Harry Potter, Courage, Summer Solstice and 2012 – Spiritual Awakening anybody?
It’s no coincidence that there are seven Harry Potter books (chakras). It’s no coincidence that the series is a magical (metaphysical) wonderland. It’s no coincidence that Voldermort and Harry (you and YOU) are each a part of the other. …that Harry is guided by a litany of great teachers, sages, and advisers. …that Harry has to learn about and train to master the magical arts. …that Harry Potter is mega-popular series of books and films. Of course it is.
The reason is because, at its’ heart, Harry Potter is about YOU. The true you waiting to be discovered, recognized, and realized. Harry Potter is about your grand return adventure home. The home where all the separate, unloved, unseen, neglected and lost parts of YOU come together and celebrate their return, rejoice in their integration, and laugh at the whole cosmic joke process.
Spiritual Enlightenment Cliche’ # 54231516 What is true Spirituality?
Jed McKenna is my hero. There’s a passage in his book, Spiritual Enlightenment- The Damnedest Thing, that gets right to the root of our post modern spiritual materialism: He calls it en-lite-enment; where a person’s got all the goods, but none of the substance. Goods being meditation pillows, incense, rock gardens, statues, crystals, Oprah recommended books, and guaranteed techniques that will get you from point A to point B. All of this -out the proverbial yin-yang. Substance of course being enlightenment. (Oh yeah that)
Funny thing about waking up- it gives you a birds eye view of the spiritual landscape. And let me tell you: the view stinks. BUT- there’s hope…
Ego, Mind, Enlightenment and Spiritual Awakening
In order to transcend the ego you must have an ego big enough to think that you can actually transcend it.
These are my words. This was my credo during the years of my seeking adventure. Take it. Own it. Make it your own. If ego isn’t your friend, it better be, or you will never make it. Self-esteem. Confidence. Personal Power. Green Lighting. You will need all of these things. Are you or are you not going to the top?
Determination here is everything. In order to succeed you will need a strong, healthy ego: An ego that can discriminate. An ego that’s quick to change or altar course. An ego that’s thorough and steadfast. An ego that is simultaneously strong, brave, and humble. An ego that will carry you through the endless swamp of distraction and chaos that makes up this modern world. And finally, an ego that is willing to put it’s own head on the chopping block- an ego that embraces it’s own annihilation. Is this your ego?
Existential Depression is the doorway to Spiritual Awakening
-I did some serious time in the existential-depression penitentary.
-I spent a good twenty years of my life wallowing in the black depths of the dark night of the soul.
-I paid my rot time enlightenment dues. (Rot- school of waking down)
-And…I contracted a severe case of decades long zen sickness.
In other words, for a very long time … I was a miserable fuck.
Funny thing though- probably with the exception of my closest family, nobody had a clue I was going through this. How could this be? How did I function? How do I retain my sanity? How did I get beyond it? Have a seat my weary souled friend and I will share with you a few helpful secrets…
You are NOT already awake- spiritually, holistically, or otherwise
You know, until I woke up, I didn’t feel like I was awake at all.
Honestly, I would just about gag when someone told me I was already awake. Cheesy celestial new age music: You are what you are seeking for. You are That. You are the Self. Blah blah. What bullshit.
Had I believed it then my response would have been this: Okay well then fuck it- you’re right. Yahoo I’m enlightened! Ain’t a damn thing I need to do. Back to drinkin’ and surfin’ the internet for porn. Back to feeling depressed, chronically separate, full of cynicism, anger and fear. I ain’t gotta worry bout none eh that now! – cause he/she done told me!- I am/is/are already Aaaawake! Yaaaaaahoooo!
Insult- Zen and the Art of Kicking your Ass into Spiritual Awakening
So, you want to wake up do ya? Hmmm? Really?…
Great. Well then, come sit on my knee and allow me to insult you.
Every tradition has their equivalent of a zen beating: an austerity, or test, or bare bones knock down fist fight that really tests the limits of your determination to actually go through with this waking up business. Let’s face it, the monastery can hold only so many monks, so some of the candidates need to be weeded out. This is sort of like the first horrible round of American Idol; the round backstage, behind the scenes, where the cameras are definitely not turned on- because it’s just too pathetic to be entertaining. This is evolution at it’s finest- natural, organic, and wholesome- The universe’s own little way of filtering out the dilettantes and dabblers. Nothing wrong with it. Done with love. Done cleanly, neatly, and efficiently.
Head on chopping block please…
The Undead
Here’s what I think happens to you after you die:
If you do not awaken in this lifetime then the same part of you that believes and holds onto the “you” continues post mortem. After dying you will immediately be transported (just like in Star Trek) to the pearly gates of heaven where St. Peter will tell you this: “Good job chap…close, but not quite-now try again.” He then, will push a button, upon which you will be immediately transported back (just like in Star Trek) to the womb of some poor unsuspecting mother.
If you have awakened in this lifetime then no part of you continues post mortem because there is no you to continue- and when you’re dead- well uh, you’re dead. End of story.
Doesn’t this make sense? I mean this is why all separate egos are scared to death to wake up.
This is why all separate egos are offended by, avoid at all cost, and deny-every step of the way- anything that has to do with authentic enlightenment: Because it is indeed the death of the separate you. People who free-climb Mt. Everest without oxygen bottles are pussies compared to someone who consciously meets his own existential death. So, if you are day dreaming about awakening, and you really want to go through with the thing, there is one ingredient you might do well to stock up on: COURAGE. Yep, in order to wake up you must meet death consciously while you are alive.
