Happy Mind: Meditations from the Ancient World to Modernity

The land of Khorasan has a long history of spiritual seekers stretching back millenia. It was one of many locations in the region stretching from the Andulus to the Levant and beyond where the poets and mystics of old illuminated the uninitiated into the secret ways of the soul. In medieval times in particular several extraordinary men and women lay down a map that each of us can still follow today to escape our self-hood’s vicious tyranny and set free our soul. It is a royal way and no mind can penetrate the sovereign whom we seek. The mystery of this unending state remains forever out of reach of the intellect. So you have to leave your mind behind on this journey. And that is what we do in this guided meditation. You will pass through the seven valleys of this mystical framework. At each one shed an aspect of mind so that by the end you are ready to witness the dazzling perfection of Truth. The inspiration for this guided meditation are the great Islamic masters like Rabi'a, Ibn 'Arabi, Qadir Gilani, Jalaluddin Rumi, and above all (in this meditation) Farid Ud-Din Attar. This is a 20 minute version.Background reading:The Conference of the Birds (Farid Ud-Din Attar)The Secret of Secrets (Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani)Rab'ia of Basra: Selected PoemsI Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy (Hafez) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In medieval Persia, in the land of Khorasan, a tale would be told of the seven valleys one needed to pass through to reach illumination. The poets and mystics in these ancient times enlightened the uninitiated into the secret ways of the soul. In these times several extraordinary men and women lay down a map that each of us can still follow today to escape our self-hood’s vicious tyranny and set free our soul. It is a royal way and no mind can penetrate the sovereign whom we seek. The mystery of this unending state remains forever out of reach of the intellect. So you have to leave your mind behind on this journey. And that is what we do in this guided meditation. You will pass through the seven valleys of this mystical framework. At each one shed an aspect of mind so that by the end you are ready to witness the dazzling perfection of Truth. The inspiration for this guided meditation are the great Islamic masters like Rabi'a, Ibn 'Arabi, Qadir Gilani, Jalaluddin Rumi, and above all (in this meditation) Farid Ud-Din Attar. This is a 10 minute version.Background reading:The Conference of the Birds (Farid Ud-Din Attar)The Secret of Secrets (Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani)Rab'ia of Basra: Selected PoemsI Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy (Hafez) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Plotinus (204-270 CE) was one of the great philosophers and mystics of antiquity. Sharing many of the themes found in the writings of other ancient masters like his intellectual and spiritual forebearers Plato and Aristotle, he directly or indirectly had an enormous influence on later writers like St. Paul, Aquinas, Augustine, and Ibn 'Arabi. He regarded human's true nature as being something wholly different than the one composed of matter that most of us associate with our selves. Instead, he advocated for a conception of a self based on increasingly perfect levels existence. Through spiritual transcendence he believed we could reach these perfect dimensions of consciousness. One of his most powerful metaphors to explain the nature of human beings is that of the mirror. And that is what this one hour version of the Plotinus' Mirror uses to help you reach these higher levels of consciousness. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ancient master Plotinus (204-270 CE) was one of the great philosophers and mystics of antiquity. Profoundly influenced by earlier masters like Plato and Aristotle, he directly or indirectly had an enormous impact on writers for centuries to come such as Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and the great Ibn 'Arabi. He regarded human's true nature as being something wholly different than the one composed of matter that most of us associate with our selves. Instead, he advocated for a conception of a self having nothing to do with our physical forms and mental fabrications. Instead, he asked us to focus on an ephemeral conception of the self. Through spiritual transcendence he believed we could reach the perfect manifestation of ourselves. To explain the nature of human beings in his conception he frequently used the metaphor of a mirror. And that is what this 45 minute version of the Plotinus' Mirror uses to help you reach these higher levels of consciousness that he wrote of so long ago. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ancient master Plotinus (204-270 CE) looms large among the mystics of antiquity. Earlier masters like Plato and Aristotle informed his thinking but Plotinus took it in a more spiritual direction, thereby influencing later giants such as Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and the great Ibn 'Arabi. He regarded human's true nature as being fundamentally different than the physical stuff that most of us associate with our selves. Instead, he advocated for a conception of a self having nothing to do with our physical forms and mental fabrications. Through spiritual transcendence he believed we could regain contact with the perfect within ourselves. To explain the nature of human beings he frequently used the metaphor of a mirror. And that is the imgage that this 30 minute version of the Plotinus' Mirror uses to help you reach these higher levels of consciousness that he wrote of so long ago. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ancient mystic Plotinus (204-270 CE) regarded human's true nature as being fundamentally different than the physical stuff that most of us associate with our selves. Instead, he advocated for a conception of a self having nothing to do with our physical forms and mental fabrications. Through spiritual transcendence he believed we could regain contact with the perfect within ourselves. To explain the nature of human beings he frequently used the metaphor of a mirror. And that is the imgage that this 30 minute version of the Plotinus' Mirror uses to help you reach these higher levels of consciousness that he wrote of so long ago. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this guided meditation you will take advantage of the Neoplatonic mystic Plotinus' (205-270 CE) ancient methods of understanding your true self. One of the last great philosophers of the Roman world, his influence on philosophy and mysticism throughout the centuries since his time is immeasurable. We will be using his metaphorical mirror as the inspiration for this short 10 minute version of the Plotinus' Mirror guided meditation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In St. Augustine's words: "And being thence warned to return to myself, I entered into my inward self, .... And I entered, and with the eye of my soul (such as it was) saw above the same eye of my soul, above my mind, the Unchangeable Light. Not this common light, which all flesh may look upon, nor, as it were, a greater one of the same kind, as though the brightness of this should be much more resplendent, and with its greatness fill up all things. Not like this was that light, but different, yea, very different from all these. Nor was it above my mind as oil is above water, nor as heaven above earth; but above it was, because it made me, and I below it, because I was made by it. He who knows the Truth knows that Light; and he that knows it knows eternity. Love knows it. O Eternal Truth, and true Love, and loved Eternity! You are my God; to You do I sigh both night and day." Confessions, Book VII, Chapter XHow do you touch this light or love yourself? How do you bring a consciousness of who we really are to the fore? And can you touch this truth, experiencing it directly yourself, if you don't believe in "God"? Indeed you can! Medieval Masters like Hafez and Augustine shared a way of accessing these truths and their words are the source of inspiration for this 60 minute version of the "Tethered Falcon" guided meditation. (Pro-tip: cover your eyes with your right hand during the covered falcon / darkness parts of the meditation) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

That there is a greater infinitude which we might call light or love, and that we are a small part of this light or love is one of the core messages from the great masters. But how do we touch that? How do we bring a consciousness of who we really are to the fore? And can we touch this truth, experiencing it directly ourselves, if we don't believe in "God"? Medieval Masters like Hafez and Augustine shared a way of accessing these truths and their words are the source of inspiration for this 45 minute version of the "Tethered Falcon" guided meditation.  (Pro-tip: cover your eyes with your right hand during the covered falcon / darkness parts of the meditation) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The importance of love and light as the essential element of our being is one of the core messages from the great masters. But how do we touch that? How do we bring a consciousness of who we really are to the fore? And can we touch this truth, experiencing it directly ourselves, if we don't believe in "God"? Medieval Masters like Hafez and Augustine shared a way of accessing these truths that the religious and non religious alike can utilize. Their words are the source of inspiration for this 30 minute version of the "Tethered Falcon" guided meditation.  (Pro-tip: cover your eyes with your right hand during the covered falcon / darkness parts of the meditation)In St. Augustine's words: "And being thence warned to return to myself, I entered into my inward self, Thou leading me on; and I was able to do it, for You had become my helper. And I entered, and with the eye of my soul (such as it was) saw above the same eye of my soul, above my mind, the Unchangeable Light. Not this common light, which all flesh may look upon, nor, as it were, a greater one of the same kind, as though the brightness of this should be much more resplendent, and with its greatness fill up all things. Not like this was that light, but different, yea, very different from all these. Nor was it above my mind as oil is above water, nor as heaven above earth; but above it was, because it made me, and I below it, because I was made by it. He who knows the Truth knows that Light; and he that knows it knows eternity. Love knows it. O Eternal Truth, and true Love, and loved Eternity! You are my God; to You do I sigh both night and day." Confessions, Book VII, Chapter X See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

That there is a greater infinitude that we are a small part of is one of the core messages from the great masters. But how to we touch that? How do we bring a consciousness of who we really are to the fore? And can we touch this truth, experiencing it directly ourselves, if we don't believe in "God"? Medieval Masters like Hafez and Augustine shared a way of accessing these truths and their words are the source of inspiration for this 20 minute version of the "Tethered Falcon" guided meditation.  (Pro-tip: cover your eyes with your right hand during the covered falcon / darkness parts of the meditation) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The great masters of old taught that you are not who you think you are. You are not our mind or your thoughts or your body nor any combination of those things. Whether you agree with that statement or not, for the purposes of this exercise, I want you to assume they are right for a few moments. This body of yours is not the whole picture. There is a greater infinitude that you are a small part of. But how tdo you touch that? How do you bring a consciousness of who you really are to the fore? Medieval Masters like Hafez and Augustine are the source of inspiration for this 10 minute version of the "Tethered Falcon" guided meditation.  (Pro-tip: cover your eyes with your right hand during the covered falcon / darkness parts of the meditation) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This 60 minute version of the Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness guided meditation stands on its own but should you care to, you can take it to the next level by using as a Chakra meditation. There are seven (or eight, depending on the system) centers or wheels that anchor your so-called "energetic" body. The three lower wheels of energy, or Chakras, align with the base of your spine, your belly button (roughly) and your solar plexus, respectively. Your fourth Chakra is pivot or bridge to your higher self. This higher self can be separated out, like the lower self, into three energy centers as represented by the fourth, fifth and sixth Chakras. Though the Chakras aren't mentioned explicitly in this guided meditation, you can use to activate your 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Chakras.The Chakras each have their corresponding sensibility: The 4th Chakra (Anahata or Heart Chakra) is located in the center of your chest and is associated with a deep sense of peace. Associated with your intuition, it is the bridge to your higher self as represented by the 5th, 6th and 7th Chakras. The 5th Chakra (Visuddha or Throat Chakra) aligns with the center of your neck and is accompanied with a feeling of being in harmony with the universe. The 6th Chakra (Ajna or Third Eye Chakra) lies in the center of your forehead and, when opened, gives you visibility into your unity or union with infinity. The 7th Chakra (Sahasrara or Crown Chakra) sits at the top of your head and denotes your oneness with Love. This meditation will guide you through the activation and opening of each of these upper Chakras. To use it in this way, when you hear "Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness" visualize your heart, your throat area, your forehead, and the crown of your head, respectively. Peace = Heart Harmony = Throat Unity = Forehead Oneness = Crown of Head See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are seven (or eight, depending on the system) centers or wheels that anchor your so-called "energetic" body. The three lower wheels of energy, or Chakras, align with the base of your spine, your belly button (roughly) and your solar plexus, respectively. Your fourth Chakra is pivot or bridge to your higher self. This higher self can be separated out, like the lower self, into three energy centers as represented by the fourth, fifth and sixth Chakras. Though the Chakras aren't mentioned explicitly in this guided meditation, you can use this 45 minute version of the Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness guided meditation to activate your 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Chakras.The Chakras each have their corresponding sensibility: The 4th Chakra (Anahata or Heart Chakra) is located in the center of your chest and is associated with a deep sense of peace. Associated with your intuition, it is the bridge to your higher self as represented by the 5th, 6th and 7th Chakras. The 5th Chakra (Visuddha or Throat Chakra) aligns with the center of your neck and is accompanied with a feeling of being in harmony with the universe. The 6th Chakra (Ajna or Third Eye Chakra) lies in the center of your forehead and, when opened, gives you visibility into your unity or union with infinity. The 7th Chakra (Sahasrara or Crown Chakra) sits at the top of your head and denotes your oneness with Love. This meditation will guide you through the activation and opening of each of these upper Chakras. To use it in this way, when you hear "Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness" visualize your heart, your throat area, your forehead, and the crown of your head, respectively. Peace = Heart Harmony = Throat Unity = Forehead Oneness = Crown of Head See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You have a lower self and a higher self. This can best be sensed by opening your consciousness to your energetic body. There are seven (or eight, depending on the system) centers or wheels that anchor your energetic body. The three lower wheels of energy, or Chakras, align with the base of your spine, your belly button (roughly) and your solar plexus. Your fourth Chakra is a kind of pivot or bridge to your higher self which is represented by the fourth, fifth and sixth Chakras. Though the Chakras aren't mentioned explicitly in this guided meditation it is a powerful addition to this 30 minute version of the Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness guided meditation to use it to activate your 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Chakras. Keep the following associations in mind as the meditation unfolds: The 4th Chakra (Anahata or Heart Chakra) is located in the center of your chest and is associated with a deep sense of peace. Associated with your intuition, it is the bridge to your higher self as represented by the 5th, 6th and 7th Chakras. The 5th Chakra (Visuddha or Throat Chakra) aligns with the center of your neck and is accompanied with a feeling of being in harmony with the universe. The 6th Chakra (Ajna or Third Eye Chakra) lies in the center of your forehead and, when opened, gives you visibility into your unity or union with infinity. The 7th Chakra (Sahasrara or Crown Chakra) sits at the top of your head and denotes your oneness with Love. This meditation will guide you through the activation and opening of each of these upper Chakras. To use it in this way, when you hear "Peace, Harmony, Unity, Oneness" visualize your heart, your throat area, your forehead, and the crown of your head, respectively. Peace = Heart Harmony = Throat Unity = Forehead Oneness = Crown of Head See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.