A simple seeker seemed to be lured by her Spirit teacher to believe that she could possibly learn to understand the deeper meanings of the interconnection between the Kabbalah Tree of Life and Tarot symbols through studying each of these mystery systems separately and then integrating them. She protested that she just didn't seem to have the mental capacity to go much beyond a surface awareness of life, as the mysteries taught. Not past tense, He insisted. There has always been a continuum of teachers in every age, who adapt what has been shared, as a sacred trust, with them, to the culture they live within, and are, at least to some extent, a product of. She drew three Tarot cards to express: 1. Ego, or her personal relationship to herself and her perceived needs and level of satisfaction. 2. Higher Self, or what a higher self might inspire her…

A simple seeker of enlightenment was, or almost believed she was

Unprepared for the lesson that Spirit seemed intent on her learning;

That the pillars of form, consciousness, and force that provided

The basic structure, or the built environment, of The Tree of Life

Did not exist as anything more or less than mental concepts

To express the lived world of continuous experience and response,

That necessarily causes an expansion of consciousness, or awareness,

As a result of this evolutionary process.

But, she protested, consciousness rises.

Everything rises as it expands. Density of matter, or mind, moves up

As it reaches out.

It isn’t fair.

What isn’t fair.

I’ve spent countless hours learning to relate to specific centers

Of energy on the separate pillars of form, consciousness, and force.

And their specific interactions with other energies.

There are no other energies.

Today’s I Ching – 8 – Closeness

Water above, Earth below.

Closeness follows The Army

Spirit explains:

Yes. Closeness can refer to something or someone

Near to where we are, or to someone or something

Dear to us, and near to us, wherever we may be.

Personal.

Yes.

So, what is the message?

You and I are as close to each other, and to everyone and

Everything else, as we feel we are. We cannot choose

To feel close.

Then, emotion rules?

Yes.

Today’s I Ching – 38 – Disharmony

Fire above. Lake below.

Disharmony follows The Way of the Family

Spirit explains:

The way of the family serves a social  purpose

And then it changes as the purpose it once served

No longer serves one or some of the individuals

Within the particular family.

Disharmony is a necessary prerequisite to change, and

Change is continuous.

Does that mean that we must always be discontent?

We are, at some level.

A simple seeker of enlightenment had just realized that

Her spirit teacher had been luring her into believing

That she had developed a deeper level of understanding

Than she suddenly knew was just not so.

He’s a trickster. Her expressed indignation escaped her mind

Before the regret for disrespect could stop it.

Who’s a trickster.

You are.

Of course I am, when it serves us well.

Does “us” include me?

Yes.

What good purpose could be …

Was.

Then, what good purpose was served by leading me …

I didn’t lead you.

You allowed me to believe …

You don’t need my permission to believe what you

Choose to believe

How could I choose to believe that I was more aware

Than I was?

Did you correct your false belief?

Yes, but …

How?

I reviewed earlier stages and discovered one that

Seemed to more accurately describe my level

Of…

A simple seeker was meditating on Stage 16 of The Tree of Life.

Her chosen text calls this particular meditation, “I AM THAT I AM”.

Earlier meditations had as their focus, the question,. “Who am I”.

But, she kept asking herself – If I am that I am, then who or what?

You were never anything other than what you are, now.

Physical live serves to help us understand that simple reality.

Whatever we have experienced; whatever we now experience,

Whatever we will experience, the simple fact remains,

We are what we are, whomever we choose to be,

While we choose to be.

If I’m playing life as an actor, then why does it seem so real?

An actor is an actor regardless of the role she plays, but,

Each role we play; each relationship we experience,

Can serve to help us develop insight into why

We have chosen to…

The focus of today’s message is I Ching Hexagram 57 – Wind.

The yin trigram Wind is above. The yin trigram Wind is below.

More than a light breeze?

Much more – an unstoppable movement.

Are we talking of personal development?

There is nothing personal.

What about relationships?

Which relationship?

Yours and mine.

We don’t have one.

But, I relate to you.

In what way?

You are my teacher.

Is that all?

No.

Then, what?

More than I know.

Why?

You’re too far beyond my understanding, at this time.

Yes.

Please explain.

What?

Why relationships are not personal.

Relationships describe connection.

As a bridge?

Yes. And bridges are for crossing.

One way?

No.

Then, we meet halfway?

No.

Then, what?

Relationships are bridges that can unite.

To release duality?

To release the illusion of duality.

Spirit’s lesson for today relates to I Ching Hexagram 47 – Exhaustion.

The yin trigram Lake is above yang Water.

“They say the road of love is rocky and it’s rough, but if this road

don’t start to get smooth, then I’ve traveled it long enough”

is part of an old song that I can relate to regarding my ongoing

struggle with my spirit teacher as he guides me along the way

to enlightenment. But, what if He’s just luring me down

a garden path that never ends?

That’s exactly what my intentions are.

But, why?

You were ready.

As in “when the student …”

Yes.

Why didn’t I know there would be so much painful,

experiential content to the lessons?

Struggle is necessary.

But, I’m exhausted. Can’t we rest a little.

No. To rest is to lose ground.

I’m losing touch with ground moving.

That’s not possible.

Why?

The ground beneath us will…