The Journey Within

This article appeared in the December/January 02-03 Issue of In-Touch Magazine, New Zealand.

Almost everyone has had at least a momentary experience of the meditative state, whether it was fully recognised as such or not. This state of consciousness brings a definite and blissful feeling of peace with oneself and the world. We can all remember at least one experience when we felt a moment or two of quietude and stillness of mind. For the spiritual seeker, these experiences are considered to be of great value in the quest, and s/he desires to attain them on a regular basis.

The ancient traditions of enlightenment insist that the ability to focus, concentrate, and quite the mind is critical to spiritual development. Yet, meditation is not the act of either concentrating or focusing the mind. Meditation is defined by esoteric practitioners as a "stream" or flow of consciousness that is always and endlessly in existence. By the practice of stilling the mind, we allow ourselves to experience the ultimate consciousness that underlies all of manifestation. We join our minds to this cosmic source whenever we limit the vibrations coming in from the outer levels of consciousness.

All knowledge is contained within the river of consciousness, and may be accessed through meditation practices. The existence of this source, and the importance of meditation are emphasised in both eastern and western traditions of enlightenment. There are a variety of preliminary practices that aid the seeker in increasing awareness of the processes of the lower mind. Having gained this awareness, it becomes easier to ultimately stop all lower thoughts and mental distractions. The alchemical wisdom teachings referred to this level of practice as "fixing the volatile."

In meditation training, the practitioner chooses a specific focus for his/her meditation. The focus may involve breath, movement, rhythmic chants, ceremonial, and imagery. The purpose is to increase the ability to concentrate, excluding every thing that is not a part of one’s focus. These practices also create vibrational energy, tapping into source, and leading one into an altered state of consciousness wherein that energy merges with the physical body. A variety of symbol structures are used in these practices to lead the seeker into a particular point in the "flow," and thus access specific knowledge and energies. For example, meditative ceremonial provides a symbol structure that involves physical movements, imagery, prayer, and chants; and is designed to expand the consciousness of those who perform and witness the ceremony. Through such practices we are are able to merge our consciousness fully with that of oneness and unity, creating a state of expanded awareness that remains a part of our consciousness at all times.

As meditative practice deepen, we becomes aware of this uniting of consciousness, and all levels of being are affected. The physical signs of this merging are slow, deep breathing, a lower heart rate, and a near-suspension of all bodily functions. The mind, if it is noticed at all, has the perspective of witnessing rather than generating. All emotions are transmuted into peaceful bliss. One who has experienced this ecstatic consciousness often finds great difficulty in describing it to others, as it really transcends language.

It is advisable to meditate both to still the mind and feel at one with the source; and also to enter into the meditative state in order to receive experiential teachings and specialised energies. In the western Kabalistic tradition many mystical teachings and essences are represented and held within the symbol structures of the Tree of Life, in the imagery of the esoteric Tarot, and in other ancient glyphs. The practitioner takes in the imagery of the symbol, and meditates upon it until s/he absorbs the essence contained therein. In accessing and experiencing the energy of the Tree of Life, a technique known as "pathworking" is used. This ancient technique has sometimes been misunderstood, and interpreted as guided visualisation. While guided visualisation can be a useful and helpful tool for self-development, the original technique of pathworking involves a type of spirit journey that is most powerful in its ability to bring one into a state of tremendously expanded consciousness and deep wisdom.

The core practice of pathworking involves gazing at the chosen symbol structure for a period of time. This may range from 5 minutes to half an hour or more. Effort is made to keep the mind still, and focused solely on the image while at the same time aspiring with heart and mind to the highest self. This technique is best done in a small group in the presence of an experienced practitioner. The leader’s role is to be aware on many levels in order to monitor the process, and to provide facilitation and feedback for the participants. It does not involve any creation of imagery on the part of the teacher.

When a group is involved in pathworking, the room is quiet as everyone is focused on absorbing the symbols in great detail. As the practice continues, the symbol held in the mind’s eye breaks down or fades. This signals the beginning of the journey into "spirit vision." The next experiences is of a flow of imagery rather like watching a moving, and but actually being a part of the experience as well. The stream of consciousness may present itself as spiritual beings who speak to the practitioner, teaching or revealing the deeper aspects of the symbol form. The practitioner must exercise a high level of discrimination toward any information received in a spirit vision. The experience should be contemplated and processed in additional meditations to gain the greatest understanding of what has been conveyed, and eliminate erroneous conclusions formed on lesser levels of consciousness within the persona.

Pathworking, like all ecstatic practices, requires the ability to focus, still, and concentrate the mind on one thing to the exclusion of all else. This skill is the prerequisite for meditative experiences that produce a state of complete absorption into the source. This blissful experience is also achieved through chanting, movement of the physical body in ecstatic dance and yoga, and rhythmic breathing. Throughout all of these practices one is working on activating and increasing the power of the life-force energy within the physical body. Even though an ecstatic state may only last a short time, the experience remains with the practitioner, and is integrated into consciousness as a physical process on the cellular level .

As the practitioner learns from and integrates these experiences, s/he realises that the meditative experience is actually a dynamic flow of energy that is always present. Where before the perception was that "I meditate," the practitioner begins to perceive and feel that "I am meditation." The body, mind, and emotions are realised as instruments of this endless flowing source. When the experienced practitioner meditates, s/he does so as a fully conscious participant in the river of life. This higher understanding allows us to more consciously devote our energies to conscious creation in the physical world at a level of effectiveness that would not be possible without the clarity attained through long practice.

The ultimate meditation practice is one in which the meditative state and consciousness of connection to the source is maintained constantly in every circumstance. This is the full and complete living of the essential vibration of spirit. One who has attained this consistency of consciousness never sees anything or anyone as separate from the source. When one lives in full awareness of the river of life that flows in and through his or being, all actions are guided every moment by this higher knowing. This consciousness allows one access to knowledge that seems to be hidden to others. It also allows one to remain in a state of stillness and serenity, even in the midst of the raging tempests of materialistic life.

Even when the practices and techniques are mastered, and much knowledge and energy has been experienced, the practitioner may continue to use symbol structures to gain additional knowledge and skill. These symbols are the containers of the vibrations that endlessly emanate from the universal source. As such, their wisdom can never be exhausted. No matter how many times one contemplates these sacred symbols, no matter how expanded one’s consciousness has become, these forms will always and forever continue to reveal more and more of the limitless mind of creation itself.

The symbol structures of the western Kabalistic tradition are believed to have been given to humanity by the Beni Elohim, "Sons of God" at the beginning of manifestation. Because they are images and geometrical patterns created to contain and convey specific spiritual teachings and energies, the paths to divine life are always available to those who take the time and make the effort to unlock the essence within those forms. These structures are doorways and keys that lead to and unlock the ageless wisdom within the human form, and enhance revelation of the true identity and purpose in life. They are invaluable tools in the quest for spiritual truth and spiritual life.

The ancient wisdom informs us that we cannot attain the deeper knowledge or the expanded consciousness of an adept without the practices of meditation. It is only in a state of complete inner quiet that the still small voice of the true teacher and revealer within may be heard. Through informed use of the sacred symbols given to us by the Beni Elohim, we may attain direct understanding of the mysteries of being. Reading and studying without meditative practices leads no where. While the intellect may be entertained and the emotions inspired by reading spiritual teachings, no enlightenment will occur unless the mental knowledge acquired is experienced energetically and integrated into the deepest core of being through meditative practices.

Going within and connecting with the endless flow of consciousness is necessarily a life-changing experience. Turning away from the senses, the mind, the emotions, and the outer world allows us to experience ourselves as pure, conscious, spiritual vibration. More information and greater understanding of the mysteries of the self can be obtained through proper meditation than what could be acquired through years of reading. The saturation of the intellect with the ancient teachings is indeed a critical component of the path, yet it is truly only the beginning of seeking. The end of all seeking is found within, never without. Meditation is the inward path that leads to union with the powerful source of creation. It is the vital and life-giving stream of consciousness that creates and sustains the manifest and the unmanifest in all of the worlds of being.

"Know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."