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September Salon
Oct 10, 2002
THE CALL TO LIVE THE SYMBOLIC LIFE
OVERVIEW
One day as I was discussing the subject of archetypes in a workshop, I had a “kairos” experience. Typical of a kairos shift in consciousness—from the literal, five-sensory chronological mind I call “chronos” to a timeless mode of awareness--I symbolically left the physical classroom and slipped into the observational mode. I was no longer just “in” the classroom; I had entered the energetic realm, and from that perspective, the entire setting of the workshop took on an archetypal dress code. The individuals were no longer a lovely group of people who had decided to take a weekend workshop with me; they were contemporary Mystery School students who had slipped away from their ordinary lives to journey through the alchemical mist for a brief 48 hours. These Mystery School students were eager to explore their physical lives through their archetypes, learning how to interpret the symbolic meaning of their relationships, their challenges, their talents, their life directions. Each shared, in one way or another, a sense that they were being “called” to some other path that had not yet fully presented itself. And although I had told them that their accepting the invitation to learn the fundamentals of alchemy (its symbolic language and laws of consciousness) was itself the path, they were having difficulty grasping this.
LIVING INSIDE OUT
As I thought about the culture of the spiritual workshops that fill our lives and the books that load our library shelves, I could not help but realize that our lives are suspended between the workaday world and the monastic world. It often seems as if we have been called to live within a new archetype, one in which the external world serves as our ashram or retreat. I have observed this archetype in action in subtle but gripping forms in many people.
During workshops on the subject of Sacred Contracts, for example, participants are instructed to choose eight archetypes that represent the patterns of awakening most in alignment with the nature of their psyche and spirit. After years of conducting such workshops, I cannot think of even one individual who has not chosen at least one archetype from the grouping that I consider most connected to the mystical arena: Mystic, Shaman, Monk, Nun, Priest/Priestess, Alchemist, Disciple, Seeker, Hermit. These archetypes that resonate most commonly with my students reflect that they recognize that they have been called to the symbolic life.
THE ART OF DISMANTLING
Although by this time my interviewer had essentially thrown in the towel and turned the show over to me, I didn’t really have enough time to go into further detail before we had to wrap it up. If we had had more time -– and if he had continued to indulge my Teacher archetype –- I might have suggested something much more specific that our listeners could do. In a previous Salon, I discussed the practice known as Witness consciousness, whereby you learn to step back and look at yourself as if you were an impartial witness. The ancient Indian sage who first described the Witness wrote that it’s like being a king who surveys his kingdom and is aware of everything going on within its borders. He also said that it’s as if we have two selves, one that has the thoughts and feelings (the kingdom) and another that is aware that we are having them (the king). The self that is capable of witnessing thoughts and feelings is our true Self, according to this line of thinking, and is connected to the Divine Ground of all being. The key is to develop the ability to discern the difference between the apparent thoughts and feelings of our physical, chronos life, and the infinite Self that resides in the background –- on the symbolic plane, in kairos time. The image used to describe this in the sacred texts of India, such as the Upanishads, is an infinite sea of Being that underlies the waves of our finite self. And Kabir, the great mystical poet of India, wrote, “All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.”
Making Notes
All right, I mentioned your notebook a little while ago. Whether you have one of those wonderful journals that I’ve designed especially for working with your chakras and archetypes, or if you just have a plain old-fashioned spiral notebook, you must learn to keep it with you as often as possible –- in your glove compartment or carry-all, at your office, or by your bedside –- and keep writing in it. Take note of the times when you’re actually able to use this practice in the “monastic” world. Writing about it will help to reinforce it and allow you to monitor your progress as well.
Once again, I’d like to hear how you’re all making out with the suggestions and spiritual exercises that I’ve been giving you. We had quite a few e-mails in response to last month’s Salon, describing how you’ve been finding ways to incorporate some quiet meditative time into your lives. (Remember the words of Blaise Pascal: “I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man’s being unable to sit quietly in a room.”) That time and space can be your inner laboratory, where you perform experiments with your consciousness. Try different practices, and write about them in your journal. Be a spiritual scientist. Then we’ll meet here next month and compare notes.
Love,
Caroline
Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D
THE SHE/LI TENS
The innovative and long- awaited SheLi TENS will be available in November, its developer, C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. announced this week.
Dr. Shealy, father of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), reports that this extensively tested device for both acute and chronic pain relief offers a superior result that he has long sought. Dr. Shealy oversaw the development of the first modern, solid-state TENS in 1967. The SheLi TENS is the version is has long envisioned.
The SheLi TENS provides:
Non-invasive pain control superior to any other known
Optimal activation of the five circuits
Advanced patented technology
A biologically sound, natural approach
The SheLi TENS
Produces analgesia
Is user-friendly
Is safe and effective
Like all TENS devices, the SheLi TENS requires a prescription from an M.D., D.O. or D.C.
Introductory price until December 20, 2002: $ 630.00, including shipping and 3 electrodes.
Available exclusively from
Self-Health Systems
PH: 888-242-6105 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time
FAX: 417-267-3102 anytime
VISA and MasterCard accepted.
5607 South 222nd Road
Fair Grove, Missouri 65648
CMED INSTITUTE
I want to offer a heartfelt personal thank you to all the people who have signed up for the groundbreaking workshop that will initiate the Caroline Myss Education Institute here in Chicago. I'm thrilled to report that just two months after we started accepting registration in the Institute's opening sessions for the first 2003 workshop, all 170 places have been filled! I'm already hard at work planning the special curriculum that will make up this historic new two-year program. I'm excited to be setting out on this voyage of discovery with all of you as my valued shipmates.
Because of this overwhelming response to the first workshop, I'm also pleased to announce that I will be initiating another two-year program in 2004. CMED Institute will begin accepting registrations for the 2004 workshops immediately. Click here CMED INSTITUTE for more detailed information on the CMED Institute and to register for the new two-year program for 2004-2005.
Love, Caroline
The Miraval Retreat
Date/Time:
January 17-20, 2003
Description:
In January 2003, I will introduce the first of what will be an annual retreat program to be held at the Miraval Spa in Arizona (Catalina). The beginning of the year inspires so many people to want to engage in a fresh start -- to let go of old patterns and to introduce new dynamics for healthy lives and healthy relationships. Starting fresh is supported by body work and beauty treatments accompanied by a cleansing and revitalizing nutritional program. My goal in hosting a retreat in an exquisite health spa is to explore our creative intentions while nurturing our bodies. Miraval provides precisely the right atmosphere to accomplish this goal. It is the perfect location for a five-day program of creative interior and exterior relaxation that will address physical, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation. Most of us find it so difficult to treat themselves to exquisite self-care, and yet this is precisely the gift that infuses us with the energy we need to handle a demanding life, regardless of whether the demands come from the business or personal world or both.
I have created a schedule that will facilitate both pleasure and inner work. We gather in the morning for three hours of intensive interaction, and the rest of the day and evening is set aside for relaxation and spa treatments. The setting is extremely peaceful and the spa is very small, which is why it is ideal for this kind of retreat. We will focus on a specific area of spiritual direction each day, as my intention is to lead participants through a directed cleansing of the mind, body, and spirit, closing the week with two days of creative exploration and planning for the year ahead.
My teachings will be drawn from the classic writings of renowned mystics and spiritual teachers, as well as from the work of contemporary teachers whose guidance will remain a valued tool for years to come. It is a pleasure for me to create this program because it allows me to step out of my usual workshop role in front of hundreds of people. In this more intimate setting, I will share experiences and profound teachings that are more suited to a peaceful atmosphere than to a large workshop setting. Exploring the interior work and healing guidance of mystics, saints, and spiritual teachers refreshes one's soul in a way that few things can. Absorbing their wisdom is like bathing in hope, inspiration, and faith. This is one of the most life-changing programs that I have been given the privilege to create. I extend a warm invitation to you to join me on this unique retreat.
Caroline
To reserve your space for this event please call (800) 232-3969
A Celebration of Life 2002
October 18th-20th, 2002
192 Church Street, Marietta, GA
A Celebration Of Life
These times have been a test of faith, strength, and endurance. A Celebration of Life 2002 promotes the message of consciousness and community through peace, healing, compassion, and play! Our speakers share a message of love; please welcome Dr. Jill Kahn, Dr. Ben and Elaine Perkus, Martie Hughes, Isha Lerner, Gaye Nelson, and Shelli Buhr.
A Celebration Of Life
November 2002 -
Caroline Myss workshop
The Heart of Happiness
November 1
Omega Institute Conference
Hollywood, Florida
800-944-1001
