meditation on the four directions

Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South (yellow). Spirit keeper of the South, Wolf, Be with me. At noon, people from the community join at the office for an hour of complimentary . the north-east corner is also regarded as a symbol of sacrifice and beginning. May I have eyes as sharp as yours, so I am able to see truth and hope on the path I have chosen. What is their significance? Then create the determination to sit still for the period of the meditation. A few years ago when I asked an audience how many people did a meditation practice on a daily basis or knew what Reiki was - very few would raise their hands. In Sanskrit this practice is known as Pradakshina and was devised because it is said to reflect the natural direction of motion in the northern hemisphere. other gentle forms of movement. In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. Fire is also associated with strength, activity and the life-force that provides us with the courage and motivation we sometimes need to head into new experiences with confidence. They explain the evolution of consciousness by revealing how thoughts shape your personality and create our experiences in life. West is the direction of the Elders, and we honour our Elders as the keepers of wisdom and teachers of patience. "Evil" is code for energy with poor information. Whatever the reason is, the intention must carry an unyielding presence of love and focus for sacred space to open. Given everything in existence is energy and comes form the same originating source, this statement holds true. In China, the four date back to at least the 2nd century BC. We now raise our eyes to Father Sky, and to Kisulk, our Creator. There is stability here, the ground of our being. We acknowledge the colour black, and the Black Race that it represents. In the New Testament, the relationship with the southerly direction is given a positive meaning: "The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. ~ Matthew 12:42. This is the beginning of a new day. In every ancient myth that recites a creation story, water is always present. We invite all Northern spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. Our unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation, and alternative healing content is designed for those seeking to not just enhance their physical, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities, but to fuse them in the knowledge that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. We move now to the North. The Medicine Wheel, or Wheel of Life, is represented by the four directions. God has assigned four of his archangels to be in charge of the four cardinal points on Earth, believers say, directing their energy toward helping human beings balance different parts of their lives harmoniously. When sacred space is created, the veils between the physical and spiritual worlds begin to thin and transformation ensues. Copyright 2022 Master Mind Content. The law of duality dictates that energy manifests as various degrees of good luck or bad luck. East: Air, breath and inspiration. But we dont need symbolism to explain these facts. When you try to grasp water, it escapes from your hands and is so flexible it always finds a path around obstacles. Oddly enough, the highest or deepest places you can go in meditation, or, in other words, some of the furthest reaches that you can go to in meditation, the greatest levels of joy or peace in the conditioned world, where there is a tremendous sense of peace, well-being, and equanimity, that's where applying the Four Noble Truths is the most . Gently close your eyes. It is the place of our Elders and our Ancestors. The circle is traveled clockwise, following the motion of the sun in the sky. For more information contact [email protected]. Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. The moon does the same and both are round. I invite you to try praying and meditating facing different directions. Because time and energy move in cycles there are always new beginnings. for transformation. Evening comes before morning. We acknowledge the colour white, and the White Race that it represents. Each 45-minute class will center around a different theme. They do, however, bear the attributes of universal energies - and more precisely the evolution of conscious thought. Fire is also considered a negative element because of the danger it poses if allowed to get out of control. The summer holds fertility, passion, growth, joy, and peace. The north is therefore where the initial idea is generated and the rest of the cycle is how we nurture the desire to fruition. The famous garden was built in the east of Eden, and the main entrance faced the east. Whilst the four directions use the basic fundamentals of symbolism, they are not strictly nature per se. In many traditions, the four directions offer a deeper understanding of our place in the world. Animals of the East are birds in flight such as the owl, hawk, and hummingbird. You can relax and surrender to the teachings of the forest and the great tree in this guided meditation. Ancient Ones I've read that the four directions are an important consideration when doing practice. I feel very grateful to have felt at a deeper energetic level the power of the four directions. Mother Jaguar Bring into balance the physical, mental and spiritual, so I am able to know my place on this earth, in life and in death. But more about that later. The first time it was after driving 2000 miles across the country in four days by myself the third and longest day was through gale force Kansas winds that shook my car so thoroughly I had to slow way down [], On a long 2,000 mile car trip across the country recently, I found myself with some time to think. 3 Meditation Techniques to Try. They are Uriel (north), Michael (south), Raphael (east), and Gabriel (west). north represents darkness, emptiness, or nothingness. The Masonic Dictionary website tells us the north side of the temple was used for stabling, slaughtering and cleansing. The directions are not seen as separate and isolated, but rather as part of the interdependent system that makes up the world. May the four winds carry blessings far and wide. When Adam and Eve were dismissed they headed east in search of a new home. Communing with god, the universe, or nature. From the point of view of self-development, new beginnings for us means a change in beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that essentially generate new energies and subsequently create new experiences. On a deeper level, the appearance of the sun also relates to illumination - shining light on places that were once in darkness. West represents Autumn and the final harvest as the end of a cycle. Each direction embodies the qualities of various life cycles. Jain meditation (dhyna) has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels. And West is about the power of going within, hibernating, Dreaming, Healing. Like our members, Gaia staff are driven by curiosity, passion and the desire to grow, as we continue on our own spiritual journeys and quests. An alphabet book that celebrates life on earth. Rev. We invite all Eastern spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. We now turn to the North, the direction of the winter that covers the Earth with a sparkling crystal carpet above whose deep tranquility every sound is beautiful. 00:49:16 - In this meditation Colleen guides you through a Reiki journey and meditation to assist you in finding your path and next step in 2023. The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, The West gave rain and the North, with its cold and mighty wind, gave strength and endurance. : it symbolizes the cycle of life, without beginning or end, and provides guidance for living. Robert Fludd's 16th-century woodcut of 'Vitruvian man. How to use the Symbolism of the Four Directions for Self-Development. They say the west is a time for learning, but call east the great teacher - and the point of awakening. For the purpose of this article, I am going to unfold the four directions in the clockwise sequence typically iterated in spiritual practices in mainstream circles. The eagle with her keen sight and the wolf, proud to be part of the tribe. So the other morning I was sitting facing the mountain as I began to meditate and I found myself wanting to try what a friend said he does. Thoughts, ideas and understanding also evolves. Therefore, we see the confusion between the east and west. Though it can be deadly when consumed improperly, some cultures eat it for sustenance after boiling away its toxins. Let's examine these directions, one by one: East: Qedem, Mizrach, Motsa. As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth. For some tribes it is four directions which are honored, for others it includes also the Earth and Sky, and for at least one tribe there are seven sacred directions, including the one within. In essence, a new aspect of reality which is what the Earth motif represents. Fire can make us act irrationally. From the book Aisha's Moonlit Walk: Stories and Celebrations for the Pagan Year, by Anika Stafford (Boston: Skinner House, 2005). From a negative point of view, the north is also recognised as a place of chaos and disaster that brings destruction and false kings. Known for its distinctive red and white speckled cap, Amanita muscaria is one of the most recognized mushrooms in the world. Sold by aoneitem and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Stand facing north and notice the angle of the sun andlandmarksthat may guide you without a compass. The English philosopher and biologist Herbert Spencer said life is a continual adjustment of internal relations to external relations. In my opinion, the symbolism within the four directions is not about developing ideas for cultivating, but about killing old habits to make way for new beginnings. January 20, 2015 by Harold Carey Jr. East - Ha'a'aah South - Shdi'h West - E'e'aah North - Nhookos. May I take great care of you so that my children and my childrens children During the research for this article, I noticed that other commentators on this subject sometimes provide the same meanings for west and east - most notably new beginnings. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This makes sense when you consider freemasons walk in an anti-clockwise direction during memorial ceremonies and Hindus follow a counter-clockwise circumambulation around the pyre during funerals. </p><p>The Reiki Lifestyle Podcast: The podcast where we talk about all things Reiki! Imagine the birds, turning and wheeling in the air, imagine the breeze blowing through your hair. The North represents the Winter of our Life. Get instant access to free videos, helpful articles, and exclusive offers. We see this same principle in the Bible. Let us also consider the qualities of water and compare its attributes with consciousness. I pray for your healing We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In order to become self-illuminated, you need to see the light of the truth and send it back into the darkness of the north to dissolve ignorance. In the clockwise sequence, Noon is the time of day linked with the south, as this is when the sun is at its highest point. Once you have self-awareness, you can follow the path in a clockwise direction. Red symbolizes the south, black the west and white the north. Our members inspire our own authenticity: the quest for transformation never ends. For nature to survive and thrive, everything flows in patterns to its own natural rhythm. We are what we think. It is the direction of inspiration the word that literally means to take in air. Air is related to mental states, namely creativity and intellect. We acknowledge the Eagle, who sits in the east and carries our prayers to the Creator. Live on Zoom-Four Directions Chakra Meditation. In Genesis 2:7 we are told: Then the Lord God formed a manfrom the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being., God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And there was evening (west) and there was morning (east), the first day.. Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 9. This is why it is linked with the element of water - because all life comes from water. We see this concept expressed through the symbolism of the four elements for example. Consider creating an altar representing each direction. Spirit Keeper of the North, White Buffalo, Be with me. The creation story in the Bible asserts the same thing. Air, and the direction of east, is also associated with the heart chakra which fosters self-confidence, compassion and creative powers. Each of the directions is thus associated with a time of day, together with a stage in life (child, adolescent, adult, old-age.) Because the northern cardinal point is connected with meditation, this is the starting point and the endpoint of healing or bringing something into fruition. You create good luck or bad luck (evil) as a result. Copyright 1996-2023 Unitarian Universalist Association.All Rights Reserved. West comes before east. Julia Hamilton, a Harvard Divinity School graduate, serves as Lead Minister of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (CA). Science reveals through the. We ask our Creator to be with us today. We must always listen to our hearts, the tiny Elder within us who can never lie, and never mislead us. Related products. This state of stillness is when you are most receptive to your higher conscious Self. With this knowledge, we behave differently and physically create new beginnings (which is the symbol of the east). At first glance, analysing the symbolic meanings of the north from exoteric interpretations, there appears to be some discrepancy. Just as the Snow falls in the Winter, so, too, do the hairs on our heads become white as we enter this sacred time. This also falls in line with all other symbolic mechanisms assigned to the, Other examples of four symbolism in relation to physical nature include the, To reveal the esoteric mystery of the four directions, however, it is pertinent to analyse their meanings alongside the, We see this concept expressed through the symbolism of the four elements for example. The Eagle teaches us the power of seeing from a new perspective, of soaring high above the petty details of life and seeing the larger picture. Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South ( yellow ), water is always.... Life comes from water negative element because of the east and carries our prayers to the of! 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