Ayahuasca: Instant Enlightenment, in the Age of Instant Gratification

It is interesting how a culture is shaped by its Religion or Spirituality; it is even more interesting when Spirituality is shaped by its culture.

In the year 2013, citizens of the US and Western World, belong to the cult of instant gratification. Gone are the days of layaway (remember that?), we must have what we want, the minute we want it, via high interest credit cards, lines of credit, instant online purchasing (we don’t even have to leave our house!) and for a select few, sometimes shadier and more violent ways.

The Corporatocracy has architected this paradigm of reality; supposedly everyone benefits, the consumer gets what they “need” in an instant, the company makes a sale (profits $$), the bank rakes in the credit card interest and fees, the government collects sales tax and everyone wins!

Interesting how this has translated to New Age Spirituality; feeling discontent with life, restless, thinking that perhaps there is more to our existence than all the grownup toys? Perhaps all the new purchases are not filling up the emptiness inside, no matter how many things we keep purchasing.

There are many claims to cure what ails us in a nanosecond, proffer instant enlightenment and release one from suffering (Karma). Among these, there is one very trendy cure that has become quite popular in the last few years; take a trip to South America, drink some Ayahuasca, have some visions and become instantly enlightened! No study, no reading (unless it can fit in a text message on a smart phone), no searching, no pain, no hard work, no serious reflection, it is just that simple.

That any seeker, with even a slight awareness can fail to understand how much of the New Age Spirituality­ has been shaped by the Cult of Capitalism, is basically still operating on an unconscious level, and no amount of Ayahuasca is going to wake them up.

Our Chart is our lifetime work, this is the whole point of our experience on Planet Earth, there is no instant transcending of Karma. Throughout our lives, there will be many painful, and challenging experiences, if it were easy, we would never learn humility, empathy, compassion, and forgiveness, in addition to joy, love, beauty, and pleasure.

Perhaps the key, is learning to handle adversity with Dignity and Grace. And it is from these experiences, that we grow and become enlightened.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In its cultural context, participating in the Shamanic ritual of Ayahuasca is part of a South American Indian Culture, and has been part of their Spirituality since time immemorial. However, it is not a natural part of our western background, it is a novelty, yet another magic cure for what ails “wealthy” North Americans, who seek the path of least resistance to fill the emotional and Spiritual void.

DO. THE. WORK.

The Sabian Symbol for the NEW MOON on October 4th, 2013:

(LIBRA 12) MINERS ARE SURFACING FROM A DEEP COAL MINE

[Keynote: The need to carry on at ever deeper levels the quest for knowledge which keeps burning the fires of the collective mind of society.]

The search for knowledge demands the dedication of many minds digging ever deeper into the realities of our earthly existence. It is a hard, often dark pursuit amidst great difficulties and the possibility of being Spiritually asphyxiated by the constant intellectual effort and tension.

(Rudyar)

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The image this week is the Red Square Nebula, so appropriate to honor this Libra (Cardinal-Air) New Moon, as it moves into position to create a Cardinal Grand Cross (Four Squares and Two Oppositions.) A Cardinal Cross, is associated with the element of Fire, and is quite dynamic and instigates action. The other planets involved in the Cardinal Cross, are Uranus at 11 degrees Aries (Cardinal-Fire), Pluto at 10 degrees Capricorn (Cardinal-Earth), and although Jupiter is a little further away at 18 degrees Cancer (Cardinal-Water), the King of the Gods will be heard.

Although not part of the Cardinal Cross configuration, Venus at 26 degrees Scorpio (Fixed-Water), is in a waning square to Mars at 24 degrees Leo (Fixed-Fire). Relationships are at the forefront of this New Moon; all kinds of Relationships.

Libra’s energy is very much concerned with Relationship, Justice, and Equality. It would seem these are issues very much on our minds these days. Currently, we have one of, if not the most divisive Congress in US history. Libra is also about compromise, will there be any compromises within our government this coming week? What about in your own life? Where would it be beneficial to create a compromise instead of contention? The square aspect in Astrology represents conflict and obstacles, it also represents motivation and action, is it possible to work with this aspect and create a peaceful resolution?

Create Peace out of Conflict, Create Love out of Hate; we all have a Choice, the power is within each of us to choose Love.

Eclipse season is upon us, and it is more important than ever to,

BE LOVE

BE PRESENT

PAY ATTENTION

As always, Stay in Your Heart…

In Love & Light,

jody