ethics course.

  19. Braveheart on October 5, 2021 at 8:05 AM

    Visiting friends who live in a very rural area. They specifically moved to the area to be in nature. I mentioned how wonderful it was that it was so quiet. Apparently they disagreed as they turned on the tv, replacing the silence with a news program. Then they didn’t even watch it, they seemed to want background noise.

  20. Keshav Howe on October 4, 2021 at 9:38 PM
    The critical job of taking in as much light and presence as possible Is a big responsibility. I am grateful for the Knowing that I cannot fully take in this moments nourishment when my attention is divided.
    Be still a moment and know you are already home.
  21. sasanijjs on October 4, 2021 at 4:56 PM

    I attempted to “reward” myself with a tv show while eating the other night ,and actually found the experience quite annoying. I couldn’t really focus on enjoying my food or the show. After turning off the tv rather quickly ,I went into another room and ate quietly at a table. Eating in presence unfolds a wonderful array of senses that I am not always there to experience. There seems to be a tremendous amount of creativity on the plate.

  22. Betty on October 1, 2021 at 10:20 PM

    Keshav, your last comment: “All roads lead home,” is a powerful reminder. I am either aware that I am awareness or I have that something isn’t going right feeling, that informs me that I have been distracted from the awareness I am. As you used to say, I can run away from that uncomfortable feeling/emotion or I can run toward it; opening to what Is leads home. Running from it, resisting what is here in the now, keeps me stuck in suffering, forgetting that the suffering is that ringing bell that calls me home. I can open to whatever is. I can breathe it in.

    Be still a moment and go home….