

Creation by Design:

The Attraction

Phillip J Falcone

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 Phillip J. Falcone

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed the this book, please recommend it to your friends and for them to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Contents

Part 1: Become the Attractor

Chapter 1: What is this Law of Attraction and how does it work

What are you attracting?

What is attracting you?

Chapter 2: Fields of Energy Attracting Other Fields of Energy

Mental Energy: Everything begins as a thought

The strange brew of emotions

Chi: The key to creation

Chakra energy sustains the etheric double

Chapter 3: The Chakras

Foundation

Connections

The ability to influence

Harmony

The two-way

Making your presence known

The crown jewel

Eccentric people

Chapter 4: The Chakra System

Chapter 5: Putting it all Together

Chapter 6: Attracting a Better Life

What if you are not the Attractor?

Help! I am unwittingly being drawn forward

# Introduction

"It must be remembered that constant study (of papers), and the apprehension by the ear and eye of statements anent the Ageless Wisdom, serve only to increase responsibility, or produce brain fatigue and staleness..."

Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul (1936). _A Treatise on the Seven Rays._

We are all on the path to becoming. What we are becoming varies from one person to the next. Some of us are of the opinion that if we learn all of life's lessons, we can stop the cycle of rebirth. Others are like the Ancients of the television series Star Gate, who believe 2012 is the beginning of ascension. The rest move through their lives from moment to moment as though they are on autopilot. How you choose to conduct your sojourn is none of my business. I am confident that eventually, all of us will get to where we desire to be. In the meantime, would you like to discover how you may be getting what you don't desire?

I am a lifelong student who spends the in-between moments of life studying, making old and new connections from ancient wisdom and contemporary science, and who seeks to share the discoveries with whomever is interested. Thus, many of the references used are from out of print books or those that have been around for decades. My aim has always been to get as close to the source as possible. Pioneers such as Alice Bailey, Charles Leadbeater, Helena Blavatsky were not interested in feeble attempts at putting their spin on some mystical teaching. At least, that is how I choose to see them. My respect for these leaders, gurus if you will, may be wrong, but I continually see their mark in today's discourse. What I find fascinating is that some of the more informative material comes from the scientific community. This brings me to some of the more recent references you will find from such notables as Bruce Lipton, Brian Greene, and Rupert Sheldrake.

I must admit, I have not read all of the material out there concerning the law of Attraction. I have watched some videos from Rhonda Byrne and Deepak Chopra. I have also listened to people complain about their lack of success in applying the methods touted by them. The only book I have ever read, or listened to that provided a sound approach to this elusive law of nature was Napoleon Hill's, _Think and Grow Rich_ ; a book about generating wealth. Whenever doubt accosts me, I return to Napoleon's philosophy. Before encountering any of these authors, I had already been using variations of their methods. Just the same, for me, something was lacking. Unsure of what this component could be, I listened to what others were saying and compared notes. I could find nothing wrong with the formulas being employed, and I will not criticize them. Even so, I have discovered one flaw, which I will be sharing. The error is not in the methodology. Any defects that may exist lied within the person and not the system. As with anything of value, there is work to be done, and you must do your share. You will not find a fast-forward way to bring wealth of any sort into your life. I will, however, suggest where to apply your hard work. Once you have discovered what these mistakes may be, you will have little difficulty using the strategy I am suggesting or using anyone else's technique, or, better yet, developing your own.

The Law of Attraction has become a cliché with a variety of meanings attached to it that are essentially, meaningless. This law implies that everything is attracted to everything else indiscriminately. If this were the case, then everything would simply be a mass of turmoil, and it is not. If you are going to do this, you have to try to do this in a manner that not only makes sense to you, but to the Universe as well. After all, it is the Universe you are working with, and she understands us in a very simplistic, albeit a sophisticated simple manner.

An attractor draws all that is similar to it in a specific direction. In most cases, this direction is forward. All things in nature are drawn forward. Each person born is drawn towards their physical demise. The instances of interruption provide opportunities for expiration and rebirth. The concept of reincarnation suggests there may be an organizing principle continually drawing us forward. Think of an attractor as being a magnet or a form of gravity. As an attractor, you are drawing various forms of energy towards you.

Being an attractor, you should be fully aware of what you are attracting. You attract specific ideas, opportunities, and specific types of energy. Some like to believe they attract things as well. These things may appear to be certain types of people, books, animals, just about anything. Take a moment and look around. Consider everything you see and try to discover the type of person you are.

# Part 1: Become the Attractor

## Chapter 1: What is this Law of Attraction and how does it work?

I could say that we attract what is foremost on our minds, but this is not entirely true. Thoughts are just one part of many when it comes to using the law of attraction. Attitude, lifestyle, and desires makeup a huge part. Let us begin our exploration into this natural law and learn how tap into this vast resource.

Since we see ourselves as intelligent creatures, we prefer to 'think' our way into and out of trouble almost simultaneously. Well, perhaps trouble is the wrong word. More often than not, we rarely think our way through anything, except maybe math tests. We are more emotional than intellectual. We feel everything from a pinprick, the wind tousling our hair, the soft caress of a lover, and even another's discomfort. These sensations evoke emotional responses. When we enter this plane of existence, we are driven to survive by a set of basic needs that are an essential part of our being. These needs include food, shelter, safety, and a strong desire to belong. The last one doesn't always contribute to our survival. I know of several who insist on being part of relationships in which some form of abuse is a component, even a central component. The idea of abuse being associated with survival demonstrates how a need is not always rational. Our rationale or intellect is shaped by a mass of impulses directed by needs and desires.

I could say life is energetic and everything about it is based on the manipulation of energy, or life force. Everything in existence is based on combinations of energy. Not only are we the result of such a matrix, but so are angels, spirit guides, and other intangible beings we call upon. The law of conservation of energy clearly states energy cannot be destroyed, nor can it be created. Meaning, energy simply is. The only action we can take is altering it, which creates another form more potent or weaker than the original. This may sound complicated, but it's not. For instance, I enjoy a nice glass of iced tea. Tea is from water, which is a dynamic form of energy, and tealeaves, which are in a static state or a holding state. The water is excited or agitated by heating it - dynamic energy. The water saturates the leaves, which are in a static state, releasing their flavor. The saturation of the leaves transmutes them from static to dynamic energy. As you can see, we manipulate energy everyday without giving it a second thought. We are energy. On account of the conservation of energy, we are neither created nor destroyed. We are, however, translated from one form to another.

All energy has a signature, or field (Lipton & Bhaerman, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a way to get there from here), 2009) as its calling card. Energy attracts energy, though not indiscriminately. Like those who get along with most people, energy gets along with all forms of energy. As individuals prefer to be around certain types of people, fields prefer to engage with certain types of fields. We, being a compression of energy fields, prefer those comprised of similar fields. Perhaps, this is because energy attracts and is attracted to similar energy.

As different people know different things, each energy frequency carries different types of information (Hawking, 2005). Energy attracts or is attracted to energy that is similar in nature. This would also mean we attract, and are attracted to those energy frequencies similar to our own frequencies and possibly the energy we are working with. For instance, when I first read about string theory and contemplated its influence, I came across someone who was familiar with it. Coincidences such as these could lead one to believe magic truly exists. The energy the two of us were using had attracted each other, which happened to be he and I. Thoughts are a form of energy, just as ideas are forms of energy. This will be explained in a different chapter. For now, think of the cliché, 'speak of the devil.' The devil often refers to the subject of a conversation, which is generally about a person, but not always. For our example, a group of people share their dislikes about a certain person when that person happens to enter the room. This ploy is often used in writing as comedy relief, but these events happen all of the time. It is not magic, but it may be the Law of Attraction. This does not mean we can think about a thick juicy steak and be whisked to the local steak house. Most likely, someone shows up with a couple of steaks for the grill. So, you had better know how to cook them.

Random thoughts generally do not generate enough energy to attract anything. However, our overall disposition, goals, and actions do. We do not attract people in the way others claim. We are attracted to events, which happen to involve people. In addition, we are attracted towards events in the same fashion events are attracted to us. We buy tickets to workshops appealing to our interests because we find them fascinating. Some of us sponsor workshops because we hope to attract others who think the same as we. The people we meet at these events may not necessarily be attracted to us, but they could be. We strike up conversations with strangers on a whim. We don't plan these events, and the strangers we meet probably don't either. Just the same, we find ourselves talking with someone we don't know, but may want to know better. When events take place, opportunities are presented, and it is up to us to thrust ourselves into them.

Some believe we are attracting everything that happens to us. This is not the case. Most likely, we are attracted to events that may initiate events happening around us and we are there by chance. For instance, I took a late night walk one summer. The air was cool and refreshing. Air cooled by conditioners tends to become flat, and I wanted to stretch my legs. My walk took me several blocks out and then towards town. One of the buildings I was closing on was a house converted into apartments. In the parking lot were several college kids drinking. While I don't recall what my thoughts were, I know they were not about drinking or anything resembling a party. As I hobbled my way beneath the streetlights, one of them loudly commented about how much fun it might be to beat the crap out some old cripple. Well, no one else was present. Therefore, they had to be talking about me. This was a case of being in the wrong place at the right time. Fortunately, nothing happened, but it could have. Some of the neighborhoods I've lived in taught me the best way to avoid trouble was to pretend you not only belonged there, but you were in charge. I didn't quicken my pace. I projected the image of being in charge.

Other events we may be attracted to may appear to be nothing. Another time, I needed to cut back on my weight, as is often the case in middle age. Recently, I had developed a taste for bagels. When the local store had them on sale, I would buy several bags. The waist began expanding, and I didn't know why. Later, an article informed that certain breads might be responsible. When the next sale was announced, I vowed to cut back. The number of bags was limited. I also selected healthier snacks, such as fruit flavored yogurt. Eventually, I avoided the section all together. The idea is to substitute first, then eliminate. The attraction here was the flavor of the bagel. The event was its consumption. The steps included the enticement of the event, meaning the sale. As I retrieved the package, I also began looking forward to eating them. This was another event in a chain of events. Events revolve around items such as bagels or people. Events are action filled. An event cannot take place without action. If anyone wants to make changes, examine the events involved.

Try to look at the Law of Attraction as being an attractor. The focus of _Becoming an Attractor_ is the role we play in events, not objects. Events are composed of subtle energies interacting with each other in a dynamic fashion, whereas objects are more of a static compression of energies. Events attract energy to perpetuate them. Hence, people and animals are an essential part of an event. By focusing on events, we are more likely to influence occurrences encompassing desired opportunities.

When I asked others about what they knew about the Law of Attraction, they responded with clichés. Clichés are like pictures, they are worth a thousand words, and often the wrong words.

### What are you attracting?

#### Cliché number one

_What comes around goes around_. Just what is this supposed to mean? Does this suggest that if I am unruly towards someone, another person will be just as difficult with me? That's absurd. People are callous with me when I am nice to them. I practice the _Golden Rule_. I treat others, as I would have them treat me. So, why do they treat me unkindly? Being nice to someone, so he or she will be nice to you is a bit misleading. People treat us in response to what they are experiencing at the moment, by rote. By this, I am referring to the customary, rehearsed greeting recited by those fully engaged with the public. Their greetings often lack emotion and are generally ignored. Some may interpret these non-plus sayings as something else entirely. Emotion is what encourages us to engage with others. Without it, we do not connect and may interpret these canned greetings in hostile a fashion. By this, I mean some may construe the person as being rude, unsympathetic, or arrogant. This may not be their intention, but it may be our reaction. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to treat them in an emotional fashion. For instance, when leaving, I try to say, "Have nice day, after work." This little change causes them to pause, and whatever funk they may have been in, is transformed into something else.

We do not always attract what is displayed in an event. Sometimes, we are just caught in it. Our reactions may have been drawn out by energetic interplay, or a conscious effort to alter the field. Discovering when the law of attraction is at work happens only as hindsight; because we have no other explanation. What we can be sure of is our intention, which in these situations is to change the others demeanor.

Being nice does not initiate similar responses. Like everything else in life, it is a numbers game. The likelihood of others responding to you in a similar nature merely increases. Does the law of attraction deal with reciprocity? Yes, our wave of the hand increases the chances of someone else waving back, but is it because of the law of attraction? When we take the initiative, are we invoking the law of attraction?

When dealing with the law of attraction, we are dealing with cause and effect. The intention of attracting something or an event is dependent on the cause, or the attractor. The causative action is what initiates the series of events leading up the grand event. Each of us is the principal mastermind in what we are attempting to bring into our lives. The effect is often beyond our control. This is known as the _Uncertainty Principle_. Simply put, if we are focused on one aspect then our ability to control other aspects lessens. If we are focused on being an attractor, then we have little control over what is attracted. Loosely translated, you may not get exactly what you want, but the odds of getting something close are good. Due to our inability to control how the law of attraction works, gives it the appearance of luck. Returning to our question of reciprocity, the way we treat people has an effect on how they respond to us. The behavioral pattern a person selects is up to them. They have more variables to manipulate than we do. The one factor we may have the most influence over is their mood. We'll talk about how emotions work in a later chapter.

#### Cliché number two

_What you give is what you get_ is the same as _what goes around comes around_ , and _you reap what you sow_. If I am feeling angry or frustrated, does this mean I will attract angry and frustrated people? Everyone has experienced one of those days when nothing seems to go right. Sometimes, we may suffer a slew of them back to back. The number of people who believe anger attracts angry people surprises me. What I find amusing, is that they also believe painting a smile on their face helps to avoid them. The idea here is a smile indicates friendliness. Actually, the smile helps them more than others (Deckers, 2005). If I want to feel better about myself when I am feeling down, smiling at others is the best pick-me-up.

Anger does beget anger; just not always in the same manner as demonstrated. Think of it like this. For every action, a reaction that is equal in intensity to the first occurs. Strike someone and the likelihood of being struck increases. Punch someone in the face; you will likely be hit with equal intensity. However, the possibility of something unexpected still exists. For instance, suppose the person doesn't strike back? Perhaps they walk away, or smile and say something like, 'God bless,' then walk away. Perhaps they chose any number of possible responses not tied to returning the blow dealt them. A person who strikes another only has control over the initiating action. Control over the result is surrendered to the other person. What happens when the focus is on the reaction?

Most of us wake up in a fairly good mood. To preserve the experience, we avoid those who appear upset, or otherwise not in what we may term as a _good_ mood. The only people we associate with are those who seem to be in a similar mood. We are not controlling the other person. We are controlling the environment. By focusing our energy on our environment, we have surrendered the ability to instigate changes directly.

Everything is based on cause and effect. The problem lies in predicting the part we are not in control of. Our only line of estimation is in the familiarity of another's behavior patterns. Anything closely tied to predictions is rooted the observation of patterns. Patterns provide us with a means of forecasting. They do not guarantee the outcome. If we know how a person generally reacts to certain stimuli, then we can reasonably predict the outcome. This does not make us psychics, just observant.

Studies have also shown how strong facial expressions influence us. If a person is feeling down, and is fortunate enough to have another smile at them, chances are they will begin to feel better (Myers, 2008). Of course, if someone should frown at you, then by all means, smile back. Maybe this is how energy attraction begins. After all, someone has to start something.

People become angry all of the time and sometimes frequently. Does this mean they will draw other angry people to them? A person can become angry just as easily as becoming depressed, excited, or bored. Who knows why we get like this? Sometimes we just get out of bed filled with frustration, melancholy, or everyday indifference. It happens to me, and I assume it happens to you. When I begin the day agitated, I do not attract others who are feeling the same way. The likelihood of encountering them may increase a bit, because everything we express is a form of energy. Energy is self-perpetuating, meaning it is continuous in one form or another. Specific forms of energy are dependent on sources in order to maintain its behavior. Fire requires fuel, which can be any substance that can burn. When it is put out, the energy shifts from dynamic to static until similar conditions arise causing it to shift again. Agitation is an emotion. Emotions are types of energy we generate. In order for the agitation to continue, it requires circumstances conducive to its nature. Since we know we are attracted to events and we attract events, it becomes obvious what is needed. When I am agitated, I will most likely look for conditions that will sustain my agitation, which includes agitating others. Our minds automatically seek out minds in a similar state of being as we (McTaggart, 2011), which means chances are prime for encountering agitated people. Hence, the saying, _birds of a feather flock together_.

For the most part, the law of attraction is about chance meetings with people having similar experiences. Energy attracts similar energy. When comparable energies come together, they have the potential to evolve into something dramatically unique. The people we interact with may have similar dispositions, and when we get together, group energy begins to resonate. Think of it as group energy dynamics. Now that I have touched on some of the idiosyncrasies of the Law of Attraction, let's look at what creates the effect.

### What is Attracting You?

People often believe they are attracting different types of people. What type of people do you think you are attracting? Unless a person has someone in mind or a certain type of person, say a Divine partner, for instance, then they are a magnet for no one in particular. Well, that's not entirely true. Everyone draws flies for a specific reason. We may be practicing our ability to tolerate others. Kidding aside, the Law of Attraction applies equally to the physical plane as well as the subtle ones, and it is much easier for us to recognize. More specifically, I am talking about physical attraction, but that is not what this book is about. What I would like to impart, is the idea of people pulling others into their paths unintentionally.

I doubt anybody is attracted to those who are frustrated or irritating. Sometimes it appears to be the case. People do like to think they are magnets for those bursting with joy and they always manage to find someone who shares a hobby or two. In reality, people are drawn to events, and the events are what allow us to connect with each other. Events may be what people have in common. If so, focusing on occurrences would be the key to understanding how energy works. What we can do with this concept? How do these events affect us? People with similar ideas often intercept each other at similar locations. Eventually, they connect.

When we link up with others, it is more likely to happen at an event that piqued our curiosity. The potential experience is what gets our attention. Chances are, most of us do not attend gatherings for the purpose of making long-term relationships. We can anticipate meeting new people and possibly even a brief get-together afterwards. Other than that, we develop longer relationships with those we encounter at places we frequent. We may also connect with people in similar environments. For instance, I am friends with the waitress at the diner down the road from me. It's not a chain restaurant, and I only go there for breakfast. I also frequent a diner near one of the places where I teach. It is almost identical to the first, and some of the same clientele frequent there as well. In both places, it is not unusual for a waitress to have a glass of iced tea waiting for me. The differences are in the way the owners present their establishments. Thus, the mix of people is slightly different, yet they have that one obvious common thread and probably others as well.

Another reason to consider events would be that people like to gather and share information. Social events also revolve around implicit rituals such as shaking hands, hugs, and greetings. Mini-events are plentiful. They occur when we stand in lines, sit next to others, and pass others on the sidewalk. Social encounters are the way of life, and life is about participation. Interacting with others is essential for our wellbeing. If you are praying for a divine partner, you had better be going to places where you expect to bump into one. I seriously doubt you will find them in your bathroom or knocking on your door, unless you are hoping your partner is a missionary.

When I hear people talk about using the Law of Attraction, they sound as though they have become a magnet. What they don't talk about is how this newfound magic also pushes opportunities away. Magnets not only attract, but they repulse as well. The dominant aspect of magnetism is its repulsive property (Gift, 2009). This may imply it is easier to push away what we are trying to attract.

If we are attempting to attract events, then the likelihood you are also pushing more of them away is very good. It is much easier to resist occurrences beneficial than it is to attract them to us. People tend to respond quickly to perceived insults than compliments. What I mean is people tend to be defensive in their responses, especially when it is an offer to step out of their comfort zone. Most of us resist change and have to make a conscious effort overcome it. Just as not all insults are intentional, not all occurrences are dramatic. Not only are people uncomfortable with unfamiliar situations, they lose themselves in the pros and cons of trying to decide whether to take a chance, which is just as bad. Suppose a woman spies a handsome man across the way. She wants to meet him. The easiest thing to do would be to go up to him and introduce herself. However, she stands still, gazing at him wondering if it is appropriate to be bold. To do so may cause her to worry that he may not be interested in her. While she is debating social protocol and self-doubt with the only person she values, herself, he walks off. See what I mean by how easy it is to push away opportunities we desire. This is one example and we are all susceptible to these nuisances. We naturally attract what is appealing, and often without thinking, push it away because we didn't recognize the occurrence for what it was. People are very good at this and wonder why they are always upset, despondent, or sad.

When a person tries to make changes, they are also shoving those changes away during the process. We don't do it on purpose. We do it out of habit, and it is the habit we should be trying to change.

Habits are energy patterns called behaviors. When we reach out for something to grab a hold of because we trip, we are reacting without thought. We are responding through habit. A habit is a well-rehearsed response to a particular set of conditions. Similar circumstances will evoke like responses. Due to some of my habits, I am often accused of acting without giving any thought to the problem. The reason for the accusations is because I have conditioned myself to do so. Possibly, some of you have experienced this as well. Generally, no one is aware of how many habits they have painstakingly developed to rely on. Only when a habit becomes glaringly obvious does anyone want to change it. Incidentally, habits are our shortcuts for doing things.

Some may think they are conscious of their routines. I thought the same thing, until someone pointed one out to me several times. Take debit cards for example. Most of us use them to pay for everything, unless certain establishments accept cash only, and I still encounter some. People barely take notice of their totals before keying in the pin number. Some do. For instance, I like to keep a running tally on certain expenses, so I do the math before swiping the card. When making purchases in which the money has been set aside, I only pay attention to the first digit to see if it's above or below the set amount. When I get a new debit card, I have to train myself to the new number, and then the total suddenly registers with everything. Before this, I relied on the habit of swipe, enter pin, press 'ok', and 'ok' again. With a new card, I have to think. What was that number again? We have to make a conscious effort to change a habit, and possibly, during this period we become briefly of about what we are doing.

Before a habit is acquired, we must first recognize a need for it. When a custom outlives its usefulness, we are forced to consider what it represented. Then, either replace it, or get rid of it.

Behaviors help us along in life. How we chose to act is no different from how we chose to eat. All actions and all foods are beneficial, as long as they are used in moderation. Once we begin to over-indulge in something, it has the potential to become destructive. Reacting to situations without thought is no different from eating as a means of escape. The response can be damaging.

When a person begins to change harmful actions, their energy output begins to change as well. Behaving differently is the best way to attract different energy. Different behaviors elicit different reactions. If I need someone to do something for me, and my habit is to tell the person what to do, the person may not want to do it. If I were to ask them, I may get a better response. For instance, when I worked as an assembler, the lead person would always tell me what he needed done. I took offense and finally took control of the situation and requested he ask me to focus on the work orders he needed instead of telling me.

"Why?" He demanded.

After setting down my tools, I looked at him and explained people respond better when they are given a choice. A couple of days later, he stopped by to thank me before he asked if I could move some orders up. Sometimes the smallest change, such as the words we use, can have dramatic effects.

Usually, when a person wants to make a change, one aspect in their life is focused on with the expectation that a little bit will do the trick. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. What does work most of the time is to look at the overall picture. Weight seems to be something a lot of people I know have had some trouble with, including myself. Whether a person is too heavy or not heavy enough, it can become an obsession. Most of them, and sometimes doctors, will turn to diets as a means of satisfying what needs to be done. Try not to be one of those people. Instead, look at the whole picture. What I mean is, look at your lifestyle. Food selection may only be one facet of the problem. Focusing on just food is like trying to give your car a tune-up by going to a different station for gas. Gas is pretty much the same no matter where you buy it. Food is essentially the same, no matter what you call it or where you get it. A cheeseburger is still a cheeseburger when it is called a patty melt.

Consider what purpose food serves outside of nourishment. For instance, I have to be careful about eating because sometimes I eat out of boredom. When I catch myself about to do it, I have to ask myself, am I hungry or just bored. Try this for habits you may want to change. Try to understand the purpose of the habit before making changes. This way the change may be easier because you are aware of it.

If you want to take advantage of being an Attractor, consider changing your lifestyle so it is in alignment with your desires. Change what you do, and you will change the overall energy. Change the spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, plug wires, and use a gas additive and your auto will run smoother. Change the way you look at food, include some exercise, develop new coping skills, and consider meditation. The chances of you attracting something new into your life will improve dramatically. If someone wants to change the way they react, understand why you react in that fashion. By gaining insight, you will be more successful.

Everything we do is part of an energy pattern. Energy is drawn to similar patterns and fields, thus people are drawn towards others of like mind. A person's dominant behavioral pattern is what orchestrates a person's lifestyle and what is being drawn. If people don't like what is being drawn towards them, consider the behaviors being favored. Look at what is being chosen and what is being dismissed. Somewhere in between is where most want to be.

When people change the way they live, they alter the energy field identified with them. You can transform your field to the point of not being recognized by others. I managed to do this by accident during my thirties. I was going through an upheaval in life, searching for direction. At the time, I searched where many began theirs, in the bosom of religion. After restructuring my life, the first person I was married to complained that she no longer recognized me. As a consequence, much of my past became lost. Even those I knew often look past me. Fields, which draw events and opportunities into our lives, are formed by our thoughts and emotions. The most important part of becoming an attractor lies in how these energies interact with our chakras. We'll talk more about chakras in the next section.

## Chapter 2: Fields of Energy Attracting other Fields of Energy

Everything is energy, and it is continuously in motion (Lipton & Bhaerman, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a way to get there from here), 2009). Energies associated with attraction exist on a more subtle and malleable plane. Forces associated with thoughts, emotions, and chakras will be discussed in this chapter.

### Mental Energy: Everything begins as a Thought

Movement is characteristic of the body, and actions are the nature of behavior. The need for movement, sustenance, and joy are stirred into action through mental energy. Our drive for existence depends on mental activity. This is why the body is predisposed towards movement. In order for us to find sustenance, we must search for what is needed. We must seek food, water, shelter, and safety. In order to find what is necessary, we must know what it is. This is why thinking is the natural function of the mind. The body must move, and the mind must think (Rapaport, 1998). Contemplation uses physical energy to generate mental energy, which is often associated with the brain. The mind is intangible, while the brain is the medium through which it acts. Anything to do with the mind and its relationship with the brain are part of the mental energy system. When I want to move about, I must know what to do and where to go. The brain must send signals through neural pathways to the limbs. Muscles decipher the signals transmitted through nerve endings. However, before anything can be accomplished, I must have a desire to do so. As the mind thinks, so goes the body. While desire is often correlated with emotions, this idea is not entirely true. Emotions are generated in a single point in time, which is now. We can remember being happy, or expect to be happy, but we only experience happiness in the moment.

Mental energy is the messenger traveling through nerve endings. Synapses act as roundabouts maintaining the flow of information. Think of the synapses as intersections. Certain signals must match their respective receptors. Only cargo vans can go down city streets, while long-haul trucks must find a different route. These messengers are signals traveling through organic transmission lines, whose purpose is to excite muscles into action. Although the muscles respond to the signals of the brain, they must also have access to their specific type of energy. Just as gas engines can only function with gasoline and diesel engines can only function with diesel. Even though both are combustible engines, the fuels are not interchangeable. The body is able to take in multiple sources, but it can only use certain elements. Some is converted to serve muscle tissues, just as other elements are converted to serve other parts of the body. Muscles provide the means to enact physical manifestations of behaviors. To manifest, is to make clear or demonstrate. Manifesting is not creating. Behavior is the manifestation of personality. The expressions on my face, my tone of voice, and a host of other tells are the manifestation of my demeanor.

Another activity requiring generous amounts of mental energy is multi-tasking. Driving or even bicycling is a series of actions and events involving constant monitoring: checking speed, mirrors, blind spots, as well as mapping a destination, listening to the radio, etc. all require energy. No wonder a long trip can be exhausting. Short trips, say to the store or across town do not require nearly as much energy because they are done out of habit. We will discuss habits later on.

The brain is what interfaces with the mind and consumes enormous amounts of energy. You may be wondering where all of this energy comes from. It comes from glucose. The brain is the only organ in the body that uses sugar (Ricter, 1980). The mind may also use a different kind of fuel derived from the chakra system. While your source of energy may appear to be endless, it is because it is based on a continuous flow of materials. I have separated the brain and mind into separate entities, because this is how I see them. The brain is physical part of the mind, and exists in a fixed plane and time, while the mind, being intangible, may exist in a dimension whose laws may be different from those of the physical plane. Think of the brain as existing only in the present and the mind existing anywhere. They may very well be two separate systems interacting in the same fashion as nerves interpreting the signals of the brain causing muscles to move.

The mind has become very efficient in how it uses energy. This is where habits come into play. Through habits, the mind uses less energy because habits are routines. For instance, driving has become a well-established custom for many of us by the time we are twenty. Through the habit of driving, we are able to carry on a conversation with the person riding with us or even on the phone, because we don't have to think about driving. If something should happen outside of the pattern, we may have a near accident. (Talking on a cell phone while driving is something I agree with.) However, if we are too involved in the conversation and are not able to adapt to the situation fast enough,...well you know what may happen. Our driving habits are why we barely recall getting anywhere, because our attention is elsewhere and not on driving. This is only one example of how we can go through the day with little recollection of it. If we take time to consider the events we are barely conscious of, we begin to understand the idea of mental energy and its usage.

Look around. Everything seen is a representation of mental energy, whether it is yours or another's. The goods in our homes, the equipment we work with, the traffic signs and more began as an idea. Everything manufactured, and possibly in nature as well has its roots in the minds of sentient beings. The imagination is pure mental energy utilized by us every moment. Where actions are an observable combination of energies, the energy used for imagining and other vague manipulations are difficult to pin down. The brain uses physical energy, while the mind uses subtle energy, which may be chakra energy to generate thoughts, ideas, fantasies, etc. When I daydream, I am whisked away to some exotic destination only I know the way to, because it is part of my inner reality. Within my inner reality, I create art, invent new methods of doing things, and discover novel ways of relaxation. Not all of what transpires in our inner reality easily translates into the common reality.

### The Strange Brew of Emotions

Emotional energy is powerful. When someone filled with anger enters a room, others can feel its tension. When a person bursting with excitement steps into a room, others want to share in the enthusiasm. Ever try getting into a conversation while feeling depressed? If so, chances are you were ignored. At least, that has been my experience. Power is the ability to influence others, and emotions have a tremendous influence on the people around us. Developing the ability to control our emotions protects us from the difficulties of impulsive behavior.

Emotions are the most potent energy generated within the brain. We are so dependent on them that if we suppress them, we risk harming ourselves. Doing so not only purposefully harms our bodies, but also our sense of being and our environment. Emotions trigger memories, play a role in bodily functions, and create disturbances in our energy systems. Just as clouds provide telltale signs of the weather, emotions reveal the state of our lives. When we talk about attracting others, we are describing the universal role of emotion.

Try this little exercise. Take a sheet of paper and write down your earliest memory. You don't have to list any details, just the event, the people involved, and how you felt. After doing this, write about what you saw yesterday while running errands, bike riding, or walking. Since you did this yesterday, add as many details as you can think of. Don't force the memory. If you don't recall any details, don't worry. Next, look them over the two events and notice the differences. Don't be surprised if your earliest memory seems to be fresher than yesterday's humdrum events.

Incidents charged with emotion are more likely to be recalled than those that are not. The reason is your attention was focused by your emotion (Willingham, 2007). Emotion is the focusing agent of our attention. If I want to remember something, I try to key in on the emotion it was charged with. While most memories are not difficult to recall, those repressed or confused with other memories may not be easy to bring forth. When making connections to information I have collected, say tying David Bohm's idea of the universe being all encompassing without separateness (Talbot, 1991) with Aristotle's discourse on the limitations of scientists' need to reduce all things to their most simple components (Pojman, 1998), I key them to an _ah-ha_ moment. When cues come in conversation, the information suddenly appears. The emotion I attach to research is difficult to describe. One description may be an intense desire to know. Not just how something works, but also how things or ideas affect our lives, if they are beneficial, and how they can be applied. Emotion is part of the process of storing and retrieving information. Emotion acts in the same fashion as a key is used to open doors. It allows us to zero in on an event or a piece of random information.

People get together for a reason. They gather in groups to share information and often express the information through emotions, whether those emotions are joy, anger, or misery. Nobody shows up to a party to sit around and do nothing. Nobody goes to a bar or café to be alone. Either we participate with those we meet, or we have a need to be among folks who are experiencing life. Be honest, you are a social creature the same as I (de Waal, 2009). We may live alone, or attend events alone, but we thrive in communities. Despite choosing to live alone, the idea of isolation is devastating and some would rather commit suicide than be squeezed out of the community (McTaggart, 2011). We are obsessed with expressing our emotions and will do so whether in solitude or in public. They are what animate our thoughts, and give life to our dreams.

Emotions are what connect us to one another. If an angry person enters a room, its occupants become wary. The energy in the room becomes tense because a majority of those in the room senses something is amiss. When an outburst occurs, tension is released and everyone relaxes. Hopefully, the outburst wasn't fisticuffs. The same is true when a jovial person entering a room. Instead of tension building, the room may become relaxed, even boisterous. These examples depict emotions at their extreme. For most of us, the rooms we enter remain relatively neutral. This is because our emotions are fairly stable most of the time. The examples provided are those instances when a person is overwhelmed or not in control of what they are experiencing. People pick up on this through their empathic nature, or perhaps I should say because of the nature of the brain.

Our brains are wired to communicate with each other on a variety of levels. One is through vicarious experience, otherwise known as mimicry, which is better than mockery. A very common example we can easily relate to is yawning. When a person yawns, chances are those witnessing the yawn will begin yawning as well. Laughter works the same way, which is why laugh tracks are often used in comedy sitcoms. This is known as mood contagion. This occurs when we internalize the emotions of others (de Waal, 2009). We are unconsciously linked to the movement of others (Rothschild, 2004). A nice explanation is the old adage; birds of a feather flock together. In other words, similar minds seek each other out. This is made possible through mirror neurons, which are activated on an emotional and cognitive level. Neurons are information centers within the brain. Paths of communication are known as neural pathways. Different neurons are responsible for specific functions. For instance, motor neurons are responsible for motor functions such as typing, walking, and moving our lips as we speak. Mirror neurons mimic or reflect the information they receive and are part of our emotional and possibly intuitional systems. This neural network is what allows us to understand what others are feeling and possibly thinking (Ruysschaert, 2009).

For us to attract anything into our lives effectively, we have to become active participants. This means we must interact with others on some level. Consider the last time you were with your friends when one of them became excited. The likelihood of most of the group becoming just as enthusiastic is good. When I get together to discuss spiritual and metaphysical topics with friends, all of us tend to ride the wave of enthusiasm in sharing theories and experiences. When this happens, the group becomes cohesive and acts as a single being. Mirror neurons allow this subtle connection with others allowing them to exist as single group entity. In order for this to occur, each member must be emotionally vested. Here's why. Before anyone acts upon anything, they must become emotionally involved (Mitchell, 1982). Without any incentives, we would move about listlessly. When we become emotionally engaged, we are ready to act.

Most of us get out of bed and go to work Monday through Friday. We don't have to, but we do. Two basic emotions account for this: fear and satisfaction. The fear of not being able fulfill our real and imaginary needs motivate some of us to go to work each day, forcing us to stay at unfulfilling jobs. Satisfaction is the ability to fulfill those needs. Unfortunately, fulfillment does not always release all of the fear lurking within.

Fear is an emotion similar to love, meaning that it is difficult to comprehend. Some will do crazy things because they are in love. Love can evoke devotion, compassion, envy, greed, and jealousy to name a few. Fear may evoke devotion, envy, greed, and ignorance. This sounds awfully familiar. Fear can also motivate a person to survive, prepare, and endure. When we consider the similarities of these two basic emotions, we begin to understand their power. Fear or love may be a blessing or a tragedy. The manner a person chooses to respond to their emotions determines how the energy responds and what is drawn towards them.

Satisfaction is one of those in-between emotions difficult to describe. For instance, I am satisfied with the direction my career has taken, because I am focused on helping others. Through facilitating classes, workshops, life coaching, and writing, I am able to assist people in discovering their potential. When I worked as an assembler, I was just as satisfied. I was being the best Phillip I could be. Simply being the best person we can be all of the time is challenging. For some, it takes a lot of effort just get to the halfway point. Others can't even do that. Do you know the familiar saying, _give someone a fish and they will eat for the day, teach them how to fish and they will eat for the rest of their life?_ I use to hear this in ABC Warehouse commercials. The point being, if you go the extra mile there is more of a reward, you get more satisfaction. Adding the cherry is not always an easy task, but it's well worth it. Changes begin to happen within and around you. Just trying to be satisfied with life can be as elusive or as easy as experiencing love.

Before moving on, it's important to know emotions connect us to the past as well as tomorrow. When we see something while out for a walk, our mind may connect to past events, but only those memories emotionally charged. More importantly, for those who seek to heal the past, emotion is the beacon guiding them to the damage. What makes this process appealing is when you are able to experience the changes made through the memory in the present.

Lynne McTaggert describes a test conducted by a doctor attempting to disprove distance healing. He had people send prayers to heart patients before their operations. What makes this experiment interesting is that the patients were already in the recuperative stages of the operation. Nonetheless, he recorded improvements in their health (McTaggert, 2007). Reading this inspired me to conduct my own experiment. My brain short-circuited in 2004. I was going to send healing back to myself during those first few weeks. While sitting in a meditation, I considered how to phrase the words in order to send the energy. The only thing, which came to mind, were the words _trust me_. A few days later, I realized the words I used were the same words I heard in my mind each day. They were the same words that motivated me to get up and begin each day. This went on for almost three weeks. The voice I heard, I had discovered after sending the healing energy, was my voice from the future. Emotion is the string connecting us to our past and our future.

In a separate event, through meditation, I travelled to a time when my father had died. My parents had divorced and events had forced him to move out of state. For a number of years I was in a form of emotional shock regarding the event. I was able to function because the event was compartmentalized. Anger and confusion filled me and conspired against me for the next twenty or so years. This happened early March in Mississippi. Some relatives I didn't know housed us while we were there. On the property, a small pond had been dug out. I went there to think. Physically, I returned to the daily events of life. Emotionally, I remained. In the meditation, I returned to that lonely empty pond surrounded by dried weeds and leafless saplings. My emotional self was still circling the small body of water. We walked for a time before I gathered the courage to speak. After reassuring him and taking him into me I returned. This was done during an afternoon. Later, in the evening for no apparent reason, I began to shudder with grief. The release had travelled over twenty years to the present. Time, while often thought of as an illusion is a transitory dimension. Meaning, time is not bound by the same laws as other dimensions such as length, width, and depth.

Here's a little exercise you can try. Find yourself a sheet of paper and something to write with. Now, relax and allow your mind to drift. Close your eyes if you like. Memories will begin wandering into your mind. Write them down. Be as specific as you want. Afterwards, consider what emotions the memories evoked. Write those down. Think about how clear the events were. Did the memories seem as though they happened yesterday, or did they feel distant?

This time try to recall something that is routine, or even boring. For example, what was the last drive to work like or the events that took place on your last walk? Try remembering the specifics such as how you felt, the sounds you may have heard, what some of the people were wearing. How many of the little things can you recall?

Do the same with these prompts. How did you prepare last night's meal? Did you follow a recipe or did you through things together? Were you excited about the meal or was just another task you needed to complete? Did you daydream while preparing the meal? What do you remember about the meal? What do you remember about the daydream? Another prompt may be when you last got together with your friends. Afterwards, did you feel energized, angry disappointed, or empty?

Emotions are the glue that binds us to each other, to who we are, and who we want to become. How we feel determines not only how much we remember, but also how we treat others and how they treat us. In other words, our moods determine the type of energy we emit as well as attract. Remember, we do not attract others, we attract energy, and energy perpetuates events, circumstances, and situations. Our emotions have a powerful effect on the subtle energies of our universe, and the chakra energy system.

### Chi: The Key to Creation

Chi, no matter how it is spelled or how it is pronounce, is referred to as the life force or prana. Some say this force is the aura. Scientists call this envelop the bio-field. No matter what you choose to call this energy field, know this force birthed the religions of the world. Anthropologists have named this force animism. They also say animism was the earliest religion to worship the creative force.

Animism is another way to approach the concept of chi. Most will define animism as a religion devoted to the belief in spirits. By this, they mean a pantheon of spirits, gods, djins, angels, faeries, and the like (Kahane, 1993). The idea being the spirit force permeates everything. Although modern scholars say gods or similar spirit beings are what man attributes all to, it comes down to causation and the identification of who or what initiated it. Archie Bahm, in his _The World's Living Religions,_ identifies this force as mana, an invisible force detectable through observation; much the same way gravity is proved to exist. No one has seen gravity because it is an invisible force. Mana is the force we are seeking to obtain or direct, which is also the subtle energies of the Universe. Before the term mana, the term was animism, which comes from the Latin word anima, meaning breath. Anima is the living breath or force permeating all. Chi is anima, or mana, with no real attribution to anything.

A third viewpoint also exists for those who prefer a more scientific avenue. Photons are the first application of quantum physics. They are also representations of electromagnetic radiation (Mishlove, 1975). When these particles collide or change frequency, light emissions are detected. These light emissions are also how the cells within our bodies communicate (McTaggart, 2011). When it comes to the chakra energy system, intense cellular communication may reside at the center of these wheels of light. The colors associated with each chakra may be cellular communities communicating.

No matter how you choose to interpret chi, it comes down to being the life force of the Universe. Chi not only permeates everything, it brings about change in an otherwise stagnant environment.

### Chakra Energy Sustains the Etheric Double

From early pioneers such as Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater through today's authors, all agree on the connection of our chakras and an etheric body. This etheric form is often called our spiritual aspect or our astral-self traversing the dream world. This astral-self may also represent the mind, which is said to be non-local. Non-local means it exists or travels the hidden dimensions, whether purposefully through meditation or through our dreams and thoughts. Incidentally, some scientists claim we are only able to perceive five percent of the universe (Bragg, 2014). This may offer some tangible evidence to other realms as well – faeries and leprechauns perchance.

Chakras are described as flowers, in particularly a lotus. This is because of their spin, or possibly their rapid pulsations, giving them the appearance of flowers twirling before the body. Each petal may be traced back to a smaller chakra point, making it a secondary chakra (Bruyer, 1994). They may even lead to different dimensions or states of consciousness (Bruyer, 1994). The ripples of colors emitted are determined by the flow of energy passing through them (Leadbeater, 1927 1st ed.). Each frequency has its own information embedded within it. We can easily assume each chakra not only has its own vibration, but its own inherent information. These energy vortices may hold more than what metaphysicists propose. Cosmologists have introduced string theory as an alternative to the big-bang theory. This suggests that vibrating open strings would give the appearance of flowers if they were observed from one end. See for yourself. Take a long piece of rope, let it hang down. Begin gently twirling it. I do not mean swinging the end about. Notice how the rope pulls up, forming a wide loop or a bow. Beneath, the end of the rope turns upward. If you were looking up, the end of the rope would appear as the central petals of a flower, while the bowed section might appear as the outer petals of a flower.

Some particles exist as points, which may actually be vibrating strings leading to other dimensions (Lewis, 2003), or at least alerting us the possibility of something more. The etheric vehicle may be a conduit for us to access these other dimensions due to its non-local properties. Of course, the question would be how do we know these other dimensions exist outside of fiction? According to the Kaluza-Klein theory, we assume the other dimensions exist because we are able to observe their effects (Zee, 1989). Do you remember the example I used to explain chi? We can't see gravity, but we can observe its effects. Evidence of these hidden dimensions may be observed through the effects they have on our reality. This could easily translate into the astral plane. Meditation, which induces an altered state of consciousness, is thought to develop awareness to higher realms of reality (Bey, 1951). These other dimensions could be more subtle manifestations of reality.

All of these planes interpenetrate each other in the same fashion as energy entangles matter and energy. They are inseparable, and can only be reached by matching the field's frequency. Within each field, thoughts congregate as bits of energy until a threshold is reached. At this point, they are forced into a different dimension such as ours. These forms may be seen as faeries, sprites, angels, even miraculous events (Besant, 1977). The astral dimension would have its own natural laws just as our dimension. Most likely, its inhabitants are forced to abide by whatever laws of physics exist. When applying the idea of chakra centers leading to other dimensions or levels of specific information, we can understand why many are tied to colors (ladders, doors, etc,) as a means of travelling the dimensions or rites of passage.

Each chakra appears to correspond with a major organ or system of the body. Each correlation is tied to a specific electromagnetic field. Each field is an attractor of energy systems of similar design. While a chakra or wheel of light is alleged to be associated with specific energy frequencies, one has to wonder where the energy comes from.

Whenever I have read about the energy centers, the authors leave me with the impression of the centers being self-sustaining. They are not. If this were the case, we would not have to be concerned about blockages because the amount of energy would be finite. In a closed system, a predetermined amount of resources exists. Once the fuel is spent, the system collapses. These systems maintain a balance or an unnatural equilibrium (Bertalanffy, 1968). Obviously, this is not the case because the chakras are able to achieve a state of harmony. This indicates a flow of energy entering and exiting the system, creating a steady state system, which is self-regulating (Bertalanffy, 1968). Where does the new material come from? One author has a theory.

Charles W. Leadbeater, a prominent clairvoyant, author, and Theosophist is considered by some to be radical in his view of the chakra energy system. His ideas form a basis for my own theory. We propose the chakras take in material of a subtle nature, which is refined and expelled as a finished product or waste. While many write about energy being drawn in from the root chakra, we believe it to be taken in by the spleen or the second chakra, which deals with a person's stagnant or dynamic relationship with nature. He freely states that his thoughts are based on observations by himself and students.

Leadbeater speaks of globules existing in the etheric planes, which appear as tiny dots of light darting about (Leadbeater, 1927 1st ed.). They may also be particles of animate energy darting through the dimensions. The globules, when visible may appear as waves of heat rising from roads and sand dunes baking in the sun. Apparently, sunlight excites them. I wonder if they may be some form of simplistic energetic life form moving throughout the dimensions instead of photons shifting from waves to particles. Annie Besant offers an idea in _The Ancient Wisdom_ (1977) _._

Besant explains how thoughts are bits of energy floating in the astral plane. When they become cohesive, the patterns are seen as elementals or beings flitting about. Thought patterns may also be fashioned into other beings known as angels and demons. If this is the case, they may be lower forms of energy creatures that, like us, evolve through experience. This would allow them to move into higher realms. Since they began as creations of humanity, they would also be more easily seen by those whose energy frequencies matched theirs.

Some people talk about gazing into or slipping in and out of other planes as part of their training or by accident. A founding Master of the Coptic Fellowship International, Hamid Bey claims to have been trained by a secret sect of the Egyptian Coptics. He tells us one of the purposes of meditation is the train the mind to move through the hidden realms (Bey, 1951). In my early days delving into occult studies, I would gaze into a black mirror and witnesse fantastic landscapes. Learning to look into these hidden places is not very difficult. "Every sphere is around us...we need not stir to find them, for they are here; but our dull unreceptivity [sic] shuts them out more effectively than millions of miles of mere space" (Besant, 1977; page 130). Clearly, when we choose to awaken our mind to other possibilities passages may be found. The reference to millions of miles of space introduces other possibilities regarding the chakras.

Brian Greene (2011), a popular author and theoretical physicist explains that those sup-atomic particles roaming freely about are actually thin vibrating strings. Strings can be closed loops or open-ended and may attract similar vibrating strings to create thicker strings (Weaver, 2008). While the connections may seem improbable, they do offer a great deal of speculation.

Chakras may be tied to specific organs and systems of the body, which also generate electromagnetic fields. The brain's ability to generate its own field is well known. At the same time, are you aware of the heart's ability to produce its own electromagnetic field? Researchers suggest the heart also holds its own memories, has the ability to gain knowledge, and make its own decisions (McCraty, 2005). Wow, would having two brains make us exceptionally smart or confused? Which do you think is the stronger? Heart rhythm and breathing has a tremendous affect on the rhythms of the brain and the body's systems. Based on this, other major organs may possess similar capabilities.

Each chakra is said to connect to an etheric body, corresponding to an astral center. The chakras may be generated by electromagnetic fields surrounding the body's major organs and systems. Leadbeater suggests each chakra connects to a specific dimension, making it a corridor of sorts. If they do connect with corresponding dimensions, then each dimension may also have its own energy signature. Something to consider, if the Earth is a living entity, it would have its own energy centers or chakras. This would imply inter-dimensional corridors may exist, as posited by ancient teachings. Cosmologists suggest we live in a multiverse, meaning the universe is composed of many universes. The idea of dimensions and universes having corridors stretching from energy vortices makes me wonder where the energy centers of the Earth may be and how does one discover them? Gravity and electromagnetism are believed to form a fifth dimension (Bousso & Polchinski, 2004), a dimension we cannot see. Despite this, we know they exist because we can witness their influence on the environment around them. This may suggest other universes may not mimic the one we are familiar with. Their natural laws may be different from our own. If a person were unfamiliar with these theories or even such events transpiring, they may believe this be some elaborate feat of magic.

As with all forms of truth, this can be viewed differently. Particles move in and out of existence as though they have a will of their own, the same as the globules suggested by Leadbeater. What if they are simple life forms used to power the chakra system in the same manner meat and fruit fuel our bodies? Particles would enter through the second chakra. From here, they would be directed in any of three directions. One path would take it to the first chakra, another would be to the third chakra, and the last would lead directly to the fifth chakra. The basis of Leadbeater's theory forms a sustainable system. If the system is self-regulating, some form of intelligence is at work. Energy flows through the chakras into different areas of the brain, eventually exiting through the seventh chakra. Sustenance flows through the chakra system, other parts of the body, the spinal column, and various parts of the brain for processing, as food moves through the digestive system. Each energy center draws what is required while depositing what is not needed. When exiting, the globule is thought to have transformed into rose-colored energy pellets. If the energy is anything like the rose quartz it imitates, the pellets would be expressions of what is called unconditional love. Compromised energy systems may be able to take in the refined material, and mend their energy system. In other words, the refined energy could help them restore harmony to their physical, emotional, mental, and auric bodies. After all, those who are ill tend to draw energy in the form of compassion from others. Some healers are drawn to those suffering in order to provide some form of comfort. Impoverished systems may receive nourishment from the energy pellets.

If such as system does exist and functions in the described way, whatever was being expelled would be comprised of what is unhealthy for the system, or excess of what is needed. Since metaphysical and spiritual authors are devoted to promoting a harmonious world, they would not give any indication of what would be exiting the seventh chakra if a person were filled with emotions such as depression, anxiety, hatred, and such. I would be remiss if the possibility were not brought forward. Consider the general interpretation of the world, which is that it is filled with violence, bigotry, greed, and a host of other undesirable emotions. People experiencing these emotions will be processing chakra pellets infused with what they are feeling. People filled with such emotions would be feeding those who share their particular world view. This tells me to be mindful of what I am feeling and how I am expressing myself.

## Chapter 3: The Chakras

 The chakra system is traditionally composed of seven main energy centers, but I will suggest eight. These centers are the root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow, bindu visarga, and the crown chakras. Each center is connected to secondary and tertiary centers, which will not be discussed.

#### Foundation

 The root chakra is said to hold the memories of karma and past lives. Add the sexual organs and we can see how it may also house our passions. The serpent fire of the Kundalini also resides in this most basic energy center. Kunda means cavity (Kumar, 2000) and can refer to the cavity in the skull or the cavity formed by hips. Snakes are representations of a specific type of energy, which may be related to a level of awareness. Most of the writings I have encountered insist they reside in the root chakra, nestled in the hips. I suspect one snake resides in the hip cavity while the other is housed in the skull. When the snakes travel through the chakras, they move in both directions simultaneously. Most would have us believe a person must be pious or very spiritual in order for them to awaken. My thought is morals have no such bearing on the serpents, just as they have no bearing on the Law of Attraction, the manipulations of energy, and those living a life of success who are deemed sinful. The kundalini knows no such thing as good and evil. A person's self-awareness also has no bearing on the nature of good and evil.

Ravinda Kumar (2000) writes, _when the snakes begin to rise, the karmas begin to merge_. Unfortunately, there seems to be too many definitions of karma to fully grasp the meaning here. Some suggest the deeds of past lives and those of the present are what is being merged. I suspect this is incorrect. Any such deeds will present themselves in the current life naturally. Karma is most likely the trail of cause and effect following us from moment to moment (Rinpoche, 1992). Each action committed has its own unique effects that ripple across life. These gentle waves touch people in ways not anticipated. A word, a smile, or any action can cut or heal in an instant. This is our karma. Positive and negative are lost upon the Karmic Law. Bad and good karma become descriptions of the effects a person experiences. The lines shift from moment to moment.

Most likely, it is the incarnations that merge. When this happens, a person is able to draw upon a vast pool of knowledge. Their consciousness is opened in such a way; they are able to see the paths and facets of each journey at the same time. They have become like the particles slipping in and out of reality, traveling through all points at once. However, I suspect this only occurs during the movement of the serpents and is not something permanent.

The serpents provide a path from the lower planes to the higher planes when traveling. When the passions in the root chakra are released, a person's level of discipline determines how they are expressed. A mind that gives in to impulses may lead a person to the darker nature of humanity. The _feel good_ attitude is the darkest aspect of behavior. While the experience may be novel, it may plunge the mind into chaos and subsequently a life racked with difficulties. Typically, behavior seen as overindulgent is called an addiction. Addictions generally ruin lives and those connected to it. A person practicing restraint may be able to channel the energy in a more beneficial fashion. People with a passion for business, for art, or even information may be channeling the Kundalini energy in a productive fashion. Morals have little to do with energy. Discipline is the difference between a mind that controls energy or energy that controls a mind. Kumar (2000) suggests a mind not prepared may result in a damaged brain. In what way the brain could be damaged, I am not sure. However, a stroke can damage the brain severely or mildly. Something for us to think about next time we consider indulging in the arts of the occult (secret knowledge).

Alice Bailey has some suggestions. A person's emotions may become unstable, which in turn may lead to physical illness (Bailey, 1978). Another possibility is an energy being attaching itself one of the intangible bodies. When this occurs, a person may feel fatigue, restlessness, or behave in uncharacteristic ways. In any case, the changes a person may experience can be subtle or dramatic.

Others imply the serpent may awake accidentally. If this is true, then activation may not be dependent on a person's mental development, but through environmental factors. Following this line of thought, I suspect the activation of genes and the release of specific proteins or other chemicals produced in the brain may play a role. Regardless, certain conditions may be required. Those purposefully seeking to awaken the twin serpents may never do so, while others seem to stumble into the event.

The root chakra is also our base of power and stability. The chakra's purpose is to promote survival. Being successful is important to attracting what is beneficial. When the energy center is chaotic, our sense of self becomes lost. A person is likely to suffer from low self-esteem (Davies, 2000), lack self-confidence, and experience disharmony. Surviving successfully is minimizing struggle. Those who accomplish this are often very confident and comfortable with themselves.

#### Connections

The sacral chakra, also known as the spleen chakra, takes energy into the system. From what I understand, most imply the astral bodies, energy beings, and guides are self-perpetuating. If this were true, we would be self-perpetuating beings, and we would have no need for food. This idea may suggest eternal existence, but this would also signify indestructibility. Only energy fulfills this concept, because it is malleable. So far, every energy system in existence takes in raw material, processes it, and expels waste, which often becomes the raw material for another system. For instance, we take in air, which is a mixture of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. What is expelled is air rich in carbon dioxide, which is what plants require. They expel oxygen. All waste becomes the raw materials for different ecosystems, some more dangerous to us than others. We can assume those we call higher and lower beings consume some form of energy and expel what they don't need. The idea of the sacral chakra taking in energy comes from Charles W. Leadbeater.(Insert illustration of energy flowing into the sacral chakra and directed to the three pathways: root, heart and solar plexus chakras.)

 Spiritual teachers have discussed the existence of lower beings attaching themselves to our mental and emotional bodies. These lower beings may feed on greed, fear, anger, and similar emotions. Higher energy beings, often referred to as angels, masters, or devas may ingest higher emotions such as joy, satisfaction, and love. The sun takes in gases and matter that become trapped in its gravity well and are drawn towards it. It expels heat, radiation and other forms of energy. So far, everything in existence absorbs something nutritious to it.

The spleen is part of the immune system, recycling red blood cells and stores white blood cells. The spleen and the sacral chakra are responsible for processing material. The sacral chakra takes in globules, which follow one of three paths in the refining process, and are eventually expelled as energy pellets from the crown chakra. Although I am not sure of the quality of emotions in a given area, I am confident emotions play a key role in the process. The quality of emotions is somehow imprinted on energy as it moves towards the crown chakra for dispersal. Imagine your sacral chakra taking in energy pellets expelled from a group of people whose thoughts are contrary to yours. You may begin feeling tired or depressed. If they are agitated about something, you may begin experiencing their agitation. Fortunately, emotions and ideas change like the weather, and like the weather are palatable in small doses. However, some become caught in the throes of dismal emotions and ideas. This is akin to experiencing gray skies for days on end – depressing. They may appear to be rigid in their thinking, which may mean they are suffering from a constricted flow of energy through the sacral chakra. Sometimes a change is all that is needed. Other times they may require something more.

Energy flows into us through the spleen chakra, which also means the center is about flow. Red and white blood cells flow from the spleen throughout the body. In order to maintain the flow, the system must be flexible. For this to happen, the relationship between material and the processes it goes through needs to be maintained. For this type of system to operate efficiently, an optimal flow should be reached. Most of us do not live optimal lives. They are filled with dips and curves, sometimes shooting straight up and suddenly twist in another direction. At best, we adapt to what life brings, often plucking what appears to be gold as we move through events. Thus, the sacral chakra is about harmony, flow, and relationships on all levels (Davies, 2000). When the energy center is not functioning properly, we may find ourselves out of balance with our surroundings.

#### The ability to influence

The solar plexus, also called the navel chakra is tied with the digestive system. The field tied to this center may be produced by the thick cluster of nerves behind the stomach and kidneys. Presumably, this ganglion is tied to the various processes of digestion. The food we take in is broken down and refined into usable enzymes and proteins; the same as energy is taken into our chakra system is refined. Anything not usable is passed through the kidneys, bladder, and sweat. From the digestive system, the body receives its power. I like to think of this ganglion of nerves as a satellite brain. After all, where else could the idea of a _gut instinct_ come from?

The solar plexus is called our center of power. Power is about how we influence each other (Huag, 1999). One of Spiritualism's Principles of Declaration suggests we are responsible for our happiness and unhappiness. This is what the solar plexus is about, being responsible for our actions. A word slips out unintentionally and cuts through the façade of another, wounding them. Correcting inadvertent acts is being responsible. Smiles can bring encouragement, and wash away another's suffering. We often feel better for being the catalyst of change. That gut instinct we experience provides us with a great deal of information about others, events, and life. It also tells when to use our power.

The icky sensation we sometimes feel tells us someone may not have our best interests at heart. Other sensations such as feeling drained, apprehensive, and joyful are signals about another's energy. Our thoughts are transmitted to others via energy patterns. Our brains seek the brains of others to communicate (McTaggart, 2011). Those sensations are the result of information being exchanged. Information received travels through our cognitive filters, and then compared with our experiences. Whichever memory the sensation awakens determines the gut response we receive. See the significance of the solar plexus? This is the last level of physical development tied to the chakras. Problems here will have a defining effect on the development of our higher chakras.

Anybody who finds themselves in co-dependent relationship may have a poorly functioning solar plexus. Co-dependency is based on a rescuer/victim relationship (Davies, 2000), or an enabler and someone who is enabled. The rescuer may blind themselves with devotion because they believe the victim cannot survive without them. Relationships such as these are one-sided. Due to a lack of energy exchange, one or both may experience constrictions in the sacral center and possibly the root chakra as well. The main issue may deal with survival.

Another sign is avoidance (Davies, 2000). The purpose of fear is to alert you to anything out of place. Many associate fear only with danger, but fear can also be an opportunity. When I encounter something unfamiliar, I tend to be a bit cautious. I weigh the pros and cons of an opportunity to determine its value. If I were to avoid everything connected to feeling fearful, the only opportunity would be for stagnation. If you find yourself avoiding something, it is a sign for you to investigate what is different. A person searching for validation, or a reason for acting a certain way, may find insight in the solar plexus.

When the energy center is functioning in a healthy manner, our foundation, which resides in the root chakra, is stable, and we are able to experience sustainable long-term relationships. We are able to co-exist within a group (couple) dynamic without losing our identity. Self-identity is often an issue with women. When they marry, they are often referred to by their spouse's name. The same is true with girl friends. The male is generally how others identify them. This may only refer to the stronger of the two, particularly with the growing acceptance of same sex relationships. The effects of the solar plexus flows through all relationships, not just those considered sexual, romantic, or intimate. Identity becomes lost because ownership is implied. Identity is as equally important as recognition. Being mindful of how you present others is good energetic preventative care.

#### Harmony

 The heart chakra is said to be the seat of our emotions. The effects of the emotions we experience are dispersed through the body through the heart's electromagnetic field, which is more powerful than the brain's electromagnetic field. This is why Rollin McCraty believes the heart maintains harmony within the body and why our emotional state is important.

Beneath the heart chakra lie the energy centers corresponding with our physical well-being. Above are the spiritual centers, which we are told reflect our higher development. This chakra does more than mediate the two realms. The energy center translates them into something sought by many. Unconditional love is what many strive for. I consider this to be the most elusive form of love to express. When I hear others explain unconditional love, they compare it to a child who is neglected by parents, but continues to love them. This description never sat well with me. The image evoked implies the idea of abuse and neglect is acceptable. Abusive people manipulate love and shape it into something they recognize, but may be unacceptable by others. On the surface, those who see unconditional love in a devoted child may not see the fear hidden in the vastness of hopelessness and survival. Seeking approval, securing shelter, or just trying to make the pain go away a child, or any person will stand by the one wielding control. In all likelihood, the child may not even be aware of the possibility of a different life. In the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas (1984), Jesus tells us faith receives, and love gives. Love, in any form is sharing without recompense, not participating in the bargaining process so many initiate. The idea behind unconditional, is freedom of choice. Unconditional love is allowing another the freedom to follow their path and not the one laid out by another. Unconditional love is the freedom to refuse what is offered without fear of reprisal.

Some do not know what love is, thus they imitate the behavior associated with it. Some believe it is impossible to not know what love is and often call these people monsters. Monster would be an apt description if it were not for the connotations attached to the label. A monster is merely something, a creature as yet unidentified. People who fail to interpret love the same as most have been identified, they are known as sociopaths. I would imagine the first image to come to mind would be the character, Hannibal Lector of _Silence of the Lambs._ While the association may be correct, a broad comparison would hardly be fair. More on these unusual people later, for now, know that not everyone fully grasps what so many assume to know.

One time, I was asked to speak at a Spiritualist church. The topic I chose was love. The congregation was asked what love is, the answers ranged from protecting others to self-sacrifice. Everything focused on the other person exclusively without any thought for the self. Everything begins with the self: self-esteem, self-control, self-confidence, self-awareness, etc. Yet, we seem to forget ourselves when it comes to love and may even see self-love as being flawed and avoid ourselves. No wonder the world is in such straits. Culture and religion insist we love others while denying ourselves. Imagine going through life avoiding any good thing to say about yourself. Imagine having a best friend and having nothing nice to say. This sounds a bit rude to me. Thus, many have to learn to love themselves, because we are taught it is selfish to do so. This does not mean we should go to the extreme as Narcissus did when he became enthralled with his own image. When this happens, a person may become lost within themselves, leaving no room for anything else. When the attachment becomes as strong as that, then those closest may be pushed away.

Alice Bailey, when she talks about the rays associates love with wisdom (Bailey, 1978). In this instance, love becomes understanding, empathy, and even freedom. In order to experience this, we must look within. I am not talking about meditation, though it may be the vehicle for self exploration, I am suggesting personal reflection. The self is a collection of experiences we identify with (Perks, 1998). Look within the dark pool of the mind and discover how you became the person you are today. Discover the desires which motivate you. In doing this we discern the motivations of others. We find our place and perhaps those of others within the scheme of the universe. Everyone is the person they have chosen to become and possesses the ability to become even more. One of the things preventing people from experiencing loving relationships is their inability to accept themselves. When a person sees themselves as being grotesque, they feel undeserving and project their unworthiness unto the Infinite. While someone may tell others they are unhappy about someone or with themselves, they are actually saying they are unhappy with life. The emotions they experience are transposed onto something easily recognizable, such as a person or a pet. This was me, once upon a time. I felt ugly, unwanted, and worthless during the early years of life.

Eventually, I stopped looking for excuses and started looking within, observing past events. Through this exercise, I found why people thought poorly of me. I'm not suggesting we need to change our lives, or even make improvements. What I am offering is if someone does not feel comfortable with themselves, no amount of self-improvement is going change how others perceive you. Loving yourself is accepting yourself right now. If love is to receive, accepting is receiving. If you can't seem to give yourself permission to accept yourself, then I accept you. You are perfect. You are the center of your world, and your world deserves perfection. If you are not perfect, then I ask you to take on a real challenge and explore who you are, and discover what makes you imperfect. A person can be perfect or near perfect if they choose to be. I see every person in existence as being perfect beings. Some have the desire to continue refining themselves, others are content. If you cannot see this, I would like to help recognize the beauty that you are.

Exercises:

Find some paper or a blank journal and a pen. Look for a place where you feel peaceful, or at ease. Feel free to burn incense or play music if it helps. The idea is for you to feel comfortable and relaxed. If you wish, close your eyes, but don't fall asleep. Allow you mind to wander over past events until one interests you. Next, focus on the event. Notice the person you are speaking to. What do they look like? How do they feel? How do you feel? What are the two of you doing? Try to resist interfering. Your job is to observe. Resist trying different ways of resolving the situation. When the event is concluded, write down all you can recall. Don't worry about details. Focus on the event. What motivated it? How did you react? What are your feelings about your actions? Imagine you are the other person, listening and responding to your comments. How do you feel about what you said? Consider what may have motivated the responses. Now, consider what could have been said differently. Consider different scenarios. Do these exercises as often as you like, and be sure to note your discoveries.

When it comes to defining unconditional love, I prefer Brenda Davies description in _The 7 Healing Chakras_. Unconditional love is the ability to support another regardless of how you feel about them. Pop culture teaches us that when we fall in love, we have to be with that person or worse, we must marry them. I disagree. We can love a person and not be with them. Sometimes being with another does more harm than good. Perhaps this is why people have sub-categories such as I love you like a friend, a brother, an uncle, etc. because they are unsure of what love is. Nevertheless, whether married or partnered, both need the ability to be who they are, to maintain their self-identity. Unconditional love is allowing others the freedom to grow in the fashion that suits them. Love is the ability to support another on their spiritual and personal journey. Occasionally, this may mean separation. Sometimes our notion of love is selfish and ignores the freedom of others. When a person fears the freedom another needs, they begin to cling in desperation. Being afraid of being alone is a natural reaction. The need to belong is so strong; people will do anything to avoid being separated from others (McTaggart, 2011). Often a person will prefer to stay in an unhealthy relationship to satisfy their need to be part of something. Sometimes wants and desires need to be voiced.

The heart chakra is the desire for harmony, the ability to receive what is desired. Love is the ability to share in the act of giving and accepting. Harmony is founded on both.

#### The two way

When it comes to communication, all aspects should be considered. Speaking is the outpouring of energy while listening is taking it in. The same is true with behavior, action is the outpouring of energy while observation is accepting the energy provided. As with everything tied to human beings, communication is a dynamic flow. The quality of information flowing in through our ears may not always be the same as what flows out. Information enters through the ears, eyes, and senses. As it moves through the brain, it is refined through a series of filters before recognition is reached. Sometimes the filters need to be cleaned because people begin to see and hear only what they want. Someone who is consistently being misunderstood may want to consider what they are saying and whether the words being projected fully represent their power. Words are powerful metaphors and if used improperly their meanings become distorted. For instance, if I were to help someone, I could just as easily rescue them. By assisting, they become a partner in their solution. The words help, rescue, and assist all share the same meaning. However, only one word reflects itself properly. Assist does not have rescue attached to it. Assist simply means all parties act in a similar fashion towards a common goal. Help and rescue describe the actions of one person. The one asking may or may not be part of the solution.

The throat chakra is the first chakra to express our desires in a fashion not tied directly to the body. When the energy center is not functioning properly, people may find themselves wandering from place to place or job to job (Davies, 2000). Of course, for some, this could easily be expressed in loosing purpose and becoming despondent in general. My job consists of facilitating art classes at the local senior centers. Not exactly a dead-end job, but not something filled with challenges. This brings a measure of satisfaction, yet like others, there are times when I feel lost. What does this mean? Most likely, I am not communicating something properly. Whether this expression is for the benefit of others or myself, some thought or idea has become lost. I have become uncomfortable. Whatever a person's career maybe, they should feel comfortable. Wherever a person may be in life, they should be comfortable. Anything a person does, they should be comfortable doing it. When people begin to feel uncomfortable, they should stop and listen to themselves, the universe, guides, friends, even strangers. Do whatever is needed to become aligned with purpose.

Communication is a ritual of listening as well as speaking and doing. Most of what I have gathered about the throat chakra is about expression. I hear nothing about listening or meditating. Interacting with others is more than expressing our desires; it is also about understanding the desires of others. The Divine communicates with us continuously. That buzz we hear is the sound of nature's expressions. This can be spirit guides, angels, loved ones passed, pets, or any number of energy beings trying to say hello, provide solutions, or give warnings. Heeding the expressions of the throat chakra of others is essential to the flow.

Communication is an expression of emotions and thought. Whether we chose to speak, write paint or sing. Therefore, if we are to be understood, we should be in alignment or in harmony with ourselves and with those around us. For us to accomplish this, it helps to realize we are dynamic people whose truth continuously evolves. What may once have been satisfying yesterday may not be the same today. This is okay. It doesn't mean we are confused or indecisive. It means we are striving to understand. When someone attempts to hold onto old truth in the face of new truth, not only do the words you speak hold less meaning, but they express an unwillingness to accept change. Being referred to as _stubborn_ is not always a good thing. Stubborn also means an aversion to anything outside a particular box. Energy flows through the throat chakra into the brain, possibly the mind and returns to the throat chakra for manifestation. Any rigidity in thoughts or emotions will cloud the information.

Energy flows in and out of the throat chakra as it does with all chakras. Ambient energy from the system and the environment flow inward, while what flows out comes from the more refined frequencies of the upper levels and the less refined lower vibrations. This concept is never more evident than here. Constrictions from either direction will become evident to those who take time to listen. How else can a person know more than what is spoken? Remember, poor communication is often the reason relationships end prematurely (Davies, 2000). Abuse, whether it is verbal, emotional, or physical is a misuse of power in the solar plexus being expressed through the throat chakra. Behavior is expression. It would seem there are many connections here.

#### Making your presence known

The brow chakra is often associated with the pineal gland, which is believed to produce the chemical dimethyltryptamine (DMT). This is what allows humans to experience visions, prophesize, astral travel, and pretty much everything related to communicating with the Divine (Luke, 2011). I find it extremely interesting that ancient teachings focus on this specific part of the brain, while having no apparent scientific reasoning. Of course, the support may have gotten lost in translation, which is often the case when information is passed along, destroyed, and recollected. The pineal gland not only plays an important part in vision quests (Strassman, 2000), but also produces melatonin. Melatonin is tied to setting the body's internal clock, regulating hormones, restoring the immune system, and assisting other systems such as the endocrine system (Wickens, 2005). Melatonin also serves as an antioxidant (Ravindra, Lakshmi, & Ahuja, 2006). Apparently, the pineal gland is not something to be ignored.

 From the brow chakra, we speak to the Universe, indicating an intimate relationship with the throat center. From here, we share our desires and thoughts, not only with the Divine, but with all who are tuned in. Power from the solar plexus is drawn upward through the different energy centers where it is charged. This is why a harmonized chakra system is important. Any restriction will have an effect upon what we are trying to attract or create. Often, I see people attempting to attract love and prosperity while coloring their message with self-deception. Any form of deception is evidence of a defective energy system. Restrictions in the sacral and solar plexus areas disrupt the foundation, corrupting the message we send to the Universe. All that comes their way is met with disappointment and confusion. Self-assuredness and clarity are what shift the energies in your favor. The root chakra grounds us to the material world, encases our personality, and charges the information offered up. Think of the electricity in your home. It requires a hot lead and a common ground to complete the circuit. The same is true with our mystical power system. When we open this energy center, a firm foundation is needed, which is provided by the root chakra. Without this grounding effect, our lives seem like a dream. Dreams rarely follow a sequence. The images appear to hop about in a haphazard fashion. Having a poorly grounded energy system can have the same effect on our perception of life. Events take place with no apparent connection. This has happened to me on more than one occasion. My brain _short-circuited_ sometime ago, causing the information to be processed differently, leaving me with the feeling of being disconnected. I can only assume the flow of energy within has also changed, lending a feeling of disconnection to life. Eventually, I had some crystal bracelets made to help ground me.

What a person attracts is based on the information they are sending. Here, the age-old saying of _as above, so below_ is revealed. As energy moves through the lower chakras, information is imprinted within it. If a person's self-esteem is lacking, or they are in a co-dependent relationship, or have difficulty forgiving themselves, that person is sending these limitations up to the Divine along with their desires. The Universe follows the directions given. If someone is looking for a soul mate and are imprinting these messages about themselves, they may find one who has the same challenges. Desires and wants come from the lower chakras. They are translated into the language of the Universe as they move through the heart chakra. The throat and brow chakras amplify these desires and wants with power through voice and visualization. Even though a person is asking to attract a person who is best suited for them, they will get a person who is experiencing similar problems because that person is their best match. In this instance, the person's highest good is to restore their sense of worth, teach them the meaning of friendship, and to forgive themselves of those actions that did not work out. This is why I tell people to take of themselves. We should feel confident of our abilities, we should feel good about whom we are, and we should recognize what needs have yet to be satisfied. By taking care of ourselves, we are telling the Universe or God we are ready for the blessings to pour upon us.

Anyone who is not sure if their brow chakra is working the way it should be, should take a look around. Are there any half-completed projects scattered about? Are you having difficulty finding your way, or knowing what is best? Poor intuition and projects in various stages of completion, or difficulties seeing things from another's point of view are indicators of a brow chakra in need of attention (Davies, 2000).

Projecting ourselves into tomorrow, or visualizing ourselves succeeding are necessary parts of our identity. This is our third eye, the eye that sees what is not there. Feelings of despondency and melancholy can be signs of something amiss. Sometimes these troubling sensation lie deeper than we suspect and may require help from others. Emotions are more than just energy boosters and dampeners. They help define us in ways science has yet to explore. When chemicals in the brain go awry, they can upset our entire being. Depression and anxiety are serious problems which can hamper our ability to function in the physical plane as well as other states of being. Despite the stigma often attached to these deficiencies, talking to a minister, life-coach, or mental health practitioner is beneficial. When it comes to taking medication as a means of correcting such imbalances, be sure it is in conjunction with face-to-face or group therapy. Relying strictly on medication to alleviate a problem is like riding a bicycle without brakes. Yes, you can still ride the bike, but eventually, you will crash.

While the third eye deals with seeing into other dimensions, it is also about our relationship with the Divine. Try to determine why those projects remain unfinished. One of the ideas religion attacks is self admiration. This may be what prevents us from finishing projects. We are afraid of admiring our work. A brisk walk is a great way to clear the mind and gain some insight. Find what works for you, because when we feel good about ourselves, we can see ourselves in the future more clearly. Having difficulty seeing a project completed is also a sign of sending mixed signals to the Divine.

#### The crown jewel

The crown chakra is associated with our higher conscious. Most of us insist on separating ourselves from the Divine. Separation creates a schism; in this case, the concept of dualism begins to form. As we subject ourselves to the laws of duality, often described as black and white in its most simplest of terms, we subject ourselves to limitations (Steiner, 1972). However, if we see ourselves as 'I' being our internal image, which is also a representation of the Divine, then no separation exists.

 The law of duality is not part of evolution and barely fulfills the role of comparisons. This fallacy of balance acts more like a pair of handcuffs. Liberation occurs when these bonds are dissolved.

According to the teachings of the Gnostics, Helena Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, and other luminaries, before the Logos came into being, the Absolute, the Divine, or the quantum field existed without comparison. Only this well of churning energy existed. This is captured in the symbol of the point, from which all things sprang. The Absolute was, as of yet, unaware of itself. Nothing existed. Only the Absolute existed. The Absolute was not yet aware of itself. When awareness occurred, some say the first creation also occurred. For the Gnostics, this was Sophia or Barbello. Alice Bailey describes this as the differentiation. Here, awareness occurred because the energies of the cosmos were spewed outward. Separation had not begun, for the umbilical cord was still intact, connecting the first creation with the Divine. The next step is the true birth, or should I say the point where the umbilical cord became severed.

So far, the Absolute is represented by the point, and awareness as a circle forming around the point. Then next phase is the beginning of evolution, creation, and limitation. However, the limitation did not occur right away. Duality occurred when the point merged with the circle, dividing it into two distinct shapes or half-moons.

When the children of the Absolute and Sophia, namely us, began to divide creation – good things and bad things, positive and negative, good and evil – the sphere was truly broken in two. Today, the severity of the halves extends into more than just good and bad, but _us and them_ , along with host of other descriptors that emphasize two distinct values. This is our limitation. We have bound ourselves into the auspices of good versus evil. What people do not realize is that the value of good and evil is not a true value. The division shifts with the tide of popular thought. This has trickled down to the individual, often to the point of paralysis.

If we to move beyond this state of stagnation, we have to unify these measures into a single value. When this occurs, we have moved beyond duality and into unification. When this occurs, we not only become an expression of Divine thought, but we are brought back into the sphere of Unity. "One must not consider the Spirit as God or as of a specific quality, for it is more excellent than the gods. It is a Beginning that none precedes, for no one existed before it, and it has no need of them. It does not need life, for it is eternal; it needs nothing, for it is not perfectible, since it has no deficiency which might be perfected, but is beyond all perfection (The Secret Book of John. The Other Bible page 53)."

When we can go beyond the limitations of duality, we can raise ourselves to a higher level. With this new information, we can move past the point of repeating past lives and renew ourselves. The ability to create becomes available. Yet, in continuing to seek a balance between good and evil, we are caught in limbo. When the two are merged into a single concept, the energy inherent in both is multiplied because we have taken the two and made them one once more. We become part of the Divine, which brings us to the crown chakra.

When referring to the crown chakra, I am referring to our interaction with the Divine. Given the functioning of the brain and because the energy spends a good deal of time moving through it, I am going to assume the wheel of violet is the summation of the fields interacting within. Most likely, I am wrong, which is why I am only asking that you entertain the idea. These energy conduits flow throughout the cortex. Buried beneath the wrinkly grey mass are the parts of the brain – hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, etc. These areas provide instructions for the production of various chemicals in the brain, including instructions for processing information. The cortex is where it all comes together – the ability to make decisions, access memories, and everything separating us from animals, relatively speaking, of course. Herein lays our ability to project ourselves into the future and traverse the past. This is also the home of the ego, which promotes the continuity of life (Allione, 1998). The ego also connects us to the world at large. When mastered, it serves others through acts of altruism. When left to its own means, it becomes lost in the pleasures of the senses (Steiner, 1972). However, each of us has a specific designation for the ego. For myself, the ego is an integral part of who I am today and what I shall become. Others may see it as something to be rid of. Without an ego, the desire to become more dwindles.

When looking back at what the lower chakras contain, we find they contain all we may be trying to hide. Unresolved emotions lie in wait, and at first opportunity, they ambush us. When someone talks about baggage, the person is talking about the interruption of the flow of creation as it courses through our body. Everything we are, and everything we could be resides within these energy centers. What lies in our lower centers determines how the world appears; a place of strife and ugliness or a place of opportunities and beauty.

The crown chakra is the conduit to another place, to divinity if you will. We are told we get glimpses of heaven and of God from here. For some, God resides within. The ego many so desperately try to rid themselves of is the key. Those who say they are spirit having a human experience should not be trying to rid themselves of the ego. The ego is what drives us to discover who we are. If we are spirit having a human experience, then it is the ego which allows us to do so. Without ego, we would not be able to define our purpose in life, because we would not care. This is what balances our impulsive emotions with the rigidity of law and moves us to compassion. The ego connects us to our higher self, and our higher self connects us to the Divine, which is the information field surrounding all. A disturbance in the flow of energy alters the experience.

I could be wrong in my estimation. Some say two crown chakras exist, and possibly more. One school claims a chakra resides within the crown. Another suggests a chakra lies above the crown. One may be associated with the cortex, while the other may be tied to the limbic system. This would make sense because the limbic system is part of what is called the mammalian brain. The limbic system is the reward system. This part of the brain also focuses on our desire to nurture. I talked about this when explaining emotional energy. This time our focus is mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are tied to intuition and empathy. They allow us to anticipate another's movements and emotions (McTaggart, 2011). Those who may be overly sensitive to emotions may have an abundant number of these neurons, while those who seem to lack emotions may not have as many as the average person.

Overly sensitive people are typically sensitive to changes in their environment, mood changes in others, and may need to isolate themselves as a means of recuperation. They also tend to anticipate the thoughts and actions of others more easily. Like most things, there is an upside as well as a downside. People who are very sensitive of others often have difficulty living in close proximity with others. Sometimes, just being around groups can be strenuous. They often feel overwhelmed by the emotions, thoughts, or the sensations of others (Aron, 1996).

Emotions are the motivators for action. Joy, rapture, satisfaction, are all parts of the limbic system of self-reward. True altruism is an act of emotion, not reason (de Waal, 2009), which is why it brings a strong feeling of satisfaction. The limbic system is also responsible for your sense of fulfillment. When someone feels good about something, it is because they are patting themselves on the back. This is a good thing and should not be repressed. Doing so would constrict the sacral and heart chakras, which in turn have an effect on the crown chakra(s). Not only that, but mental imbalance and disharmony to the body may also occur. The tricky part of expressing self satisfaction is when it goes beyond the compliment. The dangers are the same as holding back. Egotism is what occurs when effects of the reward system move beyond emotional satisfaction, and invade the reasoning parts of the brain. Through the chakras, we merge our emotions with the intellect to achieve a high sense of spirituality. When emotions overtake reason, something else is created (revenge, obsession, etc.).

The intellect may be the second crown chakra. This wheel of energy could be associated with the neo-cortex, which allows us to learn, to understand complex ideas, and communicate through language. The chakra centers exist in all of nature. The human language possesses variations in structure and meaning (Nowak, Komarova, & Niyogi, 2002). Language is not something wholly human. Primates are our closest cousins on the evolutionary ladder and have a language system almost as complex as ours. What separates us is our ability to project ourselves into tomorrow and to express our projection. Therefore, if the second crown chakra exists, it may be tied to our ability to commune with the Divine on an esoteric level.

### Eccentric People

I would like to return to mirror neurons for a brief moment. Highly sensitive people are at one end of the spectrum when it comes to mirror neurons; they may have more than the average person. This causes them to be more empathic and possibly become overloaded by another's emotions. At the other end of the spectrum are those people with less than the average number of mirror neurons.

A good deal of the literature surrounding metaphysics, spirituality, or even religion focuses on emotions. This requires a majority of people to interpret and express their emotions in a similar fashion. Ridiculous, I say, especially in a culture which encourages individuals to be unique, or at the very least not quite like any other. Well, if any were to agree with me, they would be wrong because the more people strive to be different from one another, the more likely they are to be the same. Consider this, if the average person is too busy trying to be something or someone they are not, then those who are satisfied with just being who they are would be the ones truly different. After all, isn't that what spirituality is all about, learning who you are and accepting what you find? What are your thoughts about those who are truly different from you? Should we accept them or marginalize them? Not everyone interprets emotions on the same level as the average person.

One in twenty-five people is a sociopath (Thomas, 2013). Most of us are familiar with Thomas Harris' _Hannibal Lector,_ and the television series _Criminal Minds._ These portrayals of sociopaths are actually the exception and not the norm. For instance, of the number of women incarcerated for murder, or any other serious crime, have no sociopathic tendencies or signs of antisocial personality disorder (Warren & South, 2006). The criminal sociopath is more likely to steal your cash, forge your signature on credit card receipts, or break your favorite coffee mug. People of this ilk often lack the discipline to control their impulses. Also, the average sociopath is much more intelligent and refined.

Before we go any further, I would like to drop the term _sociopath_ in favor of eccentric people. After all, to the average person, they do act a bit odd. Well, odd is a bit relative to the individual. Eccentric people usually do not conform with normal ideas and expectations. These deviations are usually small, but to most, they often appear to be huge. Being caught in a lie can be a shameful experience for most, but they seem to brush it off without a second thought. They appear to be immune to guilt. Eccentric people are not prone to boredom, and often seek out a variety of pleasures, because to them, denying yourself of such things is absurd. Most people concern themselves with consequences, whether they are real or imaginary. However, the one hallmark that cannot be denied is their emotional callousness (Smith, 2006). They are perceived as being callous because they do not respond in the expected fashion. A loved one dies and instead of attending the memorial service, the eccentric person keeps a business appointment. How horrible. At the same time, what do most people do at memorial services? They visit with relatives they have not seen in ages and catch up with the latest goings-on. Oh, they may talk about some of the antics or reminisce about the deceased, but the deceased does not play an active role. Afterwards, others comment about how the dead person brought the family together. The eccentric person may see this as a waste. If those attending the service were truly interested in distant relatives, they would have visited sooner instead of waiting for an excuse. The eccentric person may be more honest with themselves and others than most care to experience.

What separate eccentric people from the average person are not really emotions, but how emotions are interpreted and how they respond. In short, they may lack what others call morals. Morals depend upon negative emotional responses. These responses are what the prevailing culture deems as acceptable (Douglas, 2012). For example, an Afghan refugee who had relocated his family in Maine was arrested for gross sexual conduct involving his eighteen month old son. He had kissed his penis and was subsequently arrested (Shweder, 2000). What would your thoughts be? Perhaps they would be along the lines that he deserved what he got. However, you may be surprised to discover that such an act is considered a display of love in Afghanistan. Kissing a part of the body considered to be unclean is seen as the ultimate act of love (Shweder, 2000). A moral person in the United States may find this tradition deplorable. To an eccentric person, such an incident may be interesting and even thought provoking.

They are often seen as being intelligent, as well as extremely self-confident (Thomas, 2013). Perhaps intelligent is not the right description. People of authority would be a better word. To say intelligent would imply that we would be lacking, which is obviously incorrect. Studies about obedience have shown people are willing to trust any they believe to be experts or are in some position of authority (Perry, 2013). During the 1960s and '70s, Stanley Milgram conducted a series of questionable experiments. What began as an attempt to measure national conformity ended in a journey which tested the limits of a person's obedience. The protocols consisted of a teacher (the participant) applying a series of shocks in which the voltage increased each time to a maximum of 450 volts. For each incorrect answer given by the learner (a confederate who was privy to what was happening) the participant would jolt the person. The person receiving the volts would cry out, feigning pain. In one incident, the participant believed he had reached 330 volts, which may be along the lines of catching a stray current from you outlet – not enough to kill you, but enough to scare the pants off you. The participant's only concern during the experiment was who would be responsible for the learner's condition. The attendant replied that Yale University would take responsibility. The participant continued the experiment, stopping at the maximum of 450 volts (Perry, 2013). When the session was over, the person's only concern was how to calm the individual being shocked. The idea of an apology or concern for the other's well being had not entered the person's mind. Keep in mind; this was an average person who one would expect to possess morals. After his initial experiments, Milgram confronted the participants during the exit-interview with the true nature of their actions. Having confronted aspects of their personality they did not know they possessed, many were ashamed (Blass, 2009). Would these actions be considered sociopathic?

In Milgram's first series of obedience experiments, he noted that despite being conditioned not to intentionally harm others, twenty-six out of forty people intentionally caused harm. That means over half of the population may not be concerned about being nice. He also discovered that if a person believes another to be of authority, they feel obligated to carry out their instructions regardless of beliefs, including morals (Blass, 2009). This may explain why many of us fall for scams and cons. Another reason for intentionally harming others may lie in labeling, assigning blame, or any other act of dehumanization. According to psychologists, before this can take place, the person must dispense with their moral beliefs (Douglas, 2012). In my view, the marginalization of certain ethnicities, religions, and lifestyles is inherent in the development of culture. Such evolution is left up to those who share the same mindset and push for a more flexible or rigid society. As we evolve, emotionally based actions contend with intellectually based actions. They clash, intermingle, and become something often unrecognizable.

The actions people engage in are often rooted in the ethical and moral codes each of us develop. Both engage our emotions, but at different levels. The intellect often applies ethics to their given situations, while morals draw from a person's emotional development. A more precise description would be the former deals with interacting with others and the latter places a value or a judgment on a given action. Both deal with the use of power, drawing upon the solar plexus energy center. Power is defined as having the ability to influence others. Unequal power or an abuse of power occurs when a person imposes their will upon another (Huag, 1999). Manipulation is imposition of a person's desires upon another, something many of us do every day in one fashion or another. Most of the time this is merely part of the process. Haggling is part of the buying/selling process. Here, two people seek to impose their will upon the other for a common goal: a fair price. Nothing wrong with bargaining for something you want. If one were to bargain from a false position, say through deception, then an unequal distribution of power exists.

Morals draw from our emotions and are more of an unconscious reaction (Douglas, 2012). Generally, the reaction is due to a positive or negative feeling. Unconscious responses are habits, or conditioned reactions. For instance, when a person reeks of alcohol, my thoughts are to avoid that person. In that very instant, I have made a judgment against that person. This has nothing to do with ethics because it is an automatic reaction. Ethics are what allow me to overcome the judgment.

Addictions are essentially conditioned reactions to stress. A person doesn't start off being addicted to a particular methodology, it took time to develop. Following the same analogy, our beliefs, which are what morals are built upon, were shaped while we were babies (Lipton & Bhaerman, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a way to get there from here), 2009). Beliefs often have no factual evidence to support them. They are a collection of opinions representing an interpretation of the world. Thus, what is considered right or wrong has been conditioned into us from the very beginning of our lives, and may or may not be consistent with current practice. A good example would be the complaints of older generations about the younger generation's work ethics. The only real difference between them is their approach to work.

Ethics and morals have their place and serve us well. One is no better than the other. In my experience, morals and their emotional influences are messy. This is not to say any should follow my thoughts, because they only apply to me. Ethics serve me very well because the causes and effects are much easier to anticipate and respond to with appropriate action. They are also on opposite ends of the curve, meaning most of us employ both.

A small portion of the population appears to be sensitive to the emotional vibrations of others. Authors like Dr. Elaine Aron label them as highly sensitive people. We discussed them earlier. At the other end of the spectrum are sociopaths whose empathic nature appears to be very little. In between the two is the majority of the population. For all of their misgivings, people who exhibit sociopathic natures are often leaders. Corporations will seek them out because of their aggressive behavior (Thomas, 2013). These eccentric people are what occultists and mystics strive to become. Emotions are seen as troublesome and must be controlled. Before moving into the position of the occultist, the student must master the art of centering their being and focusing their mind. In other words, they must be able to control and channel the energy of their emotions (Bailey, Letters on Occult Meditation, 1978). However, the eccentric person is not without flaws. They are susceptible to the lower emotions such as hate, greed, and anger. While some people seem to have a jump on others, we all have to deal with these bothersome emotions. As with all things, those labeled as sociopathic have a place in the scheme of the Universe.

## Chapter 4: The Chakra System

Just as energy flows upward, it must also flow downward. I do not believe the creative force flowing through us moves in one direction or even travels in a straight line. I suspect we are permeated by this energy, and it mingles with our blood, spinal and cerebral fluid along with the rest of the body. The subtle energies of creation and the gross substances of matter are intertwined (Lipton & Bhaerman, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a way to get there from here), 2009). All matter is a compression of energy fields, meaning that matter and energy are entangled in such a way that one cannot exist without the other. Chakra energy is most likely one of those fields or several fields sandwiched between other fields comprising matter. Incidentally, we are part of the physical material of this world composed by the resonance of these many fields.

(Sketch this section) The last two chakras or perhaps three have a more direct association with the brain. If we look at Leadbeater's material on the chakras, the crown, brow and throat chakra energies flow through the main parts of the brain. These are the reptilian brain, the mammalian brain, and the cerebral cortex. Before the energy reaches an exit point, it flows through these parts of the brain first.

The oldest of the three is the reptilian brain, or the brainstem. This is where our instinct for survival and reproduction reside. Survival of the individual is tied to the root chakra. Reptiles are concerned with the elements of survival. Their natural impulse is to satisfy these needs. Our first impulse is to survive, just as it is for reptiles. Keep in mind, surviving and living are not the same. One satisfies basic needs while the latter is more about experience. We can assume that our natural impulses are inherited from the oldest species, which is also the lowest part of the brain.

Think about what is needed to survive in the world. It's not just money, because some don't need it, but many take it for granted. Food and water are obvious. Shelter may also be taken for granted. Food plagues us every day and not always as a need. For those who have gone without food at one time or another, it is commodity to be kept and replenished as needed. I am one of those who keep food on hand. Often, it is more than needed. In my late teens, I was essentially left to fend for myself. Food is something teenagers take for granted, at least I did. After all, it is a parent's duty to provide for their children, and food is part of the responsibility unless, the parent decides to teach the child a lesson. A situation such as this can become messy quickly. Not a pleasant experience, and by no means does it equate to the homeless who may go for days without eating. Just the same, hunger resides in the root chakra.

Hunger is not always a need. Hunger can be a craving. Anything drawing attention in such a way as to elicit an unnatural focus can be considered a hunger. A person with a deep-seated need for power is said to be power-hungry. This is why our passions are said to reside in the root chakra, but passion may not be the correct word. Passion can also be an overpowering emotional reaction with a physical expression. Perhaps hunger is a more pleasant description for an unhealthy drive or obsession. Obsessions are difficult to control because they are essentially exaggerated impulses. With time and effort, they can be brought under control. This is what makes the root chakra an important ally. It provides a means to push us to do what may appear to be impossible.

Another sensation tied to survival is shelter or security. Fear, dread, and anxiety are just some of the emotions experienced when we are not in a safe environment. Have you ever had to sleep in your vehicle because you could not afford a motel room? On more than one occasion, I slept in my Bronco II. When I would visit my cousin in Illinois, I would pull off the highway and sleep at a rest area. Sure, the doors were locked and the windows up, but did I feel safe? No. I was apprehensive and vigilant during the night. One time, I awoke to the words, "Put your hands on the ceiling." Imagine the dreams I must have had to accommodate those words. Hearing the sound of shoes scuffling on asphalt, I slowly raised my head until it cleared the window. Eyes peering out behind automotive glass saw police officers with guns drawn surrounding a minivan next to me. (Phillip, consider an illustration for the story.) This was maybe a year or two after 9/11. The commands were directed to its passengers. The event had something to do with the sale of the van being in question. It was a night to remember. Granted, I stayed the night there by choice, but I would not want to live like that. Although earlier in life, I had a taste of the lifestyle during a separation, though not as dramatic, it was still not pleasing. When I am safe, I am relaxed and confident. I would like to think you feel the same when you are safe. Hunger and security are conditions of our external environment and often rely on our interpretation and reactions to events. Do internal conditions have similar components? Anything focusing on needs and desires resides in the root chakra. The only exception may be self-esteem, which bridges the root and sacral energy centers.

We hear a lot of talk about self-esteem, which is simply self-worth. By this, I mean the value you not only see in yourself, but also in your potential. This is not about perfection by another's standard. We are all perfect in every respect. Perfection is not an end point or even an end goal. Perfection is found in the ability to evolve in a continuous fashion. Perfection is not symmetry, as science would prefer. If this were the case, then perfection would be in the recreation of a substance in exact proportions. This would also include inherent weaknesses, which amounts to stagnation. This reminds me of a story.

Twenty or so of us professed Spiritualists had gathered after church service for a workshop on Rhonda Byrne's _The Secret._ The only reason I was in attendance was because I was scheduled to speak that morning. After lunch, we gathered in another section of the community center that acted as the church. We got as comfortable as one could expect in hard plastic chairs. The pastor, a robust silver hair woman with large glasses pushed a cart with a large television and VCR. Naturally, I was disappointed. I don't know about you, but a workshop to me doesn't include watching a movie.

Ninety minutes later, the pastor opens a discussion session. On average, people are eager to speak; they just don't want to be the first one to do so. She did what most facilitators do when no one wants to go first, she began calling on people. Eventually, the conversation got around to discussing what perfect means. Like a majority of the population, the consensus was no one is perfect.

"You know," the pastor began with a wry smile, "I have a friend whose daughter became pregnant." She had stopped her pacing and began to emphasize her words with her right hand, as many speakers are wont to do. "One day we were talking on the telephone, I don't remember what about, but the conversation got around to her daughter, who was pregnant. She told me that every night she prayed for a perfect baby. Everyone wants a perfect child." Then her voice took an all too serious tone. "When it came time for the baby to be born, it was still born." She paused as everyone sighed in astonishment or grief. "Think about it." She challenged. "What is perfection?"

Many, especially those who are strong in their religious convictions, believe when you reach perfection, you die and go to heaven. The woman's mother prayed for a perfect child. Perhaps she wasn't clear in her idea of perfection. Perhaps she too was of the opinion that when we reach perfection, the Lord calls us home. In response, people insist they are imperfect, and in doing so have carried the belief to an extreme, as perfection has become.

Self-esteem is part of a bigger picture of the self. Self-identity encompasses a person's individuality, their relations, and level of representation within a group. A person's identity is bound to their experience (Vingnoles, Regalia, Manzi, Golledge, & Scabini, 2006). This means our identity is composed of the interplay of cognitive, affective (emotional), and social interactions, which are guided by our goals and motives. Our identity is tied our ability to being confident, competent, and valued by others (McKay & Fanning, 2000). How do we know when we are successfully integrating these areas? We don't know. We don't succeed all of the time at all of them, but we do part of the time in varying degrees. Self-esteem is based on circumstance, self-perception, and interpretation (McKay & Fanning, 2000). This means our level of self-esteem is in flux. I feel good about myself, most of the time. Loneliness, melancholia, and disappointment are still a part of life's experience, but they do not make up a large portion of it. When I don't feel confident, competent, a part of something, or valued by others, I pretend. When you visualize something and make it part of you, the pretense becomes real. So, if we can pretend to feel good about ourselves, what's the harm?

"Self-esteem is essential for psychological survival...without some measure of self worth life can be enormously painful with many basic needs going unmet (McKay & Fanning, 2000)." Consider why some people choose to die and sometimes choose to cut short the lives of others along with their own. It's not because they are mentally imbalanced, because this assessment can imply many conditions. It's not because they were depressed, although depression accompanies feelings of worthlessness. Consider why many experiencing terminal illness choose to end their lives. Pain is something many of us choose to endure and choose not to endure. Pain is not limited to physical sensations, which can easily be identified. Mental and emotional pain can plague a person without them being able to identify the pain or its cause. Think of self-esteem as a barometer for how you feel today – great, rotten, or mediocre are expressions we use to describe ourselves (Bloch, 1993). Self-esteem is also motivation for feeling better. We do this through self-improvement, which can range from seeking like-minded people to attending church or support groups, from classes to enhance our skills to classes, which enrich our lives, to a variety of activities that bring satisfaction.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Low self-esteem is not a naturally occurring phenomenon, it is learned (Bloch, 1993). As children, we build our self-image based on the verbal opinions of those influencing our lives. A child caught between disgruntled parents or adults learns all the wrong attitudes about life. For over twenty years, I felt worthless and undeserving after being caught in the crossfire of divorcing parents. Like most coping with low self-esteem, my focus of distraught was on aspects about myself. I felt flawed. I believed myself to lack the competence to succeed. A person's belief in himself or herself determines, in part, the actions they chose (Baumerister, Campbell, Krueger, & Vohs, 2003). However, the most important thing to know about self-esteem is the idea that improvement in any aspect of life will improve other aspects of life (Baumerister, Campbell, Krueger, & Vohs, 2003).

I hope you can understand the role self-esteem plays. Self-esteem is about survival on multiple levels. It begins in the root and grows into the sacral chakra, extending its tendrils throughout the energy tree. How you feel today, right now is not how you will feel an hour from now or even tomorrow. Our general outlook on life is what is important to the art of attraction. Focus on the big picture and tweak it with little things.

The mammalian brain is where our empathetic connections dwell. Our need for pleasure, companionship, and our response to fear is rooted in the amygdala, hippocampus, the hypothalamus, and other parts of the limbic system. They are also influenced through the expression of the sacral chakra.

While the reptilian brain focuses on instinctual responses, the mammalian brain allowed humans to come into existence. Within this new development are tools that encouraged our warm-blooded friends to co-exist with each other. Our basic emotions encourage us to survive at different levels. Survival transitioned from an exclusive endeavor (survival of the fittest) to an inclusive adventure. Another way of describing this is survival transitioned from the root chakra to the sacral chakra. Just when mammals actually began to nurture their young is difficult to say. We can assume the requisite tools evolved from the reptile's extreme sense of smell, which formed the brain centers for emotion, memory, and behavior (Rose, 2005). This is an important step, not only in brain development, but also in the addition of the brow chakra. Within this group is the pituitary, which plays a major role in hormone regulation. When the hypothalamus is linked appetite, sex drive, rest, and pleasure become something more in the scheme of life. Notice how these translate from hunger, reproduction, and sleep behaviors to include a sense of pleasure. The sacral chakra draws energy from this group and charges it as it flows into the brow chakra to be projected into the Universe. These needs, once satisfied in the root chakra become something more in the sacral chakra.

The throat, brow, and crown chakras may all tie into the endocrine system; which is responsible for harmonizing the body. The endocrine system has a number of responsibilities, including sexual arousal, blood sugar, and metabolism (Wickens, 2005). Chief of this complex system is the pituitary gland, which most likely is also connected to a little known chakra called the bindu visarga. This unknown energy center is thought to be the seat of creation (Kumar, 2000). Presumably, when the chakra activates, the body is able to rejuvenate itself. Another aspect of the endocrine system is working with long-term stress. I believe stress is the number one killer of the body because most diseases humans face take advantage of a body in distress.

Before flowing out the crown chakra, energy travels through the throat chakra, which is tied to the body's metabolic rate. Although the heart is the seat of emotional balance, the throat and consequently, your voice express the condition of your body in relation to what you think and how you feel. When the body is in distress, excited, or somewhere in between, it is evident in the tone carried by your voice. Remember, energy is imprinted with information on a variety of levels. Most think of expression as being part of the arts – writing, painting, sculpture, etc. – and forget that expression occurs in other forms. Body language often speaks louder than words. The expression of our face – priceless – is often the first impression of what we are feeling or experiencing at the moment. When the body or mind is in distress, evidence is provided to others in the way we smile or wince. This could be why the throat chakra is assigned the role of expression; our face sits atop of it. We should also remember our eyes and ears are also part of the expression of the throat chakra. Before a person can express something, they must have information to react to.

What interests me is the idea of this chakra being a direct link of expression for the solar plexus and the heart energy centers below and the brow and crown centers above. When we move from the lower centers, we find subtle connections to them in the higher centers. The root center is directly reflected in the crown. The sacral is tied to the heart and subsequently to the crown. The solar plexus, which houses our power draws upon our foundation (root chakra) sending the energy to the throat in the form of speech. Before it goes there, the energy flows through the language centers, emotional centers, and those areas producing chemicals encourage us to express our feelings. For instance, when someone is in need, they reach into the root, which is their foundation. If their foundation is lacking certain qualities, then what is brought forth will also lack those same qualities. Think of it this way. If a person is voicing a concern and feels undeserving of what is being given to them, what will the message be by the time it exits? Any constriction of energy flow is expressed because each of us is a living energy system. The energies flowing within us are inter-related as well as interconnected. (Try to find an image that highlights these areas in the brain.)

I have not spoken about the connection of the crown chakra. Calling this energy center the _crown_ is misleading. Many chakras exist beyond. This crown merely separates this system from the next, which is more subtle in design and purpose. For example, reincarnation has its own energy system and is somehow connected to the chakra system.

Reincarnation, considered a mystical fact, may also have a scientific base. Often, when a person reincarnates they carry evidence of the past life on the physical body or in the recesses of the brain. Physical markers may be in the form of deformities or skin discolorations (Stevenson, 1997). The role of science is to prove or disprove, while providing explanations of why or how. Unfortunately, even the most current science cannot provide explanations for everything including what qualifies as attractors. Reincarnation is a natural phenomenon in nature because evidence points towards an organizing factor (Stevenson, 1997). We are becoming or evolving, and part of our evolution includes not only a physical body, but also bodies of different natures.

If someone is interested in knowing about the possibility of other energy centers in relation to themselves, they can start with the Earth. We are intimately connected to the earth in such a way that we are extensions of her being. The same as children are extensions of parents; we are extensions of the planet, the solar system, and the cosmos. As the planet moves along her path of becoming, we are part of her process. Although the process of reincarnation for a planet is likely to be different from our understanding, rest assured, it takes place. As our physical bodies, move about on the surface of the planet, our subtler bodies move about the surface of the planet's subtle bodies as well (Steiner, 1972). This is only in one direction. If we were to move in other directions, we will find connections to bodies even more different than what we are familiar with. This is why a plethora of information exists on diverse subjects at different levels of understanding.

As the story goes, each energy center connects us to a specific plane (Leadbeater, 1927 1st ed.). A corridor is formed, and information specific to the frequency becomes available. Most likely, when these connections are made, the information pours into us. Later, when we need it, the mind supplies it to the active conscious. Information resides within energy, and energy is divided by frequencies. Fortunately, we do not have to make these connections consciously because they are part of our existence. We link to these frequencies by accident early on and later, as the mind becomes more disciplined, we do so at will.

As we move through each incarnation, I believe strings connect us to information already gathered. At the beginning of each embodiment, we go through a type of retraining. We re-experience previous events. Our progression through life or a divine purpose is revealed as we move through the edited version of past lives (Steiner, 1972). As we progress along our path, a deeper awakening takes place. At least, that is how I understand it. In reality, we are gaining access to previous incarnations. Yes, we continue to grow beyond them, but only after, we have re-established connections to the information already gathered.

The lower chakras are directly associated with the organs of the lower body and have secondary associations with the endocrine system such as the testes or ovaries, and the adrenal glands with the kidneys. Sometimes, I wonder if the connection of these energy centers with the organs is a misunderstanding. The sacral chakra, tied with the spleen, is the only chakra I can find that is wholly oriented to the body. Both are a type of filtration system, and this would make sense. The purpose of the endocrine system is to regulate the body. What is important is how the lower centers relate to the higher chakras.

The heart chakra acts as mediator for the body and the endocrine system. The heart actually talks to the body. From here, emotions are funneled outward, communicating with the body as a whole. This implies that our heart may have more control over bodily functions than the brain. Clearly, this is an integral part of the chakra and bodily energy systems. These centers appear to be divided into two distinct levels. Nonetheless, the heart chakra as mediator connects the lower chakras to the higher centers. Perhaps the crown chakra acts in the same fashion with the other aspects of the bodies.

To the best of my understanding, chakra energy, through its connection to the etheric and physical bodies, links us to the Divine. Its relationship with the spinal and cerebral fluid is what bridges the intangible with the tangible aspects of not only you and I, but all that exists. The existence of the universe is tied to us, for we are its witnesses. (McTaggart, 2011).

## Chapter 5: Putting it all Together

I have talked about the different energy systems we overtly access. Separating these structures is not the best thing. Science has convinced us it is better to reduce everything to its simplest components for study. The flaw in such a method is we do not get a proper understanding of how the components and systems work together. I will try to connect the dots as best I can.

Much of what we do, and aspire to effects and is affected by the integration of these energy systems. Before the wheel was invented, someone had to see it within their mind first. The imagination, which is mental energy mixed with emotional energy must first be re-developed. When I was a child, my imagination was fertile. Role-playing games were the norm. Pretending the back porch was a jail and two trees the bank, along with patrolling imaginary streets, sticks for guns, and bicycles as horses was a great way to develop my ability to think outside the box. However, as we move through the school system, we are conditioned to conformity. This seems to encourage logic and reason in favor of imagination. Now, I find myself struggling to imagine anything dramatically different from the world of today. May I ask a few questions? Where is your childlike version of Matt Dillon (Captain Kirk or even Doctor Who) today? What was your version of Dodge City or the world? Is your imagination as keen as it used to be? Are you just as passionate now as you were then about what you want to do for the day or what you would like to change in the world? Mingling the mental and emotional energies is as important to becoming an attractor as it is to becoming an organizing principle. We need to be able to visualize our desires. We also have to taste them. Unfortunately, not everything we deem important for us is good for us.

The Divine operates on absolutes. Positive and negative energy are lost on her. Energy simply exists. Energy cannot be destroyed or created, merely transmuted. We have a choice on how to use those energies. We can attract something useful, creative, or...well, I don't have to mention what else, because some of us are living it right now. However, it is _what else_ that most focus on and that is what concerns me.

Before anyone can do anything, they must become emotional about it. Remember, emotional energy is the most powerful force we generate. Our time as a child, teenager, and young adult was spent developing and learning how to control those emotions. During that time, our emotions ran rampant. In know because I was the same way. I gave in to desires and rages that were costly. They also provided valuable insight. People experience lessons repeatedly until they decide to use them intelligently. Our lives began with impulses. Freud called these impulses the id. The role of the id is to seek pleasure (Feist & Feist, 2006). For many of us, pleasure is an oxymoron. Thrill seeking is a good example. Putting oneself in danger in order to experience the rush of adrenalin is not exactly healthy, unless it is the _Tilt a World_ at the carnival. Those whom we consider to be adult teenagers who just can't seem to do the right thing may be caught up in their _feel-good_ impulse. A good example of a lack of impulse control is fodder for police dramas, and reality shows flooding the digital airwaves. Whether people act impulsively or in a calculating manner, they are seeking to satisfy one thing...the need to feel good. Fortunately, most of do not fall within the thrill seeking category, and when we do, we don't stay there long.

The two main ingredients of creation are vision, and the ability to act. This is a very simple process. What is sad about this straightforward process is many fail to act.

Emotion is what motivates a person to act, but without a direction, they are going nowhere fast. Many times, I have witnessed people acting on impulse, whether it is fear, starting fresh, or something else. Do you recall when I talked about thoughts being things? Our most valuable tool is the imagination. Emotion provides the energy to move us, but we need ideas in order to act. One reason you may be reading this is because you have an idea, and you are acting on it. Action is not all that is needed. Think of an idea as a dream. If I want my dream to become a reality, I must become passionate about it. Oh sure, people want to be wealthy, who doesn't? Do they dream about it all the time? Sure, I would like to be rich, but I don't daydream about it. For me, empowering others is my fantasy. Almost everything I do, I ask myself if this will help someone become what he or she wants to become. I visualize myself doing workshops and teaching different ways of experiencing life, so people can move through it easier. After all, why should someone go through the same pains I went through if I can suggest a different approach? Our emotional energy charges our aspirations with high-octane fuel.

Chakra energy is part of that subtle energy field we call the collective conscious, the quantum field, the Divine, the Universe, the Absolute, etc. You could say this type of energy is nature's secret ingredient because without it, nothing exists. This is the chi or the life force our ancestors called anima. Anima is Latin for _the breath of life._ Spirit is from the Latin _spiritus,_ which means breath and translates into life (Bahm, 1964). I do not find it surprising that the pagan religions of our ancestors were more connected with the life force than most so-called religions are today. This force does not just flow through us freely. It is an intimate part of our being. Nearly everyone, including myself, unintentionally, and sometimes intentionally, constrict the flow of this ancient power as it flows in and out of us, like the tides of the oceans.

The energy centers are attached to the spinal column, intermixing with the fluid, enhancing the creative force as it passes through each point. On account of the energy flowing inward, it is subject to our thoughts and emotions. I am not talking about thoughts as they rise and fall within mind. Our overall view of life is what colors the flow. In a sense, the centers speed up or slow down the current (Bruyer, 1994). Those who see life as a struggle, a place of ugliness, and its denizens untrustworthy have constricted the inward rush into a stream. Seeing life as a series of opportunities and excitement, allows this creative force to pour through a person like water from a faucet. Emotions play an even more important role in the prospect of organizing these energies.

Emotions are the weather vane of life. When we ignore them, havoc sneaks into our lives. Some choose to stuff their feeling down, fearful of exposing them. Actions such as these may lead people to substance misuse. I often wonder why people would do this. I would blame the culture we have created, but somehow that would be avoiding the real culprit. Think about whom that might be. Society is composed of individuals working together for a common purpose. While that purpose remains healthy for the populace, they are in harmony with each other. However, a time comes when a common purpose no longer serves the higher interests of some participants. At times such as these, an individual may choose to remove him or herself from the group and align themselves with marginalized groups. This occurs because the person no longer feels they belong to the larger part of society. It is this sense of belonging that holds society together. The individual determines what part of society to align themselves with. Some parts of society believe that only certain emotions should be displayed, while others should be suppressed. We should experience all emotions that surface. Suppressing any one of them gives it the ability to barge in upon our life at the most inopportune time.

Anger and melancholy are very common. Failure to express these emotions creates health issues. Imagine what message the Universe receives. Visualize God as someone with a clipboard checking off items to be shipped to you. (Phillip, sketch a cartoon expressing the story.) Someone does something irritating. It's nothing serious, but for some reason, it continues to plague you. Then another occurrence takes place, and your response is to keep quiet. Now you have two incidents playing back to back in your mind.

Someone told me everyone has a guardian angel. Somewhere in the ether someone's guardian angel is paging God.

"Yes," a luminous female figure barks at the holographic screen. "What is it?"

"Excuse me, but I keep getting anger and frustration," the guardian angel says.

"From whom?"

"Thomas, my charge. He keeps sending anger and frustration."

God shakes her head in dismay. The order being filled was for Thomas, now the list of items looks like a catalog of wishful thinking. A group of light beings from the Draco constellation is getting ready to load a pallet of boxes into a chute. "Hey," God calls out, "we need to put some of that stuff on backorder. Thomas has put in a large order of anger and frustration. So, pull some of whatever is tied to those." Nodding her head in the direction of several pallets laden with every size box one could think of waiting to be shipped. Scrutinizing Thomas' order, she begins drawing lines through a better paying job, a vacation, improved health, and scribbles job layoff, chronic illness, and overtime. "Here," holding up the form for one of them to retrieve, "add these instead."

Addressing the guardian angel, "You need to get together with Thomas' group and get some of this stuff off our backlog."

"We are trying." The angel offered. They had been trying to get through to him for years, but he was a collector. Collectors are much like hoarders. Instead of hoarding everything they find, collectors gather the amusements of others and make them their own. Personalize every little jibe and tease to put them in a bucket. When things turn bad for them, they dump it in the middle of their mind and pick through them like coins.

That is what loads up in our energy centers. The throat, heart, solar plexus and possibly the sacral chakras have constricted the flow of life. Regardless of how the energy enters, when it gets to these centers, it is charged with Thomas' inability to let go of the actions of others. As the energy passes through the chakra centers, it absorbs his desire to personalize matters and his feelings of impotence. The energy is flooded with his need to blame others, and for whatever reason, he is fearful of saying anything. This saturates the life force with anxieties. From the brow center, the energy carries this information out to the Universe, or God. This is how a person attracts what is happening in their lives.

Any who feel they are suffering should consider its fundamental causes. One of the noble truths of Buddhism is the origin of suffering lies with cravings and attachments (Rapaport, 1998). Whenever I encounter difficulties, whether they are emotional or mental, I look for what I may be trying to hold onto. Much of our distress can be tied to relationships. The source of loneliness is the lack of relationships. Loneliness is not the same as being alone. The former is lack, while the latter is choice. Loneliness is a form of suffering because of a yearning and fear. The yearning is the desire for another and fear is rejection. In this case, fear of rejection is what needs to be released. Fear is released by acting. Of course, being rejected is not always an easy thing to accept if one lacks confidence. Acceptance of the rejection is releasing the desire, but where does the desire originate? This leads us to another reality of Buddhism, all things rise and fall within the mind (Dorje, 1998). The message here is we are in control and therefore, are responsible for how we express life. We are the source of our suffering. How someone chooses to react to any given situation becomes a part of their being. This means my cell structure carries the energy I have attuned to. Remember, the origin of being is rooted in the subtle energy bodies maintained by the physical body (Lipton & Bhaerman, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a way to get there from here), 2009). Whatever the mind holds onto is imprinted upon the body. If I hold onto anger, melancholy, and anything else that causes suffering, I will strengthen my connection to it, drawing suffering towards me. The idea is to experience our emotions and then release them. Only by accomplishing this does the chi flow unimpeded from the base chakra through the crown chakra and onward to our higher aspects.

Whatever a person calls the _life force,_ it permeates everything. This force exists within the invisible fields of Earth. Energy centers called chakras take in the raw energy from these invisible fields. Within the system, it is refined and when it exits, it is flooded with our thoughts and emotions. We create the collective conscious. This is how we communicate with the Divine Universe. Nothing is hidden.

Random number generators (RNG) are used to measure the intention of coherent minds in laboratory settings (Radin, 2002). Dean Radin, along with others positioned RNGs at various points in the world. The devices are used to measure mind/matter interaction. By positioning these monitors around the globe, they are able to measure the movements of the conscious mind as a collective. An excellent example would be the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Knowledge of the event was in the collective two hours before its occurrence, and continued to be prominent eight hours afterward (Radin, For whom the bell tolls: A question of global consiousness, 2002). Those who mind was sensitive to thought energy may have experienced the event before taking place through dreams and other conscious disturbances. What we can take away from this is nothing is hidden from anyone.

## Chapter 6: Attracting a Better Life

If events are the attractors of life, then we may want to pay attention to what is going on around us. While all events provide insight, some we want to be immersed in, and others we should be wary of. So, what should we watch for?

Many go through life believing their purpose is to learn lessons. They become so wrapped up in the karma phenomenon that they have set their intention on clearing past karma in order to get on to the next life. Boy, are they in for a surprise. Think about what they are pulling towards them. People of this mindset are often hip-deep in problems and suffering.

Most who are involved in spirituality ask the Universe for whatever is needed for their highest good. They believe the Universe knows what is best for them. They have not realized the Divine reflects what they think. Perhaps, when one is robbed of most of their possessions, it was for their highest good. Possibly, the argument one of us got into was in our best interest. Perhaps the suffering people inflict upon themselves is for their highest good, or maybe there's a lesson in it. Maybe the Universe decided someone was too materialistic, or they needed some sense knocked into them. Whether these events happen for a person's highest good or they were in the wrong place at the right time does not mean anyone needs the mess that comes with them. Beliefs like these can draw every conceivable incident charged with emotional and mental baggage. Anyone who cringes at the first sign of difficulty and asks the Universe, what lesson am I supposed to learn has asked for the misery that accompanies these occurrences. Perhaps the lesson is to expect better. Even if someone is not bent on experiencing every lesson of life, just accepting this line of thinking draws events that may be best experienced vicariously. Sometimes, stuff does happen and we have little to do with it _._

Much of what we learn is through modeling and visualization (Luthans, Yousef, & Avolio, 2007), watching a video or even a movie can provide a great deal of insight. Many of us read books on self-improvement, history, fiction, and a host of other topics. While reading them, we tend to visualize what is being described. The images created within the mind allows us to send healing to an event in our past or to another, send forgiveness, develop strategies to improve our lives, or visit past loved ones. A good book can provide an abundance of imagined experiences for us to draw on. This does not take the place of first-hand experience, but it does allow us to better prepare for the real thing. Best of all, vicarious learning can help us determine why we are attracting certain events into our lives. If we are attracting events, we are attracting people. This means we should pay attention to the events around us. In other words, if you don't like the people, go someplace else.

If people want to make changes, they need to change how they participate in life. We need to act on our wishes and desires for something different. Going through the motions of habit does not equate to taking part in life. Until we act, we are just observers with no ability to control anything. We are merely pieces of crap on the sidewalk. Don't like that description? I didn't either. I had no idea how much control I had. Everything coming my way, I believed I deserved. The concept of _not accepting_ never occurred to me until a company I worked for hosted a weekend team building event. Instead of leaning about teamwork, I wanted to discover why my life was so difficult.

Remember the cliché, _no pain, no gain_? That was the slogan for some exercise program ages ago. I was in school then, and it had become a mantra. Think about the message it sent.32 Nothing has value unless it hurts a little, and the more it hurts, the more valuable it is. How many of us took this to heart and made it our own? Better yet, how many still use this as their motto? What a way for me to delude myself.

One of the tasks we did on our first night was an event called _the wall._ The wall was an artificial mountainside. It wasn't very big, but it was the right size for learning a valuable lesson. Along one wall of a gymnasium this fiberglass construct began as a small wall – more like a hill –, which gave way to a medium size hillside or mount to a section leaning outward like a cliff. The facilitator instructed us on the use of climbing ropes, told us to pick a wall and go to it. Guess which section of wall I selected. You got it, in no time I was hanging over the floor with screaming muscles. Cursing myself, I announced my failure at climbing the artificial cliff side, started down the six or so feet I had climbed, and fell the last two. This is not something to be proud of. Fortunately, the facilitator didn't give me time to become embarrassed or frustrated. She suggested I follow her. After reaching the far end, she suggested I climb the _shallow_ wall. This was worse than walking up stairs. At least stair climbing requires some effort. A few great strides and I stood at the top. Sitting down, I contemplated what had just occurred. Glancing along the mock mountainside, others were in various stages of climbing. None of them was near my shallow dome. What had just happened? Making my way down was a bit more difficult. I had to be sure not to run. The facilitator observed my child's progress and moved to greet me. (Sketch the side of the mount with people at various levels.)

"So," she began, "what was different?"

"This hill was too easy." I replied. "I could just walk up it." My tone said, 'what's the point.'

"And why did you climb the other one?" She asked.

"I wanted to see if I could do it." I said. At that moment, an epiphany washed over me. I chose to climb the difficult wall because I wanted to. I didn't have to. I could have just as easily have climbed the one in the middle, but I didn't. The point is, I made a choice and purposefully set myself up to fail. The hill I selected was the most challenging of the three, and was the one I was least prepared for. The trials in my life were the same. I had chosen what was the most difficult, not realizing I had little if any preparation for the task. Does any of this sound familiar? Every time I tried to do something, the headaches accompanied by it were because of my choices. It took falling from a wall to get it through my head, I was not only making bad choices; I was doing it on purpose.

What did I gain from this incident? I had attracted those occurrences, which caused my life to be difficult. Not only had I attracted unwanted events, but I also chose to react to them in the wrong fashion. I needed to start making different choices. To begin with, I was an introvert. This means I was not attracting events where I could meet others. Being a homebody is not so bad, but if I wanted companionship of any kind, it is the wrong place to be. To remedy the problem, I needed to get out, even if it was just a walk around the block. No one meets new people in their bathroom. They might meet someone new at the front door, if fate is smiling on them. Out the door I went.

Another thing happening in my life was that I felt I was not looked upon favorably. I traded dark and gloomy clothing for something with more color and style. The time for blending in with the background was over. Now it was time for me to be noticed.

I also decided not to remain an assembler for the rest of my life. Additional training and perhaps a degree was needed. The problem was where to begin, and what to shoot for? My interests floated between art, writing, and religion. Work experience consisted of outdoor construction, various general labor duties, and assembly, which was what I was doing at the time. The company I worked for treated their employees fairly well, so I decided to stay with them. Machining was something different and it built upon current skills and blended with other interests. Although I am no longer with the company, the training has paid off.

Home was a mobile home. One of my associates liked to say I was pretending. What he meant was a mobile home did not qualify as a house. Now was the time to start looking at houses and make some real decisions in my life.

The point of these activities is they required me to participate in life. Participation required me to interact with others on a level that went beyond the customary hello. Involvement on this level required me to take more control of my life, to be proactive instead of reactive. Being proactive was the only way to shift from blindness to discernment. If you are reacting to situations over and over, it may be time for you to discover how to get ahead of the game. Examine what attracts you and how you relate to others. Poor relationships equal poor participation. If those who have partners are not involved with each other in healthy ways, they may be seeking difficulties. Remember, sometimes things happen. This doesn't mean you called them to you.

### What if you are not the Attractor?

So far, most of this has been about being the attractor. However, we have to consider we are being attracted to events as well, and if not events, then to the same things or people. If we want to make changes, we may want to start with why we do the things we do, or why we visit certain places. Let's start with the places we enjoy.

I enjoy going to local diners. Sometimes I go by myself, other times with a friend. Why do I frequent these places? Well, they are the best places to eat. The ambience isn't always great, but once the waitresses get to know you, it does have its perks. Having a glass of iced tea on the table after hanging up my coat is nice. Most of the time, the patrons are not loud and obnoxious. Occasionally, we engage in some interesting conversations, which is a plus. Then, there's the energy. Certain types of energy impart a sense of security while being open at the same time. Most importantly, it gets me out of the house. I can read or write for hours and feel good about it. If I were home, I would feel some sense of obligation to do something else. I could say the attraction is a quiet sense of security where I can mull things over, explore my musings, and not feel guilty about neglecting some project. Sometimes we have to trick ourselves into doing something more interesting or different.

Sometimes, these reasons are superficial. At times, I will pay a visit to these places in an effort to dispel a sense of loneliness. Just being where people gather is sometimes enough. I don't just go to restaurants to be around people. I visit other places as well. I like to attend Spiritualist chapels because they afford me a chance to be of service. Being a healing channel or a message bearer brings me a good deal of satisfaction and fulfillment.

What about those places I don't' care to visit? I simply do not go. However, that does not mean I avoid places which may be energetically harmful. When I was younger, visiting bars and lounges were the norm, as were the reasons. Sometimes, it was just be around others. Other times, the purpose was in hopes of going home with someone. Not the best reason, but at the time I didn't know any better. At least the reason was never for a drink or three, unless with friends. Fortunately, I had already experienced the joy of chemical misuse and found it distasteful.

People frequent churches, support groups, lounges and the like to experience the sensation of being around people. I'll be honest, no matter how much I try to isolate myself; I am continually drawn towards fulfilling the need to belong. When someone feels as though they do not fit in, they become despondent and sometimes suicidal (McTaggart, 2011). Remember the cliché, _misery loves company._ It's not just misery; we seek others who share our perspective, mood, or even emotional state. In my case, the visits to the local dive were because I was experiencing low opinions of myself. I was also fascinated by the actions of others. Watching them over indulge in alcohol and carry on animated conversations was intriguing if not amusing. While they didn't serve as a pick-me-up, they did remind me of what I did not want to become.

Two distinct groups frequent bars and lounges; those who drink socially and those who drink in order to cope. Social drinkers were always laughing and talked with their hands waving about. Those who chose alcohol as a means of coping with life came in sullen and left angry. Those in the latter group often got into some form of altercation. Don't confuse a bar with a lounge because they are not the same. Bars are generally a place dedicated to drink. They may have a television on a wall and pool tables, pinball machines and the like, but their sole purpose is to serve alcohol and take advantage of those who feel dejected. A lounge caters to those who want to socialize. Those who drink to cope will not be where others go to socialize.

One of the questions people may ask themselves is whether they go to a particular place to socialize or cope. Poor coping skills are not about misusing alcohol or narcotics. Anything a person does that consistently goes beyond moderation can be considered a substitute for dealing with emotions and mental anguish. Using food as a means of coping is a legalized method of self-medication. When this happens, food is no longer nourishing. Food begins to represent a way to feel good, particularly if someone stuffs down their emotions. In instances such as these, food is just as dangerous as any other means of momentary relief.

Churches can appear to be safe-havens for those who have no place to go to work through or experience their concerns. Religions have a habit of reminding us of our imperfections, because they thrive on misery (Soeng, 1998).33 Occasionally, someone comes across a pastor who debunks this notion. They are the true ministers because their purpose is to uplift. These people redefine the role of religion in life and truly have a desire to help others.

Attending chapel does not have to be about religion anymore, although many will disagree. Neal Walsh, in _Tomorrow's God: Our Greatest Spiritual Challenge,_ talks about God in a way that moves beyond religion. God transitions from an all-powerful being outside of us, to one dwelling within (Walsh, 2004). Attending a church is not about finding God. Remember, your beliefs are your own and no one should try to change them. After all, we are each our own faith.

What I am trying to say is a church that values its members will support them. A church that does not is often focused on its own needs. Preachers may say you are evil, you are filled with sin, or you need to get right with God and Jesus, but who are they really speaking to? They have nothing to offer. If anyone is attending one of these places, ask yourself why? If no answer presents themselves, perhaps it is time to find one more conducive to your needs. A simple change such as this can have a huge effect on attracting a better life.

Simply put, if you are attracted to places offering little value, you may be projecting the wrong message. When people start looking for places offering value, they are changing the energy surrounding them. Places that are uplifting are energy boosters. Any place leaving a person feeling drained when they walk out the door is not a place one should frequent. People who leave you feeling drained are stealing your energy.

### Help! I am unwittingly being drawn forward

Moving forward is the process called evolution. Creation goads us forward. Attractors exist throughout nature in a variety of forms. As the earth travels around the sun, we perform rituals announcing the end and the arrival of days, seasons, and years. An infant comes into the world, becomes an adult, and transitions into something else. Each day is filled with evidence of the body's silent march forward regardless of thoughts or events. Science calls this forward motion the effect of time. Nothing exists to define the attractors dragging us forward. Attractors have one thing in common; they are like gravity pulling us onward.

Gravity is the one attractor everyone understands. Its power holds us, and virtually everything else captive. Gravity reaches out from spinning objects such as the earth, sun, and black holes allowing them to exert their insidious influence upon the cosmos. Oh, I am sure gravity is found in other fashions, such as literary prose. When one thinks of the gravity of a situation, it sobers them up to the folly of whatever endeavor has transpired. Gravity has the ability to distort space, time, and meaning. The affects of gravity are obvious, while what draws us forward is not.

Rudolf Steiner, in _Outline of Occult Science,_ explains his concept of conscious development occurring in identifiable stages. He begins with a Saturn level, which includes three different stages, moves on to a Sun stage, and ends with a Moon stage (Steiner, 1972). All are levels of development. Some of the beings taking part in this scheme chose to stop their progress at certain stages. When those who stopped were thrust into a different level of consciousness, they were bewildered. Those more advanced could either slow their progress to assist them, or ignore them altogether. This led to a type of care giving system used to prod others forward. Imagine beings more advanced than ourselves beckoning us towards them, as though they were the Doctor standing in the TARDIS' doorway, enticing a new companion. These beings became attractors for us. Let's try to translate this into something more recognizable.

First, look at the obvious, the headlines of today's, yesterday's, or even tomorrow's news. We will not have to look far to catch glimpses of violence. The question I put forth is whether violence is a natural phenomenon of the human experience.

According to Steiner, each new level of conscious development attained is preceded by re-experiencing all previous levels first. This would indicate violence as being a natural part of humanity's development. Those acts called negative are part of the growth process. Many seem to have chosen to stop along their path of becoming to immerse themselves in this type of energy. Why would someone choose to stop evolving?

If any are interested in discovering an answer to this odd question, ask yourself if you have stopped somewhere along your path of personal development. You may find yourself in a quandary. Either you have not stopped growing, or you are not sure if you have stopped. Would you say such predicament qualifies as ceasing to evolve?

Those who have chosen to stop developing are holding onto something and may fear letting go. Are you holding onto something? When a person experiences fear, they may be grasping at something intangible. When my brain short-circuited, I became afraid. I was holding onto my old way of life. What I experienced was sudden and disruptive. I was not ready to give up my lifestyle. Although my job did not offer much in the way of change, my spiritual work did. Weekends were jam-packed with enough activities to balance the drudgery of a seemingly dead-end job. When I released my grip on a familiar existence and embraced the opportunity being offered, fear was shoved under a glaring light. As long as I held onto my old life, I was choosing to halt my progress.

Humans have learned the art of insisting all remain the same. Imagine an unchanging world. In such a place, no one would be reading this or any other piece of information. Nothing new would encourage us to explore.

Obstacles are opportunities for growth. Failure to take advantage of these fortuitous moments becomes an attractor of a sort most would rather not experience. When someone fixes their gaze on something tied to an event, (and what is not tied to an event) their beliefs become the attractor for energy matching their signature. The Law of Attraction and the Manifesting process are tied to these happenings. Fear calls to those events that perpetuate fear. On the flip side, excitement draws in those energies that evoke wonder and joy.

I implore everyone not to mistake fear as something to be avoided, because it is not. This misunderstood emotion that repels, causes us to overlook the chance to expand our consciousness. The term _fight-or-flight_ is a choice. Flight is an automatic response. To fight takes some thought. People are attractors for situations that will force them to evolve and the higher a person's progress, the better they are able to serve themselves and others. After all, Steiner talks of these energy beings on different planes radiating energy towards those who seem to have lost their way. As we travel along our path of becoming, we may stretch a hand to those reaching out while grasping the one pulling us forward.

Evolution cannot be halted. We can slow our progression to the point where movement appears to have stopped, but it is only an illusion. Our bodies continue to move on. Daily life never stops presenting us with the need to decide. The choices we make determine whether our evolution is slow and tortuous or filled with joy and excitement. Regardless, we shall continue to be drawn towards the unknown.

As one can see, we are natural attractors. We can't help it. We have choices. We can continue to attract whatever is available, or we can set up some guidelines. Being natural attractors, we don't have to do much. Changes in lifestyle, attitudes, and habits are all that is needed to change what comes our way.

Ref_1 All matter has invisible forms of energy associated with it. Matter is both, physical form and energy – waves and particles – at the same time. All matter is a compression of fields of energy – all aspects entangled. Meaning one cannot be separated from the other. Return

 Emotionally charged events are more likely to be remembered regardless of whether the event was positive or negative. Memory is biologically encoded after the conscious has moved on. Return

 The discovery of a neural network tied to the observed actions of others has also lead to the discovery of a mirror neural system tied to the understanding of another's perceptions and feelings. Return

 Motivation can be said to be a psychological process causing arousal, direction, and persistence in voluntarily moving towards a goal. Arousal also includes desire or interest in an outcome. Return

 Secondary energy centers are tied to the main chakras through nerve centers or joints. Return

 The flow of energy is believed to cause them to spin and could be connections to other dimensions. Return

 A closed system deals with finite resources. Thus, a closed system reaches a point of ordered chaos, also known as an unnatural state of equilibrium or a balance. Return

 A self-regulated system moves towards a state of maintenance. This is accomplished by introducing new material to replace used or expelled material. The target level of maintenance is determined by a variety of contributing factors. Return

 Particles appear to move in and out of existence (Cho, 2004). Return

 String theory suggests particles are not dimensional points lacking other dimensions. They are dimensional lines vibrating. Return

 If the chakras are open-ended strings vibrating through the cosmos and other dimensions, they could possibly connect us to other incarnations in both temporal directions. Return

 At the beginning of the 19th century, Kaluza and Klien suggested a fifth dimension may involve electromagnetism and gravity because their influence decreases relative to their distance from the source. A fifth dimension would be too small to measure, but its influence would not be. Return

 The maintenance of a dynamic system requires a harmonized flow of material to be processed. Return

 During these communications, the brain mimics the one it is communication with. This is how our empathic connection developed. Return

 The rhythms of our blood pressure and breathing draw the rhythms of the brain after them. Return

 "...because of this, in order that we may indeed receive, we believe; but it is so that we may love and give, since if one does not give in love, he has no profit from what he has given. Return

 Often, our notion of love ignores the needs of the other person. We often describe our love in a fashion that implies the need to cling to others. This desire may be founded upon a fear of being alone, low self-esteem, and a lack of self-confidence. All of this interferes with the love we are trying to experience. Return

 We have a need to belong that is so strong, the idea of being ostracized is worse than death. We need to be accepted by others. Return

 A blocked throat chakra can lead to an endless search for the right fit in life. Return

 Most relationship problems can be traced to poor communication with others, the Universe, and yourself. They are often evident in self-fulfilling prophecies and the messages behind them. This is how others perpetuate their condition. Return

 When we examine ourselves, we must first understand when we speak of ourselves as 'I,' we are referring to our internal self-image, which is our mental counterpart. In Piaget's theories of child development, he posited the idea of an internal discourse as part of the development of a personality. Being of a scientific school, the auspices of psychology relegates this imaginary cohort to an overactive imagination. Thus, we lose our identity with the Divine. Through self-examination, which is often experienced through meditation, we discover the inner self and ponder its existence. Through such contemplative exercises, different aspects of the self are found. This discovery is the first step on the path of becoming, which is the process of awakening the Christ-self. Becoming the Christ-self is an impossibility, because the Christ-self is the Divine with the powers of creation. These powers require great responsibility, which many are ill equipped to fulfill. Return

 This alone is left to speculation, leaving all of Creation in question. The existence of the Absolute is discussed in the Gnostic _Secret Book of John_ and Helena Blavatsky's _Secret Doctrine_. Return

 Mirror neurons are part of the empathic system and allow us to experience what others experience. Return

 Highly sensitive people need an environment that reduces over stimulation. Overstimulation may cause the person to become hyper-vigilant. They may also possess a highly active sense of intuition and be diagnosed with a variety of mental disorders. However, this does not disqualify the need of a properly trained health professional. Find one that works with you, not against you. Return

 Chimpanzees' posses a complex system of communication composed of expressions, understanding, and social interactions. Unfortunately, their language is limited. It lacks the ability to express beyond its boundaries. For language to evolve, it requires variation. Return

 The brain is the only organ that uses glucose. Return

 Not all birthmarks are random. Some are inherited from a previous life. The same can be said for birth defects. While genetic, viral, and chemicals may cause defects, these only account for about half of the world's birth defects (Stevenson, 1997). Other causes may come from abnormal stress experienced by the mother during pregnancy. Return

 The earth undergoes reincarnations as well as people (Steiner, 1972). Each incarnation of the planet sets it one stage above humans. This would indicate that as humans prepare to move into the fifth dimension, the earth is preparing to move into the sixth. Return

 We move through each reincarnation by first experiencing the lower incarnations first (previous lessons, etc.). Upon recognition of these experiences, we are able to move through them at a faster pace. Return

 The Tantric practice of Tibetan Buddhism suggests, "...that the three bodies of enlightenments and all deities arise from the ground of mind and that all perfect qualities of wisdom are already present in the nature of mind (p.39)." Return

 While creation is a top-down process, the application of structure is a bottom-up process. Return

32 Word usage is very important in defining intention. For instance, insight is readily interpreted as wisdom. A lesson is often seen as being forced to learn something. Return

33 While Buddhism, Zen, and other Eastern religious teachings openly describe one of their purposes as being about suffering and the end of suffering. Some religious groups emphasize suffering and seek to romanticize it. Some even seek to impose it upon us. Understand, this is often not the doctrine of the religion, but the fashion religious leaders exert control. Return

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## About the author:

Phillip is a certified Life Coach, a spiritual teacher, and a facilitator of art classes for senior citizens. He has also earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and has been a resident in Southwest Michigan for most of his life. Before that, he was just like many others with questions and no means of getting answers. During this time, he has had many experiences, but only two have fueled him forward.

As a child, he experienced the loss of his father. Like many who have lost a loved one, he embarked on a sojourn seeking God. Unlike many, no comfort was sought, nor was any gained. His foray took him into the metaphysical community. What happened was an awakening to the patterns of occultism, science, and human behavior. His was an unrelenting journey fueled by anger and grief, and along the way, something not found by most.

Phillip's fortieth year was celebrated with a life changing event, taking him out of the workforce. No clear diagnosis was given, only suspicions and the worthless label of conversion disorder. Through his own efforts, Phillip sought a means to improve his condition; to heal himself, if you will. By utilizing the discoveries of science, the rituals of mysticism, and the tenacity of one not ready to accept a whose focus is on a disability, Phillip found solutions.

## Upcoming works:

 _The Re-Creator: Being._ Many of my first drafts are written at local diners. Sipping iced tea and basking in all that energy helps me with prose and dialogue. A group of gentlemen in the next booth and the table across from it discuss the daily news and happenings in their lives. Sometimes a family is overheard discussing their children (some adult and some not) or some member of their social network. Today was not different. Cliques lie scattered about the room. The sun was just breaking the tree line, forcing a waitress to unroll the blinds. The smell of bacon and syrup laden pancakes wafts behind passing plate. The pitch of the chatter rises and falls, barely noticeable to any, except for myself.

"Every time you come in, you are either reading or writing. So, what are you writing about now?" A waitress asked.

Glancing up and to the side, I saw Tina looking over my shoulder. Her straight face told me she wasn't making small talk, but was genuinely interested. "I'm working on a workshop about positive thinking and how it doesn't work," I answered.

"What do you mean, it doesn't work?" she moved off to the side where I could look at her without craning my neck. She tilted her head to one side, and was giving me a look that was a mixture of astonishment and gall.

_Creation by Design: The Organizing Principle._ Becoming an attractor is more of a default than being proactive. We set things in motion as we live our lives without knowing. Many live their lives in the same fashion as traveling along the interstate – on cruise. We have more control over our lives than one would believe or be willing to admit. Some feel so much better attributing strange events to God. They are the ones who choose to blame God or other such entities for their failures and successes because they are afraid to take credit. This brings to mind a passage in the Gospel of John, where Jesus asks a most important question. Is it not written, are ye not Gods? We are Gods, whether we chose to accept the responsibilities associates with the office or not. You are not one of those people. Perhaps you suspect The Organizing Principle is accepting responsibility for your actions.

Creation is the manipulation of energies; manipulations each of us make every waking and sleeping moment. While physicists have entered into the domain often attributed to God, they have only made it to the stoop of God's domain. They have yet to find the key and unlock the door. Just the same, many of us have a basic understanding or suspicion of how this works.

_The Re-Creator: Nothing Stays the Same._ Some things I just can't do at home. Writing is one of those things. Probably because I don't really know if anyone benefits from my experiences. So, writing feels like a guilty pleasure. As a result, most of it is done at a local diner. After sifting through the canvas briefcase, Tina arrived with a glass of iced tea. I sometimes wonder if having the morning staff familiar enough to have my tea ready for me is a good thing.

"How's the workshop coming?" Tina asked.

"It's coming along," I answered. "I want to address life changing events, because they have a huge impact on us."

"You're not kidding. So, what can I get you?" She asked, taking up the position. Tina planted her feet as though taking orders was a long-term investment, which might be true. I imagine it must feel that way with large groups and those like myself – with an internal brain injury. "The usual?" She offered. Sometimes I wonder if it is I who had the long-term investment in the restaurant.

Be sure to visit our website brdnsky.com

Our mission is to help those who have lost faith in themselves rediscover the joy of living.

BRDNSKY is about the life experience. People experience life differently, which is extraordinary. However, some see their way as being filled with disappointment, difficulties, and not worth the effort of participating. Thus, we seek to encourage them to explore in a fashion that is unique to them. Inspiration can be found in their artistic expression, or through the expression of others. Metaphysics, Mysticism, and such philosophies deemed supernatural are about enhancing the manner in which we experience life. Sometimes we forget how to experience our own life because we are living for someone other than ourselves. When this happens, we search for guidance outside of ourselves, and are often directed within.

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