Today I'm reviewing the Alchemy Workbook by Dennis William Hauck.
I've always been interested in alchemy as it pops up every now and then in the esoteric studies that I enjoy as a hobby. I was really impressed by Dennis William Hauck's YouTube video and I could tell he was holding back a little bit becuase it's so hard to present it all in a presentation. I really enjoyed the book. The book isn't really about handling chemicals. Instead it explains how Alchemy is not about mastery over the material world where a person can turn lead into gold...but a spiritual trnsformation. The process of Alchmey does follow a chemical process. There are seven stages. Calcination, Dissolution, Seperation, Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation and Coagulation. I can compare these easily with the 7 chakras. As always, the different systems from the various disciplines carry the same story at it's heart. The excercises in the book consist of meditations based on the seven steps of the alchemy process. They are absolutely fascinating and fun meditations. With his simple and common sense descriptions of the inner Alchemy process makes so much sense that this book is super easy to read. There is no smoke or mirrors in this book but bare bones (calcination) sharing of the heart of the spiritual transformation the path of Alchemy offers. If you curious about he esoteric symbolisim and meaning to alchemy references I highly recommend The Alchemy Workbook Exercises In Transformation by Dennis William Hauck.
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On my spiritual path the subject of Enlightenment has really surprised me. If you had asked me years ago, when I was a teenager, to describe Enlightenment to you I would describe that concept as someone who had become more than human. I would have said that it was a person who is always loving, caring, slow to anger and wise.
I thought Enlightenment meant that certain base emotions- primarily Fear and Anger- had been eliminated in the person. I also believed that these were people who could not fail at anything and held a knowledge most people do not. What I have learned is that concept of Enlightenment is completely wrong. Enlightened people are those who embrace themselves as fully human. They know the human experience so deeply and intimately that they can relate to anyone through knowledge of their own fears, failures, traumas, pains and anger. In fact, I have learned that we suffer more when we are in denial of our faliable human nature than when we embrace those traits in ourselves that exist in every human being.Not comprehending that universal concept can lead to an inability to communicate or conduct ourselves socially. Integration One of the first major steps towards Enlightenment is integration. The mere fact that we have to go about picking up all of the parts of ourselves that are universal in nature is a major step to Enlightnement is important. This is where we realize that fear has a very real and valid place in our life. That it's a messenger we might have dismissed because our parents taught us that fear is not ok. Yet, there are many situations where fear is the first indicator we shouldn't be there...we shouldn't be involvd in whatever is going on. If we ignore that fear we can end up in a dangerous situation. The hardest for me to integrate was understanding that if the circumstances were right...all of us could be murderers. That all of us have that potential. That most murderers actually think they did the right thing by murdering the other person. Whether it was gang related and someone from a rival gang was on their turf or it was an accidental case of poisoning. Whatever the situation might be...there is a potential in all of us that if were raised in the exact same circumstances and environment as that person we might have ended up a murderer like them. This doesn't mean we can't condemn that behavior. This does not mean in any way shape or form that we should say that it is acceptable. Yet, it does mean that we can forgive them because perhaps if they had access to spiritual tools and understood their relationship with the One Creator the would not have made that error. A big part of integaration is learning that everything that exists in other people- whether its a team you oppose the Reps, the Libs, The Dems, The Russians, The Arabs or the Israelites- exists within you. Once you have fully integrated all of those things that you rejected in yourself...that you also reject in others there is no longer a barrier there. There is no longer a desire to seperate into teams and feel you are different or superior to others. Clearly part of that process is accepting your flaws. Knowing your own failures intimately and knowing that they are part of the process of reachings a higher state of mind. Not neccesairly a superior state of mind to others but a different state of mind. Challenges To Peacefulness The peacefulness that's found once all of the parts are integrated and accepting is profound. As I stated, about my own life, you can fall off into old conditioned responses when certain things happen but once you reach that state of peaefulness and healthy perspective it's easy to catch that you've fallen off. With my morning sickness and the fear of what happened with my last pregnancy...believe me the last week has been a challenge to keep my balance on the middle path. Add to that fact that this week I worked nine days straight, which long and strenuous on anyone, and I had an irate customer who decided to take her angs out on me over twenty cents...keeping balanced was tough. Even though I've tasted this state of peacefulness consistantly for months in such situations it's hard to maintain that peace. Finding forgiveness can be difficult. However, when situations like this arises there are some basic rules I've learned. 1). Take it easy. Do not be hard on yourself. If your in an extreme situation don't expect to get everything done. If you don't feel like cooking dinner...don't cook dinner. Heat something up or grab a bite to eat out. In times of stress it's best that we nurture and indulge ourselves instead of punishing ourselves further. 2.) Ask for help. This is probably my biggest life lesson in this life...ask for help. I'm not just talking about our physical companions, friends, family, spouses and co-workers. I'm talking about asking for spiritual help as well. I have a vertiable army I call upon in times of need. I always start off with Archangel Michael, Archangel Raphael, all of my family members that have crossed over, Jesus, Buddha and the One Creator. Whether in a nightmare while asleep or in a real life situation thinking of those you love and asking for help brings me instant peace. I usually get goosebumps. Being an Individual I have gone over this so many times. However, in the current book I'm reading on the Kaballah (The Path of Kabbalah by Rav Michael Latiman) it is such a huge component I think it's improtant to mention it again. Part of what we are doing by being reincarnated is becoming a unique individual. We fall off the path when we try to conform to a group and become lost in it (Group Think). As Edgar Cacye said the whole purpose is to, "Know yourself as yourself and yet one with the Creator." We learn here through the path of Opposites. We learn what we are not by learning what we do not like. Yet, other souls may like that and it becomes integrated into who they are as a soul. Each soul has their unique journey through materiality and their unique interperation of it and of themselves based on that. That's part of what we are developing here. We can get stuck on certain lessons but it is so important not to become part of a group and lose our identity. That important phrase I use at the start of every video, Know Thyself, is such a huge concept of both Integration and becoming an Individual. Conclusion I'm not sure I'm enlightened. I'd say that's the state I'm working towards. Yet, I know, that I am hands and shoulders in a better mental space then most people and that I can bring myself back into balance as needed. The most amazing part of this path is that it makes you more human. There is less desire to be something more then human. Being human is more then enough and I've realized I have all the tools I need to accomplish whatever it is that I wish to accomplish. You feel copassion whenever you come across someone who is suffering. At the same time there is no desire to correct that suffering for them. In fact, through my own suffering I've learned that it is not evil. Suffering is a major way spirit teaches us about ourselves and an opportunity to wake up. I would never try to prevent someone else from suffering because I would be robbing them of a spiritual lesson. Suffering is an integral part of the human expereince until we learn to interpert life and events in a way that does not bring about suffering. At the start, everyone starts off suffering. To be human, is to suffer because we are caught off from the One Creator and no socieal justice warrior can fix that. Only an internal choice to build a relationship with the One Creator (which is an aspect of ourselves) can bring understanding and end our suffering. So, as I read more about the sayings of the Buddha and the Kabbalah that are in exact alignment with my own conclusions on my own path...it just occured to me how Enligthenment isn't gainitng super powers...it's about becoming more human then the typical person. Then carrying water and cutting wood becomes bliss because we understand the purpose behind it and so so willingly instead of seeing it as a burden. Most people are zombies that are completely out of touch with themselves. They go through their 9-5 routine and reject what others offer. They cut themselves off from the human experience by hiding behind phones or other distractions. They focus only on their desires, wants and needs at the expense of everyone else. They are quick to attack others whenever their desires, wants or needs are challenged like cornered animals. A great deal of those people who are zombies who only live to consume...they won't wake up and have no desire to do so...and while that is sad it is their choice. If anything, trying to force them awake is a violation of their Free Will. So, to a person who is a little bit further on the path it's not desireable in any form. I know I keep doing personal updates.
I have a lot of other material I want to share. However, today I would normally post a YouTube video and I feel I owe an explaination for why it's not happening. I hate not being dependable about things but videos are a lot more complicated then simple blogs. My morning sickness has been extreme. I had the same sort of extreme morning sickness with my last pregnancy. This time it really amazes me I was able to do all that I did last time. When the nausea and dizziness hits it makes me absolutely sick and I can't think straight. Every day at 10am...bam! I'm hit with an overwhelming wave of nausea and desire to throw up. The only thing helping me right now are something called Preggie Pop Drops which I bought at Babies R Us. I think the fact I'm on antibiotics also adds to the tummy issues. The antibiotics are similar to penicillen which I'm allergic to and although I haven't seen any rash I do get a weird cough whenever I take them. So, I haven't really wanted to get out of bed this week I feel so sick. Of course, I've been going to work which is a struggle in and of itself because I'm on my feet for a few hours. Luckily, it's union and they're required to give me 15 minute breaks every two hours so...yay for me! But I get home and I craw in bed and sleep for hours. I'm exteremely grateful for the morning sickness because it indicates the pregnancy is going well. I'm also extremely grateful for the place I work at because everyone takes care of me and because it's union there are so many good things built in. That makes all the difference and I sincerly hope this pregnacny goes well. Next month, after the 16th I'll be off of work and on bed rest. So, there won't be much of an excuse not to make the videos. Hopefully, then I'll be nice and dependable again. Right now, it's just a struggle balancing morning sickness with work. Thank you everyone for hanging in there with me through this interesting rough patch. This book states on it's cover, "Learn to Understand Colors and See Auras."
That was interesting enough for me to read this book. I enjoy it when someone puts all of the readings on a specific topic into book form. This book, however, was not as good as typical Edgar Cacye On book. First, it wasn't written by John Van Auken and giving Carol Ann Liaros credit as an author was kind of entertaining as there are quotes by here but she didn't seem to write any of the book. The book is very repetitive. Sometimes, it even repeats the same quotes from the same readings for the same purporse. They did print the entire pamphlet my Edgar Cacye himself on Aura's...which was a collaboration but the rest of the book repetitively quoted that book. In fact, it became obvious that the author, Kevin Todeschi (current C.E.O. of Edgar Cacye A.R.E.) probably can't see aura's himself. Which makes the book a little tedious because it is very focused on quotes from Carol Ann Liaro's and Edgar Cacye. In, fact the book is a kind of testament to a program that Calol Ann conducts with the blind. There are many stories that were obviously recounted to Kevin by Carol Ann that he includes in the book. However, because he wasn't there the stories come off similar to a kind uncle telling a story a friend told him. While there is a wealth of knoweldge in this book it is little more then an embellishement on the original pamphlet by Cacye and compared to the original pamphlet only has the additions of some stories from Carol Ann's Project Blind Awareness. I can't say that this would interest most people so I can't say that I recommend it. I enjoy it for the color portion. I also agree that people tend to wear colors that represent their aura. Which for me is a conundrum as I wear mostly black because it makes me look thinner. I also wear purple, blue and red dependingon my mood (rarely red). The part about seeing the Aura is nothing new (I've read similar in the Clestine Prophecy stuff) and only took up a few pages. I don't know what I was expecting with this book but I was disappointed. The writing is not Todeschi's best (I have a dream book by him and another one about the Persian past life of Edgar Cacye and they are far superior) but I'm not sure it was a topic he was actually intersted in writing. Carol Ann really should have written the book herself, not spoken through Kevin Todeschi through quotes. There is one way, and only one way, I determine if someone is psychologically mature.
When they talk about something that was traumatic for them in their life- Do they take responsibiity? Anyone who automatically takes a victim stance in a situation is on the same level as a five year old. They are not psychologically mature. Even the random things that happen in our life...in some way are our responsibility. As I included in my video on Self- Actualization, Abraham Maslow said that every time that someone takes responsibility they are taking a step towards self-actualizing. To deny responsibility for where we are at in our lives, is to take a step back from becoming self-actualized, fully healed, or whole. Edgar Cacye put's it another way: "Would that each soul would but understand that those hardships which are accredited so much to others are caused by self." Reading 845-4 Recurring Situations If there is a situation that happens over and over in your life...you are not a victim. You are making that happen. The first way to fix the problem is to take responsibility. The second step is to take action to prevent that situation from happening again. Come up with an alternative reaction to a familar situation. Often, when we react differently we get a different response and whatever the reoccuring event was...ends. The less has been learned, we've passed the test, and we go on with our life. Sometimes, a pop quiz will come up later to see if we really did change our reaction or if it was just superficial. When that happens it can be easy to fall into the old repetitive reaction...but with a little practice we can get back into the frame of the conscious mental reaction we want to create. Two Sides To Every Story This one will seem strange in our Western Culture where we believe there's only one truth and deny Subjective Reality. I've argued that Subjective Reality is a fact for several years. The simple realization of that concept when I was earning my Bachelors in Psychology was tremendous and gave value to that education. I remember having long, deep, multiple hour conversations with my husband on the subject. Yet, life becomes a little bit more complicated when you realizet that each person interperts reality differently. That means- you and I can be sharing the same moment and have two totally different experiences. That guy who went in to rob the gas station? Well, maybe he has really screwed up his life with drugs and alcohol to the point where he can't get a job so hes' desperat to feed his daughter. You never know what extreme stituations people have created in their life which makes them think extreme actions are neccesary. That that guy, the extreme of robbing someone makes more sense then giving his daughter up for adoption. That doesn't mean that the guy should be completely let off the hook- clearly, he needs help so he can heal and reintegrate into being a helpful member of society. Yet, if you took sides in the experience- you'd easily side with and emphathsize with the gas station employee who just showed up for his job. Even though, he too has responsibility as does the owner of the establishment. Gas stations and liquor stores, especially in bad neighborhoods, are known to get robbed often. So, by opening the location at all or choosing to work at the location the risk was known. Why?! Now, an obtuse person who has not sat down and really meditated on this subject would just jump to the unfeasible and basic reply to the entire situation, "Well, that should't happen in this world!" My reply to that is wow, your mommy and daddy was super over protective weren't they? Again, we have to take responsibility for what we are...we are Human. As Maslow pointed out, the psychologically sick individual has built up defenses against being human. What does it mean to be human? To be vulnerable. Our human bodies not only come with an expriation date but they are also very prone to injury. We lead a very temporary fragile existence. To work together. If humanity had never banded together as tribe and communities they would never have succeded as a species on ths planet. One hungry bear could pick off the individuals...but it can't take on the entire tribe. Those two things are at the heart of being human...to be vulnerable and fragile on our own but our tribe makes us stronger. Those are the two main lessons I think every stubborn soul on Earth has to learn. Since we are vulnerable in this form a lot of suffering can come from that idea. This is a great deal of fear of death. Since we are a social species that can be a cause for suffering. Group Think is extremely dangerous, in particular, and can be damaging to the developing human being. Conclusion We have to take responsibility to walk the Path of the Seeker and see results. As we recover all of the disowned aspects of ourselves inevitably- accepting the fragile temporary existence that is a humean life and comprehending the complex social situation we are in....is a major component of that experience. A lot of the issues I discoered were tied to those two concepts. I have written a lot about Victim Mentality and how it doesn't get anyone anywhere. Taking Responsibility, as Maslow pointed out and as the 12 Step Programs always state...is the first step towards unleashing all our fullest potential and making a better world for everyone around us.
I have posted this one early because Friday is going to be a very busy day for me. I have a doctors appointment and work.
That said this YouTube video took quite a bit of effort to prepare for and as I mentioned in the video it wasn't easy for me to boil down Maslow's work on Self-Actualization into such a short video. Albeit, I admit I missed the 5 minute time that I usually strive for but I'll settle for the eight minutes any day. I did take the liberty of breaking down one chapter of Maslow's book into shorter chunks. I think he had eight or nine points in the chapter called Self-Actualization and beyond. However, one was geared towards the young adults of his time (the seventies) and didn't seem so general so eliminated it and the others were a bit repetitive. So,I stuck to the five that appeared to be general. I do not know if it is entirely possible to not cover this subject and in some way not project on it with my own subjective perspective. I tried my best to stick to quotes for that reason. What I realized is that self-actualization isn't the lofty goal that I thought it was...but in fact something people can achieve and quite easily. Having watched this, prior 2017 I think I was more in the Non-Peakers category of Self-actualization. I'd put my husband into thea category currently. Only in the past year have a worked to cultivate a mindset that actually lends itself to having peak experiences. The biggest take away, for me, when working on this subject is that Self-Actualization is a continual process. It's not something you achive- boom your transformed or your taken off this Earth. Instead, the difference between someone who is self-actualized and someone who is not is the choices they make minute to minute. Yes, it's that fine a detail. This dovetails very nicely with the personal philosophy that I have developed from a conglamorate of sources that pretty much say we only have the current moment- the now- to work with. Like a potter sitting before a clump of clay- our life is not magically formed into the image we want just by desiring for that clump of clay to be a vase. Instead, our life is formed by the minute by minute decisions that we make. Before we know it after a long expanse of time we have the end product. That end product, in the hands of a skilled potter, will be a beautiful vase. In the hands of a layman it might look more like an ashtray or candle holder. The key isn't to give up because our current status in life isn't what we want it to be. Instead, the challenge is to continue to refine the minute-by-minute decision making process so that we create what we want. This is often learned by trial and error. There will be failure. Multiple failures are almost guranteed. That's what Maslow really outlined for the self-actualized person. Someone who has the knoweldge from previous experience and the wisdom to apply what they have learned to continue to grow and improve. That for me, was the biggest take away from this subject. What was yours? How does this fit into your personal philosophy? Is Self-Actualization easier to achieve then you thought? Did you find it fascinating that there are Non-Peakerse and Trascenders? Would you profer to be in one category as opposed to another? Oh, and you migth ask, why this picture? Well, the Snapdragons remind me of Spring in Big Bear because that's when my dad always planted them up there. This is one of my favorite pictures ever so that's reason enough for me! I picked up this book primarily as a reference to understand Abrham Maslow's ideas and understandings of the concept of Self-Actualization. There were primarily two chapters and a smattering of passages that dealt with self-actualization.
Many of my suspicions did prove to be correct when I was reading this book. Early on, I was surprised that Maslow followed a Holistitc approach. "Most psychiatrsts and many psychologists and biologists now have come to simply assume that practially all diseases without exception, can be called psychosomatic or organisimc. That is, if one pursues any "physical' illness far enough and deep enough, one will find inevitably intrapsychic, intrapersonal, and social variables that are also invovled as determinants. This defintely is not to etheralize tuberculosis or broken bones. It simply meants that in the study of tuberculosis one findes that poverty is also a factor. As far as brken bones are concenred, once Dunbar used fracture cases as a control group, assuming that here certainly no psychological factors could be infovled, bu found to her amazement that they were indeed involved. And we aren ow as a consequence very sophisticated about the accident prone personality, as well as- if I may call it so- the "accident fostering environment." Which is to say that even a broken bone is psychosomatic and "sociosomatic," if I may coind that term as well. This is all to say that even the classical biologicst or physician or medical researcher, seeking to relieve human pain, suffering, illness, is well advised to be more holistic than he has been of hte psyhcological and social determinants for the ilnesses that he has been studying. For instance, there are already enough datat today to indicat that a fruitful broad spectrum attack upon cancer should also include so-called "psychosomatic factors." pg. 21 The biggest challenge in reading this book, in particular to look for bits about self-actualization so that I could formulate a fairly articulate descrpition in a very short YouTube video was the amount of information that Maslow throws at the wall to see what sticks. The "Healty Specimen" Approach To Psychology I found his approach to Psychology fascinating because he believed that it was a disservice to look only at the sick people. If you only look at sick people you start to see the same symptoms of sick people in everyone. Instead, what he suggested is that the healthiest specimens- those who are self-actualized- be studied and that everyone strive toward that state. He also believed it was a natural urge to strive for self-actualization. Apparently, this idea really started out as him trying to figure out how two professors who he had in college who were very intelligent and healthy had become that way Eventually that morphed into his Theory of Self-Actualization Was He Spiritual? Absolutely, as I suspected he was spiritual. In fact, he even references that a self-actualized person is the same as the Hindu Self-Realization or what some people call Unity Consciousness. There is an entire chapter in the book regarding "Various Means of Transcendence." There is also many parts of the book where he talks abou Tao, which is a Chinese Philosphy. So, he was both open minded and spiritual at the same time. Reading how he despcribes Peak Experience when he talks about the two types of Self-Actualized people makes it clear that the main difference between the two is one group only focuses on the material realm and the other believes there is something more. (I will go into depth on that subject in my next YouTube video.) B-Cognition and D- Cognition A fascinating part of his theory that I will go into in more depth in a future blog is the concept of B- Cognition. The fully healthy human being who has peak experiences- and even Plateau Experiences- has values that Maslow called "B- Values." The B is for being. Those who have D-Cognition or work with D-Values are those who may or may not be stuck somewhere in the ascending pyramid. He does describe one set of D-Cognition individuals as being self-actualized. The D is for deficiency. This fascinating subject, as I said, is worth a deep exploration in a future blog. Utopia Unfortunatley, as most wise men during his time indicate, he thinks that society of 'better' or 'more self actualized' people should be 'created.' He goes into great deapth on how if his B-Values and Self-Actualization could be introduced to schools and the work place it would transform the world. Of course, I don't agree with such a thing becase of Free Will. A forced society is always a fake society. No one can force someone to reach self-actualization. It has to be a desire that an individual has and wants to pursue. The Work Place He has a fascinating chapter called, "On Low Grumbles, High Grumbles, and Metagrumbles." In this chapter he explains that employees will always grumble regardless of how enlightened the managment. However, managment's aim shouldn't be to have absolutely no grumbles for employees. Instead, he says that nature of the grumbles can indicate a workplace. If someone is complaining that they are working in a foot of mud...that's a Low Grumble that needs to be taken care of because a basic need is not being met. If, however, the grumble is the quality of lunch snacks offered...this is a High Grumble and should be seen as successfully managed. I love that he points out that employees, for the most part, will grumble even if the workplace is absolutely ideal. Conclusion I highly recommend Abraham Maslows, "The Farther Reaches of Human Nature," to everyone. I think this is absolutely a must have on every mystic's shelf. His vision, of looking at psychology in the attempt to help foster environements where more healthy human beings can come into existence is unparalleled. He is unique in choosing to study healthy individuals. More work needs to be done in this direction and less work diagnosing a million and one pyshoclogical diseases in every human being. If we focus on how we can improve the human experience instead of handicapping everyone we will probably end up with a better society (although, as I said an engineered society simply doesn't work.) Last week was a bit overwhelming for me.
The final weeks of December 2017 were rough and the first week of 2018 was brutal. I worked for six days straing, starting on Saturday all the way through Thursday and they were all eight hour shifts. When that happens I usually have some time to write my blogs or I will use the blogs I've already written (which I do have several of) but things were a little bit more compicated then that. First, and perhaps the most sensational news, is that I discoverd that I was pregnant. This was actually the week before Christmas that I discovered it (December 20th to be exact) but I couldn't go to the doctors right away. I had no insurance in the month of December because I was eight hours short of meeting my minimum for insurance coverage in the month of October. The things I do to have good reasonably priced insurance! So, that was the first thing that was kind of mind blowing and I'll go into some detail of that. However, on top of that I came down with the flu. Now, because I was pregnant I couldn't take anything for the flu and I couldn't go to the doctor for help because I had no insurance. Well, that sums up the final weeks of 2017 for me. I was in this in between state of being super sick with the flu, which has been horrible this year in southern California with nearly everyone getting sick (because people with the flu can't stay home but have to work). So, in that last final stretch of six days of work straight it was me focusing on getting through the eight hours of work with a combination of the Flue and Morning Sickness. Then I'd come home and go straight to bed all while expectantly looking forward to my OB appointment on Friday the 5th. Also, on top of this my research into Self-Actualization- the final step on the Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow- was a bit more complicated then I expected. I ordered a book by Maslow called The Farther Reaches of Human Nature and I will go into more detail later about readint that in this blog. The Pregnancy I have mentioned on here many times how my daughter, Lilith-Ann was born prematurely at 23 weeks and passed away three days later. I have at least five other miscarriages and a blighted ovum. The Blight Ovum was particularly hard because that started off as a normal pregnancy but when an ex-boyfriend and I went in to find out the gender there was no heart beat. The miscarriage with my husband Ross in 2015 was particularly hard given that we had such high hopes only to go in and find out there was no heart beat. I remember in 2015 it was one of the most crushing. One, because the doctor I had gone to that had delivered my daughter was such a moron. He had assured me nothing would go wrong with the next pregnancy. Then we go in and there is no heart beat and he says that I am an excellent canidate for surrogacy. He was a complete and utter unempathetic idiot. My current doctor is very wise, if a little forgetful. For some reason when we went in the processed me as a new paitent...even though I went twice last year (do I really need to go to an OB more then that?). He did, however, pull up my file when I told him he sent me to have the septum reduction and quickly ordered a ultrasound (I don't think he would have if he thought we were a walk in as previously thought by his front end ladies who are not too bright). The babies heart beat was probably the most important moment. The ultrasound tech found the baby and the heart beat very easily. What a releif after so many bad experiences where I went in and there wasn't a heart beat! As of today, I'm at seven weeks. The doctor had said previously he would put me out as soon as we had a heart beat but he changed it. I will be going back this Friday so they can have a better look at the baby and hopefully have a better plan in place. I think last Friday I was just more overwhelmed with the fact he baby was okay then anything else and once I knew that I just wanted to take a nap. This year, as I said, is a year of dramatic change for me. I will know this year if I will have children or not. Quite possibly, this pregnancy is the decisive moment for me. I believe this one will work out fine. Things are dramatically different from my last experience. I have a very knowledgeable wise doctor, an incredible job with people who support me (I can't say how much I love my supervisor Angie and my bookkeeper Stephanie), and Ross isn't distracted by work or trying to buy a house so he's actually much more present during this pregnancy. The Farther Reaches of Human Nature I will be writing a review for this book this week. First, I discovered Self-actualization is far more complicated then I thought. As I did research online I realized it was very subjective and there was as lot of projection by authors attempting to cover the subject. To rule out other people's subjective opinions and projection on the topic I chose to go straight to the source...Abraham Maslow. So, I ordered the book The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. I chose those book, instead of his first book, because it was later in his life. In fact, this book was published after he died. I wanted to get his final thoughts, his mature thinking, on the ideas that set him apart from the other pschologists (this is also why I wread Pathways to Bliss by Joseph Campbell). The book is 375 pages long. While usually this wouldn't be very hard for me to read with everything else going on in my life it actually proved difficult. Plus, Maslow is a little bit of a sensationlist in the way he speaks. There were times I had to put the book down, ponder what he had said and go back to it. I made a lot of notes as I read the book and realized that the amount of information shared was a bit overwhelming. With both the flu and morning sickness last week I wasn't capable of thinking clearly enough to sort through the information and make an cohesive YouTube video. The Self-Actualizing level of the Hierarchy of Needs is defintely the most complex. Maslow even laments at one point, 'It is unfortunate that I can no longer be theoretically neat at this level." (pg 270). Hence, since the man himself isn't really organized it's a bit hard to make a short concise message out of his work. I do have high hopes of boiling it down to a very simple short video that I will share this week. Although, I still need to sit down and actually write it I now have my notes in order enough to know how exactly I want to tackle the subject. Since the subject is immense, and there is a lot to it I will keep it as simple and short as possible which might leave a lot to be desired. But I will be doing a conclusion video where I go into more depth about what Maslow had to say about Being or the B-Realm which I have decided not to cover in depth in the Self-Actualization video, Phew! Conclusion I apologize that I simply disappered. The final weeks of December 2017 were rough and the first week of 2018 was brutal. Thankfully, I have this week off by chance and I will hopefully be 100% rid of the flu. I'm still suffering from nasal congestion but it's minor compared to the fever and cough. The next three weeks, if I do work, might be a bit spotty. Working, and battling morning sickness might make it difficult for me to keep up with my posts. Espeically if I work long hours as I did last week. So, please bear with me during this extremely trying but exciting time in my life! I will keep you updated with the pregnancy as it goes along as it is only right for me to chronicle what happens on here as it is very much a part of my healing and spiritual journey. |
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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