Category Archives: Philosophy

The Circle in Islam

Life balance, Philosophy

There is something about circles the Beloved likes.

Hafiz.

The circle is important in Islamic art as the teachings actively discourage the use of human images. Elaborate and beautiful patterns formed from a centre point of a circle are constructed in both art and architecture. From the circle, other shapes can be constructed, the triangle, the square, the hexagon and various star shapes. Each shape came to have different spiritual meanings. Geometric flower or plant patterns are also used.

For example a triangle is formed from the repeat of three circles.

Many of the patterns are made from overlapped and interlaced circles which are then repeated.

The yin-yang of Taoism

Life balance, Philosophy

The yin yang symbolizes the polar opposites found in the universe forming a whole by their combination. The two spots contained in each half represent the seed of the other, ready to transform. There are many variations of the symbol and the fluidity of the circle lends itself to artistic interpretation.

References to the yin yang appear in the I Ching, written more than 2000 years ago. Chinese medicine embraces the use of the yin yang and the polar opposites to treat a variety of illnesses. In classical Chinese medicine, one must choose the correct food and have the right psychological outlook to maintain equilibrium.

Natural phenomena are also grouped according to the precepts of Taoism. For day the opposite is night; summer is opposite to winter; light is opposite to dark and so on.

The Yin yang symbol represents that events of the world and possessions are appearing and dissolving continuously, just as the elements of which they are composed go through their birth-and-death cycles.

”The principle of Yin and Yang is the foundation of the entire universe.

It underlies everything in creation.

It brings about the development of parenthood; it is the root and source of life and death it is found with the temples of the gods

In order to treat and cure diseases one must search for their origins.”

The Yellow Emperor

The wheel of life

Education, Life balance, Philosophy

The Buddhist Wheel of Life

The Buddhist Wheel of Life or Dharma represents the suffering and impermanence of life. It is portrayed as an 8 spoked wheel, and the spokes symbolize the Eightfold Path. This is the foundation of Buddhist practice. It is the way to end suffering.

The Eightfold Path is

  • Right view
  • Right intention
  • Right speech
  • Right action
  • Right livelihood
  • Right effort
  • Right mindfulness
  • Right concentration

These are a practical set of rules to live by and combined with the Four Noble Truths, form the basis of Buddhist belief.

The Four Noble Truths are

  • Life means suffering
  • The origin of suffering is attachment
  • The ending of suffering is attainable
  • There is a path to the ending of suffering.

The wheel of life, Samsara, is common to both Hinduism and Buddhism. It is a symbol of birth and death. Each rotation of the wheel is equivalent to a lifetime, and once a rotation is completed, then the life cycle begins again.

Mandalas

Education, Hypnotherapy, Life balance, Meditation, Philosophy

In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions a Mandala symbolizes the universal unity and movement associated with cycles of renewal.

Celtic, Ancient Greek and Roman and Islamic traditions also used Mandala like images for religious and contemplative practices.

The meaning of Mandala in Hindu is concentric energy circle. In Mandalas there are many layers that spiral through and link consciousness with healing, sacred geometry and psychology.

Carl Jung painted Mandalas and believed that they were a representation of the “unconscious self” which then enabled the healing of emotional disorder within him. Tibetan monks and Navajo Indians are both famous for their sand Mandalas, which once completed are brushed away, symbolizing the impermanence of the material. A Buddhist Mandala will incorporate 5 elements and 5 colours. Other references within the Mandala will be to the Lotus and the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold path. As you can see, it becomes quite complex.

There a numerous sites on the web to access Mandalas and an interesting exercise is to take one design and have several people colour it. They will all be quite different in look and energy.

Medicine Wheel

Life balance, Meditation, Philosophy

The four equal lines coming from the centre form the basic pattern of the Medicine Wheel used in Native American traditions. The lines form a compass, pointing to the spirits of the North, East, South and West.

The quadrants also represent the basic elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire and again in Native American tradition they were placed in a specific order. The elements were attributed with specific colours, emotions, and animal totems.

The North is a place of healing. It is time to be grounded and go within yourself and rest and contemplate the lessons learned. Age is associated with Winter and with age and experience we attain wisdom.  The white of winter symbolizes spirituality and purity. We are reminded to stop and listen to the lessons. It is time to sleep and dream. The animals of the North, the buffalo, moose and bear, know to prepare for the winter and store layers of fat to nourish them while they hibernate. The element associated with the North is Earth and the colour is green.

To the East lie new beginnings. This is where the sun rises each day with a fresh start. It is the direction of the physical body and is important for new-born and young children. The season is Spring, the time of change when growth begins and one awakens from the winter. The awakening allows us to embrace new ideas and see the light. The sun rising each day gives us the energy to do new things. Yellow is the colour of the path of life that we walk down. Here we can shine at what we do best. The animals here are of the air and include the hummingbird, owl and hawk.  The element is Air and prayers are said when facing to the East so that our voices can be carried by smoke or air to Spirit.

The Southern part of the Medicine Wheel was of great importance to the Native American and the self was placed here.

The emotion associated with the South is passion, the expression of the fire in the soul. The fertility or growth is also associated with summer and the maturation of the seed into fruit and the child into adult. This is a time to be aware of the changes taking place and to use the energy and heat of fire and sun to learn, grow and understand the cycle of change. The animals associated with the South are the Eagle, Lion and Wolf. They represent the characteristics of pride, strength and courage.

The West corresponds to Autumn, the later stages of adulthood. This is where the sun sets and twilight begins. When the darkness falls, we must show courage and look inward to find the light. It is an emotional time, the element being water, and it is the place of the family and all the love and associated responsibilities that come with family. Here we learn about responsibility to self and to others, while we prepare for the coming winter. We also learn that what we see in the darkness may only be a shadow. The element here is Water and all the emotions that go with it. The animals of the West are the beaver who demonstrates team work and the snake that sheds its skin in order to grow and change.

Black Elk Oglala Sioux Holy Man

1863-1950

You have noticed that everything as 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…..

The Sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours….

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

More on circles….

Life balance, Philosophy

The simplest way to divide a circle is into quadrants or to place a cross within it. When divided this way, the sacred circle can  have many interpretations. The Celtic cross is formed from this simple sacred geometry and the North American Medicine wheel is also created from this form.

The Celtic cross predates the use of the cross as a Christian symbol by several centuries and was used by the Druids and earlier cultures. Druidic spiritual practice was recorded as early as the 4th & 5th centuries BC by the Romans and whilst a few stone circles have been located, these were not the only centres of spiritual practice.

Often a circle of trees or an earthen mound near water sufficed and later Christian churches and chapels were built on these spots. The Christian priests chronicled the history, and existing Druid and Celtic rituals and festivals were gradually given a Christian overlay.

The Celtic cross was originally was two intersecting lines that had short, equal length arms surrounded by a circle.

The stone at the centre represented the sun and four more “suns” were found in each quarter. The stone pillar of the cross also embodies phallic and fertility characteristics. A circle on its own was a symbol for the moon and a circle with a cross through it represented the sun. The circle also represented the spiritual journey of life and death in a never-ending cycle. The cross within the circle also relates to the four directions of the earth and the intersection of the lines implies the bringing together the energies of heaven and earth.

More on the North American Medicine Wheel later……

Four Aspects Of Polarity Therapy

Life balance, Philosophy, Polarity Therapy

There are four systems of treatment within Polarity Therapy.Wireless anatomy

  1. The manipulation of energy by putting the hands on the body. Polarity Therapy also includes the energy balancing of the Chakra system, which in turn allows energy to flow more freely to the Nervous system. When the Nervous system is functioning at its optimum, then the vital organs are nourished adequately.
  2. Another important aspect of the integrated therapy is the exercises. These combine stretching with breath work and are effective in releasing both physical and emotional blocks.
  3. Polarity Therapy also focuses on the relationship between diet and good health. The therapist helps the client become aware of the link between good food and good health, guiding them to dietary method that may cleanse or build better health.
  4. The fourth feature of Polarity Therapy is the changes in the emotional and mental energy of the client, as the energetic blocks are removed by either hands on treatments, diet or exercise as well as what Randolph Stone called his “Dutch uncle” talks, which by today’s standards would be classified as a form of counselling
All of the above require an active client/practitioner relationship
as the energy flows within the body return to balance.


Autumn Meditation

Meditation, Philosophy

Autumn is traditionally a time of harvesting the fruits of one’s summer labours and it is time to start preparing for the winter season so one can enter a  state of hibernation.

March also sees the Vernal Equinox, when there is an equal amount of light and dark, before the lengthening of nights.

The weather cools although often there is that last burst of warmth as if to remember the summer season. Mornings are cooler and there is a general sense of slowing down, even when the time reverts back from daylight savings to Eastern Standard Time.

The full moons in this period often look spectacular, large and luminescent. Take time to look at them and try to find an opportunity to see them reflected in water.

From the new moon onward to the full moon is time to start setting your new goals.

These time frame for these goals can be:

  • The period up to the next Full Moon
  • The season approaching
  • The period between Summer & Winter Equinoxes or Spring & Autumn
  • The full year

As the moon waxes and wanes, you will be able to observe the renewal as with the seasons of the year.

Meditating on the seasons and nature helps us to realise and find faith in the inner knowledge that whatever happens is a natural progression. Take a moment to look at the decomposition of plants in their winter season and then see new life unfurl in the spring, coming to fruition in summer and withering away again in autumn in an eternal cycle and know that man cannot change the process.

“Winter has its own secret joy, for it hold spring in its heart”

“Never cling to that which must pass, but always look forward:

Be interested in the trend of events and follow with hope and courage wherever the stream of life leads.”

So too look at the seasons of our lives. Steiner and many others from esoteric backgrounds look at the 7 year cycles.

The First cycle is the period of the Moon.

Ages 1 -7

The Moon draws together the Etheric body as the physical body is developing rapidly. The child not only draws together and absorbs nutrients to grow the body; he/she is absorbing information from parents and school. The parents provide a nurturing environment which nourishes the soul of the child. Unfortunately, if this is not so, then it is considered as Karma, – where the child has chosen to go through this suffering in order to transcend later.

This cycle of development can also be related to the Chakras and for this age group; it is related to the base Chakra which is located at the base of the spine. This is about life energy and trust. It is our relationship to the Earth, to our family or tribe and material possessions. Its positive attributes are stability and the power to achieve.

  • The colour is red.
  • The Element is Earth
  • The basic principle is the physical will to “be”.
  • The sensory function is smell.
  • The astrological connections are  :- Aries /Mars, Taurus & Scorpio/Pluto, Capricorn/Saturn
  • The gemstones are: – bloodstone, garnet, red coral & ruby.
  • The parts of the body are: – everything solid like bones, spine, teeth and the blood, cell multiplication and intestines, anus and prostate.
  • Glands affected are the suprarenal glands and the Hormones are Adrenalin & noradrenalin.
  • The music is strongly rhythmic (tribal)
  • The aspects of nature associated with this chakra are the beginning and ending of each day (dawn and sunset), the fresh soil.
  • The Aroma is Cedar and Clove.

Within this first life cycle each of the seven years follows the Chakras.

Age 2 – 2nd Chakra

Orange

Feeling

Age 3 – 3rd Chakra

Yellow

Unfolding the personality

Age 4 – 4th Chakra

Green

Sharing

Age 5 -5th Chakra

Blue

Self expression

Age 6 – 6th Chakra

Indigo

Projection of the will

Age 7 7th Chakra

Violet

Perfection

Polarity Therapy

Education, Philosophy, Polarity Therapy

What is Cerebro Spinal Fluid?
Cerebro Spinal fluid is found in the ventricles of the brain and is propelled in a rhythmical way throughout the body. It bathes the brain and the spinal cord. This fluid contains prana or life breath, which flows to the tissues and cells throughout the body. It has its own rhythm, but at rest may synchronize with the pulmonary rhythm.
Dr Stone formulated the theory that it is the CSF that brings the energy of though, emotion and soul down from the brain into the cells of the physical body. Science today is just catching up with the concept of cellular memories.
He wrote in Book 3

” The cerebrospinal fluid seems to act as a storage field and a conveyor for the ultrasonic and the light energies. It bathes the spinal cord and is a reservoir for these finer essences, conducted by this fluidic media through all the fine nerve fibres as the first airy mind and life principle in the human body. Through this neuter essence, mind functions in and through matter as the light of intelligence. That is why it is the ruler of this fine energy in the fields of function. Mind energy is a reality, as much as and even more potent than atomic energy. A mental block is often a very serious matter.”

The CSF flows according to water principles. When this is moved in a gentle and non invasive manner, then tension can be alleviated more rapidly and effectively than spinal adjustments.
Once the tension is released from the tissues, then the energy can freely flow throughout the body. Bad postural habits can inhibit this flow of energy, as can lesions in the organs or joints.
Dr Stone found that the CSF was a pranic flow or electromagnetic current which circulated from the head to the feet and returned to circulate from head to hands. By gentle application of touch, such as imperceptibly rocking the cranial bones or along the vertebral column, the CSF could be balanced from head to toe.

Polarity Therapy

Philosophy, Polarity Therapy

One of the amazing things about Polarity Therapy is how simple and effective it is.
Dr Randolph Stone was able to bridge Eastern and Western concepts of energetic healing. He brought together Ayurvedic andTaoist philosophies whilst also embracing Western holistic treatments such as chiropractic and naturopathy and esoteric Christian beliefs.
In his textbooks, through his detailed line drawings, he was able to illustrate energy flows and systems.
There are a variety of treatments available as well as differing types of touch.
Treatments can be based on balancing the elements of

  • Ether
  • Air
  • Fire
  • Water
  • Earth.

Each element has a number of qualities that relate to the physical, mental or emotional body.

The person receiving the treatment is actively involved in making changes by breath work as the energy blockages are ‘stepped up’ or by making dietary changes and doing some simple exercises which help re-energise the physical body.
Each element also corresponds to an area of the body and mental state.
For example, the Ether element has the qualities of stillness and harmony, whilst it governs the emotional state of Grief.

The body part it effects is the neck (around C3 – C5).
Ether treatments work on the neck, which if there are blockages there, can contribute to nervous system and structural imbalances. This element governs communication and the emotions in general. Working in this area, using a gentle sattvic touch helps to bring about a profound and peaceful state of relaxation.