Author, practitioner, and former strategic analyst for the federal government, Richard Cook held a book signing of his recently published, Return of the Aeons: The Planetary Spiritual Ascension on Sunday, February 24th at Roanoke's, Lifestream Center (see Feb./March newsletter).

"Cook has distilled a lifetime of spiritual seeking and learning into a highly readable work that is both a synthesis of ancient arcane teachings and esoteric meanings behind modern world religions, as well as a personal spiritual autobiography.  He writes with the attitude of a friend or brother.  One gets the sense that he simply wants to get the good news about mankind's divinity and ascent into higher consciousness out to as many people as possible."  from a Book Review section of the Lifesteam newsletter.

Being a personal friend of Rick's, and knowing as much as I do about his background and interests, drafting this blog extending an invitation to local community members for a 'signing' of his most recently published book is cause for celebration.  In scanning some of the reviews that have already been written, Tony Cardy in New Zealand's, The Guardian Political Review offers a concise assessment of Rick's otherwise spacious text in saying:

"The return of the Aeons is very different.  Much of it is about spiritual matters, describing how the earth is going through a period of change or 'Ascension' - the creation of a New Earth.  He says it is happening now and that it will change everything on our planet - change that is needed to become better, more human, more intelligent, more holy."  from The Guardian Political Review's, review by Tony Cardy (Issue 62, Page 13).

The review is especially intriguing in its speculation about "what kind of economic system will prevail when the old world is swept away and a new world of love and compassion comes into being".  Regardless of what this future may actually look like though, but as Cardy phrases it, "the world is at the beginning of a major transformation.  It will be a spiritual revolution that will affect every person in the world."

2012: Year of Power - from a perspective of spirituality . . .

Todd Goldfarb, the publisher and curator of Worldwide Tipping Point, recently authored a blog for his site entitled, "Activism versus Spirituality" where in reflecting on a series of interviews he's conducted for the 'tipping point' project, compares two seemingly divergent approaches to global transformation.  I've subsequently posted a video from that piece.

Meditation of the Sacred Heart

Adamantine Particles

"Meditation of the Sacred Heart is an ancient practice as taught in our era by Jeshua (a.k.a Jesus Christ) through books published by Glenda Green."  "In January 1992, Jeshua appeared in person to Glenda in her art studio in Texas as she started work on his portrait."  Richard 'Rick' Cook of the Peace Spiritual Center will be presenting this meditation at the Lifestream Center in Roanoke from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st.  quoted portions from Lifestream inc.

The following interview with Richard is shared here in anticipation of his 'Sacred Heart' presentation later this month:

An Interview with Richard Cook  . . .

Q. If you'd agree that Glenda Green's, "Love Without End" is expressed in the genre or tradition of perennial philosophy, what are the implications for this particular work?

A. While there are strong affinities between "Love Without End" and other works connected throughout history with the perennial philosophy, these teachings of Jeshua appear to me to be prophetic of the ongoing ascension of humanity to a higher level of consciousness through opening of the heart to the vibration of the Divine Creator.

Similar to "Love Without End" are the teachings contained in "Law of One" books published by L/L Research through channeling done by Carla Rueckert and others.  See, for instance, "Book of Days: Channeling from the Holy Spirit".  Similar teachings may also be found in "A Course in Miracles", Native American sources, and teachings from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Sufism, etc.

Purest Engergy

Q. Is there special meaning or value associated with this type of work, and if so, what might it be?

A. Immersion in these and related teachings allow us to touch the core of who we really are.  I.e., we are beings created in the image of the Divine Creator, who is love.  "Being the love that we are" is the central practice that allows us to ascend to the next level of consciousness for which we were created.

Q. What is contemplative practice and are there specific benefits to be derived in it observance?

A. Contemplative practice is the conscious effort to enter the Sacred Silence within and to remain there as consistently as we can through our life journey.  It does not mean we are immune to all discord but that we have access to the comfort and security of the Spirit as we do our best to live our lives in service of others.

Q. How would you describe the essence of the 'Sacred Heart' referred to in "Love Without End"?

A. The Sacred Heart is associated with the heart chakra at the center of our chest a little behind and to the side of the physical heart it is the center of consciousness where we feel ourselves at one with the Divine Presence.

Portal of Universal Consciousness

Q. Any suggestions for establishing, or better developing, a path of personal practice?

A. The path of personal practice starts with a choice we make to live our lives in service to others.  This opens the gateway to the Sacred Heart.  From that point on we are able to live more consistently as the love that we are.  Of course there will be many challenges along the way but through prayer, meditation, envisioning, and related practices we will be able to ascend to the next stage of consciousness for which we are destined.

This is the meaning of life in our present incarnation.  I suggest that people meditate every morning and every night for at least 30 minutes at a time.  We follow a series of exercises involving sensing, relaxing, allowing the mind to be passive, and concentration in order to achieve a meditative state where we are immersed in the Sacred Silence.  Once in this state we are open to guidance from Spirit that may appear through inspiration, synchronicity, healing, etc.

"The heart center is the true source of human power."  from "Love Without End"

Meditation's Benefits

"The Science of Meditation"

I've recently discovered a Guide entitled "Scientific Studies on the Benefits of Meditation" created by Naomi Witt at Zakta.  Its content, from my initial review, appears more than sufficient for developing a brief article examining the benefits of meditation.

Consequently then, one of the first listings to catch my attention was an article from Psychology Today (May 1, 2001) entitled, "The Science of Meditation".  As it points out however, because Western lifestyles often appear so dramatically different than their counterparts in the Himalayan culture, the prospect of "quitting everything and joining Tibetan monks on a mountaintop" to meditate, may not seem especially viable.

"You don't need to quit your job, give up your possessions and spend 30 years chanting. Recent research indicates that meditating brings about dramatic effects in as little as a 10-minute session. Several studies have demonstrated that subjects who meditated for a short time showed increased alpha waves (the relaxed brain waves) and decreased anxiety and depression."

"Practising Dharma"

Similarly, the article points out that because meditation "has not only a mental but a profound physiological effect on the body", studies reflect that "among other benefits, meditation can help reverse heart disease" in addition to enhancing "the body's immune system, enabling it to better fight disease" (Barbor, 1).  While all this is good news indeed, other research suggests the merit of contemplative practice can pay particular dividends in terms of human attention and decision making.



Consequently, a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison headed by Richard Davidson in collaboration with Julie Brefczynski-Lewis and Antoine Lutz, conducted a study utilizing MRI brain scans to examine the difference in the respective attention of long-term meditation practitioners compared to novice counterparts.  Their results subsequently found that among "experienced meditators", there was "greater activity in brain circuits involved in paying attention" (2).

An Integration of Perspectives

Vibrational Frequency and Fifth-Dimensional Timelines

In further exploring this topic of meditation's benefits, I also happened upon a doctoral dissertation submitted in 2006 to the California Institute of Integral Studies by Miles I. Neal.  Entitled Mindfulness Meditation: An Integration of Perspectives from Buddhism, Science and Clinical Psychology, Neal's work extended "a comprehensive, multi-perspective overview and synthesis of the applications and effects of mindfulness meditation."

Consequently, the paper's "specific areas of focus" included mindfulness- based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Vipassana and mind/body medicine, among others.  Similarly then, its contents further offered "significant neuro-biological and clinical evidence to suggest that mindfulness meditation is an effective treatment for a wide range of medical and mental health issues" (3).

_______________________________________________

1. Barbor, Cary. "The Science of Meditation." (2001): In Psychology Today, (May 2001). Web. 12 July 2011.

2. "Brain scans show meditation changes minds, increases attention." (2007): In University of Wisconsin-Madison News, (June 2007). Web. 12 July 2011.

3. Neal, Miles. Mindfulness Meditation: An Integration of Perspectives from Buddhism, Science and Clinical Psychology (2006): A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies, (2006). Web 13 July 2011.

2012 - A Message of Hope

This is an amazingly powerful video conveying a message of ultimate importance for our particular 'day and time'.

"There is no time left to be complacent. The world is changing now. Not tomorrow. Be part of the change for good. The love. Not the fear. Let go your attachment to the old world and embrace the new."

"Meditation"

I've embedded a recently posted PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly video featuring Sharon Salzberg entitled, "Meditation", for those who may be newer to, or refamilarizing themselves with, the practice. 

"Meditation has been cradled in many, many religious traditions. It’s really about the method. It’s not about a belief system, it’s not about a dogma. It’s about personally utilizing a method to see what benefits you might get."

Watch the full episode. See more Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

"I come from a family with a great deal of suffering and loss and conflict, and like for many people it was a family system where this was never ever spoken about, so I didn’t know what to do with all of those feelings inside of me, and here was the Buddha saying you are not alone, this is part of life. And the other thing was his completely open invitation to do something about that suffering—not of course the suffering that comes our way through loss and circumstance, but the way we hold it. There are very practical, pragmatic methods that anyone can utilize to transform their own minds."

Meditation Meetings in Downtown Roanoke

Meditation is the path by which we feel the peace and joy of the Creator.

Meditation is union with the divine Presence.

Meditation is the discovery of who we really are.

Meditation heals the discords within ourselves and in the world.

Meditation balances the energy centers of the body.

Meditation is the journey toward light which brings realization of Oneness.

Meditation promotes self-acceptance, forgiveness, wisdom, health, and prosperity.

The goal of spiritual endeavor is balance. Through meditation we build a secure house on four sturdy pillars, consisting of our relationships with:

• Our Self
• The World of Nature
• Other Human Beings
• The Creator of All

Once you realize the fruits of meditation, you never have to submit to feelings of anger, resentment, depression, discouragement, or guilt again. You find your own inner Teacher. You become one with the goodness, love, glory, and light that pervade the Universe. In the vision of Oneness, all dualisms disappear like mist upon the rising of the Sun.

Today the Earth is moving to a new level of vibration. The old, tired world of strife and frustration is ending. A new world of love, compassion, and service to others is being born. Each human being alive today has the opportunity to join in this transformation through discovering and living in accord with the Law of One.
.

Each weekly session of the Meditation Meeting of Downtown Roanoke consists of 40 minutes of group meditation practice, followed by questions and answers. When meditating we sit comfortably with our eyes closed. After an opening prayer, we rest our attention gently on the point between the eyebrows. As the body relaxes in complete stillness we listen for the voice of the Creator who steps forward to meet us.

The Creator may or may not speak in words. The response may come through a spontaneous catch of the breath, a feeling of deep peace, or, later, a tangible sign in daily life coming through a person, an event, or the sudden appearance of beauty and meaning in nature. On this basis we build our own daily meditation practice. We do not allow ourselves to feel guilty if we judge we have done too little. We simply begin again. The key is maintaining an attitude of humble waiting and receptivity which eventually become part of the fabric of daily life.

______________________________________________________

Sessions are led by Richard (Rick) Cook who recently moved to Roanoke with his wife Karen. Rick is a retired public employee who has been practicing meditation for over 40 years. His approach is based on the sacred mystical teachings from Christian, Essene, Sufi, Buddhist, Yoga, Native American, and New Age sources and teachers. He is a published author and has a new book in process entitled The Coming of the Aeons. He wishes to emphasize that participation in the group is intended to complement, not replace, participation in any church or other organized religion.