THIS IS THE SECOND BLOG ON THE FREE WILL PART OF KARMA

Free will is the cosmic law and choice is directly related to Karma. Skillful choices result in good consequences, unskillful ones - the opposite. These consequences, part of the law of Cause and Effect, are not localized in time. The law demands we do good for its own sake not for consideration of getting a reward and that we don't do bad things out of concern for spiritual damnation. Nevertheless it disappoints most of us that what comes around often doesn't go around quickly enough. 

                                 
                                        The Ancestors  

We must be free to follow our Divine given destiny as much as  possible in our complex but democratic Western environment.
Fate is not the same as destiny. Destiny is our own Divinely inspired gift that we are given with the promise we made before we came into the planet to carry it out. We are here to help and correct injustice for all Beings;
"Still, Growing, Wild and Talking" 
with that gift. 
We need to choose helping which of these Beings suits our Archetype best.

Fate essentially is the cards we are dealt in life which depend on our human conditioning; the family we were born into and into what circumstances, our schooling, our religion, our friends, relatives and associates, and the work we end up doing. We are meant to try and rise above our fate into our Divine given destiny.
Our Karma will be adversely affected to the extent that we interfere with anyone's Free Will - hence possibly altering their fate and preventing them from finding that destiny. 
Even a well intentioned parent who manipulates a child's fate to conform to a projection of his or her own image of whom the child must be, will be held accountable. At the end of the day, however, only we are accountable.

 

The Ancestors

Although this may not be directly related to Karma there are now numerous double blind medical studies that have shown that "distant" healing or prayer can favorably affect someone's health outcome, sometimes so significantly that if it were a pill and not dispensed one could be considered negligent. Due to the nature of the studies the folks that were in the treatment arm could not know that they were being healed or prayed for from a distance because then the placebo affect rather than distant healing could be operating. They had to be "blinded" from that fact which in a sense says they were not given informed consent. 
Maybe they did not want to get better? 
It has been argued that these studies may not be ethical. They had not refused conventional treatment but maybe some would have been unhappy with this unconventional treatment. Interestingly one of the first studies done was performed in a coronary care unit in the south of the U.S.A. where the cardiologist was frustrated with  religious leaders consistently coming into the unit to pray for the patients. He wanted to prove once and for all that prayer did not help. He proved himself wrong. The Ancestors say below that it is ok to share the "grace of well being for others..." However, for some, especially if they are obtunded, confused or pre-terminal and have had no say this might be different.
Sometimes I am asked in my divinations to throw the bones for someones son, daughter, sibling, ex etc... The Ancestors in light of free will do not allow this (as long as they are not a minor) unless that person has given his or her consent. The person of interest may show up in a certain light in the cosmology of the general reading of the client which is fine but the client cannot delve into the circumstances of another's life path. This is different of course if the person in point is harming the client in some way. Then these circumstances can be inspected because they are affecting the free will of the client.

The Ancestors
Witchcraft and sorcery that comes from a heart of envy which can affect free will in "creating a spell" applies here.

It is well to remember for those who do not believe witchcraft or sorcery can hurt or harm that if distant healing works so too must distant hexing.

These days it seems as if the world has lost its moral compass even at the highest level with our leaders and religious institutions. We see dictators like Mugabe in Zimbabwe literally getting away with murder and the maxim live for today for tomorrow you die seems to rule. Many of us feel helpless to do anything about the immorality that abounds, political paralysis, the effects of climate change and the crazed leader of North Korea who threatens the planet and human existence. We may feel hopeless. The Ancestors advise...

If we also can actualize them, all the better.

Click to highlight then play the song

_MP3s/03%20Warnings%20for%20the%20Way.mp3

FREE WILL AND KARMA

This first in a series of new blogs for 2018 is on Karma and Free Will. Before talking about the rules of Cause and Effect we need to address Free Will since choice is key to how we manage Karma. The current blog will supplement the upcoming talk in Santa Barbara on the subject (February the 10th.) The subject is huge so the intention here is to fill some gaps with the help of ancestral wisdom not only for those coming to the talk but to those who can't.

We have to recognize that when we deal with Free Will and Karma there are factors from within and from without that will influence our choices.

The shadow or evil inclination within each of us will have a lot to say about making us choose unwisely. The shadow is supported by our Monkey or Narrow Mind and the various shades of ego that can come in many guises in the form of self-cherishing, desirous attachment (being attached to the object of our desire,) and judgment which make us feel better about ourselves at others' expense. Tricksters and dark forces and even witchcraft from without can also affect choice to our detriment. 

Luckily our inclination to do good, Spacious mind, spiritual practice and our spirit guides balance these negative contracting forces.
I spite of this we need more than ever to realize that we have little control but that karma eventually will reconcile all worthy grievances.

The Ancestors

The Ancestors

The Ancestors also warn that...

and...

Choice is precious and without the tension between good and evil there would be no possibility for spiritual perfection, The Ancestors teach that we are all heading for this "becoming" but that for some (young souls) it may take many more lifetimes than for others (older souls.)

The Ancestors 

Anonymous

Its also important to realize that there are global karmic affects that sometimes affect those that least deserve it. This is particularly relevant for those of us living in Santa Barbara county where recently Nature's manifestations have had biblical like consequences. The elements of earth, water, fire and wind have shown us the power of Gaia who is pissed off with our behavior towards her. Hence we all share not only an individual karma but also a global responsibility to do all that we can to bring in more light to counteract the dark around us.

The Ancestors 

Looking forward to 2018 as a year of personal and global transformation which is seminal and more time sensitive than ever with the challenges we face on our small planet.

One of the key things we will be karmically accountable for is to what extent did we help correct injustices toward the Still, Growing, Wild and Talking beings.

Click on the link to highlight and then play

_Travelers.mp3

THIS IS THE LAST  & SEVENTH BLOG FOR 2017 ON THE  INCORPORATION PHASE OF THE HERO/INE'S JOURNEY & DESTINY

The hero/ine comes away from the quest of the Threshold with a new vision of who he or she wants to be in the world. This is just a start rather than the end point. There is not just one final Hero's journey but often many. Sometimes the "bed" as in the story of the Three Bears, feels just right for that moment but then begins to get lumpy after a while and the dissatisfied seeker needs to move on to the next quest or look for the next clue in the treasure hunt. The treasure of course is realization of one's destiny or unique archetype. At the end of the day the vision and the dream is about your task or service in one form or another toward one or more of the Four Beings; Still, Growing, Wild or Talking.

The reentry often leads to mixed emotions and even a reentry depression since the heroine has often been in an altered state of consciousness and now has to come back to reality and actualize the vision. 

There is always the menace of a "fall" when the hero fails to incorporate what has been learned during Threshold and it becomes a reproachful memory of, 

"if only I had... and I wonder if...?"

And the hero/ine is being what he aint and not what she is.

Black Elk and Patterson describe the consequences to one's personal power if the vision is not followed - one has to actualize the vision to come into one's purpose.

The advantages of truly following your heart with passion are well worth the perseverance and the coming into one's destiny.

Happy holidays and I wish for you your own Incorporation and much meaning from it for 2018.

Talk again next year.

(Eduardo Calderon, a skilled Peruvian curandero or shaman - now deceased - would salute the four winds in each of the four directions in his rituals.)

Click on this aspect of the Zohar's version of the Four Winds and their Directions, 

and Isaiah's vision of them 

to highlight and then play. 

__-_MP3s/01%20Four%20Directions.mp3

_MP3s/02_Isaiahs_Vision.mp3

SIXTH BLOG ON THE HERO/INES  JOURNEY

So how do we find our unique archetype in complex world with so may options? When I left school many years ago it was much simpler. Trade or Profession?? And then you could count each category on the fingers of both hands. 

It was easier still for indigenous peoples for whom there were basically four main archetypes. There still are these basic four but now each has numerous confusing possibilities. Just as there are four archetypes, there are four directions (actually six if you include up and down.) It is convenient to think of an archetype in each direction as below (Angeles Arrien.) According to some Native American traditions we go from the;

 South (the child - Healer archetype) 

to the West (the adolescent - Teacher,) 

to the North (the adult - Leader or Warrior,) 

and eventually

to the East (the elder - Visionary (guru, priest,) Shaman, Artist, Musician.) 

The wounded child of the South often became a healer, the adolescent of the West needs a wise teacher, the North, the place of ice and snow in its season Winter, required a strong leader-warrior to survive and eventually the elder of the East becomes the visionary or crone. This may be the equivalent of the yogi/ni who in the last third of life goes walk about in the forest to find enlightenment.

It is important to realize that the directions belong to everyone. A Peruvian curandero (medicine man) I knew saluted the four directions by spraying chicha (an alcoholic beverage) in each direction as a sign of respect and gratitude. 

Isaiah the biblical prophet had a vision of the six directions which in Kabbalah also fit into the sephirot of the Tree of Life. We need to find out what the directions mean to each one of us and glean any knowledge we can from the ancients with respect and humility. The directions in the Southern hemisphere will be different to those in the North and the power animals to call upon in each direction will also differ. Furthermore in addition to an archetype, each direction also may have; a color, a season, a power animal, a chakra, an element and anything else that is important to the quester. In Kabbalah there is also a wind, a river, an archangel, a sephira, a Hebrew letter and so on. Devise your own and make it meaningful to you. It helps to get ideas from indigenous and other cultures.

Native Americans traditionally went on some form of a vision quest to find out who they really were as did most indigenous peoples who initiated before reaching adulthood. Van Gennep described his phases of initiation as being unique to indigenous initiation. In Africa the Threshold phase often involved circumcision depending on the tribe. There are schools in North America and now elsewhere across the globe following Native American traditions and usually embarking on a solo fast in wilderness for four days (one for each direction) in order to help the seeker find her true purpose. 



David Cumes (Inner Passages Outer Journeys)

Nature is the best place to encounter the opposites and learn the lessons blocked by our limited left brain form of education and the often spiritually inhibiting temptations of Western sophistication. When we balance the polarities of up/down, hungry/satiated, thirsty/quenched, terrified/tranquil, hot /freezing, day/night, sun/moon, masculine/feminine, cognitive/intuitive, love/fear we can reach greater equilibrium and insight. When we focus on the "Soft Fascinations" of wild places such as sensations, sunsets, scenes, smells or aromas and the sounds or mantra of nature we can see more clearly. The "Hard Skills" which tempt us so often are usually a deterrent. Nature is a room with many windows and doors to spirit and countless metaphors to apply to our daily lives and find meaning in a world overwhelmed with technological gadgets many of which we don't need. Nature demands we attend to needs and not wants if approached with right inner intention.
In this manner as Westerners we can design our own solo vision quest that does not need to turn into a Near Death experience although if it does it may be all the more powerful. Often the harder the quest the more benefit but the opposite can also be true. However, fear is frequently a great facilitator of change.
Aldo Leopold a wilderness psychologist said; 
"It must be a poor life that obtains freedom from fear."


At the end of the day the Hero/ine's journey is about reconnecting with the planet and its four beings in a giving way that has meaning. It is not about separation but connection, not about duality or a Lone Ranger complex but unity.This will mean leaving behind old ways to accept the new. The journey is not an easy one.

To those interested in the story and rather prolonged hero's journey of dreaming, finding, building, manifesting and leaving an indigenous healing center in remote South Africa (THE SOURCE - TSHISIMANE) please go to my web site davidcumes.com

Here is a song inspired by the experience 

Click on the link to highlight then play

-_MP3s/10_Wilderness_Rapture.mp3

THE FIFTH BLOG ON DESTINY IS ON THE SEPARATION PHASE OF THE HERO/INE'S JOURNEY

The Hero/ine's Journey is a tool for becoming congruent with ourselves, for being true to our real Self, our unique archetype and our destiny mission, where soul, heart and intellect are in sync.

This requires surrendering and giving in to something bigger than ourselves, trusting, letting go and leaping off a proverbial cliff.

There are three phases to the journey as described by Van Gennep; Separation, Threshold and Incorporation which fit in well with what Campbell describes...

The hero/ine must separate from family and friends for the journey. In the typical archetypal journey she is give an object of power to "defeat the dragon" and fear must arise to take this leap of faith. Today it is likely to be something other than a sword of old and more likely information, an inspirational encounter, a book or a trip to an exotic land.

Once the message has been received there can be no turning back or something will die inside the soul of the would be hero/ine. This is called "The Fall."

                                       

This discernment is choiceless, there is no staying the same, no time for complacency, one needs to go where the growth is. Fear is an integral part of all aspects of the entire journey of Separation, Threshold and Incorporation. In the succeeding weeks we will talk about the latter two aspects of the experience.

The venture also requires releasing from old habit patterns and if needed close connections since others will try to dissuade you and tell you are undertaking a fool's errand. This may well be because at a subconscious level they are jealous or too fearful to undertake their own journey. They will tell you that its not safe, you will suffer financially and possibly even risk your health or even your life. The opposite is more true. There is a greater inner danger if you do not respond to the calling. 

The gateway to the "Field," the spirit world and your true purpose requires passion, courage and strong intention. As Shakti Gawain said;

"The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf."

and...

so...

Click on the link of Never Leave Your Self

Then play

-_MP3s/18%20When%20Did%20You%20Leave.mp3

THE FOURTH DESTINY BLOG

The biggest challenge is knowing who we are and then getting out of the way of ourselves and allowing our destiny to unfold with our unique gift/s. Most of us take a life time to find out who we are - in the last third of his or her life the proverbial yogi goes walk about in the forest to find "enlightenment" or who she or he truly is.

As the Ancestors teach; 

"All is a journey and not a destination, a continual arriving done for its own sake."

We never quite get there - we never quite make it. There is always another level, a higher vibration to attain.

The good news is that when we reach a certain karmic vibration we do not have to be reincarnate but to get there the other rules of karma from the last blog also pertain. We have to fulfill those too in addition to our destiny agreement or promise. 

As Kabbir said: "Friend there are very few who find the way."

There are few things that can help us:

Subordinating ego to the higher  Self

A spiritual practice

Opening the heart

Our spirit guides and ancestors 

These can enrich our instructional dreams and intuitions from within (the higher Self, the Third Eye) and from without (those scripted by our spirit guides.)

The Hero/ine's Journey

is the template for this to happen

There are four yoga paths and the Hero/ine's journey is the path of service to others - all "Four Beings" - with mindfulness or Karma yoga.

The Ancestors

In the next blog we will look at what that may look like for us in our current state of chaos and confusion.

Click on the link to highlight then play - we are really here for others - still, growing, wild and/or talking beings.

_-_MP3s/08_Here_For.mp3

THE THIRD DESTINY BLOG

When we look at the law of Karma - Cause & Effect we see that apart from; 

Doing no harm 

Subordinating ego to the higher Self 

Finding joy and love in service to healing the planet

We are also accountable for fulfilling our destiny or God given purpose

Very few of us are sure of what this might be in a complex world with so many options. Having a regular, enjoyable and meaningful spiritual practice will not only put us in touch with our intuitive abilities but also facilitate access to our guides who can help us especially in dreams. 

Because of the cosmic law of free will we have 
"to ask to receive."

"The Ancestors or our spirit guides cannot save but only alert and only according to your openness and willingness. They cannot change or deter you from your own insistency no matter to what it is due. Only you can change!"

A recurring dream might be hinting to us that we are off track. 
A car dream usually has to do with how we are "driving" our life path. If the car is out of control, or someone else is driving and especially if we are in the back seat, the spirit world may be sending a repetitive warning that we need to pay attention.

Looking at what we wanted to be as a teenager may sometimes be a guide to what was, and still might be really true to our hearts. We may have been dissuaded by parent, peers or other pressures (especially financial from following our dreams.)

Once we know what we really want to do we may still have to keep our day jobs to pay the rent and if necessary even do what we love without pay.

It is not easy to find congruence with our true Selves.

The power of imagination can assist us. Because of free will the spirit world responds to precise requests so the rules up there are...

First set the intention 

Second pay attention to details.

This is where imagination is crucial.

Third take action 

We cannot just think it for it to actualize. Free will in the Field is in the present moment and since there is no time "up there" our guides exist in the present moment. Hence ...

The fourth step is affirm, maintain, sustain. 

They need to know if your intention lives on. The Ancestors affirm the importance of belief which goes along with the details of your imagination. Be clear! Many folks ask for a partner and then get the wrong one because they were not specific. Detailed imagination might narrow the options but it is more likely we will get what we really need and want. Its not easy to truly believe but faith, belief and trust are the catalysts for manifestation.

The Ancestors 

One way of doing this is ...

 Get into a meditative state. 

Sensory driven meditation, for instance with music, is encouraged.

Put your intention into the field with imagination

 especially of what you need spiritually putting your wants second or even aside.

If we can get the "I or Me" out of the way and ask it for the greater good the intention will carry more weight in the spirit world.

Without any attachment to outcome 

release your imaginative intention into the Field

(attachment has a stickiness to it that blocks things flowing to you.)

Let the spirit world handle the details which might turn out very differently to what you expect.

The Spirit world responds to passion which has to do with being heartfelt. 

The Ancestors 

At the end of the day we alone are accountable to our own destiny, fate and soul needs.

Click to highlight and the play

-_MP3s/13%20Imagination.mp3