How Judgments & Thoughts Create Our World (Sept 2012)

September 2012 How Judgments & Thoughts Create Our World The root cause of suffering is judgment -- the belief that there is something wrong. From that belief we have created separation from the Ascendant, and an entire universe of experiences founded on that judgment. And what are the fruits of that tree of judgment? It is the world we see around us, a world that is at war with itself, in conflict and in disharmony. The idea that this one thought -- a barely conscious thought -- could wreak such havoc may seem irrational. That is only because we don't yet fully grasp the power of our thoughts; and that the more subtle they are, the more powerful they are. A subtle underlying judgment can change the direction through which we perceive reality. It can poison the well that we draw from. While this may sound disheartening, it also brings greater appreciation for what the Ishayas offer through Ascension. The Attitudes of Praise, Gratitude, Love and Compassion are extremely powerful in expanding our consciousness beyond judgment. We can literally rewrite the script and remove the poison from the well. The First Attitude of Praise is powerful enough to cut through even the most subtle judgments and take our awareness back to its Source in the Ascendant. That is why even that one Attitude can be enough to gain full enlightenment. If one is committed enough and uses the Praise Attitude in every moment then there is no stress or judgment that could stop the flow of the wholly beneficial power of the Ascendant. Could True Healing be any simpler? The Ishayas have given us a shortcut to the underlying Source of everything. There is no doubt about that, once one has experienced the power of this Teaching. The only thing one needs to do is to give it a chance and simply do it. This conscious choice heals the individual, it heals humanity and it heals the Earth. Nataraja Ishaya    In this Issue: How Judgments & Thoughts Create Our World "What is Healing?" and "What are We Healing?" Whattya Think's Gonna Happen in 2012? Movie Review - The Avengers Furthering Your Practice Our courses are taught world-wide..... If you would like to create a course in your area or translate a course for us in your language please click here. ------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 2012 USA Free Introductory Talk Alameda, CA Aug 16 7 - 8pm Vancouver, WA Aug xx x - ypm ---------------- First Sphere Alameda, CA Aug 17 - 19 Vancouver, WA Aug 24 - 26 ---------------- Advanced Retreat St. James, MO 4 nights Aug 23 - 27 FINLAND First Sphere Espoo Aug 17 - 19 ---------------- Advanced All Day Helsinki Jul 22 10am - 5pm HONG KONG Free Introductory Talk Sheung Wan Aug 21 12:30 - 1:30pm ---------------- First Sphere Mongkok, Kowloon Aug 17 - 19 Mongkok, Kowloon Aug 24 - 26 ---------------- Advanced All-Day Mongkok, Kowloon Aug 12 10am - 5pm Mongkok, Kowloon Aug 16 10am - 5pm MALAYSIA Free Introductory Talk Bangsar, KL Aug 2 7:30 - 8:30pm ---------------- First Sphere Sungai Buloh, KL Aug 10 - 12 ---------------------------------- Questions about a course? contact@theishayafoundation.org 1-888-474-2921 (Outside of U.S.A. call 1-573-699-4049) For full course schedule and local Advanced Meetings Click Here When you become aware of self-defeating negative thoughts, use the Ascension Attitudes to replace them. In this way, that which is contrasting to us can be a great reminder to make a new choice and Ascend. Back to top "What is Healing?" and "What are We Healing?" The word "to heal" originates from an Old English word meaning "to make whole". Ancient words often are closer to Truth than our modern expressions. After the blind man was healed and regained his sight (Mark 10:52), Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole". There is quite a difference between seeking wholeness versus finding something that needs to be fixed. MSI said, "Healing never comes from the outside in -- it always comes from the inside out. The God-force within can heal anyone of anything. If you can recognize your inner Divine Nature, perfect health is the automatic result. God on the outside, however, as an external force disconnected from your innermost being would be denying your free will if It healed you. Created in the image of God means created with Absolute freedom of choice. This is abrogated never. First you must change your mind and desire perfect health. Then healing occurs. Then, in fact, healing must occur -- it is the automatic by-product of who you are. But the change of mind must be on the deepest level of your being -- simply deciding with the surface mind that 'I am well' is not only useless but potentially mentally deranging." It is said that thousands were healed by Mary Baker Eddy's prayers in the early 20th century. Later in life, when asked the secret of her success, she said that she did not pray to change the individual; she prayed to change herself! She knew that when she could see the person as whole and perfect, that they would indeed be well. MSI said, "The true Healer perceives illness and death as nothing more or less than illusions in the mind of the sufferer. If the Healer is free from illusions, it becomes possible to help those who are still caught by their ancient and yet continuous decision. By representing the Truth for the sick, the Healer heals. The Healer sees only the Truth: the sufferer is well, a perfect representation of the Ascendant on Earth. If the sick one chooses to share this perception, change the mind and turn back to the inner light, healing is instantaneous." At any moment, we have a choice to be part of the solution or part of the problem. A few years ago, someone was holding a course for a group of healers. The facilitator of the course asked for a volunteer with an ailment to come forward. The facilitator asked all the healers to pray and send healing energy to the volunteer. After a few minutes of prayer, the facilitator used Kinesiology muscle testing on the volunteer. [Muscle-testing is the main tool used in Kinesiology to determine if the body is being weakened or strengthened by a certain technique, food, etc.]. The test showed the volunteer to be in a "weakened" state. Most everyone was quite surprised by this. Why would this occur? Someone postulated that it might be because they were seeing something wrong with the person. So, they changed their approach; they began to meditate and view the volunteer as whole and perfect. The facilitator used muscle testing on the volunteer a second time, and this time the volunteer tested to be "strong". Maharishi Mahesh Yogi said it succinctly in the second chapter of his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, "Analyzing a problem to find its solution is like trying to restore freshness to a leaf by treating the leaf itself, whereas the solution lies in watering the root... ignorance of one's own self is the basis of all problems, sufferings and shortcomings in life." Or as MSI put it, "From growth of consciousness, one merges completely into the Absolute and separates completely from illusions." Jyoti Ishaya Back to top Choice is a divine Teacher, for when we choose we learn that nothing is ever put in our path without a reason. ~ Iyanla Vanzant Movie Review - The Avengers This is definitely an adventure movie. Good guys, bad guys, all of what you would want in an action comic book movie. With this movie however, you find you get a lot more. At first the Avengers come together and find it hard to be around each other. Then they all come to realize that they are there to be in service to humanity, to help save earth from the destructive forces ready to take over the planet. They put aside their petty differences in order to help with the bigger picture. Each brings their unique talents to help be in service to the earth. Whether it is that they are merely humans with special talents or demi-gods, or anything in between, they come together for the good of all. This is an all around great action adventure movie that even non-comic book super hero fans would thoroughly enjoy! Sukrani Ishaya Back to top Healing the World or Whattya Think's Gonna Happen in 2012? I was asked to write an article on the coming 2012 event based on the theme of Healing the world. Not being privy to psychic predictions I thought I would meet this idea at a more mundane level of the teaching based on what is already given in the First Sphere format and the writings of MSI in Ascension. Typically we use the phrase: "Ascension, Healing of the world thru the Healing of the self!" What this means is that to effectively link one's self to the world around themselves, one must have the experience of being connected to it at the conscious level. The world is an extension of the body, and the body an extension of the mind. The ego does not make this connection because it believes all living things to be separate from each other and that the world and the universe is in the hands of some mysterious force outside of the Human condition. We do however seem to take some responsibility for some of the current global conditions; such as overpopulation, starvation, pollution and the excessive consumption of natural resources. It would also seem that the best we can do is to always be open to improvement. No one tries to deliberately undermine themselves or the world around them; mostly the steps we take where we create problems are where we learn, and also mirror the inadequacies of understanding and application of solutions without really knowing how we got in trouble in the first place. Sort of like Doctors applying medicine to relieve symptoms but not directly healing the cause; they can only mechanically approach an illness or symptom based on the observations they make within the science and technologies of current understanding, which brings us to the issue at hand of Healing the Earth at the Level of the self. No problem can be solved at the level it was created. Something must happen to elevate the awareness to the level of recognition where the problem is understood as a step toward growth and the reflection of awareness. Such are the effects of intellectual expansion, learning and evolution. We know this from our own experiences with growing up in the educational system and the wisdom that comes with experience. The more our experience grows in recognition of Consciousness as it applies to our own bodies and the world around us, the greater our understanding and application of choices to create more wisely. Obviously there are some gaps in the way we approach the world through the education we receive, where we are taught to accept that we are responsible for our actions but without the conscious awareness that we are great creators. Because we are graded and compared to each other using a standard of measure that gives a value to our worth from the very beginning of our education, we accept that conditions impede our abilities to create. So although we may be responsible for the actions we take, we are often judged as being incapable of making responsible decisions or taking action that can effectively add value to the system. We are taught to give our creative authority to those who succeed where those who are measured fail to meet the grade. The system is set up to give the authority of decisions for our well-being to those who are successful at creating wealth, power and an influence over the direction of our technologies and growth as a political and biological resource to make a better world. Though we have solved some issues with nature where we could feed the entire planet, we somehow fall short of actually doing that. The authorities, if ignorant of Unity and Enlightenment, will not necessarily be an effective example of Human potential, and they are often subject to greed and self preservation rather than in service to Humanity. What needs to change and what is changing? Some of the following is taken from an interview with MSI and printed as an article in the Sedona Journal in 1997. Like good parents, the Ishayas have saved the best teaching until the last. They have nurtured the human race for countless ages as our consciousness has gradually matured. Today, in the last decade of the second millennium after Isha's life, the consensus among the Ishayas is that the time has come to release complete knowledge of the teaching of the Ascension again to the human race. THREE ATTEMPTS TO HEAL THE EARTH This is not the first time this experience has been tried. Isha (Christ) possessed full knowledge of this teaching and originally felt that the Jewish race would be the ideal tool to preserve it in its purity and bring it out to the world. The intense ignorance of the Roman world betrayed his intent, transmuting his contribution into a living example of perfect unconditional love. This was not bad; his example has continued to transform the human race, teaching the primacy of love, but it was not his full desire. Maharishi Patanjali, himself an Ishaya, knew this teaching fully and described the effects of it clearly in his Yoga Sutras. About 5000 years ago, along with Patanjali, a large number of Ishayas descended from Vashti to see if the world at the time could handle the full teaching of ascension. The effect then was rather other than was hoped: the expansion of military power in the warriors outstripped the expansion of consciousness in the priests. The resultant Mahabharata War effectively ended civilization for the next 5 millennia. The next previous global experiment in releasing this teaching coincided with what we call today the fall of Atlantis, some 25,000 years ago. Again the human races desire to control and manipulate the world was larger than the desire to surrender completely in innocence. Thus the attempts to bring this teaching out of seclusion have been increasing in frequency for the past 25,000 years. This is true because the human race, in spite of many appearances to the contrary, is maturing. The age prophesied by every significant ancient civilization in the history of the Earth is at hand. We stand on the threshold of immortality and full enlightenment for the entire human race, not just some isolated part. The Ishayas know this full well; they know also that their teaching of ascension is the shortest and quickest means to bring this transformation about; therefore they have ordered this teaching into the world. ONE HUNDRED ENLIGHTENED TEACHERS One hundred teachers of the Ishayas' ascension whom I have personally trained have learned, based on their own personal experience, that the four higher states of consciousness described by Patanjali are real. The six month Teacher Training program (which is primarily devoted to as many hours a day spent ascending) has universally given the experience of the first degree of enlightenment -- Perpetual consciousness -- within two and a half months. This might sound utterly astounding to those who have followed difficult or rigorous meditative practices or who have believed faulty translations of the texts of enlightenment such as the Yoga Sutras. Nevertheless, this has been the experience of every single course participant in the teacher-training program. The simple truth is that it is not difficult to gain enlightenment. It is in fact perfectly easy. Once one has a valid tool for ascending all that is required is the willingness to give up all the false constructs of the individual ego. Enlightenment is not a far-off super state reserved for a few. On the contrary, enlightenment is the birthright of every single human on the Earth. Since this is true, it is not difficult to realize it. In fact it is difficult not to realize it. It takes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy to hold back the infinite One. This is what ages us, what sickens us, what makes us sleep so much at night and be so partially awake during the days. Holding back the ascendant One is like trying to keep a dam from bursting with a single hand. It is impossible. The effort continued long enough, kills. Evolution on Earth is accelerating at an ever increasing rate. The vibratory rate of our world is changing upward so quickly now that there is a real danger that large numbers will fail to make this transition. The Ishayas believe that it is our obligation as human beings to do whatever we can to enable as many as possible to negotiate this global shift in awareness successfully. This should not be considered a burden; it is a joyous movement upward into the light, every step forward on this path is not only great good fortune for every individual, but a large upsurge in the life for the world billions. We have a little time left, a decade or two for most of us, before this transition will be complete. It is time for all the co-workers for peace, all those who wish to be or are already enlightened, all those who possess goodwill for humanity, all leaders everywhere, to drop their surface and petty differences and unite with one voice of understanding and praise for the source of all that is. The simple guiding principle is this: if we are sowing division, preaching destruction, seeking or finding evil in the world (even if we are looking for it with the intention of removing it!), then we are part of the problem, not the cure. It might seem possible for a short time longer to oppose the great transformation that is rapidly building in this world. But this is appearance merely. And even that appearance is going to change. Those who desire to oppose Cosmic Intelligence will soon... very soon... be no longer found on this Earth. Everyone will either consciously or unconsciously act in perfect harmony with Universal Mind. Those who would oppose the Holy Spirit will either change, or simply cease to be here. That is our future. And the good news is that anyone's inner realization helps change the destiny of everyone else. Some of us have already remembered that we are multidimensional beings. We, living on the Earth are opened to Universal Mind. The voice of the universe speaks through us. Desire to serve others is the natural byproduct of our enlightenment: our perennial task is to help everyone discover Universal Mind within. But words are limited, finite tools; our proper subject is the unlimited, the infinite, a subject that lies forever far beyond the ability of language to describe or communicate. Writing or reading or listening to lectures does not expand consciousness; this happens only through direct, personal experience. Hence this article is short. But the invitation is long. Security, peace, happiness, health and love await those who learn the Ishayas' ascension techniques. You might have already recognized in your heart that this offer is for you. But it might take you some more time or perhaps some further exchange of energy or knowledge between us, before your conscious mind understands your heart's choice. For those of you sailing in that boat, I have written five books; they are designed to help your rational mind learn what your heart already knows full well. Take what you will from those storehouses, drink as deeply as you care from the wellsprings there, and then if we are not to meet again, go your own way with the blessings of the Ishaya's Ascension upon your heart. -MSI- There is another article you may find of interest if you wish to explore the prophesied 2012 event based on an interview with a Mayan elder: http://www.seri-worldwide.org/id435.html. Basically the article refers to more than just meditation or Ascension as a method to gain enlightenment. It suggests (as do the mechanics of Ascension) that gaining conscious awareness leads to enlightened action. We are not responsible to make any decisions for others, but we are responsible for our own actions. If we can elevate our consciousness, we directly affect those around us. Not only do we help to raise the vibratory rate of the planet, but by example live a more expanded way of thinking and acting that will effectively change the world around us. We don't have to fight the political machines that are corrupt, nor protest against the wars and atrocities of human ignorance. We can change ourselves and help elevate the conscious awareness to effectively remove the impulses that drive humanity to destroy itself in war and corruption. This can happen in an amazingly short period of time. Instead of adding to the agitated state of isolation, fear and anger that distracts humanity from the stillness and perfection within, we need only remove ourselves from the self destructive loop and build different pathways to thinking and acting. These changes have already begun. If I was to make a prediction to the coming global changes, I would say that this evolutionary event will be the culmination of Conscious planning at a level of perfect one-pointed commitment by those who know that Enlightenment is the cure for all ills. Mahadeva Ishaya Back to top Our Websites The Ishaya Foundation www.theishayafoundation.org Hong Kong website www.theishayafoundation.asia       European website www.theishayafoundation.eu ------------------------------------------------- This is the 66th edition of the Ishaya Foundation newsletter. If you wish to receive this Newsletter in your email, please subscribe here. To contact us, please email contact@theishayafoundation.org or call 1-888-474-2921.

Appreciation Creates Connectedness

In the work that I currently do, I am in therapy situations with people who have massive brain injuries. As a result of their condition they often have difficulties with communication or understanding and severe lack of bodily movement. In other words a lot of their ability to communicate and express is simply not intact. These people are, in a very literal sense, buried underneath the symptoms and the people around them begin to treat them as a conglomeration of various problems. There seems to be very little appreciation for who or what they really are.

The Art of Ascension Practice opens up a pathway that is truly amazing. Simply using the praise technique with my eyes open, without having to really try to “communicate”, creates a rapport – a connection of mutual respect. It helps me to see through the appearances of physicality and that has proven time and time again to open the other person as well.

Once I worked with an 83 year old man who had been mute all his life. He had had an aneurysm that paralyzed him on his left side, along with the added difficulty of how to determine how much he actually understood cognitively. So I literally had very little to go with as far as communicating. Yet in the few weeks that we worked together – almost without words, silently – a bridge was built on appreciation. That simple Attitude was acknowledging that which connects him and I and where physical conditions are of no importance.

The many experiences with the people that I work with have shown me that appreciation is far more than seeing a surface thing and talking about it. It reaches all the way to the core of who we truly are; and as I focus on that in myself, the more the connectivity with people around me increases. Ultimately, whatever therapy I do with those people, is in a way less important than the energy or the Attitude that I approach them with. Appreciation not only affects my inner experience, it also naturally helps the other because we are so intimately connected with each other, and with everyone and everything else.

Nataraja Ishaya

Scientific Evidence of the Power of Choice

Dr. Carolyn Leaf has been researching the brain since 1981. She explains that as we journey through life, we must actively make choices about what thoughts to accept.  Toxic memories take up space, affect the way you think and the way the brain functions. You’ve accepted a thought or belief when “you choose to ask, answer, discuss, and analyze to give meaning to”. If you accept toxic thoughts, “you push it into a ‘memory tree’ of toxic chemicals.” She shows a picture of the brain that has “accepted” a “toxic” thought. It looks like a tree, having many branches and looks dark and troubled. She says it contains toxic emotions and toxic chemicals that can be a precursor to disease. You can view the picture and her comments at http://are-you-for-real.com/faith/how-to-stop-toxic-thoughts-from-poisoning-your-brain/.

Dr. Leaf says an unforgiving attitude can cause such things like high blood pressure, angina, strokes and aneurysms. Saying or thinking things like “I can’t do it”, “I always mess up”, “things will never change”, “that’s not fair”, “you always hurt me” overtime can make you sick. [1]

How powerful then the practice of the Ishayas’ Ascension that can root out these troubled trees. Plus, using the eyes-open practice gives a simple way to actively choose for Praise, Gratitude, Love or Compassion that will magnify the root of the Tree of Life; as a result, the old trees of duality atrophy and wither away.


[1] Leaf, C. P. (2008). Who Switched Off My Brain? Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions.

Cooperation ~ the Key to Evolving Intelligence

Ever wonder why we get together to Ascend and to share our experiences of evolving Consciousness? Ever wonder if there is any scientific evidence for the saying; “When 2 or 3 agree about anything they ask for, it will be done by the Father in Heaven” (Matthew 18:19)?

Many new scientific studies are showing that cooperation is the key to evolving Intelligence. In fact, cooperation has been at the hub of many studies since the early 1970's. Early studies show that when children cooperate rather than compete in school everyone improves test scores dramatically.

A recent study of elephants showed that elephants cooperating to solve problems came up with more solutions than the scientists creating the tests! Here is a great video showing dolphins learning and evolving together: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/planet-earth/videos/shallow-seas-dolphin-waves.htm. This video not only exemplifies the challenges and risks of evolution, but also that a group effort reduces the exposure as well as speeding up the entire process. One recurring theme comes through the research: the impact of giving to others creates results that far outshine those with individuals working totally from self-interest.

Life can be so Exhausting

There is a natural harmonious rhythm to life when it is in accord and in tune with the whole - the totality of life. Yet, so many people are exhausted and feel that life is moving at an overwhelming speed. It is not only that life is so demanding and fast, but that the thoughts in our minds are equally busy and chaotic. And do you know what sucks most of our energy? Do you know what creates the exhaustion we experience?

It is the mind that is running a huge number of thoughts every day - the incessant hammering of the same repetitive thoughts. Our inner life is out of tune and lacking connection to our natural state of being. The way we use our minds and our bodies is much like if we were to drive our cars in first gear and never shift. Imagine driving down the highway and the engine is stressed to the max and you are only driving 30mph. This is the way a lot of us live life. Is it a wonder that we feel exhausted?

The way to escape from an exhausting life is not to be found on the outer conditions. It is the inner life that holds the key to transforming our outer life. Our mind is the greatest tool in the universe, but we need to learn how to use it as it was designed to be used; in harmony with the whole for our good and the good of all. The tools of the Art of Ascension naturally train the mind to work coherently; deep rest, inner peace and endless potential are natural byproducts of regular practice.

Gratitude Attitude

Gratitude has more value than just feeling good. What pill do you know that has more effect than this list of benefits from cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude?

    •    Increased Energy
    •    Increased Happiness
    •    Increased Optimism
    •    Increased Social Connections
    •    Decreased Depression
    •    Decreased Envy
    •    Decreased Greed
    •    Decreased Addiction
    •    Increased Income
    •    Increased Quality and Length of Sleep
    •    Increased Immune Function
    •    Increased Exercise and thus, Visual Appearance[1]

Anyone can experience gratitude and benefit from it. “A new study shows that feeling grateful makes people less likely to turn aggressive when provoked.”[2] Polio survivors and other people with neuromuscular problems who kept a gratitude journal reported feeling happier and more optimistic than those in a control group, and these reports were corroborated by observations from their spouses. These grateful people also fell asleep more quickly at night, slept longer and woke up feeling more refreshed. [3]

It’s pretty simple, too. In a Temple University study, patients with hypertension lowered their blood pressure just by calling a “gratitude” hotline every day.  Given that studies show that people with an Attitude of Gratitude are more healthy and sleep better, who wouldn’t want more Gratitude in their life?

It is no wonder that The Art of Ascension as taught by the Ishayas incorporates the Attitude of Gratitude into each of the first Five Spheres of techniques.  The benefits listed above are not only benefits of Gratitude, but just a small portion of the by-products of practicing Ascension daily.

References:

[1] http://www.inspiredgiftgiving.com/the-research-on-gratitude

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/science/a-serving-of-gratitude-brings-healthy-dividends.html

[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/science/a-serving-of-gratitude-brings-healthy-dividends.html

[4] R. A. Emmons (2007) Thanks! How the new science of gratitude can make you happier. New York: Houghton Mifflin. Original study: Emmons, R. A. & McCullough, M. E. (2003) Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well being in daily life, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 84: 377-89.

Why Meditate?

There are endless benefits to having a regular meditation practice. The list starts from simple stress release to inner peace, and spans the spectrum of resolving any and all of life’s troubles or downsides. Even the healing of our planet can be a by-product of enough of us making our individual choice to regularly meditate.

When asked how one can help a starving man, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi suggested that the answer was to teach the man to meditate; then he would be a happy hungry man.  The point being, when we take regular moments out of our often hectic lives to turn our minds inward and discover the truth of who we are, we naturally find our bliss even in the midst of chaos. The more we tap into this bliss the more we begin to find endless creativity to life’s seemingly problematic moments. The problems cease to rule our minds and naturally a new life unfolds before our eyes, showing us the power of our choices. We become more efficient and successful and more happy quite automatically as a result of briefly turning our minds inward during meditation.

There is a great deal of mystery and often confusion wrapped around what it means to meditate and or why any one would do it. We will share here our growing experiences and knowledge with you in hopes of dispelling any mysteries and clearing any confusion. It is also our sincere desire to inspire you to seek and find a regular meditation practice that helps you to discover your bliss, to continuously learn and develop your power of choice, and to experience first hand your life working for you.

Who is a Sponsor?

A sponsor is someone who desires to help the Ishayas expand the teaching of Ascension. Sponsors are an integral link between the Ishaya teachers and the community.

This page will provide ways to share Ascension by listing:

   * Specific ideas to make new connections with interested people in your area.
   * Updates on special events and promotions.
   * A place to read what other Sponsors have found enlivening.
   * And so much more!


If you would like to become a sponsor of Ascension, please click on this link and submit our contact form:  http://www.theishayafoundation.org/sponsorascension.html.



 There is no greater service than to help others make their way to True Freedom.