The Forgotten Wisdom Of The Rosicrucians A Framework for Spiritual Actualization | Robert Gilbert

As human consciousness evolves, so too must our spiritual traditions, guiding us back to our true selves and the power of self-remembering.

As human consciousness evolves, the form that spiritual traditions take will evolve with it. The evolution of human consciousness has transitioned from an early state where human beings were effortlessly clairvoyant. Over time, this ancient form of clairvoyance began to die out, leading to a state where we are in a sleeping trance all the time. This is one reason why there is so much destructive activity in the world. The goal, therefore, is to be conscious all the time through the self-remembering process.

There are certain things we must be very cautious of, regardless of whether you are a musician, artist, architect, or involved in any other field. The ego inflation challenge is a constant threat, but on the spiritual path, it is particularly deadly. This is a significant time for breaking old patterns and regaining some of our old skills at a higher level. We truly have the opportunity now to create a new golden age if we choose the skillful way rather than the unskillful way. By doing so, we can reach our goals more quickly, suffer less, and help others to suffer less. It is never too late to wake up and start now, wherever you are on the path.

Hey everyone, welcome back to the No They Self podcast! I am very much looking forward to this episode. One of my favorite things is when I get to do a two to three-plus hour deep dive into some philosophy or a new area of life and understanding that I have recently found fascinating and revealing. Today, we will be diving deep with someone who is a leading scholar in Rosicrucianism, Gnosticism, sacred geometry, the process of self-awakening, and so much more. So, I would like to welcome Dr. Robert Gilbert. Thanks for being here!

Wonderful! Thank you so much for having me. To begin, I want to discuss the Rosicrucian saying, "In the beginning was the memory." What does that mean?

That's a great place to start. There are many different maxims or sayings in the Rosicrucian tradition that provide some of the core principles. When you unpack them, they relate to certain types of practices or stages of an alchemical journey. When the Rosicrucians say that "in the beginning was the memory," they mean that in every incarnation, we must take what is known as the draft of forgetfulness. This draft is where we incarnate without a clear memory of our previous lifetimes.

This forgetfulness can be overcome through certain types of structuring of the subtle bodies that we can do over time. These structures will allow us to remember more about past incarnations. However, at the beginning, we experience this draft of forgetfulness, where we forget who we are, why we are here, and what the purpose of our current lifetime is. Thus, "in the beginning was the memory" indicates that at the start of every incarnation, we must go through the process of reclaiming our memory and once again knowing who we are and why we are here in this particular lifetime.

This process is somewhat akin to the ancient myth of Inanna, where she dives into the underworld and has all her possessions stripped away from her at seven different levels until she is left naked and hung up on a meat hook in the underworld. She then must take herself off that hook and ascend back up, regaining everything at a higher octave as she returns to her full power. This is a significant journey for every spiritual seeker—the process of remembering who am I and why am I here.

I’m really looking forward to unraveling that a little bit more for people who are new to the term Rosicrucian, as well as to concepts like mystical Christianity and Rudolf Steiner. Can you lay a bit of the framework and foundation of what that is and where a lot of what we’re going to explore today is originating from?

Great! I will just say upfront that my perspective on this may differ from others who teach about the Rosicrucian tradition. The first thing I want to emphasize is that, from my perspective, the Rosicrucian tradition is simply the latest appearance of a particular perennial tradition that has been around for thousands of years. It has clear roots connected to ancient Egypt, the Jewish and Greek Kabbalah, and what became the Holy Grail tradition in Europe around the 9th century. It really broke the surface in its current form as the Rosicrucian spiritual tradition around the early 1600s in Central Europe. As human consciousness evolves, the form that spiritual traditions take will evolve with it.

=> 00:05:12

The Rosicrucian tradition is not just a modern movement; it's the latest chapter in a timeless spiritual journey, evolving through cultures and consciousness to meet the needs of today.

The Rosicrucian tradition is often perceived differently than how it is taught by others. From my perspective, this tradition represents the latest manifestation of a perennial tradition that has existed for thousands of years. It has clear roots connected to ancient Egypt, the Jewish and Greek Kabbalah, and what evolved into the Holy Grail tradition in Europe around the 9th century. The Rosicrucian spiritual tradition, in its current form, emerged prominently in the early 1600s in Central Europe.

As human consciousness evolves, so too does the form that spiritual traditions take. The methods of training or education in the Rosicrucian tradition are designed to resonate with our contemporary culture. If we were to be trained in the same manner as people were thousands of years ago in Egypt, it would likely not make sense to us today, given the vastly different cultural contexts and the structure of our consciousness at that time. Thus, the Rosicrucian tradition is an evolution of this deep spiritual science, adapting through various cultural ages and states of consciousness.

When the Rosicrucian tradition first came to light with the publication of significant documents in the early 1600s, it introduced the public to a Western spiritual initiation lineage. This lineage included highly advanced individuals known as the Rosicrucian Masters. There existed an invisible Rosicrucian college, which was essentially a collective of these initiates. It is crucial to understand that, in the beginning, Rosicrucianism was not an external physical organization that one could join or a physical location. Instead, it comprised a number of initiates who had incarnated and regained their knowledge, remembering who they are and their purpose.

A useful way to comprehend this concept was articulated by my teacher, Dr. Samuel Seagon, at the Clairvision School of Australia, where I lived and worked in the 1990s. He emphasized that every spiritual tradition consists of a specific group of non-physical spiritual beings who support that tradition, alongside a set of human initiates who incarnate at particular moments in time. These initiates may leave incarnation and return later, continuing the work of the tradition. The Rosicrucian tradition follows this same principle, involving a distinct group of spiritual beings collaborating with human initiates to present what we might call the Hermetic tradition in a form that is accessible and applicable to those educated in the European and North American context.

As we delve into the Rosicrucian tradition, we recognize that every tradition comprises a group of spiritual and human beings working together for a common purpose. They often focus on specific strengths or purposes, which helps to distinguish one tradition from another. A key concept within the Rosicrucian tradition is the notion of the original gnosis or the original Michaelic knowledge, which is associated with the highest of the archangels, Archangel Michael. Within the Rosicrucian framework, this is not merely a metaphor but a real, living spiritual being with whom we can connect.

In the original gnosis, all spiritual knowledge related to humanity and its evolution existed in a complete form. However, many ages ago, this knowledge fragmented, poetically described as having fallen from the heavens to various parts of the earth. Different traditions, such as the Himalayan, Chinese, Greek, and South American traditions, each received portions of this gnosis, becoming guardians of specific aspects of spiritual knowledge and practices. This understanding highlights the spiritual evolution and the diverse ways in which humanity has engaged with this ancient wisdom.

=> 00:09:42

Spiritual traditions are like pieces of a cosmic puzzle, each holding unique insights that guide our evolution and connection to the universe.

The concept presented here is a metaphor but also represents a very real living spiritual being that we can contact and have a connection with. In that original nosis, there existed all of the spiritual knowledge related to humanity and humanity's evolution in a complete form. However, many ages ago on Earth, that knowledge broke up and, poetically speaking, it could be said to have fallen from the heavens to different parts of the Earth.

Thus, the Himalayan tradition received a particular part of this knowledge, the Chinese tradition acquired another part, the Greek tradition got its share, and similarly, the South American tradition obtained its portion, among others. Different parts of the world became guardians of specific aspects of spiritual knowledge and practices, with the understanding that these spiritual practices would structure the subtle bodies of the people who engage in them, helping them to attain the goals of their respective traditions.

It is also very possible, and I want to be clear about this, that every human being may incarnate into more than one tradition at different times. Many individuals I have encountered, who have a very strong connection to the Rosicrucian tradition, often have lifetimes where they incarnated and were initiated in Chinese Daoism or in the Himalayan systems like Kashmir Shaivism, among other traditions. Thus, it is not solely about one tradition; however, we do tend to have a primary link to certain traditions and to the spiritual beings of those traditions.

For the Rosicrucians, understanding their place in this larger context is essential. They really specialize in attaining the most clear, concise, and true understanding of non-physical realities and the sources of all physical existence in the spiritual world. This endeavor is about creating a new spiritual science, which I would say is one of the core aspects of the Rosicrucian tradition. Yet, we must be very careful about overly simplifying or rigidifying what is a very dynamic spiritual reality.

Even within Rosicrucianism, there are branches that relate to the three functional centers of the human being. In the Chinese Daoist tradition, these might be referred to as the three Elixir fields in the body, known as the three Dantian. The upper Dantian, related to our consciousness, is referred to as the thinking pole in the Rosicrucian tradition. The middle Dantian, which contains the heart and lungs, is connected to our feelings and the emotional body. Finally, the lower Dantian, associated with life energy and our will forces, pertains to the actions we take in the world.

If we examine the work of Rudolf Steiner, arguably the most advanced Rosicrucian to make himself known to the public, we find that he created a body of knowledge that has been disseminated widely. Steiner's work comprises over 350 volumes, mostly collected lectures and some books he authored. He was essentially aligned with the branch of Rosicrucianism related to what the Chinese would call the upper Dantian or thinking pole, focusing on a clear understanding of spiritual science.

For the feeling aspect, related to the heart and lungs, there exists another branch of Rosicrucianism associated with the Holy Grail tradition. This should not be confused with the modern materialistic interpretations that focus on physical bloodlines; the original intent of the Holy Grail tradition was to become a vessel—a Grail—to receive the solar logos, the powers of the sun, into ourselves. This concept has roots in pre-Christian times, emphasizing the ability to bring the forces of the sun into our being and a larger alchemy related to Sun and Moon Alchemy in the body, which is found in many traditions worldwide.

For the Chinese, this would be akin to the Primeval Yang and the Primeval Yin coming together. The middle aspect here pertains to the development of the heart as a spiritual organ of perception and the cultivation of human morality—not in a rigid or dogmatic sense, but in understanding our core connection to every other living being. This understanding naturally leads to an ethical way of life that benefits others through our actions and can also lead to extremely high forms of spiritual initiation, with some very high initiates connected to it.

Finally, the lower abdominal forces, associated with will and the ability to take action to transform the Earth, give rise to practices such as biodynamic agriculture and the literal transformation of our environment.

=> 00:14:18

We’ve traded our innate clairvoyance for rational thinking, losing touch with the subtle realms that connect us all. It’s time to reclaim our intuitive gifts and remember the power of our hearts.

In the context of the Rosicrucian tradition, there is a profound understanding of the interplay between Primeval Yang and Primeval Yin, which can be likened to the alchemy of the sun and moon. This middle aspect relates to the development of the heart as a spiritual organ of perception and the evolution of human morality. This moral development is not rigid or dogmatic; rather, it is rooted in understanding our core connection to every other living being. Such understanding naturally leads to an ethical way of life that benefits others through our actions. Furthermore, this connection can also lead to extremely high forms of spiritual initiation, with some very high initiates being linked to it.

Additionally, the lower abdominal forces, associated with willpower, enable us to take action and transform the Earth. This gives rise to practices such as biodynamic agriculture, which literally transforms the Earth itself through our willpower and collaborative efforts. This serves as a brief introduction to how the Rosicrucian tradition fits into the broader system of world traditions and its remarkable aspects.

Currently, we live in a society that is, in many ways, overly identified with the rational mind. As Einstein famously stated, "the intuitive mind is a sacred gift; the rational mind is a faithful servant." Unfortunately, we have created a society that honors the servant while forgetting the gift. This disconnection is particularly evident in the context of the Rosicrucian understanding, which also ties back to various ancient wisdom traditions. We are constantly surrounded by a sea of non-visible forces, yet we have shut down our perception and intuitive capacities, neglecting the more subtle realms within and around us.

As we embark on this journey, it is essential to explore the structuring of the subtle body and concepts such as the 12-petal lotus. It is crucial to address how we have become disconnected from these more subtle realms. The Rosicrucian tradition, along with other spiritual traditions, teaches that in the evolution of human consciousness, we transitioned from an early state where human beings were effortlessly clairvoyant. This innate clairvoyance was linked to the activation of specific energy centers in the body, particularly the third eye center. Other energy centers, often referred to as chakras today, also play a role in the process of clairvoyance, including lesser-known centers such as the middle brow center and the upper brow center, which is associated with the Unicorn Center in Filipino spiritual healing.

Historically, human beings possessed a type of innate clairvoyance that allowed them to perceive non-physical beings effortlessly. Ancient spiritual texts reveal that everyone could perceive these spiritual beings all the time. This capability enabled humans to be guided by spiritual forces. However, at that time, human beings had not fully developed the logical, linear thinking that characterizes our modern consciousness. Instead, there was a more group consciousness prevalent in ancient societies. Being cast out from one's tribe or city-state was one of the worst punishments imaginable, as separation from the group was a deeply traumatic experience.

Over time, human consciousness evolved, leading to a greater emphasis on brain thinking and logical, independent thought. This shift involved engaging with a larger energy field around the head and its connection to the column of energy above us, which includes multiple energy centers that are not well understood today. In traditions such as the Himalayan teachings and particularly in Nepalese Thangka paintings, there are clear depictions of these centers above the head, often illustrated through sacred geometric forms and non-physical beings connecting to them.

As human beings developed the ability to think independently with the brain, this ancient form of clairvoyance began to fade, marking a significant transition in our consciousness.

=> 00:18:34

We've traded our ancient connection to non-physical energy for the comfort of logical thinking, but it's time to reclaim our awareness of the dynamic life forces within and around us.

Logical linear thinking involves understanding the larger energy field around the head and its connection to the column of energy above us, as well as the multiple energy centers situated above the head. This concept is not well understood today, but it has significant roots in the Hamalian tradition. Particularly in practices such as Nepes Tonka paintings, one can observe very clear depictions of the centers above the head, showcasing their sacred geometric form and the connection to non-physical beings. These beings are often illustrated through motifs like blue-skinned women writing on clouds, symbolizing their connection to these energy centers.

As human beings developed the ability to think with the brain in an individual and independent manner, this ancient form of Clairvoyance began to die out. We evolved the capacity for logical linear thought, which is often associated with a more materialistic and scientific approach. While this advancement provided us with a certain degree of control over the physical world, it simultaneously cut us off from perceiving non-physical beings and hindered our ability to work dynamically with the pure energy and life forces within our own bodies and the surrounding world.

Some very advanced modern initiates, such as Sanus at Tesas from Cyprus, a modern Greek Christian hermetic master, have described how, in their previous Egyptian incarnations, they could perform incredible feats with nature's forces—such as parting waters and creating storms. These abilities were considered natural at that time due to their deep connection to the life forces, which might be referred to in the Rosicrucian tradition as the aetheric forces of dynamic life energy. This energy is known as Prana in India or Chi in China, among other terms. According to these initiates, incredible things could still be accomplished with nature's forces, but today, due to the condensation of our energy field and the shift towards logical linear thought, much of that connection and control over our own energy centers and bodies has diminished. For the vast majority of humanity, there is little to no consciousness of these energy centers. Only those who engage in specific traditions to study and learn practices can begin to reclaim these abilities and work with the dynamic energetic forces around us, much like the ancient initiates did almost automatically.

In the Rosicrucian tradition, this process of moving into the brain is mirrored in the mythology of the labyrinth and the Minotaur. Entering this labyrinth symbolizes our journey into the logical linear thought of the brain. This shift may also explain the Jewish tradition's prohibition against graven images and visual representations. The old form of consciousness was extremely visual, based on a type of Clairvoyant pictorial representation of non-physical beings. The true perception of these beings is not accurately represented by images like a blue woman floating on a cloud in the East or a young blonde muscular man in armor in Europe. As we have become more materialized, the forms we project onto these beings have changed. In their primeval state, the reality of these beings is more aligned with moving light, color, energy, sound, and tone. While they can take on physical forms or be clothed in our minds with such representations for understanding, these images have become increasingly materialized over time. Consequently, the majority of humanity has lost the capacity to directly perceive non-physical worlds and even their own life energy.

Currently, we find ourselves in a situation where our materialistic tendencies and advanced logical linear thinking have led to a descent from a higher state of perceiving non-physical planes and beings, resulting in a strong association with our current incarnation and its qualities. This cycle has reached a point where it is beginning to pull up again. In the Rosicrucian tradition, this phenomenon is understood as part of a particular cycle of time, often referred to in Eastern terms as the end of Kali Yuga. While some Eastern traditions suggest we are not yet at the end of Kali Yuga—given its tremendously long duration—others, including the Rosicrucian tradition, indicate that we are indeed approaching this significant transition.

=> 00:23:01

We're in a transformative era, moving from deep materialism to a new age of spiritual awakening, where independent paths of spiritual development are flourishing and ancient wisdom is being rediscovered.

The process we could see as a type of descent from a higher state of perceiving non-physical planes and non-physical worlds. This descent leads us downward into the material plane, where we currently exist as very material beings. People associate themselves very much with their current incarnation and whatever qualities they possess in that particular incarnation. However, we have reached a point where this process is starting to pull up again.

In the Rosicrucian tradition, this phenomenon is understood as a particular cycle of time, which they refer to in Eastern terms as the end of Kali Yuga. According to some Eastern traditions, we are not yet at the end of Kali Yuga, as it is a tremendously long period of time. However, in other Eastern traditions and within the Rosicrucian framework, there is an aspect of Kali Yuga that is considered to have ended in 1899. This perspective can be found, for example, in the Babaji lineage from the Himalayas, where the teachings were passed to Shri Yasar, who, in his book The Holy Science, gives the date 1899 for the end of the Kali Yuga period.

This opening up from the Dark Age to a new age of light is accompanied by many challenges. As we make these transitions, we find ourselves still very much entrenched in materialism. This process is just beginning, but it is leading to observable changes in the world around us today. Until a little over 100 years ago, there were hardly any forums for free independent spiritual development and sharing among people. It wasn't until the Theosophical Society developed in America in the late 1800s that an organization emerged with branches all over the world, allowing individuals to share spiritually with others from the perspective of many traditions.

In the past, most people would join one tradition for their entire lifetime, going very deep into that tradition and being initiated within it. However, they wouldn't necessarily have the knowledge of many different traditions. Those who did acquire knowledge from various traditions were often recognized in history as remarkable individuals. It is only around this time, at the end of Kali Yuga as seen by the Rosicrucians and certain lineages, that we witness the growth of what people now refer to as the modern metaphysical movement or the modern New Age movement.

In the last hundred years, we have seen people choosing an independent path of spiritual development, rather than being confined to one particular group or learning solely from one teacher. Instead, individuals are learning in the Hermetic way, drawing from many different perspectives and teachers to find their own unique paths. A natural part of this evolution is what the Rosicrucians refer to as developing the new etheric clairvoyance. This new etheric clairvoyance allows us to develop clairvoyant faculties that are not merely fantasy or mental projections, but something real. One of the first things we become aware of is the etheric life forces in the human body, including the energy centers and energy flows.

As we work with this process, we recognize that in ancient times, the human etheric body was much further outside of the physical body than it is today. Over time, it began to contract into the physical body, particularly around the head, allowing us to use the brain more effectively as a logical linear scientific instrument. However, we are now at a point where, having contracted so far, there is a beginning expansion of the energy field. People are naturally seeking out different systems, whether it be yoga, Chinese internal alchemy, or other practices from around the world, to become conscious of and work with the energy in the body and its flows in a highly productive way.

This growth of independent spiritual initiation and seeking is also connected to what is sometimes referred to today as the psychedelic renaissance. One of the effects of psychedelic substances, which were used in the ancient world and are now resurfacing, is that they can facilitate certain forms of clairvoyance when taken in sufficient dosages. Many of these substances are, in a sense, a bridge to deeper understanding and awareness.

=> 00:27:20

In a world flooded with spiritual knowledge, true growth requires more than just access; it demands deep integration and discernment to avoid imbalance.

With the energy in the body and the energy flows in a highly productive way, we can now understand the growth of independent spiritual initiation and spiritual seeking. More and more people are turning to yoga and other practices to comprehend the relationship between the physical and the energetic body and to open up the energetic body. This phenomenon is also connected to what is sometimes referred to today as the psychedelic Renaissance.

One of the effects of psychedelic substances used in the ancient world, which are now resurfacing, is that they can provide the capacity to start experiencing certain forms of Clairvoyance when taken in sufficient dosages. However, many of these substances can be considered poisons, and as with all toxicology, the dose makes the poison. If one consumes too much, it could lead to effects that may not be beneficial. At a certain level, these substances can expand the energy body outside of the physical body, allowing individuals to perceive various non-physical phenomena.

However, if individuals have not properly purified or structured their subtle body before using these substances, they risk expanding a structure that may not be completely balanced or properly organized. This can lead to a certain amount of fantasmagoric perception during the expansion, as the energy centers were not adequately cleared and activated beforehand. This ongoing process, associated with the Psychedelic Renaissance, involves substances that are often labeled as hallucinogenic. In their true form, they induce Clairvoyance, but they may become hallucinogenic if the energy centers are not properly prepared, resulting in the expansion of an unbalanced structure.

After such experiences, individuals often report a tremendous opening and powerful experiences, but they may also feel very tired a couple of days afterward. This fatigue can be attributed to the shock retraction of the etheric body back into the physical body. All these aspects contribute to the growing awareness of the energy body and the societal changes related to it. This context provides insight into the expanded awareness that many people are currently experiencing on their spiritual paths.

However, as you mentioned, if there is not proper integration and structuring of the subtle body, individuals may open themselves up to forces that can keep them out of balance. There can be great danger in this process. We live in a time where we have access to vast amounts of information and wisdom traditions, which is an incredible gift. Yet, we can take this for granted. What used to take years, decades, or even lifetimes to access can now be found on our phones. While this accessibility is beneficial, if we do not engage in the work of integration to embody that change, it can become detrimental.

This situation exemplifies the blessing and the curse of our time. In previous lifetimes, particularly over the last several thousand years, acquiring deep initiatory knowledge was challenging. One would have to join a group and spend many years deepening their understanding to reach the deeper mysteries. Today, many of these once-hidden teachings can be found in books available for as little as $20. However, the trivialization of modern culture, especially concerning spiritual science, has led to fragments of information that are sometimes true but disconnected from their larger context or slightly warped and twisted.

The real challenge today lies in discernment and the ability to reunite these fragments into a coherent whole. This has been a significant focus of my life—finding those often fragmented pieces and working to integrate them into a comprehensive understanding.

=> 00:31:22

In a world flooded with fragmented spiritual knowledge, the real challenge is discerning truth from illusion and piecing together a coherent path for genuine growth.

Many spiritual secrets that were very hidden until extremely recently can now be found in a book that you can buy for $20. These secrets were once considered massive, but the trivialization of modern culture, particularly in the realm of spiritual science, has led to a plethora of fragmented information. Some of this information is true but often disconnected from the larger context from which it originated, while other pieces may be slightly warped or twisted.

The real challenge today lies in the challenge of discernment—the ability to reunite these fragments back into a coherent whole. This has been a significant focus of my life: finding those often amazing fragments from various traditions and bodies of knowledge and discovering how to present them in a clear, concise format. This allows people to access the information fairly quickly without having to spend years piecing it together. Importantly, this approach does not require individuals to join any organization or give their power away to anyone else. Instead, they can find the pieces of knowledge and practices necessary to craft their own particular path forward.

Thus, the challenge is to discern what is true, what is not true, and what is partly true but needs correction. In every case, it is essential to place this information into the larger context of the complete system. Many people today possess fragments of knowledge, but the critical question is whether these pieces come together into a coherent system that can genuinely structure their subtle bodies for real growth. This growth must be sustainable enough to survive the passage through the gate of death and into the next incarnation.

It is crucial to be cautious, as it is all too easy to take spiritual knowledge and inflate the ego rather than honor it with reverence. Working with this knowledge in one’s spiritual life and practice allows individuals to embody it, enabling their lives to serve as an example of what they know. Ultimately, you do not truly know something until it is integrated into your being.

I want to delve deeper into the understanding of structuring the subtle body. As we navigate our lives in physical form, it is easy to become disconnected and distracted by the accumulation of material possessions. This focus on materialism can cause us to lose sight of one of the greatest possibilities and gifts of life: the opportunity to cultivate something that will endure beyond the fading of our physical forms.

The structuring of the subtle body is of paramount importance, as it is what we take with us when we leave this physical existence. In various traditions, there is an understanding that there are different planes of existence—often referred to as spiritual planes or planes of nature. While there are slightly different systems across the world, the most common one in the West today was popularized by the Theosophical Society starting in the late 1800s.

In this framework, we begin with the physical plane, where we experience the materialization of concrete physical matter. Above this lies the aetheric life energy, often referred to as chi or prana. This dynamic life force creates the patterns for everything that will physically crystallize, possessing a sacred geometric structure. The Rosicrucians refer to these as the aetheric formative forces, which literally shape the form and function of everything that crystallizes physically.

For example, cymatics reveals the sacred geometric structures on a two-dimensional plane. When specific sound frequencies are applied to substances like paste, powder, or water, the geometric structure of the substance changes in response to the frequencies. This phenomenon illustrates how aetheric formative forces can structure physical matter.

Above the etheric life plane, we encounter the next level, often referred to as the astral in the Western world. In this context, the term "astral" typically refers to the next level of existence, which encompasses the emotional realm. Each of these levels is rich with its own intense powers and potential for exploration.

=> 00:35:27

Everything is interconnected; from the Divine plane where we are one, to the individual experiences that shape our reality. Understanding this unity can transform how we perceive ourselves and others.

Sorry to sidebar, but just like simatics, for example, will reveal the sacred geometric structures on a 2D plane, exactly so when you put those particular sound frequencies into the paste, powder, or water, you can then immediately see that by changing the sound frequencies, you're changing the geometric structure of the substance. This is very much the way that this works; it's really a revelation of aetheric formative forces structuring physical matter.

Then, above the etheric life plane, any one of these levels could be discussed for hours because they are all full of their own intense powers. The next level above that is sometimes just referred to as the astral in the Western world. When they use the term "astral," sometimes it means the next level as the emotional body, which is how it appears within the human being. However, it is from a higher source or the astral plane, the first true spiritual plane that we encounter. Sometimes the term "astral" is used to indicate both the emotional and the mental planes; it just depends on the group using it.

So, we have our emotional function and our mental function, which come from higher plane levels. At that point, we are transitioning from the vibration density, pressure, tingling, hot and cold types of sensations of the etheric body to perceiving light and color. As we move to the emotional and mental levels, we then ascend to the causal level. The causal level has sacred geometric blueprints of how everything will take form at the later levels; it is the type of essence that will create everything in the world. The causal level is also where the actions that incarnate beings take will then create patterns, blueprints for cause and effect, for what these beings will encounter in the sense of karma.

The level above that is the spiritual plane, and above that is the Divine plane. To really understand those planes, we need to know that the Divine plane has no separation; in the Divine plane, everything is one. That's the core highest teaching of every tradition: connecting back to the one where there's no separation between beings at all. This is something that we can perceive through the process of individuation because as we go below the Divine plane, things begin to separate and individuate, starting by splitting into Yin and Yang polarities. Then they go into multiplicity and form everything on the lower planes.

We may sometimes perceive, for example, that in our Clairvoyant meditative work, we see a large spiritual being that appears to be one being, and then we notice multiple beings coming out of that being. They had combined into one great being because that is the capacity at a non-physical level for beings to unite back into the one, but also to separate back into individual spiritual beings. This is related to what's happening at the Divine plane.

The way this tends to work for human beings is that we experience that merging during types of tantric practices with an intimate partner. When we embrace the partner, the energy bodies merge to the point that we can't tell where we end and they begin, and so the two become one. We connect back to the Divine plane, which opens up these highest yoga tantas and very high realization states, often in dual cultivation with a partner.

As we move from the unified state where everything is one at the Divine plane, the next level down, the spiritual plane, is where all of these different powers, states, and functions of the Divine that are inherent within the one then separate out and become personified in specific Spiritual Beings. This is something that even a lot of people in metaphysical circles today only have an intellectual understanding of. The way that the powers of the Divine first form into conscious Spiritual Beings of a very great stature is fundamental to all the ancient traditions of the world.

If you're going to understand something like Shiva and Shakti, that's one of the initial separations from the Divine godhead into masculine and feminine polarities in an embodied form as a real spiritual being, not an abstraction. Of course, it is the same thing in the Chinese tradition with the yin and yang polarities. But again, it always starts as something that is personified in conscious Spiritual Beings of a very high level, and then it moves down to the lower planes to manifest everything until we get the manifestation of the microcosmic beings like human beings on the physical plane. However, we have within us the fractal of all the seven planes inside of us that is connected to certain...

=> 00:39:57

Your subtle body is a reflection of the cosmos; every thought, emotion, and action shapes its structure and determines your spiritual evolution.

Very great stature is fundamental to all the ancient traditions of the world. If you're going to understand something like Shiva and Shakti, that's one of the initial separations from the Divine godhead into masculine and feminine aspects in an embodied form as a real spiritual being, not an abstraction. Of course, it is the same thing in the Chinese tradition with the yin and yang polarities. However, it always starts as something that is personified in conscious spiritual beings of a very high level, and then it moves down to the lower planes to manifest everything until we get the manifestation of the microcosmic beings like human beings on the physical plane.

We have within us the fractal of all the seven planes inside of us, which is connected to certain energies and certain structures of the subtle body. This is the first thing we have to understand: that the human being, as ancient texts say, is the microcosm of the macrocosm. In some texts, they say that we are the crown of creation. The reason for this is that we are becoming conscious beings and that we have all the different planes inside of us as our subtle bodies. All the subtle bodies of the human being are nothing other than detachments from the substance of these higher planes that we've individualized into our own subtle bodies in this lifetime.

Thus, this understanding serves as the prerequisite for comprehending the structuring of the subtle bodies. Once we've been given the gift of these subtle bodies from the higher plane substances, everything we do with our mind, our consciousness, our thinking, and everything we do with our life of feeling and action and will, with these three centers, are all causes set in motion. They all have a vibrational quality and will activate in the fractal structure of the energy points, chakras, and meridians of the human energy body, all of which are reflections of higher things. This activation will start to link up certain functional centers in the energy body with other functional centers, creating two-dimensional shapes or three-dimensional forms and essentially creating a sacred geometric patterning inside the subtle body.

The structuring of the subtle body is truly one of the most important concepts that we can have; it is really that pearl of great price of what we go through in every incarnation. What we take with us is not all the material stuff, but rather how we structure the subtle bodies. If we act simply on a beastial level of the reactive mind and do not strive to attain any type of higher state of consciousness, understanding, or loving-kindness action toward others, then what the Tibetans would call unskillful states will be generated. These detrimental thoughts, emotions, and will impulses, along with our actions in the world, not only affect us at the causal plane level regarding our karma, but they will also activate parts of our energy structure that will be off balance and somewhat toxic. This, in turn, works to sedate the more beneficial potential that we hold within the energy body.

On the other hand, if we are working toward loving-kindness and a higher enlightened consciousness, constantly expanding forward, then we are activating the energy centers and linking them together into functional sets that again have a sacred geometric template. This will be what we take through the gate of death. Therefore, this is absolutely vital knowledge for everyone: that everything you do, every thought you generate, every emotion you create, and every action you take is a cause set in motion and is structuring your subtle body through repetition. You are entraining your subtle body to a particular form.

One of the ways that the psychedelic renaissance can be utilized is for deconstruction purposes. Psychedelics can temporarily take us out of the emerging hypnotic trance of these lower states, allowing us to reflect and ask ourselves, "Why am I acting like that? I don't have to have a life like that; I could be something different." This awareness enables us to start consciously moving forward. While this doesn't always happen, there is certainly potential within the experience, and it does occur for many people. This understanding forms some of the core of the structuring of the subtle bodies. Within initiatory practices, there are particular methods to activate specific energy centers or particular linkages.

=> 00:44:11

Your subtle body shapes your reality; by consciously observing and restructuring it, you can break free from limiting patterns and create a more empowered life.

Your subtle body, through repetition, is being entrained to a particular form. One of the ways that the psychedelic Renaissance can be utilized is for deconstruction purposes. Psychedelics can temporarily take us out of the emerging hypnotic trance of lower states, allowing us to reflect on our actions. We may ask ourselves, "Oh, why am I acting like that? I don't have to have a life like that; I could be something different." This awareness can facilitate a conscious movement forward. While this transformation doesn't always happen, the potential exists within the experience and occurs for many people.

This concept is at the core of the structuring of the subtle bodies. Within initiatory practices, there are particular methods to activate specific energy centers or linkages between them, sometimes using geometric structures. For example, in my Gaia TV series, I discussed the pattern known in the Jewish Kabbalah as the Tree of Life. In Daskalos's work from Greece, it is referred to as the Symbol of Life, tracing its roots back to earlier Egyptian traditions. I refer to this as the gold pattern for the geometry of life design, which consists of ten centers linked together in a tree pattern.

In the ancient world, particularly in Egypt, Jewish, and Greek Kabbalah, as well as hidden aspects of later European traditions, this pattern is not merely a cosmological map; it appears in a fractal form within every human energy field. By activating this pattern in the human energy body, we access a powerful core structure to facilitate further development. Other traditions may focus on activating different patterns or centers in the energy body, creating a vast body of knowledge and potential for human development.

I believe these concepts resonate with many of us, even if we haven't articulated them in this way. For instance, behavioral compensations from childhood, such as over-sexualization or jealousy, can shape our subtle bodies. We often encounter individuals, particularly older spiritual men, who unconsciously exhibit leaky sexual energy or other manifestations of how our subtle body informs our psychology. We are co-creators with our subtle body, shaping it while it simultaneously shapes us.

It can be overwhelming to realize that every thought and feeling directly influences our reality. However, this realization can also be liberating. It encourages us to protect ourselves from external impressions and to be mindful of our thoughts. By uprooting the deeply held paradigms, we can transform our experiences. This is a powerful message for our audience: if we aim to structure our subtle body in a way that benefits ourselves and the world around us, it is crucial to harness the power of our intention and attention, structuring it intentionally.

This leads us to discuss the primal significance of self-observation and mindfulness, concepts that Gurdjieff referred to as self-remembering. Before we delve into the six-petal lotus, I want to touch on the phenomenon of leaky sexual energy, which is universal for both men and women at certain stages. There are specific aspects we must be cautious about, which have not been clearly delineated in modern spiritual circles.

One critical aspect is that all three dantians must be fully activated and unified. This means the full activation of sexual forces must be integrated into a healthy emotional and mental state. In Chinese tradition, sexual energy is understood as Jing, the core densified life energy. Once we pass through puberty, this energy is expressed through sexual forces. It must reach its highest level of intensity to nourish the entire human energy body, but it also needs to be integrated with other aspects; otherwise, it can become toxic.

=> 00:48:32

True spiritual growth requires embracing and integrating our sexual energy, not suppressing it. Ignoring this vital life force can lead to toxicity and unhealthy expressions.

In modern spiritual circles, there are particular stages and certain things we must be very cautious of, which I don't think have been clearly delineated. One crucial aspect of this is that all three dantien must be fully activated and fully unified. This means there must be a full activation of the sexual forces, which need to be integrated into a healthy emotional state, a healthy mind, and a healthy united state. The sexual energy, understood in the Chinese tradition as Jing, is the core densified life energy. Once an individual passes through puberty, this energy gets expressed through sexual forces. Therefore, it must be brought to its highest level of intensity to nourish the entire human energy body. However, it also needs to be integrated with all these other aspects; otherwise, it can become something toxic or perturbed.

One of the problems in the European tradition is the overly sex-negative Christian tradition, particularly within Catholicism. This led to the suppression of healthy sexual feelings and expressions, which can then become toxic if one has to hide them. If sexual energy is viewed as something satanic, it creates a detrimental form of shame. For instance, how much shame is created when one thinks they will burn in hell for eternity for experiencing a natural biological process? In contrast, someone from a South Sea Island, who was not sexually repressed, would never think to hold a black mass or engage in incredibly crazy acts. This is because they have not been mentally programmed to associate their sexual energy with satanic elements. A healthy person would never make those associations. Thus, the sex-negative aspect of the Western tradition has led to something absolutely fundamental becoming pathological and toxic.

Another aspect that occurs in both Eastern and Western traditions is known as premature purification. This concept is not well known in spiritual circles today. Premature purification can be found in many traditions, particularly in the East, where a person embarks on a powerful, dedicated spiritual path. However, they may engage in purification in place, meaning they haven't fully lived through their sexual nature and experiences, including sexual exploration. By purifying in place, they suppress their natural sexual development, which may remain at an early adolescent stage. This suppressed energy gets covered up with layers of higher spiritual development.

When individuals are taken out of their spiritual ashram context, as happened with several Eastern Masters who came to the U.S. in the 1960s and 70s, the consequences can be significant. These Masters, who had developed certain abilities and higher states of consciousness, often faced naive expectations from their American disciples. The misconception was that if someone possesses real powers, they must be a perfect human being, which is not the case. Even those with advanced abilities can have uncompleted processes in their energy bodies.

As a result, these Masters, when surrounded by young women or men in a Western context, sometimes engaged in improper sexual manipulation of students. This behavior arose because the temptations they faced brought out parts of themselves that had not been allowed to develop fully due to their previous purification in place.

One of the great benefits of the modern Western independent spiritual path is the recognition—though often not clearly defined—that we need to experience and experiment with sexual energy. This energy is the core life force until it becomes fully integrated. Even individuals who are highly advanced in various ways may still have unresolved aspects of their sexual energy that need to be acknowledged and integrated.

=> 00:52:54

Spiritual growth isn't just about enlightenment; it's also about facing and integrating our deepest, often messy, emotional and sexual energies.

It became evident that there were all types of improper sexual manipulation of students, and this was simply because they were faced with temptations that the purification in place brought out. This situation revealed parts of themselves that weren't allowed to develop to a higher extent. One of the things I think is a great benefit of the modern Western independent spirit and spiritual path that we're seeing today is an often not clearly defined understanding—yet somewhat in the background—that we do need to have that prodigal son or daughter stage of experiencing and experimenting with Sexual Energy. This energy is the core life force until it becomes fully integrated.

Even people who are highly advanced in various ways often have unresolved issues related to their sexuality. If you actually get to know them, you'll find that there are all kinds of weird sexual stuff they're still working out. This is partly because, today, we can experiment with sexuality in ways that were very suppressed and difficult to navigate in many of our past incarnations. Therefore, it's crucial for people to be aware of the challenge of premature purification. Very rarely do I hear any discussion of this, and it's important to understand that just because someone possesses certain advanced spiritual abilities, it doesn't mean they have worked through all these core issues.

The Sexual Energy is intricately tied to emotional energy and relates to various issues of self-worth and desire. These aspects are connected to the thought forms we have around our sexuality and that of others. As individuals begin to attain a certain level of spiritual knowledge and ability, one of the first challenges they face is the risk of falling prey to premature ego inflation. This can lead to the belief that they are more advanced than they truly are, potentially resulting in the formation of their own little Guru group. Initially, this might seem fairly clean, but as they gain more power and others give their power to them, all of those unaddressed issues can surface, including sexual manipulation.

At this point, anyone involved in spiritual work needs to adopt a mature attitude towards these dynamics. Just because someone is spiritually advanced in certain ways does not mean they have completed all other developmental processes. This is particularly true for emotional and sexual development. Even if their thought forms are impressive, these two centers require extensive work. Fortunately, we have the opportunity today to explore these areas in ways that were very difficult in many previous incarnations.

I want to emphasize that I never present myself as an initiate or a spiritual Master; that's all a bunch of ego nonsense. I am simply someone who has studied on the path and is offering what I think may be useful to others. I still have all kinds of crazy stuff that I am working through, and I strive to remain authentic by not claiming anything else. The people I feel most comfortable with, who teach spiritually, are those who also acknowledge their ongoing work and do not pretend to have a totally purified nature. While there may be spiritual teachers in the world who have attained that state, they are a minority. Particularly in the West, many of us are all working on our own stuff.

Now, the next aspect of truly developing on the path is the importance of self-observation, which you touched on earlier. This is crucial in really every tradition. Whether you look at the ancient temples of initiation that had "know thyself" over the entrance or the concepts of mindfulness in Eastern traditions, the idea of self-observation is essential. In more modern Western and Eastern European traditions, Gurdjieff's concept of self-remembering is absolutely vital. These concepts are essentially the same: the ability to observe yourself with complete neutrality, as if you are observing another person outside of you. This allows you to see the actual content of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

This practice takes slightly different forms in various traditions. For example, in Buddhism, it involves observing your thought, speech, and actions. These elements are closely connected and reflect the three primary centers of our being. Thus, the first aspect of the work is to observe these centers and understand what we are actually generating that creates the structures of our subtle bodies.

=> 00:57:06

Self-remembering is the key to true awareness; observe your thoughts and actions without judgment to unlock your potential for growth.

Gief's concept of self-remembering is absolutely essential; they are really the same thing. This concept involves the ability to observe yourself with complete neutrality, as if you are observing a person outside of you. The goal is to see what is the actual content of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This practice takes slightly different forms in other traditions. For example, in Buddhism, it involves observing your thoughts, speech, and actions. These elements are very closely connected and reflect the three primary centers.

To begin this work, we must observe the thoughts we generate, the feelings we have, and the actions we take. It is important to reach a point where we can observe the will impulses that precede our actions, not just the physical actions themselves. By doing so, we can stop performing detrimental actions in the world if we start catching the will impulse before it manifests into action. In day-to-day life, this looks like paying attention before acting on impulses, such as the urge to say something hurtful or to reach for a cookie.

During the observation stage, we do not try to change the content of what we observe. Typically, when things are observed, they tend to be on their best behavior. Our worst thoughts, feelings, and actions often emerge when we are not observing ourselves or believe we are not being observed by others. Many people mistakenly think that when they start self-observation, they will only notice their most beautiful, loving, and kind thoughts. However, this is not really what they are generating throughout the day. Therefore, it is crucial to observe ourselves in the midst of lived activity and the challenges we encounter that trigger emotional reactions. We must observe without trying to change it, which leads to the realization of how detrimental or, as the Tibetans would say, unskillful, many of our thoughts, feelings, and actions actually are.

This process also leads to what Gief referred to as the terror of the situation. This concept has many different aspects, one of which is the realization that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are not very advanced and are something we might not want others to see clearly. Thus, the first stage involves simply observing ourselves as we truly are, without any sugar coating.

After this initial observation, we begin to work with the direction of our thoughts and actions. As described in my online course on the essential teachings and practices of spiritual science, one of the crucial practices is generating a clear mind state. This involves receptive meditation, where we hold the mind clear, allowing us to perceive non-physical realities or our internal content without illusions. In contrast, active meditation involves taking action to craft a thought form and create on a higher level.

The receptive and active meditations work together. During receptive meditation, we observe our internal content with a clear mind state, often likened to the clear surface of water or a clear sky. Then, we transition into active meditation, where we generate beneficial thought forms that reflect our true potential, as well as beneficial emotions and actual will impulses and actions.

Many traditions today focus on either receptive or active meditation, but rarely both. It is essential to have both aspects. For instance, systems like Zen, Vipasana, and Transcendental Meditation are primarily receptive, while many Western systems are primarily active. However, some Western systems do not teach individuals to attain a clear mind state before generating new thoughts, leading to the creation of more content on top of the monkey mind chatter. This approach can undermine the power of coherent thought forms.

A powerful combination would be practices like Basan or Shunia, which help individuals realize the clear sky of their being, followed by gratitude or loving-kindness meditation, where they direct their will towards kindness.

=> 01:01:15

Balance your mind: cultivate both receptivity and active intention for true clarity and purpose.

In many traditions today, there is often only the teaching of receptive or active practices, but rarely both. It is essential to have both aspects. You will find that systems like Zen, Vipasana, and Transcendental Meditation are primarily receptive, while many Western systems are primarily active. Some of these Western systems never teach people to attain a clear mind state before they start generating more thoughts. Consequently, individuals end up generating more content on top of monkey mind chatter, which ultimately destroys the power of coherent thought forms.

A very powerful combination of practices would include something like Basan or Shunia, which helps you realize the clear sky of your being, followed by a gratitude or loving-kindness meditation. In this meditation, you are directing your will towards kindness and well-being for those around you. This practice would then lead to active meditation, where you are crafting specific types of thoughts, emotions, and actions in the world. This is indeed the active part of the process.

Understanding that this combination is absolutely essential is crucial. I have mentioned this several times, but it is worth repeating. An example of this waking up and self-observation process comes from the work related to the Russian esotericist group Gurdjieff. One of his students, P.D. Ouspensky, wrote a fantastic book called In Search of the Miraculous. In that book, Ouspensky discusses the importance of what he calls self-remembering, which involves observing yourself throughout the day. When you are not observing yourself, you are actually unconscious and in a trance state.

Ouspensky describes how he wakes up in the morning and manages to attain self-remembering. He observes himself throughout the day, but at one point, he looks in a shop window and becomes unconscious. The next time he becomes conscious is late that night when he is taking off his clothes after a full day at work. He realizes that he had been unconscious the entire time, operating in a trance state. This experience highlights the terror of the situation when you wake up and realize that most of humanity is in a sleeping trance state. This is one reason why there is so much destructive activity in the world; people in trance states are often programmed to engage in behaviors that are harmful.

Many of us on the path will experience this terror when we realize we have fallen into a trance state. A person may speak to us in a voice that subconsciously reminds us of a trauma, leading us to act detrimentally. The goal, therefore, is to be conscious all the time through the self-remembering process.

We can also connect this to what is considered the most essential practice in the Rosicrucian tradition, sometimes referred to as the six basic exercises. I prefer to call them the six essential exercises. Often, only the receptive aspect is described, but I believe that both the receptive and active aspects must be practiced under the rubric of these exercises. I go into detail about all six of the exercises in my Essential Teachings and Practices of Spiritual Science course, as this is where I lay down some of the fundamentals. Everything else must be built upon this beginning.

The six essential exercises in Rosicrucianism are significant because they represent half of the lotus petals of the 12-petal lotus of the heart. In the Indian tradition, it is understood that the chakras have a certain number of lotus petals. There is profound knowledge in the halalas regarding what these energy centers are. If you examine the Sanskrit names and descriptions of the chakras, they discuss the divine forces that are microcosmically present in us, granting us divine abilities. For instance, Anahata, which refers to that energy center, has its roots in early Sanskrit teachings. My understanding is that the actual vibration of the word, when spoken, resonates with the geometric pattern of that energy center. It is indeed fantastic that in the sacred languages, such connections exist.

=> 01:05:27

Embrace the six essential exercises of spiritual growth, each one a lotus petal unfolding your heart's true potential.

In Rosicrucianism, the essential exercises are six, which is significant because they represent half of the lotus petals of the 12-petal lotus of the heart. This concept is understood within the Indian tradition, where the chakras are associated with a specific number of lotus petals. There is profound knowledge in the halalas regarding what these energy centers represent. If one examines the Sanskrit names and descriptions of the chakras, they reveal the Divine forces that microcosmically exist within us, granting us various Divine abilities. For instance, anahata refers to a particular energy center.

In early Sanskrit teachings, my understanding is that the vibration of the word correlates and resonates with the geometric pattern of the energy it represents. This is fascinating, as sacred languages like Sanskrit, Hebrew, and certain aspects of ancient Egyptian serve as expressions of the vibrational power inherent in their sounds. This is where the Haka sounds of power in ancient Egypt come into play, alongside the mysteries of the cabalistic word. Similarly, in the Indian tradition, there are seed syllables—sounds that carry power. The original true names of things are combinations of these seed syllables, representing the vibrational manifestation of the power of the entities being described.

Recently, I was engaged in a conversation with a new friend about one of the lineages in Sanskrit. There are various ways the alphabet is constructed, one of which has 64 letters that encode with 64 DNA sequences. This connection is intriguing, especially considering the six original Indian schools of philosophy, with Vedanta being just one example. As you mentioned, the hymns correlate with the vibrations, suggesting that the act of saying them is more significant than merely intellectually digesting the words. It is truly fascinating to delineate the various wisdom traditions and how they disseminate their teachings.

Absolutely, these types of universal Mysteries are foundational and can be found across multiple traditions. The mystery of the primordial word and the sounds of power is particularly significant. When one speaks the name of something, they are manifesting its power through sound.

Returning to the six exercises, we recognize that each of the six lotus petals of the heart is developed through these exercises. One lotus petal is cultivated by each of the six different exercises, while the other six petals are considered to have been developed in previous lifetimes and stages of evolution. Thus, six of them are already somewhat active, while the other six must be activated through our own efforts.

The first exercise involves the observation and direction of our thinking content, referred to as upper dantian content. The second exercise focuses on the observation and direction of our feeling content, known as middle dantian. The third exercise pertains to the observation and direction of our will forces and actions in the world, associated with lower dantian.

The fourth exercise emphasizes maintaining an unbreakable positivity toward all our life activities and everything that comes our way. This is often easier said than done, as even the most destructive experiences can contribute to developing the pearl of great price. These initiation trials often indicate that individuals with significant challenges are on an accelerated path of spiritual development, despite the pain involved. It is crucial to consistently seek the beneficial and positive aspects of our experiences, as this has a profound effect on our entire energy body.

The fifth exercise encourages adopting a Zen mind or beginner's mind, which fosters an openness to perceiving everything differently than we typically do. Regardless of how advanced we become, we must remain open to new experiences, new people, and entirely new ways of life. This radical openness is essential, as even those who are spiritually developed can fall into a comfortable rut. We must strive to maintain the dynamism of our spiritual journey.

=> 01:09:37

Embrace radical openness, especially in tough moments, as they hold the greatest potential for growth and transformation.

There are a lot of challenges, and it's very painful to always look for the beneficial and the positive in things that have a real effect on the whole energy body. The fifth aspect is about having a kind of openness, similar to what they talk about in Zen as beginner's mind. This openness allows us to see everything differently than how we normally perceive it. No matter how advanced we get, we must maintain the openness to new experiences, new people, and completely new ways of life. It is essential to really see and experience things in a completely different way, fostering a radical openness at all times.

You will often find that even someone who is very spiritually developed can fall into a comfortable rut. While this rut may be fairly healthy, it is still a rut, and we need to keep that dynamism of the beginner's mind. I find that especially during difficult times, such as intimate relationships or family gatherings like Thanksgiving dinner, it is really challenging to stay open. However, these moments are actually our greatest opportunities to cultivate that capacity for staying open. When it’s hard to remain open, that is when we have the real opportunity to develop that skill.

Absolutely, that’s very much the case. We have so many embedded transstates related to interactions with family, particularly because much of that happens when we are very young, before we develop our conscious mind. Therefore, those experiences go really deep. So, that covers five of the aspects. The sixth aspect is about the harmonization of all these elements into one cohesive practice. The idea is that in the Rosicrucian tradition, Rudolph Steiner mentioned that no matter what other exercises you do, any detrimental effects that could arise from other activities—whether they are detrimental thoughts, feelings, actions, or even detrimental effects from other types of spiritual practices—will be balanced by doing these six practices.

This is particularly important for people today who are experimenting with various traditions, as it creates a core foundation. We are observing and directing beneficially everything that is happening on all these levels. Another aspect to consider is why we focus on developing the Heart Center first. In many ancient traditions, they often use a method of bottom-up activation. For example, in Kundalini systems, you activate the base of the spine first and then move upward. Historically, many of those Eastern traditions would be practiced in an ashram setting, where individuals were often separated from people of the opposite sex or any type of sexual temptation.

This separation was crucial because if you open up the base of the spine energies first, you are taking them upward to the crown. In more advanced work, such as what you find in the Nepali tradition, you start to work with even higher centers. It was understood at that time that opening up these powerful vital life energies could lead to wild levels of sexual activity. To manage this, some older traditions would suggest meditations that involved visualizing a person you might have sexual desire for as being full of excrement and other unpleasant things, thereby reducing attraction.

While this method has its benefits and can be a real path if done properly, the problem we face today with bottom-up systems is that you must have the subtle energy channels open. Otherwise, you risk what is called diverted risings, which can lead to Kundalini sickness, as discussed by Gopi Krishna in his book on Kundalini. Many people experienced this in the 60s and 70s.

As a quick side note, when many people began to develop their Kundalini in the 60s and 70s in the U.S., they had not sufficiently opened up their subtle energy channels beforehand. This was based on certain Eastern approaches that normally would have prerequisites before engaging in higher-level work. In the early 1980s, hidden material from Chinese Daoist yoga became available to the public for the first time. At that time, practitioners were informed that they were really working with the spinal channel and the front channel of the body, specifically the governing vessel and conception vessel in Chinese medicine. However, the issue arises when these channels are not adequately prepared for the energy work that follows.

=> 01:13:34

True spiritual growth requires a solid foundation; activate your heart first to harmonize your entire energy system.

In the 1960s and 70s, many people became interested in Kundalini, largely due to the influence of certain Eastern approaches. However, a quick side note is that during this period, many individuals began to develop their Kundalini without having adequately opened up the subtle energy channels beforehand. This led to complications, as the bottom-up method was often employed without the necessary prerequisites that would typically precede higher-level work.

By the early 1980s, hidden material from the Chinese DST yoga became available to the public for the first time. This material emphasized that practitioners were primarily working with the spinal channel and the front channel of the body, known as the governing vessel and conception vessel in Chinese medicine. A significant issue that arose was that energy was often diverted, not flowing directly up to the Crown Center, but instead getting stuck in other channels. Additionally, it was crucial to ensure that energy did not become trapped in the head, as the head cannot safely store vital energy; this energy is meant to be stored in the lower abdomen, referred to as the lower dantian in the DST tradition.

To connect the energy circuits effectively, practitioners were taught to touch the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth. This action links the governing vessel, which runs up the spine, to the conception vessel. This principle is also reflected in the Egyptian form of the staff used in initiation. The first part of the staff represents the energy rising up the spine into the Jade pillow at the back of the head, then ascending to the Crown Center and potentially exiting through the upper brow center as the Urus. If the energy remains in the head, it can lead to Kundalini sickness. However, by touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth, the energy can flow down the tongue and into the conception vessel, allowing it to circulate in what is known as the microcosmic orbit or be stored through vortex movements in the lower abdominal region.

In contrast, the top-down method gained popularity through Christian initiation, exemplified by the imagery of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John. In this depiction, a line of light above Christ's head symbolizes the column of spirit, which is vital in all traditions for advanced initiation. The dove of the Holy Spirit descending into Christ's Crown Center illustrates the activation of consciousness first, followed by the movement down to the other chakras and centers.

Another method that is often overlooked is the center-out method, particularly emphasized in the Rosicrucian tradition. This approach begins with the activation of the heart chakra through six basic exercises. The Rosicrucians believe that any chakra or acupuncture point can be activated, as each holds a unique divine power and nectar. When these points are activated, practitioners can experience and participate in this nectar. However, it is essential to have a larger pattern or coordination for these activations; otherwise, the energy can become scattered.

By starting with the six basic exercises, the heart chakra is activated to serve as the organizing center for the entire body of energy. This activation has a profound impact on individuals' spiritual development. Whatever other practices they engage in to activate their energy body—through thoughts, feelings, and actions—are harmonized and coordinated with the heart chakra as a vortex center. This process begins with mindfulness and consciousness practices, linking back to earlier discussions.

In summary, this structured approach is developing into a specific system within the Rosicrucian tradition, which contextualizes these practices and their significance. The depth of these teachings is further explored in courses that delve much deeper into these concepts, showcasing the powerful insights they offer.

=> 01:17:44

True transformation begins when we harmonize our thoughts, feelings, and actions through the power of the heart, unlocking the illuminated will that drives meaningful change in our lives.

Development is essential so that whatever else we're doing to activate things in our energy body—which again we're doing all the time through our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions—is all getting harmonized and coordinated with this type of Vortex center of the chakra of the heart being fully active. This center organizes and coordinates everything throughout the body of energy. The beginning of this process is rooted in mindfulness consciousness practices, which then link to our earlier topic.

Now, we see how this is developing into a specific system within one particular tradition, in this case, the Rosicrucian tradition, which understands these other elements contextually. This raises the question: Why are we doing this? I think that's a significant point. You dive much deeper in your courses, which I think are incredible. You are such a powerful synthesizer of so many of these understandings. I highly recommend this process of cultivating the illuminated will.

I would love for you to share a little bit about it, as it is tied in here. As we walk through our life and engage in the process of self-actualization, we clear out a lot of the unnecessary stuff and become healthier and clearer. We have the power and capacity for this illuminated will to arise within our lives. For those who may not understand or are unfamiliar with this concept, I think we can understand it in context as part of the three primary centers: the Consciousness, the Heart forces of emotional life, and the dynamic life forces of the body. These elements manifest behind every action that we take.

If we understand these three centers from another perspective, the Rosicrucians, including Rudolf Steiner, created what is known as anthroposophic medicine. This form of medicine is a Rosicrucian approach that actually has hospitals and practitioners around the world, all of whom are accredited medical doctors before they undergo anthroposophic medicine training. They refer to the functional centers of the body as follows: the Head Center is known as the nerve-sense center, the middle dantian or Heart Center is referred to as the rhythmic center—because there’s a rhythm maintained in the human body that is essential for life, evident in both the respiration rate of the lungs and the pulsation of the heart. Finally, in the lower abdomen, they call it the metabolic limb system, which relates to our metabolism, dynamic life force, and vitality, and how it gets expressed through our actions and the movement of our limbs.

When we view it from this perspective, we can also incorporate another viewpoint. There is a particular meditation that I practice in some courses to activate the three centers with their core functions. We refer to the function of the Head Center (the Consciousness Center) as the function of light. Consciousness is light; when light gets turned inside out, we experience light internally, which we recognize as Consciousness. Conversely, when Consciousness is turned inside out to be expressed externally, it becomes light. Thus, light and Consciousness are the exact same thing, making this the center of light.

For the forces of the middle dantian, these are the forces of love. Love is the force that allows us to unite our essence with another person; it is the magnetic force that draws us toward another person, enabling two to become one and return to the Divine State. This unification can only be achieved through the heart forces, specifically the force of love. The forces in the lower abdomen represent life; they are the life forces that animate the physical body and make us alive, underpinning every action we take in the world, which also generates Karma.

So, we have light, love, and life as the three centers. When we talk about the illuminated will, we are referring to those forces connected to the lower abdomen, the metabolic limb forces, and the ability to take action in our lives. The illuminated will is about the capacity to take action in the world to transform our surroundings. Therefore, the illuminated will brings together all of these centers, where we have clear Consciousness and understanding from the upper dantian, loving kindness and connection to all that lives from the heart center, and the ability to take action through the limbs and other actions in the world from the lower dantian.

The illuminated will must be illuminated with light and love; it is essentially a coding for activating all three centers together. This leads us to the next topic: sign me up, sounds great! So, as we were discussing, illuminated will then connects to the six essential exercises, which include an aspect of...

=> 01:22:13

Illuminated will is about mastering the gap between impulse and action, allowing us to transform our reactions into conscious choices that align with our highest ideals.

The lower abdomen is associated with the metabolic limb forces, which play a significant role in our ability to take action in our life and in the world. This ability allows us to transform the world around us. Illuminated will is about bringing together all of these centers: the clear consciousness and understanding of the upper dantian, the loving kindness connection to all that lives from the love heart center, and the ability to take action through the limbs and other actions in the world via the lower dantian. Thus, illuminated will must be infused with light and love, serving as a coding for activating all three centers together, leading to expression.

As we discuss the six essential exercises, it’s important to note that it’s not just about observing the actual actions we take in the world. It also involves becoming aware of the moment before the action is taken, where we experience an impulse that may lead to that action. This awareness requires a deeper level of self-observation, allowing us to prevent ourselves from engaging in detrimental actions, such as speaking destructively to another person or even generating destructive thoughts and emotions.

There is often a first impulse that arises, and anyone who observes their reactive mind will become aware of this impulse and how it flares up. There is an energetic activation in the lower abdomen that occurs when a person becomes angry or triggered by external stimuli. The key is to observe that trigger state before any action is taken. When we observe anything, it tends to behave better, providing us with a moment—a gap—between that initial impulse and the action we might take.

Illuminated will requires the ability to observe that initial impulse and process it through the powers of the three centers. This way, we only act if it aligns with our highest ideal and what we genuinely want to accomplish in the world, rather than simply reacting to a situation.

I would love to hear your quick opinion on this, as I could literally talk to you for eight hours, and there is still so much I want to explore in this conversation. For those who wish to cultivate the capacity for illuminated will in their actions, aligning with the light and love of their body can be quite challenging. Many find it difficult to pay attention to the sensation before the impulse, as it often feels automatic. This is especially true for individuals who feel deeply entrenched in their addictive tendencies; the grip can feel incredibly strong, making it hard to engage with what we are discussing.

For those struggling with the grip of an addictive impulse—whether it be alcohol, sex, weed, or even a thought pattern—there are several approaches to consider. One effective method is rooted in the Master System developed in Buddhism, which emphasizes mindfulness. Initially, when working with addiction, practitioners often advise not to attempt to stop the addiction outright. Instead, they encourage individuals to be fully mindful of everything they are thinking and feeling at the moment they engage in the addictive behavior.

By observing how these actions impact us, we can gain insight into the experience. An addictive impulse often leads to a trance state, and by being fully conscious during these moments, one can perform what is known in neural linguistic programming as a pattern interrupt, effectively breaking the trance.

The core of this practice is to be very mindful. Rather than simply abstaining, one should ask: What does that alcohol actually taste like? How does it feel? What is its actual effect on your consciousness? Are you becoming more aware, enlightened, and loving, or are you experiencing something else? Can you maintain consciousness after consuming alcohol, or does it automatically pull you into a trance state? The observation and actual experience of these actions are crucial components of overcoming addiction.

=> 01:26:20

Mindfulness is the key to breaking free from destructive patterns; when you truly observe how something affects your consciousness, you can shift your associations from pleasure to pain and liberate yourself from addiction.

Programming is called a pattern interrupt, and you can interrupt the trance. So, that's one thing. Again, there's much more detail on it in all the great Buddhist traditions, but the core of it is simply to be very mindful. You don't not do it, but actually, what does that alcohol actually taste like? What does it actually feel like? How does it actually affect your consciousness? Are you becoming more aware, enlightened, loving, or are you becoming something else through the effect of this on your consciousness? Can you even stay conscious after you've drunk alcohol, or is it pulling you automatically out of that into nothing but trance states?

The observation and the actual experience of it fully is a major part of it. Now, there's also the aspect of it that, as we have today in neural linguistic programming, clarifies a lot of the subconscious programming of the human being. It all comes down to pain and pleasure. If we subconsciously associate pleasure with the activity, we will always do it, no matter what the conscious mind says or what we're told from external sources is the right thing to do. If we associate pleasure with it, we will continue to do it or seek to do it.

If you haven't worked through changing your association of it from pleasure to pain, then even if you stop doing it, it's like the people who are working against addictions. They say, "Oh, I struggle every day. I love to have a drink," and they're suffering inside because they yearn for it so badly but can't have it. There’s a lot of internal conflict; they are not a superconductor spiritually. It’s like massive internal conflict all the time. The way to get out of that is simply to change the association. Now, that may be easier said than done, but the core of it is that this is the truth of it.

That’s why neural linguistic programming has been very successful for so many people for different things. Quick side note: I do think that neural linguistic programming has taken many wrong turns. A lot of the NLP courses offered today are basically about how to use it for marketing things to people that they don't need or how to manipulate other people subconsciously by knowing their inner code and triggering them to certain actions. I think a lot of it has become very toxic.

However, that doesn't change the fact that the actual observations in neural linguistic programming are very helpful. The problem is that it has become this type of "how do you hypnotize another person to do your will" rather than what it should be. Instead of focusing on how to induce trance states in others to get them to do what you want, it should focus on how to train people to observe their own trance states and how to get out of them. It should also teach them how to observe when another person is trying to put them in a trance state through their speech, cadence, tonality, and all these methods that are used in hypnotic induction, which are very well mapped in neural linguistic programming.

If it were used for the light, it would be training every member of the public on how it works so they can no longer be manipulated by it and teach them how to get out of trance states and into another state. That’s what its potential is. I just want to make that clear. When I'm talking about NLP, a lot of the way that it's being done today, I don't think is healthy. Nonetheless, the knowledge itself is something significant.

So, if you can change your association, people that do therapy connected to NLP often find that a person trying to stop smoking or stop eating when they are obese has to do with the fact that they have a subconscious trance state where they associate pleasure with the activity. Instead, they have to be taken through a process where they now associate tremendous pain with the activity. For people who are heroin addicts and can't get off heroin, they associate tremendous pleasure with it. But what about all the people that aren't on heroin? They don’t do it because they associate pain with it. They associate the pain of shooting up, the pain of what it does to their life, and the pain of what it would do to all aspects of their social connections.

So, it’s all a matter of where the attention is focused. If we can change the focus of attention, along with mindfulness, to what something actually is and how it actually affects us, and we can associate pain with the things that are detrimental, there’s no inner struggle. You become a superconductor and have no attraction to that addictive thing whatsoever.

=> 01:30:18

Our perception of pain and pleasure shapes our choices; reprogram your mind to associate joy with healthy habits and pain with harmful ones to break free from addiction.

Activity related to heroin addiction reveals a complex interplay between pleasure and pain. For individuals who are heroin addicts, there is a strong association with tremendous pleasure derived from the drug. However, for those who are not addicted, they refrain from using heroin because they associate it with pain. This includes the pain of shooting up, the pain of the consequences it brings to their lives, and the pain it inflicts on their social connections.

Ultimately, it all comes down to where one's attention is focused. If we can change the focus of attention, combined with mindfulness, to understand what something truly is and how it affects us, we can begin to associate pain with detrimental behaviors. When this occurs, there is no inner struggle; one becomes a superconductor, devoid of attraction to the addictive substance. Conversely, for the things we know we should be doing—such as eating healthy, exercising, or healing relationships—if we associate pleasure with these actions, we are more likely to engage in them.

This concept revolves around pain-pleasure association. Modern systems are now helping us understand how the trans state is formed and how it can be disintegrated. This discussion also ties into the Psychedelic Renaissance, which is gaining traction. Recently, I met with some wonderful individuals in Santa Monica who are exploring the use of psychotropics to help stop addictive processes and overcome trauma. This field is still in its infancy as it becomes more medicalized and systematized, but it is well understood that certain substances can act as a pattern interrupt, allowing individuals to change their state and break the addictive cycle.

Historical evidence supports this, as seen in the 1950s when individuals using LSD reported stopping their alcoholism after just one trip. This transformation occurs because these substances change our focus and perception while also activating the energy body in specific ways. For instance, recent studies from Johns Hopkins have shown that psilocybin, when used in conjunction with therapy, is significantly more effective than traditional SSRIs or other pharmaceuticals.

The power of this understanding is profound. As Carl Jung noted, "pleasure is tension reduction," and it becomes illuminating to see how our perceptions of pain versus pleasure are fundamentally programmed within us. The awareness of this insight can open the door to reprogramming our responses through various methods, such as Buddhist practices or NLP techniques, allowing us to rewrite that internal code.

Now, I want to shift our focus to the beings of Ahriman and Lucifer, and the luciferic and ahrimanic impulses within us. For those unfamiliar with these concepts, they represent particular qualities that stem from these beings. As we explore this topic, we will find a middle way, as is our custom. I am eager to delve into this, as it has been a significant point of illumination on my own path in recent months.

To begin, it is essential to recognize that everything originates from the Divine plane. All manifestations on lower planes first emerge as spiritual beings that embody specific impulses and functions. This is why ancient traditions feature a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with distinct powers. Over time, these figures became materialized and somewhat caricatured, yet the core idea remains intact.

As we examine the proper path of our spiritual evolution on Earth, we must acknowledge the forces that guide us toward our spiritual destination. The principles we discuss here are foundational to understanding our world, starting from the Divine to the spiritual plane, then to the realms of karma and causation. Everything below these levels consists of thought forms in the mind of God, which is a crucial concept on the spiritual path.

=> 01:34:25

Our spiritual evolution is guided by divine thought forms, creating a sacred geometry that connects us to the universe and each other.

As we explore the proper path of our spiritual evolution on Earth, it is essential to recognize that there are forces that are part of the absolute correct pathway directing our evolutionary trajectory toward our spiritual destination. All these elements we discuss here are rooted in core spiritual principles that form the foundation of everything in our world. This journey begins with the Divine, moves to the spiritual plane, and then to the realms of Karma and causation, encompassing everything below it. These are all thought forms in the mind of God.

One of the terms I find absolutely essential on the spiritual path is that at the highest level, the thought forms in the mind of God represent all the differentiated systems that create the alchemical chamber into which we incarnate as human beings. This process is part of the structuring and alchemical retort. These thought forms manifest as beings on the spiritual plane, and they always possess a sacred geometric form. This is why, when you observe geometric forms in various traditions, they are themselves packed thought forms, containing profound meanings behind what may appear as simple shapes.

For instance, consider the form of the Tree of Life. The golden pattern I discuss represents a core pattern of energy in the human body, featuring a central channel and two side channels. The human body is structured around this concept, with the right and left sides embodying the yin and yang. However, before polarity existed, there was the One—the central channel that runs from the perineum to the crown. It is important to note that this is distinct from Shushumna, which is an interior channel of the spine, also significant but separate.

The central channel connects to and works with Shushumna, yet it stands alone. In addition, we have the two side channels in the body that are polarized. While the terms Ida and Pingala may not be described in the same way in Egyptian, Jewish, or Greek Kabbalistic traditions, the forces they represent do exist. In this context, we are discussing two straight side channels. Within these channels lies the potential for caduceus movement of the polarized forces, which is the interplay of Ida and Pingala. When these forces connect, we begin to delve into vibrational science.

In vibrational science, the combination of two opposite polarities creates an implosive cascade that opens a Gateway Beyond Time and Space. This phenomenon occurs continuously with Ida and Pingala combinations and caduceus movements. There are various terminologies and connections to spiritual beings across different traditions, such as the Greek tradition. By understanding the core pattern, we can recognize how it is expressed in diverse ways.

Thus, we have the two side channels in the body that can also engage in caduceus movement. The central channel on the Tree of Life extends from the highest point, the crown chakra, down to the lowest, the Earth. This pattern is reflected in the human energy body. When we view this as a microcosm of a larger pattern, we can also observe how the two polarities manifest in their most primordial form as a circle. The circle and the sphere are the first forms in sacred geometry, representing an evolutionary cascade from thought forms in the mind of God.

This journey always begins with an immaterial center, which connects us back to the Divine plane. This center is literally at the heart of everything, not just metaphorically. Much of the Egyptian biogeometry that I am fortunate to teach through my teacher, Ibraham Kareim in Cairo, Egypt, focuses on how to activate that immaterial center in any person, place, or thing. When activated, this center allows a Divine plane energy to expand, creating a remarkable system. Thus, the beginning is always the immaterial center that connects us back to the Divine, moving outward in a profound and transformative journey.

=> 01:38:43

The journey to spiritual evolution begins at the immaterial center, connecting us to the Divine, and unfolds outward, guiding us to balance and freedom on the middle path.

In the realm of sacred geometry, the first forms can be understood as an evolutionary cascade from thought forms in the mind of God. This process always begins with an immaterial center, which is akin to the Bindu Point and is known by various names across different traditions. This immaterial center serves as the connection point to the Divine plane; it is literally at the center of everything.

A significant aspect of this concept is found in Egyptian biogeometry, which I am fortunate to teach through my teacher, Ibraham Kareim, in Cairo, Egypt. This knowledge focuses on how to activate that immaterial center within any person, place, or thing. When activated, a Divine plane energy expands, creating a remarkable system. The journey begins with this immaterial center, which connects us back to the Divine, to the One. From this center, energy moves outward, similar to the concept of singularity in physics, forming SpaceTime and subsequently creating various planes such as the spiritual and causal planes.

These planes manifest in layers around the immaterial center, microcosmically present in every person, place, and thing on Earth. The formation of these planes is deeply rooted in the technical knowledge of Temple initiation and Temple sciences, culminating at the outer boundary of the physical plane. This movement from the immaterial center to the periphery is visually represented in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, where the sun is depicted as a point in the center of a circle. This symbol later appears in traditions such as the Rosicrucians, where the point in the center of the circle represents the Godhead.

The sun, as the center of our solar system, is also connected to the Divine plane and the Godhead. In ancient Egypt, it symbolizes not only the sun but also gold. In alchemy, the point in the center of the circle signifies gold because it is the material crystallization of the energy field of the Sun. This is not merely metaphorical; it literally embodies that vibrational essence, which is why gold was so revered in ancient times. Similarly, silver represents the crystallization of the energy field of the moon.

When considering the primordial movement of the circle or sphere, if one polarity is combined with its opposite, the two circles or spheres will overlap, creating the VES. This concept is central to the Vesa Institute, where the two opposite polarities—such as male and female, Heaven and Earth, inner and outer—combine. The overlap of these circles forms an almond shape, symbolizing the union of the two. The outer sides of both circles maintain the pure polarity information of their respective energies.

This overlapping is akin to the key principles of Tantra, where the two energies unite, allowing for a reconnection to the Divine and the Godhead. Understanding this as a core pattern for how energy operates can be applied to human evolution. It establishes a central path that connects Heaven and Earth, resembling the Christos or the Christ Channel energy. In the context of Western tradition, this energy is associated with the Christ, which is held in the central channel.

As we transition from the Christ level to the Angelic level, this central channel connects to Archangel Mikael, regarded as the most advanced of the archangels in the Western system. This central channel is unique, extending both upward and downward in the Tree of Life, microcosmically represented in the human body. Alongside this central channel are two side channels, which are essential for ensuring freedom within a developmental system.

For any conscious system that allows for Free Will choices, it is crucial to have the option to gravitate toward one polarity or the other. Without this option, true freedom cannot exist. Thus, our challenge as human beings is to remain on the path toward our spiritual destination, avoiding the temptation to veer too far to one side or the other. Just as the energies of Christ and Mikael support us on this journey, the Tibetan system emphasizes the importance of the middle path. This middle path encourages us not to stray too far toward either extreme, highlighting the necessity of spiritual beings that guide us along this journey.

=> 01:42:56

True freedom lies in the balance between spirit and matter; stray too far in either direction, and you risk losing your way.

In a developmental system where freedom exists, particularly in a conscious system capable of making Free Will choices, it is essential to have the option to choose between one polarity or the other. Without this option, there is no freedom. Our challenge as human beings, therefore, is to remain on the path toward our spiritual destination without being excessively pulled to one side or the other.

Just as figures like Christ, Mikael, and others in the Western spiritual tradition support us on this journey, the Tibetan system emphasizes the importance of the middle path. This middle path encourages us not to veer too far toward either extreme. It is crucial to recognize that there are Spiritual Beings that embody the tendency to stray from this pathway. This is significant because we are spiritual beings incarnated in a physical body. The question we face is: how do I act as a spiritual being in a physical body? This involves balancing the necessities of spirit with those of matter to achieve our spiritual goals.

Navigating this complex system requires us to manage all the demands of the physical body and the physical plane of embodiment while keeping our spiritual goals in focus. Achieving this balance is an art that every human must master. If we lose this balance, we may drift too far toward the spiritual side, which can lead to illusory forms of spiritual development. For instance, an excessive pursuit of ecstatic experiences can result in the physical body deteriorating, much like the case of a heroin addict who seeks constant ecstasy but ultimately harms their body.

This imbalance in spirituality, which neglects or fails to properly esteem the physical plane, is often associated with Lucifer, meaning lightbearer. There is a significant misunderstanding in some modern spiritual circles, where the dichotomy of light and darkness is oversimplified. Many believe that light is inherently good and darkness is bad. However, too bright a light can blind us just as much as complete darkness can. This misconception leads to the erroneous belief that any being appearing in light is a good being, which is not necessarily true.

The luciferic beings, led by Lucifer himself, embody this misunderstanding. Discussing these concepts can be challenging due to the extensive conditioning and caricaturing that surrounds them, which often trivializes the discussion. Many people have knee-jerk reactions to these topics; some deny their existence, while others adopt a fundamentalist perspective. Thus, it is essential to start from the beginning to clarify these ideas.

The luciferic forces tend to pull us away from the realities of human physical life, enticing us to seek a purely spiritual existence characterized by constant ecstatic experiences. This influence often manifests as illusory forms of spirituality and teachings that lack truth. The luciferic beings find it amusing to lead human beings, whom they perceive as childlike, into wild fantasies about existence, showing little concern for genuine spiritual science.

Conversely, the aramanic forces represent the opposite temptation, urging us to focus solely on the material aspects of incarnation. The ultimate teaching of the luciferic side is that everything in the physical plane is Maya, an illusion that should be escaped. This perspective promotes the idea that there is no purpose in being here, advocating for a detachment from the cycle of karma and reincarnation.

In a sense, there is a condescending pity from these beings toward humanity, as they question why we should endure the challenges of physical existence, which they view as terrible. This dynamic illustrates the complex interplay between the spiritual and material realms, highlighting the importance of finding a balanced approach to our spiritual journey.

=> 01:47:07

Balance is key: too much spiritual fantasy or material obsession leads us astray; find your center.

Concern with spiritual science encompasses various perspectives on existence and the nature of reality. On one side, we have the Luciferic influence, which embodies a wild fantasy about how things are. This perspective suggests that everything in the physical plane is a Maya, an illusion that doesn't truly exist. It promotes the idea of escaping the cycle of Karma and reincarnation, asserting that there is no purpose for being here. This viewpoint often stems from a certain compassion, as those who hold it may feel pity for spiritual beings undergoing what appears to be a terrible experience, encouraging them to "have a good time and get out of there."

On the opposite end, we encounter the Aramon influence. The term "Aramon" originates from the Persian Zoroastrian religion, which was the first to clearly describe these beings thousands of years ago. During that time, human development allowed for a clearer perception of these forces. The Aramon forces lead us to believe that everything spiritual is an illusion and that only matter is real. They are behind all forms of materialism, promoting the idea that we are merely accidents of chemicals, randomly coming together through blind evolution. According to this perspective, we do not exist before birth or after death, and there is nothing spiritual—only the harsh reality of Darwinian survival of the fittest, where the strongest thrive at the expense of the weak.

This duality of influences is embodied in the Passion Play of the Life of Christ, where Christ is crucified on a cross between two thieves. This scene symbolizes the two polarities, with Christ at the center, representing the balance between the extremes. One of the thieves, influenced by the Luciferic tendency, acknowledges Christ, saying, "You and I deserve to suffer, but this man is blameless." He inclines his head toward Christ, symbolizing a recognition of higher truth. In contrast, the other thief, who turns away from Christ, embodies the Aramon influence, which is more harmful and dismissive.

The redeemed Lucifer is often referred to as the Paraclete or the Parian spirit. This transformation reflects a shift within our own nature, where our more exuberant and ungrounded experiences can be redirected toward a central path. Thus, we find a middle pillar represented by Christ, with Mikel symbolizing balance. On one side, we have the unbalanced spirituality of Lucifer, and on the other, the unbalanced materiality of Aramon.

It is essential to recognize that this framework is a fundamental thought form, and many dynamic activities in spiritual reality are continuously at play. We are influenced by both Lucifer and Aramon throughout our lives. Without the activity of the Aramon beings, we would not have a physical body or a physical world to inhabit. These beings, referred to in Gnosticism as the Demiurge, are seen as the dark lords of this Earth, having taken the blueprint of existence and crystallized it into physical matter. Their power lies in their commitment to materialism, and they would be perfectly content to manifest within human bodies, as that is their desire.

=> 01:51:25

Balance love and freedom to navigate the spiritual and material worlds; without this harmony, we risk losing our independence and becoming trapped in extremes.

In the discussion of spiritual dynamics, we encounter the middle pillar with Christ, which represents a balance between opposing forces. On one side, we have unbalanced spirituality with Lucifer, and on the other, unbalanced materiality with Araman. This framework serves as a fundamental thought form about the spiritual reality we inhabit. It is essential to recognize that many dynamic activities in spiritual reality are occurring continuously, and we are all influenced by Lucifer and Araman at all times.

Without the activity of the Araman beings, we would not have a physical body and a physical world to live in. These beings are referred to in Gnosticism as the demiurge, the dark lord of this Earth. They took the blueprint of existence and crystallized it into physical matter, which is a testament to their power. Their focus is on materialism, and they would be perfectly happy to manifest in human bodies; however, certain spiritual structures governing human incarnation prevent them from doing so. This restriction can be likened to an old child molester playing in the sandbox with children—a scenario that is not permissible.

Despite their limitations, Araman must still be present in our reality, exerting a magnetic pull toward materialism. Similarly, Lucifer provides a magnetic pull to the spiritual side, ensuring that there is freedom in our development. In Rosicrucianism, we recognize the higher Angelic ranks—the nine ranks above the human race—which are conscious beings that have gone through their stages of becoming self-aware over multiple cycles. The most recent of these are called the angels, with archangels appearing three cycles before us, and so on, all the way up to the cherubim and seraphim.

The human race, as a group of spiritual beings, is currently undergoing our self-aware state to become independent beings. Our esoteric name in Rosicrucianism is spirits of love and freedom. This title emphasizes the necessity of perfectly balancing love and freedom in our lives, akin to balancing spirit and matter. In this context, spirit is connected to love, while materialism relates to freedom. As independent beings, our love serves as the force of attraction to merge back into the one, while materialism embodies our complete separation from others. This separation can lead to egocentric behavior, where one may control and dominate others.

Thus, we must strive for a balance between love and freedom, as both must be present in the alchemy we are developing. The presence of Lucifer and Araman is crucial for maintaining our freedom of choice. Many individuals tend to gravitate toward becoming more Luciferic or more materialistic, leading to an imbalance. Currently, particularly in the West, it is evident that Araman is ruling the day. In spiritual science circles, we often refer to America as Araman's flagship in the world, indicating its significant role in this materialistic tendency.

Conversely, more Luciferic tendencies can be found in certain Eastern cultures, such as the Eastern Mountain kingdoms. This observation is made without any fundamentalist condemnation; these regions, like Bhutan, prioritize measures like the gross human happiness scale over mere economic indicators. This appreciation for different values highlights the contrasting tendencies, where the East leans more toward the Luciferic and the West toward the Aramanic.

Finally, it is crucial to address the misconceptions surrounding Lucifer and Satan. In contemporary Western thought, many have been taught that Lucifer and Satan are the same being, which is a misunderstanding. Lucifer is the lightbearer, a tremendous being of light, and this connection to a satanic identity does not hold up under scrutiny. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a deeper comprehension of spiritual dynamics and the roles these entities play in our lives.

=> 01:55:27

True growth comes from recognizing the balance between self-awareness and humility; it's easy to get lost in self-importance when seeking enlightenment.

In contemporary discussions, rather than focusing solely on the gross domestic product, some are looking at what they refer to as the gross human happiness scale or similar metrics. I appreciate this perspective; it's not my intention to undermine it. However, it highlights the different tendencies observed in various regions. The East tends to be more luciferic, while the West leans towards aramonic influences. This distinction reflects how sacred geometry is distributed across the world.

This understanding is crucial, especially when considering the corrupted perceptions people have about Lucifer and Satan. In the West today, many believe that Lucifer and Satan are the same being, which simply does not make sense. Lucifer is the lightbearer, a tremendous being of light, while Satan is often depicted as a satanic being residing in the Underworld, representing a corrupt and gnarled force. These two figures are absolutely opposite forces and should not be conflated.

In some of the more rigidified religions, such as Catholicism, there are discussions, particularly among the Jesuits, acknowledging that Satan and Lucifer are two different beings. However, outside of these circles, the general dissemination of this information leads many to mistakenly believe they are one and the same. This misunderstanding contributes to a significant corruption of knowledge. It is essential to recognize that the middle path is the way forward, and we can easily veer off to either side without a proper understanding of the beings involved.

To illustrate this concept, I often recall an anecdote from the television series Miami Vice. In one scene, two undercover cops, Tubbs and Crockett, discuss the challenges they face regarding crossing the line in their work. One cop admits, "I don't even see the line until I'm over it." This statement perfectly encapsulates the idea that the middle pillar—the balance we strive for—is often invisible until we find ourselves off course.

The experience of self cannot exist without duality or separation; it is through this contrast that we can appreciate our existence in all its glory. Understanding both the luciferic and aramonic impulses provides valuable context for our human journey, both on a microcosmic and macrocosmic level. These energy systems are vital for us to exercise our free will and ultimately discover our true selves without the burden of separation.

For every listener, we all experience our own imbalances, often leaning towards one side or the other. A common imbalance is luciferic inflation, a topic I have discussed previously. Recently, I have had my own encounters and realizations regarding this aspect of my personal journey. This podcast, focused on knowing the self, often emphasizes self-development, self-attainment, and self-realization. While I am grateful for the beautiful reflections and compliments I receive—such as being told I am mature and developed for my age—I have been examining the part of me that believes in this praise.

It has been a painful yet enlightening process to uncover how I have, in many ways, been viewing my journey through a lens of superiority. Despite my attempts to downplay the significance of these compliments, there exists a part of me that subtly relishes in them. This realization has prompted a deeper exploration of my own motivations and the potential imbalances that arise from such perceptions.

=> 01:59:46

True spiritual growth isn't just about self-improvement; it's about recognizing our interconnectedness and serving others.

Spiritual work often involves a deep focus on the self, encompassing self-development, self-attainment, and self-realization. I find myself in a position where I receive many beautiful reflections and compliments, such as, "You're so mature; you're so developed for your age." While it is indeed beautiful to hear these affirmations, I have been examining the part of me that truly believes them. There is a subtle enjoyment in receiving such praise, and I often convince myself that I don't need to accept it in that way. However, I recognize that a part of me does believe in this praise and may even feed into a sense of superiority.

This realization has been somewhat painful, as I uncover how, in many ways, I have viewed my spirituality as confined within my own comfort and convenience. I have come to understand that my perspective on spirituality has, at times, created more separation rather than connection. This insight emerged from a conversation with a friend, Daniel Schmachtenberger, a brilliant individual I hope to have on one day. I was particularly attentive to how this sense of superiority builds up and how it relates to the concept of luciferic karma. This idea suggests that we can become spiritual materialists in various ways.

I want to delve into the feelings surrounding luciferic inflation and egoic inflation, and the importance of coming back into balance. It is crucial to engage in the process of knowing who we are, but this must occur within the context of acknowledging the suffering present in the world and being of service from a place of genuine compassion.

To provide some helpful context, the Earth plane can be seen as the School of Hard Knocks, where we face numerous challenges. It is through overcoming these challenges that we develop new abilities, deeper understandings, and greater strengths. I often refer to this process as spiritual weightlifting. Just as our physical bodies grow stronger by lifting heavier weights, we can become spiritually stronger by confronting greater challenges in our physical incarnations.

Many of the experiences we encounter in a particular incarnation relate to this concept. In spiritual traditions, these challenges are often referred to as initiation trials. Some trials arise from our personal karma or the collective karma of the world we inhabit, while others are set up by the traditions themselves as a means of initiation toward a destination.

I want to highlight some fundamental types of trials we may encounter on our spiritual paths. One significant trial is the temptation of purification. This involves engaging in advanced spiritual development while neglecting to address our core issues, particularly those related to physical incarnation, love, emotion, and sexuality. Although people may perceive us as very spiritual and advanced, we must confront the underlying issues that may be toxic.

One way to navigate this spiritual trial is to avoid claiming too much about our state of spiritual development. When people express admiration, saying, "Oh, you're so fantastic," it is essential to allow ourselves to feel the warmth and kindness behind their words. Their expressions can help us recognize the positive impact we have had on others' journeys. However, we must be cautious not to internalize these compliments in a way that fosters a sense of being "more than" or "more advanced," as this can lead to toxicity.

At times, we may find ourselves in a state of development where we feel compelled to always be the ones doing nice things for others. Yet, we must also learn to accept kindness and compliments from others, just as we wish to extend kindness to them. This reciprocal flow is vital for our growth and connection with others. Thus, we need to embrace the compliments and kindness offered to us, recognizing that they are part of the same cycle of giving and receiving.

=> 02:03:46

True growth comes from humility; we must embrace kindness from others without inflating our egos or claiming superiority.

It is a type of kindness to express appreciation to others and to make them conscious that they have had an impact on someone, helping them on their journey. This acknowledgment is very, very helpful. However, we must not take it in such a way that we feel more than or more advanced than others, as that can lead to toxicity.

Sometimes, we reach a stage in our development where we want to be the ones doing nice things for others all the time. Yet, when someone offers to do something nice for us, we might respond with, "Oh no, I can't accept that." It is essential to accept the kindness and compliments from others just as we wish to give to them. This reciprocity is how everything flows. We need to reflect back to them what we see authentically and express our appreciation.

There is a significant aspect to consider regarding premature purification and the danger of pretending to be more advanced than we are. This relates directly to what you described with luciferic inflation. When I give a talk, I prefer to refer to it simply as ego inflation. This temptation is always present on the path, whether in spiritual evolution or any other field, such as music, art, or architecture. The challenge of ego inflation is particularly deadly on the spiritual path if one begins to think, "I'm the guru now."

It is crucial for people to realize that coming forward as a spiritual teacher or guru, particularly in the Rosicrucian tradition, is about being a brother or sister on the path. I share what I have found in hopes that it is useful, without positioning myself at a higher level than others. However, there is always the challenge of thinking we are more evolved than we truly are, especially when we accept appreciation and accolades from others. This can play into their naive expectations that if someone has developed in one area, they are developed in all areas. This is not the case; one may be a good speaker or architect, but that does not mean they have worked through their emotional or personal challenges.

When we encounter initiation trials, one of the first challenges is that once we gain a little spiritual understanding, we might present ourselves at a higher level than we are. This can manifest in various ways. For instance, one might choose to change their name to reflect their true spiritual nature and goals. However, we must be cautious that this name does not imply that we are a master at a very high level when, in reality, we are still grappling with core human issues in this lifetime.

Taking on certain titles or changing our names can sometimes lead to claims of authority. When we make too many claims to authority, we risk leaving people feeling unfree. The essence of the Rosicrucian tradition is that if you are born Joe Lotnik, you remain Joe Lotnik. People can perceive you as spiritually advanced or not, but you do not make claims toward that. I personally do not make any claims for myself; I do not claim to speak for the Rosicrucian tradition or assert that I am a great initiate. I am simply a person on the path who has found some insights that others find useful.

I am aware of all the parts of myself that are not yet developed, and I continue to navigate various challenges as I work on my own pathway forward. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of making improper claims to authority, as this can lead to representing ourselves as more advanced than we truly are.

=> 02:08:03

True spiritual growth comes from authenticity and humility, not inflated claims of authority. Embrace your journey, acknowledge your imperfections, and let go of the need for external validation.

Spiritually advanced or not, it's important to note that I’m not making any claims toward it. Claims to authority are one part of the spiritual journey that we must be very careful about. Personally, I don’t even make any claims for myself; I don’t claim that I speak for the Rosicrucian tradition or that I am any great Rosicrucian initiate. I am simply a person on the path who has found some insights that others reflect to me as useful. However, I am also aware of all the parts of myself that are not yet developed and that I am still engaging in all kinds of wacky stuff to further my own development.

Another crucial aspect is that if we start making improper claims to authority, we risk representing ourselves as more advanced than we really are. This can take advantage of people's naive expectations and can hinder our own development. Furthermore, it can alter the spiritual beings we connect with. Spiritual beings never give their authority or gifts to someone on a permanent basis. It is often misrepresented when a spiritual group claims to be the permanent lineage holder of a tradition. In reality, as soon as someone guiding that lineage or tradition becomes corrupt, the spiritual beings will leave. They will not stay when corruption arises.

This notion can even be observed in some Christian traditions that claim to be the heirs of certain teachings. The truth is, they may have lost those connections long ago due to manipulations in the world. Any spiritual tradition or person can lose their spiritual connections because behind our work is always the inspiration and support of spiritual beings. Our own levels of integrity and the cleanliness of our work will affect which beings connect with us. When we become more manipulative or believe in our own ego inflation, we will attract different beings.

When observing certain well-known spiritual teachers in the West, we can see that their early work seemed promising, but looking at them 15 years later, their energy may have become toxic. This serves as a reminder that the spiritual connections we have are not permanent; they change as soon as we alter our vibration. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate ourselves on this path continuously. We must stop, take stock, and recognize where we have made mistakes, as we inevitably will. Acknowledging our imperfections helps us avoid future mistakes and allows us to correct ourselves when we do err.

These considerations are not just for spiritual teachers but for every human being. One of the significant gifts of the last couple of generations, particularly in the West, has been a movement toward authenticity. It is now acceptable to acknowledge the parts of ourselves that are broken and to represent where we are in our journey without claiming an artificial form of perfection. This movement is indeed very healthy, but it is important to maintain a middle path. We don’t want to veer off into constant complaining about our problems, as that does not help anyone.

Being authentic about our current state and striving to keep our intentions as clean as possible, without overclaiming, will not only enhance our work but also help connect others to the spiritual beings they need to engage with. Often, when people connect with us through our teachings or discussions, I strive to remove myself from the equation. The essence of the Rosicrucian tradition from the beginning has been that we do not connect through an external authority or institution. There is no organization you must join. While many so-called Rosicrucian organizations exist, often structured like Masonic lodges with various grades and initiations, I want to make it clear that I have nothing to do with any of that.

=> 02:12:10

True spiritual growth comes from direct connection, not through external authorities or organizations. Focus on your own path and remember, it's about the journey back to your true self.

Not overclaiming will not only make our work better, but it will also help to connect people to the beings they need to connect to. A lot of times, when people connect to us through the things that we're teaching or talking about, I try to get myself out of it as much as possible. The whole thing about the Rosicrucian tradition from the beginning was that we're not connecting through an external authority. You're not connecting through an external institution, and there's no organization you have to join.

There are many so-called Rosicrucian organizations in the world, often set up along the lines of Masonic lodges, where they have different grades and initiations. I have nothing to do with any of that. I want to make it really clear that when I talk about Rosicrucianism, my style of that is the original Rosicrucianism, where every person connects through the column of spirit above their head directly to the spiritual world and to the spiritual beings of their team. They are not going through any human being or any external institution. There may be other spiritual beings helping with it, but it's not based on going through someone else.

It is very important to me that everything I teach people doesn't make them dependent on me. I teach them how to connect directly up in their own columns, not through me, somebody else, or some organization or institution. Now, again, there are some organizations in the world that do have spiritual integrity, and if you choose to work in that and it helps you on the path, it's absolutely fine. I'm talking about my choice. I want to be able to go through the prodigal son aspects that I need to go through and not claim that I'm not doing that. I'm going to make mistakes, and I'm going to explore all kinds of crazy stuff. So, don't connect through me; you connect directly. To me, this is the whole purpose of independent initiation on the Rosicrucian path.

The more I can get people to understand that as one of their options, then I feel like I've been helpful. However, lots of times when people connect to something I'm saying, it's like that whole saying about when you see the finger pointing to heaven: don't focus on the finger; focus on where they're pointing toward. Sometimes, when I'm talking about a topic, this is true for other people teaching spiritual things. There is an energy that comes through that's not me; it's something of a higher level. If I have any integrity, that's coming through me at that time. Don't try to connect to that thing through me; connect to it directly. Learn through the energy present at that moment what the vibration of it is, so you can resonate with and entrain to it, and then connect to it directly up the column.

Ultimately, I find a lot of gratitude for when you steer too far from the line and become aware of it. Of course, it's painful to see how much you're out of balance in a certain aspect. It's all relative; some people might perceive what I or somebody else might see as way out of balance as relatively subtle comparatively. However, I am ultimately grateful for that experience because it allows us to come back and breathe in that humility, returning to balance.

You kind of spoke to a little bit earlier about our spiritual goal. I would love for you to share the path and the purpose of these energies, weaving and giving us different contrasts of experience, and coming back into finding the middle way. Where are we going on an individual level before we start to close and talk about the collective? I would love for you to share what we are aiming towards and what our evolution path is going to be as individual spiritual beings in this physical body.

Again, my perception is that when we take the draft of forgetfulness, as we started out in the beginning talking about, we take the path of forgetfulness. In the beginning was the memory, and we have to remember, "Who am I?" This includes aspects of what is considered to be the older Rosicrucian path of initiation, where there are certain stages or steps. One of these stages is called reading the name inscribed on the stone, which is connected to remembering past incarnations.

Now, this is very prone to fantasy, and one of the rules that I follow, which is also followed in the Rosicrucian tradition, is that I never talk publicly about any past incarnations. This is because it could become a claim to authority. If there's a past incarnation that's known to history and you say, "Oh, I'm the reincarnation of so-and-so," I've never seen that go well; it almost always becomes toxic. So, we don't talk about that publicly, but it's something that we know for ourselves.

=> 02:15:56

Remembering who you are means embracing the struggles of your past, not just the highlights; true growth comes from facing the hard truths.

In the beginning was the memory. We have to remember who am I. This includes aspects related to what is considered to be the older Rosicrucian path of initiation, where there are certain stages or steps. One of these stages is called reading the name inscribed on the stone, which is connected to remembering the past incarnations. However, this practice is very prone to fantasy.

One of the rules that I follow, which is also adhered to in the Rosicrucian tradition, is that I never talk publicly about any past incarnations. This is because discussing a past incarnation that is known to history can lead to a claim to authority. For instance, if someone asserts, "Oh, I'm the reincarnation of so-and-so," it rarely ends well; it almost always becomes toxic. Therefore, we refrain from discussing such matters publicly, even though it is something we know for ourselves.

I often meet individuals who claim to be the reincarnation of the same previous spiritual master. I won’t name any names, but they all say, "Oh, I'm the reincarnation of so-and-so." I respond by saying, "Well, I've met 20 other reincarnations of that person." While I cannot definitively say they are not, it is curious that they often claim to be someone very important, like TH or Mary Magdalene. This phenomenon is quite frequent.

There are certain experiences they could have had connected to that spiritual force, but that does not necessarily mean they are the reincarnation of that entity. This topic becomes quite technical. I can imagine how it is a very subtle discernment process to see what you are authentically connecting to versus what that luciferic conflation is trying to convince you to build more superiority.

Absolutely, one thing we will find is that you may actually have authentic memories of those experiences. It is not merely about saying, "Look at what a fantastic spiritual initiate I am." Those lives were not easy. For instance, if one was a disciple of Christ, you do not remember how awesome everything was; it was tough. You often did not have enough to eat, it was hot, and everything was massively uncomfortable. You were in danger all the time, unsure if you would be crucified. It was a tough life.

Therefore, if you are only remembering the good things and nothing about the difficulties, that is already an indication that it is probably a fantasy projection. The reason we need to remember who am I, which includes the past incarnations, is that the current incarnation is always the latest bead on the chain with a particular trajectory.

There is a term that relates to our ultimate spiritual destination; it is from the Greek theological concept of theologicos—to become. Collectively, every human being is part of the human race, the spirits of love and freedom. We all started as that group and then separated out, but it is the same idea.

This is my favorite metaphor: all snowflakes are crystallized water. They are all water, but each has a unique geometry that will not be repeated. Similarly, every human being is crystallized spirit, but we each have a crystallization that is unique to us. If we fall out of the process of human evolution, the gift of that crystallized form will never be made to the whole, never be made to the universe.

Thus, we have the potential, the opportunity, and to some degree, the obligation to manifest our theological destination as quickly as possible. This is what the Buddhists talk about: you can take the School of Hard Knocks, and you will get there eventually, but there is a lot of unnecessary suffering. If you choose the skillful way rather than the unskillful way, you can reach your destination more quickly, suffer less, and help others to suffer less as well.

We need to be conscious of that theological destination; we need to feel pulled toward it. Sometimes, we may not clearly understand why we are doing something, but we can feel in our will forces that there is something we need to do now to get there. If you haven’t advanced your cognitive capacities in the upper Dantean and the centers above the head enough, when the spiritual impulses come toward you from higher beings, they will have to go to the will impulses, and you will get a feeling like, "I...

=> 02:19:57

Embrace your unique journey and fulfill your purpose; the world needs your light to break old patterns and create a new golden age.

Eventually, there is a lot of unnecessary suffering. However, if you choose the skillful way rather than the unskillful way, you can get there more quickly, suffer less, and help other people to suffer less. This is crucial because we can cause less suffering to others through whatever crazy stuff we're doing.

That theological destination is something we need to be conscious of; we need to feel pulled toward it. Sometimes, we don't know clearly why we're doing something, but we can feel in our will forces that there’s something we need to do now to get there. If you haven't advanced your cognitive capacities in the upper dantean and the centers above the head enough, when the spiritual impulses come toward you from higher beings, they will have to go to the will impulses. You might get a feeling like, "I need to go here; I need to do this." When someone asks, "Why did you do it?" you might respond, "I don't know; I just knew I had to." This happens because you don't have enough structure yet for it to be completely seen.

We are pulled toward the theological destination, and we need to become that unique being in the universe. Everything we’re doing right now is a spirit of love and freedom. We are going to develop this whole field of citas and powers. As independent spiritual beings, we will be able to choose our pathway in the world, becoming free agents in the universe with our particular crystallization of these powers, which to some degree is unique. This will enable us to help other beings and systems in ways we can barely dream of at the moment when we reach that stage.

That is my view of why it’s so important to be clear on who we are, why we’re here, and what we chose to do in this incarnation. I often tell people that the disaster of the current moment is that the majority of people are not fulfilling their karmic contract. They are not doing what they chose to do before they incarnated because earthly incarnation is too confusing and too difficult for them to stay on track. It is very important that they do what they came here to do in this incarnation. There is always the side of working on yourself and moving toward your teleological destination, along with the part of what you’re offering in service to the whole. These two always have to go hand in hand as we move ahead.

Outside of the fact that you called everybody listening a snowflake, I think we are finding our own geometric pattern in the form of a snowflake. It’s like finding that unique individuation of how God is expressing itself through us, which is really beautiful. This process is as much about self-creation as it is about discovery. It is something that we will have to sidebar for the next time we talk because I’m excited to explore it further.

In closing, you have been able to study various different wisdom traditions, from Rosicrucian teachings to yoga philosophy and the understanding of the Mayan calendar. All these traditions refer to the greater cycles that we are currently operating within, including the seasons and cycles of life. What do you see as the consilience between all these different wisdom traditions regarding what they say is happening right now within humanity and the cycle we are on?

This is very much a time of being able to break the old patterns. Just like with the concept of caluga, we are able to break some of the old patterns and regain some of our old skills at a higher level. The new clairvoyance is different from the old clairvoyance; it is one that is actually alchemically combined with our logical linear thinking. This allows it to be directed consciously to targets, whereas before we were just passive receivers of all kinds of wild information from the spiritual world.

It’s a new form of clairvoyance, and the same applies to our new vibrational Temple science that is generating. This will have a new flavor and new capabilities. That’s why, along with the spiritual science we teach, we also focus on vibrational science with practices like Egyptian biogeometry. These are very important because Egyptian biogeometry is dedicated to creating the new golden age.

The concept of the new golden age really comes into play here. I’m not sure that it’s inevitable that the golden age will fully form because there’s enough free will involved in our whole development. We can never become spirits of love and freedom without free will, which means we must take the opportunity to not accomplish the goal seriously. We have seen it time and time again in human history, especially in the last 100 years, with events like the world wars and other horrific occurrences.

=> 02:23:50

Life is a limited time opportunity; wake up and seize the moment for your spiritual evolution before it's too late.

Generating a new flavor and new capabilities is essential in our current journey. Along with the spiritual science, we teach the vibrational science with Egyptian biogeometry. These elements are very important as Egyptian biogeometry is dedicated to creating the new golden age.

The concept of the new golden age plays a significant role here. However, I am not sure that it is inevitable that this golden age will fully form, as there is enough Free Will involved in our development. We can never become spirits of love and freedom without Free Will, which means we must have the opportunity to not accomplish our goals. We need to take this seriously, as we have seen time and again in human history, especially in the last 100 years with the world wars and other horrific events that stemmed from the terror of the situation. Many people did not wake up; they did not bother to engage in practices that foster self-awareness and instead followed destructive forces that resulted in the deaths of millions and massive suffering. This cycle will continue until people wake up.

This reminds me of a story with Gurdjieff, where someone asked him if he could see the future and if he could tell them what theirs would be. Gurdjieff replied, "Yes, absolutely, your future will be exactly like your past until you wake up." I thought that was the best possible response. We truly have the opportunity now to create a new golden age. Once we regain our memory of past incarnations, we will realize that this is an amazing incarnation. People can live today at a basic level of income in ways that kings could not have imagined a few thousand years ago. Our situation is incredible, with the ability to travel and the release of previously hidden information from many traditions.

However, this information is fragmented, and we have the opportunity to work with it. I always encourage people to wake up and realize that this is a limited time opportunity. If I were to make a T-shirt, it would say, "Life is a limited time opportunity." This will be over soon, and it will be over before you know it. If you haven't done the work to take advantage of the incredible opportunities we have right now for your own spiritual evolution, you may regret it.

This connects to one of the other Rosicrucian maxims, which states that all the powers and skills you gain on the spiritual path will be put toward the benefit of other beings through service. By working on ourselves, we get closer to our theological destination and can be of more service as we move forward. This is a time of tremendous opportunity, but as the Chinese say, a crisis is a dangerous opportunity. I do not believe it is predetermined that everything will work out perfectly, but that uncertainty is part of the excitement. How good would a thriller movie be if you knew everything would turn out fine in the end? We do not know that, and it will not turn out fine unless we all wake up and remember who we are, why we are here, and what our task is for this incarnation.

In closing, I want to emphasize that it is always a matter of starting the work now. Begin with the methods of observation and direction of your thinking, feeling, and willing. If you understand nothing else but that and commit to it, you will advance very quickly. However, if you live an unobserved life without mindfulness, you will not eliminate the detrimental things holding back your development. I assure you that when you pass through the gate of death and look back, you will regret not having taken advantage of the time you had. You will realize you had so much you could have done, but you wasted the time away. This is something we need to take very seriously. It is never too late to wake up and start now, wherever you are on the path.

Thank you so much for this conversation. It is truly one of my favorite things to do—diving deep into these topics. You are an incredible scholar, synthesizer, articulator, and teacher of these concepts. I appreciate the decades of work you have put into synthesizing this information.

As we close, I encourage everyone to connect with us through our website, ves.org (Vas en Victores). There, you will find listings of our online courses and any upcoming live events. I have not conducted live events for four years since the beginning of COVID, but this year I will start again. Things are moving quickly now, and we are eager to share this information. We encourage people to check out the website and sign up for notices about our latest events and activities.

Thank you once again, and for everyone tuning in, please let us know what uniquely resonated with you and what you want to carry forward in your life. I am always fascinated by how these conversations create a ripple effect in the world and how someone might change their life path and choose to serve in the world. Thank you, Robert, for joining us, and I look forward to having you back in the future. For everyone tuning in, thank you for joining us on this journey. Until next time!