Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi was a 13th. century Persian poet, theologian and a Sufi mystic. Rumi's works are written mostly in Persian, though occasionally he also used Turkish, Arabic, and Greek words.

​Rumi was originally from the Balkh, in present-day Afghanistan. When the Mongols invaded Central Asia, Rumi along with his family and a group of disciples, set out westwards.

It is believed that during his migration to Persia (modern day Iran), Rumi encountered one of the most famous and mystic Persian poets, Attar, who recognized Rumi's spiritual eminence.

​It is then that Attar gave the young Rumi his Asrārnāma, a book about the entanglement of the soul in the material world. This meeting had a deep impact on the eighteen-year-old Rumi and later became the inspiration for his works.
 
A few years later, when Rumi met the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi; it completely transformed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi became an ascetic.

​In fact, I have curated some of Rumi’s most cherished quotations in my book-
Rumi Words of Wisdom: 101 Quotations Curated and Compiled To Instantly Expand Your Mind And Exhilarate Your Senses

This book is available in digital and print editions. So, be sure to check it out on Amazon…

​#sufism #sufi #mysticislam #Rumi #dervish #whirlingdervish #Islamicmysticism #mystics #islamicasceticism #asceticislam #rumipoetry

In a previous article I narrated this personal road trip incident where a person showed up almost like an angel in answer to my prayer, to help me thru a very scary/desperate situation!

If you have not read it, here is the link to that article:   An amazing road-trip… a prayer answered almost instantaneously!!

​As I continued driving thru the evening, I reflected on what had just happened. Was it ‘really' for real??

What is real? - that which our senses can perceive, and our rational mind can come up with a clear explanation. But I did not have any of it for what had just happened!! 

This gentleman was someone who showed up literally in the middle of no-where, as a simple and prompt answer to my desperate prayer. 

Desperate because- one I was tired after having driven thru hypnotic Manitoba- well, the province is surely nice but my sarcastic description- ‘hypnotic’ is for its amazingly straight roads. You can read up on road-hypnotism to understand what I mean.

He showed up almost like an angel to show me the way and then disappeared into the evening dusk. 

I felt inspired to share this story with all of you- because, right now, we all are going thru trying times in our own ways.

It is not just about a health-scare or economic shut-down… bottom-line is that anything and everything we have held as ‘normal’ over the years has been overthrown- and no one seems to know where this is all leading us to!!

Many people today are feeling some level of confusion- with a thousand questions firing in their minds of fear and disbelief and yet- they do not seem to find solace!

Such circumstances reminded me of this road trip, because if you have ever driven in the dark on an isolated road, you know that at-best you are only able to see some a few meters or so in front of your car… that is all the headlights can illuminate and you simply trust that the rest of the road is there further ahead.

And it is when it is extremely dark and the road is totally isolated, when our illuminated view can be at it is minimum- which also means we need to maximize our trust that the road continues fine…

This is such a time in our life- where we need to trust life and its working. The best we can do is to pay attention and traverse today with full exuberance and intension- doing our best, in the best way possible… while knowing, believing that life will bring us a bright tomorrow.

Some of you may wonder, well- her road trip incident indicates of a strange situation where the road ended in the middle of some woodsy wilderness and then continued on a little away and here in this article, she is asking us to trust that the road continues fine- isn’t this a mixed message?? No, it is not!

You see that incident that happened to me back then was an extreme anomaly!! And even in such a situation, the divine providence took care to provide an angel-helper (the semi-truck driver) to show me the way. 

Most of us are not on such a dramatic anomalous path…. 

Then it gets even easier to trust that not only the road we are on, continues fine but that if there are any crazy, unexpected situations that come up, the divine providence will take care of me (us).

What is needed of each one of us is to truly and deeply trust, do the best we can (our actions- what is in our hands, we need to do it the very best) and ensure that we have an active and open communication with the divine. 

This is after all what is meant by awakening up spiritually- it is to live life with awareness, trust, and exuberance.

​#selfdevelopment #lifemanagement #traveladventures #trust #spiritualawareness #answeredprayers #angels #helpfromabove #divinehelp #divineguidance #prayingforhelp #DivineProvidence #dontfear #gethelp

Even though we are on a spiritual path, most of us still have everyday jobs and duties. Unless you are living the life of a monk in a monastery, you probably are someone, who needs to earn an income and take care of your family.

​Folks like us, who live an everyday life have to also interact not just with friends and family- but also with many other people in the outside world, who may be living successful lives but could be unaware of their connected-ness to others and this cosmos!
 
This is exactly the reason, why I provide several helpful information that can help us in living comfortably! If you have not still seen our videos or read our articles on Comfort & Spiritual Living, then be sure to check them out.

As we know, all days are not the same. Certain days just seem to go smooth where things seem to flow in a nice manner and then there are other days where getting even the simplest thing done seems like a big achievement! 

Intuitively derived energy readings can help us to understand- what kind of energies are most probable for the day. 

The best time to utilize an Intuitive Guidance is when you need to understand "more" about a situation- for e.g. you are scheduled to attend an interview. In this case, an intuitive guidance can help you to understand more about the situation. How can you create a better impression or is there something that you need to do, so as to ensure a higher chance of success.

​Intuitive guidance can sometimes also give an indication to the outcome of the interview (i.e. if you will receive an offer /not), but it is not advisable to know that in advance, since then you will not do your best but your actions will be clouded by your knowledge of the outcome- if it is positive, you may take things for granted and thus invite failure and if  it is negative, then you may lose hope and not put your  hundred percent effort and turn around a losing situation to  a successful one.

​As people who are on the path of Conscious Living (i.e. those who choose to lead an aware and meaningful life)- we should not believe in some ‘destiny’ and succumb to fate but believe in taking appropriate action in accordance to the situation and energies surrounding it.   

After all, we live in a dynamic and living Universe, which responds to our actions and accordingly brings situations and transformations in our life!

The more you are living a conscious and evolved life, that much more, you will be able to govern how your life and life events unfold.
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So now the question comes up, how do we ‘divine’ about any situation or event in our life? Stay tuned… I will cover that shortly in the coming posts…

Also check out-

• Destiny ‘vs’ Freewill- what determines our life? i.e. How freewill and destiny operate in our Life
• Do we lead a ‘destined’ life? Can situations and events be ‘truly’ predicted?

​#destinyvsfreewill #destiny #freewill #fate #karma #samskara #karmicclearing #spiritualregression #predictingfuture #prediction #futureprediction #consciousliving #oracle #astrology   #iching  #tarot   #runes   #dowsing   #pendulum #divination #divinefuture #askoracle #naturemessage #natureguidance #message #guidance #energymessage #intuitiveguidance 

There are many astrologers, psychics and pundits who say- that they can accurately predict the future. And it is possible that they can be correct in some instances.
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But then, probability is a fact and there are always the odds of an event occurring, that someone can guess or intuit to find out about its outcome. Though, determining the correct result, the exact outcome each time in advance, is just not possible in this dynamic, evolving and ever-transforming universe!!

Check out- Destiny ‘vs’ Freewill- what determines our life? i.e. How freewill and destiny operate in our Life
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If you have not already read this article, then do check it out. It will help you to understand how destiny and freewill operate in our life.

​We need to remember that, there is no set future which can be determined in a fatalistic way. As mentioned above, it is true that there are certain scenarios/events and situations which are bound to happen (given the strong karmic tendencies around them), but to say that you will experience such and such situation  on any given day or during such period in your life, is to be 'reactive to life'. 

Instead what is more helpful is to proactively understand the type of energies that surround a certain day or a certain situation. I.e. what kind of events, behaviors and so on have the most chances or probabilities of showing up around us. 

Then depending on what it is that one is looking to accomplish and that particular event or situation, one can choose to respond in a best possible manner.
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This way, you are responding to the Universe and not simply reacting to it. This is extremely important for each one of us who are on the path of Conscious Living.

Also check out: Charting our own life-path: how various oracles and intuitive divination methods can help us lead a successful life.

#destinyvsfreewill #destiny #freewill #fate #karma #samskara #karmicclearing #spiritualregression #predictingfuture #prediction #futureprediction #consciousliving #oracle   #astrology   #iching  #tarot   #runes   #dowsing   #pendulum   ​#divination #divinefuture #askoracle #naturemessage #natureguidance #message #guidance #energymessage

A Shaman can go into a trance like meditative state, wherein they are able to communicate with the older spirits and gain insight into a problem scenario and also obtain guidance and solutions for solving the situation.   

Shamans can connect and communicate with the spirit guides who help their community by showing the right path in life to the ones, lost to the natural ways of life and also heal the sick by using various herbs, plants and the spirit energy. In this regard, a Shaman elder can play the essential role of a Medicine man- a Medicine healer in their community.

​The role of a Medicine-man (Shaman-healer) or of a Shaman-oracle is of much responsibility. It is essential for proper growth and sustenance of the entire community (their tribe). Because of this, this role rightly obtains much respect from the community. It needs the shaman elder to lead a life of piety, devotion and connection with the natural world and our own essential nature of existence.

A shaman could get messages from animal spirit and totems. They could do such divination for a specific individual or for their community. Similarly, they can “divine” guidance for a specific event or about the energy-trends that are existing and effecting an individual (or their community).

A Shaman’s oracle methods can seem intricate to us- but they need years of devoted service and connection with the natural world as well as the spirit realms to develop a true and deep ability to tap into the ‘divine guidance’.

​And after doing that, they then need to bring the essence of their interaction to us as their divined and intuitive guidance.

​#shamanoracle #animaltotem #animalwisdom #spiritwisdom #spiritguidance #shamndivination #shamanism #shaman #shamanwisdom #nativeamericanoracle #nativeamericandivination #nativeIndians #Indians #nativewisdom #nativewiseman

When I felt inspired to take on painting, it was about expressing the myriads of colors and textures!! Because of this, even though I appreciate any nice structured painting- like all the famous art in Louvre, it was (still is the case) not for me.
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I prefer abstract painting, because, similar to life- the interpretation that one finds in any abstract visual work- depends on one’s own inner being. 

When we see an abstract painting, it tends to bring up our deeper emotions to surface. Then, if one is to observe one’s own reaction to any painting (particularly abstract) then you will find that it helps one to identify one’s own shadow and repressed side.

Once such emotions come to light, then atleast we have taken the first step towards addressing our deeper challenges.

Does this help only the observer or also the artist? Actually- both people.

When the artist paints with abandon, then they are creating content from their inner depth by releasing any ‘stuck emotions’ from within - that is how art can and has been used successfully as a therapeutic medium, over the years.

You can check out more about Art Therapy, if you are not very familiar with that concept.
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And then, when one observes such a painting, it nudges and probes and prods the deeper essence within the observer.
Such is the real and true beauty of abstract art- it is truly in the eye of the beholder!!

This is one of my first artwork. It is made with acrylic paints using a sponge.

What do you see in this painting? What do the colors mean for you? What emotions do they conjure up within you? Observer how you feel and see if you can identify your deeper emotions and also your latent potential…

​#arttherapy #healingwithart   #healingart   #emotionalhealing   #catharsis #artjournaling   #artforhealing  #AbstractArt    #emotionalwellbeing   #paintyourwaytowellness   #emotionalhealing   #mentalhealth   #raisingyourenergy  #VisualArt #OriginalArtworkbyMaitreyiGautam  #OriginalArtwork #abstractpainting #MaitreyiGautam

Most of the Tantric images show some form of erotic representation, where the yoni (vagina) of the goddess (female energy principle) is touching or interacting with the lingam- phallus of the god (male energy principle).

Such depiction can seem very “blasphemous” to the traditional pundits, but when viewed from the perspective of tantric symbolism, it makes perfect sense. 
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In tantric traditions, yoni represents the primordial female principle of creation and the phallus (lingam) symbolizes the primordial male principle of creation. 

Because of this the union of the male and the female (as indicated in a sexual intercourse) is considered as the true yoga (union) of Shiva and Shakti, the male and the female principle. This is not the crude or casual sex which simply leads to procreation of a progeny.

​The tantric union is meant to be done with proper protocol and guidance and when done correctly, allows both the individuals- the male and the female, to go beyond the limitations of their own individual limited form (of a male or a female) and rise higher to merge into the formless. 

When a male and female unite in a tantric union, they start to rise their individual energies into higher planes of existence… finally merging with the divine!!

In this world of duality- everything is ultimately represented by the male & female principle- the anima and the animus. As these two core principles start to merge into one another, they slowly start to lose their ‘individual- existence’ which is part of the ‘duality’ to become ‘singular’- the Divine.

This rise in energy, ascension, is seen as the rise of the Kundalini energy which rises from its state of lying dormant at the base of the spine, thru the various chakras to ultimately reach the highest chakra- 7th chakra of Sahasrara to take the individual (male or female) beyond the duality of all kinds of this material existence, to merge into the singular presence of the Divine God-head (supreme cosmic energy-form).
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This also explains why in Tantra, the Gods and Goddesses are typically depicted with erotic imagery. They are merely form representations of an energy-union, which will lead them into the formless- singular essence.

​#tantra #eroticimagery #tantricsex #sexintantra #eroticism #shiva #shakti #anima #animus #cosmicunion #supremegodhead #ascension #tantric #yoga #divineunion #holysex #vedic #hindu #buddhism #oneness #buddhisttantra #tantrayana #tantras

Birds chirping happily- that is a sound which brings joy to our ears and hearts- at any time of the day. But there is something special about waking up to the sound of birds singing happily at the crack of dawn.
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Where folks like us are concerned, i.e. those of us who live in bigger cities, we need to get up extremely early (almost before the crack of dawn)- to catch the birds singing. 

As traffic starts and people begin to crowd the streets with their morning commute, their noise seems to dwarf the sounds of birds and of the morning nature!!

If you live in a place where you are able to enjoy the sound of birds, first thing in the morning- then well, you are very blessed. It can be a source of immense joy and happiness.

But irrespective of where you live, do make sure that you are take some time out each morning, to enjoy the birds singing and the first few minutes of your new day.
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Most of us tend to rush thru our mornings- already worrying about the day ahead- even as we are trying to wake up our brains!! 

Instead- if you take a little breather in the morning, take some time out to welcome the day as one that is filled with immense potential… for amazing possibilities, then you will not only get to wake up properly, get some time to regroup yourself… but also, get some time to set a purposeful intension for the day ahead. The grandeur of the cosmos will help you to see your connection with all of creation.

This will help you visualize your accomplishment for the day and eventually increase your overall performance and productivity.
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So, maybe grab a cup of tea or coffee and relax on the patio and greet the new morning. Feel the fresh breeze and the first rays of sun on your face… and wake up to a day- full of new possibilities…

​#artofhappiness #simpletips #tipforhappiness #happiness #joy #joyofliving #joiedevivre #joyfulliving #happy #newdaynewpossibilities #dawnofnewday #welcomeeachday #connectingwithcosmos #ascension #consciousliving #Journeytoneness #oneness #spiritualawareness 

Guru Purnima- The day to honor as well as cherish our guides and teachers. On July 4-5, 2020 (depending on where you are in the world), we are going to have a powerful full moon- which is the day of Guru Purnima. In case, you are not aware then the full moon in the month of Ashada is called as the Guru Purnima.

You can read about the  Significance of Guru Purnima  as well as watch this  special message on the occasion of Guru Purnima and how you can utilize  it's essence to better your life. Watch on...

​#ascension #gurupurnima #divineguru #spiritualguru #jupiter #vedicdivineteacherarchetype #vedicarchetype #teacher #guidance #spiritualguide #guide #guru #dakshinamurthy #lordshiva #shiva #adiyogi #firstteacher #firstguru