Issue #26 - Living with the intensity of Light

Light travels through space at about 300,000 kilometres a second; this means that it moves faster than anything else we know in the whole of the physical world. Why is it that Cosmic Intelligence has endowed light with a greater capacity for speed than anything else? Nothing can equal the speed of light, and it is this that gives it a tremendous superiority over everything else. Yes, because speed is a criterion of perfection which is not confined to purely technical things. Light is unencumbered, disinterested, totally without selfish thoughts or desires, this is why it can move so fast: it always comes in first!

If you are interested in exploring the human heart, the wide universe, all the wealth of the universal Soul, you must know that you can only do so on condition that you are capable of acting with the speed and intensity of light. From the mineral to the human kingdoms and beyond, through all the angelic hierarchies all the way to the throne of God, life manifests itself with increasing intensity and subtlety. One could say that the degree of evolution of a being can be judged by the intensity of its life.

You should learn to recognize the intensity of your emotions, discern what goes on inside yourselves and, particularly in regard to your meditations, recognize whether your level of consciousness has increased in subtlety and intensity, in other words, in spirituality, or whether, on the contrary, it has slipped back into low gear. This is another of the great qualities that you must develop: your discernment. You should be in a position to know, day by day, month by month and year by year, whether you have made progress, whether you have reached a higher level by comparison with the day or the month or the year before.

It is when you live with intensity every single day that you will make all kinds of new discoveries about your inner life, for that intensity constantly reveals something new.

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov
Izvor Book 212, Light is a Living Spirit

Issue #25 - The Ceremony of Wesak

- This is an extract of a conference dated 1 May 1947 - Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

“Every year on the full moon of May, the Initiates of the world gather in Agartha, physically or astrally. This year's ceremony will take place on the night of 4 to 5 May (1947). We will work together to join this ceremony, and I ask you to prepare yourself. We will connect to Agartha even before 5th May...

We will fast for twenty-four hours, with prayers and meditations. Nothing more. But we will also be able to receive some extraordinary fragrances that the Initiates will send, because we will be linked to them. On 5th May, we will hold a longer silence than usual in the morning. During this silence, those of you who know how to orientate their thinking, will direct it to the place of the meeting.

For those who cannot do such work, there will be no recommendation, they will not be told anything special. They can also direct their attention to Agartha, which will allow the ceremony to produce better results. To connect yourselves to Agartha, one thing is necessary: harmony. And another one: you must have forgiven all your enemies. We cannot live this ceremony if we retain the slightest misunderstanding in our life. These beneficial conditions will allow our prayers to be answered. During the day and even during the night, we can leave our bodies and go to Agartha to attend the ceremony. Do your best. Prepare yourselves. It would be wonderful to take part in that work.

You will adopt a positive attitude that allows you to link to the initiates, with the thought of receiving the blessing they will send to all the children of God. We could work together and recite using formulas that I know, but for this, anything that is not harmonious must be eliminated. Any disharmony can cause great trouble. Each of you can connect to the Wesak ceremony, either on your own or as part of a group, as you prefer.

To be known to the spirits of the divine world, you have to be seen by them. What does the captain of a ship do when his ship is sinking? He sends a Mayday signal or a rocket flare, so that he can be rescued. If you do not send a luminous signal to the sky, who will know up above that you are sinking? In order to be seen, you have to cut through the darkness by projecting a powerful light.

Thanks to a celestial love that has nothing to do with normal love, attract to yourself the attention of invisible spirits who watch over humanity.”

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov - 1 May 1947

If you liked this text and would like to connect with more inspiring text, please visit the website Journey with Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov.

Issue #24 - Spring Time

It is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere! Yes! After living 14 years in Asia I am now back in Canada and I have to admit this is my favourite time of the year. One would have assumed I like the summer as I lived in tropical countries with very hot weather…but no, I have always loved the Spring. I just love the difference in the temperature each day as it gets slightly warmer. I find myself fascinated by the buds appearing one day to be no bigger than my nail on my baby finger and the next day twice as large! The power of nature rising through the earth at this time keeps me in curiosity. And being in a state of curiosity, I feel so alive and feel so much is possible!

Speaking of being so alive, I am also very excited to let you know that the Aquarian Team’s second book with the working title ‘My Soul Family’ is really taking shape. It has been an honour to edit the author’s personal stories of how meeting the Master Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov or his teachings has shaped their lives. We have extended what we call our “alive line” and are now projecting that the book will be ready for publication early in September. We will keep you in our loop!

I am also excited to announce that I will be going to Ecuador for a 10 day adventure this June. The whole adventure is being filmed for a web series called Live your List. The film makers are also filming all the participants individually as we share our message. Each of us will receive a 15 minute personal documentary. I will be using this opportunity to share the news of the Aquarian Teams new book, as well of course of how I integrate the teachings of the Master with my work with children.

All of us who are participating will be given an opportunity to speak for 10 minutes (Ted Talk style) in front of teachers, students and faculty at the most sought after University in South America called University of Cuenca. We will also be delivering clean water systems to tribal villages in the Amazon and I will be conducting theatre and storytelling ‘play shops’ with over 200 children in a remote village. I am so looking forward to making a difference! Speaking of making a difference…what did you do today that helped someone or yourself feel that much more positive about life?

The season of Spring invites us to resurrect old thought pattern and habits and throw them out. It also invites us to wake up early and greet the rising sun with reverence and wonder…to nourish our souls and go forward fearlessly. I am grateful!
For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, after a nice long summer, Fall is at your doorstep with the opportunity to draw within to reap the fruit of your efforts and to find time to contemplate your inner goodness!

Happy Spring/Fall everyone!

Denise Bertrand for The Aquarian Team

Issue #23 - Current of Life, Current of Death

In nature, we notice the changes from one season to the next and accept the fact that life regenerates everything in its laboratories. In winter time, what appears like plants, trees and even animals are dead, they suddenly wake up and bring a renewed life in the Spring time as the sun shines longer and the atmosphere warms up. We know that and take it for granted. Why should it not be the same with us?

We are the microcosm in this vast macrocosm and subject to the same laws yet more often then not, our eyes have been trained to only see the material aspect of things. If we were to think like the great Sages and Masters, we would acknowledge the existence of the soul and the spirit and therefore know that life extends beyond matter. We would not fear the decay of the physical body or fear death; we would accept it as a liberation from an imprisonment, from a material density, to live the life of the soul and spirit as our real identity.

They are the ones immortal, they are the essence of our consciousness, we just do not pay enough attention to them and they remain "dormant" within us. Death in itself does not exist; it is a variation of life and life is everywhere accomplishing one transmutation after another. It is our perception and understanding about it that differs. The more we identify with the body, thinking that we are the body, that we are matter, earth and dust, the more vulnerable we are and believe that we will also disintegrate into dirt and dust. On the other hand, the more we identify with the spirit, the divine spark within, the more we become invulnerable because the spirit is eternal, immortal, luminous and powerful.

True freedom is not in shedding the body but in gaining access to the subtle life and that freedom depends on our degree of evolution. When we are incarnated in a body, we are going through a winter if we are not "awakened" to the soul and the spirit. When we will identify to the soul and the spirit, we will experience an eternal spring.

As Spring time is upon us on the Northern hemisphere, here is a nice little formula to live more from the soul and the spirit: "As all of Nature wakes up and blossoms, may all of my being wake up and blossom. May all of humanity live in the eternal spring."

Carmen Froment for The Aquarian Team

Issue #22 - Prayer for Couples

February is all about love with Valentine in the middle of it.
For our readers, we have a beautiful prayer by Marianne Williamson:

Dear God,
Please make of our relationship a great and holy adventure.
May our joining be a sacred space.
May the two of us find rest here, a haven for our souls.
Remove from us any temptation to judge one another or to direct one another.
We surrender to You our conflicts and our burdens.
We know You are our answer and our rock.
Help us to not forget.
Bring us together in heart and mind as well as body.
Remove from us the temptation to criticize or be cruel.
May we not be tempted by fantasies and projections.
But guide us in the ways of holiness.
Save us from darkness.
May this relationship be a burst of light.
May it be a fount of love and wisdom for us, for our family, for our community, for our world.
May this bond be a channel for Your love and healing, a vehicle of Your grace and power.
As lessons come and challenges grow, let us not be tempted to forsake each other.
Let us always remember that in each other we have the most beautiful woman, the most beautiful man,
The strongest one,
The sacred one in whose arms we are repaired.
May we remain young in this relationship.
Bring us what You desire for us,
And show us how You would have us be.
Thank You, dear God,
You who are the cement between us.
Thank You for this love.
Amen.

- from Illuminata by Marianne Williamson
The Aquarian Team

Issue #21 - How to have a year 2015 different from previous years? By preparing in a special way!

It is said in the Initiatic Tradition that the first 12 days of January represent the 12 months of the year, each day relating to the corresponding month ie: January 1st corresponds to the month of January; January 2nd to February, Jan. 3rd to March etc. If you prepare with a special intent during those first 12 days, you will be in a good position to set the year in a wonderful way.

Begin be setting a different quality for each of the 12 days. For example, you could write "Harmony" in your journal for the 1st day or even create a notebook to that effect. Then, meditate on that quality in the morning and try to maintain the energy of that quality throughout the day.
Pay attention to special coincidences, events, good and challenging experiences that take place during each day and write them in your journal or notebook. You will be amazed as the year progresses how relevant each day is to what is unfolding during the month. If you have time, you can even break out the day into morning, afternoon and evening.

Our consciousness is not separated from what it beholds and what happens around us, on even through time and space. We are connected in spirit to matter and matter to spirit, like the ying-yang, each holding a portion in the other.

Wishing you a very special 12 days and a wonderful year filled with a 1001 blessings.

Carmen Froment for The Aquarian Team

Issue #20 - East meets West” through my eyes

I would like to share my experience of our first meeting “East meets West” that took place on 7 and 14th of October 2014. It was one of the most remarkable meeting held in North India, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. What an incredible time out of time. It is a record that keeps playing in my head and my heart. I found myself reliving it over and again simply for the pure pleasure of feeling the joy and love so abundant at that time.

There was so much bonding between us brothers and sisters from the Universal White Brotherhood, Swamiji Yogiraj Amarjyoti’s devotees and of course with Swamiji. All of this happening was purely thanks to the unconditional love that was flowing incessantly from this wonderful and Loving Being that is Swamiji. I witnessed with great humility people who were at first reluctant to open up, but because of the love that was flowing between us and also from Swamiji, they became radiant. To witness these transformations taking place, to see their faces lightened up with beautiful smiles, to feel the letting go of guards was something very special, indeed.

Wherever I look, I could only see joy and love, even though people may have been tired, without the comfort they are used to in the West, enduring long hours of travel by car, adjusting to constant changes, brothers and sisters were simply wonderful and the devotees most accommodating.

I have to say that at times I secretly thanked Master Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov for what I was able to witness. These beautiful brothers and sisters are who they are thanks to his Teaching. Even though I was very busy running around non-stop because of my role as coordinator, I could not help feeling joy in my heart and feeling so much appreciation when I looked at my brothers and sisters moving around. They attended the morning sunrise meditation, performed the exercises, practiced the Yoga of Nutrition, sang beautifully the sacred songs of the Universal White Brotherhood, danced the paneurythmy, exchanged lovingly with the devotees. They lived the teaching beautifully through their own actions and it was something heart-warming to witness.

Swamiji’s devotees were also most dedicated and full of Love themselves. They participated with joy in our brotherhood’s activities; they wanted to know more about the meaning of the exercises, the meaning behind the paneurythmy dance. They also went out of their way to make sure that everything was flowing and harmonious. They danced and laughed along with us. So many warm lasting friendships were formed. And, as for Swamiji Yogiraj Amarjyotiji, needless to say that he emanated so much Love that we all just opened up and blended in.
We are forever grateful and very appreciative that Swamiji invited us to this unforgettable meeting. Everything was absolutely beautiful. Grace, Harmony, Joy, and Love were definitively present.

Om Anand Om

Christiane van Aken for The Aquarian Team

Issue #19 - EAST MEETS WEST

Four of the authors of our book "What the Future of Humanity could be" were present at the “East meets West” gathering held in India from Oct. 7-14 at the Maha Avtaar Babaji Meditation Centre in Palampur in the Himalayas: Christiane and Mikhaël van Aken (the organizers of the West side), France Gilbert and myself.

What a memorable trip we had! The West was represented by followers of the Teaching of Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov who had come from Africa, Australia, Canada and mostly Europe. The East was represented by Swamiji Yogiraj Amarjyotiji and his devotees who were totally devoted to make everything as perfect as possible. They truly were brothers and sisters of the light!

We were able to share several practices of the Teaching including songs at every meal, sunrise meditation and the paneurythmy dance where as many devotees as westerners participated towards the end of the journey!

After a good storm on the 2nd night of our arrival, the sky cleared and stayed immaculately clear during our entire traveling experience which was an incredible blessing.

We were honored by some of the top musicians of the country on several concerts: on the first evening, it was Pundit's Bhajan and Abhay Sopori of international fame and the best Santoor players in the world with 3 tabla drum players.

Then, two days later, at the full moon of October, we were given a flute recital at moonlight high the mountains at Prashar lake at 2730 m (8,957 ft) with the international renown Mujtaba Hussain and his tabla drum virtuoso. The next day, as we were in Naggar, we had the opportunity to be treated to yet another court yard concert of chants by a choir of young people, a classic sitar player, renowned doctor of music and his tabla player.

We travelled as a convoy of 32 cars with 130 people with Swamiji at the head (sometimes leaving last and finding him waiting for some distance ahead!!) An incredible organization of taxis drivers who stayed with us the entire week, hotel planning, delicious food and several stops along the way. A sheer delight of togetherness.

One of the first visit we made was to Prashar lake where a beautiful antique wood temple stands by the lake. This sage Prashar meditated for many many years by this lake and he is said to be the father of Vyasa. A whole camp ground was set up for us (over 50 tents equipped with mattresses and sleeping bags), a huge tent for the concert and one for dining. In the early evening we sang around the campfire alternating between songs of the Brotherhood and mantras.

Later, with the full moon shining, we were treated to the flute & tabla recital. Sunrise was absolutely sublime at this altitude and later in the morning we danced the paneurythmy by the lake. Incredibly
powerful experience. We then travelled for several hours to reach Naggar where luxurious hotels were waiting for us. We had breakfast on the roof terrace overlooking the surrounding snow peak summits of the Himalayas, a real feast for the eyes!

From there, part of the group went by foot to the Biji Mahadev (Temple of Lightning), a 3 hour trek straight up while the rest of the group went by jeep through incredible rough terrain between cliffs, river beds, etc. with a 3 hour drive to reach the summit yet absolutely worth it, with an extraordinary crown of high Himalayan summits and plunging views of the Kullu Valley down below. At one point, Swamiji sat under a tree and invited us to join around him, to feel relaxed and to keep a slight distance between us. After a few songs, he lead us through profound moments of meditation. See the Himalayan summits surrounding Prashar Lake at 2,460 metres (app. 9,000 ft).

From there, we rode back to Naggar to head to Manikaran in the Parvati Valley. A warm welcome and most delicious dinner was awaiting us at the Himalayan Resort owned by devotees and designed by Swamiji. Truly a 5 star resort! We were spread at different hotels locally for the night and an early start for the hot springs the next morning at Manikaran village. Although appreciated by most Hindus as therapeutic baths, the hot springs were not as inviting to the westerners…. no towels or showers and not so clear water to bath in!!!

From Manikaran, we went back to the Himalayan Resort for a brunch and paneurythmy on a perfect grass circle terrace surrounded by close by mountains. Then we drove over 6 hours to return to the Ashram. Only to leave again the next morning for the long journey to the Jammu-Kashmir state to reach the caves of Shivkori (dedicated to Shiva).

More devotees were warmly waiting our arrival in the city of Jammu with an honorable feast for lunch. We were amazed at the number of devotees that were everywhere along the way, humbly welcoming Swamiji, other devotees on the journey and all of us, Westerners. By night fall, we had finally reached close to the Shivkori cave and took refuge in a large local hotel.

Up at 5 in the morning we headed in the dark on the path to the cave. Thanks to the moon and flashlights, we climbed steadily the 2 km trek and found ourselves in a cave beyond words. Again, Swamiji invited us to relax and breath, and relax some more (Of course, he knew what was ahead…) Finally, we started, one by one, through the camel's eye, on our knees, then standing thin to fit between rocks and even twisting to follow the contour of huge boulders (it felt like an initiation of shedding old skins moving forward) to finally emerge in this large dome opening in the cave where we sat, sang and meditated with Swamiji. All lights were turned off except for the candle at the Shiva altar so the magic and magnitude would sink in drawing tears on many of us! An incredible experience well worth the ten hours of traveling.

We drove another ten hours back to the ashram with another nice afternoon lunch at the Jammu devotees' restaurant. This was to be our last day on the road as far as the gathering was concerned. One must say that traveling as such a large convoy implies different stops to stretch, eat, watch and wait for late comers so every leg of the journey took longer than usual. Yet we felt safe in the aura of Swamiji and all went superbly well. He is so simple, loving and welcoming to all that it was a real delight to watch him and appreciate his presence.

The next morning, several of the devotees were returning home to Delhi, Rajastan or wherever they live and most of the westerners were leaving to go to Shimla and Rishikesh, Swamiji was present to give his farewell, his blessings. Some of us decided to stay peacefully at the ashram instead of going to Shimla as we had planned originally for the 1 1/2 day left before returning home. All the traveling had taken a toll on us and it was a good decision.

Swamiji spent some time with us, just sitting and meditating or walking about. It was a day of delight, rest and appreciation. One worth many thousands of kilometers. All in all, this gathering of East meet West was an incredible experience of love, generosity and brotherhood where we definitely felt like brothers and sisters of the same desire: to lift our consciousness to the beauty of nature, the inner beauty dwelling in each and everyone and mostly, the desire to reach the divine.

With the love and light
Carmen Froment for The Aquarian Team

Issue #18 - The inner roommate

My children often observe that I like to give myself a bit of coaching now and then, they will hear me say, "Ok Mark, what are you doing today" or "come on Mark let's get things moving". Then they will ask, "who are you talking to dad?"

That is a great question, who am I really talking to? When I put some thought to this I realize that I definitely share my life with an inner roommate, some may call it my psyche, who loves to talk to me all day long. That voice is constantly giving me the play by play of my day, asking me questions, constantly chattering to me about all types of things. This voice can pick me up and can easily do the opposite by bringing me down.

The question I have is, can I control this inner roommate? Can I change what it is saying to me? When I vocally give myself this coaching am I feeding it for the better or for the worse? The biggest question is can I shut it off? Can I get a bit of peace from it?

In the book, The Untethered Soul, author Michael A. Singer, explores this question in depth.
"To be aware that you are watching the voice talk is to stand on the threshold of a fantastic inner journey. If used properly, the same mental voice that has been a source of worry, distraction, and general neurosis can become the launching ground for true spiritual awakening. Come to know the one who watches the voice, and you will come to know one of the great mysteries of creation."

Its seems that just the conscious realization alone, that you can control that voice, can empower oneself towards a more productive and happy existence. Now when my kids ask me "why do I talk to myself", I am aware that I am feeding that voice, not quieting it. However depending on the day, it is nice to have that voice give me an extra push once in a while.

With the love and light
Mark Walker for The Aquarian Team

Issue #17 - The secret of women's imagination

Women can sometimes feel discouraged to have little influence on social and political life. Many, too, denounce the mistreatment of women in some countries around the world.

Contemporary women feel the need to grow in their life and reach their full potential. They have a burning desire to have a positive influence on their family, their friends and their communities. To accomplish this mission, it is not always necessary to undertake major actions that are often difficult and controversial; as women, we can also learn to work through our thoughts and imagination, united to a high ideal!

We must realize that we can, if we wish, change the world. Yes, it is no exaggeration to say 'change the world', because we have much more influence than we think! All women have, through their feelings and imagination, a formidable force and they must learn to use it. In the silence of our inner sanctum, we can create, imagine and ardently support the idea of brotherhood, peace and unity among peoples and religions.

As the child grows silently in the mother’ womb, this new idea of a universal family, where everyone understands and respects each other, can take shape through the complicity of women. This work of the imagination is free of violence and ostentation; it requires patience and discretion but through its constancy, it becomes powerful and indestructible. Through sheer tenacity in this work with the power of imagination, women have a real power to bring change in the world.

A new life is emerging, offering all women the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the advent of the Golden Age, regardless of their background, age, nationality, education level, marital status. Women of the world, mothers, sisters, friends, let us unite in thought and work together to form this new earth where peace and brotherhood will be at the first place!

With the love and light
France Gilbert for The Aquarian Team