I ran into a series of limitations of what I could do on Blogger. I trial reset up the blog on two other free blog sites -- each had their own limitations. I was encouraged to set up on my own domain and use a fully expanded Word Press, not just the free wordpress.com version. I have moved everything over to Validating Michael. I've not tweaked my last tweak, but it's fully operational and continuity has been preserved.
I've previously owned my own domains, had websites, and worked in web hosting tech support before my job was sent to the Philippines. I'm stuck with having a fussy streak, experimental flashes, and wanting to do it MY waaaaaay. As much as I enjoy research and expository writing, it's not enough creativity in its own right to maintain my interest. I need something with color to tweak!
See you on the far side. :)
Geraldine
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Validating through One's Diet
I'd like to consider a different perspective on the entire issue of validation. The truth is we are lacking validating skills for the most part, especially the intellectually-centered ones. We adopt ideas and habits that we think will make us feel good, regardless of their genuine value, or whether or not they actually do make us feel good. Modern dietary habits would be a case in point. Once someone slides into belief and/or habitual behavior, it becomes unquestioning for the most part. Therein lies the real problem, unquestioning acceptance--the inability to notice small details, the glossing over of uncomfortable oppositional truths, the ramping up of whatever mantra that's running that fairly major personal truth in a person's life. This is where sacred cows are substituted for validation.
Every person who might eventually read this blog has some strong beliefs about their dietary practices. They might be omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, organic foodstuffs, whole grains, fast food eaters, take-out fans, or a mix and match of all of the above. Add in the comfort foods of childhood, ethnic heritages, and family feasting, and there is substantial room for some strong opinions and some baseline hypocrisies. Oh, and let's not forget the nearly constant barrage of advertising aimed at getting us to eat inappropriately, where every meal eaten out is a festive occasion of love and happiness, and all the rules of one's daily life can be set aside. Frankly, I find those tempting commericals for Olive Garden, Chili's, TGIFs, etc., to be more troublesome than the daily onslaught of hamburgers and french fries--as they are aimed at personality issues of aloneness, depression, and feeling unloved. But they all emphasize and equate eating in abundance with others as being the cure.
I would hazard a guess that only one or two out of a hundred people who might read this could state unequivocally that they're happy with how they look and are comfortable with their dietary practices. Food doesn't drive them. Oh, that number is too high? You get my point. And, I've not even touched on the food allergies that afflict so many, or the health issues, such as diabetes, or the various eating disorders. And, we all are aware of the growing issue of obesity.
Yet, how many have taken the time to really do in-depth nutritional research? How many really know what calories are and how various food items are utilized by the body? How many have researched the sites that give all of the nutritional breakdowns of the various fastfood or chain restaurant menus? How many have looked into food supplements as a way of modifying their diets? How many have researched the differences in nutritional value of organic versus standard commerically grown? The price difference? How many have been able to label within their minds certain foods as being toxic with a skull and crossbones symbol?
In other words, how many have really taken the time to validate food and what role it plays in their lives? Vegans are the most likely to have researched in depth as theirs is a fully conscious lifestyle choice and requires multiple minor choices on a daily basis, label reading, and careful nutrition balancing. I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of readers are in some mid-point of validating their diet. Most have moved beyond unthinking eating anything they want, whenever they want, and in any quantity they want--some of the time.
But, the one thing that everyone needs to learn is that you have been lied to, systematically, and with deliberate intent, primarily due to a profit motive for most of your life about food. While any number of dietary changes have been implemented due to the results of long or ongoing studies which have given us better scientific data to supplant previously assumed facts, these have been far smaller and of less impact than the constantly increasing commercialization of the world's food and nutrition. Whether it's at the level of growing it with the use of pesticides and fertilizers, patenting of seeds, to human growth hormones added to all livestock feeds, to the depletion of natural minerals and soil nutrients due to over exploitation of the soil itself, all the way up to adding sugar in some form to nearly all processed foods because of its addictive qualities, to creating menu items that lack nearly all nutritional value (such as soda pop, french fries, or blooming onions).
In the Euro-centric "western" world, we've changed our dietary habits from just a century ago where one indulged in festival foods once or twice a year to it becoming a standard to include dessert at the end of every supper and to where now one feels entitled to something sweet and dessert-like several times a day as a snack, and maybe a super-loaded sugary espresso coffee drink, and of course salted snacks as a meal accompaniment. We've doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled our serving sizes for protein on a daily basis, and have increased our carbohydrate food items accordingly, i.e., the sandwich in some form. Where only the very wealthy knew about deep fat frying for a long time, it gradually crept into our consciousness at the beach or at the fair, until it was offered daily in many regions or locales. It became part of the regional cooking style of the south. Naturally, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancers have skyrocketed. Asia has been rushing to catch up during the past 20-30 years.
The very human primal need to have enough food to survive and thrive has quickly become twisted and warped because few have been paying attention and validating the difference between need and want. The very individual primal need of being loved is smothered in a gravy of wants: the want to feel good, to be self-indulgent, to reward, to console, to impress, and so it goes -- all of it hiding the true need of self-like or love. None of it accomplishing the true need. To validate anything, one must start with a long look within.
Every person who might eventually read this blog has some strong beliefs about their dietary practices. They might be omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, organic foodstuffs, whole grains, fast food eaters, take-out fans, or a mix and match of all of the above. Add in the comfort foods of childhood, ethnic heritages, and family feasting, and there is substantial room for some strong opinions and some baseline hypocrisies. Oh, and let's not forget the nearly constant barrage of advertising aimed at getting us to eat inappropriately, where every meal eaten out is a festive occasion of love and happiness, and all the rules of one's daily life can be set aside. Frankly, I find those tempting commericals for Olive Garden, Chili's, TGIFs, etc., to be more troublesome than the daily onslaught of hamburgers and french fries--as they are aimed at personality issues of aloneness, depression, and feeling unloved. But they all emphasize and equate eating in abundance with others as being the cure.
I would hazard a guess that only one or two out of a hundred people who might read this could state unequivocally that they're happy with how they look and are comfortable with their dietary practices. Food doesn't drive them. Oh, that number is too high? You get my point. And, I've not even touched on the food allergies that afflict so many, or the health issues, such as diabetes, or the various eating disorders. And, we all are aware of the growing issue of obesity.
Yet, how many have taken the time to really do in-depth nutritional research? How many really know what calories are and how various food items are utilized by the body? How many have researched the sites that give all of the nutritional breakdowns of the various fastfood or chain restaurant menus? How many have looked into food supplements as a way of modifying their diets? How many have researched the differences in nutritional value of organic versus standard commerically grown? The price difference? How many have been able to label within their minds certain foods as being toxic with a skull and crossbones symbol?
In other words, how many have really taken the time to validate food and what role it plays in their lives? Vegans are the most likely to have researched in depth as theirs is a fully conscious lifestyle choice and requires multiple minor choices on a daily basis, label reading, and careful nutrition balancing. I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of readers are in some mid-point of validating their diet. Most have moved beyond unthinking eating anything they want, whenever they want, and in any quantity they want--some of the time.
But, the one thing that everyone needs to learn is that you have been lied to, systematically, and with deliberate intent, primarily due to a profit motive for most of your life about food. While any number of dietary changes have been implemented due to the results of long or ongoing studies which have given us better scientific data to supplant previously assumed facts, these have been far smaller and of less impact than the constantly increasing commercialization of the world's food and nutrition. Whether it's at the level of growing it with the use of pesticides and fertilizers, patenting of seeds, to human growth hormones added to all livestock feeds, to the depletion of natural minerals and soil nutrients due to over exploitation of the soil itself, all the way up to adding sugar in some form to nearly all processed foods because of its addictive qualities, to creating menu items that lack nearly all nutritional value (such as soda pop, french fries, or blooming onions).
In the Euro-centric "western" world, we've changed our dietary habits from just a century ago where one indulged in festival foods once or twice a year to it becoming a standard to include dessert at the end of every supper and to where now one feels entitled to something sweet and dessert-like several times a day as a snack, and maybe a super-loaded sugary espresso coffee drink, and of course salted snacks as a meal accompaniment. We've doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled our serving sizes for protein on a daily basis, and have increased our carbohydrate food items accordingly, i.e., the sandwich in some form. Where only the very wealthy knew about deep fat frying for a long time, it gradually crept into our consciousness at the beach or at the fair, until it was offered daily in many regions or locales. It became part of the regional cooking style of the south. Naturally, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancers have skyrocketed. Asia has been rushing to catch up during the past 20-30 years.
The very human primal need to have enough food to survive and thrive has quickly become twisted and warped because few have been paying attention and validating the difference between need and want. The very individual primal need of being loved is smothered in a gravy of wants: the want to feel good, to be self-indulgent, to reward, to console, to impress, and so it goes -- all of it hiding the true need of self-like or love. None of it accomplishing the true need. To validate anything, one must start with a long look within.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Michael's Sacred Cows
A sacred cow is something which is immune to criticism by virtue of its generally accepted high status or self-evident truth. All sacred cows arise due to enculturating and imprinting. None of us are immune to having a few sacred cows within our thinking. As it would apply within the Michael Teachings, generally the "original group" or CQY group are considered sacred cows for being the first to publish Michael during this generation; whenever someone feels pressed to give an authoritative or orthodox answer, a quote from MFM is hauled out. Generally, most channels are considered sacred cows and off limits to overt scrutiny and critical examination, especially in a public forum.
Oddly enough, few know WHO any of the channels have been over the years for the original group. Yarbro isn't a channel. Most know the name of Sarah Chambers, but she left the group prior to her death and started up her own group. There have been other channels in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been loosely involved with the group and gone on to form their own organizations. There is a patina of purity applied to their work because of locale and possible maybe loose affiliation--having once KNOWN someone who knew someone works. There are rumors on the evening breeze of disaffiliations and strongly-divided differences of opinion, but there is nothing quite like the mutually agreed upon veil of secrecy to give a more blended public image.
While Yarbro has gone to great lengths to organize and edit the Michael materials from one book to the next, there are still discrepancies that have managed to creep in. There are definite discrepancies between the books and later channels. The advent of the internet has really made cohesive solidarity an impossibility. Stuff gets published and passed along. There have been public channelings for the past 10 years where transcripts have been posted to the net. There is even a fairly large file of unedited original channeling sessions from the first couple of years, pre-Yarbro, floating around.
In a sense, the Michael Community is going through something quite similar to what the early Christian church did as the teachings spread, documents were written and copied, and different people applied different emphases to what the "message of Christ" had been, and meanwhile there was an organized attempt for an orthodox or authoritative viewpoint. Meanwhile, all channels are seeking the exact same patina of authority, no matter how far from the core Michael Teachings they stray, and as long as they continue to periodically quote MFM to prove their authority, most go along with it. And, in the long run, it really is just another aspect of "It's all choice," and some very loose validating.
Personally, I don't think there will ever be a truly authoritative version of Michael. Each person will have to validate according to their needs and beliefs, their other sacred cows, and adopt those things that make the most sense to themselves. Validating methods will always be widely separated by the three primary centers, and those who are intellectually centered will need different methods of validation than those who are emotionally center, or moving centered. Truth, love, and energy will continue to play their parts in how validation occurs.
Oddly enough, few know WHO any of the channels have been over the years for the original group. Yarbro isn't a channel. Most know the name of Sarah Chambers, but she left the group prior to her death and started up her own group. There have been other channels in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been loosely involved with the group and gone on to form their own organizations. There is a patina of purity applied to their work because of locale and possible maybe loose affiliation--having once KNOWN someone who knew someone works. There are rumors on the evening breeze of disaffiliations and strongly-divided differences of opinion, but there is nothing quite like the mutually agreed upon veil of secrecy to give a more blended public image.
While Yarbro has gone to great lengths to organize and edit the Michael materials from one book to the next, there are still discrepancies that have managed to creep in. There are definite discrepancies between the books and later channels. The advent of the internet has really made cohesive solidarity an impossibility. Stuff gets published and passed along. There have been public channelings for the past 10 years where transcripts have been posted to the net. There is even a fairly large file of unedited original channeling sessions from the first couple of years, pre-Yarbro, floating around.
In a sense, the Michael Community is going through something quite similar to what the early Christian church did as the teachings spread, documents were written and copied, and different people applied different emphases to what the "message of Christ" had been, and meanwhile there was an organized attempt for an orthodox or authoritative viewpoint. Meanwhile, all channels are seeking the exact same patina of authority, no matter how far from the core Michael Teachings they stray, and as long as they continue to periodically quote MFM to prove their authority, most go along with it. And, in the long run, it really is just another aspect of "It's all choice," and some very loose validating.
Personally, I don't think there will ever be a truly authoritative version of Michael. Each person will have to validate according to their needs and beliefs, their other sacred cows, and adopt those things that make the most sense to themselves. Validating methods will always be widely separated by the three primary centers, and those who are intellectually centered will need different methods of validation than those who are emotionally center, or moving centered. Truth, love, and energy will continue to play their parts in how validation occurs.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Validating Unusual Claims
One of the strangest stories to emerge from the recent East Coast Michael Students Gathering in WV was reported to me by two attendees. This type of thing is the heart and soul of why everyone needs to validate -- if it goes against everything else that Michael has said, it's likely simply not true and shouldn't be carried around like a trophy. One student is claiming that one of the well-known channels has said that their body is hosting a full cadence of 7 essences all in one incarnation AND that all 7 roles are represented.
I've heard of walk-ins, which are rare, one fragment exits and another enters and takes over the fully developed body. . .and THAT takes 7 years to adapt and adjust to as the new fragment has to try and decode memories locked in a brain. Even when all of the energy of one Cadre manifests into a body, the previous fragment walks-out, and the energy is so strong that it burns the body out within about a month. I've heard of Cadences which might have several roles, but all 7? A cadence is just one row within a block of an entity. It tends to be 7 of the same role with different casting for each due to their column.
The need to be special rather than just unique is driven by the engines of ego, Maya, and false personality. If something sounds too good to be true and/or is at odds with the rest of the teachings, it needs to be questioned stringently. Of course, there is always the possibility that desire and delusion have taken over and it is up to others to apply validating practices before believing too quickly.
I've heard of walk-ins, which are rare, one fragment exits and another enters and takes over the fully developed body. . .and THAT takes 7 years to adapt and adjust to as the new fragment has to try and decode memories locked in a brain. Even when all of the energy of one Cadre manifests into a body, the previous fragment walks-out, and the energy is so strong that it burns the body out within about a month. I've heard of Cadences which might have several roles, but all 7? A cadence is just one row within a block of an entity. It tends to be 7 of the same role with different casting for each due to their column.
The need to be special rather than just unique is driven by the engines of ego, Maya, and false personality. If something sounds too good to be true and/or is at odds with the rest of the teachings, it needs to be questioned stringently. Of course, there is always the possibility that desire and delusion have taken over and it is up to others to apply validating practices before believing too quickly.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Validating through One's *I* Filter
When I went through the graduate library science program at the School of Library Information Sciences, Madison WI, a major emphasis focused on terminology and vocabulary -- how much it varied from person to person, based on combination of factors, such as age, gender, socio-economic background, cultural background, religious background, etc. Indexing and cataloging is based on it, as is collection development, and the Reference Desk must take it into consideration, as the next major rule was, "The question one asks from the universe of information is based on the knowledge one already possesses." It is up to the librarian to tune into that knowledge level and figure out what the patron wants to know.
Few patrons use language with much precision or dictionary-level of definitions. Slang dominates daily speech. Plus, one must factor in how in depth does the patron want to explore the topic? An obvious 6th or 7th grader most likely would be uninterested in a PhD candidate's dissertation on the topic of silk worm pheromones when researching for a class assignment on the life cycle of silk worms.
Studying Michael isn't a whole lot different, other than each student must jump in at approximately the same place, beginning knowledge level, unmastered terminology, imprecise use of definitions, other religious and spiritual teachings, and of course all of the differences listed above -- age, gender, cultural background, etc. It doesn't take long to figure out that Michael has some highly specific meanings for many of the words they use in overleaves, and throughout their teachings, that do not equate to whatever meaning any of us might have been using. Not all of these definitions have been given in a public manner likely to reach all students.
Meanings and terminology have a huge bearing on whether or not one can even begin to validate the material. There was sufficient controversy over some original word choices by the MFM group that the Role in Essence of Slave was changed to Server, and the Goal of Rejection was replaced by Discrimination. Few were willing to consider a set of teachings that listed them as a Slave for all of their incarnations. And Rejection was deemed too negative and judgmental to have as one's goal. There are more subtle nuances throughout the teachings, but it is imperative that each student eventually learn what Michael means for at least the definitions that most affects their own profile. If the definition is too "educated," learn more so that you can understand what it means.
Meanwhile, it's up to all students to work with the widest possible variety of terminology that gets used and work towards a median level of mutual understanding. There are students all over the world, some with English as a second language, some with a totally different set of slang words, from ages 18 to 90, from minimally educated to some with PhDs. Some have never read a single book or tract on the subject of spirituality and others have thrown off oppressive religions and cults. Each is attempting to validate Michael through the filter of what they already know.
Few patrons use language with much precision or dictionary-level of definitions. Slang dominates daily speech. Plus, one must factor in how in depth does the patron want to explore the topic? An obvious 6th or 7th grader most likely would be uninterested in a PhD candidate's dissertation on the topic of silk worm pheromones when researching for a class assignment on the life cycle of silk worms.
Studying Michael isn't a whole lot different, other than each student must jump in at approximately the same place, beginning knowledge level, unmastered terminology, imprecise use of definitions, other religious and spiritual teachings, and of course all of the differences listed above -- age, gender, cultural background, etc. It doesn't take long to figure out that Michael has some highly specific meanings for many of the words they use in overleaves, and throughout their teachings, that do not equate to whatever meaning any of us might have been using. Not all of these definitions have been given in a public manner likely to reach all students.
Meanings and terminology have a huge bearing on whether or not one can even begin to validate the material. There was sufficient controversy over some original word choices by the MFM group that the Role in Essence of Slave was changed to Server, and the Goal of Rejection was replaced by Discrimination. Few were willing to consider a set of teachings that listed them as a Slave for all of their incarnations. And Rejection was deemed too negative and judgmental to have as one's goal. There are more subtle nuances throughout the teachings, but it is imperative that each student eventually learn what Michael means for at least the definitions that most affects their own profile. If the definition is too "educated," learn more so that you can understand what it means.
Meanwhile, it's up to all students to work with the widest possible variety of terminology that gets used and work towards a median level of mutual understanding. There are students all over the world, some with English as a second language, some with a totally different set of slang words, from ages 18 to 90, from minimally educated to some with PhDs. Some have never read a single book or tract on the subject of spirituality and others have thrown off oppressive religions and cults. Each is attempting to validate Michael through the filter of what they already know.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Validating Prehistorical Infinite Souls
Last night I attempted to verify several things at one time via Michael Toth during the MT Live Chat (the transcript should be posted in its entirety in a week or so on MT website transcript page.) In other words, I was using questions through one channel to attempt to validate material from a different channel. Last November, I asked Michael through Troy Tolley about all of the previously mentioned, but never given by other channels, manifestations of pre-historical Infinite Souls and had received the following complete list of all Infinite Souls:
Naturally, most of these will never be validated as such. They are lost in the mists of time. I was using the term prehistorical as meaning pre-written record. So, the next best thing is to ask a different channel for information on the topic. See if they validate, clarify, or reject the basic topic.[MEntity] With approximate time frames -Ti'AT (female - 4,000,000 BCE),Khro'Te (male child - 2,000,000 BCE),Ker (female - 1,000,000 BCE),Sonad, Kin, Serep (brothers - 700,000 BCE),Tinet, TenTen, Tia (sisters - 500,000 BCE),Shia (female - 150,000 BCE),Kendre (female - 75,000 BCE),"Ra" (male - 6,000 BCE),"Krishna" (6,000 BCE)"Lilith" (female - 4,000 BCE),Lao Tzu (male - 500 BCE),
Geraldine] Hello, Michaels. I've previously asked about prehistorical Infinite Souls. Some were given that spanned back into millions of years. We've been told that the Infinite Soul manifests from an entire Cadre on the Causal. Yet, only one Energy Ring of 12 cadres has cycled off and several of these IS manifestations seem to predate the evolution of these cadres. Who or what was working to help evolving humans in these early years?
[Michael_Toth] Hello Geraldine. We can confirm what fragmentary influence a cadre has on the manifestation of an Infinite Soul. In regard to there being one known energy ring to supply fodder for incarnation and evolution. It is here that the critical knowledge of what transpires in this known universe is little known or thought of. At present there a a very large number of sentient creatures of reason species living out their lives throughout your star system referred to as the Milky Way Galaxy. As agreements are made between fragments on the physical plane to share notes from a class in literature or to point out the directions of the nearest washroom there are and have been many and numerous ways that other energy rings, other elements of the Tao, that come together and engage in the process of evolution in myriad ways. There are more entities, cadres, and so on involved in the evolution that has begun on earth. The information involves other cadres and rings that participated in this experience begun some two or three million years ago that you are now a part of. We understand the desire to complete a history of things on that scale. Suffice it to say that the entities most responsible for bringing similar truths about life, and incarnation bore names that would not be understandable by you in your languages today. These energies were not necessarily from the same line of fragmentation of the Tao that we were, but their experiences and the relativeness of their body types were similar enough that truth is truth.
[Geraldine] Thank you -- so even beginners have some help -- I like that :)
[Michael_Toth] The baton was passed, and as can often be the case in what must appear as chaos and chaotic there is still an orderliness. Time did not begin in regard to fragmentation of the Tao simply because this universe you are in began 14 billion years ago. The Tao is much older and so is evolution.One of the issues I'd had about validating Infinite Souls was resolved to my satisfaction. Plus, it expanded my awareness of just how big Tao is and that while we might view our existences through the very narrow filter of ego and *I*-consciousness, there is a whole lot more "out there" than we can imagine or that fits our science explorations at this time. Plus, it answered the question of "Who taught the first Energy Ring (and Michael)?"
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Pursuing Validation
As Terri Benning pointed out in her comment, not everyone CAN validate even the simplest of their overleaves because they lack sufficient knowledge, which will only come through time and experience. A 20-year old may just have passed through his 3rd Internal Monad (IM) and has a long way to go and a lot of living to reach the completion of his 4th Internal Monad -- generally another 20 years at least. For me, it was 40 more years.
As an explanation, the 4th IM is a major milestone is knowing oneself, of being in touch with who one really is versus all of the family imprinting loaded onto them throughout their youth, and all of the societal enculturation that gets layered on. It's a point of letting go of some of the baggage that one has been hauling around and accepting personal responsibility for one's life -- for all of the choices that one has made and is making. And, I agree that this type of self-knowledge is critical if one is going to validate one's private overleaves or even one's true overleaves; however, I accept what Michael has said about even knowing one's public overleaves can be beneficial.
Context is important; however, the attempt to validate is even more important. I'm not sure that most of us will ever truly validate most of what Michael says. With effort, we'll validate bits and pieces and get a huge list of questions we'd ask as followup to previous statements. Most of those answers would generate a new list of questions. At some point some of us simply accept a whole lot of what comes through as "it sounds about right, but I won't give it 100% agreement until I know more." However, many will just accept it unquestioningly and then run afoul when Michael gainsays some of their more cherished beliefs or when two or more channels bring through conflicting information.
There is huge pressure on humans to conform. All social groupings apply codes of behavior and beliefs onto its members, not all of which are in agreement with each other. The first group is the family, which applies not only individual beliefs based on experience and fears, but a hefty dose of what it interprets as the community's laws, mores, social structure, and religion. Once a child enters school, they are learning a dual set of rules -- one to conform with classmates and one to conform with teachers and administration. Peer group pressure will continue to expand its influence, and by teens, many young people are displaying behavior quite at odds with both family and school, and perhaps even their religious community. Depending on where one lives in the world, popular and commercial culture will be sending its messages, too. As one goes through post-high school education and work experience, additional layers are applied.
In short, very little that one "knows" upon entering the world as a young adult is derived from self-knowledge and genuine experience; nearly all of the accretions of knowledge come from outside and are not tested or validated for truth. Yet, they form the basis for each person's personal truths of what is right and wrong, and most border on unquestioning absolutism. Unfortunately, this also forms the basis for how one continues to learn -- accepting without question whatever each new authority figure expounds. The very real human need to form relationships and to belong allows for conformity to be the rule.
This is what becomes subject to gradual change over the decades between the 3rd IM and the 4th IM. As experience grows, personal truth changes if introspection is allowed. This is the process of learning to validate, at least in the context of one's own life. Piece by piece, step by step, truths are examined for continued value. Some are kept, some are let go, and some just hang on no matter what, such as one's Chief Negative Features.
As an explanation, the 4th IM is a major milestone is knowing oneself, of being in touch with who one really is versus all of the family imprinting loaded onto them throughout their youth, and all of the societal enculturation that gets layered on. It's a point of letting go of some of the baggage that one has been hauling around and accepting personal responsibility for one's life -- for all of the choices that one has made and is making. And, I agree that this type of self-knowledge is critical if one is going to validate one's private overleaves or even one's true overleaves; however, I accept what Michael has said about even knowing one's public overleaves can be beneficial.
Context is important; however, the attempt to validate is even more important. I'm not sure that most of us will ever truly validate most of what Michael says. With effort, we'll validate bits and pieces and get a huge list of questions we'd ask as followup to previous statements. Most of those answers would generate a new list of questions. At some point some of us simply accept a whole lot of what comes through as "it sounds about right, but I won't give it 100% agreement until I know more." However, many will just accept it unquestioningly and then run afoul when Michael gainsays some of their more cherished beliefs or when two or more channels bring through conflicting information.
There is huge pressure on humans to conform. All social groupings apply codes of behavior and beliefs onto its members, not all of which are in agreement with each other. The first group is the family, which applies not only individual beliefs based on experience and fears, but a hefty dose of what it interprets as the community's laws, mores, social structure, and religion. Once a child enters school, they are learning a dual set of rules -- one to conform with classmates and one to conform with teachers and administration. Peer group pressure will continue to expand its influence, and by teens, many young people are displaying behavior quite at odds with both family and school, and perhaps even their religious community. Depending on where one lives in the world, popular and commercial culture will be sending its messages, too. As one goes through post-high school education and work experience, additional layers are applied.
In short, very little that one "knows" upon entering the world as a young adult is derived from self-knowledge and genuine experience; nearly all of the accretions of knowledge come from outside and are not tested or validated for truth. Yet, they form the basis for each person's personal truths of what is right and wrong, and most border on unquestioning absolutism. Unfortunately, this also forms the basis for how one continues to learn -- accepting without question whatever each new authority figure expounds. The very real human need to form relationships and to belong allows for conformity to be the rule.
This is what becomes subject to gradual change over the decades between the 3rd IM and the 4th IM. As experience grows, personal truth changes if introspection is allowed. This is the process of learning to validate, at least in the context of one's own life. Piece by piece, step by step, truths are examined for continued value. Some are kept, some are let go, and some just hang on no matter what, such as one's Chief Negative Features.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Online Michael Resources
In addition to the links given with the authors and books, there are two primary sites: one that bills itself as the "official" Michael Teachings website and community, run by Dave Gregg, and the NING Truth, Love, and Energy social networking site run by Troy Tolley. One doesn't have to choose. Both have merit and should be utilized. The MT website has roots back to the late 90s and was originally started by Lori Tostado. One can access the website as it was then via the WayBackMachine. While Dave Gregg channels some written material, he does not channel in a direct interactive manner such as the three other channels currently associated with his website -- Shepherd Hoodwin, Nancy Gordon, and Michael Toth. Each have live chat events where channels will take questions from the audience -- check out each website for the information. Note: one must supply a photograph in advance if asking a personal question of the three on MT and none is required with Troy.
Emily Baumbach has her own website, Causalworks
Stephen J. Coccone has the Michael Teachings site..
Flight of the Hawk is the work of Victoria Marina-Tompkins. As you will quickly notice, her work is heavily flavored with shamanism. There are quite a few articles channeled from Michael by both Victoria and some from Sarah Chambers, who was with the original MFM group.
Michael Mosaics is the public site run by Terri Benning, who is also strongly influenced by shamanism--most of her current teaching work is in that vein.
Exerience Happiness is the relative newcomer to the Michael block as it only started up a couple of years ago. It's the only site run by someone who claims to channel Michael but has close to zero of the Michael Teachings or emphasis on it. It caused quite a stir when it first became public and Karen Murphy received the following of Michael:
And, this cast of characters as listed in the books article and this one comprise all of the better known Michael channels. All have feet of clay. None are worthy of blind following as though they have guru-like abilities. They don't. None of them have achieved a state anywhere close to what we might term enlightenment, if it were important. All are solidly human with bad habits, poor decision-making qualities, CFs -- primary and secondary, and a whole lot of negative poles. In short, they are as much a student as anyone else. Additionally, most are making their living off of their work; so, while this doesn't disqualify them from being considered objective, it does raise the possibility that they might pander to their clients on occasion.
There has been a conspiracy of silence for a long time. It's considered poor manners to question a channel's accuracy. But, beyond that, there has been a blind acceptance for just about anything that's deemed to be from Michael -- unquestioning acceptance, and from many of the others being channeled throughout the New Age Community. It's time we started attempting to validate, and if we can't validate, maybe we need to ask more questions and expand what is known on the topic. Non-validation doesn't mean outright rejection.
Emily Baumbach has her own website, Causalworks
Stephen J. Coccone has the Michael Teachings site..
Flight of the Hawk is the work of Victoria Marina-Tompkins. As you will quickly notice, her work is heavily flavored with shamanism. There are quite a few articles channeled from Michael by both Victoria and some from Sarah Chambers, who was with the original MFM group.
Michael Mosaics is the public site run by Terri Benning, who is also strongly influenced by shamanism--most of her current teaching work is in that vein.
Exerience Happiness is the relative newcomer to the Michael block as it only started up a couple of years ago. It's the only site run by someone who claims to channel Michael but has close to zero of the Michael Teachings or emphasis on it. It caused quite a stir when it first became public and Karen Murphy received the following of Michael:
We have expressed to you before many times about the fact that there is new material awaiting you. We have also said that we are available to anyone who asks. We would say that in this case, with this particular material, what is happening is that yes, we are being accessed and a certain amount of our energy if you will is being used, but the message is filtered through a set of expectations that cloud and direct the scope of our energy. We would say this occurs more frequently in more channels than you would suspect. It is often difficult, as you are aware, to maintain clarity when one as a channel holds certain expectations as to the material. In addition, many channels respond to the expectations held by the questioner or the recipient of the channeled material. As simplistic as the message being touted by these channels appears to be, we anticipate that it will in some ways touch a wider variety of people than has been the case in recent times, meaning the past 20-30 years. In other words, we anticipate a growth occurring in terms of the scope of our messages and the number of people affected by it. It is true that there is additional information being added in this case to our messages and there are those that object to this “desecration”, but understand that from our perception, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Each of you has of course the power to validate for yourselves information you come in contact with and we encourage you at all times to continue doing so.
Linda is a 4-level mature warrior, priest cast, scholar ET, artisan TC, goal of growth, mode of passion, attitude of realist, chief feature of arrogance and impatience. Emotionally centered, moving part.
And, lastly, one of the most controversial channels of the past couple of years: Karen Murphy, owner of Polaris Rising needs to be mentioned. It is definitely going to be up to the individual to validate for themselves who or what she is. She veered off from straight Michael work a few years ago and claims to be channeling a group of the three most renowned entities who have been channeled by others: Seth, Robert, and Michael, along with an unknown. Most recently, she claims that Polaris now consists of 7 Entities.Nancy is a 7th level mature scholar, artisan cast, server ET, artisan TC, goal of discrimination, mode of caution, attitude of pragmatist, intellectually centered/emotional part. CF is stubbornness/greed.
And, this cast of characters as listed in the books article and this one comprise all of the better known Michael channels. All have feet of clay. None are worthy of blind following as though they have guru-like abilities. They don't. None of them have achieved a state anywhere close to what we might term enlightenment, if it were important. All are solidly human with bad habits, poor decision-making qualities, CFs -- primary and secondary, and a whole lot of negative poles. In short, they are as much a student as anyone else. Additionally, most are making their living off of their work; so, while this doesn't disqualify them from being considered objective, it does raise the possibility that they might pander to their clients on occasion.
There has been a conspiracy of silence for a long time. It's considered poor manners to question a channel's accuracy. But, beyond that, there has been a blind acceptance for just about anything that's deemed to be from Michael -- unquestioning acceptance, and from many of the others being channeled throughout the New Age Community. It's time we started attempting to validate, and if we can't validate, maybe we need to ask more questions and expand what is known on the topic. Non-validation doesn't mean outright rejection.
Michael Teachings Books
1. The Michael Teachings began back in the early 1970s when a small group of friends in the San Francisco Bay Area were experimenting with a Ouija Board, and Michael, a causal plane entity, was the third contact to show up. The group, loosely referred to as the "Messages from Michael," or "original," or "CQY" for Chelsea Quinn Yarbro group has changed members over the years and remains quite exclusive and non-public. They've published four books: "Messages from Michael," "More Messages from Michael," "Michael's People," and "Michael for the Millennium." MFM and MMFM have booth been republished within the past year or so with both updates and a change from the original format which used ALL CAPS for Michael quotations and now uses the more conventional italicized type for quoted material. All of these books are available on Amazon in either new or used copies.
I consider MFM, MMFM, and MFTM to be pretty much "must reads" within the first few years of one's studying Michael. I don't consider them to be the definitive last word on all things Michael, but nonetheless, I do consider them essential to one's total knowledge base about Michael. Most of the other published books on Michael have relatively few direct quotes from Michael and there is a distinct flavor that comes through when reading unvarnished Michael. Caveat: Yarbro was not in the original group, but came in several years later, organized handwritten transcripts into a publishable book. Major changes and edits were made. None of the books can be considered "all-inclusive" of the teachings nor even completely pristine channelings. There are even quite a few statements that were contradicted by later in depth questioning of other channels.
The ongoing Michael caveat: At BEST only 80% of channeling is accurate. This will be discussed in depth later on.
Additional caveat: The original MFM group had strong ties to the Gurdjieff philosophical community and it definitely flavored their questions and what issues they pursued.
2. I think the next book that should be considered for purchase is the current edition of Barbara Taylor's "Concordance," updated in August 2009. Tracking niggling quotes becomes progressively more difficult the more you read. Trying to find something you know you read but cannot find becomes a frustrating chore. Few of the books are particularly well-organized or well-indexed.
3. Shepherd Hoodwin's "The Journey of Your Soul," is considered by many to be the defacto authoritative work on the teachings, and if you're only going to buy one book, I'd probably recommend it, even though it has its own flaws and discrepancies with the teachings. For example, Shepherd has a totally unique way of denoting one's casting. Also, his caveat on why there can be discrepancies between channels about profiles is pretty much bullshit when he claims that channeling changes the information on the Akashic. However, as you will tell from reading his "Channeling More Than Once," that discrepancies have been with the teachings for a long time. But, this is a much bigger topic and is foursquare part of the issue of validation; we'll be back to it.
Caveat: There is NO single authoritative source on the teachings.
4. Another well-known and often-published Michael channel is Jose Stevens. I own his "Transforming Your Dragons: Turning Personality Fear Patterns into Personal Power," "The Michael Handbook," and "Tao to Earth." I can think of no book that shows as clearly and cleanly what the Chief Negative Features or Obstacles are all about. They afflict all and his Dragons book definitely would give everyone insight into many of their more irrational personal behaviors.
Caveat: Stevens strongly flavors his Michael with other belief systems, such as shamanism, astrology, and even Eastern practices.
5. J.P. Van Hulle runs the Michael Educational Foundation website and business. She's co-authored "Michael: The Basic Teachings," and "The Personality Puzzle."
6. The last couple of slender volumes are Joya Pope's "The World According to Michael," and Emily Baumbach's much-quoted "Michael's Cast of Characters," a compilation of profiles of many famous and infamous historical, political, or entertainment people.
Next: Online Resources about Michael.
I consider MFM, MMFM, and MFTM to be pretty much "must reads" within the first few years of one's studying Michael. I don't consider them to be the definitive last word on all things Michael, but nonetheless, I do consider them essential to one's total knowledge base about Michael. Most of the other published books on Michael have relatively few direct quotes from Michael and there is a distinct flavor that comes through when reading unvarnished Michael. Caveat: Yarbro was not in the original group, but came in several years later, organized handwritten transcripts into a publishable book. Major changes and edits were made. None of the books can be considered "all-inclusive" of the teachings nor even completely pristine channelings. There are even quite a few statements that were contradicted by later in depth questioning of other channels.
The ongoing Michael caveat: At BEST only 80% of channeling is accurate. This will be discussed in depth later on.
Additional caveat: The original MFM group had strong ties to the Gurdjieff philosophical community and it definitely flavored their questions and what issues they pursued.
2. I think the next book that should be considered for purchase is the current edition of Barbara Taylor's "Concordance," updated in August 2009. Tracking niggling quotes becomes progressively more difficult the more you read. Trying to find something you know you read but cannot find becomes a frustrating chore. Few of the books are particularly well-organized or well-indexed.
3. Shepherd Hoodwin's "The Journey of Your Soul," is considered by many to be the defacto authoritative work on the teachings, and if you're only going to buy one book, I'd probably recommend it, even though it has its own flaws and discrepancies with the teachings. For example, Shepherd has a totally unique way of denoting one's casting. Also, his caveat on why there can be discrepancies between channels about profiles is pretty much bullshit when he claims that channeling changes the information on the Akashic. However, as you will tell from reading his "Channeling More Than Once," that discrepancies have been with the teachings for a long time. But, this is a much bigger topic and is foursquare part of the issue of validation; we'll be back to it.
Caveat: There is NO single authoritative source on the teachings.
4. Another well-known and often-published Michael channel is Jose Stevens. I own his "Transforming Your Dragons: Turning Personality Fear Patterns into Personal Power," "The Michael Handbook," and "Tao to Earth." I can think of no book that shows as clearly and cleanly what the Chief Negative Features or Obstacles are all about. They afflict all and his Dragons book definitely would give everyone insight into many of their more irrational personal behaviors.
Caveat: Stevens strongly flavors his Michael with other belief systems, such as shamanism, astrology, and even Eastern practices.
5. J.P. Van Hulle runs the Michael Educational Foundation website and business. She's co-authored "Michael: The Basic Teachings," and "The Personality Puzzle."
6. The last couple of slender volumes are Joya Pope's "The World According to Michael," and Emily Baumbach's much-quoted "Michael's Cast of Characters," a compilation of profiles of many famous and infamous historical, political, or entertainment people.
Next: Online Resources about Michael.
The beginning is now.
Over the past few years, I've been participating on several Michael Teachings Yahoo Group Lists, in IRC chats, and as a member in a couple of NING social networking groups. As my own knowledge about Michael has solidified via reading most of the available published MT books, various internet sites, participating in discussions, self-introspection, and through personal validation, I have become increasingly uncomfortable voicing my opinions in the venues open to me. The Michael Community, as we like to characterize ourselves, isn't really all that cohesive or in agreement on any number of topics, most especially whether or not the latest channeling is accurate or to be believed. Even though we're repeatedly told to validate, it's a whole lot like being the small boy who shouted, "The Emperor is naked!" and then being hustled out of the ceremony for being obstreperous and troublesome.
What IS the online Michael Community? It's a series of groups centered around one or two channels in each who purport to channel the Michael Entity from the Causal plane that have a web or internet presence. There are more groups and channels who have yet to create a web presence. Many of the beginning students are totally unaware of the other groups for quite awhile. Many of the longer term students drift back and forth between a couple of them. And still others become loyal followers of one channel in particular to the exclusion of all others. Some channels only have a web presence as a marketing device and rarely publish anything of note that is "free."
Do all Michael channels pretty much say the same thing? Uh, not really. While most seem to be in agreement on the so-called basics of Michael's Essence and Personality dynamics, which I consider the true core teachings, there are differing levels of emphasis, and conflicts between profiles channeled by different channels, and one new channel who doesn't even pay any attention at all to the basics. Several others have really deviated off into shamanism and animal totems, which has virtually nothing in common with Michael's basics. One channel claims she is processing information from a group of 7 entities, one of which is Michael. The so-called "Original" group has been holding sessions for 30 years, published the 4 de-facto mainstay books of the teachings, but remains in top secret seclusion and refuses to participate in any public forum. . .and calls everyone else a fraud.
Additionally, none of the channels or students are especially "perfect" as human beings. They're all works in progress. Each has his or her own real life issues born of profile overleaves, agreements, internal and external monads, genetics, karma, social enculturation, varying degrees of abilities, choices, and last but not least good ole ego, Maya, and false personality. A sure fire set of circumstances for finger-pointing, denouncements, disagreements, and severed relationships. Welcome to the physical plane. It's called being human.
What IS the online Michael Community? It's a series of groups centered around one or two channels in each who purport to channel the Michael Entity from the Causal plane that have a web or internet presence. There are more groups and channels who have yet to create a web presence. Many of the beginning students are totally unaware of the other groups for quite awhile. Many of the longer term students drift back and forth between a couple of them. And still others become loyal followers of one channel in particular to the exclusion of all others. Some channels only have a web presence as a marketing device and rarely publish anything of note that is "free."
Do all Michael channels pretty much say the same thing? Uh, not really. While most seem to be in agreement on the so-called basics of Michael's Essence and Personality dynamics, which I consider the true core teachings, there are differing levels of emphasis, and conflicts between profiles channeled by different channels, and one new channel who doesn't even pay any attention at all to the basics. Several others have really deviated off into shamanism and animal totems, which has virtually nothing in common with Michael's basics. One channel claims she is processing information from a group of 7 entities, one of which is Michael. The so-called "Original" group has been holding sessions for 30 years, published the 4 de-facto mainstay books of the teachings, but remains in top secret seclusion and refuses to participate in any public forum. . .and calls everyone else a fraud.
Additionally, none of the channels or students are especially "perfect" as human beings. They're all works in progress. Each has his or her own real life issues born of profile overleaves, agreements, internal and external monads, genetics, karma, social enculturation, varying degrees of abilities, choices, and last but not least good ole ego, Maya, and false personality. A sure fire set of circumstances for finger-pointing, denouncements, disagreements, and severed relationships. Welcome to the physical plane. It's called being human.
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