Archive for the 'Unlimited Mind' Category

Way of the Shape Shifter – The Secrets of the Shamans

The power in practicing shape shifting is in training our minds to become more than what they believe they can be. The object of shifting is not so important as much as the experiences learned from the shifting.

For example, to imagine and feel that we are a dog we need to let go of certain attachments. We need to expand and focus our imagination. We need to stretch our mind to areas it is unfamiliar with. We contend with feelings of ridiculousness, feelings of doubt. In the face of these resistances we have the opportunity to train and strengthen our visualization and focus and ability to flow.

Beginners on the spiritual path often say that they want to connect to spirit but don’t know where to start – the way seems to elude them. Why not then start with what eludes us? Shape shifting directs our mind to become what it has trouble fathoming. It is the same with spirit.

There is always something more. The conscious mind believes it has seen it all – it becomes complacent then asks why meaning is lacking or why the answers don’t add up. Stretching the mind is the way to keep the mind growing.

Emotions and feelings are what make us who we are. Our decisions come from the desire to fulfill these emotions and feelings.

All these attachments are like various shapes – they come through us and in order to move through we must make ourselves into the appropriate shape or form – then they can move through.
Remember what mind mastery is. It is the ability to move the mind, stop the mind, focus the mind and imagine. What does shape-shifting teach us? It teaches us these very things.

A mind that has stopped does not believe that it can move beyond what it believes “reality” to be. Shape shifting shows the mind that concentrated imagination can surpass what we believe reality is.

Most people have never tried shape shifting before. The very idea seems ludicrous. A perfect training ground for developing mastery. If we do not learn to move beyond the voices of doubt and ridicule within, then we will never master ourselves. Learn to move past the inner doubt and external world critics will have no power over you either.

The power of shape-shifting comes from learning the principles behind how to become many forms. When we understand the principle, we realize that the form itself is not important and we become formless. Each shape we shift into teaches us to let go of who we currently believe ourselves to be and become something that we have always believed we are not. We train to make the impossible possible.

The exact same principles are used in mastering emotions. We become fixed in emotions because we believe that this is all that is possible. When we understand how to stretch what is possible our belief is changed. It is the same with anything that we believe we can’t do – but once we’ve done it again and again then we know without a doubt that we can.

It is all mind.

Work with this exercise:

Pick an object – any object at all.

Focus on it and imagine yourself becoming it.

Feel how you imagine it feels.

“See” how you imagine it would “see”.

“Hear” how you imagine it would “hear.”

If this is the first time you have done it and this exercise eludes you then this is a good sign! It shows that your mind is striving to comprehend something that it presently cannot – it means you are stretching it. Simply keep going with the exercise. Let your doubts be as they are and just focus on the object. Allow the main bulk of your mind as much as possible to be on the object. What ever your level is with this exercise – it is working. Your imagination is being activated, your focus is being exercised – your mind is learning to move.

Observe the object with all your senses.

What is it’s texture?

How does it’s structure feel?

Move your mind into it. Feel the depth and density of it.

Feel and observe the detail of it.

Observe any images, any impressions that you feel or see. Acknowledge them and continue to observe the object.

Become one with it.

Allow yourself to surrender to the merging.

The more regularly you practice this the easier it will become. Remember that what is important is not your doubts about the exercise but whether you continue to focus and imagine anyway.

We can practice shape shifting anywhere. On the train, bus, sitting at home. I’d suggest not doing it while driving a car – states of consciousness can shift rapidly and dramatically with this technique.

Be creative. Practice with people, inanimate objects, tangible and intangible. It’s about training our mind to realize that it is more than it currently believes. This realization increases our ability to act, to create and manifest in spite of doubts and insecurities.

If you have wondered why certain avenues, opportunities or mind states seemed unavailable to you, the practice of shape shifting will open your eyes and mind to understanding why and furthermore allow you to achieve these things.

Hieu Doan

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The Power of Flow – Unlock the Knowledge of Enlightenment and Meditation

The power of flow comes from the opportunity it affords us to understand cause and effect and therefore reality. Flow is a tool, it is a method to understand the way we interact with the world, energy, emotions, people, the universe, thoughts and so on. We move with the frequency of these energies and in moving with them we understand what makes them what they are. In this moment of becoming one we flow and we gain opportunity. We can choose to enhance this energy, we can choose to dissipate it or we can choose to allow it to be. What we choose is ultimately decided by where we are going in life. What flow does is afford us the opportunity to have greater freedom of choice. It allows us to transform our feelings, emotions, energies and thoughts so that they are congruent with our “higher” purpose and so move into our own power.

When we can choose what we feel and what we think – when we can choose to feel at peace with our inner world, then we no longer struggle with the external world around us. The more power we have within, the less we need to control or struggle with the outside. As a result the choices and experiences that we make and have in the external world can become congruent with how we feel inside.

All emotions, feelings and thoughts are energy. When we can find flow in the energy of apathy then we will not be a prisoner of stagnation. When we can find flow in confusion then we can realize clarity. The same principles can move us from anger to inspiration, despair to compassion and so on. We no longer need to avoid learning because we don’t like failure. We simply learn to transform the energetic signature of failure into inspiration. We no longer need to go without experiencing potential because of apathy, we simply learn to transform the frequency of apathy into passion, inspiration or discipline.

The journey that we are on becomes easier and infinitely more enjoyable when our inner self is not at war with itself. A mind without limiting beliefs, emotions and thoughts is a powerful mind indeed because all that was once against is now in full support. When the mind is unified then inner victory is assured.

Remember that flow is a principle. The shape and feel of flow will change, but the principle stays the same. For example, to go with the flow of resistance means that we need to become the resistance – and the first level will feel like we are resisting. It will feel like full blown resistance! To go with the flow of pain we need to become the pain. It often feels as if the pain actually intensifies. What is actually happening is that our mind is becoming more acutely aware. This awareness has the capacity to open up into the realization of flow.

When our mind matches the exact frequency of that which we are seeking to flow with then it’s as if a key opens up the door to it’s inner self. Our minds have learnt to penetrate the external form to experience the inner flow. At this point the mind transcends this particular energy, emotion, thought form or feeling as a form of resistance, pain or obstacle at all. It no longer has a hold on us. We see it and feel it. We are fully and acutely aware of it and yet we are not attached to it because our mind has experienced reality beyond it.

Imagine not needing to feel a certain way when the body releases the sensation of anger. Imagine not needing to feel a certain way when the body expresses the sensation of hate, or apathy, stagnation or inner struggle. Instead of being the puppet who is pulled on strings each time certain emotions are released, we become the master who is able to experience what we choose at any time we choose. We then experience the reality that has not been the world and other people that make us feel the way we feel, it has been us all along. We simply haven’t had the freedom to choose our inner reality.

We are not actually seeking to create flow. It already exists. We are learning to listen for the flow within all things whether seemingly solid, stubbornly resistant, righteously angry, joyously happy, deliriously hateful or lethargically apathetic. Even the most immovable of emotions, pain or thoughts has within it flow. A rock at it’s surface seems static, yet at a deeper level it is made of the same atoms that we are made of. There is always movement present.

The realization of flow happens when we let go of the restrictions in-between. That restriction may be a knot in the muscle, it may be a perception in the mind – but it is interesting that a knot in a muscle can be released by moving the mind deeply into it, becoming it and dissolving the tension. At it’s core all flow is realized when the mind becomes aware of it.

Exploring resistance, playing with it, finding ways to open it, shift ourselves around it, moving in and out of it we start to get the gist of what is resistance and what is flow.

Think of a block of ice. For water to get to the core of that ice the ice needs to melt or provide some way through. Our perceptions create barriers like the ice – they are unable to connect to frequencies that are like water. When our minds and bodies are open and receptive then we are able to feel more. If we are not feeling empowered it is because we are blocking or restricting the flow of the frequency of empowerment. We are stopping ourselves from perceiving it and therefore being it.

When our mind is stuck in a pattern of thought, feeling or emotion then it is unable to connect to what is outside this pattern. This pattern is like a “box”. Greater opportunity is found in an unlimited mind, flow trains the mind to move around limits and so directly leads to empowerment.

Reality because it is always changing and different is formless. A pattern or “box” on the other hand is a form. It is our personality or mind or body trying to conform into what we think is “right”. The flow keeps moving and we keep bring our mind back to the “shape” or pattern we are used to. And so we keep missing the power within us. We become so attached to how power should be that we hide our eyes from where it actually is.

It is impossible to grasp the universe or the world for that matter and put it into a box. It is a constantly changing and evolving thing. When our mind creates a set of limiting beliefs it simply creates a box. The universe around us still exists in it’s infinite opportunity but everything we see is a perception out of that box. Damn!

The funny thing is, being “stuck” is also an illusion – as the mind believes or perceives itself to being stuck – so will it be. By bringing the mind to the realization of “movement”, the perception of flow has already begun. Continuing on this path we begin to realize that flow has been there all along. It was that we had “frozen” our minds to the perception or illusion of being “stuck”.

Emotions and feelings, sensations and thoughts are consciousness. Imagine that we use 90% of our resources, conscious and unconscious to hold them back. This leaves 10% to direct and fuel us to where we want to go. When we allow all those emotions, feelings, sensations and thoughts to flow we can then use 90% or even 100% our energy to direct us where we want to go. Many people believe that if they let go of trying to hold back all their “stuff” things will get out of control. It’s actually the opposite – all the repression leads to loss of control and very little energy to truly be or even remember what we want to be. When we let go at first there is a mad rush – like all this water coming out of a dam. Then it slows down and we see that we can swim easily where we want to go. Before it is released all that energy is like the dam – trying to hold it all in.

Some resistance is rigid and obvious. Some resistance is subtle and hidden. The practice of simple awareness opens us to the availability of resistance. Acknowledging where it is the first step to doing something with it. The practical application of flow begins with observation. Observing ourselves allows us to see where we have created these “dams” these areas of resistance. By observing objectively, feeling them and sensing them we learn to let them flow. It is actually by doing nothing that the “dams” and resistance begin to dissolve – then we have realization of flow. In the beginning when we begin this practice we realize that we have been using all our effort to keep these blockages in place. This is what it means to “let go”, “surrender” and “accept.” This is a very receptive energy – a yin energy. Then when we begin to swim, we bring forth an active or yang energy. The balance between resistance and flow is the key to creating a life of our choosing.

Hieu Doan

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The Power of Resistance – Forging a Mind for Piercing through Opposition

Guided resistance is what brings us to our goals.

Resistance defines a direction out of the pure flow that is reality. It is the necessary “friction” that steers our mind and therefore our life. Resistance is the counter balance of flow. Learning to blend these two elements is how we accurately and effectively create our life purpose.

Understanding resistance allows us to give form to our path, it allows our steps to have direction and shape, it is what we use to create a journey of purpose and meaning.

Essentially resistance is about choices. We express what is meaningful to us by choosing the paths that have reason and purpose and leaving the paths that do not. This is guided resistance. Resistance is also what is needed to transform patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. Finding the right balance of flow and resistance allows us to understand how to divert an object be that emotion, thought or feeling from it’s current course and into a new direction.

Application of resistance for best results is something that must be understood through experience. Sometimes we would benefit from an intense burst of resistance. Like taking massive action to get ourselves motivated and moving. In the long term however a balanced and sustained approach is what will prevent burn-out. Rather than meeting a force head on, we apply resistance at points that we understand to have the most significance and that will result in maximum results with minimum energy used. In a sense we are understanding how to use leverage to move and transform our minds. In the long run sustained action will prevail over bursts of inspiration. This being said however there may well be times when we choose to experience high intensity in order to grow in other ways. Opportunity for realizing power is present in every moment.

The most basic focusing meditation teaches us to leave everything as it is and simply hold our mind on the object of focus. Even this basic exercise contains within it the principles of balancing resistance with flow. The foundation of this practice is to allow all extraneous forces to simply be as they are – to not let the mind be involved in their struggles. We do not seek to play or communicate with the chattering mind, we do not feed limiting emotions, thoughts or feelings. We just let things be as they are. This is the principle of flow in action. At the same time we have an objective. We are focusing on an object be it our breath, the building of inner strength or clarity. This focus is direction, it is resistance.

As we advance in practice we develop the experience to know how much to give (resistance) and how much to take (flow). This sensitivity can only be gained from actual practical experience. We need to feel the pull of the opposing and contradictory forces of flow and resistance and how they affect us achieving our goal. The exact same principles are expressed in any journey of self-growth. As we learn to refine our application of the principles we will experience a reality that is congruent with our desires.

The balance of resistance and flow is the balance that allows us to reconcile self-acceptance and striving for more than what is. These two contradictory forces pull us in seemingly opposite directions. Self-acceptance seeks to accept what is. Striving for more seeks just that – more than what is.

Sensitive guiding of resistance is the practical application of looking honesty at what we are not and what we choose to become – and then tempering this with acceptance and compassion.

It is the accepting of the process even while extending ourselves toward all that we dream for. Interestingly it has been said that one of the last things that Buddha needed to let go of was his craving for enlightenment (or it could be argued his aversion to suffering!). The irony can be seen here however because it was this very desire for enlightenment that brought him to that point.

With acceptance and compassion we avoid beating ourselves up for not being everything that we want to be today and right now. With honest appraisal of where and who we want to be we give ourselves the opportunity to actually acknowledge and therefore create what we want.

If self growth is something that we desire then developing resistance is something that is necessary to the path – even if the destination of that path is one of non-resistance. Resistance is our vigilance that keeps us on track. Resistance is what allows us to stretch in new directions and explore potential and possibility.

Developing the mind to be able to move from fierce resistance to gentle means at will means that we will have more choices. We will have greater flexibility. For example the blend of flow and resistance when meditating in a quiet room is one thing, but a different combination of flow and resistance is needed when accessing this mind-state when we are sleep deprived and catering to a room of crying babies! Similarly the blend used when creating a mind state of enthusiasm and initiative will be different than when creating a mind state of deep peace. We need to work our capacities of flow and resistance within their respective ranges of motion. This is what brings these concepts more and more into practical and usable reality. Other wise a common situation is that people find that they are able to focus well in one or two environments, but that they “lose” their mind in others.

Make it a staple to first work with the mind in a quiet space. We want to stack the cards in our favor! Then we would explore practicing the same exercise when we are highly agitated, angry or sleepy. Likewise we could practice in a busy, bustling room full of people or on a train, or while our boss is screaming at us. We can even do it while talking to people. Each situation trains the mind to find different ratios and balances of resistance and flow.

Understand what it is that you wish to achieve in each experience and extend and direct your mind and energy accordingly.

In the context of realization, resistance is the part of the mind that “holds” the imagination or visualization. Flow is the part of the mind that balances this by keeping the resistance as effortless as possible. Expressing the two seamlessly is what gives us power.

Hieu Doan

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The Power of Honesty – The Secret of Unlocking the Ultimate Power of Your Mind

Honesty is integral for achieving real empowerment.

Without honesty we never really know what we truly want. Dishonesty within, will struggle against any developments in awareness. The two are fundamental opposites. To be honest with ourselves means to listen and see – even when what we hear and see is not particularly to our liking. It is the difference between telling ourselves what we like, want and feel – and listening to what we actually like, want and feel.

Honesty is the reality as it is, not as we want it to be.

Without looking and perceiving clearly what reality is here and now, we are living in delusion – a state which must be cleared before the path to our destination becomes clear. We need to start where we are. We must listen to the many voices that speak within us. The many feelings that rise to be heard – and then we must ask what is the meaning of this communication?

When we create an internal governor, an entity or aspect of our mind that will stand for the purpose and meaning for our highest good, then we have the opportunity to bring understanding and unity to the other selves. First we must hear them speak, and to truly hear we must be willing to be honest.

Honesty reveals the way through and to all levels of the self.

Perhaps one aspect of the self is restless or agitated. In listening we will understand why there has been struggle in this area, and so we gain the opportunity to resolve and reconcile. This cohesion brings inner peace at this level. Perhaps another part is grieving and in listening honestly, we gain the opportunity to understand why it is grieving, and so we gain the opportunity to find healing.

Without honesty we choose to live in the dark and yet wonder why the feelings, thoughts and reality that we have are not the ones we want. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is truly insane. In being honest we allow ourselves to look and see the cause and effect of our actions. We gain the opportunity to ask: “Is this what I truly want? Or do I desire a change in paths?”

Honesty is congruent with the development of observation and self-awareness. On one level honesty is admitting that we do indeed desire a particular experience, be that emotional, physical or mental. On another level observation may show us whether or not the path we are on will likely bring us that experience. If for example we seek empowerment, are the choices and actions we take supporting the creation of that reality? Are we feeling more empowered overall than we were last year? If we would like to have more fulfilling relationships, are the choices and actions that we have taken supporting the reality of this desire? Are we experiencing more fulfillment here and now than we have in the past?

Honesty allows us to achieve results in a concrete way. Rather than hoping that chance will throw a bone our way, we systematically learn to know ourselves and understand the nature of cause and effect. Understanding brings empowerment.

Mechanically speaking honesty is easy. It is the simplest way to true fulfillment. In practice it is challenging because of pride.

If we do not want to “lose”, then we may hold back from admitting that we already have. Until we allow ourselves to look honestly at what is actually happening here and now, we don’t have a chance of creating our reality with any conscious direction. It all just keeps rolling from the product of our past patterns and reactions.

The honesty path although it may require us to look at some truths that sting, actually allows us to create a life that is imbued with experiences that contain for us meaning and purpose. In retrospect the sting of honesty will be like water off a ducks back. It’s this experience that allows people to genuinely laugh at themselves, because they have elevated themselves above the part of their ego that would do anything to avoid that sting, that feeling of loss.

In letting that part lose, we actually win – big time.

We laugh because we experience real inner victory. We see what we have gained and realize the experience of that sting of pride for what it is. No big deal.

In the long run we gain exponentially more by allowing ourselves to grow than holding ourselves back. At the top of the mountain the pride that we gain from having achieved so much far outweighs any pride lost in the journey. Furthermore the journey itself has shown us the transient nature of pride itself – and so we learn to laugh at ourselves, because we can see that regardless of our “flaws” and “foibles” we are capable of climbing mountains!

Be honest about your strengths and be honest about your weaknesses. Each has the capacity to help the other.

Admitting that things have not worked out, that our “causes” have not had the “effects” that we desired, we actually get the biggest opportunity to make a major overhaul. It’s like a company realizing that a certain product just isn’t selling. If they don’t want to admit that they might have been wrong on something, then they continue to lose. If they admit that for some reason it’s just not working, then they gain opportunities to turn it around.

Hear what the inner critic has to say, but know that just because the voice comes from within, it doesn’t mean that it’s the last word. Develop the inner governor, a voice of reason and wisdom that can communicate with all the other aspects of yourself with understanding and compassion, but also firmness. It is the part of you that will listen but then make the decisions that need to be made. It is that part that listens with understanding, responds with compassion and acceptance, but is still able to do what is needed. In short it is the councilor who hears, loves and respects the child’s voice yet knows that there are other considerations also. It is the higher self that sees from a bigger perspective that can understand the paths that lead to fulfillment and those that are dead-ends. The honesty exists in listening to all concerns openly, knowing that they may come in the form of thoughts, words or feelings and emotions. The strength exists in allowing the honesty to be there. It also exists in learning how to meet each aspect of the self with understanding while still directing a larger, higher and more expansive picture.

Each aspect, each voice has a purpose, a reason for being that is connected with us. Understanding that purpose gives us the opportunity to integrate directions and find reconciliation within. All aspects of the self have an honesty that is revealed when we are honest with ourselves. Meeting each one openly and allowing the inner governor to genuinely seek understanding with each is the essence of honest communication.

Hieu Doan

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Sharing Wisdom – Creating Positive Karma and Awakening the Inner Master

We are as a planet, and group consciousness moving together toward a goal. Sure there is diversity, fluctuation, deviance and tangent – but as a whole there is a certain frequency that we are all maintaining and moving within together. The destination will be decided by the overall intensity. It has been said that it will only take 1000 people becoming enlightened to pull everyone else into the slip stream. Whether you agree or not the concept is worth reflecting on. Any type of development becomes exponentially more powerful as more people take it on themselves to realize empowerment.

The more people who are living a life of empowerment, purpose and meaning the easier it is for others to join the stream of consciousness. The flow of inspired, resonant energy becomes easier to tap into. New heights are always easier to reach when the base that we stand on is stable. This is achieved by creating strong consciousness.

These exact same principles apply to group consciousness as they do to individual consciousness. Any skills that we would develop become more powerful and easier to develop when we have a strong base conscious to reach from.

Sharing our wisdom by actually living it, talking the talk and walking the walk changes the world. We throw a stone of our essence into the river of life and the ripples spread out, affect others who affect yet others.

If our essence has meaning and purpose then others will feel this resonate deep within them. It will inspire and motivate others who seek this same path. As they grow they will support our own continued growth. As others begin to strengthen, stabilize and support the vibration, then it takes less energy for all of us to support the vibration. We can then use it as a foundation to raise consciousness once again.

All of us have most probably felt the effect of a room full of people resonating to certain energies of purpose. Inspired energy literally fills the room with vital life.

Healers of all sorts are on the planet right now. Their gift comes in many packages and in a variety of shapes. Water to revive and sustain life. Compassion to refresh the spirit. Hands to protect and nurture. Words can break the stone covering a heart with the same intent that a smile can bring remembrance to the soul.

The greatest healing has and always will be self-understanding.

Self-understanding follows the parable of “give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

Understanding heals because it is the realization of our own true power. Once we see it we realize the truth. That there is nothing to heal, but without realization then we will continue to live in struggle with ourselves.

When wisdom is shared the foundation from which we grow becomes powerful. From this power we gain the opportunity to move higher and broader.

Wisdom is giving of what will benefit and nurture our journey. It is knowledge, it is gratitude, it is words whether hard of soft, it is thoughts, it is interaction – and like all journeys the giving of wisdom must start with where we are and the wisdom we have.

In what way can we now share of what we are abundant? How can we contribute to the journey?

The size and strength of our wisdom is not important, the form of our wisdom is transient. What is essential is that we give of who we are. A child’s laughter can raise the spirits of a household, the knowledge of a student can inspire a teacher – the power of who we are will shine for as long as we continue to be honorable to what is meaningful.

In sharing we affirm our abundance. We affirm our worth and we realize our abilities in supporting a goal that is precious to us. The two become congruent and the path becomes stronger, the way more illuminated. When we do not share then we affirm a lack of abundance. We affirm that we do not have enough knowledge, energy or power – and so we block our own power. We also affirm that the goal is not important enough to us, and so the relationship does not reciprocate.

If you want knowledge then put knowledge out there – let it interact. If you want money then put money out there – let it reciprocate. If you want power then put power out there – let it communicate. If you want enlightenment – then put enlightenment out there – let it be realized. If you want love – then put love out there – let it be felt.

Broadcast your truth in whatever your essence commands. Words, feelings, a smile, a song, thoughts, wealth, creation – expose what is genuine meaning within you and allow it to be seen and heard.

The nature of the relationship formed will be specific to the essence in which we communicate.
Listen for the genuine feeling of that gratitude. Gratitude is the essence of abundance. Come from here. All expression born of pure and true gratitude integrates the realization of abundance into the deepest levels of body and mind.

Abundance goes beyond what we believe we have.

Give one extra smile a day to a stranger – then add a kind word. There will be an instant reciprocation of energy, the ripples of which give the opportunity to understand the essence and levels of kindness. Break a five dollar bill into ones and give five people a dollar each. Observe what you have given and observe what you have received. Are the feelings as you would wish? If not then listen for the genuine frequencies that you desire to give and receive. Wisdom exists here.

Hieu Doan

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The Struggle to Awaken – Breaking Free of the Matrix – Part 1

Awakening to spiritual consciousness, realization and self-mastery has always contained within it many potential challenges. Some are fun, some are a real pain in the butt. In the end however the skills developed in learning to move through them are the very skills that we used to move further.

A friend once told me a story: he had taken it upon himself to help a butterfly get out of the cocoon that it seemed to be struggling with. Having a good heart he helped to remove some of the trappings that were keeping the butterfly in. Then he went about his day. It was only a few days later when we related the story that he realized that the very muscles developed when the butterfly broke apart it’s cocoon were the ones which were required to fly. In essence he had killed the butterfly.

A similar thread exist in all struggles. There is always the opportunity to develop our strengths and these strengths allow us to explore higher and vaster realms of ourselves. This article will address several areas that are usually encountered at one stage or another on the path to self-realization.

There is the struggle of moving from the societal collective stream of consciousness, to one of an explorer, branching out to new areas and searching new depths. New paradigms usually go through a process. First there is disbelief, then ridicule, then perhaps reluctant acceptance, and finally it will be accepted as norm. As explorers we are usually exploring aspects outside of the norm, perhaps in the realm of disbelief and ridicule. Moving away from a majority consciousness will often require that we work through a certain amount of energetic and emotional resistance – both from within and without. This new direction can be supported by understanding that regardless of doubt and regardless of confusion a way still exists. The essence of effort is that it is and will find a way given time. Creating a sanctuary both in the physical reality and in our own selves will provide us with the support that we initially need to push out from the collective flow. In time we will develop enough of our own momentum and inner strength to be able to maintain our direction regardless of the flow of the collective stream.

“The greatest sanctuary of all is a disciplined and focused mind.”

There is the struggle of moving from programmed patterns of being into conscious awareness. Patterns of emotion and being have within them a very strong inertia. It is this stream of consciousness that we are meeting when we first make the decision to be aware. Be gentle. Awareness in itself is a powerful step and it is often confronting to observe the inner working of the self.

“Awareness gives us options.”

There is the struggle of moving from consciousness into directing the creation of reality. Awareness alone affects a change but not necessarily the change that we wish. We must understand what we are seeking and direct our consciousness toward the reality that we desire. In a moment of consciousness everything floats for a moment. In this space we can guide our minds to realize that the consciousness we seek exists here and now.

“Energy goes where attention flows. Realize your desires and they will become apparent.”

There is the struggle of doubt. Imagine trying to see the night sky through a brick wall. This is often the experience when we first attempt to connect with new consciousness. In time we may see just one star, but perhaps so faintly that it is easy to dismiss. Doubt can prevent us from ever looking again, however if we continue to look we will eventually realize that there is in fact a brick wall obscuring our vision. With further enquiry we will discover methods to take out bricks, perhaps one by one at first, but eventually many bricks at a time. One day we will gaze unhindered at the full night sky. We will acknowledge that the presence of doubt told no true account of what did indeed lie beyond.

“Argue for your limitations and sure enough you’ll have them.” R. Bach

There is the struggle of pride. The “master’s trap” has always been pride. The more “advanced” we become, the more understanding we gain, the more our ego believes that it is better, “higher” and more worthy of respect and praise. It is a game. The real power of pride comes from knowing that we can bow our heads to the true quest: the quest for realization and self-mastery. The massive trip of false pride gives us the opportunity to find humility, to know that it exists regardless and to be open to learning and growing. In time a glowing and genuine pride is realized, it is one which is honorable to our “highest” self.

“With a beginner’s mind, see things as they are.”

There is the struggle to understanding how to systematically connect with powerful spiritual experiences on a daily basis. Big shifts occur when we have our first powerful spiritual experiences. We often perceive them as dramatic simply because relative to our usual everyday life they are. In time we may wish for our spiritual experience to become the norm, rather than the exception. When we integrate spirit into our everyday life then everyday life becomes spiritual. “Profound” will have different meaning for different people. For some the stillness and silence they receive from simple meditations will be regarded as profound, for others astral projection or meeting their higher self is what is sought. When spirituality becomes truly important in our lives then we will find that not a moment goes by that we do not seek to be aware, observe consciousness and integrate our spiritual practice. We thirst for more and more knowledge, we question, we study and we teach. Then one day we realize that many of the things that we once sought have already happened.

“Before we are seekers mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. When we seek understanding mountains are no longer mountains and rivers are no longer rivers. When we have understanding then mountains are mountains and rivers and rivers.”
Hieu Doan

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The Master's Trap

The feeling that we are just beginning to understand the essence of mastery comes not from low self worth. It comes from being open to knowledge and so with this mind set we gain knowledge.

We need not be falsely modest and say that we know very little. We simply remain open to what it is that we are seeking to achieve and we will be open to the knowledge that we need. We will see the opportunities that we need. In this way knowledge and the opportunities to understand this knowledge will come in droves. There is a vast difference between the image of being open and being open. One of them has as it’s goal the acquisition to further ones pride. The other has as it’s goal the acquisition to further one’s knowledge. As long as we are open to knowledge there will be knowledge to receive.

The title of “master” carries power – but this very power can stand in the way of the path of knowledge. If we believe that a master has learned all they have to learn, if we believe that a master can teach themselves all that they need to learn, if we believe as a master that our system is the only one that is relevant – then we close ourselves to much knowledge. Master is a word that is not always a reflection of skill, because skill is not about title, it is about results – and results improve with knowledge and experience. Mastery of the self requires that at some point we let go of the false pride that would achieve this goal simply for the accolades and to focus our energies simply on being a master. The aspects that crave mastery simply to fulfill an insecurity of worth need to be resolved. True self-mastery is able to accept the energies of insecurity to the point where we can transcend those energies – and so we no longer need to cater to them at all. We are not concerned with external appearances or agendas because we are not attached to the emotional state of pride, insecurity and fear. True pride can then be revealed. The true path is then illuminated even brighter.

True pride is the feeling that we are following our true path. True pride is congruent with the feeling of self-honor.

When we transcend the attachments to desires that we do not truly wish then our mind becomes united. Our mind is not in struggle with itself, our energies are not dissipated.

Do not try to appear like a beginner. Do not try to appear humble. Simply be humble. Be open to all knowledge that is applicable to your path. Investigate and observe when your pride feels a sting – and in this moment listen for a part that feels true. It may be faint, it may be strong – but it is the part that honors what you know to be you.

It exists in inner chaos as much as it exists in inner order.

True humility does not need to exist in appearances. It exists regardless of face and demeanor. It exists when we are arrogant just as it exists when we are at peace. We simply need to know how to find it. We need to practice listening for it when the landscape is happy, we need to listen for it when the landscape is sad. We need to remember and take action on that memory.

Being open means that we ask for what we need. Accepting who and where we are means acknowledging when we may benefit from asking for knowledge from others and requesting teachings. A true master is able to become a beginner because they understand that the true goal requires doing what is needed to achieve it. False pride, images of grandeur, wisdom and stature fall away when it is understood that they simply hinder the journey. Looking the fool, appearing ignorant or clumsy are not concerns when our goal is self-mastery. In fact as we begin to realize the goal, all these human “flaws” are experienced with true compassion because we allow ourselves to forgive every aspect of ourselves. At this point, like babies, we learn to walk unimpeded by a mind fraught with concerns of failure, image and false pride. Our goal becomes simply to walk.

To one that has forgotten what it is to play, a child will be a master.

Explorers of mastery will rarely be understood by the collective consciousness because to the collective anything out of the acceptable is ridiculous, scary or just generally incomprehensible. Seeking self-knowledge we will walk lines that often contradict, we will often illustrate dualities, observe blatant hypocrisy and be accused of being over-analytical to the nth degree – and this is merely the tip of the ice-berg that they see of us. Of course all of these things are part of being human. It is just that the more our awareness grows, the more we become aware of the seeming chaos of the mind – and this is where the real opportunity lies. As we see so we gain the chance to meet what we find with understanding and compassion. Journeying deeper into our depths we find more “madness” and we gain the opportunity to realize and listen for peace. In time peace will permeate to our inner most core and it has followed the path of understanding at each juncture.

This is the reason why those who have come before us have left path notes which remind us to remain ever vigilant. At each juncture there is the lure to simply go the way that we have always gone. If however we remain conscious and choose the path of understanding, then we reconcile that part and it is re-integrated in the whole.

At any point of the journey it is important to be aware of pride. To be open to knowledge even if it’s presence defines that we are still beginners. We are not here simply to be called masters or for that matter beginners. We are here to learn and grow.

Hieu Doan

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Developing Clarity – Awakening Higher Knowledge, Intuition and Understanding

Creating a life with meaning and value requires that we are able to recognize the information that we are receiving. This is the essence of clarity. It enables us to see straight to the heart of things, seeing through all doubts, chattering voices, confusion and fear.

The information is coming through. It is the mind that is interpreting in such a way that the results seems uncertain and unclear. The confused mind is given power because we are focused on it. We are tuning our minds into it. Shifting into the mind of absolute clarity requires that we listen for it.

Work with this exercise:

Observe your body. Notice how you are breathing, how you are holding your posture – feel the weight of your body.

Observe your thoughts and emotions. Notice how they are manifesting in your body. How do the sensations feel?

Notice what it is that you are unclear about. Observe your doubts. Let them flood in on you. Observe your fears. Let them surround you.

Observe how this feels in you. Does it move and change or does it stay still? What is it’s frequency?

How do you react to being surrounded by fear, doubt and confusion? Observe this.

Notice that the observer is able to encompass all fears, lack of clarity, confusion and doubt. It is able to be all of these things but also be outside all of these things.

Allow the swirling mass of consciousness that is confusion and doubt to be as it is now. Observe the observer. Notice how it surfs the waves of the mind and body with the essence of mastery.

Now it is time to direct that mastery.

Observe your breath.

Take a slow deep breath, hold for a moment and release. Do this easily and without strain, yet notice the energy in the breath.

Look for and feel the most genuine, sincere feeling of nourishment and life within the breath.

Observe.

Feel that genuineness again. It is not important how subtle or strong the feeling is. It is not important how subtle or strong your doubts are. Simply observe, listen for and feel the genuine feeling of nourishment within the breath.

Now imagine and feel the beginnings of pure clarity infused in your breath.

Know with certainty that this thread of pure clarity exists here and now simultaneously with everything else that you are. It exists regardless of confusion and doubt. It is absolute clarity in spite of any perceptions that you are lacking any information at all.

It is the feeling and essence of knowing.

Allow your consciousness to move into it. Pull this dimension of pure clarity in to you. Feel it surrounding and soaking your every cell with it’s essence.

Find the effortless mind, the clear mind, the masters mind. Know that it exists here and now.

Recognize it and be open to it. It doesn’t matter if confusion seems to dominate 99.9% of the mind and the feeling of clarity is just 0.1%. Hone in on that 0.1%. Even the smallest opening that leads to purity is capable of opening the way to full realization. Grab onto that thread of clear consciousness and allow it to fuel you with it’s attributes. Allow it give you it’s abilities of effortless clarity and focus.

The power of this exercise is that there is no need to try to integrate knowledge or find answers when practicing. The answers are already there, the knowledge is already integrated. We are simply connecting to the mind state that already understands and knows. The more we connect to this mind state, the more we will allow knowledge and clarity to simply be known and revealed to us. The less we feed our doubts and confusion by hanging around with them, the less we believe and experience their power. Nothing can take our power unless we give it away first.

When we cease trying to integrate and trying to be clear – when we simply be clear, then things become clear. Suddenly information makes sense. What has meaning and value makes sense. Our direction makes sense. Sometimes when we are trying so hard to forge a direction we don’t notice that our deeper self is already showing us a path. All it requires is that we feel.
Hieu Doan

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How to Expand Consciousness – Creating the Tools for Higher Consciousness

Expanded consciousness is flexible consciousness. It is consciousness that can quite literally stretch and move effortlessly and easily. Flexibility of the mind is about choices. A person who trains their muscles to stretch will be able to move efficiently in ways and perform actions with a greater range of movement than when the muscles were untrained. Similarly in learning to stretch our minds we will be able to do things that we were unable to do when we keep it in a rigid state. This is not to say that rigid states are not of value, it is simply to say that with flexibility we have the option to be rigid, gentle, mentally resilient, creative, intuitive, responsive, sensitive, genuine, playful, loving, caring and free. Furthermore, just like the muscle that is flexible will be less prone to injury, the mind that is used to stretching and expanding will also gain this benefit. Granted the injury of the mind arises from the perception that it is wounded. What is actually happening is that it is losing it’s familiar form. It believes that the new forms are negative and so it perceives injury. In any case, a flexible mind gains the ability to realize that it cannot truly be wounded and the freedom from this most basic fear also allows it to experience more than it could ever imagine.

Expanded consciousness is a consciousness that allows itself to perceive more. It is exploring and stretching the fringes of itself. It is exploring, moving and delving into the heart of itself.

In this society many of us have permitted ourselves to become carbon copies. We have a perception about what an “in control,” “successful”, “happy” or “spiritual” person should be and we try to fit ourselves into this mold. The problem is, because we get into the game of wanting to fit the mold, we deny the reality (or illusion) as it actually is. To get anywhere we need to start where we are.

Who we are and the image of who we are are two very different things.

So what constitutes a flexible mind? Look at what we have told ourselves we should and should not be. How many of us never let ourselves cry because we believe that it is weak? How many of us repress anger because we have been told it is wrong? How many of us keep a “brave” or “good” face simply to preserve an image or perception? These are simple everyday examples of where we control our consciousness and command it to not step out of line. Not only do these repressed emotions cause physical problems in the body, they affirm that we need to fear these aspects of ourselves. We must face this fear in order to transcend it. We must transcend it in order to experience freedom.

Let yourself feel your emotions. Acknowledge what they are. Do not get trapped in the game of pride saying you should feel this and not that. Simply feel.

Expanding our usual routine to encompass more feeling frees up a lot of energy. At the same time it stretches our perception of ourselves. The more we expand the more energy that we get.

Work with this exercise:

Observe your body. Feel your posture, notice your breathing, watch your thoughts and emotions.

Observe.

Seek neither peace, order or chaos. Simple observe what is with a neutral, objective mind.

Begin to feel, see and imagine yourself expanding out.

Feel as if you have an energetic skin that is expanding out and becoming giant.

See yourself as big as your town, then your city, then your state, then your country.

See yourself holding the planet in the palm of your hand.

Keep expanding. How expansive can you become?

Remember that the secret of visualization is to simply do it. If it seems unclear or if you seem to have doubts, just let them be. We are pushing our minds to stretch and expand. If it feels elusive at first then you’re doing it right. If you have doubts, then you’re doing it right. The main thing is to maintain a connection to the visualization no matter how small it may seem at first. Know that your mind exists at this frequency of expansion right now. You are simply tuning into it.

We are not seeking to diminish who we are – we are simply experiencing that there is more.

From the vantage point of holding the planet in your hand take a look at all the things that you have perceived to be your problems. How do they feel now? Take a look at how different situations and experiences both internal and external are affecting your energy. From this expanded perspective, observe and ask yourself how you could best get from where you are now to where you want to go. Know that this expanded consciousness can give you the answer as easily as you can know that turning a door handle will open the door.

Hieu Doan

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The Quickening – The Acceleration of Spiritual Evolution and Consciousness on Planet Earth

The Quickening is a phenomena being used particularly in spiritual circles to describe a building of energy toward a particular destination. This build up of energy could be compared to the build up of an audience before a rock concert or the gathering of energy as an athlete or groups of athletes prepare for an event. In this case the Quickening refers to the direction of the planet’s group consciousness as a whole. This is not to say that it is everyone’s destiny. It is more to say that this is where the biggest “waves” are happening at this part of the galaxy.

The Quickening or for that matter any acceleration of energy is about pressure. It is simply a build of momentum and direction. Spirit refers to a subtler energy and because it is subtler it is able to penetrate into more substances. For example if we were to look at a stone: it’s energy is quite dense it’s structure is unable to mix with dirt very well. Spiritual energy refers to an energy that is finer than air – it is able to mix with and infuse with dirt, stones, humans, this planet and the kitchen sink. For this reason spiritual energy is said to be everywhere and in everything. This is also congruent with the practice of raising our vibration. What we are actually doing is making our density finer. The finer or subtler we are capable of becoming the more options we have to move our consciousness around the place. We also gain the opportunity to shift into a different dimension which is essentially what the Quickening is about.

Alchemy describes everything as being on the path to the original Source – give or take a couple of scenic routes and rest stops. Being true to ourselves seems to minimize the rests stops, decrease time spent in areas that aren’t congruent with the our truth and generally accelerate our journey toward the Source. This is expressed on this planet as more people wanting to realize life purpose, have meaningful relationships and generally waste less time experiencing things that have little meaning to us. This would also be the reason why interest in personal development, spiritual growth and so on is becoming more popular. When people are unsatisfied they either put up with it or look for answers. The growing trend in interest towards personal and spiritual development means that there are more people looking for answers. The really interesting thing is that people are finding them. There was a time where the personal and spiritual development field was looking a little flaky. There was a lot that seemed like pure fantasy and other stuff that people just found too difficult to integrate into their daily lives. The desire for methods which were effective and applicable for everyone, began to manifest the resources that we have available today. In truth the door to the higher self, spiritual realization, emotional mastery and effortless manifestation has always been there for everyone. It is just that understanding how to open that door is becoming easier and simpler. This too is something that is becoming more obvious as we seek to be true to ourselves.

There is a period of adapting where the body and mind in general is “stretching” and getting used to accommodating the expansion of consciousness. The body is learning to be open to the finer and faster frequencies of energy. This energy has always been available to us – the ears and eyes of our body and mind are just learning to see and hear it. It’s part of our truth and so as we seek our truth it is revealed. Energy is a communication – a cause and effect. Whether dense or subtle all energy interacts. Our body and mind is simply learning to interact at another level. We are adding another dimension to our consciousness. We are not necessarily detracting or diminishing the denser realities – we are simply adding more. Hence the term expanded consciousness.

Having issues within relationships, workplaces and so on is not always directly the issue with being true to ourselves – more to the point it is the perception that we are unable to experience certain truths while in those relationships or workplaces. Sometimes we may need to close those doors in order to open up others. Sometimes we may need to work with what and where we are in order to gain the wisdom which is inherent in all experiences. This enables us to experience a part of ourselves that perhaps had been hidden. The external world of experience leads us to the internal world of cause and effect.

Work with this exercise for adaptation to the Quickening:

Observe yourself. Notice your posture, breathing, thoughts and emotions.

Let the thoughts, feelings and emotions come at you as fast as they need.

Grasp nothing. Allow all that comes to ebb flow.

Invite it to come faster. Seek to comprehend nothing. Let comprehension come and go.

Let thought and feeling, sight and sound to move through you at the speed of light.

Intellectualize nothing. Let ideas, thoughts and inspiration come and go.

Let go of letting go.

Allow yourself to be open to the full acceleration of consciousness.

This method is seemingly the opposite of the detailed investigation which occurs in deep observation. In actual practice they are the same. Acceleration and deceleration of energy is happening simultaneously in our consciousness. By specifically following the path of acceleration we are simply directing the mind to one specific stream of what exists in the consciousness. When we come back to our “normal” consciousness we find that our range of motion has lengthened and expanded. It’s all about stretching the mind. With each stretch we explore new knowledge and ground, moving closer and closer to inner freedom. This is what the Quickening is truly about.

Hieu Doan

*Those of us who are experiencing tumultuous times may notice that this exercise helps to create a feeling and aura of inner peace – in spite of the chaos. In essence this is because the practice tunes us into the frequency of the Quickening. We are connecting and moving with the flow instead of resisting it.

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