Thursday, October 12, 2006
News from Anam Cara
Here is the most recent communication from Anam Cara, the organization founded by Lawrence Edwards. It includes some interesting information from Joseph Campbell on Kundalini, and also some announcements of upcoming workshops and other events by Lawrence Edwards,who founded Anam Cara and who also serves on the Board of Directors of the Kundalini Research Network.
When we read Joseph Campbell's description of the awakening and ascent of the "serpent power," it is important to keep in mind that he is offering the "classic model," where the opening begins in the root and ascends through the seven chakras to the crown, a progression matching the inner psychological growth and development of the subject. This ideal almost never occurs in actual experience. Many people have an explosive awakening, or experience the chakras opening in random sequence, rather than in the order described. Each human undergoes a unique experience, according to his/her own needs and nature and level of preparation.
Greetings and Namaste!
"When you succeed in the awakening of Kundalini, so that she starts to move out of her mere potentiality, you necessarily start a world which is totally different from our world: it is a world of eternity."
- C. G. Jung
Joseph Campbell
Kundalini
Joseph Campbell, the great mythologist, wrote about Kundalini yoga which came to its full flowering in the 4th and 5th centuries in India:
"It affected all of the Eastern religious structures. It appears in Buddhism, in Jainism, in Hinduism almost simultaneously. ...The goal of yoga is to wake that serpent power [Kundalini] and bring her up the spine. On the way up she passes seven centers. The center at the base is called muladhara, the root base; the center at the crown of the head is called the sahasrara, the thousand-petaled lotus; and in between are five other centers. As that serpent power [Kundalini] enters the field of those sequential centers, the whole psychology of the individual is transformed."
"From 2000 B.C. we have an stamp seal from India showing a figure in a yoga posture. There are two ida and pingala serpents. So we have four thousand years of interior exploration in India which we're going to find out a little bit about in following Kundalini. Now, this is important (illustration), and it's of the same date, 2000 B.C. It is a libation cup of King Gudea of Lagash in Mesopotamia... Two lion birds, these are later known as cherubim, open the portals of a shrine. Within the shrine are... seven centers formed from two interlocking serpents. This is the earliest appearance in the world, as far as we know, of the caduceus of Hermes/Mercury - the guide of souls to knowledge of immortal life."
"The cherubim who guard the gate of Paradise, the two cherubim that God placed at the gate to keep man away from the tree of immortal life, are now opening the portal. So you can go in, and there is the tree of life, under which the Buddha sat. And where is that tree? It's right in every one of us."
from "Transformations of Myth Through Time" by Joseph Campbell
Programs and Announcements
October - November 2006
The Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment Retreat was specially created to invoke the sublime power Kundalini and to open the portals to the sacred knowledge of our true nature at the heart of our being. The retreat gives you the opportunity to remain immersed in this sacred space of awakening so you can explore and discover for yourself what lies within. For thousands of years the yogic sages have written about the great serpent power as the key to treasury of wisdom within us. By the grace of Kundalini the meditation that allows you to directly experience this becomes accessible. The link to the program information below will also take you to sharings from others who have taken this life-transforming retreat, some of whom have taken it repeatedly, as it continues to support and deepen the process of Kundalini unfolding in their lives.
Oct. 12-Nov. 9th Cultivating Wellbeing Course - A dynamic course that will give you the information and support you need to enhance your wellbeing, especially if you suffer any chronic pain or illnesses. 5 Thursday evenings with Drs. Michael Finkelstein, Susan Rubin and Lawrence Edwards. SunRaven, Bedford, NY www.sunraven.org Course info. at: www.thesoulsjourney.com/events.html
October 22 The Science and Art of Meditation Northeast Regional Biofeedback Society Meeting presentation, Sunday afternoon, Rutgers Univ. For more info: www.nrbs.org
October 24 Tues. 6:30-8:45pm Anam Cara's 5th Birthday Celebration - including dinner 6:30-7:30! Good company, good food, followed by chanting and meditation! Join us!
November 10-12 Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment Retreat Friday 7pm through Sun. afternoon, Anam Cara, Bedford, NY. Includes lectures, guided meditations, chanting and most importantly, the sacred and ancient Kundalini empowerment. In this retreat we will also explore the mysteries of Kali and the wisdom She imparts for living in this age.
Pre-registration is necessary for courses and retreats.
Find out more....
Anam Cara, Inc. is a 501 (C) 3, non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching meditative practices. Our non-denominational programs are open to all.
Thank you for the many ways you have shown support for Anam Cara, Inc. On October 24th we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Anam Cara weekly meditation group. Because of you the years of serving to support people's meditation practices continue to mount. Anam Cara means "friend of the soul" and you've made it possible for us to continue fulfilling our mission in that regard. With great respect and love, I thank you all.
May all beings attain complete freedom from suffering!
Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D., LMHC, BCIAC
Anam Cara, Inc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: le@anamcara-ny.org
phone: 914-234-4800
web: http://www.anamcara-ny.org
>
When we read Joseph Campbell's description of the awakening and ascent of the "serpent power," it is important to keep in mind that he is offering the "classic model," where the opening begins in the root and ascends through the seven chakras to the crown, a progression matching the inner psychological growth and development of the subject. This ideal almost never occurs in actual experience. Many people have an explosive awakening, or experience the chakras opening in random sequence, rather than in the order described. Each human undergoes a unique experience, according to his/her own needs and nature and level of preparation.
Greetings and Namaste!
"When you succeed in the awakening of Kundalini, so that she starts to move out of her mere potentiality, you necessarily start a world which is totally different from our world: it is a world of eternity."
- C. G. Jung
Joseph Campbell
Kundalini
Joseph Campbell, the great mythologist, wrote about Kundalini yoga which came to its full flowering in the 4th and 5th centuries in India:
"It affected all of the Eastern religious structures. It appears in Buddhism, in Jainism, in Hinduism almost simultaneously. ...The goal of yoga is to wake that serpent power [Kundalini] and bring her up the spine. On the way up she passes seven centers. The center at the base is called muladhara, the root base; the center at the crown of the head is called the sahasrara, the thousand-petaled lotus; and in between are five other centers. As that serpent power [Kundalini] enters the field of those sequential centers, the whole psychology of the individual is transformed."
"From 2000 B.C. we have an stamp seal from India showing a figure in a yoga posture. There are two ida and pingala serpents. So we have four thousand years of interior exploration in India which we're going to find out a little bit about in following Kundalini. Now, this is important (illustration), and it's of the same date, 2000 B.C. It is a libation cup of King Gudea of Lagash in Mesopotamia... Two lion birds, these are later known as cherubim, open the portals of a shrine. Within the shrine are... seven centers formed from two interlocking serpents. This is the earliest appearance in the world, as far as we know, of the caduceus of Hermes/Mercury - the guide of souls to knowledge of immortal life."
"The cherubim who guard the gate of Paradise, the two cherubim that God placed at the gate to keep man away from the tree of immortal life, are now opening the portal. So you can go in, and there is the tree of life, under which the Buddha sat. And where is that tree? It's right in every one of us."
from "Transformations of Myth Through Time" by Joseph Campbell
Programs and Announcements
October - November 2006
The Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment Retreat was specially created to invoke the sublime power Kundalini and to open the portals to the sacred knowledge of our true nature at the heart of our being. The retreat gives you the opportunity to remain immersed in this sacred space of awakening so you can explore and discover for yourself what lies within. For thousands of years the yogic sages have written about the great serpent power as the key to treasury of wisdom within us. By the grace of Kundalini the meditation that allows you to directly experience this becomes accessible. The link to the program information below will also take you to sharings from others who have taken this life-transforming retreat, some of whom have taken it repeatedly, as it continues to support and deepen the process of Kundalini unfolding in their lives.
Oct. 12-Nov. 9th Cultivating Wellbeing Course - A dynamic course that will give you the information and support you need to enhance your wellbeing, especially if you suffer any chronic pain or illnesses. 5 Thursday evenings with Drs. Michael Finkelstein, Susan Rubin and Lawrence Edwards. SunRaven, Bedford, NY www.sunraven.org Course info. at: www.thesoulsjourney.com/events.html
October 22 The Science and Art of Meditation Northeast Regional Biofeedback Society Meeting presentation, Sunday afternoon, Rutgers Univ. For more info: www.nrbs.org
October 24 Tues. 6:30-8:45pm Anam Cara's 5th Birthday Celebration - including dinner 6:30-7:30! Good company, good food, followed by chanting and meditation! Join us!
November 10-12 Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment Retreat Friday 7pm through Sun. afternoon, Anam Cara, Bedford, NY. Includes lectures, guided meditations, chanting and most importantly, the sacred and ancient Kundalini empowerment. In this retreat we will also explore the mysteries of Kali and the wisdom She imparts for living in this age.
Pre-registration is necessary for courses and retreats.
Find out more....
Anam Cara, Inc. is a 501 (C) 3, non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching meditative practices. Our non-denominational programs are open to all.
Thank you for the many ways you have shown support for Anam Cara, Inc. On October 24th we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Anam Cara weekly meditation group. Because of you the years of serving to support people's meditation practices continue to mount. Anam Cara means "friend of the soul" and you've made it possible for us to continue fulfilling our mission in that regard. With great respect and love, I thank you all.
May all beings attain complete freedom from suffering!
Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D., LMHC, BCIAC
Anam Cara, Inc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: le@anamcara-ny.org
phone: 914-234-4800
web: http://www.anamcara-ny.org
>
