Infinity and Anchor Symols

The anchor symbolizes strength and stability. The infinity symbol, well, like the
name suggests it means whatever you are getting that tattoo for, it will hold an
eternal value to you. Mine says I will have infinite strength. Many people pick an
anchor tattoo design to remind themselves that no matter how stormy and rough
things get out there and how much the factors around you try to uproot you, you
need to hold on and keep doing what you are supposed to. Some anchor tattoos are
dedicated to the dear ones who played this role in your life i.e. provided you the
strength and wherewithal to hold on no matter what comes your way by being there
through it all. The infinity symbol is a never ending loop. So it means forever or
always or limitless, never ending possibilities. It is one of the most positive tattoos
there is.

The Pathways Spiritual Approach

The essence of the Pathways approach to spiritual development is contained in
these two inspiring charts:

The polarities of energy for the chakra energy dentersFigure eights of the back and
front of the chakras

We will describe the principles portrayed in these images and offer some sample
meditations using the Figure Eight flow of energy.
The glyph or visual symbol for this dynamic balance, often called the infinity sign,
is the Figure Eight. It represents the dynamic and continuous rhythm and flow
between polar principles, or opposites. This natural swing from one pole to the other
is the rhythm of the Figure Eight flowing back and forth ceaselessly, hence also
called the infinity loop. If you move your hand in a figure eight motion in front of
you, you will feel the swing and momentum that is created by this shape. Contrast it
with moving your hand in a circle in front of you and feel the difference in energy
and momentum.

Balance is something that many spiritual systems talk about. The Figure Eight also
helps us understand what balance really means in an energetic context. A spiritual
seeker must find balance on the path. Many, in fact, seek a spiritual path like
meditation and the like in order to find balance in otherwise imbalanced lives. But
what does balance mean? It is often thought of as a static thing, like putting equal
amounts of qualities on the pans of a scale until they come to stillness. Or, some
systems see balance as being in the middle, the still point itself, where the aspirant
is neither one nor the other, detached from both extremes.

But from an energetic perspective, there is nothing that is not in motion, dynamic.
Without the dynamic magnetism of polarities, energies things run down. So balance
is not a static state but a dynamic between energetically polar qualities.

The Chakras, the Inner Temple & the Figure Eight

Now we have enough context to present our first map which overviews how we at
Pathways For Healing understand:
 The qualities of energy and balance needed to foster and stabilize our spiritual
development.

The polar qualities that allow us to open the chakras, i.e. to bring our
consciousness into alignment with those qualities of energy and realms of
experience.

Lets just get on to the big picture, that of the polarities of the seven chakras within
the Inner Temple. It's truly beautiful. So much form, flow, color. We are drawn to it
as if it is something we know, or something we wish to bring some order to our
being.

What we see here is each chakra, its polar magnetic qualities, and our name for the
quality engendered by a dynamic balance of both polarities. Behind it all lies the
Grand Eight that runs between the Crown chakra and the 1st chakra, centered by
the Heart, which represents the connection of matter and spirit and the flow
between them. Kabbalists would call this the Involutional and Evolutional pathways,
from Spirit to the material existence, and from the most material to the most
spiritual direction of evolution of the soul.

We will briefly explore the polarities and balance of each chakra in the Temple, and
there will be sample-guided meditations at the end of the description.

First Chakra- Vitality

Polarities: Inward Vibrancy and Outward Vibrancy

The first chakra is the basis of physical life, and the fundamental energy of the
physical body and the physical realm. The red frequency has warmth, hence
associated with fire, and a substantial or dense nature. Our vital physical being is
generated from the dynamic of the poles of Vibrancy: the deep and hidden Inward
Vibrancy in every molecule and cell, and the Outward Vibrancy that expresses itself
in Natures outpouring. A reflection of this is the hidden, vibrant potential in the
seed of the acorn and the activated outward vibrancy seen in its sprouting into the
oak tree. This quality of inner, hidden potential for vibrancy and growth is inherent
in all living things and is a quality of 1st chakra energy in of itself. We tend to see
only the activated vibrancy as energy, yet that is just the expressed pole, the
positive magnetic polarity of this inherent potential, as the inward or potential
vibrancy is the negative magnetic pole. The particular balance and dynamic of
these poles gives each of us our particular nature of Vitality, the balance of dynamic
flow between these poles, within our first chakra dimension of consciousness, and
our physical being.

Second Chakra- Centeredness

Polarities: Fluidity and Stability (Moving Water and Pooled Water)

The second chakra is considered the seat and frequency of emotional consciousness
and is likened to the water element. Emotions flow like water, may come in a rush
and then they are gone. Water has two polarities: one as a moving water called
Fluidity, and the other when it is collected, still and pooled which we call Stability.
Without any stabilizing quality emotional energies are rampant and random.
Without any fluidity the emotional waters would become stagnant and muddy. The
balance achieved by the polar dynamic flow is called Centeredness, and includes
the capacity flow with emotions so they can be cleared and cleaned, and contain
and stabilize them so they do not displace or control our consciousness.

Third Chakra- Clarity

Polarities: Openness to Possibility and Definitiveness

The third chakra is considered the seat of Mental consciousness, and yellow the
color or frequency of that realm The third chakra, like the digestive organs within
its physical location, is the great reducer, breaking experience down into its
constituents and recombining them in different ways. It is the nature of the Mental
to process data (experience). It cannot create data (experience), although when we
are purely in the Mental realm we believe we are generating new and fresh data,
when we are really just creatively combining what we have already experienced.
The Mental likes to think that anything it can think must be so: that ideas are true
because one can think them. It does not like to think of itself as limited, especially
that there is a Higher and more encompassing reality that it truly cannot conceive
of.

The polarities of the Mental are Openness to Possibility on the one hand, and
Definitiveness on the other. We cannot afford to say No to possibility or it will
impoverish our thinking. Our mental capacities will have nothing new to process and
will only spin in what we already know or repeat what has already been decided.
Without Definitiveness, on the other hand, we circle in endless possibilities
formulating nothing. If everything is possible, then nothing can be ruled out and no
useful order can be found. Ideas are spun but nothing is gained.

Clarity comes from the continuing cycles of coming to definitive knowing, then
opening to new possibility and building upon what one learned by addition and
increased complexity. We are never Clear, but rather have periods of Clarity
uncertainty opening definition Clarity and so on.

Fourth Chakra- Beauty

Polarities: Inclusiveness and Discernment

The Fourth Chakra lies at the crossover of the Grand Eight, and is the meeting point
of the mundane world (Physical, Emotional and Mental) and what are collectively
called the spiritual realm. It is through the heart center that we have our first
capacity to actually experience, not just theorize about, the transpersonal reality
beyond our individuated self. The polarities of the Heart center are Inclusiveness
and Discernment. The most familiar to spiritual seekers is often the pole of
Inclusiveness, the capacity of the Heart to know that all things are included, All
things are equal unto the eyes of the Lord, or as the Lakota say, All my relations.
To the Inclusive heart, no person or thing is better than any other, for all belong in
Creation, all are gifts of the Creator.

But Inclusiveness alone leaves out something important that is also the Hearts
capacity: although in one sense all things are one, it is also true that each thing has
its own unique nature. Oneness is not sameness. A faculty of the Heart chakra is
Discernment, the capacity to know the essential unique nature of things, things as
they are, not as we wish them to be. This is not to be confused with the 3rd chakra
definitiveness. If we have not Discernment our heart is imbalanced. A rattlesnake is,
like us, one of the Creators creations, and worthy of life and love, but it is also a
rattlesnake! Its nature is to bite when threatened. We include it and love it, but we
must also discern its nature, perhaps to love it from a distance! To do otherwise is to
violate the fundamental Cosmic Law: Dont be stupid!

Inclusiveness without Discernment becomes a kind of co-dependency, If I just love

him, his essential nature will change Discernment without Inclusiveness focuses
on the essential nature of something but loses its place in the larger whole. The
dynamic balance of these two poles is the quality or state of Beauty, about which
little more can be said.

Fifth Chakra- Truth

Polarities: Perfect Matrix. Perfect Form

As we enter into the spiritual realms of consciousness it becomes more and more
difficult, if not impossible, to capture their qualities in words. Edward Cassirer, a
linguistic philosopher, said that mystical language can only be a sign post that
points towards an inexpressible experience, it cannot represent it in the normal
sense of language which has reference points in the commonly shared objective
world. With that in mind, we will attempt to point to the polarities of the fifth and
sixth chakras.

The fifth chakra is the seat of the Etheric realm of consciousness, said to be the
perfect energetic pattern for all those realms below it. In a way, it is the realm that
Plato spoke of when he referred to the Perfect Forms that all material things express
in their own imperfect way. The polarities of this realm are called Perfect Form and
Perfect Matrix. Perfect Form may be understood as the pattern, as a reflection of the
Divine, that give shape or organization to all things. This includes ideas, sense of
rightness and truth, as well as the form and functioning of the physical world.
Perfect Matrix can be likened to the Yin stuffness or dark matter of creation. The
Mother Milk which nourishes (builds substance) the manifestation of form.
Alchemists referred to this as the Quintessence: Literally the fifth essence. These
two poles are inextricable, for without Form, Matrix is shapeless, and without Matrix,
Form is empty and without substance. Through the fifth chakra we may be able to
sense the Etheric and the discrepancy between it and what is manifest (between
Higher Truth and what is actual). Thus the centered position in this dynamic balance
is referred to as Truth.

Sixth Chakra- Insight

Polarities: Luminous Dark and Radiant Light

If the fifth chakra was difficult to render in words, even more is the sixth chakra! The
pineal and pituitary, both organs intimately associated with this chakra, need both
light and dark to function. Otherwise there is no cycling, no rhythm in the body.
Many mystical orders have dark-practices, where the student meditated in
completely dark caves or temples for many days, until their inner eye opened and
the luminosity hidden within the dark and the radiance of consciousness itself was
revealed. It is said of the Void, in many Buddhist traditions, that it is emptiness but
luminous in some indefinably mysterious way. All things also have an intrinsic
Radiance, a bright glowing forth of the Creative energies shining. These poles of
Luminous Dark and Radiant Light create together the dynamic balance of Insight.
Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Anchor - As A Symbol

"One who has control over the mind

is tranquil in heat and cold,

in pleasure and pain,

and in honor and dishonor."

- Bhagavad Gita

The Anchor is a Symbol of both Hope and steadfastness.

When we look at an Anchor we see that it is a cross resting upon,

and securely balanced within, a crescent moon or bowl.

The cross has four points, and the number four represents matter.

Furthermore, the crossed lines of the cross represent spirit (the

vertical line) united with matter (the horizontal line). Hence, the

cross represents an individuals personal Incarnation. The cross

is a masculine Symbol which includes a person's Thoughts,

Actions, and consciousness.

The crescent moon, or bowl, is a feminine Symbol which

represents the womb. The feminine also includes intuition,

Emotions, and the Subconscious.

Therefore the Anchor is a Symbol for an individuals personal

Incarnation which is supported by, and rests within, their emotions,

intuition, and Subconscious.

With these Thoughts in mind, let us now explore the meaning of

the Anchor as a Symbol of Hope and steadfastness.

As a Symbol of Hope:

The rising Anchor is a Symbol for Hope. This is alluded to,

metaphorically, whenever we say that "our hopes are rising".

When a ship weighs, or raises, its Anchor it tells everyone that

it is leaving its current port-of-call and is on its way to a new

voyage, a new Adventure.

This is a metaphor for how each one of us feel when we finally

Decide to leave a stagnant portion of our life behind us in order

to begin a new journey, voyage, or Adventure.

We raise our Anchor and venture forth into a new era of our life.

We feel eager and alive and we are laden with Hope, excitement,

dreams, expectations, imaginings and aspirations. Our Spirit feels

light and free as we face the cleansing breezes which take us

to our next port-of-call.

The Hope we carry with us on our new voyage encourages us to

follow the course we have plotted out and carry out the plans

we have made. We are steadfast in our vision of the pursuit of

our new Dream.

Our new Hope prevents us from drifting in confusion as our

Thought processes are now focused on new Dreams, creations

and ideas.

Our new Hope keeps us focused on our vision, the Horizon,

where our new life, and new Adventure, awaits us. The Time of

planning is over and the Time of Action, and new experiences,

is now upon us.

As a Symbol for steadfastness:

The moment we drop our mental Anchor is the moment when we

Become steadfast in a Decision-making process. It is the moment

when we finally say to ourselves "here is where I stand" and "these

are the rules I will govern myself by".

This is expressed, metaphorically, when a ship drops its Anchor.

At that moment the ship becomes moored to a particular location

from which it will not move until the Time once again arrives for it

to sail at a moment of its own Choosing.

When a ship drops Anchor it grounds itself, and secures itself, to

a certain spot from which it will not move. It stabilizes itself from

the waves, tides, currents and various other movements which the

sea may throw at it.

Just as a ship that is not firmly Anchored is at the mercy of all

of the elements of the sea, so too is a person who is not firmly

Anchored at the mercy of all of the elements of chaos, hysteria

and uncertainty which surround him, or her.

Nearly every one of us has had at least one moment in our life

when we were absolutely, positively sure of a Decision we had

to make even though everyone around us doubted us and

screamed at us that we were wrong.

In this moment our certainty proved to be correct even though

we may not have been able to put our certainty into Words.

These kinds of Decisions can only be made by a person who

is firmly Anchored.

When we are properly Anchored we are able to trust confidently

in the skills and knowledge which lie latently concealed deep

within us. Skills and knowledge which lie in the subconscious

realm of our inner-self; our God-within; our Atman.

This confidence, self-assuredness, and trust in oneself is the result

of solid, secure and verifiable conclusions, clarity of Awareness,

and Lessons learned from Past experiences.

When we act with such steadfastness we are not being simply

stubborn; we are securely Anchored and are acting with positive

Arrogance and true knowing.

When we are properly Anchored we are able to remain steadfast,

sure and steady; we are able to "hold fast" during emotional,

unstable and confusing Times; we are able to steady ourselves

during our weakest moments and most trying experiences; we

are able to confidently maintain stability, firmness and tranquility

within and amidst all of the chaotic emotions which are tossing

themselves all around us.

On the other hand, when we are not sure of ourselves, or when

we are in a situation which is foreign and strange to us, we find

ourselves adrift and at the mercy of the tides and currents which

toss us to and fro and we say to ourselves "let's try this" or "let's

try that", unsure of what will work and what will not work;

simply relying on guesses and empty Prayers and not on

steadfast facts, skills, knowledge and experience.

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