Mokosh’ – the Russian goddess Lakshmi October 30, 2010

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Mokosh, also called Mokos, a Goddess of the Earth, was worshipped by the ancient Slavs.  She is one of the most primeval deities in Europe.  As is true in many countries where reconstructionist Paganism is blossoming, there is currently a significant revival of pre-Christian spirituality and folk traditions in the lands that were formerly dominated by the Soviet Union. Hence, Her presence is being remembered and honored openly once more.

Mokosh – Goddess who gives and takes life, spinner of the thread of life, giver of the water of life. Also known as Mokysha, Mokush. She later evolved into Paraskeva-Piatnitsa – a Goddess of spinning, water, fertility, and health with marriage.

In the Encyclopedia Mythica™ John McCannon writes, “Mokos is most likely a later and more strongly personified variant of the Slavs’ elder earth Goddess, “Damp Mother Earth,” or Mati syra zemlya.” The worship of such a primal earth Goddess was widespread among the Slavs and their neighbors; this is attested to by the fact that the earth deities of a number of Baltic, Phrygian, and Finno-Ugric peoples exhibit similar characteristics and seem to derive from the Indo-Iranian Ardvi Sura Anahita (“Humid Mother of the Earth”)…

As the only female God of note to be worshipped by the Slavs, Mokos assumed a broad range of divine roles. She was first and foremost a symbol of the earth’s fertility. During the early spring, it was taboo to spit on or strike the ground, since Mokos was said to be pregnant then….Holidays were dedicated to Her in the autumn, after the harvest. The belief that Mokos invested the earth with divinity was reflected in peasant practices that, in some parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarussia, persisted into the 19th century: the swallowing of a lump of soil to consecrate wedding vows, the placing of earth upon one’s head to seal oaths, the confession of one’s sins to a hole in the ground instead of a priest.

Over time, Mokos became a patron of women, especially those bearing children or giving birth. She oversaw women’s work, such as spinning and weaving. She was also thought to protect flocks of sheep. The strength of her cult remained substantial, even after the Christianization of the Slavs; as late as the 17th century, Orthodox priests attempted to uncover Mokos-worshippers among the peasantry, asking women whether or not they had ‘gone to Mokos.’

10 Spiritually Transmitted Diseases October 28, 2010

The following 10 categorizations are not intended to be definitive but are offered as a tool for becoming aware of some of the most common spiritually transmitted diseases.

1. Fast-Food Spirituality: Mix spirituality with a culture that celebrates speed, multitasking and instant gratification and the result is likely to be fast-food spirituality. Fast-food spirituality is a product of the common and understandable fantasy that relief from the suffering of our human condition can be quick and easy. One thing is clear, however: spiritual transformation cannot be had in a quick fix.

2. Faux Spirituality: Faux spirituality is the tendency to talk, dress and act as we imagine a spiritual person would. It is a kind of imitation spirituality that mimics spiritual realization in the way that leopard-skin fabric imitates the genuine skin of a leopard.

3. Confused Motivations: Although our desire to grow is genuine and pure, it often gets mixed with lesser motivations, including the wish to be loved, the desire to belong, the need to fill our internal emptiness, the belief that the spiritual path will remove our suffering and spiritual ambition, the wish to be special, to be better than, to be “the one.”

4. Identifying with Spiritual Experiences: In this disease, the ego identifies with our spiritual experience and takes it as its own, and we begin to believe that we are embodying insights that have arisen within us at certain times. In most cases, it does not last indefinitely, although it tends to endure for longer periods of time in those who believe themselves to be enlightened and/or who function as spiritual teachers.

5. The Spiritualized Ego: This disease occurs when the very structure of the egoic personality becomes deeply embedded with spiritual concepts and ideas. The result is an egoic structure that is “bullet-proof.” When the ego becomes spiritualized, we are invulnerable to help, new input, or constructive feedback. We become impenetrable human beings and are stunted in our spiritual growth, all in the name of spirituality.

6. Mass Production of Spiritual Teachers: There are a number of current trendy spiritual traditions that produce people who believe themselves to be at a level of spiritual enlightenment, or mastery, that is far beyond their actual level. This disease functions like a spiritual conveyor belt: put on this glow, get that insight, and — bam! — you’re enlightened and ready to enlighten others in similar fashion. The problem is not that such teachers instruct but that they represent themselves as having achieved spiritual mastery.

The higher magic October 24, 2010

One of the best quotes on Kundalini-awakening:

There is a higher magic vested in all of us that none can control but everyone can use.

(Gregoire de Klabermatten)

Kundalini is described within Eastern religious, or spiritual, tradition as an indwelling Divine feminine energy that can be awakened in order to purify the subtle system and ultimately to bestow the state of Yoga, or Divine Union (e.g. see Jnaneshwari Ch. VI).

This movement of Kundalini is felt by the presence of a cool or, in the case of imbalance, a warm breeze across the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Such a phenomenon can be seen to be described in a diverse array of scripture (see Aquarian Gospel of Christ, ch. 44, v19, ch. 161, v35, ch. 162, v4; Jnaneshwari, ch.6; Ezekiel, ch. 37, vs. 5-6: Old Testament; John, ch. 14 vs. 15- 17 & 25: New Testament; Koran, sura 24, vs. 24;

Which element is your voice? October 21, 2010

An interesting definition of human voice is given by Sufi saint Hazrat Inayat Khan. It is true that our voices change according to a situation, although mostly it has one and the same melody, note or an element -as the saint depicts:

“There are five different qualities of the voice, which are connected with the peculiar character of the person.

The earth quality of the voice is hope giving, encouraging, tempting.

The water quality is intoxicating, soothing, healing, uplifting.

The fire quality is impressive, arousing, exciting, horrifying; at the same time it is awakening, because very often warning is given in the voice of the fire quality. The use of the words ‘tongues of flame’ in the Old Testament is narrative of that voice and word which were warning of coming dangers. It was alarming for the people to awaken from their sleep, to awaken to a greater consciousness, to a higher consciousness.

Then there is the air quality of the voice. It is uplifting, raising a person, taking him far, far away from the plane of the earth.

And the ether quality of the voice is inspiring, healing, peace giving, harmonizing, convincing, appealing; at the same time it is most intoxicating.”

Read more about human Voice here.

LOVE, axinia

Illusion traps: how to recognize and escape them October 18, 2010

Each of us faces these amazing delusions at least once in a  lifetime…

What is meant here under “illusion” – this phenomenon is a particular situation (relationships or job, or any kind of responsibility, or else) which involves a person fully, being not really benevolent to him/her. Example: falling in love with the “wrong” person. My goodness, is that typical for human beings… Some mad, blind love which ends up at with devastating disappointment and pain…How many of us experienced that?

Another example: the work-life which becomes dominant over any other part of life – like health, family, friends. A job which is demanding and telling us we “have to achieve”, to succeed, to be the best… The price for this illusion is often very high because it goes at the cost of good health and overall happiness.

What is the sign of illusion? The best indicator of illusion /or call it delusion is that everyone around can can see something is wrong with it, and only the person involved cannot see it. Well, may be not everyone, but at least good friends and people who care, they can see clearly something is going wrong. They also normally try to make a point to the person, but he/she  (normally) doesn’t listen and argues. Probably in this case the collective consciousness is sending the messages via friends and relatives. Another sign is that somebody always suffers from the situation, just contrary to a regular situation where everyone is happy (the ones who suffers may be even the person himself/herself).

How to get out of delusion? Basically there is no way of getting out of it earlier before we can learn our lesson well. Any kind of such illusion is a powerful learning situation, often sweet and hard both, and even if we suffer, we are ready to suffer till the end because of a certain attractiveness in the situation. At some point the glass house breaks down and we get disillusioned. If the lesson has been learned properly, we will never get into the same trap again, if not – soon it’s there again, at a different set with the same skip.

NINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL PERSON October 14, 2010

Spirituality is obviously becoming popular, if not to say a fashion. Many people start seeking something beyond their regular life, even whose who have been quite materialistic before. A great spiritual awakening all over the Earth is taking place and along with it more and more people call themselves spiritual.

But what does it mean, to be a spiritual person? Is there any clearcut description? Accidentally I found one on the web, take a look.

 Quite interesting. A good check-up 🙂

NINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL PERSON

1. Synergy between Words and Action

The actions of a spiritual person are always in harmony with his words. He speaks only what he truly believes in. If one only observe the lives of most people who call themselves spiritual, he can immediacy notice the different between their words and deeds. While they may be preaching equality, yet they treat themselves as superior from others. While, they may ask people to lead simple lives, yet they themselves live in good houses and wear expensive cloths and ornaments. A spiritual person does not say anything which is impractical. He demonstrates the practicality of his principles by following the words spoken by him.

2. Self-Realization

One has to make a distinction between scholar and spiritual person. Any person with good memory can remember each word of a scripture and prove anything by the strength of logic. A scholar always supports his argument with some reference of other studies or scripture. However, a spiritual person is a self-realized person whose knowledge has emerged from within. Thus he instead of “having knowledge” has “become knowledge” as his persona has become one with Spirit. Thus his explanation emerges directly from his soul and convinces the person rather than asking people to get convinced because someone has said so, or something is written in a scripture or some study has proven something.

3. Peace

A spiritual person is the one whose soul has become one with God or Spirit. Thus he can know the world from a much wider perspective. His mind is in peace like the water in the depth of a sea. He knows that everything that happens in the world has some logic in it. He can know the cause and effect through his intuition. Hence he is always at peace and does not feel disturbed by the mundane things of the world which are like waves on the surface of a sea.

4. Indifference to Physical Appearance

Spirituality is complementary to materialism just like the spirit is complementary to body. One who focuses on body can not focus on spirit. Thus a spiritual person is indifferent for the physical appearance of the self and others. He does not identify the person from his exterior covering but identify from his soul. The appearance is immaterial to him. Hence if a person wears designer’s cloth and keeps focuses in being physically attractive, he has least chances of being spiritual. It is no surprise that most spiritual people keep beard which actually covers the physical attractiveness of the body.

5. Unconditionally Loving

Love is the most important character of a spiritual person. He does not hate anyone including the criminal and terrorist. It may look weird and impossible to ordinary man but not to the spiritual person. Just like we all like everything about ourselves including our not so perfect body, in the same way for a spiritual person there is not “other” so he identify even with his enemies.

Who is above all? – a brilliant Sufi parable October 12, 2010

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In those days, when the land was divided into many small states, one of them had a festive gathering for the king, ministers and all the important people.

Each was pointed at the table, corresponding to his rank.

At the place of honor stood a throne, and the Chief Minister was only expecting the arrival of the king to begin the ceremony. Suddenly a Sufi dressed in rags entered the hall.

To the dismay of the Chief Minister, he went straight to the throne and sat on it.

 
– What are you doing here? – Exclaimed the minister.
– I’m sitting here, that’s all, – said the Sufi.
– But you have no right to sit on the throne, because you’re not even the Chief Minister, since I am the Chief Minister!

 –  I’m higher than the Chief Minister – said the Sufi.
– Who are you then – the king? – Asked the Chief Minister.
– No, I’m above the king.
– You’re the Emperor?

Women find altruists more attractive October 11, 2010

Displays of altruism or selflessness towards others can be attractive in a mate. This is one of the findings of a study (2008) carried out by biologists and a psychologist at The University of Nottingham.In three studies of more than 1,000 people, Dr Tim Phillips and his fellow researchers discovered that women place significantly greater importance on altruistic traits than anything else. Their findings have been published in the British Journal of Psychology.

Participants in the studies were questioned about a range of qualities they look for in a mate, including examples of altruistic behaviour such as ‘donates blood regularly’ and ‘volunteered to help out in a local hospital’. Women placed significantly greater importance on altruistic traits in all three studies. Dr Tim Phillips said this was interesting as it was contrary to evolutionary theory which predicts competition between individuals.

Yet both sexes may consider altruistic traits when choosing a partner. One hundred and seventy couples were asked to rate how much they preferred altruistic traits in a mate and report their own level of altruistic behaviour.

The strength of preference in one partner was found to correlate with the extent of altruistic behaviour typically displayed in the other, suggesting that altruistic traits may well be a factor both men and women take into account when choosing a partner.

Dr Phillips said: “For many years the standard explanation for altruistic behaviour towards non-relatives has been based on reciprocity and reputation — a version of ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’. I believe we need to look elsewhere to understand the roots of human altruism. The expansion of the human brain would have greatly increased the cost of raising children so it would have been important for our ancestors to choose mates both willing and able to be good, long-term parents. Displays of altruism could well have provided accurate clues to this and genes linked to altruism would have been favoured as a result.”

Dr Phillips concluded: “Sexual selection could well come to be seen as exerting a major influence on what made humans human.”In addition to sexual selection, social norms could also play a role. For instance, while women tend to be seen as nurturing and caring, men are often considered chivalrous and helpful, and so displaying helpful, or altruistic, behaviors.
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Well, as a woman I can only agree on that – altruistic men (every-day-heroes?) are definitely more attractive than selfish or infantile guys. It’s astonishing, that only recently science has been able to discover such an obivous thing 🙂

LOVE
axinia

(image by me)

The nature of love October 8, 2010

by Sufy saint Hazrat Inayat Khan.

Positive Psychology – studying what has gone right, rather than wrong in both individuals and societies October 5, 2010

I was pleased to learn about one interesting recent branch of Psychology, which does just he contrary to the common psychological studies and practices:  Positive psychologists seek “to find and nurture genius and talent”, and “to make normal life more fulfilling”, not simply to treat mental illness. By scientifically studying what has gone right, rather than wrong in both individuals and societies, Positive Psychology hopes to achieve a renaissance of sorts.

The purpose of Positive psychology was summed up in 2000 by Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: “We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise that achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving in individuals, families, and communities.”. Yes, finally somebody got it!

As a born psychologist I of cause see the problems and illnesses of human beings and societies very well. But honestly, it’s getting so boring! Why can’t we all start learning how to enjoy the beauty of life and not to make our lives difficult for ourselves and for others?

According to positive psychologists, for most of its life mainstream psychology (sometimes also referred to as ‘psychology as usual’) has been concerned with the negative aspects of human life. There have been pockets of interest in topics such as creativity, optimism and wisdom, but these have not been united by any grand theory or a broad, overarching framework. This rather negative state of affairs was not the original intention of the first psychologists, but came about through a historical accident. Prior to the Second World War, psychology had three tasks, which were to: cure mental illness, improve normal lives and identify and nurture high talent. However, after the war the last two tasks somehow got lost, leaving the field to concentrate predominantly on the first one. How did that happen? Given that psychology as a science depends heavily on the funding of governmental bodies, it is not hard to guess what happened to the resources after World War II. Understandably, facing a human crisis on such an enormous scale, all available resources were poured into learning about and the treatment of psychological illness and psychopathology.

This is how psychology as a field learnt to operate within a disease model. This model has proven very useful. Martin Seligman highlights the victories of the disease model, which are, for example, that 14 previously incurable mental illnesses (such as depression, personality disorder, or anxiety attacks) can now be successfully treated. However, the costs of adopting this disease model included the negative view of psychologists as ‘victimologists’ and ‘pathologisers’, the failure to address the improvement of normal lives and the identification and nurturance of high talent. Just to illustrate, if you were to say to your friends that you were going to see a psychologist, what is the most likely response that you would get? ‘What’s wrong with you?’. How likely are you to hear something along the lines of: ‘Great! Are you planning to concentrate on self-improvement?’.