A Manual for the Modern Mystic: How to Practice Being in the Presence of God

By Rio Olesky

The modern mysticthe contemporary spiritual seekeris always looking for ways to enhance and expand his or her consciousness. Using quotes from spiritual masters as well as personal stories and anecdotes, A Manual for the Modern Mystic shares practical, easily attainable tools that promote spiritual growth through consciousness development.

Rio Olesky, a professional astrologer and spiritual practitioner, offers a thoughtful guide through the mystical thought of several major spiritual traditions while exploring the ultimate goal of the mystical pursuitthe meaning of life. As he defines and discusses twelve universal lawseach reflective of a sign of the zodiache helps lead you to discovering a deep personal connection to the Divine while avoiding self-undermining behaviors that limit spiritual growth. Through Oleskys explanation of universal laws, mystics will learn more about their connection to the physical plane, fascinating social behaviors, and the complexities of family dynamics.

Development of consciousness is perhaps the ultimate purpose and prime reason that life exists. A Manual for the Modern Mystic helps contemporary spiritual seekers tune in to a rich, intuitive awareness of the world around them that ultimately leads to peace of mind and happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450294041

Rio Olesky

Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976 with an extensive and loyal international clientele. He teaches astrology classes at Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, CA. The author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and The Astroreader, Rio holds a bachelor's degree from The University of California at Berkeley and a Master's Degree from San Francisco State University. Rio is married, has five children, seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is an accomplished didgeridoo player and currently lives in Northern California.

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Law of Creativity

Chapter 2: The Law of Survival

Chapter 3: The Law of Both/And

Chapter 4: The Law of the Eternal Present

Chapter 5: The Law of Love

Chapter 6: The Law of Service

Chapter 7: The Law of Harmony

Chapter 8: The Law of Eternal Life

Chapter 9: The Law of Abundance

Chapter 10: The Law of Karma

Chapter 11: The Law of Impermanence

Chapter 12: The Law of Transcendence

Chapter 13: The Universe Wants Us to Be Happy

Bibliography

Dedication:

To my wife Arrow and my children, Heidi, Jeremy, Avra, Josh, and Tai, who collectively have brought me more challenges to keep me on track then anyone or anything else. You have also provided me with the love, inspiration, joy and support that made the work worth doing

Acknowledgments

To all the people who have been students in Tuesday Nite Class. You have consistently kept me growing as an astrologer and mystic in order to keep up with your own growth and to satisfy your curiosity about the nature of life as I perceive it to be.

I would also like to acknowledge three outstanding editors – Susan O’Terra Foster, Diana Badger and Arrow Olesky. You helped teach me how to write and held my feet to the fire to make this book as good as it can be.

Preface

In 1967 I was a student at the University of California at Berkeley. This was a time of awakening. Radical political shifts, behavioral transformations, and consciousness development were pervasive. It was a confusing time but also a liberating one. I felt constantly challenged to be aware of everything, have an opinion on everything, and be ready to change it or fight for it at a moment’s notice. In school I was confronted with intellectual challenges common to all students—read this, memorize that, write, speak, or analyze what other people found important. But my real education came outside the classroom because my questions rarely coincided with the curriculum. I was consumed with the meaning of life. Why are we here? Where is here? Who is the I who is asking these questions? Who and what have made me as I am? My major was interdisciplinary humanities, and I took classes in history, philosophy, literature, art, and music history. Regardless of the breadth of the course of study, I did not find satisfactory answers to my questions. I was confronted with the enormity of life, yet felt I had no tools to help me unravel the meaning in the mystery.

One day, while visiting a friend, I happened upon an astrology book. It was simplistic and superficial, and as a college-educated intellectual I had a bias against the superstition inherent in this mystical mumbo jumbo. But something about the content of this book appealed to me in a riveting way. I felt compelled to buy the same book, go into my room, close and lock the door (so none of my friends could see I was reading this garbage), and read. Good astrology books were hard to find at that time. Most of the really good ones written to that point were out of print. What excited me wasn’t the quality of the book that I picked up but that astrology addressed so many of the issues that had consumed my mind for years and that I had found no one and nothing that had provided reasonable answers. A lifetime love affair had begun. I realized that astrology is a system that provides a conceptual framework that enables me to pose my many questions, as well as to find plausible answers to them. Eventually, I became a professional astrologer and continue in private practice to the time of this writing.

In my years of study, I discovered that astrology is a language through which to develop an understanding of the nature of life. It is a concept of universal order based on the harmony of the celestial bodies of our solar system. Astrology is one of the most ancient mystical methods that correlates planetary bodies to the experiences of people and earth-based events. It is a system that enables a person to see who he is and what is his place in the universal scheme of things. Learning to work within the astrological system enabled me to become more aware of the totality of life without feeling alienated or intimidated. I learned that the signs of the zodiac and the planets of our solar system provide a symbolic system that is a reflection of the laws of the universe. A personal horoscope is a structure that interfaces the individual soul, the universe, and the soul’s past and current emotional, psychological, familial, spiritual, and physical reality. It is a language that provides a matrix for understanding the individual incarnation of an eternal spiritual being, which is what you and I are. Astrology is a way to understand that we are all from the same point of origin but that each of us has his or her own unique signature.

Over the years I became a professional astrologer, giving personal readings as well teaching classes and writing a monthly column for my website and local newspapers. But astrology alone wasn’t enough to provide an intimate connection to the Divine. So even though I had found a valuable tool, my quest for spiritual connection was not complete. I realized that the missing piece was a way to relate directly, something that could be provided by meditating. After trying different types of techniques and finding each one insufficient, I was given a copy of The Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Yogananda was an enlightened being, the first Hindu yogi to come to the United States from India with the sole purpose of teaching Westerners about Eastern thought. Some of those ideas lead the seeker directly to the enlightened state. Reading the book was a revelation, and I felt as if I was transported into an expanded state of consciousness. Yogananda died in 1952. He was in incredibly prolific writer, leaving behind books, commentaries on scripture, and weekly lessons for each student/seeker. By studying much of this material, I was able to find my place in the universe. Even today, some forty years after connecting with this great being, I find his words inspiring and uplifting—a wonderful way to regain my perspective about life and what really matters. It is my honor and privilege to bring you some of his ideas and concepts in this book.

Introduction

The world, existing in God’s suggestion of a relativity of time and space, is merely a condensed thought of God. The wonder I behold is that everything in this universe God has created out of nothing but His own dream, His own ideations. Man’s difficulty is that this dream is imposed upon him, like a cosmic hypnosis. When he supinely surrenders his own will to delusive somnolence, he has little or no control over the dream happenings.

—Paramahansa Yogananda

What is a mystic? A mystic is someone who believes in existence beyond human comprehension; someone who values inner spiritual experience rather than relying on external authorities or scripture. A mystic is someone who has the drive and courage to look both within and outside himself or herself in order to discover the true nature of life. But it’s not an easy or quick path.

Some people have a deep yearning to transcend the mundane reality of daily routines and long-range professional goals. They seek a deeper understanding of how the universe works. They have an unyielding drive to know why we are here. They want to discover who they are in the grand scheme of the universe. These are some of the prerequisites to becoming a mystic. This book is an attempt to provide the modern mystic, the contemporary spiritual seeker, a way of perceiving and relating to life in a way that will enhance and expand his or her consciousness. It describes ways of integrating individual awareness within the historical time frame in which we live.

Consciousness development is perhaps the ultimate purpose and prime reason that life exists. It is something that has fascinated me since adolescence. This book discusses different techniques that help us develop our consciousness. Commitment to that process is one quality that defines the mystic. The process takes us beyond the limitations of the rational mind. It takes us outside the boundaries of the physical plane. The mystic’s goal is complete identification with Divine Spirit. It is the desire to have access to limitless information, wisdom, and healing power. Ultimately, the mystic can perceive life as a never-ending, always unfolding creative force in a reality in which everything is interconnected.

Mysticism is a path that views life from a transcendent perspective. It accepts and acknowledges experiences, even if they don’t seem logical. Emotions are examples of human experience that are universal yet illogical. We all know what it feels like to love, to fear, or to be angry. To analyze why those feelings are present can limit our experience of them. Mysticism allows for the liberating loss of boundaries that separate self (a person, a temporary individuated soul) from Self (Spirit, the Divine, eternal). In Earthy Mysticism William McNamara states:

The mystic is not a special kind of person; every person is a special kind of mystic. The mystic is one who consciously and thoroughly immerses himself in the mystery of life and enjoys communion with ultimate Being. Everyone is partially immersed in the mystery, and to some small degree, enjoys communion with ultimate Being. … Little by little, quite imperceptibly, the Spirit of God seeps in and takes possession of the mystic. The same Holy Spirit that christened Jesus in one way christens the mystic in another.

Some people have inherent talents that provide a relatively easy journey to consciousness development. Their mystical orientation is obvious. All they have to do is tune in to a rich, intuitive awareness of the world around them. For the majority of people, however, the path is neither easy nor obvious.

Most mystics—or those who strive for mystical attunement—share a sense of spiritual alienation, a discontent with the accepted metaphysical and philosophical beliefs of their time. To avoid dogma and live in truth, they are willing to endure tremendous deprivation and suffering in order to come face to face with the Divine. The mystical path can be joyful and enlightening, but it is rarely risk-free. In the traditions of many indigenous cultures, the shaman is a mystic. He or she may be required to face and overcome fearsome enemies. Some of these are terrifying demons who may or may not be external to the shaman. Like the shaman, we have to confront our fears, to overcome feelings of emotional suffering and spiritual alienation in order to gain access to knowledge of how the universe truly works. The rewards of this pursuit are wondrous. We can tap into the limitless light, joy, and creativity that are the essence of life itself. With this understanding we can serve as teachers, healers, and prophets. We can move beyond the physical and mental limits that restrict others. Yet this is a path that requires patience, perseverance, and commitment. Christian mystics of the Middle Ages wrote about the pain of the temptation to leave the mystical path and pursue sensual pleasure and material security. They revealed their terror in confronting the devil and his minions. Today, we might frame this as their having to deal with their own internal conflicts, blind spots, and neuroses. But regardless of whether the obstacles on the path are external or internal, personal or universal, this path can be painful. It also can be dangerous. It is not unusual for a young, aspiring shaman to die or get lost and never be seen again as he pursues his goal of spiritual connection. There are many, however, who successfully walked this path, overcoming the demons and temptations and acquiring the mystical goal of God consciousness. Who are some of our forebears who had the commitment and ability to overcome the obstacles? Who are some of the more well-known mystics throughout history?

The prophets of the Old Testament were mystics. So were Jesus and Mohammed. So are all the yogis and living Buddhas who seek to quiet the mind of all thought in order to experience a transcendent state of awareness. They have experienced direct, firsthand knowledge of the Divine through personal contact with Oneness. Mystics such as these focus their attention away from physical reality and identification with ego-driven desires. They also are able to realize that intellectualizing about God is futile, because it takes them farther away from Source. The path of the mystic relies on intuition and creativity in order to perceive Spirit and to share it with others. Transcendence from self-awareness to Self-Awareness can take place only by quieting the mind. There is a saying, If you’ve been there, you know. The same could be said about mystical experience.

Around the time of Jesus there was a group of mystics called the Gnostics. The term Gnostic comes from the Greek word gnosis, which means knowledge. The Gnostics integrated beliefs from Asia, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, and Syria (all of which practiced paganism at that time). Through this integration, the Gnostics came to believe that the ultimate Creator lives beyond the physical plane, but that each person carries within him a spark of that Creator. The big bang theory to which contemporary physicists and cosmologists ascribe is not all that different from the primary Gnostic concept. By becoming aware of our own divine spark, we can be consciously connected to God. As mystics, the Gnostics believed that they could connect directly with the Divine and needed no intervening religion or clergy to facilitate that process.

To the mystic, the important thing is to be at one with the Divine, not to discuss or define it. The focus and result of the subjective experience of the seeker is to experience the transcendent state of consciousness in peace and with the fulfillment that accompanies that state. With that transcendence we can feel in a visceral, intimate way the divine qualities of being. These qualities are the birthright of every human being. Among them are the states of love, joy, peace, bliss, light, wisdom, transformation, transcendence, intuition, and harmony. By tapping into one or more of those states, our mundane lives are transformed. As mystics, our satisfactions in life come from expanding and deepening our connection to those states. The need for external stimulation and material-plane fulfillment becomes less of a priority than the drive for immersion in and communion with Divine Oneness.

Mysticism has never captured the imagination of the public. Although there have been mystics throughout history and in all cultures, the demands on the time, energy, and resources of the seeker are too much or simply uninteresting to most people. Nevertheless, it has been an acceptable and understandable path within many cultures for most of human history. That acceptance declined in popularity after the Copernican revolution of the sixteenth century. Copernicus was a brilliant philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who intellectually surmised and boldly stated that the sun was the center of the solar system, not the earth. Hence, the sun was the real source of creation, not humanity. Prior to Copernicus’s breakthrough realization, it was taken on faith that the earth was the center of the solar system. Humanity, as the most complex life form on the planet, was seen as central to the entire scheme of creation. Gradually, his ideas were accepted, and science was born, but the shock to the human psyche—and our place in the universal scheme of things—continues to have consequences, even into modern times. For example, we are no longer to assume that anything other than quantifiable facts is true. The Copernican revolution prioritized rationality over intuition and the intellect over the mystical. Henceforth, if something couldn’t be quantified and logically proven to exist or be true, it wasn’t. The good news about the Copernican revolution was that it opened the door to industrial and technological innovations that have radically altered the human experience. Unfortunately, with the earth no longer at the center of the solar system, it ceased to be revered or seen as central to our human experience. Aspects of life that derived their power and prominence from their connection to the earth, the intuitive, the emotional, and the feminine principal, in general, were all assigned second-class status. Any information derived from one’s own inner knowing was demeaned and denounced. The mystical path was no longer seen as a valid way of perceiving and defining reality. Science has provided us with tremendous benefits, but the logic of the scientific revolution has also led to alienation from our intimate, mystical connection with the earth and the universe.

It is my belief that the intention of Original Source is that all individual beings experience life in the spirit of joy and bliss. If this is true, there must be laws that can be perceived, understood, and worked with beyond the physical plane so that a seeker can achieve that goal. There must be an order that underlies life. I believe that we can achieve the qualities of joy and bliss by becoming aware of the universal laws, truths, and principles of life and by aligning our values, choices, and behaviors to coincide with those truths. Laws are defined as binding rules. Who created these laws, and who enforces them? Why should we discover and follow them? What are these universal principles? How do we know they exist? Why should we strive to work with them? What happens if we don’t? How can they help us to know who we are in the context of the universe?

We can discover answers to these questions by developing our consciousness. This can be done by paying attention to our daily experiences, by following the teachings of enlightened masters, and by utilizing the techniques described in this book. As we contemplate and internalize these principles, we can enhance our freedom and happiness. The purpose of this book is to provide insight into what those laws are and how we can live in accordance with them. By following and living in truth, in a willing and open-hearted way, we discover the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. Our energy flows with the intention of Spirit.

Spiritual masters teach that in the beginning was the One, the Source of Being from which everything was created. The One was not created, and it will not perish. It is the essence of life that exists beyond all material phenomena. The One has always been in perfect harmony with itself, yet it can assume any form or expression of energy. We have learned from telescopes that points of light can suddenly appear in deep space. Most of them will exist only for miniscule fragments of time. Scientists believe that one of those points continued to exist and exploded in the big bang. This event, occurring billions of years ago, began life as we know it. All the elements, minerals, chemical combinations, and limitless forms that we perceive are emanations from that same point of light. It’s as if that single point suddenly became an endless series of points, every one of them containing the qualities of its origin. One theory maintains that there is a similar spark that happens when a sperm cell connects with an egg. As it does, it attracts a discarnate soul and a new life is formed. Everything that exists today in the physical universe contains particles, molecules, and atoms that were generated at the time of the big bang. Within this endless series are forms, colors, and sounds that can inspire profound awe in the eye and ear of the beholder. I am reminded of the photographs from the Hubble telescope that showed pictures of star clusters, black holes, emerging solar systems, and dying stars. Amidst this profusion of manifestation, everything contains the seed of its source. At their core, all things contain the same germ. Everything is the center of the universe.

These universal laws function in all areas of life and on all levels of consciousness. For the sake of clarity and understanding in this book, I will define them separately, but they operate simultaneously.

This book uses the philosophical concept of universal law to describe states of consciousness and ways of accessing them. My challenge is to use words and logical concepts as vehicles to help the reader transcend logical and linear awareness. Some of these ideas are philosophical, metaphysical theories that I accept as true, such as karma and reincarnation. These concepts are defined in The Law of Karma (chapter 10) and The Law of Eternal Life (chapter 8), respectively. The conundrum in using these ideas is that they attempt to explain things intellectually that are more than intellectual. In attempting to do this, I am in the company of the vast majority of scholars, rabbis, priests, and imams who have done and are doing the same thing. Some have been quite successful in this venture. But the obvious problem is that words can create a barrier to experiencing the power of Spirit. It is perhaps impossible to experience the Divine through intellectual understanding, as it doesn’t take into account other means of perceiving truth.

The mind and the intellect are useful tools for the mystic, even if by themselves they don’t provide the means to connect deeply and immediately with Divine Spirit. I have spent most of my life studying, teaching, and counseling others by using the language of astrology. This is a system that integrates the rational with the intuitive. It is rational because it is based on a complex system that correlates planetary movement with life on earth. It is intuitive because understanding and working with this system requires that we transcend rational thought. Unfortunately, astrology has been marginalized by science, but those of us who maintain a mystical attitude toward life see it as a valuable tool.

Astrology can be a useful tool for the mystic. It is a system that correlates the positions of the planets with human experiences through archetypes of thought, feeling, and action. One of the useful concepts that astrology conveys is that of synchronicity. This principle simply states that whatever happens at a particular moment shares characteristics with everything else that happens in that moment. It is not the positions of the planets in particular signs that cause something to happen or to create certain traits in a person born at that moment. Simply put, the configuration of planets at the time of a person’s birth suggests the nature of that person. If we understand the symbology of the configuration in our lives, we can have a greater understanding of our potential in all areas of life on multiple levels of consciousness. With that knowledge, we can become more self-realized and ultimately expand our consciousness beyond human experience and into connection with the Divine.

The basis of astrology is the twelve signs of the zodiac, each one representing a unique cosmic principle. Astronomically, the signs are derived from designs formed by the fixed stars. Like a cosmic connect-the-dots, human beings have connected these stars to form patterns and images. Each of the signs, with its corresponding patterns and images, illuminates certain potential traits, characteristics, and behaviors unique to that sign.

Astrology connects the micro (you and me) with the macro (everything else). It is a beautiful illustration of the age-old mystical truth: as above, so below. As a conceptual system it helps to delineate the intrinsic order of the universe and how it works, and offers a way of interfacing the individual with the universal. It is a complex system that reflects the laws underlying the nature of life. In this book, the signs of the zodiac are archetypal concepts that contain information about universal laws. I have correlated one of the twelve signs with each universal law. By having a clear understanding of a sign, we can gain greater insight into the nature of the principle that it reflects. The emphasis of signs in our natal chart and the planets that are located in these signs provides us with an opportunity to experience the principles associated with those signs. We find that the astrological archetypes most emphasized in our horoscope correspond to the principles we most need to work with and learn from. Similarly, the lack of planet/sign combinations in our chart suggests laws that are not highly prioritized for us to work with in this lifetime. Knowing which laws are more or less prominent can help us create a strategy for living our lives in a more conscious way. For example, in my horoscope there is an emphasis in the area that seeks answers to the questions: Why are we here, and what is the meaning of life? It is an area that taps into the universal laws and mystery of life in order to discover answers to these questions. These laws apply to everybody and everything, but they are not hard-and-fast rules. They could be seen as principles, guidelines, or truths and utilized in different ways, depending on one’s metaphysical point of view. My quest to find answers to these questions has ultimately led me to write this book.

Even if you are not familiar with your natal horoscope and have no interest in astrology, the universal laws or principles are at play throughout your life. Of course, there are other systems besides astrology that provide ways of perceiving the underlying order of the universe. By understanding and working with any of them, we can feel more connected to and less alienated from or overwhelmed by life. For example, from the scientific perspective, the periodic table of the elements is a template that provides information about the physical properties of all known substances. Yet it also can connect us to life in a mystical way, once we realize that those qualities exist for those substances anywhere in the universe. From that table we not only understand the inherent qualities of each mineral and gas but also how they combine or interact with other minerals or gasses and, ultimately, how all these substances emanate from the same source and are all intimately interconnected—a truly mystical realization.

Another such system that describes universal laws in terms of the physical plane is sacred geometry. This system describes the symmetries and proportions that are the basis of geometric forms. These patterns exist in molecular formations of minerals as well as musical harmonies, proportions of the human body, and the regulation of the movement of celestial bodies. Sacred geometry is the blueprint of creation. It describes the self-organizing process of nature and the inherent order that pervades the universe. It is a system that interfaces laws of the physical plane with that of the Spiritual Essence behind it. Sacred geometry is based on pure mathematical principles, as are art forms such as mandalas of both Eastern and Western cultures, Islamic mosaics, and various architectural designs from around the world. It also remains connected to nature and the earth through its correspondences to the forms and patterns manifested here.

In lieu of a mystical connection—a transcendent way of perceiving and relating to life—humanity has developed a tendency to become attached to things. Possessions, identities, experiences, or relationships have become primarily what we value and through which we seek meaning. However, attachments can be devices that limit us and that block us from seeing other, more expansive possibilities for fulfillment. Each of the signs of the zodiac and the principle that it represents has its own attachments. Being aware of the potential pitfalls of these attachments can allow us to become more aware of the positive potentials of each zodiacal archetype.

As a professional astrologer for over thirty-five years, I have seen how astrology provides a vehicle for mystical awareness. So although this is not an astrology book per se, I include astrological parallels in each chapter with the universal laws, or principles, because I think the system provides a useful, accurate, and practical framework for understanding and working with archetypes.

Just as you needn’t be an astrologer to read this book, so also you needn’t feel restricted to read the chapters sequentially. You may have a personal need to know more about your connection to the physical plane (The Law of Survival, chapter 2), or you might be curious about social behaviors (The Law of Harmony, chapter 7) or need a clearer understanding of family dynamics (The Law of the Eternal Present, chapter 4). Or maybe you’ll be interested in the laws that embody the more prominent signs in your birth chart or those of friends and family. Feel free to skip around and read the book in whatever order the chapters call to you. This is a good way of tuning in to your intuition. And because all the laws are continuously in play and completely interactive with each other, there is no real order or logical sequence of one law leading to another. The chapters and their enumeration of fundamental universal truths are ordered by their association with the signs of the zodiac as a useful framework, not in order of their significance. The order of significance is a personal matter. Thus, chapter 1 explores creation through its association with the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, and chapter 12 examines transcendence through its association with the twelfth sign, Pisces.

Each chapter begins with a definition and discussion of the main characteristics of the principle. Each of the universal laws operates within a framework. In order to successfully take advantage of any law, that framework must be understood and integrated. I offer guidance and examples of how to approach this. Then I define and discuss the astrological sign that embodies and reflects qualities of the law. Each chapter also has a section called Flowing with This Law. This offers suggestions about various spiritual practices as well as practical activities that you can employ in order to work effectively with that law. Another section, Not Flowing with This Law (or resisting this law), defines some of the attachments and traps inherent in each principle. This will also suggest practical ways of either avoiding or changing behaviors that flow counter to the nature of the law. Because all the laws are constantly and interactively in play, some of the ways to accentuate one law may also be a way of accessing others. Similarly, we could misuse more than one law by engaging in certain behaviors. Each chapter also includes a section called Spiritual Opportunity, which delineates the highest potential for experiencing and expressing the law and helps explain the liberating, empowering potential that each law embodies by connecting it with a specific divine quality. The Bottom Line section of each chapter distills the law down to its essence.

I also refer to the higher and lower octaves of each principle. This refers to levels of consciousness through which we can access the law. The higher octave pertains to its expression in ways that are of benefit to us, especially in terms of transcendent experience, as well as using the principle in ways that are beneficial to others. The lower octave refers to using the law only for personal gain or only in a mundane context. This concept is delineated more completely in The Law of Love (chapter 5).

It is my intention to make each of these principles accessible to you by defining them as guideposts and by interspersing illustrative stories, prayers, and affirmations in their delineation. The goal is to make each of them clearer and more understandable, enabling you to move ahead more rapidly on your own path of self-realization. Ultimately, I hope that you can become aware of your Source and start growing on your path to a state of happiness, fulfillment, and love.

This is a good introductory exercise into the mystical state: Find the space between thought. Have a good feeling.

Chapter 1: The Law of Creativity

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

—I Ching, Wilhelm translation

Increase and Multiply

I used to live in a pristine part of Northern California on the Klamath River. It was wild and untamed and a perfect place for me to understand more about the nature of life. One of my friends was a person we called a mountain man. When I knew him, Hubert was in his fifties and had long reddish-brown hair and a beard. He alternately made his living by being a fishing guide and by climbing up and down steep mountain slopes, collecting huckleberry brush for the local brush plant. He would routinely pack up to one hundred pounds of brush up those slopes. The plant sold the brush to florists for bouquet filler. As a fisherman, he was without peer. One day after I had been fishing unsuccessfully from the river bank for hours, Hubert came by. He put his pole into the water where mine had been. In about thirty seconds he got a bite. Pulling in the fish, he threw his line out again, twenty feet away from the first cast. Another thirty seconds, another catch. His success in such a short time was a credit to his experience, his knowledge of fishing and of the river. Hubert had essentially lived out of doors most of his life. I assumed that since he was so close to nature that his daily observations of the physical plane would provide insights into the profound truths of life. One day he casually mentioned that everything in life has a purpose. I asked him what was the purpose of mosquitoes. Without hesitation he shot back, To make more mosquitoes.

I’d asked about mosquitoes arbitrarily. It just popped into my mind. I could have asked what was the purpose of deer, or robins, or even people. The answer would have been the same, and the lasting image would have been more pleasant. But mosquitoes reminded me of my childhood. On summer evenings, when I was put to bed, my father would come into the room with a sprayer containing DDT. He would proceed to spray the entire room, especially the space around my bed, in order to kill all the mosquitoes that were buzzing around, waiting to feast on my blood. This seemed like a good idea at the time, as it did eliminate a potential bump or itch. Years later it was realized that the cure was worse than the problem. In any case, Hubert’s words brought consternation. If he was right, mosquitoes have as much right to exist as we do. After all, we both come from the same Source. Yet mosquitoes are loathsome, disease-carrying insects. Isn’t the idea to kill them before they make our life miserable? A more delightful take on the image of mosquitoes comes from the Dalai Lama. The Buddhists believe that all life is sacred and that people should strive to protect all forms. As if to validate Hubert’s idea, the Dalai Lama has responded to the question of How do you deal with mosquitoes when you are trying to meditate? by saying, We do the best we can. We don’t have to allow mosquitoes, or any life form, to hurt us. It is important, however, to realize the common origin of all life. It’s also important to realize that what applies to mosquitoes applies to people. If the purpose of mosquitoes is to make more mosquitoes, the purpose of people is to make more people.

In the Old Testament, Jehovah exhorts us to Go forth and multiply. Assuming that the Bible is, in fact, the word of God, this is more than mere biological imperative. It is the command from the Creator, and we are under that commandment as much as insects. All life forms are connected by their need to create.

The first universal law is creativity. It is the initial and most fundamental of the laws. It’s the life-giving spark from which all the other laws emanate. This principle is continually at work. Mosquitoes are being created, humans are being created, solar systems are being created. Recent scientific photos of the outer regions of space have revealed dots or flashes of light. Some appear for milliseconds and then disappear. Some last longer. They suggest that the universe is constantly creating. This is an ongoing, never-ending process that takes place in every aspect of life and most likely on every plane of consciousness. By consciously connecting with the Law of Creativity, we tap into and become a conduit of the vital life force and become a part of the never-ending chain of creation.

Origins of Creation

Our physical universe began at the moment of the big bang. Approximately 13.7 billion years ago, a spark of light exploded in an ultra-hot flash. At that moment, space and time, matter and energy began to exist. All of the physical matter that exists today, anywhere in the universe, was created at that moment. At first, the energy was formless and fluid. As time went by, the nebulous energy began to congeal into gas and dust. Eventually, those elements, too, became denser, forming atoms and molecules. When a gas cloud becomes big enough and is compressed, it collapses under its own gravity and ignites as a star. If the star is big enough, it will attract more dust and gas. This may eventually solidify to form