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During the first week of December the students of Spiritual Arts Institute gathered in Joshua Tree, California, for our annual Initiation. Every year students of all ages and backgrounds travel from around the world, some as far away as Israel and Japan, to meditate, pray, and expand our spiritual education.
The Initiation is the highlight of the year for Spiritual Arts Institute, because it is during this time that we receive a powerful and glorious blessing from the Higher. Our beloved teacher Barbara Y. Martin explains,
“Initiation is the time when the Holy Ones of Divine Light come very close to bless us for the spiritual work done throughout the year.
The Holiday time of year is important as well as this is when when the Holy Ones down-ray a lot of Divine Light to humanity.
Do your best to stay in a high consciousness so you can receive this blessing and be a channel of it for others.”
In addition to the blessings received from the Higher, during the initiation we have the opportunity to bond with our spiritual community. These friendships are invaluable to encourage us as we climb our individual spiritual ladders. One of the most beautiful things about being in the spiritual work is it brings so many wonderful people together–a true spiritual family.
Wishing you health and happiness this Holiday Season,
and a very bright New Year!
Barbara Y. Martin & Dimitri Moraitis
By Jaqueline Marie – Staff Writer
Can prayer heal?
For centuries metaphysics has advocated the power of prayer as a key means of healing. Now science is beginning to understand what the mystics have known all along – prayer heals.
Not long ago science scoffed at the idea of prayer and meditation having an effect on the healing process, but due to the surmounting evidence suggesting otherwise, the mainstream medical community is taking note. Research into the healing power of prayer has doubled in the last 15 years. Dr. Mitchell Krucoff, a cardiovascular specialist at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., has been studying prayer and spirituality and its links to healing since 1996. Medicinenet.com cited him as saying,
“We’re seeing systematic investigations — clinical research — as well as position statements from professional societies supporting this research, federal subsidies from the NIH, funding from Congress. All of these studies, all the reports, are remarkably consistent in suggesting the potential measurable health benefit associated with prayer or spiritual interventions.”
In the Handbook of Religion and Health more than 1,200 case studies on the relation between prayer and health are documented. Some of the findings include:
- Heart patients were 14 times more likely to die following surgery if they did not participate in a spiritual practice or religion.
- Hospitalized people who never attended a spiritual gather have an average stay of three times longer than people who attended regularly.
- Elderly people who never or rarely attended a church or participated in spiritual practices had a stroke rate double that of people who attended/practiced regularly.
- In Israel, religious people had a 40% lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
It’s exciting to see the medical community beginning to acknowledge the power of prayer in healing, a truth metaphysics has been practicing all along. According to metaphysics, when you pray and meditate you are accessing a spiritual power that accelerates the healing process. It is this spiritual energy that is sustaining the body.
By working with the aura, your spiritual blueprint, you are directly accessing the source of your spiritual power. This spiritual energy can then be directed to any area of your consciousness that needs healing or transformation, mind, body and soul.
The way you draw spiritual energy into the aura
is through mediation and prayer.
Healing is a proactive, spiritual process. Health consciousness is a key factor in healing. When we meditate and pray we align ourselves with God, bringing ourselves into a greater awareness of God. Renowned healer and teacher Joel Goldsmith understood this spiritual principle and achieved extraordinary results because he was able put his mind in a state of consciousness where illness does not exist.
While science has not yet definitively pinpointed why prayer is helpful, it is already demonstrating that the very act of prayer is healing. To quote Dr. Krucoff,
“We’re looking at whether in all of the energy and interest we have put into systematic investigation of high-tech medicine, if we have actually missed the boat. Have we ignored the rest of the human being — the need for something more — that could make all the high-tech stuff work better?”
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: medicinenet.com
Image by Irina Patrascu
Live simply that others might simply live.
~Elizabeth Ann Seton
To live simply is to learn to let go. By letting go of the need to be right, the need to have/do/be more, the need for others approval, etc., we free ourselves from the illusions of this world and begin to bear witness to the inherent divinity present in all things, at all times.
How do we learn let go?
We have been blessed with an abundance of tools to assist us in becoming ever more aware of the beauty of THIS moment. Luckily for us they are accessible and enjoyable!
Color:
Colors are various gradations of Light perceived by the physical eye. In metaphysics color is seen as spiritual energy and can be defined as, “Divine Light that propels the life force of God to all creation.” (Change Your Aura, Change Your Life) With this understanding of color, we can become more centered, more loving, more peaceful just by the colors we surround ourselves with. One of the easiest ways to use the power of color is to mindfully choose the colors we dress ourselves in. If you’re needing more vitality, wear red. If you are in need of balance and harmony, green is the way to go. Needing to tap into some inspiration? Powder blue will assist you.
Affirmations:
Our thinking has a direct impact on the quality of our lives. By declaring affirmations with spiritual power and sincerity, we attune our mind to the positive flow of the universe and attract into our lives the experiences our hearts are most desiring. Affirmations are positive declarations – they do not contain the words “not” or “never”. An example of this would be instead of saying, “I am not sick” say, “I accept only perfect health”.
Movement:
One of the easiest ways to center and let go is by becoming present to movement of our breath. By peacefully observing the inhale and exhale, the gentle rise and the fall of the belly, we slow our heart rate down, calm the nerves, and release tension. This small act can completely transform our reality. The next time you are feeling rushed, or are in the midst of a challenging experience, stop for a moment and take a deep inhale through your nose and exhale out through your mouth. Repeat this cycle at least 3 times, allowing your chest to soften and your stomach to expand. To add to the calming effect, when you exhale let out a sigh, a deep, “Ahhhhhh”. This sound alerts our subconscious that its safe and tells the muscles in our bodies to release and let go.
*image by shewatchedthesky
**all works copyright**
Everything you think, feel, and do radiates a spiritual energy that comes through in various colors and hues: this is your aura. The aura is your spiritual blueprint. By changing the quality of your aura, you can change the quality of your life. How is this accomplished? With meditation and prayer.
Both prayer and meditation are essential for living a divinely inspired life:
- Prayer is our petition to God. In prayer we ask God to bless us with what we need.
- Meditation is time we offer to God – it is our time to tune in and receive God’s guidance.
With prayer we learn to focus and set powerful intentions. When we speak our desires and needs in a reverent way we bring them to life by infusing them with our breath (the breath of life) and vibration (spiritual tone).
When we meditate we learn to tune in to God by raising our consciousness into a higher state of being and awareness, thus making us able to receive the answers/guidance/teachings/insights God is showering upon us.
Invitation: Meditate/Pray Daily for One Week
Beginning today, set aside at least 5 minutes for prayer and 5 minutes for meditation. Start your day by sitting with God, opening to receive the light and love of the Beloved. Then in the afternoon or the evening, mindfully send your prayer to God knowing and believing with all your heart that it has been answered.
Let us know how your experience goes!
Sending you Light, Love and Laughter!
**All writings copyright**
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the CoLoft in Santa Monica, Ca for our FREE workshop ~ Your Fascinating Aura! It was a pleasure to meet and connect with so many new, wonderful people.
We opened the space with crystal sound bowls and voice, enjoyed an insightful lecture on exactly what the aura is and why it is essential to our spiritual growth, had our questions answered, a few lucky souls got a free aura reading by Barbara Y. Martin, and then we closed with a powerful meditation. The energy and love in the room was profound!
To stay up to date on our Southern California events please click HERE
To stay up to date on our Northern California events please click HERE
We look forward to connecting with all of you again soon!
The legend of Atlantis reflects one of humanity’s greatest unsolved mysteries: How did civilization get started? Science teaches civilization developed around 6,000+ years ago out of primitive humans who settled into agricultural societies. Yet, there persists a belief of a far more remote past. From the writings of Plato who spoke of a great society living on an island in the Atlantic “9,000 years before the time of Solon”, to legends in many cultures of a mighty civilization destroyed by water, to the archeological site Göbekli Tepe in Turkey dated at around 9,000 BC, it is clear that humanity still does not have the full story as to its own origins.
Metaphysics teaches that civilization is, in fact, far older than 6,000 years. A key aspect of this pre-history is Atlantis. Atlantis has stirred the imagination and so much excitement and rightfully so. Yet in understanding the mystery of Atlantis, we must do our best to take a sober, careful approach and not to let imagination get the better of us. In this article, I cannot begin to go into the breadth of what Atlantis was and evidence for its existence. I know from my own clairvoyant experiences, Atlantis was very real. What I hope to offer are answers to a few basic questions, from the metaphysical perspective, of this most extraordinary time in human history.
If Atlantis existed, why is there no conclusive archeological evidence?
The short answer is: it’s simply not time. Humanity is not ready to understand its remote past. Such a discovery would change the fabric of society in dramatic ways and humanity as whole is not quite ready to take that step. Yet according to the Higher, the evidence is unmistakably there waiting to be discovered. There have been a few finds that have pointing the way and eventually this will open the door to the greatest archeological discoveries of all time.
What was Atlantis really like?
Atlantis went through several periods from primitive beginnings to genuine sophistication spanning vast stretches of time, far greater than the entire recorded history of modern civilization. Also, Atlantis was not an isolated civilization. It was part of a world culture and there were earlier civilizations reaching back to even more remote times.
In the end, Atlantis corrupted itself creating one of humanity’s the darkest periods. As Albert Einstein said about the danger of nuclear war, “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but world War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” In a sense, this is what happened with Atlantis. Its eventual demise along with natural geological cataclysms has been a major reason knowledge of Atlantis has been reduced to legend.
Yet long before its decay, Atlantis had a golden age. Science, spirituality and society blended together in magnificent ways. Most of all, the veil between the spiritual and the material was not so great and there was a natural understanding and cooperation with the divine. Challenges and trials were still there, but without question it was a marvelous time for humanity.
What is the significance of Atlantis today?
Atlantis shares much with today’s world even though humanity is older now. The rapid development of modern society reflects an unconscious rekindled of Atlantean achievements yet expressed on a grander scale. Civilization today is far more developed overall than it has ever been. There is more spiritual light on the planet than ever before and more opportunity to grow spiritually despite today’s challenges.
History is knowledge and knowledge is power. The significance of Atlantis is its eventual resurfacing will reawaken the recognition of our own potential and collective abilities. Eventually, our society will have to come to terms with its own past so it can take its biggest leap forward into a modern golden age.
In Divine Light and Love,
Barbara Y. Martin
*copyright 2011
Your Higher Self nature is the key to drawing to your consciousness all the Divine Light, love and inspiration that flows from the divine. It is an essential part of your life and spiritual anatomy.
In your aura, the Higher Self appears as a radiant point of light about two feet above your head. You can think of it as an 8th chakra. This point radiated beautiful light rays of divine power and vitality. The Higher Self is the guiding force for you-the evolving soul.
Your Higher Self is aware of many things. It knows your purpose in life, your spiritual potential, your karma, your strengths and weaknesses. The Holy Ones work very closely with your Higher Self because it’s the part they can identify with and relate to the most. Day by day, the Higher Self is working to realize your tapestry of life.
The problem is too often we don’t listen to the prompting our own Higher nature is giving us. Why? For one, many people are simply not aware that the Higher Self is there. We can be so focused on our lower nature that we don’t realize there IS as higher nature. This is why spiritual education is so important. The more you learn about yourself, the more you can do in life.
Another reason you may not respond to the Higher Self is a difficulty in telling the difference between the Higher Self speaking and the lower self. This is a huge dilemma even for those on the spiritual path. Being aware that there is a higher nature doesn’t mean you are in tune with the Higher. The process of distinguishing what is coming from the Higher and what is your own human nature is not easy to decipher. It requires steady practice and effort to truly build the rapport with the Higher Self.
The other challenge is your lower nature may not like what the Higher is saying! For example, there may be something you want vey much and when you really do a good job to connect with the Higher-you may get the inspiration that this is not the way to go. Or the answer that comes may challenge the status quo. In either case, the lower nature can end up rejecting the Higher inspiration-even though that inspiration is exactly what the soul needs in order to grow. In this instance, what is missed is that when you are reaching for the Higher, in a very real sense, you are reaching for something greater than yourself. This means you are not always going to intellectually be able to rationalize the answer that comes. If you intuitively sense that this is right, you are going to have to trust in the Higher until you can see the results of your inspired actions.
This is why it’s so important in spiritual work to keep an open and flexible mind when dealing with the Higher Self. If you are really listening to the divine, you have to be willing to sometimes change directions or approach in your life’s pursuits. If what you are receiving comes from the Higher, it will always be for the better.
A great key in building a stronger connection to your Higher Nature is meditation. The practice of raising your consciousness to the Higher Self and opening to receive from God is an indispensible tool in connecting with the Higher. The more you work with the Higher Self, the more it can work with you.
In Divine Light and Love,
Barbara Y. Martin
*copyright 2011
Connecting with Your Higher Self
Thursday, April 14, 6:30pm – 7:15pm
A FREE teleconference as our gift to you!
We are offering Thursday’s teleconference as our way of saying thank you for your support.
In this teleconference Learn:
- What the Higher Self looks like and how it works in your aura.
- Meditations to build a stronger connection to your Higher Self.
- Understanding how to work with divine guidance and rightful direction in any aspect of your life.
- Techniques to release mental and emotional block that interfere with your spiritual reception.
- How your Higher Self is the key to raising your consciousness to new levels of awareness
To register email jm@spiritualarts.org
We will reply with the call-in information.
*Please note that while the teleconference is free, normal long distance charges will apply. Please check with your long distance carrier.
Connecting with Your Higher Self
Saturday, April 9, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Saturday, April 9, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Join us in a FREE workshop
at CoLoft, Santa Monica
at CoLoft, Santa Monica
Your Higher Self is the emissary to the Divine. It is through your Higher Self that spiritual energy and inspiration reaches you. In this workshop, Barbara Y. Martin and Dimitri Moraitis will introduce effective tools to enhance your spiritual connection with your Higher Self to help you fulfill your life’s purpose.
Learn:
- What the Higher Self looks like and how it works in your aura.
- Meditations to build a stronger connection to your Higher Self.
- Understanding how to work with divine guidance and rightful direction in any aspect of your life.
- Techniques to release mental and emotional block that interfere with your spiritual reception.
- How your Higher Self is the key to raising your consciousness to new levels of awareness
Includes a meditation and demonstration of aura readings!
Date: Saturday, April 9
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
CoLoft
920 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, Ca 90401
FREE, but space is limited.
Call Spiritual Arts to Register:
(800) 650-AURA (2872)
The spiritual path is the most beautiful path you can embark upon – yet it is also the most demanding. Developing your spiritual nature requires effort, dedication and sincerity. It brings out the best in you – gives you courage to overcome adversity, heal conditions in your life and brings talents and abilities to their fullest bloom. Walking the spiritual path helps you to gradually unveil the mysteries of life so you understand your place in the divine plan.
What are the Seven Spiritual Arts? And why are they important in your life and spiritual development? These are seven facets of the spiritual life that are indispensable in your unfoldment. The spiritual path is a like a jewel of many facets. Each facet must be developed to succeed in your spiritual journey. Together they make you a well-rounded individual.
THE AURA
The aura and spiritual energy are essential because it is in your aura that you forge your spiritual mettle. it is through your aura that you generate the power to accomplish anything and everything in life.
There are two basic ways to develop your aura. One is with every good word, thought, act and deed. The other is through meditation. Both ways are essential in the spiritual development process. In the classes there is great emphasis on meditation and application.
HEALING
The second spiritual art is Healing. What is healing? In a word, change. Changing one condition into another. This is the art of spiritual transformation. All of us need healing at one point or another. By understanding the principle of healing you are discovering the keys to healthy living in all facets of life.
KARMA AND REINCARNATION
The third spiritual art is karma and reincarnation. We all come to this earth with unfinished business – the karma, good and bad, we have generated in past lives and come to this life to work through. No matter what other good we do in this life, we cannot reach the spiritual pinnacle without facing and resolving our karma. And understanding the process of reincarnation is essential as it takes many lives to master the lessons of life.
CONSCIOUSNESS
The fourth spiritual art is consciousness. In this study there is special emphasis on understanding the spiritual dimensions of the mind. The mind is the navigator to the soul. An enlightened mind leads to an enlightened soul. By understanding the true source of all thining you can better tune into divine guidance and receive greater creative inspiration.
SPIRITUAL LIVING
The fifth spiritual art is an important study called “The Spiritual Keys of Living”. The east Indians call this study Karma yoga – the law of right action.
This is about understanding how the heart chakra, or Hermetic Center, works. The Hermetic center is your action center and is the nucleus of your outer world activities. As you can imagine it is a busy center. The goal is to bring this center in alignment with your spiritual purpose.
The key to this center is application. Metaphysics is really a way of life. In order to grow spiritually you must employ the laws of metaphysics into everyday life. You must LIVE truth for truth to live in you.
THE SPIRITUAL HIERARCHY
The sixth spiritual art is the magnificent study of the spiritual hierarchy – and the understanding of your potential clairvoyant powers.
This spiritual art teaches that you ar never alone in your spiritual journey. Your spiritual unfoldment is a cooperative process with the divine. I know personally, that I could not do what I do without the constant support of the Holy Ones. It can be hard to realize just how much our life is in god’s hands and how much loving, unseen help we receive on a daily basis.
YOUR SPIRITUAL ASCENT
And finally the seventh spiritual art is understanding the grand process of evolution itself – your spiritual ascent. This study steps back and looks at the big picture of your spiritual growth It explores how you are evolving through the spiritual planes and what are the steps of spiritual attainment and what is the ultimate purpose of evolution. By keeping the big picture in mind you will never lose the forest for the trees.
This study also helps you with discernment – understanding the potential pitfalls on the path so you can better evaluate the true from the false as not everything that has a spiritual label is in fact spiritual
Together these seven spiritual arts give you a tremendous spiritual foundation. They make you a true metaphysician and advance you far on the road to spiritual maturity and enlightenment.
In closing, I urge you to make metaphysics a great part of your life. These principles take time to fully blossom in you. Make spiritual truth a living part of you and your life will be blessed in the most beautiful and wondrous ways. Armed with such knowledge you have the tools to succeed in your spiritual quest.
I wish you God’s blessings in all you do.
~Barbara Y. Martin
The Seven Spiritual Arts are enrolling now! Join us and grow!
