Expansion Mastery: The Practical Guide to Living a Fully Engaged Life - Softcover

Bessler, Robert D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1614483426 ISBN 13: 9781614483427

Publisher: Morgan James Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

“The Tao produced the One; The One produced the Two; The Two produced the Three; The Three produced the Ten Thousand Things.” Lao Tzu, 42nd Verse of the Tao Te Ching
If you had the knowledge and tools to make serious and lasting changes in your life, would you do it? If you had the chance to start over, change everything you needed to change in order to live the visions of your dreams, would you? Is it going to take a near death experience to motivate you into making the necessary changes in your life, or will you accept the challenges contained here and master your own personal expansion?
The world is going through great transformation and human beings all over the globe are realizing that they are living in a time of incredible human potential and growth. Now is your time, right now, to be a valuable part of this movement.
"Expansion Mastery" offers you a chance at creating the life you know in your heart you were meant to experience. A life of real happiness, a sense of living “Heaven on Earth” by understanding your position between Heaven and Earth. The essence of this ancient spiritual concept of “Heaven, Earth and Being” is presented to you with clarity to achieve ultimate expansion.
Can you rise up and actually participate in your life? Can you change your attitude from “just getting through another day” to fully engage your life with enthusiasm, purpose and presence? It’s no longer a question of can you---it’s a question of will you!

About this title

About the Author

Robert D. Bessler has been teaching and training in the martial, meditative, spiritual and holistic healing arts for over 30 years throughout the world. He holds the formal rank of 10th degree black belt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, 5th degree black belt in the samurai arts of the Enbukan, and has spent extensive time studying esoteric spiritual systems in Japan, China, and Egypt. Robert has written articles for martial arts newsletters such as Source and Musubi and for Martial Arts Way Magazine. He has written several comprehensive training manuals, conducted spiritual and meditative seminars, and produced training DVDs on a variety of subjects.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Expansion Mastery

The Practical Guide to Living a Fully Engaged Life

By Robert D. Bessler

Morgan James Publishing

Copyright © 2013 Robert D. Bessler
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-61448-342-7

Contents

Special Thanks, 
Appreciation, 
Preface, 
Introduction, 
Chapter One: Awakening To Our Place In The Universe, 
Chapter Two: Heaven, 
Chapter Three: Earth, 
Chapter Four: Being, 
Chapter Five: Creating Heaven On Earth, 
Chapter Six: Spiritual Warrior, 
Chapter Seven: To Love, Appreciate & Serve, 
Chapter Eight: Common Mistakes And How To Evade Them, 
Chapter Nine: Mastery, 
Afterword, 
Bibliography, 
Resource Page, 

CHAPTER 1

AWAKENING TO OUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

* * *

A new world is emerging right before our eyes. At the same time, the unsustainable world of the past struggles to continue. Both worlds reflect the beliefs that made them possible. Both worlds still exist — but only for now.

— Gregg Braden — (Deep Truth)

When setting out on a life journey, I have found that it is useful to not only know where you're going, but also where you are right now in the present moment. Let's begin our journey together by re-awakening to the fundamental understanding of humankind's place in the universe, of living between Heaven and Earth. This will help point the way for you to expand your sense of Self on your own personal life journey. You must also become aware of your position not only in space, but in time. This will help you to better grasp the current shifting era of climate change and of humanity's building desire to participate in tremendous transformation.

We are encountering the "shift" period of the legendary 2012 and we cannot deny that these are exceptionally interesting times. We all know dramatic situations are taking place that are far from the status quo, things that we read about and see for ourselves every day. The Earth's magnetic poles have been gradually shifting for years; this is an ongoing event that relatively few people acknowledge, but has been recognized by the scientific community. Is it a coincidence that this is happening in alignment with the teachings of multiple ancient traditions, from every corner of the world, referring to this period in time? I for one do not believe in coincidences. Likewise, I do not believe this astonishing moment in time will bring about the end of the world. It's believed the Earth has been through these events in the past with its obvious survival; I suspect it will do so again. Human beings, on the other hand, may be facing a time of challenge.

It appears the shift taking place is part of the usual 26,000 year cycle that has happened many times before. This subtle shift, due to the wobble in the Earth's rotation, causes a realignment of the axis; this has been happening for years and will continue for years to come before completion. Earth has already left its alignment with Polaris (the North Star or Pole Star) and is on its way to acquiring alignment with Vega, resulting in Vega becoming our new North Star. This is an axis shift of 23.5 degrees, respectively. During this period we are faced with what seems to us as time speeding up.

With this shift we can expect massive changes to ourselves, our environment and our ways of life. Change is a normal part of all things in nature; our breathtakingly beautiful water planet is not outside of the realm of change. From the research I have assimilated, the Earth's magnetic field is changing continually and the magnetic poles are capable of completely reversing at times. This is scientific fact as we see through articles from NASA and environmental scientists from a variety of countries. In an article published by NASA in 2003, Dr. Tony Phillips shared that scientists had found the magnetic field of the planet had weakened by 10 percent at that time. He also stated, "Sometimes the field completely flips. The north and south poles swap places. Such reversals, recorded in the magnetism of ancient rocks, are unpredictable. They come at irregular intervals averaging about 300,000–400,000 years; the last one however was 780,000 years ago. Are we long overdue for another? No one knows."

It stands to reason that if we are directly and substantially connected to this planet — and we all are — and the planet should go through massive change, so will the human race. This is where we as human beings are right now, in a process of great transformation. Dynamic changes to the global climate, to weather patterns and to all living things on Earth can be expected, but to what degree is unknown. What is even less understood are the changes we human beings will experience during this period of time and beyond. During this unusual period we will have an enormous opportunity – an opportunity to become greater than humanity may have ever been, through a spiritual transformation process that will reshape people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The result of your personal Expansion, as well as the Expansion of the collective consciousness, will be a unified sense of Self and a joyful, mindful experience of living a life of "Heaven on Earth."

Imagine walking through your normal day with a big smile on your face and a song in your heart, just because you feel happier and healthier. Imagine laughing with a new sense of freedom and spontaneity that comes from somewhere deep within. Imagine being able to hold on to this sense of happiness and openheartedness no matter what else is taking place in your life. I am sure there are people in existence who cannot fathom having this as their normal disposition. This is not without good reason, and it is not their fault, but it can be changed. We all see the turmoil present in the world; much of it may seem disheartening, but it is still our choice to rise above these circumstances and discover a way to live the life we desire.

Many people have forgotten their truth and set aside their personal power. They've lost their connection to themselves and others, to their environment and to the truth of the Divine. People have become so busy trying to make a living and support their families that they have lost their sense of respect and compassion for others, oftentimes replacing these with a false sense of entitlement and superiority. Today, the average person spends their entire lifetime without much mindfulness for the fact that they are both spirit and body! Let's face it; many people walk through life in a state of unconscious numbness, stemming from a closed mind. This comes from a reluctance to leave or acknowledge anything outside of their comfort zone, especially if it has the potential to challenge their beliefs.

A state of imbalance is very evident among society; this causes a weak or nonexistent connection to Heaven and Earth. Few remember this is the rightful place of a human being in the universe, acting as a mid-point conduit for the forces that flow between Heaven and Earth. Using various metaphors, many spiritual and religious systems teach us that we are the result of the mixture of Heavenly and Earthly energies and elements. The Earth is our mother and the Heavens are our father. This is not exactly news, but is a truth many people have lost sight of as they become consumed by the demands of their fast-paced daily lives. This is one example of the esoteric meanings of the statement contained within various spiritual, religious and even martial traditions, which plainly states "honor thy mother and father." There are actually three layers of meaning to this statement. The first is to honor the mother and father who are your parents in this physical form; this is the generally accepted meaning that encourages appreciation for the people who brought you into this world and took care of you when you were too small and fragile to do it yourself.

The esoteric meaning of the statement refers to honoring the Earth and the Heavens. To acknowledge the Earth as your mother and the Heavens as your father in a larger cosmic sense is important. It is a well-established fact that human beings are connected to the Earth through the electromagnetic fields. It is also acknowledged that human beings are connected and affected by cosmic forces such as the sun, moon, and stars. The rhythm of our heart beat, our brainwave patterns, our mental and emotional states and so on are all affected or even regulated to some degree by the forces of Heaven and Earth; not to mention that we are created physically from not only the same energy as the Heavens and Earth, but the same elemental bases. Lastly, it is referring to honoring the one Universal Source that is both feminine (maternal) and masculine (paternal) energies. The Universe, God, Tao or whatever label you desire, is essentially gender neutral and without label. When you honor or love the Divine Universal Source, you are honoring the ultimate parent, the source of your creation and a part of who you truly are. Look back into the original teachings of most spiritual and religious systems before dissent and manipulation; you will find references to the Universal Source as both masculine and feminine energy. These ancient cultures and languages were not as ignorant or primitive as we are lead to believe; they have a very rich feeling and beauty associated with them when spoken and written. This feeling carries the expressive vibrational essence of the words, which has become lost to us in the west.

THE TRINITY

The ultimate expression of the trinity is that of Heaven, Earth and Being (humanity). An extremely significant factor in achieving success with your Expansion is the ability to perceive the world around you in a more enlightened and truthful way. Most people tend to view the world through the vision of duality, just like the Taoist Tai Chi symbol. In addition to the contrast and harmony of yin and yang, the symbol shows there is no total yin or total yang; this is what the small circles are representing. While this is indeed in accordance with the basic laws of polarity and attraction, it should be noted there is actually a third element contained within that famous symbol. The third element is represented by the curved line that seems to separate the two halves, which indicates interactive movement. When we awaken, we see through piercing eyes that the two is actually three and duality becomes the vision of the trinity. We are not merely our physical self or just our Spiritual Self; we are a combination of the two, at the same time and in the same place. The trinity is the concept of unity and completeness. It is this concept of three that unites opposites and offers wholeness. Please be aware that duality and trinity are not opposing concepts; the trinity includes and expands upon duality. It is this type of vision that will allow you to see with "esoteric eyes."

Duality offers us a basic understanding of contrast and balance in life; it is the basis of our existence, but things begin to transform once you learn to view the world through the lens of the trinity. After all, do we live in a two-dimensional world or a three-dimensional world? Yet most people view this 3-D world through a 2-D lens. When you become open to viewing reality through the lens of the trinity, your world greatly expands.

Here are some examples of viewing life through the trinity lens and the reasoning behind the power of the number three. We know from the sage advice of Lao Tzu that from the three comes all beings. When we learn to see things through the viewpoint of Heaven, Earth and Being (the "three"), we open our eyes, mind and heart to see everything. From the perspective of the three, we understand that the past, present and future are all the same, as the only real time that exists is the present and all things exist in the now. The power and influence of the trinity view can be seen as a part of nearly every religion and spiritual system, as well as in various aspects of society throughout time. There are religions that use this trinity or triad to symbolize Heaven, Earth and Hell, but more correctly it symbolizes Heaven, Earth and Being (humankind), as hell is a religious myth. It shows up again in Christianity as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and in the three-fold principles of the Emerald Tablet in Western Alchemy. The ancient Egyptian symbol of the Winged Solar Disc that adorns many entrance-ways of Egyptian temples serves as a symbol of the trinity. The three main branches of Buddhism — Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana — contain many three-fold philosophies, such as the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Mikkyo systems apply the San Rai (three prostrations) and the Sanki Sankyo (three refuges and three devotions) into its daily practices. Taoism and Chinese Medicine apply the concepts of Jing (essence), Chi (life force), and Shen (spirit), as well as focus on the three dantien, or internal centers of awareness. These are but a few of a multitude of examples that appear throughout the cultures of the world.

All of these representations of the trinity help us to understand our rightful place in the Universe. The energies of Heaven flow down through us into the Earth and likewise, the energies of the Earth flow upward through us into the Heavens. Human beings are conduits for the harmonious transfer of this subtle energy. There are also many activities that are designed to assist the practitioner in becoming more sensitive to their connection to Heaven and Earth. The Chinese art of Qigong (Chi Kung) allows us to open and work with the internal "energy" channels of the body to allow the free flow of Heavenly and Earthly energy through the body. The forces of Heaven and Earth can also be harmonized within the human body to be used for health, vitality and longevity, or stored within the body to be used at some later time. This is a clear example of the three-fold concept and trinity view of Heaven, Earth and Being.

GOD/UNIVERSAL SOURCE/TAO

It would be wise to define what I mean by Universal Source or God within the chapters to follow. Try your best to avoid the mental trap of relating back to what you already know or believe; see it with a fresh perspective in order to open your mind and step outside of your current comfort zone. This does not mean that you have to dispose of or immediately change your core beliefs; I am simply encouraging you to take back your personal sense of empowerment so you may begin to think, feel and experience things for yourself in order to know their truth. I am not attempting to offer you a new definition of God, but I am presenting a chance to expand your sense of knowing through a direct personal connection to this Source. Then you will know the truth as it is understood through your own perspective, allowing you to live as an authentic human being.

I feel that the largest mistake is to anthropomorphize the Universal Source. I know this may not please many male egos, especially those who insist that God must be a Him, but think about it objectively; read some ancient texts in the manner in which they were written instead of taking everything you read at face value. They make Him angry, judgmental, vengeful and petty. Take a moment and apply your own common sense — do you really think and believe that God, an all-potentiated, all-knowing, eternal entity would embody all the negative traits of a human being who is spiritually lost? These petty human attributes associated with God are the same fear-based emotions that keep people from experiencing the Universal Source directly for themselves by lowering their vibration and firmly fixing them within their ego.

What if God was really only pure love, joy, compassion, appreciation and non-judgmental, unconditional acceptance? Wouldn't that be the ultimate? If the Universal Source is pure love, then this entity cannot also be fear. When you think about that, how does it make you feel? What feelings do you experience in your abdomen, in your solar plexus and in your heart? Place your mind in these areas of your body and try to connect to the feeling. Stop ignoring what your body and heart are telling you for what you rationalize in your mind.

For the purposes of this book, I will frequently refer to the concept of God as Universal Source, Divine or simply Universe. The actual word(s) you choose have very little value. However, there is value in understanding that almost all religions and spiritual systems throughout the world use a word for God that contains an "ah" seed syllable. The vibration caused by this seed syllable, along with the emotion you associate with it, is very important. What is the typical sound across the globe uttered when we exhale and relax on a comfortable sofa, or when we sit back in a hot tub? The soothing and unconsciously produced "aahhhh" sound of relief as we exhale. When you feel this good, your vibrational frequency begins to rise. It is no coincidence that this is also the sound of ecstasy. If you know the Universal Source as the true spring of pure love, joy and goodness, this vibration will help you resonate closer to it by opening your heart.

If you associate the word for God with wrathfulness, guilt, vengeance and other negative emotions, then when you speak the name of the Universe it will take you away from connecting to it by lowering your vibration. For example, say the name of someone you perceive has wronged you in some way. How good do you feel afterwards? Don't think about it, feel it. You may get a painful feeling in the pit of your stomach or an accelerated heartbeat, your chest may tighten up or your mouth may get dry. How connected to the Universe do you feel in that moment? In contrast, now say the name of someone you adore; maybe the name of your loving spouse, caring parent or someone who has positively impacted your life. How do you feel now? Maybe this time you get a warm feeling in your stomach, tears of love and happiness in your eyes, or you feel your heart open even further. Now you see how the emotions associated with words can be so influential.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Expansion Mastery by Robert D. Bessler. Copyright © 2013 Robert D. Bessler. Excerpted by permission of Morgan James Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1614483426
• ISBN 13: 9781614483427
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200