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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 10, 2009 14:05:54 GMT -5
Hello good friends, old and new. This discussion board is an extension of my website, A Curator of Clarity. We'll discuss astrology, Tarot, dreamwork and ecstatic meditation here. I hope also to share some of what I've learned over the years, both from an oracular and contemplative perspective. Please share what you've come to know, as well, so that we may all continue along the Narrow Way that so few choose to follow.... Many blessings, Michael
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Post by bertvdb on Oct 10, 2009 15:19:28 GMT -5
2 words of support .... hope this forum will find interesting members to keep a good discussion going. Don't know much about tarot and astro, but dreams have interested me as long as i live .. for ecstatic meditation ... i'm an observer, not a practitioner (yet) thumbs up love and light bert
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 10, 2009 15:31:07 GMT -5
Thanks so much, Bert.
Counseling through astrology and Tarot is something I came into many years ago, when going through a certification program for Jungian Archetypal Psychotherapy. Jung was into alchemy, synchronicity and the power of symbols, and his work with clients rubbed more "scientific" psychology practitioners as being all wrong.
When, however, one starts to work with symbols and finds ways to situate them within various expressions of the collective unconscious (i.e., systems like astrology, Tarot, Kabbalah, I Ching and so forth), something very exciting and meaningful occurs. This "shift" begins the process of individuation, or "waking up" to oneself, which then leads to depth-healing.
Ecstatic meditation is a way of opening up to these depth-healing realms, bypassing many of the defense mechanisms devised by the ego-mind over time. Meditative absorption "melts" away our neuroses and other hindrances to a full expression of our potential... although the life of a dedicated ecstatic contemplative requires a willingness to let time do its things, even if it means an entire lifespan.
This stuff is what I'm all about, so it will be interesting to see how things evolve here.
I'm glad you were the one who commented first!
Warmly, Michael
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Post by jhananda on Oct 12, 2009 12:30:33 GMT -5
Hello Michael and Bert, I hope Michael's new venture for the oracular and contemplative arts. As I am sure you have found absorption into the bliss, joy and ecstasy of the altered states of consciousness increases one's intuitive insight, which has most probably made you a better oracle.
Good luck in the new venture,
Jhananda
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 12, 2009 19:11:59 GMT -5
Thanks so much for your generous support and kind words, Jeffrey. It is my privilege to have learned so much from you in working out the "symptoms" of absorption. Your unpacking of the Buddhadhamma is a secret boon in a world that desperately needs your gifts. If (in some small way) I can do my part in helping others into a skillful and rigorous contemplative life -- one that gives rise to and sustains bliss, joy and ecstasy every moment of every day -- while at the same time using the oracular arts to gracefully situate them in life in such a way that they can relax into the natural cycles of existence, I will know that I heard the "still, small voice" correctly....
Warmly,
Michael
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Post by jhananda on Oct 13, 2009 11:14:02 GMT -5
Hello Michael, it sounds like you are listening to that "still, small voice" when you launched your website, started a FaceBook presence, and now have this forum. These are excellent ways to let those few who are sincere seekers of liberation and enlightenment can learn from your experiences, as you are becoming a living example of peace, bliss, joy and ecstasy. Do keep up the great work that you are doing being a living example of genuine dhamma, and not presenting false dhamma.
Best, Jhananda
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Post by innerpilgrim on Oct 13, 2009 12:07:41 GMT -5
Hi Michael, It's me, Jill, under the user name of InnerPilgrim. Glad to see you created this forum. Yahoo is great but I like this style. You can split it into specific interests. Hope we get a good group going. I will refer people.
Love, Jill
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 13, 2009 18:11:52 GMT -5
Hello Jill! I'm glad you found your way here -- I'm thinking that "someone" posted a link at the JSG...? Guess I'll go have a look. Thanks for putting the word out. I've always resisted the notion of marketing, but have decided that this is just the way things are, and if I don't let people know I'm out here waiting to lend support in their journeys, how will I ever do the work that comes most naturally to me? Anyway, friends who spread the word are able to help me more than I can help myself, so I really, really do appreciate it. By the way, I prefer this type of forum format, as well. Easier to follow a given discussion thread, and there are more ways to be creative in our expression. This is a pretty cool free service (ProBoards), although the ad banners can be a little "racy" at times. Someday, when I grow up, perhaps I will purchase my own forum service.... Anyway, I'm looking forward to talking things over with you here. Warmly, Michael
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Post by juliemarie on Oct 23, 2009 10:07:34 GMT -5
This looks like a fun forum- I am really interested in psychology, astrology and dreams. Things I am interested in are coming my way !! Nice to meet you!
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 23, 2009 10:13:08 GMT -5
Wonderful to have you here, Julie!
It's a new board, but folks are finding it in waves. I'll be posting news items and will be writing articles (like the Saturn Enters Libra piece from a couple days ago) on a regular basis, and putting it out on Facebook so that others know we're here. I see steady growth in the days and weeks ahead... and I am thankful for those of you who are finding your way here so soon....!
Warmly, Michael
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Post by gandarloda on Nov 18, 2009 13:55:30 GMT -5
Hello Nice to be here!
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Post by firehorse on Oct 24, 2010 4:48:00 GMT -5
Hi Michael, thanks for creating this forum. I am here to learn and share. Hi to everyone, Good to meet you all.
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Oct 24, 2010 14:00:26 GMT -5
Good to have you here, firehorse. We all need each other!
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