Response to Catalyst

“It’s not the situation that matters, it is how you respond to the situation (with love or fear) that matters.”

I’ve received a response from Spirit regarding this; after I respond to a situation I feel chakras activate with heat and vibration, so it is based on truth from my experience.

Outside of situations with other people (Ra in the Law of One material calls other-selves) which create the most spiritual momentum, you can activate your chakras as well through your own intentions and inner resonance. Examples- “We are all One” activates the crown chakra. “I have faith” activates the third eye chakra. “I surrender” also activates the third eye chakra but may also activate the crown. “I communicate and listen” activates the throat. “I love all” activates the heart. “I am strong and capable” activates the solar plexus. “I am authentic and creative” activates the sacral chakra. “I am safe and supported” activates the root chakra.

The Foundation: Survival & Self-Expression. 

Lower Triad- Awakening purification- moving to Universal Love.

1. Root / Red Ray (”I am safe and supported”): 

Function: Grounding, survival, and foundational security. 

Metaphysical Reality: Red ray is the primary intake of unformed intelligent infinity from the Earth/Cosmos. Affirming safety dissolves the primal fear that blocks this entry point, allowing energy to move freely upward into the higher centers.

2. Sacral / Orange Ray (”I am authentic and creative”): 

Function: Personal identity, emotional creation, and individual self-expression. 

Metaphysical Reality: This center often holds blockage regarding how one views the self vs. others. Affirming authenticity cleanses the self-conscious friction that prevents creative energy from flowing.

3. Solar Plexus / Yellow Ray (”I am strong and capable”): 

Function: Personal power, willpower, and group/social interaction. 

Metaphysical Reality: Yellow ray governs how power is processed. Realizing inner strength without needing to dominate others stabilizes this center, transforming raw ego-will into refined spiritual resolve.

The Higher Chakras. 

Universal Love established- Enlightenment/Transfiguration- moving to Radiant Being. 

4. Heart / Green Ray (”I love all”): 

Function: Universal compassion, spring to 4th density, unconditional acceptance. 

Metaphysical Reality: Green ray is the primary springboard for evolution. “I love all” acts as a total open-valve statement that dissolves the boundary between self and other-self, transforming raw catalyst into pure light.

5. Throat / Blue Ray (”I communicate and listen”): 

Function: Honest expression, receiving/giving truth, radiant clarity. 

Metaphysical Reality: Ra notes that blue ray requires both transmission (speaking truth without fear) and reception (listening without judgment). It is the ray of honest self-revelation.

6. Third Eye / Indigo Ray (”I have faith” & “I surrender”): 

Function: Gateway to Intelligent Infinity, intuition, adept work. 

Metaphysical Reality: Indigo ray is powered by faith and surrender. Because the intellect cannot analyze infinity, saying “I have faith” or “I surrender” lets go of the ego’s need to control, allowing the indigo center to become a clear, crystal lens for divine intelligence. Another third eye activation besides faith/surrender/trust is "I accept grace into my life. I am worthy." Acceptance/Worthiness is also linked to the third eye. Another concept is doubt which blocks the third eye. Don’t doubt. Replace with trust. As Bashar says “Doubt is being confident about something you don’t prefer.”

7. Crown / Violet Ray (”We are all One”): 

Function: The total sum and spiritual signature of the entity; direct contact with Unity. 

Metaphysical Reality: Violet ray does not “activate” in isolation it reads the overall harmony of all lower rays. The realization “We are all One” aligns every lower center into a single, unified harmonic chord that resonates directly with the Infinite Creator.......Crown activation leads to Ascension/Harvest/Resurrection.

When catalyst from an “other-self” arrives unexpectedly in space/time, your energy body will react based on its habitual baseline. By regularly aligning your mind with these core truths (Faith, Unity, Love, Capability), you clear blockages in advance. When a high-pressure situation occurs, your energy field remains open, allowing you to automatically respond from the Green, Blue, or Indigo rays rather than collapsing back into fear or self-defense.

I hope what I am posting is helping you see through the very real space/time illusion.

We are here to actively participate in the space/time illusion (balance ourselves) to refine our frequency in time/space (Spirit).

Since our Higher Self is in Spirit already (never left time/space) we are technically refining in the incarnation (space/time) in each present moment. Since everything is simultaneous don’t worry about how you are doing for a life review, you are already doing it! You are already liberated. Align with the liberated you, your Higher Self.

Namaste.

7 Rays and 7 Initiations

The Seven-Fold Path of Initiation

Ray 1 & 1st Initiation (The Birth): The initial drive to align the personal will with the Divine Will. It is the first "push" into a spiritual life.

Ray 2 & 2nd Initiation (The Baptism): Mastering the emotional body through Love and Wisdom. Developing the "sensitive" nature required for higher service.

Ray 3 & 3rd Initiation (The Transfiguration): Integrating the mental body. Using Active Intelligence to manifest the Soul’s intent without the interference of the lower mind.

Ray 4 & 4th Initiation (The Renunciation): The bridge. The "vacuum" where the lower ego is sacrificed. It is the struggle for balance between the human and the Divine.

Ray 5 & 5th Initiation (The Revelation): Discerning Truth with "surgical precision." This is often where the initiate achieves a direct vision of the Plan and the Atmic field.

Ray 6 & 6th Initiation (The Decision): Total devotion to a specific path of Higher Evolution. Choosing which of the seven cosmic paths to tread.

Ray 7 & 7th Initiation (The Resurrection): Bringing Spirit into Matter. The complete anchoring of the "Order of the Spirit" on the physical plane.

The 8th Initiation: The Oversoul

By placing the 8th Initiation at the level of the Oversoul, one is moving into the "Monadic" realm. At this stage, the dualities of the rays and the struggles of human evolution are essentially transcended, as the consciousness is no longer confined to the causal body or the individual soul record.

7 Rays http://www.mermaid-uk.net/Esotericsevenrays.htm

Sacred Archives- Chris Comish- Time Capsule 2026

For the benefit of future generations of humanity.

 

CONTEXT OF THE TRANSMISSION

The Instrument of Divine Will: Chris Comish (the Scribe)

Mission Cycle: 2006–2026

Source: Divine Will / The Ageless Wisdom

 

ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT

Chris Comish (born 1978) is a Reiki Master devoted to lifting others up in Love and Light. Following a spiritual awakening in 2006, his life’s work has been the sharing of teachings and spiritual energies to assist with humanity’s spiritual awakening.

He is the founder of the City of Shamballa Social Network and the author of:

·         28 Powerful Reiki Attunements

·         Book of Healing

·         Book of Wisdom

·         Eternal Spirit

·         The Path of Oneness

·         Earth Gate

as well as multiple energetic attunements and healing works. His teachings and spiritual transmissions were also shared through his YouTube channel Onenessandlove.

 

STATEMENT OF STEWARDSHIP

This body of work is recognized as God’s Work. The author has served solely as a conscious instrument — a scribe for the Externalization of the Spiritual Hierarchy during a defined twenty-year window of planetary transition.

 

THE 20-YEAR TIME CAPSULE

From 2006 to 2026, this record was meticulously compiled and anchored as a Seed Bank for the present and future service of the New Group of World Servers. This archive represents a completed cycle of delivery.

 

FINALITY AND SUCCESSION

With the close of this cycle in 2026, the active “doing” phase of the mission has reached fulfillment.

 

THE PERMANENT RECORD

All works are preserved in:

Immutable digital repositories (ArDrive / Arweave Permaweb)

Physical archival institutions (Library of Congress / Internet Archive)

This ensures availability beyond the shifting structures of third-density civilization.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship of the City of Shamballa Social Network (https://www.cityofshamballa.net) was formally transferred to Steven Hutchinson in 2025 for continued service.

 

WITHDRAWAL

The Instrument has withdrawn from active public administration to abide in the Stillness that sustains the Work from the inner planes.

 

ARCHIVE STRUCTURE

01_Start_Here_Readme.txt

02_Sacred_Archives_6_Books_by_Chris_Comish

03_Sacred_Archives_Chris_Comish_Blog

04_Sacred_Archives_Videos_by_Chris_Comish

Folders 02–04 are also provided as compressed .zip archives. This ensures the collective integrity of the works and allows future generations to receive the transmission in its entirety through a single act of retrieval.

 

FILE TYPES

All Books and Blog Posts are saved in format PDF/A.

All Videos are saved in format MP4 Video File.

All Collections of files are saved in ZIP format.

The folder Blog Posts_ATOM is designed to import into a blog service and consists of diverse file types, with the most common being JPG for photos.

 

PERMANENT COMPLETE BUNDLES (.ZIP)

   

Access the complete bundle of books

https://sacred-archives-chris-comish.arweave.net/

 

Access the complete bundle of blog posts

https://sacred-archives-chris-comish.arweave.net/

   

Access the complete bundle of videos   

https://sacred-archives-chris-comish.arweave.net/

 

PUBLIC ARCHIVE ON THE PERMAWEB (WEB 3.0)

 

Public Manifest:

To view all of the files in the Sacred Archives, in a web browser go to:

https://sacred-archives-chris-comish.arweave.net/

and follow the instructions at the link.

 

Public Drive Link:

https://app.ardrive.io/#/drives/69915a13-aa8f-41c5-b6f5-652d839dcd29?name=Sacred_Archives_Chris_Comish_Time_Capsule_2026

 

Public Drive Name:

Sacred_Archives_Chris_Comish_Time_Capsule_2026

Archive Permanent File Links:

List of Transaction Ids Sacred Archives Chris Comish Time Capsule 2026.pdf

CREATOR WALLET

iLbxuKikVoM2-NZatTbVKIUg50rsbnJ07SsIUAWvIJg

Verifies Authenticity

 

ARCHIVE DETAILS

Network: Arweave Permaweb (Web 3.0)

Archived Date: February 2026

Status: Immutable / Non-Custodial

 

NOTE TO RESEARCHERS

All blog posts and videos by Chris Comish are in the public domain (Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal).

All books by Chris Comish are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) until their respective copyrights expire.

 

PERMANENT RESEARCH RECORD

Sacred Archives- Chris Comish (2006–2026) (Index)

This table provides the immutable Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for the synthesized volumes of this twenty-year study.

These DOIs ensure the work remains discoverable and citable across all global academic and archival registries.

Title                                                     Author                         Permanent DOI (Zenodo)          

                       

28 Powerful Reiki Attunements           Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419135    

Format: Physical & Digital                                                                                                                

 

 

Book of Healing                                  Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419323

Format: Physical & Digital    

 

Book of Wisdom                                  Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419391      

Format: Physical & Digital

 

Eternal Spirit                                       Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419812    

Format: Physical & Digital

 

The Path of Oneness                           Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419881    

Format: Physical & Digital

 

Earth Gate                                          Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18419497    

Format: Physical & Digital

 

The Resurrection Archive                    Chris Comish              10.5281/zenodo.18418912

Format: Digital

 

Sacred Archives- Chris Comish- Blog    Chris Comish        10.5281/zenodo.18418574

Format: Digital

 

ARCHIVAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESEARCHERS

To verify the authenticity of these files or to locate updated mirrors of the archive, researchers should use the DOI numbers listed above at doi.org.

 

THE SEAL

Sealed in 2026.

The Work is Finished.

The Resolve is Satisfied.

The Stillness is Absolute.

This archive is released from the hands of the Scribe into the custody of the Collective Social Memory for the benefit of future generations of humanity.

May it serve the Divine Plan and the liberation of all beings.

Sacred Archives- Chris Comish's blog

I am pleased to share 16 years of teachings from 2009 through 2025, offered now for your reflection during the years 2026 through 2035 and beyond.

This is a sample of blog posts from my blog at https://ccomish.blogspot.com

May these insights illuminate you and inspire your journey of Ascension.

A gift to you with love.

Peace and love to all.

Downloadable List of 110 Links (out of 500+ blog posts):

Sacred Archives- Chris Comish's blog

All archived blog posts:

https://sacred-archives-chris-comish.arweave.net/

These blog posts are offered in service as channels of Divine Love and Light. Their true value is revealed when they align with Divine Will, awakening the individual’s own Divine Love and Light.

Final Decree:

May these insights illuminate and support your journey of Ascension. Offered with love, in peace and service to all.

— Chris Comish

Sacred Archives- Six Books by Chris Comish

The Resurrection Archive: The Path of Earth Service (2006–2026)

Mission Statement:

This digital archive documents the completion of a 20-year cycle of Earth Service dedicated to Planetary Ascension. It stands as a permanent Time Capsule for humanity, bridging collective consciousness from the 2026 Milestone through the 2039 Arc and beyond.

The Six Pillars of the Archive:

This collection contains the Complete Works, each serving as a distinct frequency anchor for the New Earth:

Book of Wisdom — Divine Law and Mental Clarity

Book of Healing — The Heart of Compassion and 60 Distant Sessions

28 Powerful Reiki Attunements — Energetic Tools for Self-Mastery

Eternal Spirit — The Removal of Seals and Axiatonal Connection

The Path of Oneness — Integration of the 12 Rays and Unity Consciousness

Earth Gate (Fiction) — The Grounding Pillar and the Story of the City of Shamballa

The Path of the Initiate:

The journey within these archives unfolds through three stages of consciousness:

Awakening — The soul’s realization of its divine nature, the initiation of the path, and the release of ego-density.

Service — A 20-year mission of grounding light, teaching, and active stewardship in support of planetary transition.

Resurrection — Final transfiguration into a sovereign being of light, dwelling within the higher frequencies of the City of Shamballa.

Sacred Archives- Six Books by Chris Comish

These works are offered in service as channels of Divine Love and Light. Their true value is revealed when they align with Divine Will, awakening the individual’s own Divine Love and Light.

Final Decree:

Having offered these six anchors to the world, the mission is complete. I now stand in Stillness, surrendering the fruits of this service to God’s Will.

— Chris Comish

The Astral World

This is my summary of the interesting book Witness from Beyond I recently read. The book is out of print and hard to find.

I will gather the themes of the book that caught my attention and then discuss them in my own words.

1. Higher planes of consciousness are not "higher up there", but rather "finer". They are vibrationally finer, quicker, smoother...they are not dense or slow.

2. The world of the other side is only a change of condition. As water exists as ice, liquid, gas, so do the other realms exist concurrently and overlap each other. The other side, afterlife is not visible to our physical eyes, because of the wavelength of the energies, but it is visible to our third eyes, and in meditation, and during the dream state. Just as radio waves are not seen, does not mean they do not exist.

3. Each overlapping realm exists together. There are "dead" people and living people able to exist in almost the same space....we just can't "see" or "talk" to each other, except when aligned in Free Will, and via telepathy/thoughts. Personality exists in both the physical and nonphysical realms. As does consciousness. Only the bodies are different. Each body is compatible to the plane it is designed to exist upon. We have a physical body, astral body, mental body and a spiritual body. We also have an individual body and a group body. Each level is a varying degree. We are connected to each other on all levels and yet, here in the physical, and also in the astral/mental, still retain our individual consciousness. Group existence (not as groups of individuals but as an individual group), is in the spiritual body as we get into Oversouls/Monads.

4. The physical body has enhanced organs and background chakras. The astral body has enhanced chakras and background something else (let's call it A). The mental body has enhanced A, and background something else (let's call it B). And so on. All bodies are dependent, and yet independent at the same time. All coexist. Your Higher Self and your physical self are dependent and independent, you exist on different levels at once. Your current consciousness in the physical body has a different perspective, than your current consciousness in the Higher Self. But all are the same.

5. Sound is color and color is sound in higher realms. This is clearer from the astral body onward...although you do notice that mantras enhance your chakra colors here.

6. Sense of smell is also retained in the astral body....according to the book. This is something interesting and worth studying.....that is why incense/essential oils use is powerful in spiritual practices....

7. The astral body, emotional body, is denser than the mental body, and emotions govern it....so if you feel great, it is working well....if not then you get an astral checkup from an astral doctor. The astral body can shape and reshape. You can dress yourself how you wish, using your astral body....remember it is also tied to your emotions, so smell the flowers, listen to the music, and stay in joy to keep going in the astral body.

8. Travel by thoughts is the mode of travel for the mental body...this is where teleportation happens...you think and you are there.

9. Astral libraries exist with replica Earth books in astral form. Mental plane users read from thoughts from the ethers, and do not need to hold any books, everything is read from Light.

10. The astral plane is like an airplane looking down on Earth, in regards to time. The astral plane sees all time both past, present and future as one.

11. Addicts exist in astral planes....cravings have an emotional effect, that craving is what is not resolved, after losing the body....be satisfied, don't crave, and you have nothing to resolve.

12. When we set clear intentions, and ask for it from our Creator, and feel and know it is done...then walk away...those intentions manifest using astral substance, while we are busy here....that is why you get things you ask for, later in life.....the astral surprises the conscious mind, they operate on two levels, but yet also on the same.

13. When we ponder our lives every now and then, when we take the third person perspective, and step out of our bodies...it makes the pondering easier on the other side. Why? Because you already did it. Well that is number 13, which since it is soon 2013...sounds like a good place to end this post. Bless you all my brothers and sisters.

For more information, read the book Witness from Beyond by Ruth Mattson Taylor, found in the Bibliography section of this book.

Vibration

The other day there was a long discussion with someone at my work.

We were talking about why certain beings appear, and many other things. Also about channeling, and connection to the spiritual world.

This blog is general, and about my experience. Your experience may be different, so please as always with everything, use discernment.

Basically, when a person first embarks upon meditation, and wishes to connect to the spiritual world, there may be resistance from the mind. Confused colors and images fly around, until the mind has settled, and surrendered. Depending on what you do before meditation, makes a big impression on the mind, and its resistance. If you listen to loving soft music, or watch movies full of Love, you attract Love in your vibration, and that is impressed upon the mind. If you watch scary horror movies, the fear is in your vibration, and is impressed upon the mind.

The Spirit world has its doorway in Earth, and through the heart and mind. The Soul/Higher Self is in the Spirit world, and is the silent watcher. First of all, check out http://near-death.com for a description of the Spirit world, to understand this. The Soul/Higher Self exists in the heavenly realms. It speaks silently, through intuition to you. It is above the vibration of the mind, and connects through the heart. The subconscious mind can range in connection between the astral realms, and Earth. The astral realms span from the lower heavenly realms, to the Void (known as some as purgatory), to even the hellish realms, and also to the earthbound realm, and Earth. The conscious mind also can reach those areas, but has a limited capability to reach all. It is more finite in its range.

Basically, coming back to the point, is that you have three parts. You are the conscious mind of your waking day, the subconscious mind of your memory, dreams, and you are the Higher Self of Love, which connects into your heart, and speaks through intuition.

Now back to meditation. The heart is always Love, and the Higher Self sends its Love always to the heart. The heart can be blocked by the mind, because of our Free Will, and all parts have equal power within ourselves at first. The mind and the heart are different, but equal. Gradually as the heart opens, the power of Spirit overcomes the mind, or the opposite, the mind blocks the heart from opening. The choice of heart or mind, depends on the choices each of us makes.

Someone said to me, why would someone see a devilish person when they meditate? The answer is fear. The person who meditated had a vibration of fear (such as anger, guilt, blame, jealousy, greed and the other vices), which attracted this entity. The entity most likely was a lesser one, who decided to puff itself up, to create more fear on which it lived. The more dangerous energy parasites, are those that attach to addicts...a constant source of nutrition, for the parasitic beings. The lower astral beings close to the hellish realms live on fear energy, and are quite parasitic. Release the fear and they go away. A good way to test them is to say "Do you love God?" or "I bless you with great Love." They will usually run when they hear that word, or continue to act confusing and chaotic. They fight for your attention, don't give it to them, it is a waste of your energy. The fear is formed by what you expose yourself to, and is often sourced from the mind. When this happens, visualize the angels surrounding you, and that you are One with God, feel great Love in the room, and know you are supported. Focus on what you want. This moves energy from the mind into the heart, and releases fear.

Now if you have a Love vibration, you will naturally attract angels and other loving beings through your vibration of Love (such as purity, oneness, satisfaction, generosity, peace, and happiness). When you want to channel or reach loving beings, focus your intent to connect with them. Ignore the mind, enter the heart, and do everything out of Love. At first, the mind has more power, but as the heart opens, it will flower like a blossom. Surrender to Love, let is fill your being, hold the Love vibration, and this focus will allow you to release the mind. What you give power and energy to, so it shall be.

Basically what happens is when you are loving, you send Love vibration from Earth, to the earthbound realm, to the Void, to Heavenly Realms, where it is picked up, and attracts loving beings to come close to Earth, and communicate with you. You have to ask them for help, they will not communicate without being asked, as this is Love, and respect for the Free Will God gave you.

Now, if you send fear vibrations, they are denser/heavier and cannot travel as far. They go from Earth, to the earthbound realm, to the Void, and often attract beings from the hellish realms. The beings from the hellish realms then are attracted to you. They often don't wait for your call, they push their way to you, as long as you are in the fear vibration, and fight for your attention. Stay One with God and Love, and don't give them any power. They will leave you, in search of the fear vibration.

So you have many choices. To get out of fear, enter Love. That's all you have to do. Blanket yourself with great Love, visualize your loving support, and you will not be led astray. It's a matter of vibration.

P.S. Someone asked me, when they contact the other side...how do those from the heavenly realms appear, versus those from other areas? Often when those of the Spirit world first contact you, they appear as faces, and then once you have a better connection, they appear full bodied. My experience has been with people who have passed that came from the heavenly realms, and those from the Void. The people from the heavenly realms open a door, and white light shines from where they are, to you. They are dressed in white and smiling at you. On their side are relatives, and others, who also passed over, and are supporting them. On the other side, an angel may exist to help keep the connection open (the Bridge of Light and Love). Now, those existing from the Void are different, they are not white, but grayish in color, they are alone, and not happy, maybe sad.....those in the hellish regions are aggressive, angry, and manipulative. The amount of Love is diminished. They need your prayers, to bring them to wholeness and Love.

Buddha's Teachings

Buddha set forth his teaching in the following doctrine.

The Four Noble Truths:

1. All things and experiences are marked by suffering/ disharmony/ frustration (dukkha)

2. The arising of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration comes from desire/ craving/ clinging.

3. To achieve the cessation/ end of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, let go of desire/ craving/ clinging.

4. The way to achieve that cessation of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, is walking the Eightfold Path.

The eightfold path to the cessation of suffering:

1. Right Understanding of the following facts: the truth about suffering ... (The Four Truths); everything is impermanent and changes; there is no separate individual self- this is an illusion. (We are One!)

2. Right Determination to: give up what is wrong and evil; undertake what is good; abandon thoughts that have to do with bringing suffering to any conscious being; cultivate thoughts that are of loving kindness, that are based on caring for others' suffering, and sympathetic joy in others' happiness.

3. Right Speech: Abstain from telling lies. Abstain from talk that brings harm or discredit to others (such as backbiting or slander) or talk that creates hatred or disharmony between individuals and groups. Abstain from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, or abusive language. Abstain from idle, useless, and foolish babble and gossip. Abstain from recrimination and negative statements. Abstain from harsh speech—practice kindly speech. Abstain from frivolous speech—practice meaningful speech. Abstain from slanderous speech—practice harmonious speech. Speak the truth if it is useful and timely. Practice only necessary speech. Let your speech be filled with loving kindness. Speak that which alleviates suffering.

4. Right Action: Peaceful, honorable conduct; abstain from dishonest dealings; take concrete steps necessary to foster what is good. Do things that are moral, honest, and alleviate suffering. Do not do things that will bring suffering to others or yourself.

5. Right Livelihood: Abstain from making your living from an occupation that brings harm and suffering to humans or animals, or diminish their wellbeing. This includes: activities that directly harm conscious beings, and activities that indirectly harm sentient beings, e.g., making weapons or poisons.

6. Right Effort: Foster good and prevent evil; Work on yourself—be engaged in appropriate self-improvement. The essence of right effort is that everything must be done with a sense of proper balance that fits the situation. Effort should be properly balanced between trying too hard and not trying hard enough. For example, strike the balance between excessive fasting and over-indulgence in food. Trying hard to progress too rapidly gets poor results, as does not trying hard enough.

7. Right Mindfulness or wakefulness: Foster right attention. Avoid whatever clouds our mental awareness (e.g., drugs). Systematically and intentionally develop awareness.

8. Right Concentration: Developed by practicing meditation and/or mental focusing. Proper meditation must be done continuously while awake, and should include work on awareness of body, emotions, thought, and mind objects.

Five basic precepts:

1. Abstain from killing living beings (from destroying/taking life)—or practice love.

2. Abstain from taking the not-given (from stealing)—or practice generosity, practice giving.

3. Abstain from sexual misconduct—or practice contentment.

4. Abstain from false speech (from lying)—or practice truthfulness.

5. Abstain from taking intoxicating drinks—or practice awareness and mental clarity.

Buddha said:

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

The following prose, attributed to Buddha, is a poetic expression of the way he saw the world.

Buddha said:

"I consider the positions of kings and rulers as that of dust motes.

I observe treasures of gold and gems as so many bricks and pebbles.

I look upon the finest silken robes as tattered rags.

I see myriad worlds of the universe as small seeds of fruit, and the greatest lake in India as a drop of oil upon my foot.

I perceive the teachings of the world as the illusions of magicians.

I discern the highest conception of emancipation as a golden brocade in a dream, and view the holy path of the illuminated ones as flowers appearing in one's eyes.

I see meditation as a pillar of a mountain, nirvana as a nightmare of daytime.

I look upon the judgments of right and wrong as the serpentine dance of a dragon, and the rise and fall of belief as traces left by the four seasons."