IF LIFE IS A JOURNEY, HOW THE HECK DID YOU GET THERE?!?

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter October 2015

by Mario C. Veo

We are told that ‘Life Is A Journey‘, and to enjoy it… but no one tells us how to do this! We blunder around, from job to job, until we find ‘ something we like’… and that’s it! For the rest of our lives we fully believe that we’ve arrived, that from now on we’ll ‘live happily ever after‘(O.K., you can blame Walt Disney for that one… what was he thinking!?)

My experience of Life is one where most people grow into diminishing expectations… until, at the end, they wake-up, wondering how they got there… and why their Life is now over…(No, I’m not a ‘pessimist’, just a realist…wait, hang on… if you’ll give me a chance I’ll explain).

When we were young everything was an adventure, a wonderful discovery… Life was exciting! Remember the joys of your first kiss… first car… first job… first love… first home…? Life was glorious… and then you grew up! Your first kiss was forgotten as you reached for more and more… your first car broke down, and you accepted the debts of buying a new car… the first job became a dead-end and you looked for one that paid better… you married your ‘love’ and soon enough got divorced…(check your statistics!)… and she got the house and left you with the mortgage.

Well, c’est la vié… as the French say, welcome to the grown up ‘reality’… but, ‘reality’ is what you make of it…(are you intrigued yet…?)

I propose that we don’t blindly accept all this ‘reality stuff’, and that we make our own… one filled with True Love, a wonderful rewarding career, a  beautiful home, and great friends… sounds too good to be ‘true’…?(so, who’s the ‘pessimist/realist’ now??) I have a trick up my sleeve, and I want to teach it to all of you who are ready to re-capture the passions of your youth… No, there are no ‘secret handshakes’… no elixirs, no fountain of youth… and definitely no Mother Ship ready to take us away!

I’m just going to teach you how to be Self-Empowered… and what Self-Determination really is… and so, we dedicate the month of October to a series of classes on the Joy of Life, on re-creating yourself, on increasing the flow of Prosperity… so that, finally, you can exclaim… “I DESERVE…Dammit!! AND I WANT IT ALL!!” (after all, why do you think you have this thing called ‘Free Will’?… to choose which burger to order… or, does it offer you more…? Did you want fries with that???)

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

JESUS, THE NAZARENE REFORMER - PART FOUR by L. W. de Laurence

From: 1948 - De Laurence's Catalog of Books on Occultism - Magic - Mysticism - Religion - The Cabala - Yoga - Astrology and all related subjects - Occult Students' Equipment - Talismanic and Symbolic Jewelry

L. W. de Laurence

Mystic and Master Occultist, de Laurence is world-famous as an Adept of the Highest Rank. His lifelong study of religious thought and emotion have brought him recognition and renown while his humanistic and sympathetic insight have endeared his name to thousands. His works are everywhere and his name stands high on the roster of independent and intrepid thinkers of all time.

PART FOUR

     On closer inspection, he becomes the double-headed Anubis, having one head human, the other a jackal's, whilst his girdle assumes the form of a serpent rearing aloft its crested head. "This figure," adds the author of the Gnostics, ets., "had two meanings - one obvious for the vulgar; the other mystical, and recognizable by the initiated alone. It was perhaps the signet of some chief teacher or apostle. This affords a fresh proof that the Gnostics and early orthodox (?) Christians were not so wide apart in their secret doctrine. King deduces from a quotation from Epiphanius, that even as late as 400 A.D. it was considered an atrocious sin to attempt to represent the bodily appearance of Christ. Epiphanius brings it as an idolatrous charge against the Carpocratians that "they kept painted portraits, and even gold and silver images, and in other materials, which they pretended to be portraits of Jesus, and made by Pilate after the likeness of Christ... These they keep in secret, along the Pythagoras, Plato and Aristotle, and setting them all up together, they worship and offer sacrifices unto them after the Gentiles' fashion."

Epiphanius

     What would the pious Epiphanius say were he to resuscitate and step into St. Peter's Cathedral at Rome! Ambrosius seems also very desperate at the idea - that some persons fully credited that statement of Lampridius that Alexander Severus had in his private chapel an image of Christ among other great philosophers. "That the Pagans should have preserved the likeness of Christ," he exclaimed, "but the disciples have neglected to do so, is a notion the mind shudders to entertain, mush less to believe."

     All this points undeniably to the fact, that except a handful of self-styled Christians who subsequently won the day, all the civilized portion of the Pagans who knew of Jesus, Pythagoras and Apollonius. Whence such a veneration on their part for a man, were he simply, as represented by the Synoptics, a poor, unknown Jewish carpenter from Nazareth?

     As an incarnated God there is no single record of Jesus, on this earth, capable of withstanding the critical examination of science; as one of the greatest reformers, and inveterate enemy of every theological dogmatism, a persecutor of bigotry, a teacher of one of the most sublime codes of ethics, Jesus is one of the grandest and most clearly-defined figures on the panorama of human history. His age may, with every day, he receding farther and farther back into the gloomy and hazy mists of the past; and his theology - based on human fancy and supported by untenable dogmas - may, nay, must with every day lose more of it, unmerited prestige; alone the grand figure of the philosopher and moral reformer instead of growing paler will become with every century more pronounced and more clearly defined. It will reign supreme and universal only on that day when the whole of humanity recognizes but one father - the UNKNOWN ONE above - and one brother - the whole of mankind below.*

Publius Lentulus

In a pretended letter of Lentulus, a senator and a distinguished historian to the Roman senate, there is Jesus. The letter itself, written in horrid Latin is pronounced a bare-faced forgery; but I have found therein an expression which suggests many thoughts. Albeit a forgery it is evident that whosoever invented it has nevertheless tried to follow tradition as closely as possible. The hair of Jesus is represented in it as "wavy and curling... flowing down upon his shoulders." and as "having a parting in the middle of the head after the fashion of the Nazarenes." This last sentence shows: First. That there was such a tradition, based on the biblical description of John the Baptist, the Nazaria, and the custom of this sect. Second. Had Lentulus been the author of this letter, it is difficult to believe that Paul should never have heard of it; and had he known its contents, he would never have pronounced it a shame for men to wear their hair long,** thus shaming his Lord and Christ-God. Third. If Jesus did wear his hair long and parted in the middle of the forehead, after the fashion of the Nazarenes (as well as John, the only one of his apostles who followed it), then I have one good reason more to say that Jesus must have belonged to the sect of the Nazarenes, and been called Nasaria for this reason and not because he was an inhabitant of Nazareth; for they never wore their hair long. The Nazarite, who separated himself unto the Lord, allowed "no razor to come upon his head." "He shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair on his head grow," says Numbers (vi. 5). Samson was a Nazarite, i. e., vowed to the service of God, and in his hair was his strength. "No razor shall come upon his head; the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb" (Judges, xiii., 5). But the final and most reasonable conclusion to be inferred from this is that Jesus, who was so opposed to all the orthodox Jewish practices, would not have allowed his hair to grow had he not belonged to this sect, which in the days of John the Baptist had already become a heresy in the eyes of the Sanhedrim. The Talmud, speaking of the Nazaria, or the Nazarenes (who had abandoned the world like Hindu Yogis or Adepts) calls them a sect of physicians, of wandering exorcists; as also does Jervis. "They went about the country, living on alms and performing cures."*** Epiphanius says that the Nazarenes come next in heresy to the Corinthians whether having existed "before them or after them, nevertheless synchronous," and then adds that "all Christians at that time were equally called Nazarenes!"****
a description of the personal appearance of

   

     In the very first remark made by Jesus about John the Baptist, we find him stating that he is "Elias, which was for to come." This assertion, if it is not a later interpolation for the sake of having a prophecy fulfilled, means again that Jesus was a kabalist; unless indeed we have to adopt the doctrine of the French spiritists and suspect him of believing in reincarnation. Except the kabalistic sects of the Essenes, the Nazarenes, the disciples of Simeon Ben Iochai, and Hillel. Neither the orthodox Jews, nor the Galileans, believed or knew anything about the doctrine of permutation. And the Sadducees rejected even that of the resurrection.
_____________________________________________________
* Those who would know more of de Laurence's real opinion of Jesus should read his book, "The Immanence Of God," Order No. 22.
** 1 Cor. x i. 14.
*** See the "Israelite Indeed," vol. ii, p. 348; "Treatise Naeir."
**** "Epiph. ed Petar." vol. i, p. 117.

JESUS, THE NAZARENE REFORMER - PART THREE by L. W. de Laurence

From: 1948 - De Laurence's Catalog of Books on Occultism - Magic - Mysticism - Religion - The Cabala - Yoga - Astrology and all related subjects - Occult Students' Equipment - Talismanic and Symbolic Jewelry

L. W. de Laurence

Mystic and Master Occultist, de Laurence is world-famous as an Adept of the Highest Rank. His lifelong study of religious thought and emotion have brought him recognition and renown while his humanistic and sympathetic insight have endeared his name to thousands. His works are everywhere and his name stands high on the roster of independent and intrepid thinkers of all time.

Part Three

     It would be difficult to escape from the well-adduced proofs that the Apocalypse is the production of an initiated kabalist, when this Revelation presents whole passages taken from the Books of Enoch and Daniel, which letter is in itself an abridged imitation of the former and when, furthermore, we ascertain that the Ophite Gnostics who rejected the Old Testament entirely, as "emanating from an inferior being (Jehovah)," accepted the most ancient prophets, such as Enoch, and deduced the strongest support from this book for their religious tenets, the demonstration becomes evident. I will show further how closely related are all these doctrines. Besides, there is the history of Domitian's persecutions of magicians and philosophers, which affords as good a proof as any that John was generally considered a kabalist. As the apostle was included among the number, and moreover, conspicuous, the imperial edict banished him not only from Rome, but even from the continent. It was not the Christians whom - confounding them with the Jews, as some historians will have it - the emperor persecuted, but the astrologers and kabalists.

     The accusations against Jesus of practising the Magic of Egypt were numerous, and at one time universal, in the towns where he was known. The Pharisees, as claimed in the Bible, had been the first to fling it in his face, although Rabbi Wise considers Jesus himself a Pharisee. The Talmud certainly points to James the Just as one of that sect.* But these partisans are known to have always stoned every prophet who denounced their evil ways, and it is not on this fact that I base my assertion. These accused him of sorcery, and or driving out devils by Beelzebub, their prince, with as much justice as later the Catholic clergy had to accuse of the same more than one innocent martyr. But Justin Martyr states on better authority that the men of his time who were not Jews asserted that the miracles of Jesus were performed by magical art - the very expression used by the skeptics of those days to designate the feats of thaumaturgy accomplished in the Pagan temples. "They even ventured to call him a magician and a deceiver of the people," complains the martyr. In the Gospel of Nicodemus, the Jews bring the same accusation before Pilate: "Did we not tell thee he was a magician?" Celeus speaks of the same charge, and as a Neo-platonist believes in it. The Talmudic literature is full of the most minute particulars, and their greatest accusation is that "Jesus could fly as easily in the air as others could walk." St. Austin asserted that it was generally believed that he had been initiated in Egypt, and that he wrote books concerning magic, which he delivered to John.

     There was a work called Magia Jesu Christi, which was attributed to Jesus** himself. In the Clementine Recognitions the charge is brought against Jesus that he did not perform his miracles as a Jewish prophet but as a magician, i. e., an initiate of the "occult" temples.

     It was usual then, as it is now, among the intolerant clergy of opposing religions, as well as among the lower classes of society, and even among those patricians who, for various reasons, had been excluded from any participation in the Occult Mysteries, to accuse, sometimes, the highest Hierophants and Adepts of sorcery and black magic. So Apuleius, who had been initiated, was likewise accused of witchcraft, and of carrying about him the figure of a skeleton - a potent agent, as it is asserted, in the operations of the black art. But one of the best and most unquestionable proofs of my assertion may be found in the so-called Museo Gregoriano. On the sarcophagus, which is panelled with bas-reliefs representing the miracles of Christ,*** may be seen the full figure of Jesus, who, in the resurrection of Lazarus, appears beardless "and equipped with a magic wand in the received guise of a necromancer (?) whilst the corpse of Lazarus is swathed in bandages exactly as an Egyptian mummy."

Had posterity been enabled to have several such representations executed during the first century when the figure, dress, and every-day habits of Jesus, the Nazarene Reformer, were still fresh in the memory of his contemporaries, perhaps the Christian world would be more Christ-like; the dozens of contradictory, groundless, and utterly meaningless speculations about the "Son of God" would have been impossible; and humanity would now have but one religion and one God. It is this absence of all proof, the lack of the least positive clew about him, whom Christianity has deified, that has caused the present state of perplexity. No pictures of Christ were posssible until after the days of Constantine, when the Jewish element was nearly eliminated among the followers of the new religion. The Jews, apostles, and disciples, whom the Zoroastrians and the Parsees and inoculated with a holy horror of any form of images, would have considered it a sacrilegious blasphemy to represent in any way or shape, their master. The only authorized image of Jesus, even in the days of Tertullian, was an allegorical representation of the "Good Shepard", which was no portrait, but the figure of a man with a jackal-head, like Anubis. On this gem, as seen in the collection of Gnostic amulets, the Good Shepherd bears upon his shoulders the losst lamb. He seems to have a human head upon his neck; but, as King correctly observes, "it only seems so to the uninitiated eye."

_________________________________________________
* I believe that it was the Sadducees and not the Pharisees who crucified Jesus. They were Zadokites - partisans of the house of Zadok, or the sacerdotal family. In the "Acts" the apostles were said to be persecuted by the Sadducees, but never by the Pharisees. In fact, the latter never persecuted any one. They had the scribes, rabbis, and learned men in their numbers, and were not, like the Sadducees, jealous of their order.
** Cf. "August de Consans, Evang.", i. 9; Fabric. ; "Cod. Ap. N. T.,", p. 305, ff.
*** King's "Gnostics," p. 145 ; the author places this sarcophagus among the earliest productions of that art which inundated later the world with mosaics and engravings, representing the events and personages of the "New Testament."

END OF PART THREE

JESUS, THE NAZARENE REFORMER - PART TWO by L. W. de Laurence

From: 1948 - De Laurence's Catalog of Books on Occultism - Magic - Mysticism - Religion - The Cabala - Yoga - Astrology and all related subjects - Occult Students' Equipment - Talismanic and Symbolic Jewelry

L. W. de Laurence

Mystic and Master Occultist, de Laurence is world-famous as an Adept of the Highest Rank. His lifelong study of religious thought and emotion have brought him recognition and renown while his humanistic and sympathetic insight have endeared his name to thousands. His works are everywhere and his name stands high on the roster of independent and intrepid thinkers of all time.

Part Two

"Because, it is given unto you to know the Mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given," was the reply, which was that of an initiate. "Therefore, I speak unto them in parables; because, they seeing, see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand." Moreover, we find Jesus expressing his thoughts still clearer - and in sentences which are purely Pythagorean - when, during the Sermon on the Mount, he says:

"Give ye not that which is sacred to the dogs,
Neither cast ye your pearls before swine;
For the swine will tread them under their feet
And the dogs will turn and rend you."

     Professor A. Wilder, the editor of Taylor's Eleusinian Mysteries, observes "a like disposition on the part of Jesus and Paul to classify their doctrines as esoteric and exoteric, the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God 'for the apostles,' and 'parables' for the multitude. 'We speak wisdom,' says Paul, 'among them that are perfect' (or initiated)."

     In the Eleusinian and other Mysteries the participants were always divided into two classes, the newphytes and the perfect. The former were sometimes admitted to the preliminary initiation: the dramatic performance of Ceres, or the soul, descending to Hades.* But it was given only to the 'Perfect" to enjoy and learn the Mysteries of the divine Elysium, the celestial abode of the blessed; this Elysium being unquestionably the same as the "kingdom of Heaven." To contradict or reject the above, would be merely to shut one's eyes to the truth.

     The narrative of the Apostle Paul, in his second Epistle to the Corinthians (xii. 3, 4), has struck several scholars, well versed in the descriptions of the mystical rites of the initiation given by some classics, as alluding most undoubtedly to the final Epopteia.

     "I knew a certain man - whether in body or outside of body. I know not: God knoweth - who was rapt into Paradise, and heard things ineffable which it is not lawful for a man to repeat." These words have rarely, so far as I know, been regarded by commentators as an allusion to the beautific visions of an "initiated" seer. But the phraseology is unequivocal. These things "which it is not lawful to repeat," are hinted at in the same words, and the reason for it assigned,  is the same as that which we find repeatedly expressed by Plato, Proclus, Iamblichus, Herodotus, and other classics. "We speak WISDOM only among them who are PERFECT," says Paul; the plain and undeniable translation of the sentence being: "We speak of the profound (or final) esoteric doctrines of the Mysteries (which were denominated wisdom) only among them who are initiated."** So in relation to the "man who was rapt into Paradise" - and who was evidently Paul himself*** - the Christian word Paradise having replaced that of Elysium. To complete the proof, I might recall the words of Plato, which show that before an initiate could see the gods in their purest light, he had to become liberated from his material body; i. e., to separate his astral body from it. Apuleius also describes his initiation into the Mysteries in the same way:

     "I approached the confines of death; and, having trodden on the threshold of Proserpina, returned, having been carried through all the elements. In the depths of midnight, I saw the sun glittering with a splendid light, together with the infernal and supernal gods, and to these divinities approaching, I paid the tribute of devout adoration."

    Thus, in common with Pythagoras and other hierophant reformers, Jesus divided his teachings into exoteric and esoteric. Following faithfully the Pythagoreo-Essenean ways, he never sat at a meal without saying "grace." "The priest prays before his meal," says Josephus describing the Essenes. Jesus also divided his followers into "neophytes," "brethren," and the "Perfect," if we may judge from the difference he made between them. But his career at least as a public Rabbi, was of too short duration to allow him to establish a regular school of his own; and with the exception, perhaps, of John, it does not seem that he had initiated any other apostle. The Gnostic amulets and talismans are mostly the emblems of the apocalyptic allegories. The "seven vowels" are closely related to the "seven seals"; and the mystic title Abraxas, partakes as much of the composition of Shem Hamphirosh, "the holy word," or ineffable name, as the name called: The word of God, that, "no man knew but he himself," as John expresses it.

________________________________________________

* This descent to Hades signified the inevitable fate of each soul to be united for a time with a terrestrial body. This union, or dark prospect for the soul to find itself imprisoned within the dark tenement of a body, was considered by all the ancient philosophers and is even by the modern Buddhists, as a punishment.

** "The profound or esoteric doctrines of the ancients were denominated wisdom, and afterward philosophy, and also the Gnosis, or knowledge. They related to the human soul, its divine parentage, its supposed degradation from its high estate by becoming connected with "generation" or the physical world, its onward progress and restoration to God by regeneration or... transmigrations." Ibid, p. 2, footnote.

*** Cyril of Jerusalem asserts it. See vi. 10.

END OF PART TWO

JESUS, THE NAZARENE REFORMER - PART ONE by L. W. de Laurence

From: 1948 - De Laurence's Catalog of Books on Occultism - Magic - Mysticism - Religion - The Cabala - Yoga - Astrology and all related subjects - Occult Students' Equipment - Talismanic and Symbolic Jewelry

L. W. de Laurence

Mystic and Master Occultist, de Laurence is world-famous as an Adept of the Highest Rank. His lifelong study of religious thought and emotion have brought him recognition and renown while his humanistic and sympathetic insight have endeared his name to thousands. His works are everywhere and his name stands high on the roster of independent and intrepid thinkers of all time.

Part One

"Give ye not that which is sacred to the dogs,

Neither cast ye your pearls before swine;

For the swine will tread them under their feet

And the dogs will turn and rend you."

(Extract from The Sermon on the Mount.)

FTER nineteen centuries of enforced eliminations from the canonical* books, of the Bible, of every sentence which might put the investigator on the true path, it has become very difficult to show, to the satisfaction of exact science, that the "Pagan" worshippers of Adonis, their neighbors, the Nazarenes and the Pythagorean Essenes, the healing Therapeutes, the Ebionites, and other sects were all, with very slight differences, followers of the ancient Theurgic Mysteries. And yet by analogy and a close study of the hidden sense of their rites and customs, we can trace their kinship.

     It was given to a contemporary of Jesus to become the means of pointing out to posterity, by his interpretation of the oldest literature of Israel, how deeply the kabalistic philosophy agreed in its esoterism with that of the profoundest Greek thinkers. This contemporary, and ardent disciple of Plato and Aristotle, was Philo Judaeus. While explaining the Mosaic books according to a purely kabalistic method, he is the famous Hebrew writer whom Kingsley calls the Father of New Platonism.

     It is evident that Philo Judaeus' Therpeutes are a branch of the Essenes.**

     Their name indicates it - Asaya, Physician. Hence, the contradictions, forgeries, and other desperate expedience to reconcile the prophecies of the Jewish canon with the Galilean nativity and godship.

     Luke, who was a physician, is designated in the Syriac texts as Asaia, the Essaian or Essene. Josephus and Philo Judaeus have sufficiently described this sect to leave no doubt in my mind that Jesus, the Nazarene Reformer, after having received his education in their dwellings in the desert, and been duly initiated in the Mysteries, preferred the free and independent life of a wandering Nazaria, and so separated or inazarenized himself from them, thus becoming a traveling Therapeute, a Nazaria, a healer. Every Therapeute, before quitting his community, had to do the same. Both Jesus and St. John the Baptist preached the end of the age;*** which proves their knowledge of the secret computation of the priests and kabalists, who with the chiefs of the Essene communities alone had the secret of the duration of the cycles. The latter were kabalists and theurgists; "they had their mystic books, and predicted future events."

Dunlap, whose personal researches seem to have been quite successful in that direction traces the Essenes, Nazarenes, Dositheans, and some other sects as having all existed before Christ: "They rejected pleasures, despised riches, loved one another, and more than other sects, neglected wedlock, deeming the conquest of the passions to be virtuous."

These are all virtues preached by Jesus; and if we are to take the gospels as a standard of truth, Christ was a metempsychosist, "or re-incarnationist" -again like these same asserts that the Samian philosopher spent a certain time at Carmel with them.****

     In his discourses and sermons, Jesus always spoke in parables and used metaphors with his audience. This habit was again that of the Essenians and the Nazarenes; the Galileans who dwelt in cities and villages were never known to use such allegorical language. Indeed, some of his disciples being Galileans as well as himself, felt even surprised to find him using with the people such a form of expression. "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"***** they often inquired.

_____________________________

*Canonical books or Scriptures, those writings or books of the Bible accepted by the Church as genuine and inspired. The Roman Catholic Church receives as canonical some of the books styled Apocryphal by other Churches.

**Es-sene. One of an ascetic party or sect of the Jews, formed about the 2nd Century before the Christian era, and existing till the fall of Jerusalem. They practiced voluntary poverty, had community of goods, sought higher degrees of holiness, and were mostly celibates. Josephus("Antiquities" xiii) speaks of the Essenes as a sect which had existed in the time of the Maccabees. K.Kohler in Jew. Encyc., Vol. V, p. 228 (F. W. Co. 1903).

***The real meaning of the division into ages is esoteric and Buddhistic. So little did the uninitiated Christians understand it that they accepted the words of Jesus literally and firmly believed that he meant the end of the world. There had been many prophecies about the forthcoming age. Virgil, in the fourth Eclogue, mentions the Metatron - a new offspring, with whom the iron age shall end and a golden one arise.

****"Vit. Pythag." Munk derives the name of the Iessaens or Essenes from the Syriac Asaya - the healers, or physicians, thus showing their identity with the Egyptian Therapeutae. "Palestine," p. 515.

*****Matthew xiii, 10.

END OF PART ONE

EPISTLE TO THE DISCIPLE by L. W. de Laurence

From: 1948 - De Laurence's Catalog of Books on Occultism - Magic - Mysticism - Religion - The Cabala - Yoga - Astrology and all related subjects - Occult Students' Equipment - Talismanic and Symbolic Jewelry

L. W. de Laurence

Mystic and Master Occultist, de Laurence is world-famous as an Adept of the Highest Rank. His lifelong study of religious thought and emotion have brought him recognition and renown while his humanistic and sympathetic insight have endeared his name to thousands. His works are everywhere and his name stands high on the roster of independent and intrepid thinkers of all time.

EPISTLE TO THE DISCIPLE

BY  de LAURENCE

"Thou, O, Disciple! whose mind is high,
"Observe my words, and read them with thine eye (spiritual);
"These Magic secrets in thy sacred breast repone,
"And in thy journey think of God alone'
"The Author of all things, that connot die'
"Of whom I now shall speak----"

     I tell thee here, Disciple, to observe my words, and read them with thine eye, that is, the eye of thine understanding; for, know, there are many that hear me speak, and, pretend to study my writings, that read not the meaning of my words.

     Wherefore shouldst thou contemplate these mysteries, of which, the good books on the subject of Magic, listed in this Great Catalogue teach, with so much constancy of mind, if thou didst not perceive in these works some great good most desirable? -- Listen, then, O young man, or young woman, and hear my words! Study my works; for they will show thee the dangerous precipice of vanity and head-long desire -- The teachings, contained in my books will describe to thee the stubborn and fatal will of thy passions, even with tears of contrition, and heartfelt compassion for thy experience -- I will lead thee, as it were, by the hand, through the labyrinths of vice, wherewith thou art daily surrounded; and, however prejudiced thou mightest be against the receiving of my doctrine, yet be assured, these teachings have in their possession the Magical virtue and power of binding thee to the principles taught therein, and making thee happy, in spite of thyself.

    Here is a great secret! thou shalt say -- every man and woman wishes to be happy - which I grant; but my answer is - most people prevent their own happiness; they destroy it, by suffering themselves to be governed by the outward principle of the flesh, thinking the greatest good to be in the satisfying - of their carnal appetites, or in the amassing together heaps of wealth, whereby they thrust down the meek and poor, raising up the standards of Pride, Envy, and Oppression. These things every day's experience confirms; nay, there are some so blind, that, in the possession of much wealth, they think there is nothing beyond it; insomuch, that they triumph in lust, oppression, revenge, and conumely. But how is it, thou wilt say, that seeing man is a reasonable being, he can possibly give up his government so easily? - I say, when man suffers the unreasonable and bestial part to deprave him, then he immediately becomes a slave, (and the vilest of slavery is that which deprives man of his social virtues;) for then, although in the possession of great worldly things, such as houses, estates, and all other temporal gifts, yet he becomes an immediate instrument to the Evil Astral Spirits and the Powers of Darkness, seeing that those riches he inherits are merely given him in this life, to bestow upon others those necessaries and comforts which he himself does not feel the want of, and by which he might, if not blinded by his passions and lusts, secure himself an eternal and incorruptible treasure. But he who possesses treasures without mercy, liberality, bounty, charity, & robs the Eternal Author of all good, of the honor due unto him, and is working destruction to his own soul; his riches, instead of benefiting himself and others, eventually and finally terminate as a curse; while he lives here he is a scourge to society; and, after he leaves this, it is plain enough pointed out in my writings what will be his situation and condition.

    Therefore, thou young man, or young woman that hast but a few years to live, study how to attain the stone I teach of; it will protract the beauty of thy youth, though thou shouldst live for centuries - it will ever supply thee with the means of comforting the afflicted; insomuch, that when thou hast attained this truly desirable and most perfect talisman, thy life become soft and pleasant; no cares, nor corroding pangs - no self-torment will ever invade thy mind; neither shalt thou want the means to be happy, in respect of the possession of the goods of this life but thou shalt have abundantly. But how and from what source, all this is to proceed - out of what thing or matter thou shalt attain thy wished-for end - the studying of Sacred Magic will sufficiently shew.

                                                                 Thy Friend And Brother In Magic,

                                                                  L. W. de Laurence

GET YOUR LIFE BACK... IT'S TIME ALREADY...

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter September 2015

by Mario C. Veo

Have you ever questioned Why you do what you do?... what drives you to respond or be this way...? Some would say that it's your upbringing, your education, your social background or the way you got 'trained' or programmed. To some extent all this does have an influence, but a very small one... you see, there is a much, much greater influence... and it's in you.

The truth is threefold -

Within you are a number of different Archetype Energies each competing to push you one way or another, to guide you to see the world in a specific manner, and respond to it accordingly... some people are driven by the Eternal Optimist, seeing opportunities everywhere, while others seek to comfort everyone, embracing their Mother Archetype... each behaving according to these drives, and happily embracing their function. Archetypes are central to our Consciousness, and interpret the World accordingly... they teach us the Role we are to play in Life, and give us meaning and satisfaction. In the best case these multiple Aspects within us are compatible, and cooperate with each other... unfortunately, the opposite is too often true... enter the Inner Child.

The Inner Child is that playful, innocent, bouncy part of you that is quick to smile and laugh, and wants everyone to be happy. Unfortunately it is also that part which can be too trusting, too vulnerable, and far too easily wounded by our harsh reality... it is this dichotomy which adds to conflicting Archetypes - if you are a Care-Taker Archetype, who takes care of your Inner Child... if born in a dysfunctional family, how can you laugh and play and have everyone be happy... now Life and the future don't have a strong foundation from which to grow and prosper...

Enter the Wounded Self - that 'coping mechanism' which teaches us how to 'shut-off' a part of us, so the rest can get on with what's left of Life... except that this Wounded Self doesn't quite trust anyone or anything, and actually can be an active Saboteur, able to undermine even that which you most yearn for...

It's quite a trip, right...!?

So here you sit, wondering just which part of you is running your Life... and what can you possibly do to create more Peace, more Harmony, more Rewards, how can you get back your Happy Self...?!? The good news is - you most definitely can!... all you need do is meet with your Archetypes, engage them in a cooperative Truce, nurture and reassure your Inner Child, and heal you Wounded Self... all in a day's work!

No, I'm not being funny... it's quite doable... but if you need help we've created a new Series of Workshops to give you more insight and instructions. We have a 3 month program which can either be taken together... or, if you are only interested in one section, you can just do that one.

We meet every Saturday, from 11 to 12:30 - starting in September we will investigate Archetypes, their Role and Function, and how they affect us... in October, we'll take a closer look at the Inner Child - its strengths, purpose and weaknesses... in November, we'll explore the Wounded Self and - finally - how to heal and balance it all.

So, what do you say... are you ready for the most transformative, empowering trip of your Life...?

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

WHO ARE YOU REALLY...&, WHAT PLEASES YOU...!?

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter September 2015

by Mario C. Veo

We all think that we know Who we are, when in fact what we really 'know' is simply what 'pleases' us! Most of the time we live and act from an Emotional Center - we buy the ice cream we like, the cereal that we are more familiar with, drive the car that best 'appeals' to us, even get the job that closest meets our needs... and settle for friends and lovers that... well, let's just say that 'you get what you think you can get'... Now, some of you will say that there is nothing wrong with that... and you'll be 'right'... if... you believe that "close enough is good enough".

No, this is not me - once again - trying to be funny (or simply contrary), I truly believe that most of us lower our expectations, that we accept 'that which is easiest... or close enough' rather than spend the time going deeper and deeper within, always searching for a better understanding of Who we really are, firmly believing that we deserve the very best... and that good enough simply doesn't cut it!

So, you like vanilla... does this prevent you from exploring other flavors, or even considering that there could be some other exceptional flavor that will knock your socks off? How will you know if you don't allow yourself to even consider the possibility...?

You see, Life is not static - it's continually growing and evolving, blossoming in many unexpected and wonderful ways, discovering and offering new and greater insights... and so should we grow and discover more about ourselves. What might have been acceptable yesterday, may well turn out to be just a stepping stone to an amazing new beginning. How will you know, if you don't go and look (after all, 'safety' sounds too much like 'humdrum compliance')?

So yes, I'm saying that, at best, we only know about our simple pleasures... and totally ignore that magnificent self that has been waiting for you to notice it... (just imagine how much fun you'll have when you do!)

This month's classes are dedicated to our Self Discovery - from examining our unconscious resistance to Changes... to our Karmas and struggles, and rediscovering our Loving Self... and even how to open up our Third Eye (just so you can get a better look at the glorious Creation that awaits).

...and just one last word - I do like vanilla... but chocolate is much, much more fun... (but then, I like fun!!)

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

"THE TIME HAS COME," THE WALRUS SAID, "TO TALK OF MANY THINGS..."

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter August 2015

by Mario C. Veo

If you are the type who is quite happy to just drift through Life, accepting willy-nilly whatever may drift ashore, then… bless you, this article is not for you. (nor should you let anyone distract you from your own choices)…If you’re like me, one who never stops asking questions (and upsets every preacher I’ve come across), or who is frankly disappointed with the sheep-like mentality of Common Man, or the simplistic answers offered by Politicians or those who clearly profit from public manipulation… then I’ve a few things I’d like to share with you.

Since my earliest years I’ve been fascinated by the concept of Self-Empowerment, by the idea ofSelf-Revelation and the question: “Why do most people find it all so difficult?!” Well, in fact it is not so ‘difficult’… but you must be ready for it – sounds simple, it isn’t!

First you must get to the point where you begin to ‘question everything’… hang on, don’t get mad! Let me explain – I’m not advocating that we automatically reject everything… rather that we question IF we’ve been given ‘The Whole Truth’… (and yes, my cynical self would add–question the Source of such ‘Truth’!)

Once you get there, then YOU have to start your own search – for there are many ‘truths’ out there, and YOU must find The One which belongs to you… and now accept the next step (which upsets most people). “There is no such thing as an Ultimate Truth”, everything is continually growing and evolving… and so are you! Thus, whatever you believe at any point is YOUR ‘Truth’, but if you are truly committed to your own growth, then so must this ‘Truth’ grow and change as you do…

So, what to do… what to do with you…
O.K., don’t give up yet… the Spiritual Path offers some great guidelines (which we can all embrace, no matter our Lineage).

• Stop being so reactive… emotions are great when you’re playing and relaxing… not so much when you’re trying to figure things out.
• Don’t be fooled by your Beliefs… for they’re simple a reflection of those who ‘taught’ you – often for their own benefit… or, at least, limited by their own search for Knowledge (which isn’t where you are).
• Create a ‘direct link’ between your Self and Spirit… hold on, there is a prior step to this…
  3-a. Get rid of all your Negative Experiences… your pains/hurts/traumas create a Lower Resonance within yourself, which distorts any/all Communication with Spirit.
• Finally, create the most joyful, rewarding, loving Life you can possible imagine… but don’t stop there…

Which brings me to this month’s classes – we are dedicating this month (in keeping with its Royal Designation**look up its original meaning if you don’t believe me) to the correct Expansion of our Consciousness… to our Liberation from our Wounded Identity and Negative Life’s Experiences… to creating a place for Spirit… and demonstrating our true Radiant Self.

So… are you ready for this? (and yes, you can still have all the ice cream you want – after all, Spirit created everything… so, bless it and enjoy!!)

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

PRACTICAL NUMEROLOGY - THE GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter July 2015

by Mario C. Veo

Why Numerology ? – it is accurate yet easy to learn, with clear and direct answers. It gives you a great insight on your gifts and abilities, and what you need in Life to make you happy … as well as the challenges – seen and unseen – you will be facing. It tells you in a very straight-forward manner, the Energies you were born with, and when these Patterns will re-align for you … giving you a clear insight on the influence of your name, your address, even the career and city you are in … [and simply by changing or adding to them you can promote a better quality to your Life].

Numerology shows you which new Energies are coming into play – not only for you directly, but also for those around you, and how these will impact your Life … it empowers you to make better decisions.
Numerology is not psychic fortune telling ‘- it is a Spiritual Science based on the Symbolism of Numbers, and their direct connection to the structure of the Universe … as such it can be taught in two different ways –

• Pythagorean Numerology is a later development and, much like Sacred Geometry, investigates the relationship between ratios / form / structure – it looks at the bigger picture and tries to describe the Universe as such … but is not well suited to understand personal names or patterns.
• Chaldean Numerology is the original mystical teachings of the Magi of the Orient [yep, the 3 Wise Men who went looking for baby Jesus]. As such it brings a deeper understanding of Spirit, of personal Evolution and the timing of events … and is better suited for personal guidance.

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

DON'T WALK ON MY SOUL...

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter July 2015

by Mario C. Veo

Life is movement – Stagnation is death… yet too often it is our passive acceptance of a situation which makes it so. Everything is in motion – be it a flower, a science, or a civilization … all hoping to fulfill their destiny [or at least have fun trying].

What makes this movement successful or not are the Qualities contained in the person and the Path taken – these now become the ‘fuel’, encouraging us to achieve our goal… or miring us in failure. Thus if we embrace love/beauty/happiness … then so we will be rewarded – while if we wallow in criticism/anger/bitterness… then this [by our choice] will be our Life.

Everywhere I look I see people struggling to better their life, consciously trying to be happy, be kind, be generous… while others simply sit with their noses up in the air, taking advantage of the situation, using, abusing, and manipulating others… even as they congratulate themselves that they are ‘entitled’… that they ‘know better’… that, in fact, they are better.

Well, don’t let that fool you – Karma is a jealous mistress and, once she has her claws in you, she won’t let go… [hey, here’s a question for you: “what do you think your next life will be remember – what goes around, comes around…“, and, as my witchy friends so love to remind me, ‘will come back threefold!’].

Which leads me to the most important point: “When was the last time you talked to your Soul?“… and why is this becoming so important now…?

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, there is a ‘quickening’ going on.. .a compression of energies too much stress … too many demands … too many people manipulating the ‘Truth’ … too many negative emotions ruling the mind … too many dark thoughts … and much, much, too much righteousness…

So now I ask you: “how much time are you dedicating to Love, to Beauty, to the enjoyment of Life… how prepared are you in dealing with this increasing craziness – and ifnot, how safe’ will you be … ? … what does your future hold … and what will you become … ?”

OK, time to get back to our own Self-Empowerment, our own true Inner Self.., this month’s classes are dedicated to our communion with Spirit, to the Triple-Flame of Love-Light-Wisdom to embracing our own Inner Peace … and to explore the requirement we must meet for our next Spiritual Initiation …
No, it’s not difficult … after all, you’ve spent many, many, many past lives getting ready for this … [I know, I was there with you . . . but will you be here, now…?!]

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

WALKING THE SPIRITUAL PATH... OH, WHAT A TRIP!!

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter June 2015

by Mario C. Veo

It's not easy, you know, to walk this Spiritual Path... to acquire Knowledge that is not common, to live by Higher Principles... and what's worse, to be held accountable to much, much higher standards... but, would you want it any other way...?! So, how did you end up here... why didn't you just stay as a good little boy/girl...? after all we will all one day become 'enlightened' - so, what's the rush...?

Here's what happened...
Long, long time ago, in some past life now forgotten, in a land beyond Time, you woke up one morning and thought, "surely this is NOT all that there is to Life... surely it's not just eat-drink-and-be-merry... after all, how many parties/orgies/political intrigues can one revel in before it all, somehow, just loses its appeal. Yes, you still go to the temple and worship according to the Teachings, but are the Gods still listening, and  what about the Demi-Gods... who do you have to bribe before you too can become an Immortal...?" (well, maybe not all of you thought this, but it was a common theme at the time... remember, it was a loooooong time ago!)

So you thought, and thought, and thought... talked to a philosopher (but who can understand such jibber-jabber anyway?)... seeked out Holy Men on top of mountains (why do they always have to make it sooo difficult?)... and even invested in 'Holy Relics' (who would have thought there would be so many)... but to no avail.

Still with me? Good, let's go on... Despair leads to despair, leads to drunkenness (but not oblivion), until one day you've just had enough!! So now you stop, still not happy, and you sit in a morose fit... sulking away in your golden palace, you want no friend nor lover, no slave nor wine...you...just...want...to...be...left...ALONE!!

Ah, little did you know that this was going to be the Key that would lead you to this wondrous Path... You see, once you stopped, and decided that nothing you tried was going to work, that had been touted as "The Key to Heaven" was for real... only once you gave up trying. BUT NOT gave up your 'desire to know Spirit'... ah, only now wer you ready to step on the Path of Light (point of order - any other Path would not have been one of 'Light' - thus your failures and frustrations).

So, you stopped... and sat... and went deeper within you... and once you got past your fun, there it was... that Inner Light, the Radiance you'd been looking for, the Bridge to Spirit...!!!

Hallelluah Brothers and Sisters... you found the Light!!! and, as they would have you believe, "you lived happily ever after"... well no, not quite... The Path IS wonderful, but requires much of you... more studies/training/cleansing/healing/purification...  (enough to last you multiple lifetimes)... then rinse and repeat - and do it all over again, and again, and again... (heck, if it was easy, everyone else would do it too).

But now you are hooked - Having seen the Light, how can you turn back...? And that's how you got here, today, wondering just what happened to you, and what this Path is all about... (hint - Love, Light, and Wisdom).

So this month's classes are dedicated to the Spiritual Journey, to the celebration of all your trials and tribulations, to the successful Expansion of your Consciousness... and above all, to the Living Light of Spirit you've awakened within you... So, congratulations, you've made it. I wish I could say that it gets 'better', but I don't lie (much) anymore... but I will say this - It gets very, very exciting... (and come on, would you want it any other way...?)

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD PSYCHIC

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter May 2015

by Mario C. Veo

This is a true story [unfortunately so] – I once knew this woman, a single mom who had clawed her way to financial independence, with a 14 year old kid, too sensitive for his own good. One day the kid and his best friend were crossing the road when a drunken driver roared through the intersection … and killed the friend [yep, in front of his very eyes] … they never found the driver. So, what is a sensitive kid to do, with a mom who is all alone, working two jobs while studying to improve their lives …?

Well, what everyone else does, of course:- turn to drugs! and when anti-depressants fail … well, he turned to pot, speed, downers … anything he could find to simply ‘dull the pain’ … and he succeeded beyond his wildest expectations – you couldn’t find a better ‘functional addict’ if you tried! Move forward 10 years and the kid, now a dedicated addict, is fully riddled with Elementals and Entities, all feasting on his Life Force as if they were at an ‘all-you-can-eat-buffet’ at the local Vegas Strip Joint [hey, when they say “that monkey on your back”, they ain’t being figurative].

So, one day the mom happens to be in New York for work, and finds herself walking into a ‘Psychic Parlor’ … there she meets this most charismatic woman who, right off the bat, proceeds to tell her that her son is ‘possessed’ and that his addiction will only get worse … unless he’s ‘healed’. Yep, you guessed it, she then proceeds to sell the mom a ‘Charged Crystal’ … guaranteed to ‘cast out these Demons’ … for the paltry sum of $ 5,000!
Well, what’s a mom to do – of course she buys it [“a bargain at the price … where else would you find such
a ‘special, charged crystal’ … ! ?”] Coming back home she gives her son the crystal, with all due instructions, and, would you believe, IT
WORKED … well, for a few days, anyway. The kid went into the worst Healing Crisis I have ever seen in a long time.
So the mom calls back the Psychic, with full intention of giving her a piece of her mind … but, did I tell you she was ‘charismatic’ … the Psychic claimed that the son ‘was in fact healed … but the addiction just pulled him right back in … but, good news, for only another $ 2,000 she would charge the crystal again’ … and so she did [a mother’s love never ceases to amaze me] I will spare you the tawdry details on the rapidly deteriorating relationship between mother and son, and the ugly results [interestingly enough, nothing was ever directed at the ‘Psychic’]

So why am I telling you all this…? Not because I want you to be ‘outraged’ at the Psychic’, nor at the weakness of the kid, or the desperation of his mother … rather to gain insight as to what happened:- was the Psychic for real? Absolutely yes ! She could see the kid’s addiction and ‘possession’ quite clearly without any prior knowledge … crystals can be ‘charged’ with Healing Energies, and have been used relatively successfully … charging for one’s services is normal and accepted … so, what’s bothering you …? Is it the Ethics and Morals, of someone who would take advantage of others’ misfortune …? [if this is the case let me introduce you to a slew of lawyers / cops / doctors / politicians …].

So, what’s the problem, really !?! It is the lack of Spirituality, the lack of Light, of Wisdom and Compassion [now I sound just like a Preacher … well, the burdens of many Past Lives …] IT IS NOT ENOUGH to be ‘Psychic’ … without Spirit, the person is just wallowing in Ego at best, or is an active Black Magician at worst … so watch yourself – just because you may have a true and deep calling to walk this Path, it is not without its ‘dangers’ … you have been informed – consider yourself warned.

This month I am dedicating the classes to the true understanding of Personal and Psychic Development … be it Inner Sight, Empaths, Higher Intuition … or the basic ‘Psychic Gifts’ … and – most important – how to bring Spirit into all this [after all, without Spirit we are just an empty shell, and, as my Mad-Shaman Teacher would say … “food – just food for Darkness to gobble up . . .yumm ..”].

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

BEING WHO WE ARE

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter April 2015

by Norma Mitchell

When we are first born, we remember our connection with God as wholeness, without separation. As we come from our mother’s body into the world we have agreed to experience for our lifetime, we feel that true sense of separation as an individual body in a world that is designed for us to experience an individual identity. By the time we are learning how to use our voice, our limbs, our senses of space, time, realities of this planet which helps us understand the illusions of separation, we begin to forget the awareness of our oneness with our Source.

These conditions are further complicated by the emotions we experience in the people around us. We feel their love and their pain, their joy and their sadness, their peacefulness or their anger, ­­any emotions that expand our awareness of who they are as people. When we, as infants, become overwhelmed by the emotions of others we may retreat within ourselves and experience the unity with our Source again.

Sometimes though, we react to our distress at being wet, hungry, isolated and ignored by crying for attention and help in the outer world rather than within. We also may turn to others who are a part of our spiritual connections, the beings who are there to help us remember our spiritual origin and that we are never abandoned to being in the conditions we as a soul have chosen to experience.

Some of these beings are there to guide us through our own emotional responses. Some are there as playmates to remind us that we are here to experience joy, love and laughter. And some are angelic beings or masters who help us remember that we are divine beings who have chosen to be here to utilize love to show ourselves and each other how to live that love in a world with its illusion of separation. When we accept that we are always connected through love with our Source, we can also accept that we are a part of that Source at our core.

Even if we don’t understand exactly why we’ve chosen to be here­­in a planet whose people pride themselves on individuality and separation­­we are going through the process of remembering who we are and getting closer to that Oneness that is our truth. This isn’t easy to practice, since we are taught to compete and isolate ourselves from each other in the pursuance of individuality and excellence as people .

Scientists have told us this whole universe is made up of Energy. That this Energy simply is. That even though we have accustomed ourselves to the idea that we “see”, “touch”, and experience the various items in our planet as solid or material forms, they are actually atoms and molecules in a perpetual state of motion.

Many of us don’t see this Energy, much as we don’t see the air we breathe. We accept that air is the one substance that our bodies cannot do without for more than several moments. Let’s consider that this Energy is also something that we cannot do without. Without It, nothing is (including us).

This Life Force is the whole of life and everything that is. We see Its love for us in the opportunities and guidance It has provided throughout our lives. We may not always want to hear or follow that guidance, yet we see that when we do, we are able to accomplish our dreams, find the peace we search for within, and experience love in various ways throughout our lives.

In a world where we are accustomed to having what we want more and more instantly, do you trust The One to provide what you want even when you may not receive what you want at the moment and in the way you want? This is called faith. Without it, we are at the mercy of our fears and our issues with control.

What we can do is to accept that The One is within us, as well as around us, and that we are part of Its expression of life. This allows us to trust our Creator and to remember who we are.

Norma Mitchell has been working with clients at the Shining Lotus™ since 2008. She provides Intuitive readings every Monday from 12pm to 5pm and also works from 12pm to 5pm on the second Saturday of every month.

Norma will be continuing her Hypno-Regression Therapy Group that meets on the second Thursday of every month. Each participant is encouraged to work within their own experience to identify, analyze and clear whatever traumas, difficulties, or challenges they encounter during the two-hour regression session.
She also has a spiritual discussion group that meets on the third Thursday and brings about topics that come up in our everyday personal spiritual journeys. This class has been very popular while Norma was conducting it in her own home and now she is bringing this opportunity to our neighborhood.

MANIFESTATION… AND THE FANTASIES WE CREATE

© 2015 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter April 2015

by Mario C. Veo

In my misspent youth all I really wanted was to study ‘Magic’ – it didn’t matter what Lineage, I devoured books on Spell-craft, on Shamanism and rituals, on Kahunas and Spirit Communication… heck, I even used Ouija Boards and Trance-Work (I don’t recommend these… it’s true that Spirit protects the innocents… but what about the foolish…!?) I attended workshop after workshop, met with Kahunas in Hawaii and Native American Medicine Men and Women in New Mexico, studied with Shamans in Africa and Gurus in India… and in the end had to do my own Inner Search… all in the attempt to find this elusive ‘Magic’.

Later I found out that what I was really looking for was to understand how Energy works, how Creation comes about, and what my role is in all this.

So now, many, many years later, I found that the Key which makes ‘Magic’ possible is quite simple – “get rid of your hurts, pains and sorrows, clean up your hot buttons, really look deep within yourself so you know, 100% who you really are, and live from that True Joy that is you – the Radiant Self… only now can the Energy of Creation flow – unimpeded – within and through you”.

I can just see some of you shaking your head, thinking that this is just some New Age BS that I’ve made up… well, you discontented cynic, consider this: ALL in Creation is Energy, and this has a range of Properties which defines What it is, and How it must work… what’s more, it is Magnetic; meaning that the more it is active, the more it attracts the same (until it crystallizes and upsets the Balance, and now attracts its opposite).

OK, now consider the many Principles of Manifestation – no matter the Techniques, most people forget that it’s the Preparation which determines IF it’s going to work… or, have an opposite effect (yes, Karma plays a big role in all this). I have shared this with many of you: if you’re struggling with Love, Money, Health… and you try to Manifest Changes, the only thing you can attract is more of your struggles… until you first learn how to release your blockages… for always “Like calls to Like”.

…and don’t despair, you can succeed if you’re willing to do the work… and please don’t think that there is something wrong with you… or that you’re ‘cursed’… or that ‘God’ has it in for you, if you want Changes, then do something about it! You see, my original ‘search’ was really correct, ‘Magic’ is simply knowledge of the Laws of Creation, and the Initiations required to be able to access and use them correctly.

So, what’s it going to be, are you willing to wake up the Magician Within you (yep, it’s in all of us!)… or, are you quite content to sit in your pessimistic cynicism, sneering at the World for your lack… hey, it’s easy to blame others for our misfortune, that’s what kids do.

This month is dedicated to the many processes of Manifestation – the do’s and do not’s… and what must be done to get there… ( and still be young enough to enjoy it!!)… so join us, if you dare…

Mario C. Veo was born in Italy and grew up in Africa. From an early age his love for Spirituality and Metaphysics led him to explore a wide range of disciplines. He has studied with Sufis, Shamans and Spiritual Masters from around the world. Mario is a senior T’ai Chi and Chi Gong instructor, a Spiritual Counselor, Shaman and Healer, and teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation, Empowerment, Manifestation and Spiritual Alignments. He is available for personal guidance and consultations.