Past, Present, and Future

I am working on the launch of my website for my intuitive spiritual advising services. I am currently available for free 15 minute mini-readings or advising sessions by phone, please contact me at katiefirich@gmail.com if you are interested. More details on my services to come!

Past, Present, and Future
Many of us spend much of our time dreaming of the future, and dwelling in the past.

When you think about the past, you can dwell on certain things, sometimes regrets can start to pop up, or sometimes pleasant memories. The building blocks of the memories for all of those lessons learned, experiences, are held in the cells and neurons of your brain in a sequence of molecules. Those are your memories, and also the formation of your karma. The past is a tool to learn from and will always be interwoven in the fabric of your soul's journey through the fabric of space time.

Each action you take in the present moment is based on your intelligence, memories, preconceived notions formed in your brain from society, and your subconscious from the karma of your past lives and existence.

The future is also woven into our soul's journey, along the threads of space-time. It is what lies ahead. Take each action, make each choice, with this in mind, and realize that in the moment each choice you make will influence your future and build your karma, planting a seed for future decisions. In your mind, increase planting good, pure, prana increasing, and compassionate seeds of thought. By planting these seeds, those thoughts and karma will flourish.

Space-time is not linear, it is a fourth dimension, so every moment is always existing. With this knowledge, you can leave the past there behind you while at the same time carrying it with you, as a part of you. The past is connected, and the future is connected, through the flow in the strings of possibility in the space-time continuum, but NOW, the PRESENT, is where the reality exists. Stay present, in this moment, because it is perfect. It is a perfect moment of soul and body existence, and that is all that matters.

Time is limited. Use it wisely.

-Katie

Space - deep waters

Using awareness that the new moon, sun, Mercury, and Neptune are in the psychic water sign Pisces...making sensitivity and intuition much stronger...I've started delving into my studies on dream interpretation again, going deeper into the layers and subtle spaces of the conscious and unconscious. Space and all things deep have been the two most prominent mantras in my experiences in this new year. 2012 is a powerful time to awaken, transform, for grounding, and transcending.

love love love

A great friend in the Peace Corps in Mali, Vince's blog

I choose to believe our upcoming shift will be positive and enlightening Expect Wonderful

Outside lands was amazing

Lets all be prepared in case of an earthquake or other emergency

Some of my favorite songs right now, free to listen, Katie Firich on soundcloud

Defining the universe, via npr, a black hole devouring a star, youtube

Pretty excited for Fashion's Night Out and also my new blogging venture to begin soon, a blog about San Francisco's Marina District neighborhood. :)

"The soul loves all things beautiful and deep."

Memorable Quotes

Memorable quotes from The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho. Who is no longer my favorite author after this book! I picked it up at the bookstore after a quick glance at the back cover, not realizing it is an awful thriller about a serial killer and I cannot stand any horror movies or reading about anything of the sort. I just don't fill my consciousness which such thoughts. Anyway, there were a few memorable quotes:

"Jasmine is sitting staring out at the sea while she thinks of nothing. At such moments, she feels a deep connection with the infinite, as if it were not she who was there, but something more powerful, something capable of extraordinary things."
I often feel this way at the beach. This quote further strengthens my resolve that the next place I move to call home, I will have to live on the beach.

"At the first sign of indifference or lack of enthusiasm, take note! The only preventive against this disease is the realization that the soul suffers, suffers greatly, when we force it to live superficially. The soul loves all things beautiful and deep."

State of coherence

Quotes from The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, a book I just finished on the plane back to SF, highly recommended humorous and captivating novel about the current state in India.

"May I just say that an hour of deep breathing, yoga, and meditation in the morning constitutes the perfect start to the entrepreneur's day. How I would handle the stresses of this fucking business without yoga, I have no idea."

"Actually my background as a business journalist made me realize that most of what's written about in business magazines is bullshit--and I don't take business or corporate literature seriously at all."

The Exclusion Principle

An excerpt from Pauli and Jung: The Meeting of Two Great Minds

The exclusion principle was certainly not a swindle. Of far-reaching consequence, it accounts for the periodic system of elements, as found in the periodic table. By analyzing the atomic line spectra of the various elements, Pauli was able to arrive at the principle that accounts for the unique shell structure of the electrons surrounding the atomic nucleus of each of the chemical elements. A key to this scientific achievement was his recognition that the electrons must satisfy four quantum numbers rather than three, as had previously assumed. The fourth quantum number was identified with what has been called an electron spin.
In alchemy as well as in Jung's psychology, moving from three to four symbolizes a completion, or a movement toward the center. In association with modern dreams, Jung saw movement from three to four as symbolizing a stage of inner development known as the individuation process. Pauli saw his discovery of the exclusion principle in that light. Pauli's exclusion principle confirmed Bohr's proposed shell structure of the atom.

Links presented without comment

Biomimicry

A priori

Paul Stamets: TED Talks

Video posted by SKoss

Emika, my current favorite song

Reb Anderson

San Francisco Zen Center

Telepathic TV

Some things I am thinking about these days.....

tending the sacred fire of agni.....

................if love were to look through your eyes, what would love see?

....adopt a neutral position, attitude.....

.....supporting our support system and taking care of our relationships--through this broad spectrum of interconnectedness--we become fully ourselves......

...go with the flow of the people who are going in the right direction...join them...get into their boat...the company you choose will help you in many, many ways....

.....serving others...maintaining your peace--these are the most important things in life

SF Green Festival: Brian Weller on Sustainability and the Vedic Sciences

Last Saturday I attended the San Francisco Spring Green Festival. Brian Weller spoke on the relationship, or link, between sustainablility and the inner consciousness. Brian studied as a monk in his early years and learned to transcend reality and the mind--the essence of Vedic Science. The following is a collection of my notes from Brian's talk as well as some of my own commentary and interjections. It may seem a bit disjointed (because the talk itself was a bit scattered) but please just take it for what it is and hopefully you receive as much wisdom from these notes as did I.

In our bipolar world, there are cycles of mania and depression due to an incredible increase in the rate of change and the complexity of information. The need of our time is to shift into sustainable consciousness. We cannot create a sustainable world from fear- and survival-based thinking. And, as you know, everything manifested in the world is originally created by thoughts. If our personal lives are overloaded and out of balance, then this state of consciousness will drive our actions and subvert our good intentions. Brian gave an example of city planning in India in which the wind patterns were known to be a certain way, so herbs were strategically planted which created an herb-scented breeze throughout the city, allowing a peaceful experience for the population. I'm not sure how well this example shows how sustainable thinking can lead to sustainable practices, but I liked the idea overall and thought it was an interesting concept. Ayurved, he said, is the science of optimal health--the biology is based on a deeper subtle level and goes to the gross level. As this science ackowledges, to make changes on the gross level you must start at the subtle.

Sat-absolute-chit-awareness-ananda-bliss. The subtlest value of thought leads to samhita, bliss, which IS a sustainable state of consciousness. The difference between the vedas, eastern science and western science lies in the knower.

Eastern science:
1. Knower (who)
2. Process of knowing (how)
3. Objects of knowledge (what)

Western science:
1. Process of knowing (how)
2. Objects of knowledge (what)

Brian then gave a few anecdotes and details from the Bhavagad Gita, Krishna's message and teachings for man on the battlefield of life. It's the story of everyone of us everyday. He then went on to detail that the vedas are a science of vibrations, sounds, and mantras. The mantras came from states of ecstacy, deep ecstatic bliss. This idea makes sense and is definitely something that stuck with me and I had never thought of before. It aligns with what Pratichi once told us at class--that she worships the mantras.

After the background details, Brian's main message is: Taking the big time out. Which means, taking one small time out at a time. Start with just 10 minutes a day. Take a break from action before you act. Before you attempt to solve a problem, go within. Dive deep within the ocean, where it's completely still. Then go out and act.

At first when you meditate, when you take the time out, the self (subject) experiences the process of seeing the object (other). The seer sees the scenery. Then, gradually, as you go within, the self becomes a thinker (state of action). The process becomes the thinker thinks the thought. As the self and other become closer...eventually a state of being is reached which is a union of self and other. Yoga=union. Satchitananda. In this state there exists a field of timelessness and there is no change. What we do we do for the pursuit of happiness.

The philosophy of bringing together green sustainability and the inner consciousness is this: The practical approaches to sustainability in the world for our environment are necessary, but these sustainable changes begin with sustainable thoughts (i.e. a sattvic mind). This link is something I had been pondering for years, but hadn't been able to identify. Thank you Brian for enlightening me!

The Truth of Non-Duality

Money coming or going, harmony, wisdom, and health can all turn upon a single thought. With a single thought, poverty can be overcome; with a single thought, disease can be cured; with a single thought, you can embrace and help others. Because mind is infinite, it can embrace the universe and still have room left over. Thus, if you understand the truth of nonduality, you can completely embrace everything. If you raise one thought that is calm, noble, and humble, and do so without any trace of like or dislike, or of “I,” then that thought begins to manifest in the world and becomes medicine for all suffering. All energy will follow and work together with this kind of thought.

Daehaeng Kun Sunim, "Thinking Big" (Winter 2008)

Four Noble Truths

Something I'm contemplating this morning, also that fact that "It's all for good."

The Four Noble Truths
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

1. Life means suffering.
To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a "self" which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call "self" is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.
There is a path to the end of suffering - a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely "wandering on the wheel of becoming", because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.

source: The four noble truths

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

I am overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude and thankfulness to my own body and soul...its resilience...amazing power...I cannot express it in words. I am so thankful for my family and friends--I love you all dearly---also something that cannot be expressed in words. I honor the spark, the flame, the soul of universal consciousness and light in each of you. I'm overwhelmed with the beauty of each of you and your souls...and the astounding beauty of the light within each of you. I am so blessed, to have such a great family, and the best friends in the world. Thank you for all your support and supporting me through the years, I can only hope that I can offer the same support and please know that I am always here for you if you need anything at all. Isn't that what life is about--making others happy while expecting nothing in return?

download electro future glitch hip hop

Wikipedia of the Day: Consonance and dissonance

In Tantric Buddhism, deity meditation is a method that allows the mind’s
inherent goodness to manifest, to increase constantly, and to never
decline.

rejuvenation and abundance

Chant HAR for Abundance

HAR is the creative aspect of Infinity. Simply chanting HAR, repetitively and rhythmically stimulates personal power and abundance. When chanting HAR, use your tongue and mouth to maximize the sacred sound vibration and power. Let each letter aspect have it's proper sound.

H comes as breath from the back of the throat

A sounds more like "uh"

R softly rolls off the tip of the tongue to hit the roof of the mouth

Practice for 3-11 minutes, letting your breath flow naturally and pay attention to abundance showering into your life. If this Spring has you needing clearing first, try this variation. HAR HARAY HARI WAHE GURU (har, ha-ray, ha-ree, wah-hay, gu-ru) This is a shakti mantra plus a bhakti mantra. It's an expression of the three qualities of the word HAR, the Creative Infinity: seed, flow and completion, unto the Infinite. This mantra can bring you through any block in life.

picture and mantra via the excellent pure prana email newsletter, my favorite yoga studio in alexandria :)

Wikipedia of the day: Limbic system

Tathaastu Ayurvedic Articles

Here's a great article on Water written by the President of Vedika, Hemaji. I really enjoy the description of rainwater as pure nectar which must have come from the Milky Way, the great river of light across the night sky. Another beneficial type of water described in the Ayurvedic texts is Hamsodaka, water that has absorbed the sun's rays all day and the moon's rays at night.

Another article form Tathaastu about the opening of our school at the

new Emeryville location.

Quote of the day: "Classical Ayurveda is a goldmine. We will see a paradigm shift in its recognition and utilization in 5 years." - Mrs. S. Jalaja, Secretary for the Indian Goverment's Dept. of AYUSH (India's traditional health systems including Ayurveda and Yoga).

A tribute to Gaia

Gaia was an incredible community website. First, it connected me with one of my most wise and sagacious friends, Kourosh Kashimi, a talented healer. The Gaia question of the day always made me reflect inward and ponder a particle of the infinite wisdom, and I enjoyed reading other community member's responses. I enjoyed browsing the top interests of the members, which were aligned with most of my own interests: animals art books cooking dancing drawing family friends gardening growing hiking laughing learning love loving meditation movies music nature painting philosophy photography poetry reading singing spirituality swimming travel traveling writing yoga. There were interesting discussions going on all the time, groups forming on various metaphysical topics, linking resources and sharing ideas. A wealth of information for the conscious and aware. The site was a great resource for books and quotes...the list of members' favorite books was a great compilation of some of the best metaphysical and self-help books. Also, there was an extensive archive of amazing quotes from these books posted by Gaia members. A truly enlightening website, which also sent weekly/monthly emails providing quotes and information on specific healers or enlightened beings, programs, offers, which I always enjoyed learning about. I only wish I had made use more of this site while it was still there. A heartfelt farewell, gaia. So it goes.

A fresh start

The Oldest Trees on the Planet. Love ancient wisdom.

What do modern philosophers, people who think for a living, believe? via IntelligentLife.com

Sherwood Design Engineers: I really like some of the projects they've worked on, especially Catalina Island and the Santa Lucia Preserve.

Wikipedia of the day: Information Architecture

Cosmic vibrations in each cell of your body

OM is the sound of the Cosmic Vibration. The entire cosmos vibrates. Every cell vibrates. In fact, the whole universe is nothing but sound vibrations. The basic vibration is a hum, and the sum total of the universal vibration is also a hum. In between, there are fragments. All the words, all the languages, all the various sounds that are created by the human beings or animals or even machines are smaller parts of this cosmic hum. Without that hum, there is nothing. To denote that cosmic hum, there should be a word. OM is the word that comes closest to representing that cosmic hum. The word OM itself is not the hum. It's the name of the hum.

Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

-Swami Satchidananda

RIP Michael Jackson...still so amazing, a $200 million deal with Sony

Quote of the day: "Always keep a book with you." -Dave Bloom

music

http://thefader.cachefly.net/massive-attack-paradise-circus-gui.mp3

right click, save as, for the mp3

also,

http://soundcloud.com/dabloom/dave-bloom-bloomsounds-one